Clinical Course of acute-on-chronic liver failure syndrome and effects on prognosis

Cellular mechanisms in basic and clinical gastroenterology and hepatolog

Blood metabolomics uncovers inflammation-associated mitochondrial dysfunction as a potential mechanism underlying ACLF (vol 72, pg 688, 2020)

Cellular mechanisms in basic and clinical gastroenterology and hepatolog

Satisfação e percepção do usuário do SUS sobre o serviço público de saúde Satisfaction and perception of SUS's users about public health care

A avaliação do grau de satisfação dos usuários do sistema de saúde é um importante indicador a ser considerado no planejamento das ações. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o grau de satisfação de usuários dos serviços de saúde pública municipal quanto aos serviços utilizados. Este estudo tipo inquérito foi conduzido em cinco municípios do Estado de São Paulo. A amostra foi selecionada de forma estratificada e aleatória, sendo entrevistados 471 chefes de família ou respectivos cônjuges. Os dados qualitativos foram analisados pelo método de Análise de Conteúdo, e os dados quantitativos foram processados utilizando-se o software estatístico Epi Info. Dentre os usuários dos cinco municípios, 93,0% utilizam o serviço municipal de saúde. Para 72,0%, os serviços de saúde prestados estão resolvendo os problemas e necessidades da população. Com base no acesso ao atendimento, 57,6% da população queixaram-se da presença de filas para o atendimento. Mais da metade (69,5%) afirmou ter confiança na equipe de saúde; no entanto, muitos relatos demonstraram a carência de um atendimento humanizado. Em relação aos serviços de saúde, 61,7% classificaram-os como ótimo ou bom. Conclui-se que a maior parte dos usuários mostrou-se satisfeita com os serviços de saúde municipais, apesar da grande quantidade de queixas quanto ao atendimento, falta de humanização e acolhimento, deficiência de recursos físicos e materiais. A percepção do usuário é de extrema importância ao se dimensionar o reflexo das ações que vem sendo desenvolvidas no setor saúde, e serve como vetor de direcionamento e planejamento do serviço.<br>The assessment of the degree of users' satisfaction with the health system is an important indicator to be considered in planning actions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the degree of satisfaction of users of health services and municipal services to be used. This survey was conducted in five municipalities of São Paulo. The sample was selected at random, stratified, and interviewed 471 heads of households or their spouses. Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis and quantitative data were processed using the statistical software Epi Info. Among the users of the five municipalities, 93.0% attended the public health care. To 72.0%, health services are solving the problems and needs of the population. Based on access to care, 57.6% of the population complained about the presence of queues for care. More than half (69.5%) said they had confidence in the health team, however, many reports demonstrated the lack of a humanized care. In relation to health services, 61.7% rated them as excellent or good. We conclude that most users are satisfied with the municipal health services, despite the large amount of complaints regarding care, lack of humanization and welcoming, lack of facilities. The user's perception is of utmost importance when scaling the result of actions that have been developed in the health sector, and serves as a vector of direction and planning service

Uso da lógica fuzzy na caracterização do ambiente produtivo para matrizes gestantes The use of fuzzy logic for the productive environment characterization for pregnant sows

O objetivo desta pesquisa consistiu na avaliação do ambiente de alojamento, estimando as condições favoráveis ao melhor desempenho de matrizes gestantes. O experimento foi realizado no período compreendido entre 4-1 e 11-3-2005, em propriedade de produção industrial de suínos, localizada no município de Elias Fausto - SP. A pesquisa foi desenvolvida no setor de gestação, com 24 matrizes primíparas, 12 fêmeas alojadas em baias individuais (T1) e 12 em baias coletivas (T2). O trabalho foi dividido em duas etapas, em função da forma de avaliação dos dados: análise bioclimática e da qualidade do ar, e estimativa dos padrões de conforto térmico ambiental. As variáveis bioclimáticas T (ºC), UR (%), Tgn (ºC) e fisiológicas, taxa respiratória (mov min-1) e temperatura retal (ºC) apontam o sistema de confinamento em baias coletivas como o que possibilitou melhor condicionamento térmico natural às matrizes em gestação. O uso da teoria dos conjuntos fuzzy permitiu que se fizesse inferência entre os dados resultantes do trabalho experimental com os estabelecidos pela literatura, por intermédio de base de regras, para a determinação do conforto ambiental aplicado a matrizes na fase de gestação.<br>The objective of this research was to estimate the environment of housing systems for pregnant sows, as well as variables that have effect on production system. The trial was conducted out from January 4th to March 11th 2005 in a specialized farm in industrial production of pork, located in Elias Fausto City, São Paulo State. In gestation facility 24 gilts were allocated: 12 in individual stalls (T1) and 12 in group housing (T2). Basically, this study was divided in two steps in function of the way chosen for data analysis: bioclimatic and air quality analysis; and prediction for environmental thermal comfort patterns. The environmental variables (T, ºC; UR, %; Tgn, ºC) and physiological (respiratory rate, mov min-1; rectal temperature, ºC) indicated that the group housing led to be the better natural thermal environment for pregnant gilts. The fuzzy set theory permitted to compare experimental data with those reported in the literature through rules that establish environment thermal comfort for sows during gestation

Multidrug-resistant bacterial infections in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and with ACLF across Europe

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Antibiotic resistance has been increasingly reported in patients with decompensated cirrhosis in single-center studies. Prospective investigations reporting broad epidemiological data are scarce. We aimed to analyze epidemiological changes in bacterial infections in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. METHODS: This was a prospective evaluation of 2 series of patients hospitalized with decompensated cirrhosis. The Canonic series included 1,146 patients from Northern, Southern and Western Europe in 2011. Data on epidemiology, clinical characteristics of bacterial infections, microbiology and empirical antibiotic schedules were assessed. A second series of 883 patients from Eastern, Southern and Western Europe was investigated between 2017-2018. RESULTS: A total of 455 patients developed 520 infections (39.7%) in the first series, with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis, urinary tract infections and pneumonia the most frequent infections. Nosocomial episodes predominated in this series. Nearly half of the infections were culture-positive, of which 29.2% were caused by multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs). MDR strains were more frequently isolated in Northern and Western Europe. Extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae were the most frequent MDROs isolated in this series, although prevalence and type differed markedly among countries and centers. Antibiotic resistance was associated with poor prognosis and failure of antibiotic strategies, based on third-generation cephalosporins or quinolones. Nosocomial infection (odds ratio [OR] 2.74; p < 0.001), intensive care unit admission (OR 2.09; p = 0.02), and recent hospitalization (OR 1.93; p = 0.04) were identified as independent predictors of MDR infection. The prevalence of MDROs in the second series (392 infections/284 patients) was 23%; 38% in culture-positive infections. A mild increase in the rate of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacteriaceae was observed in this series. CONCLUSIONS: MDR bacterial infections constitute a prevalent, growing and complex healthcare problem in patients with decompensated cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure across Europe, negatively impacting on prognosis. Strategies aimed at preventing the spread of antibiotic resistance in cirrhosis should be urgently evaluated. LAY SUMMARY: Infections caused by bacteria resistant to the main antibiotic families are prevalent in patients with cirrhosis. This study demonstrates that this healthcare problem is increasing and extends through all European regions. Infections caused by these difficult to treat bacteria resolve less frequently and often cause the death of the patient. The type of resistant bacteria varies markedly among different hospitals. Copyright © 2018 European Association for the Study of the Liver. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. KEYWORDS: Antibiotic resistance; Antibiotic strategies; Epidemiology; Prevalence; Prognosi

Orchestration of tryptophan-kynurenine pathway, Acute decompensation, and acute-on-chronic liver failure in cirrhosis

International audienceSystemic inflammation (SI) is involved in the pathogenesis of acute decompensation (AD) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in cirrhosis. In other diseases, SI activates tryptophan (Trp) degradation through the kynurenine pathway (KP), giving rise to metabolites that contribute to multiorgan/system damage and immunosuppression. In the current study, we aimed to characterize the KP in patients with cirrhosis, in whom this pathway is poorly known. The serum levels of Trp, key KP metabolites (kynurenine and kynurenic and quinolinic acids), and cytokines (SI markers) were measured at enrollment in 40 healthy subjects, 39 patients with compensated cirrhosis, 342 with AD (no ACLF) and 180 with ACLF, and repeated in 258 patients during the 28-day follow-up. Urine KP metabolites were measured in 50 patients with ACLF. Serum KP activity was normal in compensated cirrhosis, increased in AD and further increased in ACLF, in parallel with SI; it was remarkably higher in ACLF with kidney failure than in ACLF without kidney failure in the absence of differences in urine KP activity and fractional excretion of KP metabolites. The short-term course of AD and ACLF (worsening, improvement, stable) correlated closely with follow-up changes in serum KP activity. Among patients with AD at enrollment, those with the highest baseline KP activity developed ACLF during follow-up. Among patients who had ACLF at enrollment, those with immune suppression and the highest KP activity, both at baseline, developed nosocomial infections during follow-up. Finally, higher baseline KP activity independently predicted mortality in patients with AD and ACLF. Conclusion: Features of KP activation appear in patients with AD, culminate in patients with ACLF, and may be involved in the pathogenesis of ACLF, clinical course, and mortality