Estructura factorial y consistencia interna de la Escala de Severidad de Fatiga en población colombiana con enfermedades crónicas

El presente estudio de corte psicométrico, tuvo como objetivo analizar la estructura factorial y la consistencia interna versión en español del cuestionario Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) en población colombiana de enfermos crónicos. Para ello se aplicó el cuestionario a 52 enfermos crónicos de la ciudad de Villavicencio. El análisis factorial denota tres factores: el factor 1 denominado como afectación física, el factor 2 denominado afectación social y finalmente el factor 3 denominado afectación motivacional de la fatiga, que explican el 76,324% de la varianza total acumulada, y un alfa de Cronbach de 870. Los resultados muestran una alta confiabilidad y concordancia en la estructura factorial con la versión original, lo que implica adecuada validez de la prueba en población colombiana de enfermos crónicos.The present study has a psychometric design, with the objective of analyzing the factorial structure and the internal consistency for the Spanish version of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) Questionnaire for Colombian population with chronic disease. Was applied the questionnaire to 52 people with chronic disease in Villavicencio city. The factorial Analysis indicates three factors: Factor 1 named physical affectation, Factor 2 named social affectation and Factor 3 named motivational affectation of the fatigue, where they explain the 76.324% of the total cumulative variance with .870 of Cronbach's Alpha. The results present a high reliability and concordance for the factorial structure with the original version which indicates an adequate validity of the test for Colombian population with chronic disease. © Servicio de Publicaciones - Universidad de Murcia

Focalization of Acoustic Vortices Using Phased Array Systems

AbstractAcoustic vortices (AV) are helical wavefronts that exhibit a screw-type dislocation and a phase singularity along its principal axis of propagation, at which the pressure of the field is zero. AV can be generated using various methods among which stands out the use of phased array systems because they allow us to electronically control the acoustic beam by means of the application of a given delay law to the array elements. Little research has been reported regarding the focalization of AV to obtain a higher pressure distribution. In view of this, this work presents the study of different delay laws for generating and focusing AV. The analysis of the resultant geometry and pressure distribution of the focused beams is included. We demonstrate that it is possible to increase the pressure amplitude up to 3 times with respect to a non-focalized, at the focal distance. Experimental tests were carried out using a hexagonal multitransducer of 30 elements at 40kHz. A good agreement between simulations and experimental results was obtained

Simple simulator of gastrointestinal endoscopy with incorporation of real video images

En el siguiente artículo se expone un modelo simple del procedimiento de endoscopia gástrica y un modelo plástico del estómago y de la distensión estomacal. El uso correcto de imágenes ayuda al desarrollo de sistemas de realidad virtual, y presenta más realismo a la simulación. El objetivo del trabajo consiste en experimentar la posibilidad de construir sistemas simuladores de pacientes en Colombia, utilizando la tecnología localmente disponible, a bajo costo y destinados para la formación de estudiantes de medicina.The following paper deals with a simple model of a gastric endoscopy procedure and a plastic model of the stomach and its distension. The correct use of imaging helps in the development of virtual reality systems, and provides a greater realism to the simulation itself. The goal is to experience the possibility of building patient simulator systems in Colombia, using locally available technology, at low costs and intended for the training of medical students

Consideraciones para la fabricación de pantallas de protección facial por impresión 3D - Covid19

A major challenge posed by the global crisis caused by the health contingency due to COVID-19 has been to design, manufacture, and distribute basic personal protective equipment among health professionals. The considerations described in this technical note are aimed at optimizing the design and digital manufacturing of 3D printed face protection shields composed of polylactic acid (PLA) headbands and transparent polymerizable vinyl chloride (PVC) film. The headband dimensions were determined by anthropometric parameters, thus establishing the distance to be used with glasses and mouthpieces without sacrificing the user’s peripheral vision. The behavior of the material was evaluated under different stresses using finite element analysis. As a result, the optimal values for layer height, line width, wall thickness, fill density, and print speed were defined. However, these parameters caused a decrease in production times. The face shields were sanitized before, during, and after the assembly process and subsequent packaging by immersion in 1% or 2% glutaraldehyde, which is a high-level disinfectant commonly used in hospitals and medical devices because of its bactericidal, fungicidal, virucidal, tuberculocidal, sporicidal, and prionicidal properties.Uno de los grandes retos que ha traído consigo la crisis mundial provocada por la contingencia sanitaria, debida a la COVID-19, ha sido el diseño, la fabricación y distribución de elementos básicos de protección para el personal médico y sanitario que hace parte de los equipos de salud. Las consideraciones aportadas por la siguiente nota técnica tienen el objetivo de optimizar el diseño y la fabricación digital de pantallas de protección facial de impresión en 3D, creando diademas en ácido poliláctico (PLA) y lámina de cloruro de vinilo polimerizable transparente (PVC). Bajo parámetros antropométricos se determinaron las dimensiones de la diadema, determinando así la distancia para su uso con gafas y tapabocas sin sacrificar la visión periférica del usuario. A través de análisis de elementos finitos, se evaluó el comportamiento del material frente a diferentes esfuerzos., Así se definieron variables óptimas de grosor para altura de capa, ancho de línea, grosor de la pared, densidad de relleno y velocidad de impresión. Se evidencia disminución en los tiempos de fabricación. Por otro lado, el proceso de desinfección se realizó antes, durante y después del proceso de ensamble y posterior empaquetado. La desinfección de las pantallas se realiza por método de inmersión en glutaraldehído al 1 % o 2 %, el cual es un desinfectante de alto nivel y es usado comúnmente en hospitales y dispositivos médicos puesto que tiene propiedades bactericidas, fungicidas, virucidas, tuberculicidas, esporicidas y prionicida

Evaluación del manejo del dolor postquirúrgico en pacientes adultos de una clínica de tercer nivel de Pereira Colombia

El dolor es la primera manifestación clínica del postoperatorio. El objetivo del presente trabajo es evaluar el nivel de dolor percibido por pacientes adultos en el postquirúrgico mediante una Escala Visual Analógica en la Clínica Los Rosales de Pereira

Comprehensive analysis of epigenetic clocks reveals associations between disproportionate biological ageing and hippocampal volume

The concept of age acceleration, the difference between biological age and chronological age, is of growing interest, particularly with respect to age-related disorders, such as Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Whilst studies have reported associations with AD risk and related phenotypes, there remains a lack of consensus on these associations. Here we aimed to comprehensively investigate the relationship between five recognised measures of age acceleration, based on DNA methylation patterns (DNAm age), and cross-sectional and longitudinal cognition and AD-related neuroimaging phenotypes (volumetric MRI and Amyloid-β PET) in the Australian Imaging, Biomarkers and Lifestyle (AIBL) and the Alzheimer’s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI). Significant associations were observed between age acceleration using the Hannum epigenetic clock and cross-sectional hippocampal volume in AIBL and replicated in ADNI. In AIBL, several other findings were observed cross-sectionally, including a significant association between hippocampal volume and the Hannum and Phenoage epigenetic clocks. Further, significant associations were also observed between hippocampal volume and the Zhang and Phenoage epigenetic clocks within Amyloid-β positive individuals. However, these were not validated within the ADNI cohort. No associations between age acceleration and other Alzheimer’s disease-related phenotypes, including measures of cognition or brain Amyloid-β burden, were observed, and there was no association with longitudinal change in any phenotype. This study presents a link between age acceleration, as determined using DNA methylation, and hippocampal volume that was statistically significant across two highly characterised cohorts. The results presented in this study contribute to a growing literature that supports the role of epigenetic modifications in ageing and AD-related phenotypes

New insights into the genetic etiology of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias

Characterization of the genetic landscape of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related dementias (ADD) provides a unique opportunity for a better understanding of the associated pathophysiological processes. We performed a two-stage genome-wide association study totaling 111,326 clinically diagnosed/'proxy' AD cases and 677,663 controls. We found 75 risk loci, of which 42 were new at the time of analysis. Pathway enrichment analyses confirmed the involvement of amyloid/tau pathways and highlighted microglia implication. Gene prioritization in the new loci identified 31 genes that were suggestive of new genetically associated processes, including the tumor necrosis factor alpha pathway through the linear ubiquitin chain assembly complex. We also built a new genetic risk score associated with the risk of future AD/dementia or progression from mild cognitive impairment to AD/dementia. The improvement in prediction led to a 1.6- to 1.9-fold increase in AD risk from the lowest to the highest decile, in addition to effects of age and the APOE ε4 allele

The genetic architecture of the human cerebral cortex

The cerebral cortex underlies our complex cognitive capabilities, yet little is known about the specific genetic loci that influence human cortical structure. To identify genetic variants that affect cortical structure, we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of brain magnetic resonance imaging data from 51,665 individuals. We analyzed the surface area and average thickness of the whole cortex and 34 regions with known functional specializations. We identified 199 significant loci and found significant enrichment for loci influencing total surface area within regulatory elements that are active during prenatal cortical development, supporting the radial unit hypothesis. Loci that affect regional surface area cluster near genes in Wnt signaling pathways, which influence progenitor expansion and areal identity. Variation in cortical structure is genetically correlated with cognitive function, Parkinson's disease, insomnia, depression, neuroticism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Uncovering the heterogeneity and temporal complexity of neurodegenerative diseases with Subtype and Stage Inference

The heterogeneity of neurodegenerative diseases is a key confound to disease understanding and treatment development, as study cohorts typically include multiple phenotypes on distinct disease trajectories. Here we introduce a machine-learning technique\u2014Subtype and Stage Inference (SuStaIn)\u2014able to uncover data-driven disease phenotypes with distinct temporal progression patterns, from widely available cross-sectional patient studies. Results from imaging studies in two neurodegenerative diseases reveal subgroups and their distinct trajectories of regional neurodegeneration. In genetic frontotemporal dementia, SuStaIn identifies genotypes from imaging alone, validating its ability to identify subtypes; further the technique reveals within-genotype heterogeneity. In Alzheimer\u2019s disease, SuStaIn uncovers three subtypes, uniquely characterising their temporal complexity. SuStaIn provides fine-grained patient stratification, which substantially enhances the ability to predict conversion between diagnostic categories over standard models that ignore subtype (p = 7.18 7 10 124 ) or temporal stage (p = 3.96 7 10 125 ). SuStaIn offers new promise for enabling disease subtype discovery and precision medicine