Perfil dos pacientes em cuidados paliativos na atenção domiciliar em um serviço do Sul do Brasil / Profile of patients under palliative care in home care in a service in Southern Brazil / Perfil de pacientes en cuidados paliativos en atención domiciliaria en un servicio del Sur de Brasil

Introdução: A Medicina de Família e Comunidade, como forma de cuidado mais próxima ao paciente, pode ofertar cuidados paliativos (CP) de modo integral e individualizado. Assim, torna-se relevante caracterizar a população atendida de modo a favorecer o desenvolvimento e implementação de estratégias para a ampliação da assistência de CP na Rede de Atenção à Saúde. Objetivo: Apresentar um panorama do perfil epidemiológico dos pacientes em CP domiciliares, no período de janeiro de 2018 a outubro de 2021, assistidos pelo Serviço de Atenção Domiciliar (SAD), vinculado ao Hospital Municipal de São José (HMSJ), na cidade de Joinville (SC). Métodos: Série de casos retrospectiva, incluindo os participantes do SAD que evoluíram a óbito no período da pesquisa. Os critérios de exclusão foram os participantes vivos no período da pesquisa; aqueles registrados, mas não atendidos pela equipe médica; os que receberam alta do programa; pacientes com prontuário incompleto; prontuários duplicados e menores de 18 anos. Os dados coletados incluíram número identificador do prontuário, idade, sexo, estado civil, diagnóstico, data de entrada no SAD, data de óbito, tempo de permanência no SAD, desfecho de óbito e via pela qual foi atestado o óbito, se recebeu analgesia com opioides e se fez uso de mais de um opioide, e se recebeu analgesia em bomba de infusão contínua (BIC) e/ou sedação paliativa. Os dados foram coletados pelos pesquisadores de prontuários médicos, codificados e conferidos duplamente. Foram realizadas então média e mediana das variáveis, bem como correlação dos dados e análise dos resultados. Resultados: Duzentos e oito pacientes foram incluídos; a média de idade foi 66,8 anos; as doenças neoplásicas foram as mais prevalentes (94,2%), destacando-se as neoplasias de trato gastrointestinal (21,1%), pulmonares (12,5%) e de mama (9,5%). A maior parte dos pacientes (37,9%) permaneceu sob os cuidados do SAD por mais de 30 dias e 75,9% da população analisada veio a óbito em ambiente domiciliar, e 45,67% desses indivíduos foram atestados via Serviço de Verificação de Óbitos e 30,2% via SAD. Quanto ao manejo da dor, 87,1% fizeram uso de opioides, mais frequentemente a morfina. Quanto à sedação paliativa, esta esteve presente em apenas 25,48%, prevalecendo o uso de midazolam. Conclusões: Neste estudo, encontrou-se maior prevalência de pacientes acometidos por doenças neoplásicas em fase final de vida, com necessidade de controle de dor adequado ­ contexto no qual o SAD possibilita o atendimento especializado ao paciente e seus familiares em um ambiente de maior conforto.

Introduction: Family Practice, being closer to the patient, can offer comprehensive and individualized Palliative Care (PC). Therefore, characterizing the population served becomes essential to support the development and implementation of strategies to expand PC services in the Health Care Network. Objective: Present an overview of the epidemiological profile of patients receiving home-based palliative care from January 2018 to October 2021, supported by Home Care Services (HCS) affiliated with Hospital Municipal São José (HMSJ) in the city of Joinville (SC). Methods: Retrospective case series with Participants in HCS who passed away during the study period were included. Exclusion criteria comprised living participants, those registered but not attended by the medical team, program discharges, incomplete medical records, duplicates, and individuals under 18 years of age. Collected data included record identifier, age, gender, marital status, diagnosis, entry and death dates, duration of HCS stay, death outcome and certification method, opioid analgesia use, use of multiple opioids, and use of continuous infusion pump (CIP) analgesia and/or palliative sedation. Researchers collected and double-checked the coded data, performed average and median calculations, correlated data, and analyzed results. Results: Two hundred and eight patients were included; average age was 66.8 years; neoplastic diseases were most prevalent (94.2%), particularly gastrointestinal (21.1%), pulmonary (12.5%), and breast cancers (9.5%). The majority of patients (37.9%) remained under HCS care for over 30 days, and 75.9% of the analyzed population passed away at home, with 45.67% certified by the Death Verification Service and 30.2% by HCS. Regarding pain management, 87.1% used opioids, most commonly morphine. Palliative sedation was present in only 25.48%, predominantly using midazolam. Conclusions: This study found a higher prevalence of patients with end-stage neoplastic diseases requiring adequate pain control, an area where HCS provides specialized care in a more comfortable environment.

Introducción: La Medicina Familiar y Comunitaria, como forma de atención más cercana al paciente, puede ofrecer Cuidados Paliativos (CP) de forma integral e individualizada. Por lo tanto, resulta relevante caracterizar la población atendida con el fin de favorecer el desarrollo e implementación de estrategias para ampliar la asistencia en CP en la red de Atención a la Salud. Objetivo: Presentar una visión general del perfil epidemiológico de los pacientes que recibieron cuidados paliativos domiciliarios, de enero de 2018 a octubre de 2021, atendidos por el Servicio de Atención de Salud a Domicilio (SAD), vinculado al Hospital Municipal São José (HMSJ), de la ciudad de Joinville (SC). Método: Serie de casos retrospectiva, incluyendo participantes del SAD que fallecieron durante el período de investigación. Los criterios de exclusión fueron participantes vivos durante el período de investigación; pacientes registrados pero no atendidos por el equipo médico; los que tuvieron alta del programa; con historial médico incompleto, historial médico duplicado y menores de 18 años. Los datos recogidos incluyeron número de identificación del historial médico, edad, sexo, estado civil, diagnóstico, fecha de ingreso al SAD, fecha de fallecimiento, tiempo de estancia en el SAD, desenlace de la muerte y vía por la que se certificó la muerte; si recibió analgesia con opioides y si usaron más de un opioide, y si recibieron analgesia con bomba de infusión continua (BIC) y/o sedación paliativa. Los datos fueron recopilados por investigadores de registros médicos, codificados y verificados dos veces. Luego se realizó la media y mediana de las variables, así como la correlación de datos y el análisis de los resultados. Resultados: Se incluyeron doscientos ocho pacientes; la edad promedio fue de 66,8 años; las enfermedades neoplásicas fueron las más prevalentes (94,2%), destacándose las neoplasias del tracto gastrointestinal (21,1%), pulmón (12,5%) y mama (9,5%). La mayoría de los pacientes (37,9%) permanecieron bajo atención del SAD más de 30 días y el 75,9% de la población analizada falleció en su domicilio, de los cuales el 45,67% fue certificado a través del Servicio de Urgencias de Verificación de Defunciones y el 30,2% a través del SAD. En cuanto al manejo del dolor, el 87,1% utilizaba opioides, con mayor frecuencia morfina. En cuanto a la sedación paliativa, estuvo presente solo en el 25,48%, prevaleciendo el uso de midazolam. Conclusiones: En este estudio se encontró una mayor prevalencia de pacientes afectados por enfermedades neoplásicas en la etapa final de la vida, que necesitan un control adecuado del dolor, un contexto en el que el SAD permite una atención especializada a los pacientes y sus familias en un ambiente más confortable.

DIU no morro: vivência do acesso aos direitos reprodutivos em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina / IUD at the slum: experience of access to reproductive rights in Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brazil / DIU no morro: experiencia de acceso a derechos reproductivos en Florianópolis, Santa Catarina, Brasil

Introdução: O dispositivo intrauterino de cobre (DIU) é um método contraceptivo eficaz, oferecido pelo Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS), mas pouco usado pelas mulheres brasileiras. Alguns motivos são: poucas profissionais habilitadas para inseri-lo, muitas etapas entre o desejo de usá-lo e a inserção e desconhecimento sobre o método. Objetivo: O objetivo deste estudo foi compreender o acesso e a vivência de mulheres que inseriram o DIU fora do espaço do centro de saúde (CS), no espaço da escola/creche de sua comunidade em Florianópolis, Santa Catarina. Métodos: As profissionais de saúde do CS Agronômica em Florianópolis organizaram ações "extramuros" dentro do território, aos sábados, durante os anos de 2022 e 2023. As ações aconteceram nas escolas/creches nos territórios menos privilegiados de cobertura do CS Agronômica nas comunidades do Morro do 25/Nova Trento, do Morro do Horácio e do Morro do Macaco. Essas ações objetivaram facilitar o acesso de toda a população a alguns serviços disponibilizados pela Atenção Primária à Saúde, entre eles a inserção do DIU. Esta é uma pesquisa exploratória, descritiva com abordagem qualitativa. Os dados foram coletados a partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas. As participantes do estudo foram mulheres que inseriram o DIU durante alguma das ações e voluntariamente demonstraram interesse em participar da pesquisa. Das 40 mulheres que acessaram a inserção do DIU, nove fizeram a entrevista, tendo seu áudio gravado e transcrito. Foi realizada uma análise temática em quatro fases: pré-análise; exploração do material; tratamento dos resultados; e elaboração de diagrama dos achados. Resultados: Todas as mulheres entrevistadas inseriram o DIU como segunda ou terceira opção de método contraceptivo por má adaptação aos outros, como pílula e injetáveis. Algumas apresentaram medo quanto à higiene e à privacidade do local, porém após visitarem as salas adaptadas, consideraram-nas limpas e adequadas. Também referiram que o espaço era mais acolhedor se comparado ao CS. Todas elas afirmaram que o acesso para a inserção do DIU foi facilitado pela ação, e isso ocorreu por vários motivos, como: horário de folga do trabalho; proximidade com suas casas; possibilidade de levar seus filhos; e não necessidade de agendamento. Conclusões: A inserção do DIU fora do local convencional, por ser mais próximo das casas e em horário alternativo ao de trabalho, favoreceu o acesso ao procedimento. Portanto, essas ações podem ser um caminho para a garantia do planejamento familiar e do direito reprodutivo no Brasil.

Introduction: The copper intrauterine device (IUD) is an effective contraceptive method, offered by the Brazilian National Health System (SUS), but little used by Brazilian women. Some reasons are: few professionals qualified to insert it, many steps between the desire to use it and insertion and lack of knowledge about the method. Objective: The aim of this study is to understand the access and experience of women who inserted the IUD outside the Health Center space, at schools/nurseries in their community in Florianópolis. Methods: Health professionals from Agronômica's Primary Care Health Center (PCHC) localized in Florianópolis, Brazil, organized actions on Saturdays between 2022 and 2023. The actions took place in schools of less privileged territories covered by Agronômica PCHC in the communities of Morro do 25/Nova Trento, Morro do Horácio, and Morro do Macaco. These actions aimed to facilitate access for the entire population to some services provided by Primary Health Care, including the insertion of the IUD. This is an exploratory, descriptive research with a qualitative approach. Data were collected from semi-structured interviews. The study participants were women who inserted the IUD during one of the actions and voluntarily demonstrated interest in participating in the research. Of the 40 women who accessed the IUD insertion, 9 completed the interview, which had its audio recorded and transcribed. A thematic analysis was carried out in four phases: pre-analysis; exploration of the material; treatment of results and preparation of a diagram of findings. Results: All women interviewed inserted the IUD as a second or third contraceptive method option due to poor adaptation to others, such as pills and injectables. Some were afraid about the hygiene and privacy of the place, but after visiting the adapted rooms they considered it clean and adequate. They also mentioned that the space was more welcoming compared to the PCHC. They all stated that access for IUD insertion was facilitated by the Saturday's actions due to several reasons, such as: time off work; proximity to their homes; Possibility to bring their children and no need to make an appointment. Conclusions: Inserting the IUD near the house where these women live and outside of the health center, at the slum at an alternative time to work, favored access to the procedure. Therefore, these actions can be a path to guaranteeing family planning and reproductive rights in Brazil.

Introducción: El dispositivo intrauterino (DIU) de cobre es un método anticonceptivo eficaz, ofrecido por el Sistema Único de Salud (SUS), pero poco utilizado por las mujeres brasileñas. Algunas razones son: pocos profesionales capacitados para insertarlo, muchos pasos entre el deseo de utilizarlo y la inserción y desconocimiento sobre el método. Objetivo: El objetivo de este estudio era comprender el acceso y la experiencia de mujeres que insertaron el DIU fuera del espacio del Centro de Salud (CS), en el espacio de las escuelas/guarderías de su comunidad en Florianópolis. Métodos: Profesionales de la salud de CS Agronômica en Florianópolis organizaron acciones "extramuros" dentro del territorio, los sábados, durante 2022 y 2023. Las acciones tuvieron lugar en escuelas/guarderías de los territorios menos privilegiados cubiertos por CS Agronômica en las comunidades del Morro do 25/Nova Trento, Morro do Horácio y Morro do Macaco. Estas acciones tuvieron como objetivo facilitar el acceso de toda la población a algunos servicios brindados por la Atención Primaria de Salud, incluida la inserción del DIU. Se trata de una investigación exploratoria, descriptiva y con enfoque cualitativo. Los datos fueron recolectados a partir de entrevistas semiestructuradas. Las participantes del estudio fueron mujeres que insertaron el DIU durante una de las acciones y demostraron voluntariamente interés en participar de la investigación. De las 40 mujeres que accedieron a la inserción del DIU, 9 completaron la entrevista, cuyo audio fue grabado y transcrito. Se realizó un análisis temático en cuatro fases: preanálisis; exploración del material; tratamiento de resultados y elaboración de un diagrama de hallazgos. Resultados: Todas las mujeres entrevistadas insertaron el DIU como segunda o tercera opción de método anticonceptivo debido a la mala adaptación a otros, como píldoras e inyectables. Algunos temían por la higiene y privacidad del lugar adaptado, pero al visitar las habitaciones adaptadas las consideraron limpias y adecuadas. También mencionaron que el espacio era más acogedor en comparación con CS. Todas manifestaron que la acción facilitó el acceso para la inserción del DIU y esto se debió a varios motivos, tales como: horario alternativo; proximidad a sus hogares; posibilidad de traer sus hijos y la ausencia de necesidad de cita previa. Conclusiones: La inserción del DIU fuera del CS, por estar más cerca de casa y en un horario alternativo al trabajo, favoreció el acceso al procedimiento. Por lo tanto, estas acciones pueden ser un camino para garantizar la planificación familiar y los derechos reproductivos en Brasil.

Propiedades psicométricas de la Escala Dispvac: evidencia de la validez de contenido interna, externa y fiabilidad / Psychometric properties of Dispvac Scale: evidence of its content, internal validity, external validity, and reliability

Resumen Introducción: una de las barreras al acceso a la vacunación contra las enfermedades infecciosas es la reticencia a la vacunación, la cual suele medirse o asociarse a una poca disposición para vacunarse, actitudes antivacunas o la probabilidad reportada de obtener una vacuna. Sin embargo, no existe un consenso en la forma en la cual este constructo es medido. Objetivo: el propósito de este artículo es identificar las propiedades psicométricas y la estructura factorial de la nueva Escala Dispvac en una muestra colombiana. Método: se realizó un diseño psicométrico para identificar las propiedades psicométricas de la escala con una muestra de 1131 participantes (masculino: 37.30%, femenino 61.90%, otro: 0.79%; media edad: 25.84, SD edad: 10.19), a través de un muestreo por conveniencia. Se realizó un análisis factorial exploratorio, un análisis factorial confirmatorio, un análisis de fiabilidad y la validez convergente. Resultados: se sugieren dos factores: actitudes cognitivas hacia la vacunación y legitimidad percibida de las autoridades al requerir la vacunación que comprende la prueba. La prueba Dispvac se correlaciona de manera negativa con la Escala VAX. Conclusiones: los dos factores que comprenden la Escala Dispvac sugieren que la intención a vacunarse implica también creencias sobre la autoridad/instituciones en vacunación.

Abstract Introduction: One of the main barriers to access to vaccination against infectious diseases is vaccine hesitancy, which is usually measured or associated to a low disposition to receive vaccination, anti-vaccine attitudes or the reported probability to receive a vaccine. However, there is no consensus in the way this construct is measured. Objective: The objective of this study it to identify the psychometric properties and the factorial structure of the Scale Dispvac in a Colombian sample. Method: To this goal, a psychometric design was made to identify the psychometric properties of the new scale making use of 1131 participants (male: 37.30%, female: 61.90%, other: 0.79%; age mean: 25.84, age SD: 10.19), through a convenience sampling. We conducted an exploratory factorial analysis, a confirmatory factorial analysis, a reliability analysis, and the convergent validity. Results: Two factors are suggested: Cognitive attitudes towards vaccination and perceived legitimacy of authorities to require vaccination. The Dispvac Scale is negatively correlated with the VAX Scale. Conclusions: The mentioned factors suggest that intention to vaccinate also implies beliefs on the authority in vaccination.

Uso y complicaciones del cateterismo urinario en salas de cuidados moderados de un hospital universitario

Introducción: El cateterismo urinario es un procedimiento frecuente y en ocasiones es utilizado por fuera de las indicaciones aceptadas para el mismo. Esto aumenta el riesgo de complicaciones vinculadas a su uso, por lo que pueden ser prevenibles. El objetivo del estudio es conocer las características del uso de cateterismo urinario en pacientes ingresados en salas de cuidados moderados de un hospital universitario del tercer nivel de atención, determinar la frecuencia, duración e indicaciones más frecuentes, así como evaluar la presencia de complicaciones asociadas al mismo Metodología: Estudio de corte transversal, realizado en salas de cuidados moderados de un hospital terciario y universitario de Montevideo, Uruguay, el 21 de diciembre de 2022. Se incluyeron pacientes hospitalizados que presentaban o presentaron catéter vesical en la presente internación y se completó la recolección de variables mediante la revisión de la historia clínica. Resultados: De 155 pacientes ingresados en salas de cuidados moderados, a 26 (16,7%) les fue colocado un catéter urinario. La mediana de edad fue 61 años, 80% eran de sexo masculino. La mediana de internación fue de 22 días. En todos los pacientes se utilizó sonda vesical y el 54% fue colocado en el Departamento de Emergencia. En el 46% de los pacientes no se encontró indicación escrita de colocación en la historia clínica. En 50% de los casos no está especificado el motivo de indicación de sonda vesical, mientras que las indicaciones identificadas más frecuentes fueron el control de diuresis (27%) y la desobstrucción de vía urinaria baja (23%). La duración de cateterismo fue de una mediana de 13,5 días, mientras que el 27% de los pacientes la usaron más de 30 días. 35% de los pacientes presentaron complicaciones vinculadas a la sonda vesical, en su mayoría no infecciosas (27%) y 15% presentaron infección urinaria. Estos pacientes tuvieron una duración de cateterismo mayor a los que no presentaron complicaciones (23 vs 10 días, p=0,411). Conclusiones: El catéter vesical fue utilizado en un porcentaje no despreciable de pacientes ingresados en salas de cuidados moderados, de forma prolongada y frecuentemente sin indicación precisa, lo cual expone a un riesgo aumentado de complicaciones vinculadas.

Introduction: Urinary catheterization is a frequent procedure and is sometimes used outside of its accepted indications. This increases the risk of complications related to its use, so they may be preventable. The objective of this study is to know the characteristics of the use of urinary catheterization in patients admitted to moderate care wards of a tertiary care university hospital, to determine the frequency, duration and most frequent indications, as well as to evaluate the presence of associated complications. Methodology: Cross-sectional study, carried out in moderate care wards of a tertiary care and university hospital in Montevideo, Uruguay, on December 21, 2022. Hospitalized patients who present or presented a bladder catheter during the present hospitalization were included, and the collection of variables was completed by reviewing the medical history. Results: Of 155 patients admitted to moderate care wards, 26 (16.7%) had a urinary catheter placed. The median age was 61 years, 80% were male. The median hospitalization was 22 days. In all patients a bladder catheter was used and 54% were placed in the Emergency Department. In 46% of the patients, no written indication for placement was found in the clinical history. In 50% of cases, the reason for indicating the bladder catheter is not specified, while the most frequent indications identified were diuresis control (27%) and lower urinary tract obstruction (23%). The duration of catheterization was a median of 13.5 days, while 27% of the patients used it for more than 30 days. 35% of the patients presented complications related to the bladder catheter, mostly non-infectious (27%) and 15% presented urinary tract infection. These patients had a longer duration of catheterization than those without complications (23 vs 10 days, p=0,411). Conclusions: The bladder catheter was used in a non-negligible percentage of patients admitted to moderate care wards, for a long time and often without a precise indication, which exposes them to an increased risk of related complications.

Introdução: O cateterismo urinário é um procedimento frequente e às vezes é usado fora de suas indicações aceitas. Isso aumenta o risco de complicações relacionadas ao seu uso, portanto, podem ser evitáveis. O objetivo deste estudo é conhecer as características do uso do cateterismo urinário em pacientes internados em enfermarias de cuidados moderados de um hospital universitário terciário, determinar a frequência, duração e indicações mais frequentes, bem como avaliar a presença de complicações associadas ao mesmo. Metodologia: Estudo transversal, realizado em quartos de cuidados moderados de um hospital terciário e universitário em Montevidéu, Uruguai, em 21 de dezembro de 2022. Foram incluídos pacientes que apresentaram ou apresentaram sonda vesical durante a internação atual e a coleta de variáveis ​​foi concluída .revisando o histórico médico. Resultados: Dos 155 pacientes admitidos em enfermarias de cuidados moderados, 26 (16,7%) tiveram um cateter urinário colocado. A idade média foi de 61 anos, 80% eram do sexo masculino. A mediana de internação foi de 22 dias. Em todos os doentes foi utilizada sonda vesical e 54% foram internados no Serviço de Urgência. Em 46% dos pacientes, nenhuma indicação escrita para colocação foi encontrada na história clínica. Em 50% dos casos não é especificado o motivo da indicação da sonda vesical, enquanto as indicações mais frequentes identificadas foram controle da diurese (27%) e desobstrução do trato urinário inferior (23%). A duração do cateterismo foi em média de 13,5 dias, enquanto 27% dos pacientes o utilizaram por mais de 30 dias. 35% dos pacientes apresentaram complicações relacionadas ao cateter vesical, em sua maioria não infecciosas (27%) e 15% apresentaram infecção urinária. Esses pacientes tiveram uma duração mais longa de cateterismo do que aqueles sem complicações (23 vs 10 dias, p=0,411). Conclusões: A sonda vesical foi utilizada em percentual não desprezível de pacientes internados em quartos de cuidados moderados, por tempo prolongado e muitas vezes sem indicação precisa, o que os expõe a um risco aumentado de complicações associadas.

Predictive value of PAR and PNI for the acute complicated course of pediatric acute hematogenous osteomyelitis

Abstract Objective Platelet to albumin ratio (PAR) and prognostic nutritional index (PNI) are potential indicators for evaluating nutritional and inflammatory status. This study aimed to examine the relationship between PAR and PNI and the acute complicated course of acute hematogenous osteomyelitis (AHO). Methods AHO patients were divided into the simple course group and the acute complicated course group. The patient's gender, age, site of infection, body temperature, laboratory results, and pathogen culture results were collected and compared. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors of the acute complicated course group. The receiver operating characteristic curve was applied to determine the optimal cut-off value. Results In total, 101 AHO patients with a median age of 7.58 years were included. There were 63 cases (62.4 %) in the simple course group and 38 cases (37.6 %) in the complicated course group. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that PAR and PNI were independent risk factors for predicting the acute complicated course of AHO (p = 0.004 and p < 0.001, respectively). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis demonstrated that the combination of PAR and PNI had an area under the curve of 0.777 (95 % CI: 0.680-0.873, p < 0.001) with a cut-off value of 0.51. Conclusions The incidence of acute complicated courses was significantly higher in patients with high PAR and low PNI. A combined factor greater than 0.51, derived from PAR and PNI measurements within 24 h of admission, may be useful for predicting AHO patients who are likely to develop severe disease.

Estudio cualitativo sobre información, confianza y acceso a la vacunación contra COVID-19 en adolescentes en un centro de salud de Buenos Aires / Qualitative study on information, trust in and access to COVID-19 vaccines among adolescents at a healthcare center in Buenos Aires

Introducción. En la adolescencia, se comienzan a tomar decisiones autónomas sobre la salud. En la vacunación intervienen dimensiones contextuales, grupales y relativas a cada vacuna. Se busca conocer el proceso de información, confianza y decisión de vacunarse contra COVID-19 en adolescentes usuarios de un centro de salud en Buenos Aires. Objetivos. Identificar ámbitos y canales a través de los cuales los adolescentes accedieron a información sobre la vacuna contra COVID-19 en un centro de salud de Buenos Aires. Describir sus opiniones respecto a los distintos discursos sobre vacunación. Describir su participación en la vacunación contra COVID-19. Identificar barreras y facilitadores respecto del acceso a la vacunación contra COVID-19 en esta población. Población y métodos. Investigación cualitativa. Se hicieron entrevistas semiestructuradas a adolescentes usuarios del efector. La muestra fue heterogénea; su tamaño se definió por saturación teórica. Se realizó un análisis temático de los datos. Resultados. Se realizaron 14 entrevistas. Los entrevistados recibieron información sobre la vacuna contra COVID-19 de sus familias, la televisión y las redes sociales. Todos recibieron tanto publicidad oficial como discursos reticentes a la vacunación. Analizaron la información recibida y formaron opinión autónoma. Su decisión sobre vacunarse no siempre fue respetada. La desconfianza, la baja percepción del riesgo, el temor a las inyecciones, las barreras administrativas y geográficas fueron motivos de no vacunación. Conclusiones. Se requieren estrategias de comunicación destinadas a adolescentes que promuevan su participación en el acceso a la vacunación.

Introduction. During adolescence, individuals start to make autonomous decisions about their health. Vaccination involves contextual, group, and vaccine-specific dimensions. We sought to know the information, trust, and decision to receive the COVID-19 vaccine among adolescents who attended a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. Objectives. To identify settings and channels through which adolescents accessed information about the COVID-19 vaccine at a healthcare center in Buenos Aires. To describe their opinions about the different statements on vaccination. To describe their participation in COVID-19 vaccination. To identify barriers and facilitators to COVID-19 vaccination in this population. Population and methods. Qualitative study. Semi-structured interviews with adolescents who attended this healthcare facility. The sample was heterogeneous; the sample size was estimated by theoretical saturation. A thematic analysis of data was done. Results. A total of 14 interviews were conducted. Interviewees obtained information about the COVID-19 vaccine from their families, TV, and social media. All received information from both official campaigns and anti-vaccine communications. They analyzed the information they received and formed their own opinion. Their decision about the vaccine was not always respected. Hesitancy, a low perception of risk, fear of needles, administrative and geographic barriers were reasons for not receiving the vaccine. Conclusions. Communication strategies targeted at adolescents are required that encourage their involvement in access to vaccination.

Unraveling the Spin-to-Charge Current Conversion Mechanism and Charge Transfer Dynamics at the Interface of Graphene/WS2 Heterostructures at Room Temperature.

We report experimental investigations of spin-to-charge current conversion and charge transfer (CT) dynamics at the interface of the graphene/WS2 van der Waals heterostructure. Pure spin current was produced by the spin precession in the microwave-driven ferromagnetic resonance of a permalloy film (Py=Ni81Fe19) and injected into the graphene/WS2 heterostructure through a spin pumping process. The observed spin-to-charge current conversion in the heterostructure is attributed to the inverse Rashba-Edelstein effect (IREE) at the graphene/WS2 interface. Interfacial CT dynamics in this heterostructure was investigated based on the framework of the core-hole clock (CHC) approach. The results obtained from spin pumping and CHC studies show that the spin-to-charge current conversion and charge transfer processes are more efficient in the graphene/WS2 heterostructure compared to isolated WS2 and graphene films. The results show that the presence of WS2 flakes improves the current conversion efficiency. These experimental results are corroborated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, which reveal (i) Rashba spin-orbit splitting of graphene orbitals and (ii) electronic coupling between graphene and WS2 orbitals. This study provides valuable insights for optimizing the design and performance of spintronic devices.

Robbery and kidnapping xperiences among bank employees: narratives of exposure and the aftercare received.

Introduction: Increasing urban violence exposes bank workers to traumatic situations in the work environment. Objectives: This study investigated the perceptions of bank workers about their robbery and/or kidnapping experiences and the aftercare they received. Methods: This qualitative study involved in-depth interviews with 7 workers from a public banking institution in 4 states in the northeastern region of Brazil who victims of kidnappings or robberies. Results: Their experiences were classified into 2 thematic categories: the dynamics of the event and the perception of aftercare actions. Conclusions: The violent experiences caused significant and lingering suffering and trauma among the participants. They reported that the aftercare was limited and needs improvement. Caring for bank workers who have been victims of assault and kidnapping can prevent or minimize their resultant psychosocial suffering.

Introdução: O aumento da violência urbana expõe trabalhadores bancários a situações traumáticas no ambiente de trabalho. Objetivos: Neste trabalho, objetivamos conhecer as percepções de trabalhadores bancários sobre a experiência vivida em assaltos e/ou sequestros e sobre a assistência à saúde recebida após esta vivência. Métodos: Adotou-se a pesquisa qualitativa, desenvolvida com sete trabalhadores(as) bancários(as) de um banco público, em quatro estados do nordeste brasileiro, vítimas de sequestros ou assaltos. A técnica utilizada para a produção dos dados foi a de entrevistas em profundidade. Resultados: As experiências narradas organizaram-se em duas categorias temáticas: dinâmica do evento e percepção das ações de cuidado após o evento. Conclusões: Em síntese, o estudo permitiu compreender que a violência experimentada fez emergir entre os participantes sofrimentos e traumas significativos que vão além do momento do evento. Em função disso, as narrativas indicaram que a assistência recebida após o evento traumático é limitada e poderia ser aprimorada. Assim, acolher e assistir os trabalhadores bancários vítimas de assalto e sequestro pode prevenir ou minimizar sofrimentos psicossociais advindos da vivência de violência.

Breast cancer diagnosis and staging in Chile: A non-randomized survey-based study to assess frequency and delays. / Diagnóstico y etapificación de cáncer de mama en Chile: estudio por encuesta no probabilística de III a IV frecuencia y tiempos.

Introduction: Breast cancer progression involves physiological mechanisms such as metastasis. Delays in diagnosis and treatment increase the risk of mortality and are associated with barriers to healthcare access. In Chile, breast cancer is highly prevalent, and early diagnosis has improved, although disparities in the disease evolution persist. This study characterized diagnostic and staging tests, waiting times, and sociodemographic profiles to identify delays and inequities in care. Methods: Survey study. Using a non-probabilistic sample, a questionnaire was applied in an encrypted platform with prior informed consent. The instrument collected data on requested tests, associated times, staging, and sociodemographic characteristics. These variables were analyzed using descriptive statistics, tests of association, confidence intervals, and comparison tests using bootstrapping. Results: A sample of 263 persons was obtained. The most requested tests were biopsy (99.62%) and blood tests (80.23%). The median number of tests requested was six (Q1:4, Q3:8), with a mean of 5.87 (standard deviation: 2.24). No significant differences were observed in the percentage of persons from whom the total number of examinations were requested according to the studied variables. The day-hour-result intervals ranged from 1 to 365 days. The median day-hour-result of the biopsy was 15 days (Q1:10, Q3:30). People between 40 and 49 years old, non-residents of the capital city, belonging to income quintile I, with high school education, from the public health system, with late-stage diagnosis had higher median day-hour-result in biopsy. There was no significant difference in the number of requested tests according to staging (I and II, or III and IV). Conclusions: Biopsy in Chile is the test of choice for diagnostic confirmation in breast cancer. Other tests are requested regardless of the diagnosis stage, contrary to the recommendations of clinical guidelines. Cancer prognosis is crucial, especially in countries with greater inequalities.

Introducción: La progresión del cáncer de mama involucra mecanismos fisiológicos como metástasis. Los retrasos en diagnóstico y tratamiento aumentan el riesgo de mortalidad y se asocian a barreras de acceso a la salud. En Chile, el cáncer de mama es altamente prevalente y su diagnóstico temprano ha mejorado, aunque persisten disparidades en el proceso de enfermedad. Este estudio caracterizó exámenes de diagnóstico y etapificación, tiempos de espera y perfiles sociodemográficos para identificar demoras e inequidades en la atención. Métodos: Estudio de encuesta. Utilizando una muestra no probabilística, se aplicó un cuestionario en plataforma encriptada previo consentimiento informado. En el instrumento se recogieron datos de exámenes solicitados, tiempos asociados, etapificación y características sociodemográficas. Estas variables fueron analizadas utilizando estadística descriptiva, test de asociación, intervalos de confianza y test de comparación utilizando . Resultados: Se logró una muestra de 263 personas. Los exámenes más solicitados fueron biopsia (99,62%) y exámenes de sangre (80,23%). La mediana de exámenes solicitados fue de 6 (Q1:4, Q3:8), con media 5,87 (desviación estándar: 2,24). No se observaron diferencias significativas en el porcentaje de personas a quienes se solicitó la totalidad de exámenes según variables estudiadas. Los intervalos día-hora-resultado oscilaron entre 1 y 365 días. La mediana día-hora-resultado de la biopsia fue de 15 días (Q1:10, Q3:30). Las personas entre 40 y 49 años, no residentes de la capital, pertenecientes al quintil I de ingreso, con educación media, del sistema público de salud, con diagnóstico en etapa tardía presentaron mayores medianas de día-hora-resultado en biopsia. No hubo diferencia significativa en la cantidad de exámenes solicitados según etapificación (I a II y III a IV). Conclusiones: La biopsia en Chile es el examen de elección para la confirmación diagnóstica en cáncer de mama. Otros exámenes son solicitados independientemente de la etapa del diagnóstico, existiendo una discordancia con las recomendaciones de la guía clínica. El pronóstico del cáncer es crucial, especialmente en países con mayores inequidades.

Exploration of barriers to treatment for patients with eating disorders in Chile.

BACKGROUND: Eating disorders (EDs) are associated with high morbidity and mortality, affecting predominantly young people and women. A delay in starting treatment is associated with chronic and more severe clinical courses; however, evidence on barriers and facilitators of access to care in Latin America is scarce. We aimed to identify barriers and facilitators of ED treatment in Chile from the perspective of patients, relatives, and health professionals. METHODS: Qualitative approach through semi-structured interviews with patients, their relatives, and health professionals. Participants were recruited from two ED centers in Santiago, Chile (one public and one private). Analysis was mainly based on Grounded Theory, using MAXQDA software. RESULTS: 40 interviews were conducted (n = 22 patients, 10 relatives, and 8 health professionals). The mean age of patients was 21.8 years, while the mean duration of untreated ED was 91.4 months (median 70 months). Five categories emerged with intersections between them: patient (P), family and social environment (FSE), health professionals (HP), healthcare system (HCS), and social and cultural context (SCC). Relevant barriers appeared within these categories and their intersections, highlighting a lack of professional knowledge or expertise, cultural ignorance or misinformation regarding EDs, and patient's ego-syntonic behaviors. The main facilitators were patients' and relatives' psychoeducation, recognition of symptoms by family members, and parents taking the initiative to seek treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information regarding access to treatment for patients living with EDs in Chile. A practical public health approach should consider the multi-causality of delay in treatment and promoting early interventions. Eating disorders (EDs) may severely affect the daily functioning of people enduring them. A delay in starting treatment is associated with a disease that is more difficult to treat. To our knowledge, there are no published studies carried out in Latin America exploring factors influencing treatment initiation in EDs patients. This study aimed to identify facilitators of and barriers to treating patients with EDs in Chile. We interviewed patients (n = 22), their relatives (n = 10), and health professionals (n = 8) from a private and a public center in Santiago, Chile. Our analysis showed that the main barriers to starting treatment were the lack of professional knowledge in ED, the monetary cost of illness, and cultural misinformation. Facilitators were related to the role of the family in recognizing and addressing the disease while being educated in EDs by professionals. This study helps to provide data about treatment access in developing countries. While facilitators and barriers were similar to others reported in the literature, the untreated ED's duration was longer. It is essential to address these barriers to provide access to treatment more efficiently and prevent severe and enduring forms of disease.

EthoWatcher OS: improving the reproducibility and quality of categorical and morphologic/kinematic data from behavioral recordings in laboratory animals.

Behavioral recordings annotated by human observers (HOs) from video recordings are a fundamental component of preclinical animal behavioral models of neurobiological diseases. These models are often criticized for their vulnerability to reproducibility issues. Here, we present the EthoWatcher-Open Source (EW-OS), with tools and procedures for the use of blind-to-condition categorical transcriptions that are simultaneous with tracking, for the assessment of HOs intra- and interobserver reliability during training and data collection, for producing video clips of samples of behavioral categories that are useful for observer training. The use of these tools can inform and optimize the performance of observers, thus favoring the reproducibility of the data obtained. Categorical and machine vision-derived outputs are presented in an open data format for increased interoperability with other applications, where behavioral categories are associated frame-by-frame with tracking, morphological and kinematic attributes of an animal's image. The center of mass (X and Y pixel coordinates), the animal's area in square millimeters, the length and width in millimeters, and the angle in degrees were recorded. It also assesses the variation in each morphological descriptor to produce kinematic descriptors. While the initial measurements are in pixels, they are later converted to millimeters using the scale calibrated by the user via the graphical user interfaces. This process enables the creation of databases suitable for machine learning processing and behavioral pharmacology studies. EW-OS is constructed for continued collaborative development, available through an open-source platform, to support initiatives toward the adoption of good scientific practices in behavioral analysis, including tools for evaluating the quality of the data that can alleviate problems associated with low reproducibility in the behavioral sciences.

The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions on Reports of Domestic Violence Against Women in the Context of a Middle-Income Country: The Case of Belo Horizonte, Brazil.

The city of Belo Horizonte is a state capital in Brazil with 2.7 million people. The city is remarkable for its stubbornly high and stable levels of domestic violence, and for having implemented very restrictive responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using 260 weeks of data between 2017 and 2021, we used an Interrupted Time Series model to estimate the effect of the restrictive orders and their subsequent relief on reports of domestic violence against women. Results show that restrictive orders had a large and negative immediate impact on reports of domestic violence against women, which was immediately followed by a gradual increase towards their original level. The subsequent relief had no impact, as the series had already resumed its earlier trend by the time restrictions ended. We engage with theory and extant research from middle-income countries to consider why reports declined and why this decline was momentary. Findings contrast with research in high-income countries, which generally found increases in reports of domestic violence after implementing pandemic-related restrictions. However, results align with a single other study in Mexico, a medium-income country similar to Brazil. In light of our data's context and literature, we considered that reports of domestic violence may have declined not necessarily because of a reduction in actual incidents, but because the restrictions may have exacerbated the isolation of women in vulnerable domestic arrangements, limiting their ability to report their victimization. A stable trend in reports of domestic violence against women, which resumed even after a global pandemic, suggests that current policies have been ineffective and that addressing domestic violence requires a better understanding of related issues and evidence-based strategies. Our study also highlights the importance of considering the consequences of hastily implemented policies during a crisis. While necessary, such policies can inadvertently exacerbate issues such as social isolation.

Desafios e perspectivas na judicialização da saúde na América Latina: considerações sobre o fenômeno no Brasil e na Colômbia / Challenges and perspectives in health judicialization: considerations on the Phenomenon in Brazil and Colombia / Desafíos y perspectivas en la judicialización en salud: consideraciones sobre el Fenómeno en Brasil y Colombia

Objetivo: O presente estudo visa a compreender como a judicialização da saúde se desenvolve como um fenômeno global, com ênfase particular nos contextos da América Latina, considerando Brasil e Colômbia. Metodologia: Adotou-se uma metodologia de revisão de literatura apoiada pela ferramenta Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. A pesquisa foi conduzida com descritores específicos e as estratégias de busca foram realizadas nas bases de dados PubMed, MEDLINE, Lilacs, SciELO, CRD, CDSR, BVS e BIREME. Foram selecionados artigos publicados entre 2010 e 2024 que discutem a judicialização da saúde, considerando os idiomas português, espanhol ou inglês. Resultados: A busca resultou em 455 artigos e, destes, 18 artigos atenderam aos critérios de inclusão. A análise dos artigos selecionados revela a necessidade de soluções equilibradas que respeitem os direitos individuais sem comprometer a acessibilidade e qualidade dos cuidados de saúde coletivos. São destacados os desafios impostos pela judicialização, como questões de equidade, sustentabilidade financeira dos sistemas de saúde e priorização de recursos. Conclusão: Conclui-se pela importância de uma abordagem multidisciplinar envolvendo ajustes legislativos, melhorias na gestão dos sistemas de saúde, educação para a saúde e a promoção de políticas públicas equitativas.

Objective: The present study aims to understand how the judicialization of health develops as a global phenomenon, with particular emphasis on Latin American contexts, considering Brazil, and Colombia. Methodology: A literature review methodology supported by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses tool was adopted. The research was conducted using specific descriptors, and search strategies were carried out in the PubMed, MEDLINE, Lilacs, SciELO, CRD, CDSR, BVS, and BIREME databases. Articles published between 2010 and 2024 that discuss the judicialization of health, considering Portuguese, Spanish, or English languages, were selected. Results: The search resulted in 455 articles, of which 18 met the inclusion criteria. The analysis of the selected articles reveals the need for balanced solutions that respect individual rights without compromising the accessibility and quality of collective healthcare. The challenges imposed by judicialization are highlighted, such as issues of equity, financial sustainability of health systems, and resource prioritization. Conclusion: It concludes by emphasizing the importance of a multidisciplinary approach involving legislative adjustments, improvements in health system management, health education, and the promotion of equitable public policies.

Objetivo: El presente estudio tiene como objetivo comprender cómo se desarrolla la judicialización de la salud como un fenómeno global, con un énfasis particular en los contextos de América Latina, considerando Brasil y Colombia. Metodología: Se adoptó una metodología de revisión de literatura respaldada por la herramienta Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses. La investigación se realizó utilizando descriptores específicos y las estrategias de búsqueda se llevaron a cabo en las bases de datos PubMed, MEDLINE, Lilacs, SciELO, CRD, CDSR, BVS y BIREME. Se seleccionaron artículos publicados entre 2010 y 2024 que discuten la judicialización de la salud, considerando los idiomas portugués, español o inglés. Resultados: La búsqueda resultó en 455 artículos, de los cuales 18 cumplieron con los criterios de inclusión. El análisis de los artículos seleccionados revela la necesidad de soluciones equilibradas que respeten los derechos individuales sin comprometer la accesibilidad y la calidad de la atención sanitaria colectiva. Se destacan los desafíos impuestos por la judicialización, como cuestiones de equidad, sostenibilidad financiera de los sistemas de salud y priorización de recursos. Conclusión: Se concluye sobre la importancia de un enfoque multidisciplinario que involucre ajustes legislativos, mejoras en la gestión de los sistemas de salud, educación para la salud y la promoción de políticas públicas equitativas.

Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade nº 5.779: a preponderância da efetividade do direito à saúde sobre a hierarquia das normas jurídicas / Direct Action of Unconstitutionality No. 5.779: the preponderance of the effectiveness of the right to health over the hierarchy of legal norms / Acción Directa de Inconstitucionalidad nº 5.779: la preponderancia de la efectividad del derecho a la salud sobre la jerarquía de las normas jurídicas

Objetivo: refletir se a hierarquia das normas jurídicas deve ser usada como método de solução infalível mesmo quando um conflito aparente entre normas jurídicas que envolva o direito à saúde e, sobretudo, a sua efetividade, puder ser melhor resolvido mediante decisão técnica do órgão regulador competente. Metodologia: estudo descritivo de abordagem qualitativa e análise documental. Foram analisadas as Resolução de Diretoria Colegiada nº 52/2011, Lei nº 13.454/2017 e Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade nº 5.779-DF. Buscou-se doutrina jurídica especializada sobre os temas central e periféricos. Para análise dos dados utilizou-se a técnica da revisão crítico-narrativa. Resultados: no Brasil, a adoção das agências reguladoras como agente normativo e regulador de atividades econômicas viabilizou a tomada de decisões pautadas menos em critérios políticos que em critérios técnicos. O legislador, ancorado em critérios políticos, segundo o entendimento do Judiciário, não pode ultrapassar os critérios técnicos. Conclusão: do julgamento da Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade nº 5.779 se extrai que o conceito hodierno e a natureza jurídica do direito à saúde impõem novos paradigmas jurídicos que validam o papel das agências reguladoras (tomada de decisões técnicas em prol da máxima efetividade do direito à saúde), ainda que em detrimento de decisões do legislador, legitimadas politicamente. O paradigma formal não pode obstar a materialização do direito.

Objective: To reflect on whether the hierarchy of legal norms should be used as an infallible method of solution even when an apparent conflict between legal norms involving health law can be better resolved through a technical decision by the competent regulatory agency. Methodology: data was collected. In particular, Resolução de Diretoria Colegiada nº 52/2011, Law nº 13.454/2017 and Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade nº 5.779-DF. Specialized legal doctrine was sought on the central and peripheral themes. The data collected was analyzed using the critical-narrative review technique. Results: In Brazil, the adoption of regulatory agencies as normative agents and regulators of economic activities has made it possible to make decisions based less on political criteria than on technical criteria. The legislator, anchored in political criteria, according to the judiciary, cannot go beyond technical criteria. Conclusion: the judgment in Ação Direta de Inconstitucionalidade nº 5.779 shows that today's concept and the legal nature of the right to health impose new legal paradigms that validate the role of regulatory agencies (making technical decisions in favor of maximum effectiveness of the right to health), even to the detriment of politically legitimized decisions by the legislature. The formal paradigm cannot prevent the materialization of the right.

Objetivo: reflexionar si la jerarquía de las normas jurídicas debe utilizarse como método infalible de solución, incluso cuando un conflicto aparente entre normas jurídicas que impliquen al Derecho sanitario pueda resolverse mejor mediante una decisión técnica del órgano regulador competente. Metodología: se recopilaron datos. En particular, RDC nº 52/2011, Ley nº 13.454/2017 y ADI nº 5.779-DF. Se buscó doctrina jurídica especializada sobre los temas centrales y periféricos. Los datos recogidos se analizaron mediante la técnica de revisión crítico-narrativa. Resultados: En Brasil, la adopción de las agencias reguladoras como agentes normativos y reguladores de las actividades económicas ha permitido tomar decisiones basadas menos en criterios políticos que en criterios técnicos. El legislador, anclado en criterios políticos, según el poder judicial, no puede ir más allá de los criterios técnicos. Conclusión: la sentencia en el asunto ADI 5.779 demuestra que el concepto actual y la naturaleza jurídica del derecho a la salud imponen nuevos paradigmas jurídicos que validan el papel de las agencias reguladoras (que adoptan decisiones técnicas en favor de la máxima efectividad del derecho a la salud), incluso en detrimento de las decisiones políticamente legitimadas del poder legislativo. El paradigma formal no puede impedir la materialización del derecho.

Marine mesocosm system: A reliable tool for testing bioaccumulation and effects of seawater enrichment with dissolved iron in reef organisms.

In 2015, a marine mesocosm facility was designed and implemented by the Coral Vivo Project in its research station (Porto Seguro, Bahia State, Brazil) to initially study the effects of global impacts, especially ocean warming and acidification, on coral reefs. However, local impacts, including seawater contamination with metal(loid)s, are considered as a major threat to coral reefs. Also, in 2015, the largest disaster involving a mining dam occurred in Brazil. Iron (Fe) mining tailings originated from the dam failure affected not only freshwater ecosystems (rivers, lakes and lagoons), but also adjacent beaches, mangroves, restingas, reefs and other marine systems. Seawater, sediments and biota were contaminated with metal(loid)s, especially Fe, arsenic (As), mercury (Hg) and manganese (Mn). Therefore, we aimed to adapt the marine mesocosm facility of the Coral Vivo Project to evaluate the bioaccumulation and biological impacts of increasing concentrations of dissolved Fe on a diversity of reef organisms. Results obtained indicate a great versatility and reliability of the marine mesocosm system for application in biological and ecological studies on the isolated effect of seawater dissolved Fe on reef organisms of different functional groups simultaneously.•Studies involving seawater enrichment with dissolved Fe can be performed using a marine mesocosm system.•The marine mesocosm is a reliable tool to study the isolated effects of metal(loid)s on reef organisms.

Pica is associated with lower willingness to change negative habits of diet and exercise, inadequate lifestyle, and less healthful food consumption in dialysis.

Background: In dialysis patients, on the one hand unwillingness to change negative lifestyle patterns is associated with worse nutritional status and unhealthy lifestyle, whereas on the other, pica may be highly prevalent. However, it is not known whether pica is associated with unwillingness to change negative lifestyle behaviors, as well as with consumption of different types of foods. This study aimed to investigate this issue. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study in dialysis patients. Lifestyle was assessed using the self-administered Instrument to Measure Lifestyle Questionnaire (IMEVID). Pica diagnosis was established according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition. A food frequency questionnaire was performed and self-reported willingness to change was determined by a trans-theoretical model staging inventory. Results: Compared with patients without pica, those with pica (particularly hard pica) had lower willingness to change unhealthy behavior in the case of diet (22% vs. 46% in precontemplation/contemplation stages, respectively) and exercise (43% vs. 62% in precontemplation/contemplation stages, respectively). Patients with hard pica had significantly (p < 0.05) lower scores in almost all dimensions of the lifestyle questionnaire than those in the no pica group: diet (23.9 vs. 26.8, respectively), physical activity (5.5 vs. 7, respectively), knowledge of disease (5.7 vs. 6.4, respectively), emotion management (6.6 vs. 8, respectively) and adherence to treatment (13.4 vs. 14.7, respectively), but not in the consumption of tobacco and alcohol. Compared to patients with no pica, those with hard pica ate vegetables and fruits less frequently, and dairy products, fried foods and soda more frequently. Conclusions: Pica was more frequently observed in patients with lower willingness to change negative habits of diet and exercise, in those who had more unhealthy behaviors in diet, exercise and emotion management dimensions and adherence to treatment, as well as in those who ate less frequently healthful foods and more frequently unhealthy foods.

Community engagement in mobile and hard-to-reach populations: a community-based intervention for malaria elimination in a tri-national region of the Guiana Shield.

Several countries of the Guiana Shield are aiming at the control and elimination of malaria in areas where Artisanal and Small-scale Gold Mining (ASGM) activities predominate, raising questions about how to strengthen community engagement to improve the effectiveness of health programs. The Curema project focuses its intervention on the mobile and hard-to-reach ASGM population, complementing the efforts of national programs in the Guiana Shield. The Curema intervention combines targeted drug administration for suspected Plasmodium vivax asymptomatic carriers, the Malakit distribution, and health education activities. The primary goals of this manuscript are to outline a pathway to foster community participation in the Curema project aimed at eliminating malaria. Thus, it presents a vision of the challenges that the AGSM community poses in terms of community participation for an asymptomatic problem; and highlights the community-based model and the Information, Education and Communication (IEC) components as foundations for participation. In addition, it also presents culturally sensitive IEC strategies designed through iterative and collaborative consultative processes and other bottom-up outreach activities. The community engagement approach facilitates adaptability and responsiveness in a complex, evolving context increasing the effectiveness of interventions.

Methods for degrading dicloxacillin in water using inorganic peroxides and their combination with UVC- experimental and theoretical aspects.

Antibiotics are currently recognized as environmental pollutants. In this work, the methods involved in the degradation of a ß-lactam antibiotic (i.e., DXC) by treatments based on inorganic peroxides and UVC (e.g., UVC alone, UV-C/H2O2, UVC/peroxymonosulfate, and UVC/peroxydisulfate) are presented. The methodology of computational calculations to obtain frontier orbitals and Fukui indices for DXC, and elucidate the reactive moieties on the target substance is also shown. Finally, the direct oxidation by peroxides and UV-C/H2O2 action to treat DXC in simulated pharmaceutical wastewater are depicted. The chromatographic and theoretical analyses allowed for determining the degrading performance of inorganic peroxides and UVC-based treatments toward the target pollutant in aqueous samples.•Treatments based on inorganic peroxides and UVC as useful methods for degrading the ß-lactam antibiotic dicloxacillin.•Persulfates and UV-C/H2O2 showed high degrading action on the target pharmaceutical.•Methodologies based on theoretical calculations for the identification of reactive moieties on the DXC susceptible to radical attacks are presented.

GPCRs overexpression and impaired fMLP-induced functions in neutrophils from chronic kidney disease patients.

Introduction: G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) expressed on neutrophils regulate their mobilization from the bone marrow into the blood, their half-live in the circulation, and their pro- and anti-inflammatory activities during inflammation. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with systemic inflammatory responses, and neutrophilia is a hallmark of CKD onset and progression. Nonetheless, the role of neutrophils in CKD is currently unclear. Methods: Blood and renal tissue were collected from non-dialysis CKD (grade 3 - 5) patients to evaluate GPCR neutrophil expressions and functions in CKD development. Results: CKD patients presented a higher blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), which was inversely correlated with the glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). A higher frequency of neutrophils expressing the senescent GPCR receptor (CXCR4) and activation markers (CD18+CD11b+CD62L+) was detected in CKD patients. Moreover, CKD neutrophils expressed higher amounts of GPCR formyl peptide receptors (FPR) 1 and 2, known as neutrophil pro- and anti-inflammatory receptors, respectively. Cytoskeletal organization, migration, and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by CKD neutrophils were impaired in response to the FPR1 agonist (fMLP), despite the higher expression of FPR1. In addition, CKD neutrophils presented enhanced intracellular, but reduced membrane expression of the protein Annexin A1 (AnxA1), and an impaired ability to secrete it into the extracellular compartment. Secreted and phosphorylated AnxA1 is a recognized ligand of FPR2, pivotal in anti-inflammatory and efferocytosis effects. CKD renal tissue presented a low number of neutrophils, which were AnxA1+. Conclusion: Together, these data highlight that CKD neutrophils overexpress GPCRs, which may contribute to an unbalanced aging process in the circulation, migration into inflamed tissues, and efferocytosis.

Osteoporosis and Fragility Fractures in Mexico: A Call to Action.

Osteoporosis (OP) is a chronic disease that affects older adults' quality of life, with fragility fractures (FF) being its most significant consequence due to their impact on healthcare systems in terms of morbidity, and economic and caregiving burden. FF are defined as fractures resulting from low-energy trauma, defined as falls from a standing height or less, and are usually considered osteoporotic (1). World demographic projections warn of a significant increase in adults aged 65 and older by 2050. These demographic changes mean that OP and FF will soon become an even greater challenge for healthcare systems, where prevention programs should be a priority. In Mexico, FF is also a public health challenge, with an initial reported incidence of nearly 2,000 cases per 100,000 population, and a projected seven-fold increase by 2050. Given this scenario, there is an urgent need for policy- and decision-makers to change their approach and formulate health policies that guarantee that people aged 65 and older are screened for fractures and have access to appropriate care. These policies should be part of a strategy to minimize FF and ensure active and healthy aging according to the WHO's Decade of Healthy Ageing. In this context, a group of Mexican experts representing different health organizations interested in the burden of OP and FF met to discuss possible strategies to reduce their burden for the next decade and summarize them in this Call to Action to promote public policies that prioritize an evidence-based approach to the prevention and treatment of OP and FF.