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Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic caused a global shortage of nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs, required for RT-PCR testing. Canadian manufacturers were contacted to share NP swab innovations. The primary objective was to determine whether novel NP test swabs were comparable to commercially available swabs regarding user characteristics, ability to collect a specimen, and diagnostic performance using RT-PCR testing. Methods: Participants were randomized by swab (test/control) and nostril (left/right). A calculated positive percent agreement ≥90% was considered successful. Mean Ct values of viral genes and housekeeping gene (RNase P) were considered similar if a Ct difference ≤ 2 between control and test group was obtained. There also was a qualitative assessment of swabs usability. Results: 647 participants were enrolled from Huaycan Hospital in Lima, Peru, distributed over 8 NP swabs brands. Seven brands agreed to share their results. There were no statistically significant differences between the test swabs of these 7 brands and control swabs. Conclusion: All the seven brands are comparable to the commercially available flocked swabs used for SARS-CoV-2 regarding test results agreement, ability to collect a specimen, and user characteristics.

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Introducción: Es importante la relación entre el desarrollo de las categorías originalidad, flexibilidad, autonomía y motivación del modo de actuación creativo. El objetivo del artículo consistió en elaborar un sistema de indicaciones para el desarrollo de categorías del modo de actuación creativo en estudiantes universitarios. Métodos: Se realizó una investigación mixta, donde el universo lo constituyeron estudiantes de la carrera de Pedagogía-Sicología de la Universidad de Sancti Spíritus "José Martí Pérez" en el curso 2021-2022 y se tomó una muestra aleatoria intencional de 24 educandos del tercer año. Resultados: El procesamiento estadístico de los instrumentos aplicados permitió ubicar al 75 % de la muestra entre un nivel medio y bajo en el desarrollo de categorías del modo de actuación creativo, por carencias en su expresión. Discusión: Desde fundamentos teóricos referenciados se analizó una propuesta de indicaciones que permiten la sistematización de contenidos de aprendizaje y facilitan el desarrollo de acciones autónomas y motivadoras para solucionar problemáticas en el contexto laboral. Conclusiones: La elaboración de indicaciones, desde la disciplina principal integradora y en estrecha relación con las categorías declaradas del modo de actuación creativo, facilitaron su desarrollo y demostraron pertinencia y factibilidad en el contexto de la práctica laboral.

Introduction: The relationship between the development of the categories of originality, flexibility, autonomy and motivation of the creative mode of action is important. The objective of the article was to develop a system of indications for the development of categories of the creative mode of action in university students. Methods: A mixed investigation was carried out, where the universe was made up of students of the Pedagogy-Psychology degree at the University of Sancti Spíritus "José Martí Pérez" in the 2021-2022 academic year and an intentional random sample of 24 students from the third year was taken. In the research, actions were designed to solve problems in work practice and a self-assessment scale about the development of the categories of the creative mode of action. Results: The statistical processing of the applied instruments allowed 75 % of the sample to be placed between a medium and low level in the development of categories of the creative mode of action, due to deficiencies in its expression. Discussion: From referenced theoretical foundations, a proposal of indications was analyzed that allow the systematization of learning content and facilitate the development of autonomous and motivating actions to solve problems in the work context. Conclusions: The development of indications, from the main integrative discipline and in close relationship with the declared categories of the creative mode of action, facilitated its development and demonstrated relevance and feasibility in the context of work practice.

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Fundamento: la pandemia de COVID-19 provocó cambios drásticos en las condiciones de vida y salud mental de las personas. En la educación superior, los estudiantes presentaron estrés por la cancelación de actividades docentes, laborales y extensionistas. Objetivo: aplicar acciones académicas, extensionistas y vinculadas a psicoterapias de diversos tipos, en jóvenes universitarios en la carrera de Pedagogía-Psicología en tiempos post-COVID-19. Métodos: se efectuó un estudio observacional descriptivo y transversal en la Universidad "José Martí Pérez" de Sancti Spíritus durante el año 2021. Se aplicaron métodos teóricos y empíricos: un test psicológico y acciones académicas y extensionistas en el contexto del Proyecto "Sonrisa" de atención a comunidades vulnerables. Resultados: las circunstancias provocadas por la COVID-19 influyeron en el comportamiento y salud mental de los estudiantes muestreados: se observaron trastornos de ansiedad por interrupción prolongada de los estudios en comparación con las formas presenciales del proceso enseñanza aprendizaje, disminuyeron los índices académicos, y se afectaron la seguridad y motivación por el estudio, entre otras manifestaciones, por lo que se aplicaron acciones relacionadas con el proyecto "Sonrisa" y con psicoterapia en asociación con actividades académicas y extensionistas. Conclusiones: las acciones aplicadas propiciaron cambios positivos en la vida de los estudiantes universitarios de la muestra. Se logró una transformación efectiva esencialmente relacionada con mayor coherencia y participación en diversas actividades en el grupo, e incorporación de otros que estaban aislados de las actividades extensionistas planificadas y ejecutadas.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic caused drastic changes in people's living conditions and mental health. In higher education, students presented stress due to the cancellation of teaching, work and extension activities. Objective: apply academic, extension actions linked to psychotherapies of various types, in young university students in the Pedagogy-Psychology degree in post-COVID-19 times. Methods: a descriptive and cross-sectional observational study was carried out at the "José Martí Pérez" University of Sancti Spíritus during the year 2021. Theoretical and empirical methods were applied: a psychological test and academic and extension actions in the context of the "Smile" Project of attention to vulnerable communities. Results: the circumstances caused by COVID-19 influenced the behavior and mental health of the sampled students: anxiety disorders were observed due to prolonged interruption of studies compared to in-person forms of the teaching-learning process, academic indices decreased, and Safety and motivation for the study were affected, among other manifestations, so actions related to the "Smile" project and psychotherapy were applied in association with academic and extension activities. Conclusions: the actions applied led to positive changes in the lives of the university students in the sample. An effective transformation was achieved essentially related to greater coherence and participation in various activities in the group, and incorporation of others who were isolated from the planned and performed extension activities.

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OBJECTIVES: In order to generate independent performance data regarding accuracy of COVID-19 antigen-based rapid diagnostic tests (Ag-RDTs), prospective diagnostic evaluation studies across multiple sites are required to evaluate their performance in different clinical settings. This report describes the clinical evaluation the GENEDIA W COVID-19 Ag Device (Green Cross Medical Science Corp., Chungbuk, Korea) and the ActiveXpress+ COVID-19 Complete Testing Kit (Edinburgh Genetics Ltd, UK), in two testing sites Peru and the United Kingdom. METHODS: Nasopharyngeal swabs collected from 456 symptomatic patients at primary points of care in Lima, Peru and 610 symptomatic participants at a COVID-19 Drive-Through testing site in Liverpool, England were analyzed by Ag-RDT and compared to RT-PCR. Analytical evaluation of both Ag-RDTs was assessed using serial dilutions of direct culture supernatant of a clinical SARS-CoV-2 isolate from the B.1.1.7 lineage. RESULTS: For GENEDIA brand, the values of overall sensitivity and specificity were 60.4% [95% CI 52.4-67.9%], and 99.2% [95% CI 97.6-99.7%] respectively; and for Active Xpress+ the overall values of sensitivity and specificity were 66.2% [95% CI 54.0-76.5%], and 99.6% [95% CI 97.9-99.9%] respectively. The analytical limit of detection was determined at 5.0 x 102 pfu/ml what equals to approximately 1.0 x 104 gcn/ml for both Ag-RDTs. The UK cohort had lower median Ct values compared to that of Peru during both evaluations. When split by Ct, both Ag-RDTs had optimum sensitivities at Ct<20 (in Peru; 95% [95% CI 76.4-99.1%] and 100.0% [95% CI 74.1-100.0%] and in the UK; 59.2% [95% CI 44.2-73.0%] and 100.0% [95% CI 15.8-100.0%], for the GENDIA and the ActiveXpress+, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Whilst the overall clinical sensitivity of the Genedia did not meet WHO minimum performance requirements for rapid immunoassays in either cohort, the ActiveXpress+ did so for the small UK cohort. This study illustrates comparative performance of Ag-RDTs across two global settings and considers the different approaches in evaluation methods.

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Introducción: En la atención odontológica a niños es crucial seleccionar materiales restaurativos con buen rendimiento clínico y corto tiempo de aplicación, especialmente en pacientes con capacidad de atención limitada. Las resinas compuestas, con el mejoramiento de sus propiedades físicas y mecánicas, constituyen hoy uno de los materiales de mayor elección por el odontopediatra. Las resinas de relleno masivo son una alternativa atractiva para las restauraciones en el sector posterior. Objetivo: Comparar el grado de microfiltración marginal de resinas de relleno masivo y nanohíbrida en molares deciduos. Métodos: Estudio experimental, in vitro, en cuarenta molares deciduos; exodonciados por motivos terapéuticos, divididos en dos grupos. Grupo I: resina nanohíbrida con técnica incremental (Tetric® N Ceram - Ivoclar Vivadent) y Grupo II: resina de relleno masivo con técnica monoincremental (Tetric® N Ceram bulk fill - Ivoclar Vivadent). Se realizó un proceso de termociclado manual de 500 ciclos, entre 5 ºC ± 2 ºC y 55 ºC ± 2 ºC. Las muestras fueron sumergidas en azul de metileno al 0,5 por ciento durante 24 horas a 37 ºC. Se analizaron con el microscopio estereoscópico de luz a 40X. Resultados: Todas las muestras presentaron microfiltración. Con el uso de resina nanohíbrida, el 25 presentó microfiltración leve; el 30 por ciento, moderada; y el 45 por ciento, severa. En el grupo de la resina de relleno masivo, el 30 por ciento presentó microfiltración leve; el 35 por ciento, moderada; y el 35 por ciento, severa. No se encontró diferencia significativa entre ambos grupos (p = 0,55). Conclusiones: Ambas resinas, de relleno masivo y nanohíbrida, presentaron similar microfiltración marginal in vitro, en molares deciduos; por lo que la técnica de relleno masivo, por su fácil y rápida aplicación en un solo tiempo, es una buena alternativa en la rehabilitación dental odontopediátrica(AU)

Introduction: In children's dental care it is crucial to select restorative materials of proven clinical quality and a short application period, particularly with patients of limited attention capacity. Due to their improved physical and mechanical properties, composite resins are currently one of the materials of choice for children's dental care. Bulk fill resins are an attractive alternative for posterior restorations. Objective: Compare the degree of marginal microleakage of bulk fill and nanohybrid resins in deciduous teeth. Methods: An experimental in vitro study was conducted of 40 deciduous teeth extracted for therapeutic reasons, which were divided into two groups. Group I: nanohybrid resin by incremental technique (Tetric® N Ceram - Ivoclar Vivadent) and Group II: bulk fill resin by monoincremental technique (Tetric® N Ceram bulk fill - Ivoclar Vivadent). A manual 500-cycle thermocycling procedure was performed at 5ºC ± 2ºC to 55ºC ± 2ºC. The samples were soaked in 0.5 percent methylene blue at 37ºC for 24 hours and analyzed under a light stereo microscope at 40X. Results: Microleakage was present in all the samples. In the nanohybrid resin group, microleakage was mild in 25 percent, moderate in 30 percent and severe in 45 percent. In the bulk fill resin group, microleakage was mild in 30 percent, moderate in 35 percent and severe in 35 percent. No significant difference was found between the groups (p = 0.55). Conclusions: Both resins, bulk fill and nanohybrid, presented similar in vitro marginal microleakage in deciduous molars. The bulk fill technique is therefore a good alternative for children's dental rehabilitation, due to its easy and fast application in a single session(AU)

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INTRODUCTION: In low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), epilepsy still represents a significant health challenge. In the Bolivian Chaco, we have previously found high levels of stigma towards people with epilepsy (PWE) especially expressed by high school students. In order to increase the knowledge about epilepsy, we have tested a comic book-based intervention on a sample of high school students. METHODS: The study has been conducted in the Bolivian Chaco region where two urban and two rural classrooms have been randomly selected. Students have been administered a knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) questionnaire, and then they underwent a comic book-based educational program where they were randomly assigned either to an autonomous reading or a character interpretation methodology. The same KAP questionnaire has been administered after the teaching session and at a three months follow-up. Mean KAP scores at the baseline were compared with the after teaching and the three-month assessment. RESULTS: Eighty-three students with a mean age of 15.5 ±â€¯0.9 years, of whom 38 (45.8%) males, were recruited. After the comic book session, students improved in the global score (p < 0.001) and in the knowledge (p < 0.001), attitudes (p = 0.004), and practices (p < 0.001) subscores. Both the autonomous reading and the character interpretation groups significantly improved in the global score, but only the latter improved in all the subscores. At the three months follow-up, there were no differences in the global, knowledge, and attitudes subscores, compared with scores immediately after the intervention. CONCLUSION: Using a comic book to teach about epilepsy led to a significant improvement in the knowledge, attitudes, and practices about the disease in high school students of LMIC. This teaching strategy can be easily implemented in LMIC.

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INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy represents around 0.7% of the overall global burden of diseases and is particularly prevalent and associated with significant disability in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) in Latin American Countries (LAC). A community-based epilepsy awareness program was carried out by our group in the rural areas of the Chaco region, Plurinational state of Bolivia, to improve the knowledge about epilepsy, with a first part directed toward general practitioners and a second part toward nurses and community health workers (CHWs) of the rural communities with a positive outcome. The objective of the study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward epilepsy, the stigma related to epilepsy and the quality of life in people with epilepsy (PWE) before and after the interventional campaign directed toward representative members of the rural communities in the Chaco region in Bolivia. METHODS: The study was conducted in three areas of Bolivia. Key subjects from each community were randomly selected. Before and after the courses they answered a questionnaire to assess their knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and practices about epilepsy, a validated Stigma Scale of Epilepsy (SSE) and Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-10 (QOLIE-10). RESULTS: Two hundred sixteen subjects were involved in the program. Only 133 (61.6%) subjects completed the questionnaires a month after the educational program. A significant improvement was recorded in knowledge, attitudes, and practices toward epilepsy, and a significant reduction was found in the mean SSE total score (38.3 ±â€¯14.7 vs. 28.5 ±â€¯12.3; p < 0.01), reflecting a reduction of stigma levels. Regarding the quality of life, after the training, PWE stated to experience less depression, memory difficulties, work or social issues, and seizure worry. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that continuous educational campaigns can lead to a significant change in the social perception and attitudes toward epilepsy.

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OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to describe the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED), as well as associated demographic and clinical features, in men with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), by means of a systematic, standardized evaluation. METHODS: We performed a transversal study in 8 tertiary care centers in Latin America. We included male patients ≥ 16 years who fulfilled ≥ 4 American College of Rheumatology criteria for SLE and had regular sexual activity, and evaluated them with the International Index of Erectile Function-5 questionnaire. Relevant demographic, clinical, and serological characteristics were recorded. We included 2 control groups: the first was made up of healthy men and the second of men with autoimmune diseases other than SLE (non-SLE group). RESULTS: We included 590 subjects (174 SLE, 55 non-SLE, and 361 healthy controls). The prevalence of ED in the SLE group was 69%. Mean age in that group was 36.3 ± 1.03 years. Among SLE patients with and without ED, these factors were significantly different: the presence of persistent lymphopenia (p = 0.006), prednisone dose (9.3 ± 1.2 vs 5.3 ± 1.3 mg, p = 0.026), and the Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics damage score (1.25 ± 0.14 vs 0.8 ± 0.16 points, p = 0.042). Independent risk factors for ED in patients with SLE were persistent lymphopenia (OR 2.79, 95% CI 1.37-5.70, p = 0.001) and corticosteroid use in the previous year (OR 2.15, 95% CI 1.37-3.37, p = 0.001). CONCLUSION: Regardless of comorbidities, treatment (excluding steroids), and type of disease activity, patients with SLE have a high prevalence of ED, especially considering that most patients are young. Recent corticosteroid use and persistent lymphopenia, which could be related to endothelial dysfunction, are risk factors for this complication in men with SLE.

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Introduction: Epilepsy represents an important public health issue, in particular in low and middle-income countries where significant disparities are present in the care available for patients with epilepsy. Treatment cost and unavailability of drugs represent important barriers in treating people with epilepsy especially in rural setting. Aim of the study was to evaluate, by means of routine data, the current real-life clinical practice in epilepsy in the rural communities of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. Treatment activity followed educational campaigns and an anthropological fieldwork over more than 20 years. Material and Methods: Medical records of people with epilepsy (PWE) living in the rural communities of the Bolivian Chaco who received antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), from 2012 to 2016, and were followed-up for at least 1 year were analyzed. Treatment delivery and follow up visits were managed by a neurologist with the support of rural health care workers. Results: From 2012 to 2016, 157 PWE (76 men with a mean age of 24.2 ± 15.7) have been included in the study. Structural epilepsy was the most common type, recorded in 54 cases (34.4%) and the most common reported causes were perinatal factors, present in 11 subjects (20.0%). Almost all patients presented epilepsy with generalized tonic-clonic seizures (91.4%). The most common AED prescribed was phenobarbital followed by carbamazepine. During the follow-up, a dramatic seizures reduction was observed, with 31 subjects (19.7%) being seizures-free at the last follow-up. However, 48 subjects (30.6%) did not assume the medication regularly and 10 interrupted the drug intake. More than 20% of PWE did not receive any financial supports for AEDs. During the follow-up period 10 patients died but only in one case the death was probably caused by epilepsy. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated that PWE in rural areas of the Bolivian Chaco are willing to seek medical attention and to receive antiepileptic treatment. However, improvement in care is needed to assure compliance to AED treatment, including activity to increase awareness toward epilepsy among community members and health staff of the rural communities and to guarantee the coverage of treatment costs and drug supply.

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INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy represents a major global healthcare issue, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), where nonmedical health workers play a key role in providing care to people with epilepsy (PWE). Over the last 20 years, many projects have been carried out by our group in the Chaco region, Plurinational State of Bolivia, with the aim of enhancing knowledge about epilepsy. However, the level of knowledge of epilepsy that nonmedical health workers have reached has never been assessed until now. The main objective of our study was to assess the level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards epilepsy among nonmedical health staff of the rural communities of the Chaco region in Bolivia. METHODS: The study was conducted in three departments of Bolivia. The nonmedical health personnel were invited to participate in a training program. They answered a validated questionnaire to evaluate their knowledge and attitudes towards epilepsy before and after the courses. RESULTS: One hundred nineteen subjects [42 men (36.2%); mean age 29.3 ±â€¯1.1 years] were interviewed among community health workers and nurses before the courses, demonstrating a very good level of knowledge regarding epilepsy and its causes. Only 55 health workers participated in the second training module, and their answer did not significantly differ from the baseline. CONCLUSION: Our study confirms the usefulness of continuous educational campaigns, especially directed to nonspecialist healthcare providers of rural communities of LMIC, as they may be the only persons responsible for providing healthcare to PWE in that setting. Moreover, the importance of the baseline assessment of KAP was highlighted in order to adapt the educational campaigns to the baseline level of knowledge found.

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INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy represents a major health problem in low- and middle-income countries where treatment gap (TG) levels are high. The reduction of epilepsy TG in the rural area of the Chaco region, Plurinational State of Bolivia, has been the aim of many projects based on the reinforcement of the primary care setting. To plan educational campaigns directed to the healthcare professionals, it is necessary to establish their baseline knowledge level. The objective of our study was to assess the baseline level of knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) towards epilepsy among general practitioners (GPs) of the rural communities of the Chaco region. METHODS: The study was conducted in three departments of Bolivia. All the GPs living in these areas were invited to participate in the study consisting of two training modules six months apart from each other, each with two-day duration. They answered a validated questionnaire to evaluate the KAP towards epilepsy before and after the courses. RESULTS: Fifty GPs [30 men (60%); mean age: 32.1±5.8years] participated in the first training course. After six months, 31 GPs (62%) [19 men (61.3%); mean age: 33±5.0years] participated in the second module. Before the training, the majority of GPs declared a low level of satisfaction about their epilepsy knowledge, which improved after the courses. A change in practices was recorded after the training, with an increased confidence to manage antiepileptic treatment. CONCLUSION: Our study showed the significant impact of specific training programs on epilepsy among GPs.

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Among autoimmune diseases, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients have a unique predisposition to develop infections, which represents one of their main causes of morbidity and mortality. Many infections occur at disease diagnosis in the absence of immunosuppressive therapy, suggesting that the immunological abnormalities in SLE patients might be fundamental for the development of this complication. The aim of this study was to address the main clinical and immunological features associated with the development of infection and to create and validate a compound clinical-immunological infection predictive index in a cohort of SLE patients. We included 55 SLE patients with < 5 years since diagnosis. The clinical and immunological features were evaluated periodically and patients were followed-up during 1 year, searching for the development of infection. Immunophenotyping was performed by multiparametric flow cytometry and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) were assessed by confocal microscopy. Eighteen patients (32.7%) presented 19 infectious events, 5 (26.3%) were severe. For the construction of the index, we performed a logistic regression analysis and the cutoff points were determined with ROC curves. Increased numbers of peripheral Th17 cells, B cell lymphopenia, and lower TLR2 expression in monocytes, as well as the use of cyclophosphamide were the major risk factors for the development of infection and thus were included in the index. Besides, patients that developed infection were characterized by increased numbers of low-density granulocytes (LDGs) and higher expression of LL-37 in NETs upon infection. Finally, we validated the index retrospectively in a nested case-control study. A score >1.5 points was able to predict infection in the following year (AUC = 0.97; LR- = 0.001, specificity 100%, P = 0.0003). Our index encompasses novel immunological features able to prospectively predict the risk of infection in SLE patients.

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Objetivo: Determinar el impacto de la caries dental en la calidad de vida de escolares del Distrito La Victoria. Lambayeque, Perú. Metodología: Diseño prospectivo de corte transversal, descriptivo y observacional. La muestra estuvo conformada por 276 escolares de 11-14 años de la Institución Educativa Carlos Augusto Salaverry. Se utilizó el cuestionario CPQ11-14 validado al idioma español. Se realizó una prueba piloto para la confiabilidad del método con un valor según alfa de Cronbach de 0.888. Se realizó la evaluación clínica de las lesiones de caries dental a través del índice COPD, el operador fue previamente calibrado en el registro de este índice, apreciándose una confiabilidad altamente significativa entre las medidas con un valor de CCI de 0.997. Resultados: Existe una diferencia significativa (p=0.001) al evaluar el impacto de la caries dental, en la calidad de vida de los escolares de 11-14 años en los dominios de limitación funcional, bienestar emocional y social, no se encontró relación con el dominio de síntomas orales, además se encontró que el nivel de severidad de caries dental en esta población según índice CPOD comunitario fue muy bajo con un 38.41%. Conclusiones: La caries dental tiene impacto negativo en la calidad de vida de los escolares de 11 a 14 años del Distrito La Victoria. Lambayeque, Perú.

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OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of intra-articular injections of sodium bicarbonate with a single (SBCG1) or double dose (SBCG2) of calcium gluconate administered monthly compared with methylprednisolone (MP) for treatment of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: A 3-month, randomized, double-blind clinical trial with patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis (OA). The outcome variables were the Western Ontario-McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the Lequesne functional index. RESULTS: After 3 months, all treatments significantly improved in overall WOMAC and Lequesne scores. Mean changes (95% confidence interval) in WOMAC total score and the Lequesne index, respectively, for SBCG1 (-12.5 [-14.3, -10.7]; -9.0 [-11.4, -6.7]) and SBCG2 (-12.3 [-14.3, -10.4]; -8.9 [-10.4, -7.4]) were significantly greater than for MP (-5.0 [-7.2, -2.8]; -3.2 [-4.9, -1.5]) (P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Intra-articular injections of sodium bicarbonate and calcium gluconate are useful for short-term relief of OA symptoms in patients with bilateral knee osteoarthritis. Both treatments are more effective than MP injections in the reduction of knee OA symptoms. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00977444.

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INTRODUCTION: Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases in Latin American Countries (LAC) and epilepsy associated with convulsive seizures is the most frequent type. Therefore, the detection of convulsive seizures is a priority, but a validated Spanish-language screening tool to detect convulsive seizures is not available. We performed a field validation to evaluate the accuracy of a Spanish-language questionnaire to detect convulsive seizures in rural Bolivia using a three-stage design. The questionnaire was also administered face-to-face, using a two-stage design, to evaluate the difference in accuracy. METHODS: The study was carried out in the rural communities of the Gran Chaco region. The questionnaire consists of a single screening question directed toward the householders and a confirmatory section administered face-to-face to the index case. Positive subjects underwent a neurological examination to detect false positive and true positive subjects. To estimate the proportion of false negative, a random sample of about 20% of the screened negative underwent a neurological evaluation. RESULTS: 792 householders have been interviewed representing a population of 3,562 subjects (52.2% men; mean age 24.5 ± 19.7 years). We found a sensitivity of 76.3% (95% CI 59.8-88.6) with a specificity of 99.6% (95% CI 99.4-99.8). The two-stage design showed only a slightly higher sensitivity respect to the three-stage design. CONCLUSION: Our screening tool shows a good accuracy and can be easily used by trained health workers to quickly screen the population of the rural communities of LAC through the householders using a three-stage design.

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BACKGROUND: Genetic variations of the TCF7L2 gene are associated with the development of Type 2 diabetes (T2D). The associated mutations have demonstrated an adaptive role in some human populations, but no studies have determined the impact of evolutionary forces on genetic diversity in indigenous populations from Mexico. Here, we sequenced and analyzed the variation of the TCF7L2 gene in three Amerindian populations and compared the results with whole-exon-sequencing of Mestizo populations from Sigma and the 1000 Genomes Project to assess the roles of selection and recombination in diversity. RESULTS: The diversity in the indigenous populations was biased to intronic regions. Most of the variation was low frequency. Only mutations rs77961654 and rs61724286 were located on exon 15. We did not observe variation in intronic region 4-6 in any of the three indigenous populations. In addition, we identified peaks of selective sweeps in the mestizo samples from the Sigma Project within this region. By replicating the analysis of association with T2D between case-controls from the Sigma Project, we determined that T2D was most highly associated with the rs7903146 risk allele and to a lesser extent with the other six variants. All associated markers were located in intronic region 4-6, and their r(2) values of linkage disequilibrium were significantly higher in the Mexican population than in Africans from the 1000 Genomes Project. We observed reticulations in both the haplotypes network analysis from seven marker associates and the neighborNet tree based on 6061 markers in the TCF7L2 gene identified from all samples of the 1000 Genomes Project. Finally, we identified two recombination hotspots in the upstream region and 3' end of the TCF7L2 gene. CONCLUSIONS: The lack of diversity in intronic region 4-6 in Indigenous populations could be an effect of selective sweeps generated by the selection of neighboring rare variants at T2D-associated mutations. The survivors' variants make the intronic region 4-6 the area of the greatest population differentiation within the TCF7L2 gene. The abundance of selective peak sweeps in the downstream region of the TCF7L2 gene suggests that the TCF7L2 gene is part of a region that is in constant recombination between populations.

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OBJECTIVE: we performed a three-stages door-to-door survey to estimate incidence and prevalence of epilepsy associated with convulsive seizures (EACS) in a rural area of Bolivia. METHODS: the study was carried out in the Cordillera Province, southern-eastern Bolivia. One hundred fourteen rural communities with a total population of 18,907 inhabitants were included in the survey. In order to identify subjects with EACS, trained fieldworkers administered a validated single screening question to the householders (stage I). A second face-to-face questionnaire was administered to each positive subject (stage II) that, in case of positive answer, underwent a complete neurological examination to confirm the diagnosis (stage III). We estimated age and sex specific life-time and active EACS prevalence at the prevalence day (30th June 2010). Incidence risk was evaluated for the 10-year period between January 2000 and December 2010. RESULTS: on prevalence day we identified 136 subjects with EACS, 124 of whom had active epilepsy. The life-time prevalence of EACS was 7.2/1,000 (7.6/1,000 age-adjusted to the world standard population) while the prevalence of active EACS was 6.6/1,000 (6.7/1,000 age-adjusted to the world standard population). Both life-time and active prevalence showed a peak (10.3/1,000) in the 15-24 years age group and, overall, were higher among women. During the incidence study period, 105 patients living in the study area had the onset of EACS. The crude incidence risk was 55.4/100,000 (49.5/100,000 age-adjusted to the world standard population). Incidence was slightly but not significantly higher among women (58.9/100,000 versus 51.9/100,000). CONCLUSIONS: the present study demonstrated a considerable burden of EACS in the Bolivian Chaco, showing prevalence and incidence estimates close to those reported for low and middle- income countries and underlying the need of treatment programs.

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BACKGROUND: A novel therapeutic management of osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee was assessed. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of monthly sodium bicarbonate with a single (SBCG1) or double dose (SBCG2) of calcium gluconate injections on OA of the knee; as well as the efficacy and safety of both SBCG interventions in the long term. METHODS: A double-blind parallel-group clinical trial with 74 knee OA patients was performed during 12 months, both SBCG interventions were followed-up for another 6mo after intervention. The outcome variables were the Western Ontario-McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the Lequesne's functional index and joint-space width changes from serial radiographs. RESULTS: After 12 months, group SBCG1 decreased -14.8 (95% CI:-14.2, -17.0) and group SBCG2 decreased -14.6 (-16.9, -12.4) in the global WOMAC score, the mean changes represent 80% and 82% lessened pain, respectively. In the Lequesne Functional Index scale, SBCG1 decreased -11.9 (-10.4, -14.2) and SBCG2 decreased -11.9 (-13.8, -10.0), representing 66 and 69% of improvement. Both mean scores were maintained after intervention discontinued. SBCG2 improved the knees' joint space width more than SBCG1 at 3 and 18 months. Both SBCG interventions were well tolerated after 12 months of treatment CONCLUSION: A solution of sodium bicarbonate and calcium gluconate is effective on reducing the symptoms associated with OA. Its beneficial effect is maintained for one year of continuous monthly administration and at least for 6 months after the administration is discontinued. When the dose of calcium gluconate is increased, it prevents further narrowing of joint-space. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov NCT00977444 September 11, 2009.

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Epilepsy is associated with a significant burden of social stigma that appears to be influenced by psychosocial and cultural factors. Stigma has a negative effect on the management of people with epilepsy (PWE), representing one of the major factors that contribute to the burden of epilepsy. To assess stigma perception among the Guarani population, one hundred thirty-two people living in Guaraní communities in Bolivia were invited to complete the Stigma Scale of Epilepsy questionnaire. The main determinants of stigma identified were: the fear linked to loss of control, the feelings of sadness and pity toward PWE, the difficulties faced by PWE in the professional and relationship fields, the level of education and type of seizure. Our study pointed out that, in this population, PWE face difficulties in everyday life because of epilepsy-associated stigma and the results attest to the importance of promoting community-based educational programs aimed at reducing the stigmatization process.

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