Treatment with tocilizumab or corticosteroids for COVID-19 patients with hyperinflammatory state: a multicentre cohort study (SAM-COVID-19)

Objectives: The objective of this study was to estimate the association between tocilizumab or corticosteroids and the risk of intubation or death in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) with a hyperinflammatory state according to clinical and laboratory parameters. Methods: A cohort study was performed in 60 Spanish hospitals including 778 patients with COVID-19 and clinical and laboratory data indicative of a hyperinflammatory state. Treatment was mainly with tocilizumab, an intermediate-high dose of corticosteroids (IHDC), a pulse dose of corticosteroids (PDC), combination therapy, or no treatment. Primary outcome was intubation or death; follow-up was 21 days. Propensity score-adjusted estimations using Cox regression (logistic regression if needed) were calculated. Propensity scores were used as confounders, matching variables and for the inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTWs). Results: In all, 88, 117, 78 and 151 patients treated with tocilizumab, IHDC, PDC, and combination therapy, respectively, were compared with 344 untreated patients. The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (11.4%), 27 (23.1%), 12 (15.4%), 40 (25.6%) and 69 (21.1%), respectively. The IPTW-based hazard ratios (odds ratio for combination therapy) for the primary endpoint were 0.32 (95%CI 0.22-0.47; p < 0.001) for tocilizumab, 0.82 (0.71-1.30; p 0.82) for IHDC, 0.61 (0.43-0.86; p 0.006) for PDC, and 1.17 (0.86-1.58; p 0.30) for combination therapy. Other applications of the propensity score provided similar results, but were not significant for PDC. Tocilizumab was also associated with lower hazard of death alone in IPTW analysis (0.07; 0.02-0.17; p < 0.001). Conclusions: Tocilizumab might be useful in COVID-19 patients with a hyperinflammatory state and should be prioritized for randomized trials in this situatio

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

An intersectional analysis of Haitian migrant women in the Dominican Republic.

La interseccionalidad se presenta como una herramienta analítica crucial para comprender las complejas experiencias de las mujeres migrantes haitianas en República Dominicana, pues al considerar las categorías de género, raza y migración, revela cómo estas mujeres se ven afectadas por múltiples formas de discriminación y desigualdad en la sociedad. El análisis demográfico y migratorio de estas mujeres destacó una realidad alarmante: enfrentan altos niveles de desempleo, analfabetismo y diversas formas de violencia, como psicológica, física y sexual, además, la limitada accesibilidad a la educación y la falta de oportunidades laborales bien remuneradas las relegan a trabajos feminizados y precarios, exponiéndolas a una explotación laboral significativa. El acceso a la salud también presenta barreras, pues estereotipos y prejuicios basados en su origen y color de piel limitan su acceso a servicios médicos especializados, es así que la intersección entre género, raza y migración se refleja en su vulnerabilidad frente a la atención médica y la violencia estructural que enfrentan en este ámbito. Adicionalmente, el entorno laboral y la división del trabajo, la cual está influenciada por una perspectiva patriarcal, las confina a empleos de baja remuneración y con pocas garantías sociales. Estos hallazgos resaltan la necesidad apremiante de reconocer la diversidad y singularidad de las experiencias de estas mujeres. Es fundamental abordar las múltiples formas de discriminación que enfrentan, considerando su género, raza y estatus migratorio para promover su inclusión y proteger sus derechos.HaitianasIntersectionality is presented as a crucial analytical tool for understanding the complex experiences of Haitian migrant women in the Dominican Republic, because by considering the categories of gender, race and migration, it reveals how these women are affected by multiple forms of discrimination and inequality in society. The demographic and migratory analysis of these women highlighted an alarming reality: they face high levels of unemployment, illiteracy and various forms of violence, such as psychological, physical and sexual violence, in addition, the limited accessibility to education and the lack of well-paid job opportunities relegate them to feminized and precarious jobs, exposing them to significant labor exploitation. Access to health care also presents barriers, as stereotypes and prejudices based on their origin and skin color limit their access to specialized medical services, and the intersection between gender, race and migration is reflected in their vulnerability to medical care and the structural violence they face in this area. Additionally, the work environment and the division of labor, which is influenced by a patriarchal perspective, confines them to low-paying jobs with few social guarantees. These findings highlight the urgent need to recognize the diversity and uniqueness of these women's experiences. Addressing the multiple forms of discrimination they face, considering their gender, race and migratory status, is fundamental to promoting their inclusion and protecting their rights.InternacionalistaPregrad

Alginate edible coating and cold storage for improving the physicochemical quality of cape gooseberry (Physalis peruviana l.)

The Cape gooseberry is an exotic tropical fruit and, nowadays, is the second most exported fruit from Colombia. Therefore, the high demand for quality required research for a better understanding of fruit behavior. Furthermore, postharvest quality properties play an important role in meeting consumer demands. Cold storage and edible coatings are reported as efficient technologies for extending shelf life and preserve the quality of fruits in postharvest. As there are no reports of studies about the effect of these technologies on shelf life, quality and antioxidant activity in Cape gooseberry, this work aim to evaluate the use of alginate 1% during 21 days of storage at 2ºC as an alternative for postharvest handling of this fruit. Cape gooseberry exhibits a high respiration rate and ethylene production at 20ºC. Alginate coat decreased significantly the metabolism activity of fruit during the cold storage without change significantly the fruit organoleptic quality and showing total phenolic, carotenoid contents and antioxidant activity. Alginate is an efficient edible coat for preserve the quality and bioactivity of Cape gooseberry during 21 days of storage at 2ºC

COVID-19 in hospitalized HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients : A matched study

CatedresObjectives: We compared the characteristics and clinical outcomes of hospitalized individuals with COVID-19 with [people with HIV (PWH)] and without (non-PWH) HIV co-infection in Spain during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: This was a retrospective matched cohort study. People with HIV were identified by reviewing clinical records and laboratory registries of 10 922 patients in active-follow-up within the Spanish HIV Research Network (CoRIS) up to 30 June 2020. Each hospitalized PWH was matched with five non-PWH of the same age and sex randomly selected from COVID-19@Spain, a multicentre cohort of 4035 patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19. The main outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Results: Forty-five PWH with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were identified in CoRIS, 21 of whom were hospitalized. A total of 105 age/sex-matched controls were selected from the COVID-19@Spain cohort. The median age in both groups was 53 (Q1-Q3, 46-56) years, and 90.5% were men. In PWH, 19.1% were injecting drug users, 95.2% were on antiretroviral therapy, 94.4% had HIV-RNA < 50 copies/mL, and the median (Q1-Q3) CD4 count was 595 (349-798) cells/μL. No statistically significant differences were found between PWH and non-PWH in number of comorbidities, presenting signs and symptoms, laboratory parameters, radiology findings and severity scores on admission. Corticosteroids were administered to 33.3% and 27.4% of PWH and non-PWH, respectively (P = 0.580). Deaths during admission were documented in two (9.5%) PWH and 12 (11.4%) non-PWH (P = 0.800). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that well-controlled HIV infection does not modify the clinical presentation or worsen clinical outcomes of COVID-19 hospitalization

How do women living with HIV experience menopause? Menopausal symptoms, anxiety and depression according to reproductive age in a multicenter cohort

CatedresBackground: To estimate the prevalence and severity of menopausal symptoms and anxiety/depression and to assess the differences according to menopausal status among women living with HIV aged 45-60 years from the cohort of Spanish HIV/AIDS Research Network (CoRIS). Methods: Women were interviewed by phone between September 2017 and December 2018 to determine whether they had experienced menopausal symptoms and anxiety/depression. The Menopause Rating Scale was used to evaluate the prevalence and severity of symptoms related to menopause in three subscales: somatic, psychologic and urogenital; and the 4-item Patient Health Questionnaire was used for anxiety/depression. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds ratios (ORs) of association between menopausal status, and other potential risk factors, the presence and severity of somatic, psychological and urogenital symptoms and of anxiety/depression. Results: Of 251 women included, 137 (54.6%) were post-, 70 (27.9%) peri- and 44 (17.5%) pre-menopausal, respectively. Median age of onset menopause was 48 years (IQR 45-50). The proportions of pre-, peri- and post-menopausal women who had experienced any menopausal symptoms were 45.5%, 60.0% and 66.4%, respectively. Both peri- and post-menopause were associated with a higher likelihood of having somatic symptoms (aOR 3.01; 95% CI 1.38-6.55 and 2.63; 1.44-4.81, respectively), while post-menopause increased the likelihood of having psychological (2.16; 1.13-4.14) and urogenital symptoms (2.54; 1.42-4.85). By other hand, post-menopausal women had a statistically significant five-fold increase in the likelihood of presenting severe urogenital symptoms than pre-menopausal women (4.90; 1.74-13.84). No significant differences by menopausal status were found for anxiety/depression. Joint/muscle problems, exhaustion and sleeping disorders were the most commonly reported symptoms among all women. Differences in the prevalences of vaginal dryness (p = 0.002), joint/muscle complaints (p = 0.032), and sweating/flush (p = 0.032) were found among the three groups. Conclusions: Women living with HIV experienced a wide variety of menopausal symptoms, some of them initiated before women had any menstrual irregularity. We found a higher likelihood of somatic symptoms in peri- and post-menopausal women, while a higher likelihood of psychological and urogenital symptoms was found in post-menopausal women. Most somatic symptoms were of low or moderate severity, probably due to the good clinical and immunological situation of these women

Memorias del simposio de teología: desafíos éticos, tecnocientíficos y de espiritualidad ecológica

La publicación Memorias del simposio internacional de teología: desafíos éticos, tecnológicos y de la espiritualidad del siglo XXI recoge la experiencia académica de la Universidad Politécnica Salesiana (UPS) en la comprensión de la fe y de esa búsqueda permanente del ser humano, que desde la razón intenta vislumbrar el misterio de la divinidad. Es tarea de la teología dar razones de las verdades, que por la fe, ya posee el ser humano. Por tanto, la teología tiene como objeto de estudio la experiencia de Dios en la vida humana. El I Simposio Internacional de Teología (modalidad en línea) fue un trabajo colectivo, con el aporte del Área Razón y Fe de la UPS, la Carrera de Teología (en línea) de la UPS, la Facultad Franciscana de Filosofía y Teología Cardenal Echeverría de la UNISAL de El Salvador y la Universidad Don Bosco de Brasil. Todas ellas instituciones comprometidas con la formación y la investigación de la fe como una dimensión humana. En un inicio, se pretendió realizar un diálogo teológico a nivel universitario, sin embargo, la oportuna intervención de Xavier Merchán motivó la participación de grupos de investigación de Cuenca y Guayaquil e impulsó el I Simposio de Teología como evento que forma parte de las propuestas académicas de la UPS

New landscape of science, technology and innovation

La Ingeniería Química Colombiana está inmersa en nuevos panoramas de Ciencia, Tecnología e Innovación que traen consigo grandes retos para la industria, la academia y el Estado. Las investigaciones multidisciplinarias en energía, materiales, ingeniería de procesos y bioprocesos han llevado a estrategias de emprendimiento e innovación que prometen ser base de desarrollo en el país. En los siguientes capítulos se presentan los resultados más relevantes de las investigaciones realizadas por 19 instituciones colombianas en cooperación con 7 universidades internacionales, así como las contribuciones científicas de numerosas empresas colombianas. Este libro compila 236 resúmenes de investigaciones clasificadas en las siguientes líneas temáticas:1. Bioprocesos - 2. Economía circular - 3. Educación en Ingeniería Química - 4. Emprendimiento e innovación en Ingeniería Química - 5. Energías alternativas - 6. Oil & Gas - 7. Procesos y ciencia - 8. Tecnología en Ingeniería Química y simulación - 9. Tópicos ambientales - 10. MaterialesColombian Chemical Engineering is immersed in new scenarios of Science, Technology and Innovation that bring great challenges for industry, academia and the State. Multidisciplinary research in energy, materials, process engineering and bioprocesses have led to entrepreneurship and innovation strategies that promise to be the basis for development in the country. The following chapters present the most relevant results of the research carried out by 19 Colombian institutions in cooperation with 7 international universities, as well as the scientific contributions of numerous Colombian companies. This book compiles 236 research summaries classified in the following thematic lines: 1. Bioprocesses - 2. Circular economy - 3. Education in Chemical Engineering - 4. Entrepreneurship and innovation in Chemical Engineering - 5. Alternative energies - 6. Oil & Gas - 7. Processes and science - 8. Technology in Chemical Engineering and simulation - 9 Environmental topics - 10. MaterialsUniversidad EA