Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the diagnosis and treatment of onco-hematologic patients: a discussion paper.

We do not know the precise figure for solid organ tumors diagnosed each year in Spain and it is therefore difficult to calculate whether there has been a decrease in cancer diagnoses as a consequence of the pandemic. Some indirect data suggest that the pandemic has worsened the stage at which some non-hematological neoplasms are diagnosed. Despite the lack of robust evidence, oncology patients seem more likely to have a poor outcome when they contract COVID-19. The antibody response to infection in cancer patients will be fundamentally conditioned by the type of neoplasia present, the treatment received and the time of its administration. In patients with hematological malignancies, the incidence of infection is probably similar or lower than in the general population, due to the better protective measures adopted by the patients and their environment. The severity and mortality of COVID-19 in patients with hematologic malignancies is clearly higher than the general population. Since the immune response to vaccination in hematologic patients is generally worse than in comparable populations, alternative methods of prevention must be established in these patients, as well as actions for earlier diagnosis and treatment. Campaigns for the early diagnosis of malignant neoplasms must be urgently resumed, post-COVID manifestations should be monitored, collaboration with patient associations is indisputable and it is urgent to draw the right conclusions to improve our preparedness to fight against possible future catastrophes.

Opiniones y experiencias de profesionales sanitarios en el manejo nutricional del paciente oncológico: estudio ONA / Opinions and experiences of healthcare professionals in the nutritional management of oncology patients: the ONA study

Objetivos: un abordaje inadecuado de la desnutrición en el paciente con cáncer puede conducir a un empeoramiento de su calidad de vida y una respuesta deficiente al tratamiento. El estudio ONA (Oncología, Nutrición y Adherencia) tiene como objetivo describir el manejo nutricional del paciente con cáncer en la práctica clínica, así como las opiniones de los profesionales sanitarios involucrados en el mismo. Métodos: estudio observacional, descriptivo y transversal dirigido a profesionales sanitarios españoles. El cuestionario online fue diseñado a partir de una revisión bibliográfica, un grupo focal de pacientes (n = 6) y un comité científico multidisciplinar (n = 5), y distribuido por las sociedades científicas que avalan el estudio. Resultados: de los 461 profesionales sanitarios participantes, el 95,0 % consideraron fundamental la figura del profesional sanitario con formación específica en nutrición, pero el 22,8 % no tenían acceso a ella y solo el 49,0 % habían recibido formación. El 58,4 % afirmaron realizar el cribado nutricional o derivar al paciente para este fin. El 86,6 % de los participantes indicaron que se informa al paciente sobre aspectos nutricionales y consideraron que este estaba moderadamente satisfecho con la información recibida. En caso de detectarse desnutrición o riesgo de desnutrición, los profesionales afirmaron realizar una evaluación nutricional completa (73,1 %) y, de necesitarse soporte nutricional, este se prescribiría/recomendaría (87,4 %), evaluándose la adherencia al mismo (86,8 %). Conclusiones: a pesar de que la desnutrición es un problema común en el paciente con cáncer, casi la mitad de los profesionales no realizan un cribado nutricional. Además, el proceso de información y evaluación de la adherencia nutricional es subóptimo (AU)

Objectives: an inadequate approach to prevent malnutrition in cancer patients may worsen their quality of life and reduce their response to treatment. This study aims to describe the nutritional management of cancer patients in clinical practice, as well as the opinions of the healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved. Methods: this was an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study addressed to HCPs in the Spanish healthcare setting. The online questionnaire was designed based on a literature review, one focus group of patients (n = 6), and the experience of the multidisciplinary scientific committee (n = 5), and was distributed by the scientific societies endorsing the study. Results: a total of 461 HCPs answered the survey. Most of them considered that a nutrition expert (95.0 %) is essential for the nutritional management of patients. However, 22.8 % of HCPs did not have access to this expert, and only 49.0 % had received training. Nutritional screening or patient referral for screening was performed by 58.4 % of HCPs. Of the total of HCPs, 86.6 % stated that nutritional information is provided to patients and considered them moderately satisfied with the information received. In malnourished patients or in those at risk of malnutrition, a complete nutritional assessment was performed by HCPs (73.1 %). Most HCPs (87.4 %) reported prescribing or recommending nutritional support if needed, and assessing adherence (86.8 %). Conclusions: despite malnutrition being a common problem in cancer patients, almost half of professionals do not perform any nutritional screening. In addition, patient information and assessment of nutritional adherence appear to be suboptimal (AU)

Azo dyes decolorization under high alkalinity and salinity conditions by Halomonas sp. in batch and packed bed reactor.

Biodecolorization and biodegradation of azo dyes are a challenge due to their recalcitrance and the characteristics of textile effluents. This study presents the use of Halomonas sp. in the decolorization of azo dyes Reactive Black 5 (RB5), Remazol Brilliant Violet 5R (RV5), and Reactive Orange 16 (RO16) under high alkalinity and salinity conditions. Firstly, the effect of air supply, pH, salinity and dye concentration was evaluated. Halomonas sp. was able to remove above 84% of all dyes in a wide range of pH (6-11) and salt concentrations (2-10%). The decolorization efficiency of RB5, RV5, and RO16 was found to be ≥ 90% after 24, 13 and 3 h, respectively, at 50 mg L-1 of dyes. The process was monitored by HPLC-DAD, finding a reduction of dyes along the time. Further, Halomonas sp. was immobilized in volcanic rocks and used in a packed bed reactor for 72 days, achieving a removal rate of 3.48, 5.73, and 8.52 mg L-1 h-1, for RB5, RV5 and RO16, respectively, at 11.8 h. The study has confirmed the potential of Halomonas sp. to decolorize azo dyes under high salinity and alkalinity conditions and opened a scope for future research in the treatment of textile effluents.

Continuidad del cuidado: adulto mayor con diabetes tipo 2 y su cuidador / Continuity of care: Aged with diabetes type 2 and their caregiver / Continuidade do cuidado: Idoso com diabete tipo 2 e o seu cuidador

Objetivo: Aplicar la continuidad del cuidado en la persona con diabetes tipo 2 (DT2) y su cuidador, posterior al egreso hospitalario a través de intervenciones de enfermería domiciliaria que contribuyan a mejorar el estilo de vida. Método: Se trata un proceso de enfermería a un adulto mayor con DT2 y a su cuidador primario, mediante una valoración de enfermería inicial y la medición del conocimiento de la enfermedad a través del Cuestionario de Conocimiento en Diabetes-24 y estilo de vida, con el Instrumento para Medir el Estilo de Vida en Diabéticos. La identificación de necesidades con la taxonomía NANDA permitió intervenciones de tipo informacional, de relación y gestión basadas en la Clasificación de Intervenciones de Enfermería para la continuidad del cuidado. Las intervenciones educativas fueron ejecutadas en sesiones periódicas, bajo consentimiento informado de los participantes, a través de una metodología interactiva. La efectividad fue evaluada con una valoración final de la persona con DT2 y cuidador. Resultados: Se observó un incremento del nivel de conocimientos de la enfermedad y una mejora en el estilo de vida, de la persona con DT2 y su cuidador, en los dominios: nutrición, actividad física, emociones y adherencia terapéutica. Conclusión: La continuidad del cuidado en la persona con DT2 y su cuidador es una herramienta indispensable para mejorar el estilo de vida y nivel de conocimientos, disminuir el riesgo de complicaciones y evitar reingresos hospitalarios.

Objective: To establish the continuity care on persons suffering from diabetes type 2 (DT2) and their caregiver following hospital discharge, through home-visit interventions which can contribute to the improvement of lifestyles. Method: The nursing process was performed on a patient with DT2 and the corresponding primary caregiver through a nursing assessment which included the use of the 24-Diabetes Knowledge Questionnaire and the Instrument to Measure Lifestyles in patients with Diabetes Type 2. The identification of needs through the NANDA taxonomy allowed informational, relational and managerial interventions based on the Nursing Interventions Classification. The educational interventions were performed during periodic sessions under the informed consent of the participants and through an interactive methodology. The effectiveness was assessed through a final evaluation of the patient and corresponding caregiver. Results: An increment in the level of knowledge of the illness and an improvement in the lifestyle of the person with DT2 and the corresponding caregiver, in the nutrition, physical activity, emotions, and therapeutic adherence domains were observed. Conclusion: The continuity care on the person with DT2 is a critical tool to improve the lifestyle and level of knowledge, and to reduce the risk of complications and hospital re-entries.

Objetivo: Aplicar a continuidade de cuidado na pessoa com diabete tipo 2 (DT2) e seu cuidador à saída hospitalar, através de intervenções de enfermagem domiciliar que contribuam a melhorar o estilo de vida. Método: Trata-se de um processo de enfermagem a um idoso com DT2 e a seu cuidador primário, mediante uma valoração de enfermagem inicial e a medição do conhecimento da doença, a través do questionário de conhecimento em diabete-24 (DKQ-24) e estilo de vida com o instrumento para medir o estilo de vida em diabéticos (IMEVID), A identificação de necessidades com a taxonomia NANDA permitiu intervenções de tipo informacional, de relação e gestão baseadas no NIC para a continuidade do cuidado. As intervenções educativas foram executadas em sessões periódicas, sob o consentimento prévio 2 participantes, a través de uma metodologia interativa. A efetividade foi avaliada com uma valorização final da pessoa com DT2 e cuidador. Resultados: Observou-se um incremento do nível de conhecimentos da doença e uma melhoria no estilo de vida, da pessoa com DT2 e seu cuidador, nos domínios: nutrição, atividade física, emoções e aderência terapêutica. Conclusão: A continuidade do cuidado na pessoa com DT2 e seu cuidador é uma ferramenta indispensável para melhorar o estilo de vida e nível de conhecimentos, diminuir o risco de complicações e evitar reingressos hospitalares.

Calidad percibida de la atención de enfermería por usuarios hospitalizados, Tunja, 2011 / Perceived quality of nursing care hospital by users, Tunja 2011

Objetivo: evaluar la calidad percibida de los usuarios en servicios de hospitalización respecto a la atención de enfermería recibida. Metodología: estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo de corte transversal. Análisis univariado y bivariado. La muestra n=183 fue recolectada en un Hospital de Tunja en los servicios de Medicina Interna y Quirúrgicas, a través del instrumento servqhos-e. Resultados: la medición de la calidad objetiva, subjetiva y el nivel de satisfacción de los usuarios de los servicios del hospital, reportó puntuaciones con medias de 4,08 para amabilidad y 3,98 para preparación del personal de enfermería y un nivel de satisfacción global del 92,9%. Discusión: la medición de la calidad percibida por los usuarios mediante el instrumento servqhos-e, permite evaluar desde la percepción de los usuarios, la calidad de la atención brindada por profesionales de enfermería en aspectos objetivos y subjetivos, los cuales son predictores de la satisfacción; los aspectos mejor evaluados corresponden a variables subjetivas, sin embargo, las expectativas de los usuarios no se superan...

Objective: to evaluate the usersÆ perception regarding the quality of the nursing care received. Methodology: a quantitative, cross-sectional descriptive study with univariate and bivariate analyses. The sample (n = 183) was collected from the Internal Medicine and Surgery units of the Tunja Hospital using the servqhos-e instrument. Results: the measurement of the objective and subjective quality, as well as the measurement of the usersÆ satisfaction level regarding hospital services had scores with a mean of 4.08 for kindness, and 3.98 for nursing staff training. In addition, the overall satisfaction level was 92.9%. Discussion: using the instrument servqhos-e to measure the quality perceived by the users made it possible to assess the quality of the care provided by nursing professionals. This measurement was conducted from the userÆs own point of view and focused on the objective and subjective aspects, which are predictors of satisfaction. Additionally, the highest scores belonged to subjective variables, but the usersÆ expectations were not met...

A biorefinery from Nannochloropsis sp. microalga--extraction of oils and pigments. Production of biohydrogen from the leftover biomass.

The microalga Nannochloropsis sp. was used in this study, in a biorefinery context, as biomass feedstock for the production of fatty acids for biodiesel, biohydrogen and high added-value compounds. The microalgal biomass, which has a high lipid and pigment content (mainly carotenoids), was submitted to supercritical CO2 extraction. The temperature, pressure and solvent flow-rate were evaluated to check their effect on the extraction yield. The best operational conditions to extract 33 g lipids/100 g dry biomass were found to be at 40 °C, 300 bar and a CO2 flow-rate of 0.62 g/min. The effect of adding a co-solvent (ethanol) was also studied. When supercritical CO2 doped with 20% (w/w) ethanol was used, it was possible to extract 45 g lipids/100 g dry biomass of lipids and recover 70% of the pigments. Furthermore, the remaining biomass after extraction was effectively used as feedstock to produce biohydrogen through dark fermentation by Enterobacter aerogenes resulting in a hydrogen production yield of 60.6 mL/g dry biomass.

Sistema de vigilancia epidemiológica / System of epidemiologic surveillance

El análisis de las principal causa de la mortalidad y de la enfermedad, revelan un perfil epidemiológico de transición.A partir de los años 80 se registra una progresiva emergencia de patologías de la modernización (crónico degenerativas, cardiovasculares, cerebrovasculares, traumatismos, violencias, cáncer, enfermedades mentales, SIDA y farmacodependencias, etc) que coexisten con enfermedades derivadas del atraso y la carencia de servicios básicos (respiratorias e intestinales), endémicas

Reversible immobilization of soybean beta-amylase on phenylboronate-agarose.

Soybean beta-amylase (EC 3.2.1.2) wap immobilized on phenylboronate-agarose by strong interactive binding. The insoluble derivative was active and more stable to temperature changes than the free enzyme. The absence of enzyme leakage even in the presence of substrate was demonstrated. Changes in pH over a wide range (4.0-8.0) did not affect the stability of the complex. The support could be recovered by sorbitol elution, which demonstrated the reversibility of the binding. Since the enzyme was not retained on phenylagarose under similar conditions, we rejected hydrophobic interactions as a cause of the strong binding of the enzyme to phenylboronate-agarose. We suggest that the bonding of the enzyme to the phenylboronate ligand occurs by a charge transfer mechanism between the trigonal boronate and the side chain nitrogenated groups. It was concluded that phenylboronate-agarose has good properties as a support, which recommends its use for the preparation of immobilized enzymes.