Three-Dimensional Printing of PVA Capsular Devices for Applications in Compounding Pharmacy: Effect of Design Parameters on Pharmaceutical Performance.

The creation of products with personalized or innovative features in the pharmaceutical sector by using innovative technologies such as three-dimensional (3D) printing is particularly noteworthy, especially in the realm of compounding pharmacies. In this work, 3D printed capsule devices (CDs) with different wall thicknesses (0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, and 0.9 mm) and sizes were designed and successfully fabricated varying printing parameters such as extrusion temperature, printing speed, material flow percent, and nozzle diameter. The physicochemical, pharmaceutical, and biopharmaceutical performance of these CDs was evaluated with the aim of achieving an immediate drug release profile comparable to hard gelatin capsules (HGC) for use in magistral compounding. It was observed that the disintegration time of the CDs increased with wall thickness, which correlated with a slower drug release rate. CDs with configurations presenting 0.4 mm wall thickness and sizes comparable to HGC n° 0, 1, and 2 demonstrated satisfactory weight uniformity, short disintegration times, and immediate drug release, indicating their potential as effective devices in future compounding pharmacy applications. In addition, a modified Weibull-type model was proposed that incorporates wall thickness as a new variable in predicting dissolution profiles. This model improves the process of selecting a specific wall thickness to achieve the desired dissolution rate within a specified time frame.

Duodenopancreatectomía cefálica con resección vascular laparoscópica / Laparoscopic cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy with laparoscopic vascular resection

RESUMEN Antecedentes: la duodenopancreatectomía cefálica (DPC) con resección vascular venosa está indicada para el tratamiento del adenocarcinoma ductal y de tumores neuroendocrinos de páncreas, tanto por laparoscopia como por laparotomía. Objetivo: describir los resultados de una serie de pacientes operados de DPC con resección vascular venosa y comparar la morbimortalidad entre los abordados por laparoscopia y por laparotomía. Material y métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, comparativo, retrospectivo de pacientes con DPC con resección vascular entre enero de 2022 y agosto de 2023. El abordaje laparoscópico fue determinado en menores de 80 años, invasión venosa tumoral igual a 180° o menor en la tomografía, buen performance status, y no haber realizado tratamiento neoadyuvante. Resultados: fueron realizadas 23 DPC con resección vascular venosa: 11 por laparoscopia y 12 por laparotomía. Las 11 realizadas por laparoscopia fueron resecciones laterales, y, en los 12 abordados por laparotomía, se realizó resección total de vena porta en 5 y en el resto, resección lateral. El tiempo de "clampeo" (pinzamiento) portal y la necesidad de transfusiones fue similar en ambos grupos. El estudio patológico reveló R0 en el 78,2% de los pacientes e invasión venosa en el 40.9%. La morbilidad con laparoscopia y con laparotomía consistió, respectivamente, en: fístula pancreática en 7 (4 y 3), vaciamiento gástrico retardado en 4 (1 y 4), fístula biliar en uno (1 y 0), neumonía en dos (1 y 1) e infección de herida en uno (0 y 1). La mortalidad fue de 8,6% por el fallecimiento de dos pacientes, uno en cada grupo. Conclusión: de acuerdo con los criterios empleados, la morbimortalidad de la DPC con resección vascular fue similar por laparoscopia y por laparotomía.

ABSTRACT Background: Cephalic pancreaticoduodenectomy (CPD) with venous resection is indicated for the treatment of ductal adenocarcinoma and neuroendocrine tumors of the pancreas, either through laparoscopy or laparotomy. Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the results of a series of patients undergoing CPD with venous vascular resection and compare morbidity and mortality between the laparoscopic approach and open surgery. Material and methods: We conducted a retrospective, comparative and observational study of patients who underwent CPD with venous vascular resection between January 2022 and July 2023. Criteria for laparoscopic surgery were age < 80 years, interface between tumor and vein of 180° of the circumference of the vessel wall or less on computed tomography, good performance status, and no previous neoadjuvant treatment. Results: A total of 23 CPD procedures with venous vascular resection were performed: 11 by laparoscopy and 12 by laparotomy. The 11 laparoscopic procedures were lateral resections, and in the 12 patients approached by laparotomy, 5 were total portal vein resections and 7 were lateral resections. Portal vein clamping time and need for transfusion was similar in both groups. The pathological examination reported R0 resections in 78.2% and venous invasion in 40.9%. The complications associated with laparoscopy and laparotomy were pancreatic fistula in 4 and 3 patients, respectively, delayed gastric emptying in 1 and 4 patients, respectively, biliary fistula in 1 and 0 patients, respectively, aspiration pneumonia i 1 and 1 patients, respectively and surgical site infection in 0 and 1 patients, respectively. Mortality was 8.6% (n =2), one in each group. Conclusion: According to the criteria used, the morbidity and mortality of CPD with vascular resection were similar for laparoscopy and laparotomy.

Influence of Sulfurization Time on Sb2S3 Synthesis Using a New Graphite Box Design.

In recent years, antimony sulfide (Sb2S3) has been investigated as a photovoltaic absorber material due to its suitable absorber coefficient, direct band gap, extinction coefficient, earth-abundant, and environmentally friendly constituents. Therefore, this work proposes Sb2S3 film preparation by an effective two-step process using a new graphite box design and sulfur distribution, which has a high repeatability level and can be scalable. First, an Sb thin film was deposited using the RF-Sputtering technique, and after that, the samples were annealed with elemental sulfur into a graphite box, varying the sulfurization time from 20 to 50 min. The structural, optical, morphological, and chemical characteristics of the resulting thin films were analyzed. Results reveal the method's effectivity and the best properties were obtained for the sample sulfurized during 40 min. This Sb2S3 thin film presents an orthorhombic crystalline structure, elongated grains, a band gap of 1.69 eV, a crystallite size of 15.25 Å, and a nearly stoichiometric composition. In addition, the formation of a p-n junction was achieved by depositing silver back contact on the Glass/FTO/CdS/Sb2S3 structure. Therefore, the graphite box design has been demonstrated to be functional to obtain Sb2S3 by a two-step process.

Comportamiento Mecánico de un Premolar Humano Sano Sometido a Fuerzas Funcionales y Disfuncionales en un MEF / Mechanical Behavior of a Healthy Human Premolar Subjected to Functional and Dysfunctional Forces in a FEM

El propósito de este estudio fue analizar el comportamiento mecánico de la estructura dental sana de un primer premolar inferior humano sometido a fuerzas funcionales y disfuncionales en diferentes direcciones. Se buscó comprender, bajo las variables contempladas, las zonas de concentración de esfuerzos que conllevan al daño estructural de sus constituyentes y tejidos adyacentes. Se realizó el modelo 3D de la reconstrucción de un archivo TAC de un primer premolar inferior, que incluyó esmalte, dentina, ligamento periodontal y hueso alveolar considerando tres variables: dirección, magnitud y área de la fuerza aplicada. La dirección fue dirigida en tres vectores (vertical, tangencial y horizontal) bajo cuatro magnitudes, una funcional de 35 N y tres disfuncionales de 170, 310 y 445 N, aplicadas sobre un área de la cara oclusal y/o vestibular del premolar que involucró tres contactos estabilizadores (A, B y C) y dos paradores de cierre. Los resultados obtenidos explican el fenómeno de combinar tres vectores, cuatro magnitudes y un área de aplicación de la fuerza, donde los valores de esfuerzo efectivo equivalente Von Mises muestran valores máximos a partir de los 60 MPa. Los valores de tensión máximos se localizan, bajo la carga horizontal a 170 N y en el proceso masticatorio en la zona cervical, cuando la fuerza pasa del 60 %. Sobre la base de los hallazgos de este estudio, se puede concluir que la reacción de los tejidos a fuerzas funcionales y disfuncionales varía de acuerdo con la magnitud, dirección y área de aplicación de la fuerza. Los valores de tensión resultan ser más altos bajo la aplicación de fuerzas disfuncionales tanto en magnitud como en dirección, produciendo esfuerzos tensiles significativos para la estructura dental y periodontal cervical, mientras que, bajo las cargas funcionales aplicadas en cualquier dirección, no se generan esfuerzos lesivos. Esto supone el reconocimiento del poder de detrimento estructural del diente y periodonto frente al bruxismo céntrico y excéntrico.

SUMMARY: The purpose of this study was to analyze the mechanical behavior of the healthy dental structure of a human mandibular first premolar subjected to functional and dysfunctional forces in different directions. It was sought to understand, under the contemplated variables, the areas of stress concentration that lead to structural damage of its constituents and adjacent tissues. The 3D model of the reconstruction of a CT file of a lower first premolar was made, which included enamel, dentin, periodontal ligament and alveolar bone considering three variables: direction, magnitude and area of the applied force. The direction was directed in three vectors (vertical, tangential and horizontal) under four magnitudes, one functional of 35 N and three dysfunctional of 170, 310 and 445 N, applied to an area of the occlusal and/or buccal face of the premolar that involved three stabilizing contacts (A, B and C) and two closing stops. The results obtained explain the phenomenon of combining three vectors, four magnitudes and an area of force application, where the values of effective equivalent Von Mises stress show maximum values from 60 MPa. The maximum tension values are located under the horizontal load at 170 N and in the masticatory process in the cervical area, when the force exceeds 60%. Based on the findings of this study, it can be concluded that the reaction of tissues to functional and dysfunctional forces varies according to the magnitude, direction, and area of application of the force. The stress values turn out to be higher under the application of dysfunctional forces both in magnitude and in direction, producing significant tensile stresses for the dental and cervical periodontal structure, while under functional loads applied in any direction, no damaging stresses are generated. This supposes the recognition of the power of structural detriment of the tooth and periodontium against centric and eccentric bruxism.

Consultas médicas per cápita en el sistema de salud del Perú, 2019. Hacia una nueva descripción del sistema de salud peruano

Introducción. El objetivo del estudio es contribuir a una nueva mirada del sistema de salud peruano a partir de la producción de bienes públicos en salud. Métodos. Se calculó el promedio de prestaciones de salud per cápita producidas por el sistema de salud peruano en niveles nacional, regional y provincial, a partir de fuentes de datos abiertos de la Superintendencia Nacional de Salud (SUSALUD), el Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS) y el Seguro Social de Salud (EsSalud) para el año 2019. Se desarrolló un análisis exploratorio de asociación entre las consultas médicas per cápita y variables socio-económicas. Resultados. Se encontró un promedio nacional de consultas médicas per cápita de 1,8, encontrándose una gran variabilidad de valores a nivel regional (2,9 a 0,8). A nivel provincias se encontró un primer cuartil superior, 50 provincias con valores entre 5,52 y 1,75 que concentran el 55% de la población peruana y el 71,3% de todas las prestaciones médicas. Un segundo cuartil agrupa 47 provincias con valores entre 1,73 - 1,33 y dos cuartiles inferiores que agrupan a 95 provincias con valores entre 1,32 y 0,08. El análisis exploratorio mostro asociación entre las consultas médicas per cápita a nivel regional y las variables analizadas, destacando la tasa de médicos por 1000 habitantes (R2: 064, valor p= 0,000) y el producto bruto interno regional per cápita (R2: 0,59, valor p=0,000). Conclusiones. La distribución por cuartiles en la producción de consultas médicas per cápita permiten identificar territorios con mejor atención, con mayor definición que los atributos de estructura del sistema (número de establecimientos, médicos por 1000 habitantes).

Introduction. The objective of the study is to contribute with a new perspective about the peruvian health system, based on the production of public goods in health. Methods. For this purpose, we calculated the per capita average of health encounters produced by the peruvian health system at the national, regional and provincial levels. Information was collected on the number of medical encounters, registered at the open data sources of the National Health Superintendence (SUSALUD), the Public Health Insurance (SIS), and the Health Social Insurance (EsSalud) for year 2019. Results. The national average of medical encounters per capita was 1.8, with a great variability of values at the regional level (2.9 to 0.8). In the case of the provinces, a first upper quartile was found, which group 50 provinces with values between 5.52 and 1.75 and concentrate 55% of the Peruvian population and 71.3% of all medical encounters produced by the health system. A second quartile groups 47 provinces, with values between 1.73 - 1.33; and two lower quartiles that group 95 provinces with values between 1.32 and 0.08. We showed an association between per capita medical encounters at the regional level and the socio-economic variables analyzed, in particular the Density of Physicians per 1000 population (R2: 0.64, p-value= 0.000) and the regional gross domestic product per capita (R2: 0.59, p-value=0.000). Conclusion. Medical encounters per capita is a useful indicator, that allows us to identify better served territories, with higher definition than other structure indicators (doctors per 1000 people; number of facilities).

Pancreatectomía izquierda laparoscópica: ¿la sistematización de la técnica es de utilidad? / Laparoscopic left pancreatectomy: is systematization of the technique useful?

RESUMEN Antecedentes: la pancreatectomía izquierda laparoscópica es un procedimiento de alta complejidad que debe ser sistematizado para reducir complicaciones y tiempos quirúrgicos. Objetivo: Describir los resultados con una técnica sitematizada de esplenopancreatectomía laparoscópica. Material y métodos: se seleccionaron pacientes candidatos a realizar esplenopancreatecomía distal en el período comprendido entre 2007 y 2022. Se excluyeron pacientes con enfermedad sistémica. La técnica quirúrgica laparoscópica consiste en ligar los vasos cortos como primer paso, luego disecar y cortar la arteria esplénica, dejando la sección de la vena como último gesto quirúrgico. Esto evita la congestión venosa del bazo. Se analizaron variables preoperatorias, intraoperatorias y posoperatorias. Resultados: sobre un total de 155 pacientes, 90 fueron intervenidos por vía laparoscópica y 65 por vía convencional. El tiempo quirúrgico promedio fue 168 minutos. Cuando se analizó el tiempo quirúrgico en los abordajes laparoscópicos, se observó una disminución del tiempo a partir del caso número 30. La mortalidad fue del 1,12%. La incidencia de fístula pancreática total fue 41%. La necesitad de transfusión intraoperatoria ocurrió en el 10,7% de los pacientes y la tasa de conversión fue del 13,3%. Conclusión: la sistematización de la técnica de la pancreatectomía laparoscópica permite la reducción de los tiempos quirúrgicos, adquirir mayor seguridad en la disección y realizar procedimientos cada vez más complejos.

ABSTRACT Background: Laparoscopic left pancreatectomy is a high complexity procedure that should be systematized to reduce complications and operative time. Objective: To describe the results achieved with a systematized technique for laparoscopic pancreatectomy and splenectomy. Materials and methods: We selected patients who were candidates for distal pancreatectomy and splenectomy between 2007 and 2022. Patients with systemic diseases were excluded. The laparoscopic technique consists of ligating the short vessels as a first step, then dissecting and cutting the splenic artery, leaving the section of the vein as the last surgical gesture to avoid venous congestion of the spleen. Perioperative, intraoperative and postoperative variables were analyzed. Results: A total of 155 patients were analyzed, 90 underwent laparoscopy and 65 underwent conventional surgery. Mean operative time was 168 minutes The operative time in the laparoscopic approach decreased from case 30 onwards. Mortality rate was 1.12%. The incidence of pancreatic fistula was 41%. Need for intraoperative transfusion occurred in 10.7% of the patients and the conversion rate was 13.3%. Conclusion: The systematization of the technique of pancreatic laparoscopy is essential to reduce surgical times, ensure safe dissections and performe more complex procedures.

Evaluation of entropy and fractal dimension as biomarkers for tumor growth and treatment response using cellular automata.

Cell-based models provide a helpful approach for simulating complex systems that exhibit adaptive, resilient qualities, such as cancer. Their focus on individual cell interactions makes them a particularly appropriate strategy to study cancer therapies' effects, which are often designed to disrupt single-cell dynamics. In this work, we propose them as viable methods for studying the time evolution of cancer imaging biomarkers (IBM). We propose a cellular automata model for tumor growth and three different therapies: chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and immunotherapy, following well-established modeling procedures documented in the literature. The model generates a sequence of tumor images, from which a time series of two biomarkers: entropy and fractal dimension, is obtained. Our model shows that the fractal dimension increased faster at the onset of cancer cell dissemination. At the same time, entropy was more responsive to changes induced in the tumor by the different therapy modalities. These observations suggest that the prognostic value of the proposed biomarkers could vary considerably with time. Thus, it is essential to assess their use at different stages of cancer and for different imaging modalities. Another observation derived from the results was that both biomarkers varied slowly when the applied therapy attacked cancer cells scattered along the automatons' area, leaving multiple independent clusters of cells at the end of the treatment. Thus, patterns of change of simulated biomarkers time series could reflect on essential qualities of the spatial action of a given cancer intervention.

Analyzing the effect of health reforms on the efficiency of Ecuadorian public hospitals.

This study aims to assess whether Ecuadorian health reforms carried out since 2008 have affected the efficiency performance of public hospitals in the country. We contribute to the literature by shedding new light on the effects on public healthcare efficiency for developing countries when policies move toward health equity and universal coverage. We follow a two-stage approach, wherein the first stage we make use of factor and cluster analysis to obtain three clusters of public hospitals based on their technological endowment; we exploit Data Envelopment Analysis for panel data in the second stage to estimate robust efficiency measures over time. Our innovative empirical strategy considers the heterogeneity of healthcare institutions in the analysis of their efficiency performance. The results show a significant decrease in the average efficiency of low and intermediate technology hospitals after the new constitution was adopted in 2008. The decline in efficiency coincides with the two reforms of 2010 and 2011 that brought on higher social security coverage.

Comparison of Fear of COVID-19 in Medical and Nonmedical Personnel in a Public Hospital in Mexico: a Brief Report.

The world is social distancing, and compulsory confinement has caused stress, psychological instability, stigmatization, fear, and discrimination in the general population. In this cross-sectional survey study, we administered the Fear of COVID-19 Scale (FCV-19S) to hospital medical and nonmedical personnel. A total of 1216 participants were surveyed from May 25 to May 29 of 2020. We asked all the staff for their participation in the study, and physical copies of the survey were distributed to the staff willing to participate. All surveys were answered anonymously. We found that the global FCV-19S mean score was 16.4 ± 6.1, with a significant difference between women and men's scores. Medical students presented higher scores than experienced medical personnel. Additionally, the medical and nursing personnel presented a higher level of fear than hospital staff who did not work directly with COVID-19 patients. Our findings suggest that greater knowledge of medicine or infectious diseases could decrease the overall psychological impact of the pandemic disease.

Epidemiological and educational factors associated with the level of knowledge about gastric cancer prevention among medical interns from Lima, Peru

Introduction: Gastric cancer is one of the most lethal cancers; therefore, a high level of knowledge about its prevention is essential in the training of future physicians. Objective: To determine the epidemiological and educational factors associated with the level of knowledge of gastric cancer prevention among medical interns from a private university in Lima, Peru. Materials and methods: Analytical cross-sectional study conducted in 319 medical interns enrolled in 2020 and 2021 at the Faculty of Human Medicine of the Universidad Ricardo Palma. Participants' information was collected using surveys. In addition, their socioeconomic status and level of knowledge were measured using the Graffar classification and the knowledge test on gastric cancer prevention, previously validated in a health care center from Lima (Cron-bach's Alpha: 0.84), respectively. A bivariate and a multivariate analysis were performed using a Poisson regression model, calculating prevalence ratios (PR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) and a significance level of p<0.05. Results: The level of knowledge was high in 53.92% of medical interns. In the multivariate analysis, a significant association was found between having a high level of knowledge about gastric cancer prevention and the following variables: planning to enroll in a surgical specialty (aPR: 1.43, 95%CI: 1.13-1.81; p=0.003) and having a socioeconomic status at levels I-II (aPR: 1.58, 95%CI: 1.26-1.99; p=0.000). On the contrary, variables such as sex, age, having an immediate relative with cancer, having an immediate relative who is a physician, and attendance to cancer conferences were not significantly associated. Conclusion: Planning to enroll in a surgical specialty and having a I-II socioeconomic status were the only variables associated with having a high level of knowledge about gastric cancer prevention. Therefore, the Faculty of Human Medicine should develop strategies aimed at improving the level of knowledge of medical interns about this topic.

Introducción. El cáncer gástrico es uno de los cánceres más letales; por lo tanto, un alto nivel de conocimiento sobre su prevención es esencial en la formación de los futuros médicos. Objetivo. Determinar los factores epidemiológicos y educativos asociados al nivel de conocimiento en prevención de cáncer gástrico en internos de medicina de una universidad en Lima, Perú. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal analítico realizado en 319 internos de medicina matriculados en 2020 y 2021 en la Facultad de Medicina Humana de la Universidad Ricardo Palma. La información se recolectó utilizando encuestas. Además, el nivel socioeconómico y el nivel de conocimiento se midieron mediante la clasificación de Graffar y el test de conocimiento sobre prevención en cáncer gástrico, previamente validado en un centro de salud en Lima (alfa de Cronbach: 0.84), respectivamente. Se realizó un análisis bivariado y uno multivariado con un modelo de regresión de Poisson, calculándose razones de prevalencia, con un intervalo de confianza (IC) de 95% y un nivel de significancia de p<0.05. Resultados. El nivel de conocimientos fue alto en 53.92% de los internos. En el análisis multivariado, se observó una asociación significativa entre el nivel alto de conocimiento sobre prevención de cáncer gástrico y las siguientes variables: planear realizar una especialidad quirúrgica (RPa: 1.43, IC95%: 1.13-1.81; p=0.003) y tener nivel socioeconómico I-II (RPa: 1.58, IC95%: 1.26-1.99; p=0.000). Por otro lado, las variables sexo, edad, tener un familiar directo con cáncer, tener un familiar médico directo y asistencia a conferencias de cáncer no mostraron una asociación significativa. Conclusión. Planear realizar una especialidad quirúrgica y tener nivel socioeconómico I-II fueron las únicas variables asociadas con tener un nivel alto de conocimientos sobre prevención del cáncer gástrico, por lo que se recomienda que la Facultad de Medicina Humana desarrolle estrategias dirigidas a mejorar el nivel de conocimiento de los internos de medicina en este tema.

Acute myocardial infarction in a young patient by coronary embolism / Infarto agudo de miocardio en un paciente joven causado por embolia coronaria

Abstract: Coronary artery disease continues to be the leading cause of death in modern society; the most frequent cause is atherosclerosis. There are other causes such as coronary embolism and coronary dissection, among others. This article presents the case of a young patient with acute myocardial infarction in whom a coronary embolism was documented as the cause of infarction.

Resumen: La enfermedad arterial coronaria continúa siendo una causa de mortalidad en nuestro medio; la causa más frecuente es la aterosclerosis. Existen otras causas como embolia coronaria, disección coronaria. En este artículo se describe el caso de un paciente joven, quien presentó un infarto agudo de miocardio y se documentó un embolia conoraria como causa.

Design and production of 3D printed oral capsular devices for the modified release of urea in ruminants.

The use of 3D printing for the production of systems intended for oral delivery of diet supplements in the veterinary pharmacy constitutes an attractive technology that has remained unexplored. In this sense, this work studies the design and 3D printing of capsular devices that allow the modified release of urea, which is frequently used as a source of non-protein nitrogen in ruminants, but highly toxic if fast ingested. The devices were printed with combinations of polylactic acid (PLA, water-insoluble) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA, water-soluble) in order to modulate the urea release through the different parts. The optimization of the designs as well as printing parameters such as extrusion temperature, printing speed, retraction distance and nozzle speed resulted critical to obtain successful capsular devices. In addition, the dissolution studies confirmed that the developed designs showed a controlled release of urea, especially the ones that presented internal partitions. Finally, Logistic and Weibull equations were the kinetic models that best fitted the experimental data corresponding to functions that describe S-shaped dissolution profiles. Overall, this work constitutes a proof of concept and provides the first steps in the development of 3D printed simple devices for the controlled release of supplements and drugs in veterinary pharmacy.

Preventive measures against the COVID-19 pandemic in Mexico: A cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Understanding how Mexicans behave during the pandemic could present a complete picture of the phenomenon in our country and provide better management of it. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the Mexican population's behavior and preventive measures. Methods: This was a cross-sectional study in which a total of 4,004 participants from the general population responded to the survey. Results: Almost 99% of the participants mentioned knowing the symptoms of COVID-19. Although 77.5% of participants considered that they followed proper social distancing measures, 60% of them mentioned that they knew at least six individuals who did not follow social distancing measures. Furthermore, 96.2% of participants reported using preventive measures at least 50% of the time. Only 51.3% used a certified mask. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic outcomes in Mexico are the result of multiple negative factors, such as high rates of comorbidities, high number of people living together at home, many people breaking social isolation, and most of the population using non-certified preventive measures that may not be effective enough.

Publication of works presented in the 2016 and 2018 editions of the National Student Scientific Event on Internal Medicine -MEDINTÁVILA / Publicación de los trabajos presentados en las ediciones 2016 y 2018 del Evento Científico Estudiantil Nacional de Medicina Interna - Medintávila

Abstract Introduction: Much of the research works developed by students and presented in scientific events are not published in scientific journals. Objective: To characterize the research works presented in the 2016 and 2018 editions of the Evento Científico Estudiantil Nacional de Medicina Interna (National Student Scientific Event on Internal Medicine - (MEDINTÁVILA) and those published in scientific journals, as well as to identify factors associated with their publication. Materials and methods: Cross-sectional analytical study. A search strategy was carried out in April 2020 in Google Scholar in order to verify if the works presented in the 2016 y 2018 editions of the event had been published, in English or Spanish, in scientific journals. Bivariate analyses were performed to determine whether there were characteristics of the works associated with their publication, calculating prevalence ratios, along with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals and p-values and using generalized linear models (family=Poisson; link=log) in which each university submitting the research work was used as a cluster. A significance level of p<0.05 was considered. Results: Out of the 335 research works analyzed, 180 (53.73%) were presented at the 2016 edition. Regarding typology and the topics they addressed, 190 (56.72%) were classified under the free topics category, and 170 addressed chronic illnesses (50.75%). A total of 24 works were published (7.16%), of which only 9 were cited, and there were authoring changes in 19 (79.17%). No factors associated with the publication of the works were identified in the bivariate analysis. Conclusion: The publication in scientific journals of the research works presented in both editions of the event is very low, thus it is necessary for Cuban universities to provide medical science students with more research-related support, since this could increase the probability of publishing their works.

Resumen Introducción. Muchas de las investigaciones desarrolladas por estudiantes y presentadas en eventos científicos no se publican en revistas científicas. Objetivos. Caracterizar los trabajos presentados en las ediciones 2016 y 2018 del Evento Científico Estudiantil Nacional de Medicina Interna (Medintávila) y los publicados en revistas científicas, así como identificar los factores asociados a su publicación. Materiales y métodos. Estudio transversal analítico. Mediante una estrategia de búsqueda realizada en abril de 2020 en Google Académico, se constató si los trabajos presentados en 2016 y 2018 en el evento habían sido publicados, en inglés o español, en revistas científicas. Se realizaron análisis bivariados para determinar si hubo características de los trabajos asociadas con su publicación, calculándose razones de prevalencia, junto con sus respectivos intervalos de confianza al 95% y valores p mediante modelos lineales generalizados (familia Poisson, función de enlace log) en los que se usó como clúster a cada universidad que presentó la investigación. Se consideró un nivel de significancia de p<0.05. Resultados. De los 335 trabajos analizados, 180 (53.73%) correspondieron a la edición de 2016. Respecto a la tipología y temática, 190 (56.72%) fueron clasificados bajo la categoría Temas libres y 170 (50.75%) abordaron Enfermedades crónicas. Se publicaron 24 (7.16%) trabajos, de los cuales solo 9 fueron citados, y en 19 (79.17%) hubo cambios de autores. No se identificaron factores asociados a la publicación de los trabajos en el análisis bivariado. Conclusión. La publicación en revistas científicas de los trabajos presentados en ambas ediciones del Medintávila es muy baja, por lo que es necesario que las universidades cubanas brinden más apoyo en investigación a los estudiantes de ciencias médicas, ya que esto podría aumentar las probabilidades de publicación de sus trabajos.

Misinformation About and Interest in Chlorine Dioxide During the COVID-19 Pandemic in Mexico Identified Using Google Trends Data: Infodemiology Study.

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the increasing popularity of several emerging therapies or preventives that lack scientific evidence or go against medical directives. One such therapy involves the consumption of chlorine dioxide, which is commonly used in the cleaning industry and is available commercially as a mineral solution. This substance has been promoted as a preventive or treatment agent for several diseases, including SARS-CoV-2 infection. As interest in chlorine dioxide has grown since the start of the pandemic, health agencies, institutions, and organizations worldwide have tried to discourage and restrict the consumption of this substance. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to analyze search engine trends in Mexico to evaluate changes in public interest in chlorine dioxide since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We retrieved public query data for the Spanish equivalent of the term "chlorine dioxide" from the Google Trends platform. The location was set to Mexico, and the time frame was from March 3, 2019, to February 21, 2021. A descriptive analysis was performed. The Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests were used to identify significant changes in search volumes for this term between four consecutive time periods, each of 13 weeks, from March 1, 2020, to February 27, 2021. RESULTS: From the start of the pandemic in Mexico (February 2020), an upward trend was observed in the number of searches compared with that in 2019. Maximum volume trends were recorded during the week of July 19-25, 2020. The search volumes declined between September and November 2020, but another peak was registered in December 2020 through February 2021, which reached a maximum value on January 10. Percentage change from the first to the fourth time periods was +312.85, -71.35, and +228.18, respectively. Pairwise comparisons using the Kruskal-Wallis and Dunn tests showed significant differences between the four periods (P<.001). CONCLUSIONS: Misinformation is a public health risk because it can lower compliance with the recommended measures and encourage the use of therapies that have not been proven safe. The ingestion of chlorine dioxide presents a danger to the population, and several adverse reactions have been reported. Programs should be implemented to direct those interested in this substance to accurate medical information.

Alteraciones cardíacas en los pacientes con enfermedad tiroidea / Cardiac disorders in patients with thyroid disease

Resumen Introducción: Al hablar de los trastornos funcionales de la glándula tiroides se hace referencia al aumento o la disminución en la producción de hormonas tiroideas; estos reciben el nombre de hipertiroidismo e hipotiroidismo, respectivamente. Son condiciones que han sido ampliamente estudiadas por el impacto negativo que tienen en el organismo, ya que ocasionan cambios en el metabolismo y generan alteraciones que llevan a que el paciente presente una serie de complicaciones graves, como son las enfermedades cardíacas. Objetivo: Identificar las alteraciones cardíacas en pacientes con enfermedad tiroidea. Método: Se realizó una revisión sistemática de las publicaciones disponibles en las bases de datos que hacen referencia a la enfermedad tiroidea y su relación con las alteraciones en el corazón. Resultados: En total se incluyeron 35 artículos publicados en los últimos 10 años, en distintos idiomas, en los que se evaluaba la asociación entre la enfermedad tiroidea y las alteraciones cardíacas. Conclusiones: Las enfermedades tiroideas están íntimamente relacionadas con cardiopatías que pueden empeorar la gravedad del cuadro clínico del paciente, e incluso asociarse con un incremento en la mortalidad de los mismos. Algunas de las cardiopatías mencionadas son cambios valvulares mixomatosos, disfunción endotelial, miocarditis, pericarditis aguda, vasoespasmo coronario, fibrilación atrial en el caso del hipertiroidismo, fibrosis endocárdica, aumento de la rigidez miocárdica, pericarditis, derrame pericárdico, estenosis coronaria y bradicardia sinusal por efecto del hipotiroidismo.

Abstract Introduction: When speaking of functional disorders of the thyroid gland, reference is made to increased or decreased production of thyroid hormones. These were called hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism respectively. They are pathologies that have been studied for the negative impact they have on the body, since they cause changes in the metabolism; thus generating alterations that lead to the patient presenting a series of serious complications, such as cardiac pathologies. Objective: To identify cardiac disorders in patients with thyroid disease. Method: A systematic review of the publications available in the databases that refer to thyroid pathology and its relationship with heart level disorders was performed. Results: A total of 35 articles published in the last 10 years, in different languages, which evaluate the association between thyroid pathology and cardiac abnormalities are included. Conclusions: Thyroid pathologies are closely related to heart disease that can worsen the severity of the patient’s clinical condition, and may even be associated with an increase in their mortality. Some of the mentioned heart diseases are: myxomatous valve changes, endothelial dysfunction, myocarditis, acute pericarditis, coronary vasospasm, atrial fibrillation in the case of hyperthyroidism; endocardial fibrosis, increased myocardial rigidity, pericarditis, pericardial effusion, coronary stenosis, and sinus bradycardia due to hypothyroidism.

Effects of Oral Zafirlukast, Sildenafil, or Pirfenidone on the Formation of Postsurgical Intra-Abdominal Adhesions in an Experimental Rat Model.

INTRODUCTION: Intra-abdominal adhesions' main etiology is surgical procedures that commonly require reintervention. Oral treatments with sildenafil, zafirlukast, and pirfenidone have yielded decreased severity of fibrotic phenomena secondary to the introduction of foreign material. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of oral zafirlukast, sildenafil, or pirfenidone treatment on reducing or preventing intra-abdominal adhesions in an experimental rat model. METHODS: Four groups, each of 10 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g, were used. A midline laparotomy was used to excise an area of 1.5 × 1.5 cm and reconstructed with polypropylene mesh fixed to the abdominal wall. After 12 h, oral doses of zafirlukast (1.25 mg/kg, group B), sildenafil (15 mg/kg, group C), or pirfenidone (500 mg/kg, group D) were given every day for 8 days. The control group, A, received no treatment. At day 9, animals were reoperated. The implant was resected after ethically approved euthanasia, and specimens were fixed in 10% formaldehyde for histopathology. RESULTS: Control group A yielded adhesions with greater fibrovascular density and neighboring organ involvement than the other groups (p = 0.001), as well as intense inflammatory infiltrates and numerous granulomas (p = 0.04). Adhesions in group C had less fibrovascular density (p = 0.03) with decreased serosal injuries (p = 0.001) and less organ involvement. Group D had reduced adhesions without organ involvement (p < 0.01) and less inflammatory infiltrates, collagen fibers, and foreign body granulomas than group B or C (p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Oral administration of these agents did not prevent adhesions but ameliorated them. Oral pirfenidone offered the best performance and could be recommended for human use.

Substance Use and Psychological Distress in Mexican Adults during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

OBJECTIVES: This observational cross-sectional study examined changes in substance use during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in the Mexican population and evaluated whether depression or anxiety was associated with these new consumption patterns. METHODS: An online survey was distributed to the general population. Participants were questioned about their demographics, situation during the COVID-19 pandemic, and substance consumption patterns. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 for depression and the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale were used. RESULTS: A total of 866 individuals completed the survey. The mean scores for the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Coronavirus Anxiety Scale were 8.89 ± 6.20 and 3.48 ± 3.22, respectively. The preferred substances were alcohol (19%), tobacco (16.5%), and marijuana (5.6%). Consumption of alcohol (p = 0.042) significantly increased during the pandemic and it was higher in women than in men (p = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Substance use patterns were affected by the pandemic, with an increase in the number of users and consumption rate, as well as the reported psychiatric symptoms.

Anxiety and COVID-19: Coronavirus Anxiety Scale scores in medical and non-medical personnel in urban hospitals in Guadalajara. A cross-sectional survey study.

The world is facing the worst health crisis in modern history. In addition to general concerns about the effects of COVID-19 on health, hospital personnel are developing numerous mental health conditions. This cross-sectional survey study evaluated the prevalence and severity of anxiety caused by the COVID-19 pandemic using the Coronavirus Anxiety Scale (CAS) in 2136 hospital employees. For the employees who presented scores ranging from 1-20 (n = 1090, 51%), the CAS mean score was 4.22 (SD = 3.95). The mean score was higher in women than men. By work category, non-clinical hospital personnel presented the highest CAS scores.