Multimorbilidad y resultados clínicos de una población pediátrica con sospecha de COVID-19 atendida en un hospital mexicano / Multimorbidity and clinical results of a pediatric population with suspected COVID-19 treated in a Mexican hospital

Resumen Introducción: Datos de varios países del mundo sugieren que los niños con COVID-19 podrían presentar síntomas diferentes y menos graves que los adultos. Sin embargo, los patrones epidemiológicos y clínicos en este grupo poblacional son poco claros. Métodos: El presente es un estudio observacional, con una caracterización inicial transversal-analítica, y con un componente longitudinal o de seguimiento a un grupo de menores con sospecha y/o diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19, que presentaron desenlaces como mejoría, traslado a un nivel superior de atención o defunción por sintomatología respiratoria. Los niños recibieron atención médica en el Hospital General Regional con Medicina Familiar N.° 1 (HGR C/MF N.° 1), y se les realizó prueba de reacción en cadena de la polimerasa en tiempo real (RT-PCR). Resultados: Se estudiaron 98 niños como casos sospechosos para COVID-19, a quienes se les realizó RT-PCR. Del total, 24 resultaron positivos y 74 fueron negativos. La mediana de edad de los participantes fue 64,4 meses (0 a 203 meses), 55 menores eran de sexo masculino, 59 niños tuvieron manejo ambulatorio, y de estos, 14 presentaron resultado positivo. Entre los que requirieron manejo hospitalario (39), 10 niños dieron positivo para SARS-CoV-2, 84,7% alcanzaron mejoría y fueron dados de alta, 4 fueron trasladados a hospitales de nivel superior de atención. De los 98 niños en estudio, 11 fallecieron, 7 con resultado negativo y 4 con resultado positivo para SARS-CoV-2. Conclusiones: Los principales síntomas de la población pediátrica en este estudio fueron fiebre, tos y malestar general. De los niños que fallecieron, 4 presentaron resultado positivo para SARS-CoV-2, no obstante, estos presentaban otras comorbilidades.

Abstract Introduction: Data from several countries around the world suggest that children with COVID-19 may present different and less severe symptoms than adults. However, the epidemiological and clinical patterns in this population group have been unclear. Methods: This is an observational study, with an initial cross-analytical characterization, and with a longitudinal or follow-up component in a group of minors with suspected and or confirmed case of COVID-19, which have outcomes such as improvement, transfer to a higher level of care or death due to respiratory symptoms. The children received medical attention at the Regional General Hospital with Family Medicine No 1 (HGR C / MF No 1), and underwent a Real Time Polymerase Chain Reaction test (RT-PCR). Results: 98 children were studied as suspected cases for COVID-19, who underwent RT-PCR. Of the total 24 were positive and 74 were negatives. The median age was 64.4 months (0 to 203 months), 55 minors were male, 59 children had outpatient management, and of these, 14 had a positive result. Among those who required hospital management (39), 10 children were positive for SARS-CoV-2, 84.7% achieved improvement and were discharged, and four were transferred to a higher level of care hospital. Of the 98 children in the study, 11 died, seven had a negative result and four a positive result for SARS-CoV-2. Conclusions: The main symptoms of the pediatric population in this study were fever, cough and general discomfort. Four of those who died had a positive result for SARS-CoV-2, however, they had other comorbidities.

Impact of the 21-Gene Recurrence Score (Oncotype DX®) on adjuvant therapy decision-making: a collaborative multicenter cohort study from Argentina

Introduction: At present, more than half of patients diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer (BC) and express hormonal receptors will receive some adjuvant chemotherapy scheme, but only a few of them would benefit in terms of survival. Genomic platforms allow a better understanding of the heterogeneity of different types of hormonal receptor-positive and HER2-negative BC. They have proven their validity as tools to identify those patients who will obtain a clear benefit with the indication of chemotherapy treatment. The aim of this study is to analyze the use of the genomic platform, namely, Oncotype Dx® and its impact on the indication of adjuvant treatment, evaluated mainly as the change in treatment indication. Methods: Multicenter observational cohort study was performed in different Mastology units in Argentina. Patients underwent the Oncotype Dx to clarify the adjuvant treatment. Treatment decisions were settled before and after performing Oncotype Dx. Results: From January 2013 to December 2018, 211 patients with luminal A or B and HER2-negative breast carcinomas, who underwent the Oncotype Dx, were included. Based on our records, 40% of the patients change the indication of adjuvant treatment after the performance of the Oncotype Dx. Of these, 24% of patients who underwent initial endocrine therapy only adjusted their treatment with the addition of chemotherapy. Among patients with an initial CTH recommendation, 49% were able to receive endocrine therapy only when, due to traditional prognostic factors, they would have received chemotherapy. Conclusions: In our population, the use of the Recurrence Score was clinically significant in relation to the change of the established treatments. Consequently, it is a very important tool and a decisive factor in the adjuvant indication in patients with positive hormonal receptors and HER2neu-negative early BC.

Racismo e participação social na universidade: experiências de estudantes negras em cursos de saúde / Racism and social participation in the university: experiences of black female students in health-related programs

Resumo Indicadores educacionais do Brasil mostram uma sensível elevação da participação de mulheres negras no Ensino Superior. Porém, quando se trata de cursos considerados de alto prestígio, elas se encontram ainda mais em desvantagem. Essa tendência se expressa em seu cotidiano, demandando dessas estudantes um esforço adicional para superar o racismo. A pesquisa objetivou compreender os impactos do racismo na participação social de estudantes negras na universidade e as suas formas de enfrentamento. Trata-se de um estudo qualitativo, realizado em uma universidade pública do estado de Alagoas, adepta apenas do sistema de cotas sociais. A produção de dados ocorreu por meio de grupo focal com seis estudantes negras de três cursos da área da saúde da universidade, que se autodeclararam negras/pretas ou negras/pardas. Os dados produzidos foram analisados por meio da técnica de análise temática, sendo apresentados e discutidos com base em três categorias: dificuldades relacionadas ao acesso e permanência na universidade; expressões do racismo no cotidiano universitário; e estratégias de enfrentamento ao racismo. Revelaram-se dificuldades em seu ingresso e trajetória no Ensino Superior, sendo atravessadas pelos marcadores de gênero, raça e classe. Reforça-se a necessidade das ações afirmativas no contexto universitário; sugere-se o aprofundamento teórico e a reflexão acerca do tema.

Abstract Educational indicators from Brazil show a sensible increase in the participation of black women in higher education; however, when it comes to courses considered to be of high prestige, they are even more at a disadvantage. This tendency is expressed in their everyday lives, demanding from these female students an additional effort to overcome racism. This research aimed to understand the impacts of racism on the social participation of black female undergraduate students in the university and the ways of facing it. This is a qualitative study, carried out at a public university in the state of Alagoas, which adheres only to the social quota system. The data production has occurred through a focus group with six black female undergraduate students, from three distinct health undergraduate courses by the university, who self-declared blacks. The data produced were analyzed using the thematic analysis technique, being presented and discussed from three categories: Difficulties related to access and stay at the university; Expressions of racism in university everyday life; and Strategies to fight against racism. Difficulties in the entry and trajectory of these black women in higher education were perceived, which were crossed by the markers of gender, race, and class. The need for affirmative policies in the university context is reinforced and theoretical deepening and reflection on the theme is suggested.

[Frequent Users of the Pediatric Emergency Department: To Know, To Intervene and To Evaluate - A Pilot Study]. / Utilizadores Frequentes da Urgência Pediátrica: Conhecer, Intervir e Analisar - Um Estudo Piloto.

INTRODUCTION: Frequent users contribute to an excessive volume of admissions in the emergency department, impairing the quality of healthcare services. The aim of this study was to identify and characterize the population of frequent users of the pediatric emergency department, establish an individual plan of intervention and evaluate its efficacy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Intervention study including children and adolescents younger than 16 years, with more than 10 visits in a year to an emergency department of a secondary care hospital. An intervention program was created with a multidisciplinary team and a case manager, who was responsible for the execution of the individual plan of intervention. One year later, the number of visits after the intervention was assessed. RESULTS: We identified 90 patients with a frequent user profile, with 1182 visits. Only 17.3% of the visits had a previous referral. Most of the visits were considered non urgent/less urgent (59%). The intervention included 82 children/adolescents. One year later, there was a significant reduction in the number of visits: median reduction of 62% in 78 participants. DISCUSSION: Most of the visits by frequent users were considered non urgent/less urgent, reflecting a clinically unjustified use of the emergency department. The intervention seems to be effective as the number of visits decreased. CONCLUSION: This population of frequent users seems to be a heterogeneous group with different problems and levels of complexity. A multidisciplinary and individual intervention, with a case manager, might contribute to reduce the excessive use of the emergency department and improve the provision of health care services to these children.

Introdução: Os utilizadores frequentes contribuem para um volume excessivo de admissões no serviço de urgência, prejudicando a qualidade dos serviços prestados. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar e caracterizar os utilizadores frequentes da urgência pediátrica, traçar um plano de intervenção e avaliar a sua eficácia.Material e Métodos: Estudo de intervenção, incluindo crianças e adolescentes menores de 16 anos, com mais de 10 admissões num ano na urgência pediátrica de um hospital de nível II. Foi criado um modelo de intervenção com uma equipa multidisciplinar e um gestor de caso, responsável pela execução do plano de intervenção individualizado. Após um ano de intervenção foi avaliada a evolução do número de admissões.Resultados: Identificámos 90 utentes com o perfil de utilizador frequente, com 1182 admissões. Apenas 17,3% das admissões eram referenciadas. A maioria das admissões foi considerada não urgente/pouco urgente (59%). Foram incluídas na intervenção 82 crianças/adolescentes. Após um ano de intervenção verificou-se uma diminuição significativa do número de admissões, com uma redução média de 62% em 78 participantes.Discussão: A maioria das admissões dos utilizadores frequentes foi considerada não urgente/pouco urgente, evidenciando a ausência de indicação clínica para observação hospitalar. Os resultados da intervenção parecem ser favoráveis, com uma redução do número de admissões.Conclusão: Esta população de utilizadores frequentes da urgência pediátrica constitui um grupo heterogéneo, com problemas de complexidade variável. Um modelo de intervenção multidisciplinar e individualizado, com um gestor de caso pode contribuir para reduzir o recurso excessivo à urgência e melhorar a prestação de cuidados de saúde a estas crianças.

Localización radioguiada de lesiones no palpables y ganglio centinela en estadios iniciales de Cáncer de Mama (snoll). Primera experiencia en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires / Radioguided non-palpable lesion localization and sentinel lymph node mapping (snoll) at early breast carcinoma. First experience at Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires

Introducción Actualmente, entre un 25 y un 35% de los cánceres de mama se diagnostican como lesiones no palpables. La detección de lesiones cada vez más pequeñas exige el desarrollo de nuevas técnicas prequirúrgicas de marcación y localización. Presentamos la experiencia del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires con la técnica de localización radioguiada de lesiones no palpables y ganglio centinela (snoll). Objetivos El objetivo de este trabajo es describir las características clínico-patológicas de las pacientes sometidas a dicha técnica y las ventajas, desventajas, complicaciones y resultados en términos de márgenes libres, tasa de retumorectomías, volumen tumoral resecado y tiempo quirúrgico. Material y método Se trata de un estudio observacional, retrospectivo. Se incluyeron todas las pacientes con carcinomas no palpables en quienes se llevó a cabo la técnica de snoll entre el 1 de agosto de 2016 y el 4 de mayo de 2017. Resultados Se incluyó un total de 25 pacientes, todas con diagnóstico previo de carcinoma de mama invasor a través de una punción histológica. Utilizando la técnica snoll, se logró identificar la lesión de mama en el 96% de las pacientes. En el 100% de las pacientes, los márgenes quirúrgicos estaban libres de lesión, por lo que no se realizaron retumorectomías. Se identificó el 100% de los ganglios centinelas, 76% mediante la técnica snoll y 24% mediante la inyección previa del colorante Azul Patente. Conclusiones La técnica snoll demostró ser una técnica sencilla, que mejora el confort de la paciente y que presenta resultados comparables con las técnicas tradicionales. Si bien se trata de una primera experiencia, son alentadores los resultados en términos de márgenes libres, tiempo quirúrgico y volumen resecados.

Introduction Currently, about 25 to 35% of all breast tumors are diagnosed at a nonpalpable stage. The increasing ability to detect small lesions consequently demands the development of novel technology for preoperative lesion identification and intraoperative localization. In this study, we present our initial experience using Sentinel Node Occult Lesion Localization (snoll) at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires. Objectives The objective of this study is to describe clinical and pathological characteristics of patients who were submitted to snoll technique and the advantages and disadvantages, complications and results in terms of tumor-free margins, subsequent surgery rate, total specimen volume and surgical time. Materials and method This is a retrospective, observational study. We included all patients with non-palpable breast cancer who were submitted to surgery and snoll technique between August 1st, 2016 and March 14th, 2017. Results A total of 25 patients were included in this study. All patients had previous diagnosis of invasive breast cancer by core needle biopsy. The breast lesion was correctly identified in 96% of patients through snoll. Surgical margins were tumor-free in all patients. No patients required subsequent surgery. All sentinel nodes were correctly identified. In 76% of cases, snoll was sufficient and in 24% additional injection of patent blue was required. Conclusions In our experience, snoll has proven to be a simple technique that improves patient comfort and shows comparable results when compared to traditional identification methods. Although these are our initial results, we believe our findings to be promising in terms of adequacy of margins, surgical time and total specimen volume.

Impacto del Score de Recurrencia de 21 genes en la indicación de tratamiento sistémico adyuvante: nuestra experiencia en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires / Impact of the Recurrence Score on clinical decision-making about chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting: our experience at Hospital Italiano of Buenos Aires (Argentina)

Introducción Las plataformas genómicas han tomado gran relevancia como factores pronósticos y predictivos para definir tratamiento adyuvante en pacientes con cáncer de mama. Su uso permitiría discriminar un subgrupo de pacientes en quienes la indicación de quimioterapia podría ofrecer más morbilidad que verdadero beneficio. Objetivos Describir las características de las pacientes en quienes se utilizó la plataforma Oncotype DX® y evaluar el impacto del Score de Recurrencia (Recurrence Score) como herramienta de decisión para la indicación de adyuvancia. Material y método Se consideraron pacientes operadas entre 2013 y 2017 en el Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina, con diagnóstico de carcinoma invasor primario de mama de subtipo Luminal A o B, her2neu negativas. Se seleccionaron los casos en los que se solicitó Oncotype DX® y se describieron sus características clínicas e histológicas. Resultados Se utilizó Oncotype DX® en 47 pacientes con cáncer de mama invasor. En el 48,9% se obtuvo un Recurrence Score de riesgo bajo, en el 40,4% de riesgo intermedio y en el 10,6% de riesgo alto. En 22 casos (46,8%) consideramos que hubo un cambio de conducta en la indicación de adyuvancia. Conclusiones En nuestra experiencia, hemos visto que la plataforma genómica Oncotype DX® sería una herramienta útil para definir tratamiento adyuvante en tumores de tipo Luminal, her2neu negativo.

Introduction Over the past decade, gene expression assays have become relevant prognostic factors for guiding clinical decision-making in patients with breast cancer. Their use allows to discriminate which patients are most likely to benefit from chemotherapy in the adjuvant setting, avoiding unnecessary toxicity. Objectives To describe the clinical and pathologic characteristics of patients in whom Oncotype DX® was used as a prognostic factor and assess the impact of the Recurrence Score on clinical decision-making. Materials and method Patients who underwent surgery at the Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires, Argentina, between 2013 and 2017 for Estrogen-Receptor positive (er+), her2neu negative primary breast cancer were considered eligible. We evaluated the cases in which Oncotype DX® was ordered and described the clinical and pathologic characteristics, as well as whether Recurrence Score (rs) modified the prescription of adjuvant therapy. Results Oncotype DX® was performed in 47 patients. The distribution of patients according to rs was as follows: low risk rs 48,9%, intermediate risk 40,4% and high risk 10,6%. We considered that adjuvant therapy decision was modified after rs in 22 patients (46,8%). Conclusions Oncotype DX® and its resulting Recurrence Score appear to be a clinically useful tool for decision-making in the adjuvant setting for patients with er+, her2neu negative breast cancer.

Karatophyllum bromelioides L.D. Gomez revisited: a probable fossil CAM bromeliad.

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: The fossil leaf Karatophyllum bromelioides L. D. Gómez found in Costa Rica was proposed by Gómez (1972) to belong to the Bromeliaceae and to date from the middle Tertiary. If the age and affinity of this specimen were proven to be correct, it would constitute the oldest record of this large and ecologically diverse monocotyledonous family. KEY RESULTS: Morphological features of the fossil (leaf dimensions, marginal spines, cuticular traces) indicate a close affinity with the extant bromeliad Aechmea magdalenae (André) André ex Baker. Leaf thickness (1.6 mm at maximum) suggests that K. bromelioides L. D. Gómez performed CAM photosynthesis. The geological information does not corroborate the estimated age and location of the specimen; the fossil is suggested to be of more recent origin. CONCLUSIONS: The affinity of this fossil to Bromeliaceae was confirmed, but the uncertainties surrounding its age and collection locality mitigate against its use in inferences concerning the evolutionary history of the family.