Parasitic Effects on Electrical Bioimpedance Systems: Critical Review.

Parasitic capacitance represents the main error source in measurement systems based on electrical impedance spectroscopy. The capacitive nature of electrodes' impedance in tetrapolar configuration can give origin to phase errors when electrodes are coupled to parasitic capacitances. Nevertheless, reactive charges in tissue excitation systems are susceptible to instability. Based on such a scenario, mitigating capacitive effects associated with the electrode is a requirement in order to reduce errors in the measurement system. A literature review about the main compensation techniques for parasitic capacitance was carried out. The selected studies were categorized into three groups: (i) compensation in electronic instrumentation; (ii) compensation in measurement processing, and (iii) compensation by negative impedance converters. The three analyzed methods emerged as effective against fixed capacitance. No method seemed capable of mitigating the effects of electrodes' capacitance, that changes in the frequency spectrum. The analysis has revealed the need for a method to compensate varying capacitances, since electrodes' impedance is unknown.

Cerebral venous thrombosis in Latin America: A critical review of risk factors, clinical and radiological characteristics.

Background: Cerebral venous thrombosis (CVT) is a rare disease that frequently occurs in young women of childbearing age, with variable clinical presentation in regions with limited access to diagnostic imaging or specialized neurological care. In the last decade, there has been an increase in the number of studies on CVT in Latin America, which may contribute to a better epidemiological description of the disease in this region and, consequently, its early diagnosis. Objectives: Our study aims to review the risk factors, clinical and radiological characteristics of CVT in Latin America, being critically compared with data from world literature. Methods: PubMed, ScienceDirect, BVS, and Scopus were searched to identify studies reporting CVT in Latin American countries published up to July 2022. We excluded case reports and case series reporting <5 patients later in the final analysis. Results: We identified a total of 3714 studies and 26 qualified for the quantitative analysis, which described 1486 cases of CVT. Headache was the most frequent symptom (82.1%) and the use of oral contraceptives in women was the main risk factor (46.7%). The transverse sinus was the most frequent location of the thrombus (52%). The treatment used most in the acute phase was heparin (88.5%) and oral anticoagulation was widely used at hospital discharge (67.8%). The mortality was low (6.5%), and most patients achieved complete recovery (75.3%). Conclusion: Despite considerable dissimilarities in studies between countries, particularities were identified in the risk factors of CVT in Latin America compared to other regions of the world.

Nosografia dos Transtornos Afetivos: um recorte histórico de Kraepelin ao DSM-5 / Nosography of Affective Disorders: A historical review from Kraepelin to DSM-5 / Nosographie des troubles affectifs: un aperçu historique de Kraepelin au DSM-5 / Nosografia de los trastornos afectivos: un corte histórico de Kraepelin al DSM-5

A nosografia dos transtornos do humor e do afeto relaciona-se diretamente com as formas de apreensão dos quadros clínicos em cada contexto histórico. É indagado se o resgate histórico contribuiria para melhor compreensão e utilização da atual nosologia dos transtornos de humor. Objetiva-se realizar uma revisão histórica e crítica acerca de suas transformações conceituais e nosológicas com enfoque ao campo médico-psiquiátrico. O recorte pretendido se inicia com a proposição da "Insanidade Maníaco-Depressiva" por Emil Kraepelin em 1899, que é confrontada com as propostas pós-kraepelianas, em especial as de Karl Leonhard. Analisa-se a influência dessas na criação dos sistemas diagnósticos operacionalizados, DSM e CID. O "Transtorno Bipolar" foi um constructo introduzido pelo DSM-III e se mantém em uso até os dias atuais. Aborda-se também propostas posteriores, como a do "Espectro Bipolar".

Nosography of mood and affective disorders is directly related to how clinical pictures are understood in each historical context. Inquiring on whether a historical recollection would contribute to a better understanding and use of the current nosology of mood disorders, the study carries out a historical and critical review of its conceptual and nosological transformations on the medical-psychiatric field. Starting from Emil Kraepelin's "Manic-Depressive Insanity," proposed in 1899, the text confronts this concept with post-Kraepelian proposals, especially those of Karl Leonhard. It then analyzes their influence in the creation of two operationalized diagnostic systems — DSM and ICD. "Bipolar Disorder," a construct introduced by the DSM-III, remains in use today. Later proposals are also addressed, such as the "Bipolar Spectrum".

La nosographie des troubles de l'humeur et des troubles affectifs est directement liée à la manière dont les tableaux cliniques sont compris dans chaque contexte historique. En se demandant si un rappel historique contribuerait à une meilleure compréhension et utilisation de la nosologie actuelle des troubles de l'humeur, l'étude procède a un examen historique et critique de ses transformations conceptuelles et nosologiques dans le domaine médico-psychiatrique. Partant de la "Folie maniaco-dépressive" d'Emil Kraepelin, proposée en 1899, l'article confronte ce concept aux propositions post-Kraepeliennes, notamment celles de Karl Leonhard. On analyse ensuite leurs influence dans la création de systèmes de diagnostic opérationnalisés — le DSM et la CIM. Le "trouble bipolaire", une construction introduite par le DSM-III, est toujours utilisé aujourd'hui. D'autres propositions sont égalemment abordées, comme le "spectre bipolaire".

La nosografía de los trastornos afectivos está directamente relacionada con las formas en que se aprehenden las condiciones clínicas en cada contexto histórico. Se pregunta si la revisión histórica contribuiría a una mejor comprensión y uso de la nosología actual de los trastornos del humor. El objetivo de este artículo es realizar una revisión histórica y crítica de sus transformaciones conceptuales y nosológicas con un enfoque en el campo médico-psiquiátrico. El recorte comienza con la propuesta en el texto "Locura maníaco-depresiva", de Emil Kraepelin, en 1899, que se enfrenta a propuestas postkraepelianas, especialmente las de Karl Leonhard. Se analiza la influencia de estas propuestas en la creación de sistemas diagnósticos operacionalizados, el Manual Diagnóstico y Estadístico de los Trastornos Mentales (DSM) y la Clasificación Internacional de Enfermedades (CID). El "trastorno bipolar" es una construcción introducida por el DSM-3 y sigue en uso hoy. También se abordan propuestas posteriores, como la del "espectro bipolar".

Corrigendum: Cerebral venous thrombosis in Latin America: A critical review of risk factors, clinical and radiological characteristics.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.1017565.].

Palliative care integration: a critical review of nurse migration effect in Jamaica.

BACKGROUND: Provision of palliative care to individuals with late-stage serious illnesses is critical to reduce suffering. Palliative care is slowly gaining momentum in Jamaica but requires a highly skilled workforce, including nurses. Out-migration of nurses to wealthier countries negatively impacts the delivery of health care services and may impede palliative care capacity-building. This critical review aimed to explore the evidence pertaining to the nurse migration effect on the integration of palliative care services in Jamaica and to formulate hypotheses about potential mitigating strategies. METHODS: A comprehensive search in the PubMed, CINAHL, and ProQuest PAIS databases aimed to identify articles pertinent to nurse migration in the Caribbean context. Grant and Booth's methodologic framework for critical reviews was used to evaluate the literature. This methodology uses a narrative, chronologic synthesis and was guided by the World Health Organization (WHO) Public Health Model and the Model of Sustainability in Global Nursing. RESULTS: Data from 14 articles were extracted and mapped. Poorer patient outcomes were in part attributed to the out-migration of the most skilled nurses. 'Push-factors' such as aggressive recruitment by wealthier countries, lack of continuing educational opportunities, disparate wages, and a lack of professional autonomy and respect were clear contributors. Gender inequalities negatively impacted females and children left behind. Poor working conditions were not necessarily a primary reason for nurse migration. Four main themes were identified across articles: (a) globalization creating opportunities for migration, (b) recruitment of skilled professionals from CARICOM by high income countries, (c) imbalance and inequities resulting from migration, and (d) mitigation strategies. Thirteen articles suggested education, partnerships, policy, and incentives as mitigation strategies. Those strategies directly align with the WHO Public Health Model drivers to palliative care integration. CONCLUSION: Emerged evidence supports that nurse migration is an ongoing phenomenon that strains health systems in Caribbean Community and Common Market (CARICOM) countries, with Jamaica being deeply impacted. This critical review demonstrates the importance of strategically addressing nurse migration as part of palliative care integration efforts in Jamaica. Future studies should include targeted migration mitigation interventions and should be guided by the three working hypotheses derived from this review.

A Critical Review of Physicochemical Properties and Analytical Methods Applied to Quantitative Determination of Ebastine.

Allergic diseases are the most common conditions in children and the second most frequent in adults. Currently, there are two well-defined generations of antihistamines, those belonging to first generation, with inherent side effects such as drowsiness and anticholinergic effects. These side effects are often attributed to their high lipophilicity and high affinity for brain H1 receptors. The ebastine is a modern antihistaminic drug belongs to the second generation and has lower lipophilicity, which diminish the undesirable side effects. To ensure the quality, efficacy, safety, and effectiveness of ebastine drug products, efficient and reliable analytical methods are mandatory. Besides official compendial methods, alternative methods are often developed and used in quality control of pharmaceuticals as well as in pharmacokinetic studies. In this work, we present a critical review on characteristics, physicochemical properties, and analytical methods applied in the analysis of ebastine.

Falls of older people living in the community- A critical review / Las caídas de las personas mayores que viven en la comunidad: Una revisión crítica

Falls are the most prevalent and serious accident older people suffer in their homes and also, they are the main reason for their hospital admission. In a great part of the cases falls expose at risk elderly people’s well-being and quality of life. A critical narrative literature review was undertaken to inform research in the area of falls in older people living in the community. Articles were retrieved from Medline and Scopus data bases from November 2011 to January 2013. Citation searching was also used as a complement by hand searching of relevant journals. Additionally, an alert mechanism was established in Scopus for a period of one year to identify relevant studies or literature. Reviewed studies have provided valuable evidence about falls in older people and potential prevention strategies. However, evidence from relatives, caregivers and significant others is conspicuously absent. Falls in the community and falls prevention happen in social and family contexts that must be empirically studied and reported.

Las caídas son el accidente más serio y prevalente que los mayores sufren en sus domicilios y son la principal razón de ingreso hospitalario. Las caídas ponen en riesgo el bienestar y la calidad de vida de los mayores. Se llevó a cabo una revisión narrativa crítica de la bibliografía a fin de informar estudios de investigación en el área de las caídas de los mayores que viven en la comunidad. Se recuperaron estudios de las bases de datos Medline y Scopus de Noviembre 2012 a Enero 2013. Se usó también búsqueda de citaciones que se complementó con búsqueda manual en revistas relevantes. Se estableció un sistema de alertas en Scopus a lo largo de un año para identificar estudios relevantes o bibliografía. Los estudios revisados han proporcionado una evidencia valiosa sobre las caídas de las personas mayores y las estrategias potenciales de prevención. No obstante, evidencia proveniente de sus familiares, cuidadores y otros significativos esta notablemente ausente. Las caídas en la comunidad y su prevención suceden en contextos familiares y sociales que deben ser empíricamente estudiados y registrados.