YAG Laser in the Treatment of Nail Psoriasis: Clinical and Dermoscopic Assessment

Background: The Nd:YAG laser has emerged as a promising modality for the management of nail psoriasis owing to its ability for deep penetration of the skin surface, which has the advantage of destroying deep vessels. Objective: To assess the efficacy and safety of Nd:YAG laser in treating nail psoriasis. Methods: The present study was a randomized controlled study, conducted on 20 patients of both sexes (age older than 12 years) with mild to moderate psoriasis with nail involvement. We utilized facial telangiectasia parameters of Nd:YAG laser and beam diameter of 2.5 mm. Laser energy started with 110 J/cm2 in the first session and 130 J/cm2 in the rest of the sessions. Sessions were performed once monthly for up to 6 sessions. Results: We found no statistically significant difference in total Nail Psoriasis Severity Index (NAPSI) and nail bed scores before and after treatment among the treated group. However, there was statistically significant improvement in nail matrix score after treatment. On the other hand, the control group did not show any statistically significant changes for all scores throughout the study, except for the nail matrix score mean difference (0.35 ± 1.23 vs -1.00 ± 1.86 in the treated group). The degree of dermoscopic improvement was evident in the treated group (45% vs 25% in the control group). However, it was not statistically significant because of small sample size. The patients' satisfaction and the external investigator's assessment showed statistically significant negative correlation with total NAPSI mean difference in the treated group. Conclusion: The role of Nd:YAG laser in nail psoriasis is still controversial

Ultraviolet disinfection (UV-D) robots: bridging the gaps in dentistry

Maintaining a microbe-free environment in healthcare facilities has become increasingly crucial for minimizing virus transmission, especially in the wake of recent epidemics like COVID-19. To meet the urgent need for ongoing sterilization, autonomous ultraviolet disinfection (UV-D) robots have emerged as vital tools. These robots are gaining popularity due to their automated nature, cost advantages, and ability to instantly disinfect rooms and workspaces without relying on human labor. Integrating disinfection robots into medical facilities reduces infection risk, lowers conventional cleaning costs, and instills greater confidence in patient safety. However, UV-D robots should complement rather than replace routine manual cleaning. To optimize the functionality of UV-D robots in medical settings, additional hospital and device design modifications are necessary to address visibility challenges. Achieving seamless integration requires more technical advancements and clinical investigations across various institutions. This mini-review presents an overview of advanced applications that demand disinfection, highlighting their limitations and challenges. Despite their potential, little comprehensive research has been conducted on the sterilizing impact of disinfection robots in the dental industry. By serving as a starting point for future research, this review aims to bridge the gaps in knowledge and identify unresolved issues. Our objective is to provide an extensive guide to UV-D robots, encompassing design requirements, technological breakthroughs, and in-depth use in healthcare and dentistry facilities. Understanding the capabilities and limitations of UV-D robots will aid in harnessing their potential to revolutionize infection control practices in the medical and dental fields

Antimicrobial resistance among migrants in Europe: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND: Rates of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) are rising globally and there is concern that increased migration is contributing to the burden of antibiotic resistance in Europe. However, the effect of migration on the burden of AMR in Europe has not yet been comprehensively examined. Therefore, we did a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify and synthesise data for AMR carriage or infection in migrants to Europe to examine differences in patterns of AMR across migrant groups and in different settings. METHODS: For this systematic review and meta-analysis, we searched MEDLINE, Embase, PubMed, and Scopus with no language restrictions from Jan 1, 2000, to Jan 18, 2017, for primary data from observational studies reporting antibacterial resistance in common bacterial pathogens among migrants to 21 European Union-15 and European Economic Area countries. To be eligible for inclusion, studies had to report data on carriage or infection with laboratory-confirmed antibiotic-resistant organisms in migrant populations. We extracted data from eligible studies and assessed quality using piloted, standardised forms. We did not examine drug resistance in tuberculosis and excluded articles solely reporting on this parameter. We also excluded articles in which migrant status was determined by ethnicity, country of birth of participants' parents, or was not defined, and articles in which data were not disaggregated by migrant status. Outcomes were carriage of or infection with antibiotic-resistant organisms. We used random-effects models to calculate the pooled prevalence of each outcome. The study protocol is registered with PROSPERO, number CRD42016043681. FINDINGS: We identified 2274 articles, of which 23 observational studies reporting on antibiotic resistance in 2319 migrants were included. The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or AMR infection in migrants was 25·4% (95% CI 19·1-31·8; I2 =98%), including meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (7·8%, 4·8-10·7; I2 =92%) and antibiotic-resistant Gram-negative bacteria (27·2%, 17·6-36·8; I2 =94%). The pooled prevalence of any AMR carriage or infection was higher in refugees and asylum seekers (33·0%, 18·3-47·6; I2 =98%) than in other migrant groups (6·6%, 1·8-11·3; I2 =92%). The pooled prevalence of antibiotic-resistant organisms was slightly higher in high-migrant community settings (33·1%, 11·1-55·1; I2 =96%) than in migrants in hospitals (24·3%, 16·1-32·6; I2 =98%). We did not find evidence of high rates of transmission of AMR from migrant to host populations. INTERPRETATION: Migrants are exposed to conditions favouring the emergence of drug resistance during transit and in host countries in Europe. Increased antibiotic resistance among refugees and asylum seekers and in high-migrant community settings (such as refugee camps and detention facilities) highlights the need for improved living conditions, access to health care, and initiatives to facilitate detection of and appropriate high-quality treatment for antibiotic-resistant infections during transit and in host countries. Protocols for the prevention and control of infection and for antibiotic surveillance need to be integrated in all aspects of health care, which should be accessible for all migrant groups, and should target determinants of AMR before, during, and after migration. FUNDING: UK National Institute for Health Research Imperial Biomedical Research Centre, Imperial College Healthcare Charity, the Wellcome Trust, and UK National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit in Healthcare-associated Infections and Antimictobial Resistance at Imperial College London

Surgical site infection after gastrointestinal surgery in high-income, middle-income, and low-income countries: a prospective, international, multicentre cohort study

Background: Surgical site infection (SSI) is one of the most common infections associated with health care, but its importance as a global health priority is not fully understood. We quantified the burden of SSI after gastrointestinal surgery in countries in all parts of the world. Methods: This international, prospective, multicentre cohort study included consecutive patients undergoing elective or emergency gastrointestinal resection within 2-week time periods at any health-care facility in any country. Countries with participating centres were stratified into high-income, middle-income, and low-income groups according to the UN's Human Development Index (HDI). Data variables from the GlobalSurg 1 study and other studies that have been found to affect the likelihood of SSI were entered into risk adjustment models. The primary outcome measure was the 30-day SSI incidence (defined by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention criteria for superficial and deep incisional SSI). Relationships with explanatory variables were examined using Bayesian multilevel logistic regression models. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02662231. Findings: Between Jan 4, 2016, and July 31, 2016, 13 265 records were submitted for analysis. 12 539 patients from 343 hospitals in 66 countries were included. 7339 (58·5%) patient were from high-HDI countries (193 hospitals in 30 countries), 3918 (31·2%) patients were from middle-HDI countries (82 hospitals in 18 countries), and 1282 (10·2%) patients were from low-HDI countries (68 hospitals in 18 countries). In total, 1538 (12·3%) patients had SSI within 30 days of surgery. The incidence of SSI varied between countries with high (691 [9·4%] of 7339 patients), middle (549 [14·0%] of 3918 patients), and low (298 [23·2%] of 1282) HDI (p < 0·001). The highest SSI incidence in each HDI group was after dirty surgery (102 [17·8%] of 574 patients in high-HDI countries; 74 [31·4%] of 236 patients in middle-HDI countries; 72 [39·8%] of 181 patients in low-HDI countries). Following risk factor adjustment, patients in low-HDI countries were at greatest risk of SSI (adjusted odds ratio 1·60, 95% credible interval 1·05–2·37; p=0·030). 132 (21·6%) of 610 patients with an SSI and a microbiology culture result had an infection that was resistant to the prophylactic antibiotic used. Resistant infections were detected in 49 (16·6%) of 295 patients in high-HDI countries, in 37 (19·8%) of 187 patients in middle-HDI countries, and in 46 (35·9%) of 128 patients in low-HDI countries (p < 0·001). Interpretation: Countries with a low HDI carry a disproportionately greater burden of SSI than countries with a middle or high HDI and might have higher rates of antibiotic resistance. In view of WHO recommendations on SSI prevention that highlight the absence of high-quality interventional research, urgent, pragmatic, randomised trials based in LMICs are needed to assess measures aiming to reduce this preventable complication

The Changing Landscape for Stroke\ua0Prevention in AF: Findings From the GLORIA-AF Registry Phase 2

Background GLORIA-AF (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation) is a prospective, global registry program describing antithrombotic treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation at risk of stroke. Phase 2 began when dabigatran, the first non\u2013vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulant (NOAC), became available. Objectives This study sought to describe phase 2 baseline data and compare these with the pre-NOAC era collected during phase&nbsp;1. Methods During phase 2, 15,641 consenting patients were enrolled (November 2011 to December 2014); 15,092 were eligible. This pre-specified cross-sectional analysis describes eligible patients\u2019 baseline characteristics. Atrial fibrillation&nbsp;disease characteristics, medical outcomes, and concomitant diseases and medications were collected. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results Of the total patients, 45.5% were female; median age was 71 (interquartile range: 64, 78) years. Patients were from Europe (47.1%), North America (22.5%), Asia (20.3%), Latin America (6.0%), and the Middle East/Africa (4.0%). Most had high stroke risk (CHA2DS2-VASc [Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age&nbsp; 6575 years, Diabetes mellitus, previous Stroke, Vascular disease, Age 65 to 74 years, Sex category] score&nbsp; 652; 86.1%); 13.9% had moderate risk (CHA2DS2-VASc&nbsp;= 1). Overall, 79.9% received oral anticoagulants, of whom 47.6% received NOAC and 32.3% vitamin K antagonists (VKA); 12.1% received antiplatelet agents; 7.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. For comparison, the proportion of phase 1 patients (of N&nbsp;= 1,063 all eligible) prescribed VKA was 32.8%, acetylsalicylic acid 41.7%, and no therapy 20.2%. In Europe in phase 2, treatment with NOAC was more common than VKA (52.3% and 37.8%, respectively); 6.0% of patients received antiplatelet treatment; and 3.8% received no antithrombotic treatment. In North America, 52.1%, 26.2%, and 14.0% of patients received NOAC, VKA, and antiplatelet drugs, respectively; 7.5% received no antithrombotic treatment. NOAC use was less common in Asia (27.7%), where 27.5% of patients received VKA, 25.0% antiplatelet drugs, and 19.8% no antithrombotic treatment. Conclusions The baseline data from GLORIA-AF phase 2 demonstrate that in newly diagnosed nonvalvular atrial fibrillation patients, NOAC have been highly adopted into practice, becoming more frequently prescribed than VKA in&nbsp;Europe and North America. Worldwide, however, a large proportion of patients remain undertreated, particularly in&nbsp;Asia&nbsp;and North America. (Global Registry on Long-Term Oral Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation [GLORIA-AF]; NCT01468701

Didáctica (lengua y literatura)

Resumen basado en el de la publicaciónTítulo, resumen y palabras clave disponibles en español, inglés y francésSe persiguen dos objetivos principales: manifestar la importancia del análisis contrastivo con el fin de entender las dificultades que llegan a tener los alumnos al poner en práctica correctamente algunas estructuras en segunda lengua (L2) y eso debido en gran parte a la diferencia del sistema de su lengua materna, pero también a la sutilidad de la oposición de unas reglas en L2, y por otro lado reconocer a través del análisis de errores las posibles razones que llevan al uso erróneo de algunas estructuras. Se concreta un caso determinado: el sistema preposicional, fijándonos en el uso de la preposición a en la expresión escrita de alumnos egipcios de ELE. Para ello se emplean dos metodologías: el análisis contrastivo y el análisis del error. El análisis contrastivo da a conocer el sistema preposicional en la lengua materna del grupo investigado, que será el árabe, y la lengua objeto que se está aprendiendo, el español. El análisis se centra en el valor único que posee la preposición árabe ila ´a´ y la preposición española a respectivamente. Con esta base se inicia una investigación empírica sobre la preposición a en la expresión escrita de alumnos egipcios de ELE de nivel intermedio y superior. Las herramientas principales han sido un cuestionario sobre el historial de las lenguas extranjeras de los alumnos y una tarea de redacción.ES

Synchronous invasive or preinvasive bronchial lesions detected by autofluorescence bronchoscopy in patients with lung cancer

Objectives: In support with field cancerization theory, some patients with lung cancer (LC) will also have synchronous invasive or pre-invasive bronchial lesions. In this cross sectional – analytic study autofluorescence bronchoscopy (AFB) was used to assess the prevalence of synchronous lesions in patients with LC. Materials and methods: All patients with abnormal sputum cytology underwent white light and AFB. From 335 patients with abnormal sputum cytology referred for AFB, lung cancer was detected in 91 patients (89 male and 2 female) of age (mean ± SD), 67 ± 8 years. 77 had squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC), 13 had adenocarcinoma and one patient with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Results: Synchronous lesions detected in 26 (29%) patients, 25 (33%) of patients with SqCC, one with adenocarcinoma, no synchronous lesion detected in one patient with SCLC. The most severe detected synchronous lesion was adenocarcinoma in one patient, Carcinoma insitu (CIS) in 4 patients, severe dysplasia in 3 patients, moderate dysplasia in 10 patients, and mild dysplasia in 8 patients. Synchronous lesions were more frequently detected in current smokers (35%), than in ex-smokers (20%) and non-smokers (15%). Conclusion: Synchronous preinvasive lesions are frequent in patients with LC and AFB should be included in pre-operative evaluation of these patients

Experimental investigation of local scour around multi-vents bridge piers

The harmful effect of local scour around bridge piers and abutments can induce high maintenance costs or even bridge collapse resulting in the disturbance of traffic and possibly human losses. In the present research, an experimental study was carried out to investigate local scour around multi-vents bridge supports. Different methods of scour-countermeasures were applied to minimize and control the formed scour around bridge supports. It was found that, using collar around piers, current deflectors and sacrificial pile upstream piers reduced local scour depth by more 90%