The most effective way to fight against diseases caused by
Streptococcus pneumoniae
is prevention through vaccination. The present study analyzed global and Latin American scientific production ...related to pneumococcal vaccines, highlighting research topics. The global number of publications reached 5737 records from 1945 to 2015 and has increased over time since 1981. Greatest accelerated growth was found from 2000 to 2015, with 2015 as the most productive year. The publications of Latin American authors represented 3.7% of the total. Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico were the most prolific countries, with Brazil heading the list. Most of these articles were published in the scientific journal
Vaccine
. The topics most frequently covered in Latin American publications and their interrelationships were visualized using self-organized maps. The study showed increasing activity in scientific research on pneumococcal vaccines, with low visibility regarding the contribution made by Latin American countries. It also highlights the sources of publication, as well as the diversity and associations of sub themes found in the scientific literature.
The therapeutic landscape for spinal muscular atrophy has changed in the last few years, encompassing respiratory/motor function and life expectancy benefits. However, physicians still have the ...challenge of tailoring individuals' treatment to therapeutic goals, disease progression, patient/caregiver's preferences, and personal experience to achieve an optimal risk/benefit balance. This study aims to provide insight into the preferred treatment choices of pediatric neurologists managing spinal muscular atrophy in their daily practice and to recognize behavioral factors that may influence decision-making.
This is a noninterventional, cross-sectional pilot study involving 50 pediatric neurologists managing spinal muscular atrophy in Spain. We designed an online platform that contains 13 simulated case scenarios of common presentations of patients with spinal muscular atrophy. The primary study outcome will be treatment preferences according to the percentages of participants who select treatment initiation when recommended, switch therapies when there is evidence of disease progression, and select treatment discontinuation when disease progression puts patients outside treatment recommendation (11 case scenarios). Secondary outcomes include therapeutic inertia prevalence (11 case scenarios), herding phenomenon prevalence (2 case scenarios), care-related regret prevalence (specific questions) and intensity (10-item Regret Intensity Scale), occupational burnout prevalence (nonproprietary single-item measure), and risk preferences (uncertainty test and risk aversion assessment).
The study findings will contribute to better understand relevant factors associated with therapeutic decisions of pediatric neurologists in spinal muscular atrophy, identifying treatment preferences and evaluating the role of behavioral aspects such as therapeutic inertia, herding, regret, and workplace burnout.
Analysis of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is increasingly used for clinical decision-making in oncology. However, ctDNA could represent ≤ 0.1 % of cell-free DNA in early-stage tumors and its ...detection requires high-sensitive techniques such as digital PCR (dPCR).
In 46 samples from patients with early-stage breast cancer, we compared two leading dPCR assays for ctDNA analysis: QX200 droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) system from Bio-Rad which is the gold-standard in the field, and Absolute Q plate-based digital PCR (pdPCR) system from Thermo Fisher Scientific which has not been reported before. We analyzed 5 mL of baseline plasma samples prior to any treatment.
Both systems displayed a comparable sensitivity with no significant differences observed in mutant allele frequency. In fact, ddPCR and pdPCR possessed a concordance > 90 % in ctDNA positivity. Nevertheless, ddPCR exhibited higher variability and a longer workflow. Finally, we explored the association between ctDNA levels and clinicopathological features. Significantly higher ctDNA levels were present in patients with a Ki67 score > 20 % or with estrogen receptor-negative or triple-negative breast cancer subtypes.
Both ddPCR and pdPCR may constitute sensitive and reliable tools for ctDNA analysis with an adequate agreement in early-stage breast cancer patients.
•Frailty and depression have been associated in older adults with a higher use of health resources and increased costs.•The yearly probabilities of hospitalization increase in the first years in ...prefrail and frail older adults’ groups with depression risk, compared to those without depression risk, and those robust.•Depression risk should be monitored in prefrail and frail older adults, in order to identify a population of older adults at risk of hospitalization
To determine whether the interaction between frailty status and depression risk is associated with hospitalization density in older adults.
Ongoing cohort study in 794 subjects aged over 70 years from Albacete (Spain). Data were collected on depression risk, frailty, hospitalizations, and covariates. Participants were categorized into six groups.
Adjusted hospitalization risk was higher for groups of prefrail/-non depression risk (HR 1.48; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.16-1.89), prefrail/depression risk (HR 1.73; 95% CI 1.29-2.30), frail/non depression risk (HR 1.79; 95% CI 1.22-2.62), and frail/depression risk (HR 2.12; 95% CI 1.49-3.02), compared with robust/non depression risk group (p<0.01). Frail and prefrail groups presented increased hospitalization density in the first four follow-up years.
Depression risk changes the yearly probabilities of hospitalization in prefrail and frail groups, increasing them in the first years. Depression risk should be monitored in prefrail and frail older adults as an independent risk factor for hospitalization.
•The Caucasian model closely resembles the known age-related straylight increase.•The non-Caucasian model deviated considerable from the known increase.•Current normative curves may not be ...appropriate for non-European populations.
This work studies ethnic and geographical differences in the age-related straylight increase by means of a stochastic model and unpublished lens opacity data of 559 residents of Villa Maria (Argentina), as well as data of 912 Indonesian subjects published previously by Husain et al. For both cohorts the prevalence of each type and grade of lens opacity was determined as a function of age, from which a stochastic model was derived capable of simulating the lens opacity prevalence for both populations. These simulated lens opacity data were then converted to estimated straylight by means of an equation derived from previously recorded data of 107 eyes with varying degrees of cataract. Based on these opacity templates 2500 random sets of subject age and lens opacity data were generated by the stochastic model for each dataset, from which estimated straylight could be calculated. For the Argentinian data the estimated straylight was found to closely resemble the published models for age-related straylight increase. For younger eyes the straylight variation of the model was the same as what was previously published (in both cases ±0.200logunits), which doubled in size for older eyes. For the Indonesian data, however, this age-related straylight increase was found to be fundamentally different from the published age model. This suggests that current normative curves for age-related straylight increase may not always be appropriate for non-European populations, and that the inter-individual straylight variations in young, healthy eyes may possibly be due to variations in lens opacities.
La enfermedad renal crónica (ERC) requiere de un proceso de adaptación en el paciente, que se puede facilitar con el apoyo de los profesionales sanitarios, así como por iguales capacitados. El ...objetivo de este estudio es presentar la puesta en marcha de un programa piloto de paciente mentor para promover la adaptación de los pacientes con ERC.
Diseño mixto (cuantitativo y cualitativo) pre-post. El estudio se llevó a cabo en 6 hospitales de España. Los instrumentos utilizados para medir el impacto fueron escalas elaboradas ad-hoc (formato de respuesta escala de Likert de 10 puntos) de satisfacción y adquisición de competencias, así como la creación de grupos focales con 8 pacientes mentores y 10 profesionales sanitarios. Se dividió el programa en 4 fases: 1) Diseño y validación de contenidos del programa manualizado y selección de pacientes mentores; 2) Formación a mentores, satisfacción con la formación y competencias adquiridas por los mentores; 3) Implementación de los grupos de apoyo mutuo y perfil de los asistentes a los grupos de apoyo mutuo, y 4) Evaluación y resultados del programa de Mentoring.
Se han formado a un total de 39 mentores en habilidades para conducción de grupos, así como para facilitar apoyo emocional. Se han conducido 22 grupos de apoyo con 121 participantes (22% cuidadores). El 65% de los pacientes estaban en consulta de ERC. Un 65% de los pacientes participantes consideraron hacer algún cambio en su estilo de vida tras la asistencia al programa. Todos los ítems que evalúan satisfacción y utilidad han mostrado una puntuación muy elevada, por encima del valor 8,5 sobre 10.
Este es el primer programa manualizado de Mentoring en ERC llevado a cabo de manera simultánea en 6 hospitales españoles. La naturaleza del programa, manualizado y altamente estructurado, permite su replicabilidad minimizando el riesgo de error.
Chronic kidney disease (CKD) requires patients to participate in an adaptation process, which may be facilitated with the support of healthcare professionals and trained peers. The objective of this study is to present the implementation of a pilot patient mentoring programme to promote adaptation in patients with CKD.
Pre-test-post-test design (quantitative and qualitative). The study was carried out in six hospitals in Spain. The instruments used to measure impact were ad-hoc scales (10-point Likert scale response format) on satisfaction and skill acquisition, as well as the creation of focus groups with eight patient mentors and 10 healthcare professionals. The programme was split into four phases: 1. Design and validation of the manualised programme's content, and selection of patient mentors; 2. Mentor training, satisfaction with training and skills acquired by the mentors; 3. Implementation of mutual support groups and profile of those attending these mutual support groups; 4. Assessment and results of the Mentoring programme.
In total, 39 mentors were trained on group management skills, as well as how to provide emotional support. 22 support groups were held, with 121 participants (22% carers). The 65% of the patients were attending the CKD clinic. 65% of the participating patients considered making some form of lifestyle change after taking part in the programme. All the items assessing satisfaction and usefulness scored very highly, achieving 8.5 out of 10 or above.
This is the first manualised mentoring programme in CKD to be undertaken simultaneously in six Spanish hospitals. The manualised and highly structured nature of the programme make it easy to replicate, minimising the risk of error.
Squamous carcinoma of the pancreas is a highly uncommon tumor.
A 63-year-old man was referred to the gastroenterology department because of hyporexia, cachexia and weight loss. A left supraclavicular ...node was noted. The computed tomography scan showed a tumor in the pancreatic body involving the celiac axis. Histological examination of the supraclavicular node and pancreatic mass revealed squamous cell carcinoma.
The incidence and characteristics of this highly infrequent tumor, as well as new treatment indications, are reviewed.
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