The epidemiological situation of tuberculosis in Spain according to surveillance and hospitalization data, 2012-2020.

BACKGROUND: Before the COVID-19 pandemic, tuberculosis (TB) was the leading cause of death from a single infectious agent. In Spain, TB notifications are registered through the National Epidemiological Surveillance Network (RENAVE). The Minimum Basic Data Set (CMBD) provides information on TB hospital discharges. This study aims to assess both registries to complete the picture of TB in order to improve national control strategies and make further progress toward its elimination. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed considering CMBD´s hospital discharges with TB as first diagnosis and notifications to RENAVE between 2012 and 2020. After describing the records of both systems and their differences by using descriptive and multivariate analysis, annual incidences rates were calculated in order to evaluate temporal trends and geographical patters. RESULTS: According to the CMBD database, there were 29,942 hospitalizations due to TB (65% pulmonary forms and 66% male) during the study period. RENAVE collected 44,520 reported cases, mostly males (62%) with pulmonary forms (72%). Young children were similar in both groups, showing the high frequency of hospitalization in this group. Almost all autonomous communities showed a downward trend, especially Asturias. Hospitalizations in 2020 were analyzed by month separately, and comparing with previous years, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic can be seen. CONCLUSIONS: A decreasing trend on TB incidence was observed in Spain since 2012, although this trend might change after COVID-19 pandemic. The analysis of both databases, CMBD and RENAVE, has contributed to improve our knowledge of TB in Spain and will help improve the control of this disease.

An exploratory mixed-methods evaluation of continuing education opportunities related to the care of sexual and gender minority patients from ACPE-accredited providers.

PURPOSE: The objective of this analysis was to describe trends in continuing education opportunities for pharmacy professionals across the US related to the care of sexual and gender minority (SGM) patients. METHODS: Continuing education programs offered by Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)-accredited providers from 2012 through 2022 were identified by searching the ACPE database for titles containing SGM terminology. Data including ACPE provider classification, activity type, format, audience, ACPE topic designator, interprofessional accreditation, contact hours, and learning objectives were collected. Content analysis was used to categorize activities. RESULTS: Following removal of duplicates and non-SGM-focused programming, 726 programs were identified. The most commonly observed program characteristics included a live format (67.6%, n = 491), a pharmacist audience (77.1%, n = 560), knowledge-based activities (90.8%, n = 656), a college or school of pharmacy provider (21.6%, n = 157), an ACPE topic of pharmacy administration (50.6%, n = 367), and a focus on pharmacy rather than interprofessional audiences (87.1%, n = 632). The median program length was 1 hour (interquartile range, 1-1.25 hours). The qualitative analysis identified programs focused on topics of gender-affirming care (pharmacotherapy) (32.1%, n = 233), general SGM (26.7%, n = 194), gender-affirming care (nonpharmacotherapy), sexually transmitted infections (7.2%, n = 52), and health disparities (3.9%, n = 28). CONCLUSION: Advancement has occurred in the number of available continuing pharmacy education programs focused on the care of SGM patients. Further information regarding specific content and effectiveness of continuing education is necessary to determine strategies to better prepare pharmacy professionals to care for this growing patient population.

Evaluation of dapsone and its synthetic derivative DDS­13 in cancer in vitro.

The present study highlighted the repositioning of the drug dapsone (DDS) for cancer therapy. Due to its mechanism of action, DDS has a dual effect as an antibiotic and as an anti-inflammatory/immunomodulator; however, at high doses, it has important adverse effects. The derivative DDS-13 [N,N'-(sulfonyl bis (4,1-phenylene)) dioctanamide] was synthesized through an N-acylation reaction to compare it with DDS. Its cytotoxic effects in cancer cells (DU145 and HeLa) and non-cancer cells (HDFa) were observed at concentrations ranging 0.01-100 µM and its physicochemical/pharmacokinetic properties were analyzed using the SwissADME tool. The objectives of the present study were to evaluate the anticancer activity of both DDS and DDS-13 and to identify the physicochemical and pharmacokinetic properties of DDS-13. The results showed that DDS-13 presented a cytotoxic effect in the DU145 cell line (IC50=19.06 µM), while DDS showed a cytotoxic effect on both the DU145 (IC50=11.11 µM) and HeLa (IC50=13.07 µM) cell lines. DDS-13 appears to be a good cytotoxic candidate for the treatment of prostate cancer, while DDS appears to be a good candidate for both cervical and prostate cancer. Neither candidate showed a cytotoxic effect in non-cancerous cells. The different pharmacokinetic properties of DDS-13 make it a new candidate for evaluation in preclinical models for the treatment of cancer.

Biological properties and surgical applications of the human amniotic membrane.

The amniotic membrane (AM) is the inner part of the placenta. It has been used therapeutically for the last century. The biological proprieties of AM include immunomodulatory, anti-scarring, anti-microbial, pro or anti-angiogenic (surface dependent), and tissue growth promotion. Because of these, AM is a functional tissue for the treatment of different pathologies. The AM is today part of the treatment for various conditions such as wounds, ulcers, burns, adhesions, and skin injury, among others, with surgical resolution. This review focuses on the current surgical areas, including gynecology, plastic surgery, gastrointestinal, traumatology, neurosurgery, and ophthalmology, among others, that use AM as a therapeutic option to increase the success rate of surgical procedures. Currently there are articles describing the mechanisms of action of AM, some therapeutic implications and the use in surgeries of specific surgical areas, this prevents knowing the therapeutic response of AM when used in surgeries of different organs or tissues. Therefore, we described the use of AM in various surgical specialties along with the mechanisms of action, helping to improve the understanding of the therapeutic targets and achieving an adequate perspective of the surgical utility of AM with a particular emphasis on regenerative medicine.

Mitochondria and Mitochondrial DNA: Key Elements in the Pathogenesis and Exacerbation of the Inflammatory State Caused by COVID-19.

Background and Objectives. The importance of mitochondria in inflammatory pathologies, besides providing energy, is associated with the release of mitochondrial damage products, such as mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA), which may perpetuate inflammation. In this review, we aimed to show the importance of mitochondria, as organelles that produce energy and intervene in multiple pathologies, focusing mainly in COVID-19 and using multiple molecular mechanisms that allow for the replication and maintenance of the viral genome, leading to the exacerbation and spread of the inflammatory response. The evidence suggests that mitochondria are implicated in the replication of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), which forms double-membrane vesicles and evades detection by the cell defense system. These mitochondrion-hijacking vesicles damage the integrity of the mitochondrion's membrane, releasing mt-DNA into circulation and triggering the activation of innate immunity, which may contribute to an exacerbation of the pro-inflammatory state. Conclusions. While mitochondrial dysfunction in COVID-19 continues to be studied, the use of mt-DNA as an indicator of prognosis and severity is a potential area yet to be explored.

Peripheral Blood Mitochondrial DNA Levels Were Modulated by SARS-CoV-2 Infection Severity and Its Lessening Was Associated With Mortality Among Hospitalized Patients With COVID-19.

Introduction: During severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, the virus hijacks the mitochondria causing damage of its membrane and release of mt-DNA into the circulation which can trigger innate immunity and generate an inflammatory state. In this study, we explored the importance of peripheral blood mt-DNA as an early predictor of evolution in patients with COVID-19 and to evaluate the association between the concentration of mt-DNA and the severity of the disease and the patient's outcome. Methods: A total 102 patients (51 COVID-19 cases and 51 controls) were included in the study. mt-DNA obtained from peripheral blood was quantified by qRT-PCR using the NADH mitochondrial gene. Results: There were differences in peripheral blood mt-DNA between patients with COVID-19 (4.25 ng/µl ± 0.30) and controls (3.3 ng/µl ± 0.16) (p = 0.007). Lower mt-DNA concentrations were observed in patients with severe COVID-19 when compared with mild (p= 0.005) and moderate (p= 0.011) cases of COVID-19. In comparison with patients with severe COVID-19 who survived (3.74 ± 0.26 ng/µl) decreased levels of mt-DNA in patients with severe COVID-19 who died (2.4 ± 0.65 ng/µl) were also observed (p = 0.037). Conclusion: High levels of mt-DNA were associated with COVID-19 and its decrease could be used as a potential biomarker to establish a prognosis of severity and mortality of patients with COVID-19.

The value of the continuous genotyping of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis over 20 years in Spain.

Molecular epidemiology of circulating clinical isolates is crucial to improve prevention strategies. The Spanish Working Group on multidrug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) is a network that monitors the MDR-TB isolates in Spain since 1998. The aim of this study was to present the study of the MDR-TB and extensively drug-resistant tuberculosis (XDR-TB) patterns in Spain using the different recommended genotyping methods over time by a national coordinated system. Based on the proposed genotyping methods in the European Union until 2018, the preservation of one method, MIRU-VNTR, applied to selected clustered strains permitted to maintain our study open for 20 years. The distribution of demographic, clinical and epidemiological characteristics of clustered and non-clustered cases of MDR/XDR tuberculosis with proportion differences as assessed by Pearson's chi-squared or Fisher's exact test was compared. The differences in the quantitative variables using the Student's-t test and the Mann-Whitney U test were evaluated. The results obtained showed a total of 48.4% of the cases grouped in 77 clusters. Younger age groups, having a known TB case contact (10.2% vs 4.7%) and XDR-TB (16.5% vs 1.8%) were significantly associated with clustering. The largest cluster corresponded to a Mycobacterium bovis strain mainly spread during the nineties. A total of 68.4% of the clusters detected were distributed among the different Spanish regions and six clusters involving 104 cases were grouped in 17 and 18 years. Comparison of the genotypes obtained with those European genotypes included in The European Surveillance System (TESSy) showed that 87 cases had become part of 20 European clusters. The continuity of MDR strain genotyping in time has offered a widespread picture of the situation that allows better management of this public health problem. It also shows the advantage of maintaining one genotyping method over time, which allowed the comparison between ancient, present and future samples.

[The Social Pact for the Non-discrimination and Equal Treatment Associated with HIV development]. / Desarrollo del pacto social por la no discriminación y la igualdad de trato asociada al VIH.

Advances in treatment and care have improved the life expectancy and quality of life for people living with HIV. However, those infected with HIV remain exposed to the social stigma that continues to be associated with this condition and sometimes experience discriminatory treatment in areas such as health, education, the judiciary or the workplace, and in access to benefits and insurance. There is a lot of evidence that the discrimination and stigma associated with HIV alienate people from prevention, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life services. This situation is exacerbated by social, economic and cultural status, as social and structural inequity facilitates increased discrimination and unfair treatment in the daily lives of people living with HIV. In response to this situation arises the need to establish a Social Pact for Non-Discrimination and Equal Treatment Associated with HIV, agreed and signed by social and institutional agents key in the response to HIV. Its aim is to eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS, ensuring equal treatment and opportunities, non-discrimination, respect for fundamental rights and diversity of those affected. Reducing discrimination against people living with HIV is one of the priority objectives of the Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare's Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of HIV and other STIs, currently extended to 2020. It is aligned with the UNAIDS cross-cutting objective of zero discrimination and with the fourth objective of the 90-90-90-90 strategy, which should ensure that 90% of people with HIV and viral load suppression have a good health-related quality of life.

Los avances en nuevos tratamientos y en la atención sanitaria han mejorado la esperanza y la calidad de vida de las personas con el VIH. Sin embargo, quienes tienen esta infección siguen expuestos al estigma social que sigue asociándose a esta condición, experimentando en ocasiones un trato discriminatorio en ámbitos como el sanitario, el educativo, el judicial o el laboral, así como en el acceso a prestaciones y seguros. Existen numerosos datos que muestran que la discriminación y el estigma asociados al VIH alejan a las personas de los servicios de prevención, diagnóstico, tratamiento y calidad de vida. Esta situación se acentúa según la posición social, económica y cultural, ya que la inequidad social y estructural facilita el aumento de la discriminación y del trato injusto en la vida diaria de las personas con el VIH. Como respuesta a esta situación surge la necesidad de establecer un Pacto Social por la No Discriminación y la Igualdad de Trato Asociada al VIH, consensuado y suscrito por los agentes sociales e institucionales claves en la respuesta frente al VIH. Su objetivo es eliminar el estigma y la discriminación asociados al VIH y al Sida, garantizando la igualdad de trato y de oportunidades, la no discriminación, el respeto de los derechos fundamentales y la diversidad de las personas afectadas. Disminuir la discriminación hacia las personas con el VIH es uno de los objetivos prioritarios del Plan Estratégico de Prevención y Control del VIH y otras ITS, del Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social, actualmente prorrogado hasta 2020. Está alineado con el objetivo transversal de cero discriminación de ONUSIDA y con el cuarto objetivo de la estrategia 90-90-90-90, en el que se debería de asegurar que el 90% de las personas con el VIH y supresión de carga viral tengan una buena calidad de vida relacionada con la salud.

Día Mundial del SIDA (1 de diciembre de 2019). Las Comunidades marcan la diferencia / No disponible

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Desarrollo del pacto social por la no discriminación y la igualdad de trato asociada al VIH / The social pact for the non-discrimination and equal treatment associated with HIV development

Los avances en nuevos tratamientos y en la atención sanitaria han mejorado la esperanza y la calidad de vida de las personas con el VIH. Sin embargo, quienes tienen esta infección siguen expuestos al estigma social que sigue asociándose a esta condición, experimentando en ocasiones un trato discriminatorio en ámbitos como el sanitario, el educativo, el judicial o el laboral, así como en el acceso a prestaciones y seguros. Existen numerosos datos que muestran que la discriminación y el estigma asociados al VIH alejan a las personas de los servicios de prevención, diagnóstico, tratamiento y calidad de vida. Esta situación se acentúa según la posición social, económica y cultural, ya que la inequidad social y estructural facilita el aumento de la discriminación y del trato injusto en la vida diaria de las personas con el VIH. Como respuesta a esta situación surge la necesidad de establecer un Pacto Social por la No Discriminación y la Igualdad de Trato Asociada al VIH, consensuado y suscrito por los agentes sociales e institucionales claves en la respuesta frente al VIH. Su objetivo es eliminar el estigma y la discriminación asociados al VIH y al Sida, garantizando la igualdad de trato y de oportunidades, la no discriminación, el respeto de los derechos fundamentales y la diversidad de las personas afectadas. Disminuir la discriminación hacia las personas con el VIH es uno de los objetivos prioritarios del Plan Estratégico de Prevención y Control del VIH y otras ITS, del Ministerio de Sanidad, Consumo y Bienestar Social, actualmente prorrogado hasta 2020. Está alineado con el objetivo transversal de cero discriminación de ONUSIDA y con el cuarto objetivo de la estrategia 90-90-90-90, en el que se debería de asegurar que el 90% de las personas con el VIH y supresión de carga viral tengan una buena calidad de vida relacionada con la salud

Advances in treatment and care have improved the life expectancy and quality of life for people living with HIV. However, those infected with HIV remain exposed to the social stigma that continues to be associated with this condition and sometimes experience discriminatory treatment in areas such as health, education, the judiciary or the workplace, and in access to benefits and insurance. There is a lot of evidence that the discrimination and stigma associated with HIV alienate people from prevention, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life services. This situation is exacerbated by social, economic and cultural status, as social and structural inequity facilitates increased discrimination and unfair treatment in the daily lives of people living with HIV.In response to this situation arises the need to establish a Social Pact for Non-Discrimination and Equal Treatment Associated with HIV, agreed and signed by social and institutional agents key in the response to HIV. Its aim is to eliminate the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS, ensuring equal treatment and opportunities, non-discrimination, respect for fundamental rights and diversity of those affected. Reducing discrimination against people living with HIV is one of the priority objectives of the Ministry of Health, Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare's Strategic Plan for the Prevention and Control of HIV and other STIs, currently extended to 2020. It is aligned with the UNAIDS cross-cutting objective of zero discrimination and with the fourth objective of the 90-90-90-90 strategy, which should ensure that 90% of people with HIV and viral load suppression have a good health-related quality of life

Prognosis of ALS: comparing data from the Limousin referral centre, France, and a Uruguayan population.

Our objective was to compare clinical features and survival in two groups of ALS patients from countries in opposite hemispheres. The study took place at an ALS referral centre in the Limousin region of France (LIM) and in Uruguay (UY). All consecutive patients diagnosed with ALS between 1 January 2002 and 31 December 2004 were enrolled. Data from a total of 187 ALS patients were analysed: 84 from LIM and 103 from UY. Mean ages at onset and diagnosis were significantly higher in LIM (66 vs. 61 years). UY patients demonstrated more advanced disease at the time of diagnosis. The proportions of definite forms were 82% in UY versus 10% in LIM (p<0.001), and median manual muscle testing (MMT) and ALSFRS scores were significantly lower in LIM. This observed difference was not directly explained by a longer diagnostic delay in UY (10 vs. 9 months). Median survival from time of diagnosis was significantly shorter in UY patients (19 vs. 28 months; log-rank test, p=0.030). In conclusion, survival of ALS patients in UY is nine months shorter than in LIM, probably due to the heterogeneity of medical care and the absence of an ALS referral centre.

Features of recovery from acute renal failure post-septic abortion and long-term prognosis

El predominio en nuestro medio del aborto séptico como factor etiológico de la insuficiencia renal aguda (IRA) motivó este estudio sobre evaluación funcional renal en períodos alejados del episodio inicial. En el presente trabajo, se estudiaron 10 pacientes que padecieron IRA por aborto séptico más o menos lejano (10,5 años, con un rango entre 18-1). Se incluyeron aquellas pacientes que accedieron voluntariamente a ser estudiadas de un grupo seleccionado por edad, curso de la insuficiencia renal aguda y ausencia de intercurrencias que pudieran afectar la función renal durante el período que medió entre el alta médica por su IRA y el estudio actual. Se descartaron aquellas enfermas que tuvieran más de 40 años en el momento de este estudio para eliminar los efectos del envejecimiento sobre la función renal, las con hipertensión arterial crónica y las que tuvieran alteraciones groseras de la función renal. En el grupo estudiado, se observó en oportunidad de presentar IRA, dos tipos distintos de evolución (Tabla 1). Grupo I: (n:6) evolucionó desde el ingreso, con una diuresis diaria de más de 500 ml (n: 2, forma no oligoanurica) o con un período muy corto de oligoanuria (n: 4, duración de la oligoanuria entre 2-4 días). Estas pacientes superaron los 1000 ml de diuresis diaria en un período no mayor de 8 días (entre 4-8). Este grupo requirió 2,83 hemodiálisis promedio para su tratamiento (entre 1-5 diálisis promedio para su tratamiento (entre 1-5 diálisis). Grupo II: (n: 4 con un período...

Features of recovery from acute renal failure post-septic abortion and long-term prognosis

El predominio en nuestro medio del aborto séptico como factor etiológico de la insuficiencia renal aguda (IRA) motivó este estudio sobre evaluación funcional renal en períodos alejados del episodio inicial. En el presente trabajo, se estudiaron 10 pacientes que padecieron IRA por aborto séptico más o menos lejano (10,5 años, con un rango entre 18-1). Se incluyeron aquellas pacientes que accedieron voluntariamente a ser estudiadas de un grupo seleccionado por edad, curso de la insuficiencia renal aguda y ausencia de intercurrencias que pudieran afectar la función renal durante el período que medió entre el alta médica por su IRA y el estudio actual. Se descartaron aquellas enfermas que tuvieran más de 40 años en el momento de este estudio para eliminar los efectos del envejecimiento sobre la función renal, las con hipertensión arterial crónica y las que tuvieran alteraciones groseras de la función renal. En el grupo estudiado, se observó en oportunidad de presentar IRA, dos tipos distintos de evolución (Tabla 1). Grupo I: (n:6) evolucionó desde el ingreso, con una diuresis diaria de más de 500 ml (n: 2, forma no oligoanurica) o con un período muy corto de oligoanuria (n: 4, duración de la oligoanuria entre 2-4 días). Estas pacientes superaron los 1000 ml de diuresis diaria en un período no mayor de 8 días (entre 4-8). Este grupo requirió 2,83 hemodiálisis promedio para su tratamiento (entre 1-5 diálisis promedio para su tratamiento (entre 1-5 diálisis). Grupo II: (n: 4 con un período... (AU)