Investigation on the Loss of Taste and Smell and Consequent Psychological Effects: A Cross-Sectional Study on Healthcare Workers Who Contracted the COVID-19 Infection

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between psychological distress and taste and sense of smell dysfunctions on healthcare workers (HCW) who contracted the COVID-19 infection in the midst of the disease outbreak. Reports of sudden loss of taste and smell which persist even after recovery from COVID-19 infection are increasingly recognized as critical symptoms for COVID-19 infections. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study on COVID-19 HCW (N = 104) who adhered to respond to a phone semistructured interview addressing the virus symptoms and associated psychological distress. Data were collected from June to September 2020. Findings confirm the association between experienced taste/olfactory loss and emotional distress and suggest that dysfunctions of taste and smell correlate positively with anxiety and depression. Furthermore, their psychological impact tends to persist even after the recovery from the disease, suggesting the need for appropriate psychological interventions to prevent people from developing more serious or long-lasting psychological disorders and, as far as HCW, to reduce the risk of work-related distress

Factores de riesgo, representaciones y prácticas asociadas con la leishmaniasis visceral humana en un foco urbano emergente en Posadas, Argentina

Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis is an often overlooked disease with high lethality rates about which there is need of additional local studies to inform the design of effective control strategies. The urbanization of its transmission has already been verified in America, with domestic dogs being the primary reservoirs and vectors of the disease. Socio-economic conditions, demographics and practices of domestic groups typically present in urban settings may play a specific role in the transmission of the infection, which is still poorly understood. Objective: To analyze the sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors and overall practices concerning prevention and coping strategies of visceral leishmaniasis, in both human beings and canines. Materials and methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional case-control design. Cases were defined as a domestic group where the Public Health Ministry had at least one record of a member with human visceral leishmaniasis. Control cases were defined as a domestic group without a clinical record of the disease. The populations were characterized demographically and socially using primary information sources. Measures of household quality and a ranking of knowledge and attitudes towards visceral leishmaniasis were constructed, and practices associated with the presence, and the risk for canine visceral leishmaniasis were described. Results: Low household quality (p≤0.001), a member of the domestic group out of the household after 6:00 pm (OR=4.4; 95% CI: 1.69-12.18), the uncontrolled racial breeding of dogs (OR=15.7; 95% CI: 3.91-63.2), and the presence of infected dogs infected in the household (OR=120.3; 95% CI: 18.51-728.3) were variables positively associated with the risk of infection. Conclusion: We observed certain social risk factors, primarily low household quality and overcrowding, associated with structural poverty that could increase human-vector contact probability. The most important risk factor for human visceral leishmaniasis was the possession of infected dogs in the household.Introducción. La leishmaniasis visceral es una enfermedad desatendida de alta letalidad que amerita que se profundice en los estudios locales para diseñar estrategias efectivas de control. En América, su transmisión ya se ha evidenciado en las zonas urbanas, en donde el reservorio principal es el perro doméstico. Las condiciones socioeconómicas, así como las representaciones y las prácticas de los grupos domésticos podrían desempeñar un papel crucial y poco conocido en su transmisión.Objetivo. Analizar las representaciones y las prácticas de prevención y afrontamiento de la leishmaniasis visceral humana y canina, así como los factores socioeconómicos de riesgo.Materiales y métodos. Se hizo un estudio transversal de casos y controles. Se definió ‘caso’ como un grupo doméstico en el que, al menos, un integrante tuviera antecedentes de leishmaniasis visceral humana y hubiera sido notificado por el Ministerio de Salud Pública. El ‘control’ se definió como un grupo doméstico sin integrantes con antecedentes de la enfermedad. A partir de la información primaria, se caracterizó demográfica y socialmente a la población, se estableció la calidad de las viviendas, se hizo una clasificación de los conocimientos y las actitudes en torno a la enfermedad, y se describieron las prácticas asociadas al riesgo y la presencia de leishmaniasis visceral canina.Resultados. La mala calidad de la vivienda (p≤0,001), las personas del grupo doméstico que permanecían fuera de esta después de las 18 horas (razón de momios, OR (odds ratio)=4,5; IC95% 1,69-12,18), la reproducción sin control de la raza canina (OR=15,7; IC95% 3,91-63,2) y la presencia de leishmaniasis visceral canina en el domicilio (OR=120,3; IC 95% 18,51-728,3), se asociaron positivamente o incrementaron el riesgo de contraer leishmaniasis visceral humana.Conclusión. Se observó que la pobreza estructural constituía un factor social determinante del riesgo, y que aumentaba la probabilidad de contacto entre humanos y vectores por la mala calidad de la vivienda y el hacinamiento. El factor de riesgo más importante para la leishmaniasis visceral humana fue la tenencia en el domicilio de perros con la enfermedad

Motivação dum grupo de voluntários afiliados a duas organizações sem fins de lucro da área do sul de Puerto Rico

Objective: the purpose of this research was to explore the elements that promote volunteerism motivation in two nonprofit organizations. Method: mixed methodology to identify the main factors that motivate volunteers towards their work. The sample consisted of 18 volunteers. The motivation questionnaire (Cuevas et al, 2014) and a focal group were applied. Results: the results showed that the volunteers of these organizations are mostly motivated by intrinsic factors such as altruism, selfesteem, self-development and moral values, consonant with the theoretical framework of intrinsic motivation. Conclusions: non-profit organizations should include strategies that encourage motivation and sense of belonging of the volunteers with the mission of the organization.Objetivo: El propósito de esta investigación fue explorar los elementos que promueven la motivación del voluntariado en dos organizaciones sin fines de lucro. Método: la metodología fue mixta para identificar los factores principales que motivan a los voluntarios con su labor, la muestra estuvo conformada por 18 voluntarios, se aplicó el cuestionario de motivación (Cuevas et al., 2014) y un grupo focal. Resultados: Los resultados demostraron que los voluntarios de estas organizaciones se encuentran motivados mayormente por factores intrínsecos tales como el altruismo, la autoestima, el desarrollo propio y valores morales, Junto con el marco teórico de motivación intrínseca. Conclusiones: las organizaciones sin fines de lucro deben incluir estrategias que fomenten la motivación y sentido de pertinencia de los voluntarios con la misión de la organización.Objetivo: o propósito desta pesquisa foi procurar os elementos que promovem a motivação do voluntariado em duas organizações sem fins de lucro. Método: a metodologia foi mista, com o fim de identificar os principais fatores que motivam aos voluntários na sua labor. A mostra foi conformada por 18 voluntários; aplicou-se o questionário de motivação (Cuevas et al., 2914) y um grupo focal. Resultados: estes demonstraram que os voluntários destas organizações encontram-se motivados na maioria por fatores intrínsecos como o altruísmo, a autoestima, o desenvolvimento próprio assim como dos valores morais, em consonância com o marco teórico de motivação intrínseca. Conclusões: as organizações sem fins de lucro devem incluir estratégias que promovam a motivação e o sentido de pertença dos voluntários todos com a missão de organização

The Role of Anti-Angiogenics in Pre-Treated Metastatic BRAF-Mutant Colorectal Cancer: A Pooled Analysis

: Background. FOLFOXIRI plus Bevacizumab is one of the most frequently used first-line treatments for patients with BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC), while second-line treatment requires extensive further research. In this pooled analysis, we evaluate the impact of anti-angiogenics in patients with pre-treated BRAF-mutant CRC. Methods. We monitored patients in randomized, controlled studies who had advanced CRC and were undergoing second-line chemotherapy in addition to utilizing Bevacizumab, Ramucirumab or Aflibercept treatments. These data were pooled together with the data and results of BRAF-mutant patients enrolled in two phase III trials (TRIBE and TRIBE-2 study), who had been treated with second-line treatment both with or without Bevacizumab. Overall survival (OS), in relation to BRAF mutational status, was the primary focus. Results. Pooled analysis included 129 patients. Anti-angiogenics were found to have a significant advantage over the placebo in terms of OS (HR 0.50, 95%CI 0.29-0.85) (p = 0.01). Conclusions. Our pooled analysis confirms the efficacy of anti-angiogenics in pre-treated BRAF-mutant CRC, establishing the combination of chemotherapy plus Bevacizumab or Ramucirumab or Aflibercept as a valid treatment option

Risk factors, representations and practices associated with emerging urban human visceral leishmaniasis in Posadas, Argentina

Fil: López, Karen. Municipalidad de Posadas. Secretaría de Calidad de Vida; Argentina.Fil: Tartaglino, Lilian Catalina. Municipalidad de Posadas. Secretaría de Calidad de Vida; Argentina.Fil: Steinhorst, Ingrid Iris. Municipalidad de Posadas. Secretaría de Calidad de Vida; Argentina.Fil: Santini, María Soledad. ANLIS Dr.C.G.Malbrán. Centro Nacional de Diagnóstico e Investigación de Endemo-Epidemias; Argentina.Fil: Salomon, Oscar Daniel. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentina.Introduction: Visceral leishmaniasis is an often overlooked disease with high lethality rates about which there is need of additional local studies to inform the design of effective control strategies. The urbanization of its transmission has already been verified in America, with domestic dogs being the primary reservoirs and vectors of the disease. Socio-economic conditions, demographics and practices of domestic groups typically present in urban settings may play a specific role in the transmission of the infection, which is still poorly understood. Objective: To analyze the sociodemographic characteristics, risk factors and overall practices concerning prevention and coping strategies of visceral leishmaniasis, in both human beings and canines. Materials and methods: This study utilized a cross-sectional case-control design. Cases were defined as a domestic group where the Public Health Ministry had at least one record of a member with human visceral leishmaniasis. Control cases were defined as a domestic group without a clinical record of the disease. The populations were characterized demographically and socially using primary information sources. Measures of household quality and a ranking of knowledge and attitudes towards visceral leishmaniasis were constructed, and practices associated with the presence, and the risk for canine visceral leishmaniasis were described. Results: Low household quality (p≤0.001), a member of the domestic group out of the household after 6:00 pm (OR=4.4; 95% CI: 1.69-12.18), the uncontrolled racial breeding of dogs (OR=15.7; 95% CI: 3.91-63.2), and the presence of infected dogs infected in the household (OR=120.3; 95% CI: 18.51-728.3) were variables positively associated with the risk of infection. Conclusion: We observed certain social risk factors, primarily low household quality and overcrowding, associated with structural poverty that could increase human-vector contact probability. The most important risk factor for human visceral leishmaniasis was the possession of infected dogs in the household

Motivación de un grupo de voluntarios afiliados a dos organizaciones sin fines de lucro del área sur de Puerto Rico

Objetivo: El propósito de esta investigación fue explorar los elementos que promueven la motivación del voluntariado en dos organizaciones sin fines de lucro. Método: la metodología fue mixta para identificar los factores principales que motivan a los voluntarios con su labor, la muestra estuvo conformada por 18 voluntarios, se aplicó el cuestionario de motivación (Cuevas et al., 2014) y un grupo focal. Resultados: Los resultados demostraron que los voluntarios de estas organizaciones se encuentran motivados mayormente por factores intrínsecos tales como el altruismo, la autoestima, el desarrollo propio y valores morales, Junto con el marco teórico de motivación intrínseca. Conclusiones: las organizaciones sin fines de lucro deben incluir estrategias que fomenten la motivación y sentido de pertinencia de los voluntarios con la misión de la organización

Serum IGF1 and linear growth in children with congenital leptin deficiency before and after leptin substitution

Background!#!Evidence from in vitro and rodent studies suggests that leptin, a key signal of long-term energy reserves, promotes IGF1 synthesis and linear growth. This effect of leptin has not been fully investigated in humans. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of leptin substitution on growth factors and linear growth in children with congenital leptin deficiency (CLD).!##!Methods!#!In this cohort study we included eight pediatric patients (six males), age 0.9-14.8 years, who were diagnosed with CLD and received leptin substitution at our University Medical Center. We calculated standard deviation scores (SDS) for serum levels of IGF1 and IGFBP3, IGF1/IGFBP3 molar ratio, and height at baseline (T0) and 12 months (T12) after the initiation of substitution with metreleptin.!##!Results!#!All patients had severe obesity (BMI-SDS mean ± SD: 4.14 ± 1.51) at T0 and significant BMI-SDS reduction to 2.47 ± 1.05 at T12. At T0, all patients were taller than the mid-parental median, yet had low IGF1 and IGF1/IGFBP3 molar ratios (IGF1-SDS[Formula: see text]!##!Conclusions!#!These results in CLD patients are contrary to observations in children with idiopathic obesity who typically have above-mean IGF1 levels that decrease with weight loss, and therefore suggest that leptin increases IGF1 levels and promotes linear growth