Trigeminal Neuralgia in Advanced Head and Neck Cancer: A Complex Palliative Care Case.

Trigeminal neuralgia (TN) is a chronic neuropathic pain disorder characterized by paroxysms of electric shock-like or stabbing pain in the face. This condition is associated with poor quality of life. First-line treatment includes carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine, but some cases show refractory symptoms to this approach. We describe a challenging case of secondary TN due to an advanced head and neck cancer managed by a palliative care team.

SEOM-GEMCAD-TTD clinical guidelines for the systemic treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (2022)

SEOM-GEMCAD-TTD clinical guidelines for the systemic treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (2022) (AU)

SEOM-GEMCAD-TTD clinical guidelines for the systemic treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer (2022).

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Spain. Metastatic disease is present in 15-30% of patients at diagnosis and up to 20-50% of those with initially localized disease eventually develop metastases. Recent scientific knowledge acknowledges that this is a clinically and biologically heterogeneous disease. As treatment options increase, prognosis for individuals with metastatic disease has steadily improved over recent decades. Disease management should be discussed among experienced, multidisciplinary teams to select the most appropriate systemic treatment (chemotherapy and targeted agents) and to integrate surgical or ablative procedures, when indicated. Clinical presentation, tumor sidedness, molecular profile, disease extension, comorbidities, and patient preferences are key factors when designing a customized treatment plan. These guidelines seek to provide succinct recommendations for managing metastatic CRC.

Familial component of early-onset colorectal cancer: opportunity for prevention.

BACKGROUND: Individuals with a non-syndromic family history of colorectal cancer are known to have an increased risk. There is an opportunity to prevent early-onset colorectal cancer (age less than 50 years) (EOCRC) in this population. The aim was to explore the proportion of EOCRC that is preventable due to family history of colorectal cancer. METHODS: This was a retrospective multicentre European study of patients with non-hereditary EOCRC. The impact of the European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE), U.S. Multi-Society Task Force (USMSTF), and National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) guidelines on prevention and early diagnosis was compared. Colorectal cancer was defined as potentially preventable if surveillance colonoscopy would have been performed at least 5 years before the age of diagnosis of colorectal cancer, and diagnosed early if colonoscopy was undertaken between 1 and 4 years before the diagnosis. RESULTS: Some 903 patients with EOCRC were included. Criteria for familial colorectal cancer risk in ESGE, USMSTF, and NCCN guidelines were met in 6.3, 9.4, and 30.4 per cent of patients respectively. Based on ESGE, USMSTF, and NCCN guidelines, colorectal cancer could potentially have been prevented in 41, 55, and 30.3 per cent of patients, and diagnosed earlier in 11, 14, and 21.1 per cent respectively. In ESGE guidelines, if surveillance had started 10 years before the youngest relative, there would be a significant increase in prevention (41 versus 55 per cent; P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: ESGE, USMSTF, and NCCN criteria for familial colorectal cancer were met in 6.3, 9.4, and 30.4 per cent of patients with EOCRC respectively. In these patients, early detection and/or prevention could be achieved in 52, 70, and 51.4 per cent respectively. Early and accurate identification of familial colorectal cancer risk and increase in the uptake of early colonoscopy are key to decreasing familial EOCRC.

Perovskite Photovoltaic Modules: Life Cycle Assessment of Pre-industrial Production Process.

Photovoltaic devices based on perovskite materials have a great potential to become an exceptional source of energy while preserving the environment. However, to enter the global market, they require further development to achieve the necessary performance requirements. The environmental performance of a pre-industrial process of production of a large-area carbon stack perovskite module is analyzed in this work through life cycle assessment (LCA). From the pre-industrial process an ideal process is simulated to establish a benchmark for pre-industrial and laboratory-scale processes. Perovskite is shown to be the most harmful layer of the carbon stack module because of the energy consumed in the preparation and annealing of the precursor solution, and not because of its Pb content. This work stresses the necessity of decreasing energy consumption during module preparation as the most effective way to reduce environmental impacts of perovskite solar cells.

Comparison of the carbon footprint of different patient diets in a Spanish hospital.

OBJECTIVES: Mitigating climate change requires management strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in any sector, including the health system. Carbon footprint calculations should play a key role in quantifying and communicating these emissions. Food is among the categories with low accuracy because the carbon footprint for food is still under development. We aimed to quantify the carbon footprint of different diets. METHODS: Average carbon footprint for a normal diet was based on detailed composition data in Juan Ramón Jiménez Hospital (Huelva, Spain). In addition, the carbon footprints of 17 other therapeutic diets were estimated using a streamlined variation of each diet published by Benidorm Clinical Hospital (Spain). RESULTS: The carbon footprint was calculated for 18 hospital diets for a variety of patients. The reference menu corresponds to the normal diet provided to patients who do not have special dietary requirements. This menu has a low carbon footprint of 5.083 CO2 eq/day. CONCLUSIONS: Hospital diets contribute to the carbon footprint of a hospital. The type of diet has a significant impact on the greenhouse gas emissions. A Mediterranean diet is associated with lower environmental impact than diets with more meat, in particular red meat.

Hemorragia digestiva alta no varicosa en portugal: un estudio multicéntrico retrospectivo en doce hospitales portugueses / Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Portugal: A multicentric retrospective study in twelve Portuguese hospitals

Antecedentes La hemorragia digestiva alta no varicosa (HDANV) se asocia con un grado importante de mortalidad. Para mejorar el manejo de la HDANV es necesario recopilar más información. Los objetivos de este estudio fueron: a) caracterizar los pacientes portugueses y los enfoques clínicos utilizados para la HDANV, b) comparar el enfoque utilizado en Portugal con los enfoques generales utilizados en los otros países europeos, c) identificar los factores asociados con las opciones de tratamiento, d) identificar los factores asociados con los desenlaces adversos. Métodos ENERGiB es un estudio de cohorte, observacional y retrospectivo sobre la HDANV en el que se utilizó evaluación endoscópica y realizado en toda Europa. Este estudio se centra en los pacientes portugueses del estudio ENERGiB. Los pacientes fueron tratados mediante la pautas de atención habituales. Más tarde, se obtuvieron datos a partir de los historiales. Se realizaron análisis de multivarianza y univarianza con los factores predictivos de evolución y decisiones clínicas deficientes. Resultados Los pacientes (n=404) eran en su mayoría hombres (66,8%), con una edad media de 68 años, presencia de comorbilidades (72%), y, con frecuencia, uso de AINEs o aspirina. La mayoría fueron atendidos por médicos de familia (57,8%) o equipos quirúrgicos (20,6%), sólo el 19,4% fue tratado por equipos de gastroenterología /sangrado del IG. Los (..) (AU)

Background Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is associated with important mortality. More information is needed in order to improve NVUGIB management. The aims of this study were: (a) characterizing Portuguese patients and clinical approaches used in NVUGIB, (b) comparing management used in Portugal with management globally used in European countries, (c) identify factors associated with management options, and (d) identify factors associated with adverse outcome. Methods ENERGiB was an observational, retrospective cohort study, on NVUGIB with endoscopic evaluation, carried across Europe. This study focuses on Portuguese patients of the ENERGiB study. Patients were managed according to routine care. Later, data were collected from files. Multivariate/univariate analyses were conducted on predictive factors of poor outcome and clinical decisions. Results Patients (n=404) were mostly men (66.8%), mean age 68, with co-morbidities (72%), frequently on NSAIDs/aspirin. Most were assisted by general medical (57.8%) or surgical team (20.6%), only 19.4% by gastroenterology/GI-bleeding team. PPI was largely used. Gastric/duodenal ulcers, erosive gastritis and esophagitis were the main bleeding causes. 10% had bleeding persistence/recurrence. Death occurred in 24 patients, 20 from a non-bleeding related cause. Poor outcomes were related with age >65, co-morbidities, fresh blood haematemesis, shock/syncope, bleeding through previous nasogastric tube, massive fluid replacement or transfusions besides erythrocytes. Conclusions This study contributed to characterization of Portuguese patients and NVUGIB episodes in real clinical setting and identified factors associated with a poor outcome. It also identified differences, especially in the organization of GI bleeding teams, which might help us to improve the management of these patients (AU)

Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding in Portugal: a multicentric retrospective study in twelve Portuguese hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Nonvariceal upper gastrointestinal bleeding (NVUGIB) is associated with important mortality. More information is needed in order to improve NVUGIB management. The aims of this study were: (a) characterizing Portuguese patients and clinical approaches used in NVUGIB, (b) comparing management used in Portugal with management globally used in European countries, (c) identify factors associated with management options, and (d) identify factors associated with adverse outcome. METHODS: ENERGiB was an observational, retrospective cohort study, on NVUGIB with endoscopic evaluation, carried across Europe. This study focuses on Portuguese patients of the ENERGiB study. Patients were managed according to routine care. Later, data were collected from files. Multivariate/univariate analyses were conducted on predictive factors of poor outcome and clinical decisions. RESULTS: Patients (n=404) were mostly men (66.8%), mean age 68, with co-morbidities (72%), frequently on NSAIDs/aspirin. Most were assisted by general medical (57.8%) or surgical team (20.6%), only 19.4% by gastroenterology/GI-bleeding team. PPI was largely used. Gastric/duodenal ulcers, erosive gastritis and esophagitis were the main bleeding causes. 10% had bleeding persistence/recurrence. Death occurred in 24 patients, 20 from a non-bleeding related cause. Poor outcomes were related with age >65, co-morbidities, fresh blood haematemesis, shock/syncope, bleeding through previous nasogastric tube, massive fluid replacement or transfusions besides erythrocytes. CONCLUSIONS: This study contributed to characterization of Portuguese patients and NVUGIB episodes in real clinical setting and identified factors associated with a poor outcome. It also identified differences, especially in the organization of GI bleeding teams, which might help us to improve the management of these patients.

La transmisión visual de la información como estímulo cognitivo de los procesos creativos / Visual transmission of information as cognitive stimulus of the creative process

Las técnicas de vigilancia, inteligencia y prospección tecnológica buscan capturar, asimilar y aplicar el conocimiento, recurriéndose con gran frecuencia a los diagramas. Para conocer cómo la transferencia de conocimiento puede estimular o bloquear el proceso creativo se diseñó una investigación experimental, buscando analizar el estado de la técnica y aportar nuevos caminos para la manifestación visual del conocimiento para mejorar e incrementar la calidad y cantidad de respuestas individuales o colectivas en las diferentes etapas del proceso creativo. El impacto de los distintos tipos de diagramas se midió utilizando el test de inteligencia creativa CREA. Se ha obtenido que el diagrama de tipo conexión, que es el menos frecuente, presenta los mejores resultados para estimular la creatividad. El análisis de dos casos de aplicación para encontrar alternativas para el desarrollo de productos, procesos y servicios tecnológicos, corrobora los buenos resultados que se obtienen de la combinación del método Delphi, para efectuar la prospección tecnológica, y los mapas mentales como diagrama con estructuras de conexión (AU)

Technological surveillance, intelligence and prospective techniques seek to capture, assimilate and apply knowledge, often making use of diagrams. An experimental study was set up to learn how knowledge transfer can stimulate or obstruct the creative process. The state of the art was assessed, and new ways to visually represent knowledge and increment the quality and quantity of individual and collective inputs through-out the different stages of the creative process were sought. The impact of the different types of diagrams was measured using the CREA creative intelligence test. The connection type diagram, which is the least frequent, was found to yield the better results in terms of creativity stimulation. The analysis of two case studies to find alternatives for the development of products, processes and technology services confirms the good results obtained by combining the Delphi method (for prospective purposes), and mental maps as instances of diagrams with a connected structure (AU)