Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) for patients with lung tumor and severe pulmonary function impairment.

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical outcomes after SABR in a cohort of early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or pulmonary metastases in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients with forced expiratory volume in the first second predicted (FEV1) ≤ 50%. METHODS: Retrospective single-center study was performed to analyze clinical outcomes and toxicities in COPD patients with severe lung dysfunction treated with SABR from 1st June 2015 to 31st October 2022. RESULTS: Thirty four patients (forty locations) were enrolled for analysis. Median follow-up was 2.9 years. Median age was 73.5 years (range, 65.6-80.1). FEV1 was 38% (range, 28.2-50.0) prior to radiotherapy. Median overall survival (OS) was 41.1 months (95% CI 38.9-not reached). OS rates at 2-, 3-, and 5- years were 79%, 71%, and 36%, respectively. Cancer-specific survival rates at 2-, 3-, and 5- years were 96%, 96%, and 68%, respectively. Local control rates at 2-, 3-, and 5- years were 88%, 83%, and 83%, respectively. No grade 4 or 5 toxicity was observed. The most common acute toxicity was pneumonitis (38.2%), of which only 1 patient (2.9%) reported grade 3 acute toxicity. CONCLUSIONS: Lung SABR in patients with poor pulmonary function may be effective with acceptable toxicity.

Lesión hepática inducida por Phyllanthus niruri (chancapiedra), un remedio natural para urolitiasis / Liver injury induced by Phyllanthus niruri (chancapiedra), a natural remedy for urolithiasis

Tanto la lesión hepática inducida por drogas (DILI), así como la lesión hepática inducida por hierbas (HILI), son una preocupación creciente en la atención sanitaria contemporánea que plantea importantes desafíos clínicos debido a sus variadas etiologías, presentaciones clínicas y posibles resultados potencialmente mortales. Presentamos el caso de un paciente masculino de 38 años con antecedentes de cálculos renales que consultó por dolor lumbar y hematuria. Al ingreso presentó ictericia, hepatomegalia, dolor a la palpación en fosa ilíaca derecha y no tenía signos de hepatopatía crónica, con pruebas de función hepática anormales, que mostraron un patrón hepatocelular asociado con hiperbilirrubinemia. Se descartó obstrucción biliar, trombosis portal, hepatitis autoinmune y viral, con panel autoinmune negativo. El paciente refirió haber consumido un remedio herbario para los cálculos renales llamado "vino rompe cálculos (chancapiedra)", que se supone contiene Phyllanthus niruri, cinco días antes del inicio de los síntomas. Una biopsia hepática reveló hepatitis aguda con infiltrado inflamatorio mixto. Debido al empeoramiento de las pruebas de función hepática y la sospecha de DILI idiosincrásico, se inició un ensayo terapéutico con corticosteroides, que resultó en una mejoría clínica y del perfil hepático. La gravedad de este caso nos recuerda la necesidad de incrementar el seguimiento por parte de las autoridades reguladoras de medicamentos, implementar campañas educativas para los pacientes e informar a la comunidad sobre productos con alertas activas.

Both drug-induced liver injury (DILI) and herb-induced liver injury (HILI) are a growing concern in contemporary healthcare that poses significant clinical challenges due to their varied etiology, clinical presentations, and potential life-threatening outcomes. We present the case of a 38-year-old male patient with a history of kidney stones who consulted for low back pain and hematuria. On admission he presented with jaundice, hepatomegaly, pain on palpation in the right iliac fossa and no signs of chronic liver disease, with abnormal liver function tests, which showed a hepatocellular pattern associated with hyperbilirubinemia. Biliary obstruction, portal thrombosis, autoimmune and viral hepatitis were ruled out, with negative autoimmune panel. The patient reported consuming an herbal remedy for kidney stones called "stone-breaking wine (chancapiedra)", presumed to contain Phyllanthus niruri, five days before the onset of symptoms. A liver biopsy revealedacute hepatitis with mixed inflammatory infiltrate. Due to worsening liver function tests and suspicion of idiosyncratic DILI, a therapeutic trial with corticosteroids was initiated, which resulted in clinical and liver profile improvement. The severity of this case reminds us of the need to increase follow-up by drug regulatory authorities, implement educational campaigns for patients, and inform the community about products with active alerts.

Chronic Cardiac Herniation: A Peculiar Diagnosis.

The presented case describes a 56-year-old male with adult-onset Still's disease, exhibiting polyserositis in 2019, who underwent pleurectomy and pericardiectomy. Despite treatment with tocilizumab and methylprednisolone, the patient developed deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in 2022, managed with apixaban. A contrast-enhanced chest tomography revealed no recurrent thromboembolic events. Over a year, the patient experienced progressive dyspnea, correlating with signs of constriction on transthoracic echocardiogram. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging confirmed cardiac herniation, prompting pericardiectomy. Surgery led to complete resolution of anatomical alterations without heart failure or new abnormalities, although exertional dyspnea persists post-discharge. The pathophysiology of cardiac herniation involves complex mechanisms influenced by congenital or acquired factors, resulting in abnormal heart protrusion. Medical literature highlights varied presentations, with acute cases typically post-thoracic surgeries, while late-onset cases are less common. Imaging modalities like computed tomography (CT) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) aid diagnosis, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration. Despite challenges posed by its rarity, timely diagnosis and treatment are crucial for favourable outcomes, demonstrating the importance of considering this entity in clinical practice.

Aspectos farmacológicos y adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral en pacientes VIH

Introducción: La adherencia al tratamiento farmacológico favorece la supresión viral y reduce la resistencia a la terapia antirretroviral de gran actividad a largo plazo. Objetivo: Determinar la relación entre los aspectos farmacológicos y la adherencia al tratamiento antirretroviral de una IPS colombiana. Metodología: Estudio analítico transversal en pacientes con diagnóstico de VIH en tratamiento antirretroviral entre los años 2012 a 2020. Se utilizó un modelo de regresión logística binaria múltiple con fines explicativos. Resultados: Se analizaron 9835 pacientes donde la proporción de adherencia fue de 90 % y en el modelo ajustado se evaluó su relación con los antecedentes de no adherencia (ORa:0,52 IC95 °/o:0,40-0,66), grupo farmacológico (2 ITIAN + 1 IP u otro) (ORa:1,22 IC95 %:0,99-1,76), dos tomas al día (ORa:1,02 IC95 %:0,74-1,40), unidades al día (≥ 3) (ORa:0,69 IC95 %:0,47-1,02), reacciones adversas a medicamentos (ORa:0,56 IC95 °%:0,40-0,78), polimedicación (ORa:1,36 IC95 %:1,00-1,85), tiempo TAR (1 a 2 años) (ORa:1,63 IC95 %:1,27-2,09),tiempo TAR (6 a 12 meses) (ORa:1,66 IC95 %:1,27-2,18), tiempo TAR (<6 meses) (ORa:1,36 IC95 %:1,03-1,78), tasa de reclamación de los medicamentos (ORa:0,42 IC95 %:0,32-0,55) y antecedentes PRUM (ORa:0,11 IC95 %:0,09-0,14). Discusión: La proporción de adherencia obtenida es superior a lo descrito para otros países (entre 60-77 %); sin embargo se encuentra que los hallazgos correspondientes al efecto de las variables farmacológicas analizadas son acordes a lo descrito en estudios previos en el tema Conclusión: Los antecedentes de no adherencia, reacciones adversas, tasa de reclamación de los medicamentos y antecedentes de problemas relacionados con el uso de medicamentos son aspectos que reducen la probabilidad de adherencia; mientras que el mayor tiempo de uso del tratamiento aumenta la misma.

Introduction: Adherence to drug treatment promotes viral suppression and reduces long-term resistance to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Objective: To determine the relationship between the pharmacological aspects and adherence to antiretroviral treatment in a Colombian IPS. Methodology: Cross-sectional analytical study in patients with HIV on antiretroviral treatment between 2012 and 2020. A multiple binary logistic regression model was used for explanatory purposes. Results: A total of 9,835 patients were analyzed where the proportion of adherence was 90 % and in the adjusted model its relationship with history of non-adherence was assessed (ORa: 0,52 95 % CI: 0,40-0,66), pharmacological group (2 NRTI + 1 PI or other) (ORa: 1,22 95 % CI: 0,99-1,76), two doses per day (ORa: 1,02 95 % CI: 0,74-1,40), units per day (≥ 3 ) (ORa: 0,69 95 % CI: 0,47-1,02), adverse drug reactions (ORa: 0,56 95 % CI: 0,40-0,78), polypharmacy (ORa: 1,36 95 % CI : 1,00-1,85), ART time (1 to 2 years) (ORa: 1,63 95 % CI: 1,27-2,09), ART time (6 to 12 months) (ORa: 1,66 95 % CI: 1,27-2,18), ART time (<6 months) (ORa: 1,36 95 % CI: 1,03-1,78), inconsistency in the claim (ORa: 0,42 95 % CI: 0,32-0,55) and PRUM history (ORa: 0,11 95 % CI: 0,09-0,14). Discussion: The proportion of adherence obtained is higher than that described for other countries (between 60-77 %); however, the findings corresponding to the effect of the pharmacological variables analysed are in line with those described in previous studies on the subject. Conclusion: The history of non-adherence, adverse reactions, inconsistencies in the claim fill history and problems related to the use of medications are aspects that reduce the probability of adherence. While the longer time of use of the treatment increases adherence.

Refractory Ascites After Liver Transplantation Treated With Splenic Artery Embolization: A Case Report and Literature Review.

After orthotopic liver transplantation, several complications can arise, such as arterial or venous thrombosis, stenosis, biliary leakage, ischemia, or ascites. Although refractory ascites are not a common complication, they can have a significant impact on patients' prognosis and quality of life. This condition can be caused by multiple mechanisms, both intrahepatic and extrahepatic, and one of them is the splenic artery steal syndrome. In this article, we present the case of a patient with advanced cirrhosis who developed refractory ascites following liver transplantation. Despite management with diuretics and paracentesis, the ascites did not respond to conventional treatment. The diagnosis of splenic artery steal syndrome was confirmed through angiography, and subsequent embolization of the splenic artery resulted in symptom resolution.

Novel approaches for assessing acclimatization in birds reveal seasonal changes in peripheral heat exchange and thermoregulatory behaviors.

Using thermography and behavioral analyses, we found that heat exchange and thermoregulatory behaviors changed seasonally in chipping sparrows (Spizella passerina). Studies on seasonal acclimatization in birds have primarily involved metabolic measurements, few of which have investigated behaviors, and none have investigated changes in peripheral heat exchange. We captured chipping sparrows in the winter and summer of 2022 in Wilmington, North Carolina, USA, and we collected thermal images of these birds at 15.0, 27.5 and 40.0°C. We found that heat dissipation through the bill and legs changed seasonally, but surprisingly both were higher in winter than in summer. We found that heat dissipating behaviors were more common in winter, whereas heat conserving behaviors were more common in summer, and that behaviors associated with resource costs (e.g. panting) or predation risk (e.g. bill tucking) showed the most distinct differences between seasons. Meanwhile, low-cost and low-risk postural adjustments (e.g. feather adjustments and tarsus exposure) did not vary as strongly between seasons but followed similar trends. The seasonal adjustments to behaviors suggest that non-acclimatized birds must use costly thermoregulatory behaviors more frequently than acclimatized birds. The use of thermography resulted in the discovery of one completely novel behavior, and the first detection of a known behavior in a new species. Both novel behaviors aided in evaporative heat loss and occurred more commonly in winter, supporting the presence of seasonal acclimatization as evidenced by behavioral adjustments. These results provide novel insights into the process of acclimatization and suggest a role for behavioral adjustments in seasonal acclimatization.

Círculos de la palabra con líderes vecinales: sistematización de la experiencia

Se realizó una sistematización de la experiencia de: "círculos de la palabra" con líderes barriales del municipio de Villamaría, Caldas, Colombia entre 2016 y 2019, con base en los lineamientos de los autores: Jara, Ghiso y Verger. La experiencia permitió identificar tres hitos: "conocernos, el acompañamiento y los sueños", "sujetos de conocimiento" y "la experiencia construida socialmente". Los círculos de la palabra se configuraron para dar a los líderes de las comunidades un espacio donde tener voz y promover la reflexión movilizadora, construir tejidos y crear redes sociales de apoyo para conseguir un buen vivir.

A systematization of the experience titled: "word circles" with neighborhood leaders in Villamaría - Caldas (Colombia) between 2016 and 2019, was conduc ted based on Jara, Ghiso, and Verger guidelines. This experience allowed to iden tify three milestones: "getting to know each other, accompaniment and dreams," "subjects of knowledge," and "experience socially constructed". The word circles were created to provide to community leaders a place where they may have a voice and to foster mobilizing reflection, to build social fabric, and creating support networks to achieve a good life.

Acute stress and restricted diet reduce bill-mediated heat dissipation in the song sparrow (Melospiza melodia): implications for optimal thermoregulation.

We used thermal imaging to show that two environmental factors - acute stress and diet - influence thermoregulatory performance of a known thermal window, the avian bill. The bill plays important roles in thermoregulation and water balance. Given that heat loss through the bill is adjustable through vasoconstriction and vasodilation, and acute stress can cause vasoconstriction in peripheral body surfaces, we hypothesized that stress may influence the bill's role as a thermal window. We further hypothesized that diet influences heat dissipation from the bill, given that body condition influences the surface temperature of another body region (the eye region). We measured the surface temperature of the bills of song sparrows (Melospiza melodia) before, during and after handling by an observer at 37°C ambient temperature. We fed five birds a restricted diet intended to maintain body mass typical of wild birds, and we fed six birds an unrestricted diet for 5 months prior to experiments. Acute stress caused a decrease in the surface temperature of the bill, resulting in a 32.4% decrease in heat dissipation immediately following acute stress, before recovering over approximately 2.3 min. The initial reduction and subsequent recovery provide partial support for the hemoprotective and thermoprotective hypotheses, which predict a reduction or increase in peripheral blood flow, respectively. Birds with unrestricted diets had larger bills and dissipated more heat, indicating that diet and body condition influence bill-mediated heat dissipation and thermoregulation. These results indicate that stress-induced vascular changes and diet can influence mechanisms of heat loss and potentially inhibit optimal thermoregulation.

Experiencia de downstaging versus criterios de Milán para trasplante hepático por carcinoma hepatocelular en una cohorte prospectiva / Experience with downstaging versus Milan criteria for liver transplantation in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma in a prospective cohort

Introducción. El acceso al trasplante hepático (TH) en pacientes con carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) se basa en la aplicación de criterios morfológicos rigurosos estipulados desde 1996, co-nocidos como criterios de Milán. Una de las estrategias descritas para expandir estos criterios se conoce como downstaging (reducción del estadiaje tumoral mediante terapias locorregionales). El objetivo de este estudio fue describir el comportamiento postrasplante de pacientes con CHC que ingresaron dentro de los parámetros de Milán, comparado con el de aquellos pacientes llevados a terapia de downstaging en un centro colombiano. Metodología. Se incluyeron pacientes adultos con cirrosis hepática (CH) y CHC que fueron llevados a TH en el Hospital Pablo Tobón Uribe, entre julio de 2012 a septiembre de 2021. Como desenlace principal se definió recurrencia y tiempo de recurrencia de la enfermedad tumoral, muerte por todas las causas y tiempo al fallecimiento. Se evaluaron las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de cada grupo. Se incluyeron scores pronósticos de recurrencia de la enfermedad tumoral. Resultados. Se trasplantaron 68 pacientes con CH y CHC, 50 (73,5 %) eran hombres y la edad promedio fue 59 años; 51 pacientes (75 %) cumplían con los criterios de Milán y 17 (25 %) fueron llevados a terapia de downstaging previo al TH. No hubo diferencias significativas en la supervivencia global y supervivencia libre de trasplante entre los dos grupos evaluados, p=0,479 y p=0,385, respectivamente. Tampoco hubo diferencia significativa en la recurrencia de la enfermedad tumoral entre ambos grupos (p=0,81). En total hubo 7 casos de recurrencia tumoral (10,2 %) y 11 casos de muerte (16,2 %). Conclusiones. No se encontraron diferencias significativas en recurrencia y mortalidad entre los pacientes que cumplían los criterios de Milán y los trasplantados luego de la terapia de downstaging, en un tiempo de se-guimiento de 53 meses hasta el último control posterior al trasplante hepático. Esta sería la primera evaluación prospectiva de un protocolo de downstaging para CHC en Colombia.

Introduction. Access to liver transplantation (LT) in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is based on the application of rigorous morphological criteria stipulated since 1996, known as the Milan criteria. One of the strategies described to expand these criteria is known as downstaging (tu-mor staging reduction through locoregional therapies). The objective of this study was to describe the post-transplant performance of patients with HCC who were admitted within the Milan parameters, compared with those of patients taken to downstaging therapy, in a Colombian center. Methodolo-gy. Adult patients with cirrhosis and HCC that received LT between July 2012 and September 2021 at the Pablo Tobón Uribe Hospital were included. The main outcome was defined as recurrence and time to recurrence of the tumor disease, death from all causes, and time to death. The socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of each group were evaluated. Tumor disease recurrence prognostic scores were included. Results. Sixty-eight patients with cirrhosis and HCC received LT in the time frame, 50 (73.5%) were men and the mean age was 59 years. Fifty-one patients were trans-planted (75%) fulfilling Milan criteria, and 17 (25%) patients received downstaging therapies before LT. There were no significant differences in overall survival and transplant-free survival between the two groups, p=0.479 and p=0.385, respectively. There was also no significant difference in the recurrence of the tumor disease between both groups (p=0.81). In total there were 7 tumoral recurrences (10.2%) and 11 deaths (16.2%). Conclusions. There were no differences in recurrence and survival between patients transplanted fulfilling Milan criteria and those receiving downstaging therapies, following a mean time of 53 months after LT. This is the first prospective evaluation of the downstaging protocol in Colombia.

Biomarcadores convencionales y emergentes en hepatitis B / Conventional and emerging biomarkers in hepatitis B

A nivel mundial, 300 millones de personas están infectadas por el virus de la hepatitis B (VHB). A pesar de que existe una vacuna que previene la infección y se dispone de tratamiento antiviral que suprime la replicación del virus, no hay cura aún. El principal problema que evita la recuperación total del paciente, incluso para aquel que recibe tratamiento, es la persistencia de dos formas del genoma viral en los hepatocitos: el ADN circular covalentemente cerrado (ADNccc), el cual se encuentra en forma de episoma y tiene la capacidad de replicarse, y las secuencias lineales subge-nómicas que se integran en el genoma humano, con potencial oncogénico. Hasta el momento se dispone de unos pocos biomarcadores para monitorear o predecir la progresión de la enfermedad y la respuesta al tratamiento. Estos biomarcadores se detectan durante la infección, y son la base para la monitorización de la enfermedad y hacer un diagnóstico de la fase clínica de la infección. Recientemente han surgido nuevos biomarcadores como el antígeno relacionado con el core del virus de la hepatitis B (HBcrAg) y la detección del ARN del VHB, que parecen correlacionarse con los niveles transcripcionales del ADNccc, además, durante el tratamiento parecen ayudar a predecir la respuesta y podrían identificar aquellos a quienes se les puede suspender la terapia sin riesgo de recaída. En esta revisión, se describe la utilidad de los principales biomarcadores convencionales en hepatitis B, y se abordan los dos biomarcadores emergentes más estudiados que prometen evaluar el curso de la infección, al igual que determinar la progresión de la enfermedad y la respuesta al tratamiento.

Globally, 300 million people are infected with hepatitis B virus (HBV). Although there is a vaccine that prevents infection and antiviral treatment that suppresses the replication of the virus, there is still no cure. The main problem that prevents the total recovery of the patient, even for those who recei-ve treatment, is the persistence of two forms of the viral genome in hepatocytes: covalently close circular DNA (cccDNA), which is in the form of an episome that has the ability to replicate, and linear subgenomic sequences that are integrated into the human genome, with oncogenic potential. Few biomarkers are currently available to monitor or predict disease progression and response to treatment. These biomarkers are detected during infection and are the basis for monitoring the di-sease and making a diagnosis of the clinical phase of the infection. New biomarkers have recently emerged, such as hepatitis B core-related antigen (HBcrAg) and HBV RNA detection, which seem to correlate with cccDNA transcriptional levels while during treatment seem to help predict response, and could identify those for whom therapy can be discontinued without risk of relapse. In this review, the usefulness of the main conventional biomarkers in hepatitis B is described, and the two most studied emerging biomarkers are mentioned, which promise to evaluate the course of the infection, as well as to determine disease progression and treatment response.

Measuring the social determinants of health: an integrative literature review / Medición de los determinantes sociales de la salud: revisión documental integrativa / Medindo os determinantes sociais da saúde: uma revisão integrativa da literature

AВSTRАСT Introduction: The Social Determinants of Health are those conditions that directly or indirectly influence the life course, the health of individuals and inequalities. Objective: to analyze the scientific evidence on instruments used to measure the Social Determinants of Health. Method: integrative documentary review of publications on this topic in 27 scientific articles, analyzed in ATLAS.ti software. Results: 2019 was the year with the highest number of studies related to Social Determinants of Health, English the predominant language; the United States is the most prolific country in publications; the most evaluated were the health system (70%), education (63%), economic income and housing (55%). Age, gender and ethnicity were assessed in 41%, socioeconomic stratum was not directly assessed. The measurement has been focused on the structural. Conclusion: according to scientific evidence, there is no homogeneity to include in instruments the fundamental Social Determinants of Health that explain inequalities and inequities and the design of generic instruments is an international need to evaluate the structural and intermediate determinants.

RESUMEN Introducción: los Determinantes Sociales de la Salud son aquellas condiciones que directa o indirectamente influyen en el curso de vida, la salubridad de los individuos y las desigualdades. Objetivo: analizar la evidencia científica sobre instrumentos utilizados para la medición de los Determinantes Sociales de la Salud. Material y método: revisión documental integrativa de publicaciones referentes a este tema en 27 artículos científicos, analizados en software ATLAS.ti. Resultados: el ano 2019 fue el de mayor número de estudios relacionados con Determinantes Sociales de la Salud, inglés el idioma predominante; Estados Unidos es el país más prolífico en publicaciones; los mayormente evaluados fueron el sistema de salud (70%), educación (63%), ingresos económicos y vivienda (55%). La edad, género y etnia se evaluaron en un 41%, el estrato socioeconómico no se evaluó directamente. La medición se ha centrado en lo estructural. Conclusión: según la evidencia científica no existe homogeneidad para incluir en instrumentos los Determinantes Sociales de la Salud fundamentales que explican las desigualdades e inequidades y el diseno de instrumentos genéricos es una necesidad internacional para evaluar los determinantes estructurales e intermedios.

RESUMO Introdução: os Determinantes Dociais da Daúde são as condições que influenciam directa ou indirectamente o curso da vida, a saúde dos indivíduos e as desigualdades. Objectivo: analisar as provas científicas sobre os instrumentos utilizados para medir os Determinantes Dociais da Daúde. Método: revisão documental integrativa de publicações sobre este tema em 27 artigos científicos, utilizando o software de análise estatística ATLAS.ti. Resultados: 2019 foi o ano com o maior número de estudos relacionados com Determinantes Sociais da Saúde, sendo o inglês a língua predominante; os Estados Unidos são o país mais prolífico em publicações. Entre as variáveis mais avaliadas estão o sistema de saúde (70%), educação (63%) e rendimento económico e habitação (55%). A idade, género e etnia foram avaliados em 41%, o estrato socioeconómico não foi directamente avaliado. A medição centra-se nos aspectos estruturais. Conclusão: de acordo com provas científicas não existe homogeneidade para incluir nos instrumentos os determinantes sociais da saúde, que são fundamentais para explicar as desigualdades e as desigualdades. Do mesmo modo, a concepção de instrumentos genéricos é uma necessidade internacional de avaliar determinantes estruturais e intermediários.

False positive serology of prepandemic chagasic samples with SARS-CoV-2 antigen.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether prepandemic sera from patients with Chagas disease recognise SARS-CoV-2 antigens. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty sera from patients with Chagas disease were tested for the presence of IgG cross-reactivity against the nucleocapsid protein (NP) and spike (S) SARS-CoV-2 proteins by ELISA. Positive samples were tested again using a different ELISA and CLIA, both against NP. RESULTS: None of the sera from patients with Chagas disease, previously confirmed as positive for the presence of anti-Trypanosoma cruzi antibodies reacted against the SARS-CoV-2 S protein, and six samples tested positive for the NP antigen (15%). The six positive samples were re-tested, five remained positive by ELISA and all were negative by CLIA. CONCLUSION: According to our data, false-positive results might be a concern in the detection of SARS-CoV-2 antibodies in patients with Chagas disease.

Assessing the duration of obstetric analgesia and the time elapsed between analgesia and delivery. Observational trial / Evaluación de la duración de la analgesia obstétrica y del tiempo entre la analgesia y el parto. Estudio observacional

Abstract Introduction: The duration of labor and the immediate puerperium are affected by obstetric and maternal-fetal factors. Interventions to provide obstetric analgesia may prolong the hospital stay. Objective: To characterize the procedure for obstetric analgesia and describe the time elapsed between analgesia and delivery and postpartum surveillance in healthy mothers. Methods: Observational, descriptive trial. The time elapsed between analgesia and delivery, and postpartum surveillance were measured in healthy pregnant women with vaginal delivery and a prescription of a neuraxial analgesia technique. Results: 226 patients were included. The mean time elapsed between analgesia an delivery was 4 hours (IQR 3-7). 50.7 % (n=114) received early analgesia (neuraxial technique with ≤ 4 centimeters of cervical dilatation), of which 48.2 % (n = 109) experienced a duration of analgesia until delivery longer than expected. The mean cervical dilatation at the time of the neuraxial approach was 4 centimeters (IQR 4-6) and the epidural technique was the most frequently used - 92.9 % (n = 210). The mean postpartum surveillance was 20 hours (IQR 15-27). Conclusions: Half of the patients included received early analgesia and around fifty percent of them took longer than expected in completing delivery. The postpartum surveillance time was consistent with the provisions of the Ministry of Health and with the current trend of a short postpartum surveillance aimed at early hospital discharge and the benefits thereof.

Resumen Introducción: La duración del trabajo de parto y del puerperio inmediato se afectan por factores obstétricos y maternofetales. Las intervenciones para brindar analgesia obstétrica pudieran prolongar el tiempo total de estancia hospitalaria. Objetivo: Caracterizar el procedimiento de analgesia obstétrica y describir los tiempos entre analgesia y parto y vigilancia posparto en maternas sanas. Métodos: Estudio descriptivo observacional. Se midieron los tiempos entre analgesia y parto y vigilancia posparto en gestantes sanas, cuya vía final del parto fuera vaginal con indicación y aplicación de alguna técnica de analgesia neuroaxial. Resultados: Se incluyeron 226 pacientes. La mediana del tiempo de analgesia hasta el parto fue de 4 horas (RIC 3-7); el 50,7 % (n = 114) recibió analgesia temprana (técnica neuroaxial a ≤ 4 centímetros de dilatación cervical), de las cuales el 48,2 % (n = 109) tuvo un tiempo de analgesia hasta el parto mayor al esperado. La mediana de dilatación cervical al momento del abordaje del neuroeje fue de 4 centímetros (RIC 4-6) y la técnica epidural fue la más frecuente, 92,9 % (n = 210). La mediana de tiempo de vigilancia posparto fue de 20 horas (RIC 15-27). Conclusiones: La mitad de las pacientes incluidas recibió analgesia temprana y cerca de la mitad tardó más de lo esperado en finalizar su gestación. El tiempo de vigilancia posparto fue acorde con lo establecido por el Ministerio de Salud y con la tendencia actual de una vigilancia posparto corta que apunte a un alta temprana y sus beneficios.

Terapias sistémicas en carcinoma hepatocelular: secuencia de tratamientos / Systemic therapies in hepatocellular carcinoma: sequencing of treatment

El carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC) es una de las principales causas de morbilidad y mortalidad relacionada con el cáncer en todo el mundo. La mayoría de los casos ocurren en un contexto de cirrosis o hepatitis crónica. Los pacientes con CHC avanzado no disponían de terapias efectivas hasta el 2008, cuando el sorafenib, un inhibidor de la tirosina quinasa multi-target, demostró un beneficio en comparación con el placebo, en términos de supervivencia y tiempo a progresión de la enfermedad. Desde el 2016, diferentes tratamientos de primera y segunda línea con mecanismos de acción similares (lenvatinib, regorafenib, cabozantinib, ramucirumab) demostraron eficacia. Sin embargo, la investigación de fármacos que inhiben otras vías tumorales seguía siendo de máxima prioridad y los inhibidores de puntos de control inmunitario (ICI) mostraron resultados prometedores en el ámbito clínico para el tratamiento del CHC, revolucionando el manejo en estos pacientes. Recientemente, el anticuerpo contra la proteína de muerte programada-1 (PD-1), atezolizumab combinado con bevacizumab, demostró superioridad sobre el sorafenib en un ensayo clínico aleatorizado de fase III, convirtiéndose en la terapia de elección en primera línea. Actualmente están emergiendo resultados de múltiples estudios de fase III, que continuarán modificando el tratamiento del CHC. En este artículo se revisa la evolución y los cambios recientes de las terapias sistémicas para CHC, mostrando la secuencia actual de estos tratamientos, una vez iniciados.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related morbidity and mortality worldwide. Most cases occur in the context of cirrhosis or chronic liver inflammation. Patients with advanced HCC had no effective therapies until 2008, when sorafenib, a multi-target tyrosine kinase inhibitor, showed beneficial results when compared to placebo in terms of survival and time to progression. Since 2016, different first and second line treatments with similar mechanisms of action (lenvatinib, regorafenib, cabozantinib, ramucirumab) have shown efficacy. However, researchstudies with drugs that inhibit other tumor pathways remained a top priority, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) showed promising results in the clinical setting of HCC management. Recently, antibodies against the programmed death protein-1 (PD-1), atezolizumab combined with bevacizumab, have shown superiority over sorafenib in a randomized phase III clinical trial, becoming the first-line therapy of choice. Results from multiple phase III studies are currently emerging, which will continue to modify HCC treatment. This article reviews recent developments and changes in systemic therapies for HCC, showing the current sequencing of these treatments once they begin.

Resolved phylogenetic relationships in the Ocotea complex (Supraocotea) facilitate phylogenetic classification and studies of character evolution.

PREMISE: The Ocotea complex contains the greatest diversity of Lauraceae in the Neotropics. However, the traditional taxonomy of the group has relied on only three main floral characters, and previous molecular analyses have used only a few markers and provided limited support for relationships among the major clades. This lack of useful data has hindered the development of a comprehensive classification, as well as studies of character evolution. METHODS: We used RAD-seq data to infer the phylogenetic relationships of 149 species in the Ocotea complex, generating a reference-based assembly using the Persea americana genome. The results provide the basis for a phylogenetic classification that reflects our current molecular knowledge and for analyses of the evolution of breeding system, stamen number, and number of anther locules. RESULTS: We recovered a well-supported tree that demonstrates the paraphyly of Licaria, Aniba, and Ocotea and clarifies the relationships of Umbellularia, Phyllostemonodaphne, and the Old World species. To begin the development of a new classification and to facilitate precise communication, we also provide phylogenetic definitions for seven major clades. Our ancestral reconstructions show multiple origins for the three floral characters that have routinely been used in Lauraceae systematics, suggesting that these be used with caution in the future. CONCLUSIONS: This study advances our understanding of phylogenetic relationships and character evolution in a taxonomically difficult group using RAD-seq data. Our new phylogenetic names will facilitate unambiguous communication as studies of the Ocotea complex progress.

Estilos y estrategias de aprendizaje y rendimiento académico en adolescentes infractores / Estilos e estratégias de aprendizagem e desempenho acadêmico em adolescentes infratores / Learning Styles and Strategies and Academic Performance in Juvenile Offenders

Esta investigación tuvo como objetivo describir y analizar los estilos y estrategias de aprendizaje y su relación con el rendimiento académico en una muestra de adolescentes infractores de la ciudad de Medellín, Colombia. Se realizó un estudio no experimental, con un enfoque cuantitativo, de nivel descriptivo-correlacional y de corte transversal con 234 jóvenes de un Centro de Atención Especializada del Sistema de Responsabilidad Penal para Adolescentes. Los estilos de aprendizaje con mayor preferencia fueron el activo y el Pragmático; mientras que el estilo con menor preferencia fue el reflexivo. Respecto de las estrategias de aprendizaje, la codificación tuvo el mayor porcentaje de la muestra en el percentil medio. Las otras tres estrategias tuvieron los mayores porcentajes ubicados en el percentil bajo. La estrategia de adquisición correlacionó positivamente con los estilos reflexivo, teórico y pragmático. La estrategia de codificación correlacionó positivamente con los estilos activo, reflexivo y teórico. La estrategia de recuperación correlacionó positivamente con los estilos activo y reflexivo. Finalmente, la estrategia de apoyo al procesamiento correlacionó positivamente con todos los estilos de aprendizaje. La adquisición de información fue la variable de las estrategias de aprendizaje que más correlacionó con el rendimiento académico.

The objective of this study was to describe and analyze learning styles and strategies and their relationship to academic performance in a sample of juvenile offenders from the city of Medellin, Colombia. A cross-sectional, descriptive correlational, non-experimental study was performed with a quantitative approach on 234 young people from a Specialized Care Center of the Criminal Justice System for Adolescents. They showed a strong preference for active and pragmatic learning styles, while the style with the least preference was reflexive. With respect to learning strategies, codification obtained the highest percentage from the sample in the middle percentile. The other three strategies obtained the highest percentages in the lower percentile. The acquisition strategy was positively correlated with reflexive, theoretical and pragmatic styles. The codification strategy was positively correlated with active, reflexive and theoretical styles. The recovery strategy was positively correlated with active and reflexive styles. Finally, the processing support strategy was positively correlated with all learning styles. Information acquisition was the learning strategy variable that most correlated with academic performance.

Esta pesquisa teve como objetivo descrever e analisar estilos e estratégias de aprendizagem e sua relação com o desempenho acadêmico em uma amostra de adolescentes infratores da cidade de Medellín, Colômbia. Foi realizado um estudo não experimental, com uma abordagem quantitativa de nível descritivo-correlacional e transversal com 234 jovens de um Centro de Atenção Especializada do Sistema de Responsabilidade Criminal para Adolescentes. Os estilos de aprendizagem de mais preferência foram ativo e pragmático; enquanto o estilo com menos preferência foi o reflexivo. Em relação às estratégias de aprendizagem, a codificação teve a maior porcentagem da amostra no percentil médio. As outras três estratégias tiveram os maiores percentuais localizados no percentil baixo. A estratégia de aquisição correlacionou-se positivamente com os estilos reflexivo, teórico e pragmático. A estratégia de codificação correlacionou-se positivamente com os estilos ativo, reflexivo e teórico. A estratégia de recuperação correlacionou-se positivamente com os estilos ativo e reflexivo. Finalmente, a estratégia de apoio de processamento correlacionou-se positivamente com todos os estilos de aprendizagem. A aquisição de informações foi a variável das estratégias de aprendizagem que mais se correlacionou com o desempenho acadêmico.

Papel pronóstico de factores asociados con lesión isquémica de la circulación anterior: estudio de cohorte / Prognosis role of factors associated with anterior circulation stroke: a cohort study

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: La enfermedad cerebrovascular constituye un problema de salud pública. Esta entidad representa una importante causa de discapacidad permanente en el adulto, además de tener impacto social, económico y sanitario. Los altos costos que demanda la atención sanitaria desde su momento diagnóstico, el manejo inicial del evento y la posterior rehabilitación-paliación de las secuelas, obligan al conocimiento de características del individuo y factores pronósticos. Esto como insumo de planificación de servicios de prevención para personas en riesgo y atención de pacientes con ataque cerebrovascular. OBJETIVO: Identificar el papel pronóstico que tienen algunos factores asociados con la lesión isquémica, con respecto al grado de discapacidad y mortalidad en el infarto cerebral de la circulación anterior. METODOLOGÍA: Estudio observacional analítico, prospectivo de cohorte, con un análisis anidado de casos y controles. Se identificó la escala del National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) para determinar el compromiso neurológico al ingreso. A los tres meses del evento, se obtuvo la escala Rankin modificado (mRS, variable dependiente) en busca de discapacidad residual y mortalidad; se consideraron casos los mRS desfavorables (puntajes: 3, 4, 5 y 6), y controles los mRS favorables (puntajes: 0, 1, 2). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 93 pacientes con ACV-i de circulación anterior; la mediana para la edad fue 67 años RIC (57-76); el NIHSS más frecuente fue moderado (50 pacientes, 53,8 %) y la mediana de tiempo transcurrido para el inicio de manejo médico fue de 5 horas RIC (3-24 horas). La identificación de la etiología del ACVi fue posible en 33 pacientes (35,5 %, más frecuente el cardioembólico). Luego de 90 días del ACVi, la clasificación mRS más frecuente fue de tres puntos "moderado" (22 pacientes, 23,7 %) y la mortalidad fue de siete pacientes (7,5 %). En el análisis bivariado la ubicación del infarto en el hemisferio izquierdo fue una variable desfavorable en términos de discapacidad a los tres meses en comparación con el hemisferio derecho (OR: 2,51; IC 95 %: 1,06 - 5,9; p = 0,03). CONCLUSIONES: La población de estudio fue predominantemente de sexo masculino, con una limitación funcional moderada (NIHSS 5-15) al ingreso a urgencias. Tres meses después del evento, la mayoría de los pacientes cursó con movilidad reducida, algún compromiso de las funciones mentales, pero esencialmente independientes en su vida diaria. La lesión del hemisferio izquierdo se comportó como un factor de mal pronóstico en la recuperación funcional de los pacientes.

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: Cerebrovascular disease constitutes a public health problem. This entity represents an important cause of permanent disability in adults, social, economic and health impact as well. The high costs demanded by health care from the moment of diagnosis, initial management of the event, and subsequent rehabilitation-palliation of the sequelae, requires knowledge of population characteristics and possible prognostic factors. This can be useful as an input for planning prevention services for people at risk and care of stroke patients. OBJECTIVE: To identify the prognostic role that some factors associated with the ischemic lesion have regarding the degree of disability and mortality, in the cerebral infarction of the anterior circulation. Methods: Observational, analytical, prospective cohort study was performed, with a nested case-control analysis. Neurological involvement was measured at admission with the NIHSS scale. At three months post-event, the modified Rankin scale (mRS: dependent variable) was measured, pursuing residual disability and mortality; cases: patient with unfavorable mRS score (score: 3, 4, 5, 6); controls: patient with favorable mRS score (score: 0, 1, 2). RESULTS: 93 patients with diagnosis of ischemic stroke of anterior circulation were included. Median age was 67 years RIQ (57-76); most frequent NIHSS was moderate (50; 53.8 %) and the median evolution time to medical management was 5 hours RIQ (3-24 hours). Etiology was identified in 33 patients (35.5 %, cardio-embolic the most). After 90 days since ischemic injury, most frequent mRS was "3: moderate" (22; 23.7 %) and 7 (7.5 %) patients died. Bivariate analysis identified left hemisphere stroke as an unfavorable variable in terms of disability at three months compared to the right hemisphere (OR 2.51, 95 % CI 1.06-5.9, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: The population with ischemic stroke was predominantly males with multiple comorbidities, with a moderate neurological compromise on admission (NIHSS score: 5-15). After three months post event, patients were predominantly with reduced mobility, some mental functions affection, but essentially independent in activities of daily living. The involvement of left hemisphere is projected as poor prognostic factor in the functional recovery of our patients.

Salud Pública y Bioética, Reflexiones sobre Sars-Cov-2 (Covid-19) en Colombia / Saúde Pública e Bioética, Reflexões sobre Sars-Cov-2 (Covid-19) na Colômbia / Public Health and Bioethics, Reflections on Sars-Cov-2 (Covid-19) in Colombia

The quick spread of the COVID-19 disease has generated the establishment of coordination mechanisms, control and lengthy actions by actors and/or agents, which has triggered border barriers between communities and people to curb the contagion. This situation has also produced fear of infection and a survival instinct that has inevitably altered the perception of the other, which is viewed with mistrust when configuring itself as a potentially infectious person; in extreme cases there is even discrimination or exclusion. However, this should not affect collaboration to fight at all levels: governments, public and private sectors, civil society, international and regional organizations, while overcoming selfishness and segregation. So much so that the ethical ideal must transcend political borders, geographical limits and cultural differences, so that the focus is on the common needs of people and the joint responsibility to dialogue about concrete solutions to overcome the difficult situation. In other words, there is a need for constructive cross-disciplinary meetings between governmental and scientific actors that help overcome the crisis.

Colestasis inducida por anabólicos: reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Anabolic-induced cholestasis: case report and literature review

La función metabólica y de excreción está determinada principalmente por la actividad hepática, esto predispone al hígado a lesión inducida por toxicidad, en donde la disfunción es mediada directa o indirectamente por xenobióticos y/o sus metabolitos. La enfermedad hepática inducida por fármacos (DILI) es una condición poco frecuente, que se relaciona hasta con el 50% de las insuficiencias hepáticas agudas, y de ahí su importancia. La lesión directa puede estar dirigida a hepatocitos, conductos biliares y estructuras vasculares; no obstante, diferentes xenobióticos pueden interferir con el flujo de bilis mediante el bloqueo directo de proteínas de trasporte en los canalículos. Actualmente no existen marcadores absolutos para el diagnóstico de esta entidad y las manifestaciones clínicas pueden ser variables, desde el espectro de alteraciones bioquímicas en ausencia de síntomas, hasta insuficiencia hepática aguda y daño hepático crónico, por lo cual es principalmente un diagnóstico de exclusión basado en evidencia circunstancial. A partir de esta inferencia, se han desarrollado escalas y algoritmos para evaluar la probabilidad de lesión hepática inducida por medicamentos, tóxicos, herbales o suplementos. En la mayoría de los casos, es característico que la condición del paciente mejore cuando se elimina el fármaco responsable del daño. Aunque el patrón colestásico generalmente tiene mejores tasas de supervivencia en comparación con otros patrones, también se asocia con un alto riesgo de desarrollar enfermedad hepática crónica o ser el desencadenante de manifestaciones inmunológicas en el hígado. Se presenta el caso clínico de un paciente con patrón colestásico de DILI por uso de esteroides anabólicos.

Metabolic and excretory function is determined mainly by liver activity which can make this organ susceptible to toxic injury, where dysfunction is directly or indirectly mediated by xenobiotics and/ or their metabolites. Drug-induced liver disease (DILI) is a rare condition, which is associated with up to 50% of acute liver failure, and hence its importance. Direct injury can be directed to hepatocytes, bile ducts, and vascular structures, however, different xenobiotics can interfere with bile flow by directly blocking transport proteins in the canaliculi. Currently there are no definite markers for the diagnosis of this condition, and clinical manifestations can be variable, including biochemical changes in the absence of symptoms to acute liver failure and chronic liver damage, which makes it mainly an exclusion diagnosis based on clinical evidence. Scales and algorithms have been developed to assess the probability of drug, toxic, herbal, or supplement-induced liver injury. In most cases, the patient's condition typically improves when the drug responsible for the injury is removed. Although the cholestatic pattern generally has better survival rates compared to other patterns, it is also associated with a high risk of developing chronic liver disease or acting as a trigger for immune disorders in the liver. The clinical case of a patient with a cholestatic pattern of DILI due to the use of anabolic steroids is presented.