Relative adrenal insufficiency and hemodynamic status in cardiopulmonary bypass surgery patients. A prospective cohort study

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The objectives of this study were to determine the risk factors for relative adrenal insufficiency in cardiopulmonary bypass patients and the impact on postoperative vasopressor requirements.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Prospective cohort study on cardiopulmonary bypass patients who received etomidate or not during anesthetic induction. Relative adrenal insufficiency was defined as a rise in serum cortisol ≤ 9 μg/dl after the administration of 250 μg of consyntropin. Plasma cortisol levels were measured preoperatively, immediately before, 30, 60, and 90 minutes after the administration of cosyntropin, and at 24 hours after surgery.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>120 elective cardiopulmonary bypass patients were included. Relative adrenal insufficiency (Δcortisol ≤9 μg/dl) incidence was 77.5%. 78 patients received etomidate and 69 (88%) of them developed relative adrenal insufficiency, (<it>P </it>< 0.001). Controlling for clinical characteristics with a propensity analysis, etomidate was the only independent risk factor associated with relative adrenal insufficiency (OR 6.55, CI 95%: 2.47-17.4; <it>P </it>< 0.001). Relative adrenal insufficiency patients showed more vasopressor requirements just after surgery (<it>P </it>= 0.04), and at 4 hours after surgery (<it>P </it>= 0.01). Pre and post-test plasma cortisol levels were inversely associated with maximum norepinephrine dose (ρ = -0.22, <it>P </it>= 0.02; ρ = -0.18, <it>P </it>= 0.05; ρ = -0.21, <it>P </it>= 0.02; and ρ = -0.22, <it>P </it>= 0.02, respectively).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Relative adrenal insufficiency in elective cardiopulmonary bypass patients may induce postoperative vasopressor dependency. Use of etomidate in these patients is a modifiable risk factor for the development of relative adrenal insufficiency that should be avoided.</p

Palitos integrales de semilla de sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) y linaza (Linum usitatissimum) y efecto dietético en escolares con sobrepeso

Objetivos: Se elaboraron bocaditos integrales de semilla de sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis) y Linaza (Linum usitatissimum), estandarizando parámetros de elaboración de un alimento funcional que sea del gusto de niños y adultos en general. Muestra: No probabilística. Métodos: Diseño tecnológico de enfoque cuantitativo pre-experimental. Se elaboraron tres formulaciones: Pasil- 1(Harina trigo, 30,80 g%, semillas de sacha inchi, 25 g% y linaza, 15 g%), Pasil- 2 (Harina trigo, 20,80 g%, semillas de sacha inchi, 20 g% y linaza, 25 g%), Pasil- 3 (Harina trigo, 30,80 g%, semillas de sacha inchi, 15 g% y linaza, 20 g%) con el método esponja masa, tomando como base la formulación del pan comercial, análisis físico, químico según métodos de la AOAC, análisis microbiológico de coliformes y mohos. El análisis estadístico según ANOVA y prueba de tukey. Para el efecto sobre recuperación de peso, según la prueba de de signos de rangos de Wilcoxon. Resultados: El producto “Pasil”, elaborado con una pre-mezcla base de harina de trigo, 20,80 g%, y harina compuesta de semillas de sacha inchi 20 g% y linaza, 25 g%, complementada con la adición de aceite de soya, 2 g%, margarina 10 g%, sal, 2 g%, azúcar, 2 g%, levadura, 3 g% y agua, 17 g%, tienen en el 85% de las preferencias la calificación nominal entre “me gusta moderadamente” a “me gusta mucho: “Pasil-3”, Conclusiones: El producto elaborado es un alimento saludable se caracteriza por su aporte calórico (378,06 Kcal%), constituido esencialmente por ácidos grasos poliinsaturados (10,78 g%) y 17,72± 0,446 g% de proteínas, 5,63 ±0,362g% de fibra dietaria hidrolizadas de elevado valor biológico, cuyo aporte nutricional es mayor que los productos comerciales. La prueba de rangos de Wilcoxon y U de Mann-Whitney demuestran un efecto significativo en la recuperación nutricional de niños con bajo peso para la talla. La prueba de rangos de Wilcoxon y U de Mann-Whitney demuestran un efecto significativo en la recuperación nutricional de niños con bajo peso para la tallaTesi

Evaluación del estado mental de los pacientes centenarios en Las Tunas, diciembre 2007- agosto 2008

El envejecimiento de la población en Cuba es similar al de muchos países desarrollados, y se encuentra entre los que tienen un índice más elevado dentro del grupo de países en desarrollo. Se realizó un trabajo descriptivo observacional  en la provincia de Las Tunas, en el período diciembre 2007- agosto 2008, con el propósito de caracterizar el estado cognitivo-afectivo de los centenarios. El universo estuvo  constituido por 97 ancianos; una vez validada su edad, la muestra quedó conformada con 95 centenarios. Se aplicaron los instrumentos Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) y Clinical Dementia Rating Scale (CDR) y se estudiaron las siguientes variables: estado cognitivo, estado de ánimo, satisfacción con la vida, nivel de tensión y la percepción de eventos vitales. El dato primario provino de las entrevistas realizadas, y para el análisis estadístico se creó una hoja de cálculo en Excel. Se utilizaron técnicas de distribución de frecuencias; para las variables cuantitativas se empleó la proporción en porcentaje. En la muestra de individuos centenarios que vivían en la provincia de Las Tunas, al momento del estudio, predominaron los que no presentaban deterioro cognitivo ni depresión, tuvieron  satisfacción alta con la vida, nivel bajo de tensión y no se afectaban con los eventos vitales. Las positivas características psicológicas y de resiliencia, unidas a un entorno psicosocial favorable, se relacionan con la larga supervivencia de los individuos estudiados

The combination of very-small size proteoliposomes and alum is a safe adjuvant alternative for inducing anti-EGF antibodies: a preclinical study

Immunization with human recombinant EGF chemically bound to the P64k protein of Neisseria meningitides (hrEGF-P64k) and adjuvanted in Montanide ISA 51 VG (Montanide) is an efficient strategy to induce polyclonal antibodies (PAbs) response targeting this self -antigen in cancer patients, which is the basis of the CIMAvax-EGF vaccine. The neutralizing potential of EGF-specific induced PAbs supports promising clinical data obtained to date with this vaccine. Herein, we evaluated a combination of very small-size proteoliposomes (VSSP) and aluminum hydroxide (Alum) as a novel adjuvant to induce specific PAbs with neutralizing and anti-proliferative properties on tumor cells, considering EGF as a model antigen. Toxicity at the injection site was not detected for the vaccine formulation containing VSSP/Alum, and it was immunogenic in BALB/c mice, as evidenced by the induction of high titers of EGF-specific polyclonal antibodies (PAbs). While schedule optimization increased the magnitude of the PAbs response induced by VSSP/Alum, induced PAbs&rsquo;s avidity and intrinsic neutralizing potential were comparable to the humoral response induced by Montanide. Also, VSSP addition switched IgG subclasses distribution into a Th1-like pattern, as obtained with Montanide and desirable for a cancer vaccine. Finally, equivalent PAbs titers were induced by the vaccine formulations adjuvanted in VSSP/Alum or Montanide in tumor-bearing-mice, and immunosuppressed mice, suggesting the feasibility of the VSSP/Alum combined adjuvant for inducing anti-EGF antibodies in cancer patients at advanced stages of the disease

Age, successive waves, immunization, and mortality in elderly COVID-19 hematological patients: EPICOVIDEHA findings

Objectives: Elderly patients with hematologic malignancies face the highest risk of severe COVID-19 outcomes. The infection's impact on different age groups remains unstudied in detail. Methods: We analyzed elderly patients (age groups: 65-70, 71-75, 76-80, and >80 years old) with hematologic malignancies included in the EPICOVIDEHA registry between January 2020 and July 2022. Univariable and multivariable Cox regression models were conducted to identify factors influencing death in COVID-19 patients with hematological malignancy. Results: The study included data from 3,603 elderly patients (aged 65 or older) with hematological malignancy, with a majority being male (58.1%) and a significant proportion having comorbidities. The patients were divided into four age groups, and the analysis assessed COVID-19 outcomes, vaccination status, and other variables in relation to age and pandemic waves. The 90-day survival rate for patients with COVID-19 was 71.2%, with significant differences between groups. The pandemic waves had varying impacts, with the first wave affecting patients over 80 years old, the second being more severe in 65-70, and the third being the least severe in all age groups. Factors contributing to 90-day mortality included age, comorbidities, lymphopenia, active malignancy, acute leukemia, less than three vaccine doses, severe COVID-19, and using only corticosteroids as treatment. Conclusion: These data underscore the heterogeneity of elderly hematological patients, highlight the different impacts of COVID-19 waves and the pivotal importance of vaccination, and may help in planning future healthcare efforts

Decoding the historical tale: COVID-19 impact on haematological malignancy patients—EPICOVIDEHA insights from 2020 to 2022

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic heightened risks for individuals with hematological malignancies due to compromised immune systems, leading to more severe outcomes and increased mortality. While interventions like vaccines, targeted antivirals, and monoclonal antibodies have been effective for the general population, their benefits for these patients may not be as pronounced. Methods: The EPICOVIDEHA registry (National Clinical Trials Identifier, NCT04733729) gathers COVID-19 data from hematological malignancy patients since the pandemic's start worldwide. It spans various global locations, allowing comprehensive analysis over the first three years (2020–2022). Findings: The EPICOVIDEHA registry collected data from January 2020 to December 2022, involving 8767 COVID-19 cases in hematological malignancy patients from 152 centers across 41 countries, with 42% being female. Over this period, there was a significant reduction in critical infections and an overall decrease in mortality from 29% to 4%. However, hospitalization, particularly in the ICU, remained associated with higher mortality rates. Factors contributing to increased mortality included age, multiple comorbidities, active malignancy at COVID-19 onset, pulmonary symptoms, and hospitalization. On the positive side, vaccination with one to two doses or three or more doses, as well as encountering COVID-19 in 2022, were associated with improved survival. Interpretation: Patients with hematological malignancies still face elevated risks, despite reductions in critical infections and overall mortality rates over time. Hospitalization, especially in ICUs, remains a significant concern. The study underscores the importance of vaccination and the timing of COVID-19 exposure in 2022 for enhanced survival in this patient group. Ongoing monitoring and targeted interventions are essential to support this vulnerable population, emphasizing the critical role of timely diagnosis and prompt treatment in preventing severe COVID-19 cases. Funding: Not applicable

High PEEP with recruitment maneuvers versus Low PEEP During General Anesthesia for Surgery -a Bayesian individual patient data meta-analysis of three randomized clinical trials

Background: The influence of high positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) with recruitment maneuvers on the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications after surgery is still not definitively established. Bayesian analysis can help to gain further insights from the available data and provide a probabilistic framework that is easier to interpret. Our objective was to estimate the posterior probability that the use of high PEEP with recruitment maneuvers is associated with reduced postoperative pulmonary complications in patients with intermediate-to-high risk under neutral, pessimistic, and optimistic expectations regarding the treatment effect. Methods: Multilevel Bayesian logistic regression analysis on individual patient data from three randomized clinical trials carried out on surgical patients at Intermediate-to-High Risk for postoperative pulmonary complications. The main outcome was the occurrence of postoperative pulmonary complications in the early postoperative period. We studied the effect of high PEEP with recruitment maneuvers versus Low PEEP Ventilation. Priors were chosen to reflect neutral, pessimistic, and optimistic expectations of the treatment effect. Results: Using a neutral, pessimistic, or optimistic prior, the posterior mean odds ratio (OR) for High PEEP with recruitment maneuvers compared to Low PEEP was 0.85 (95% Credible Interval [CrI] 0.71 to 1.02), 0.87 (0.72 to 1.04), and 0.86 (0.71 to 1.02), respectively. Regardless of prior beliefs, the posterior probability of experiencing a beneficial effect exceeded 90%. Subgroup analysis indicated a more pronounced effect in patients who underwent laparoscopy (OR: 0.67 [0.50 to 0.87]) and those at high risk for PPCs (OR: 0.80 [0.53 to 1.13]). Sensitivity analysis, considering severe postoperative pulmonary complications only or applying a different heterogeneity prior, yielded consistent results. Conclusion: High PEEP with recruitment maneuvers demonstrated a moderate reduction in the probability of PPC occurrence, with a high posterior probability of benefit observed consistently across various prior beliefs, particularly among patients who underwent laparoscopy