Diversity and ethics in trauma and acute care surgery teams: results from an international survey

Background Investigating the context of trauma and acute care surgery, the article aims at understanding the factors that can enhance some ethical aspects, namely the importance of patient consent, the perceptiveness of the ethical role of the trauma leader, and the perceived importance of ethics as an educational subject. Methods The article employs an international questionnaire promoted by the World Society of Emergency Surgery. Results Through the analysis of 402 fully filled questionnaires by surgeons from 72 different countries, the three main ethical topics are investigated through the lens of gender, membership of an academic or non-academic institution, an official trauma team, and a diverse group. In general terms, results highlight greater attention paid by surgeons belonging to academic institutions, official trauma teams, and diverse groups. Conclusions Our results underline that some organizational factors (e.g., the fact that the team belongs to a university context or is more diverse) might lead to the development of a higher sensibility on ethical matters. Embracing cultural diversity forces trauma teams to deal with different mindsets. Organizations should, therefore, consider those elements in defining their organizational procedures. Level of evidence Trauma and acute care teams work under tremendous pressure and complex circumstances, with their members needing to make ethical decisions quickly. The international survey allowed to shed light on how team assembly decisions might represent an opportunity to coordinate team member actions and increase performance

The Interaction of State and Trait Worry on Response Monitoring in Those with Worry and Obsessive-Compulsive Symptoms

The error related negativity (ERN) is an event-related brain potential that is sensitive to errors. It reflects individual differences in the extent to which individuals recruit neural systems involved in monitoring errors and systems for cognitive control that then make adjustments to future behavior. It has been closely linked to anxiety through diverse disorders and symptoms, but recently evidence highlights the role of anxious apprehension as a key individual difference related to error monitoring. Diverse hypotheses have emerged to explain this relationship. While some views emphasize the role of motivation and emotion, others suggest that a transient compensatory control is responsible for this relationship. Although both theories recognize the potential for state anxiety to potentiate the ERN, there is limited literature that allows a comparison of these competing hypotheses. The present study investigated the interaction of state and trait anxiety on the ERN by comparing ERN amplitude before and after a five minute worry induction period that specifically targeted each individual's greatest current worries. Results did not unequivocally support one specific theory, but rather provide some preliminary evidence of how trait and state worry may interact and affect the ERN. Suggestions for future research are provided, including using worry induction paradigms in which the worries increase threat or significance of errors

Suppress or accept? A pilot study to evaluate the effect of coping strategies on ERN amplitude among individuals with obsessive-compulsive traits

Intrusive thoughts are characteristic of psychological disorders; attempts to cope can become maladaptive perpetuating the problem (e.g., thought suppression), while others can provide long-term symptoms relief (e.g., acceptance). Although emerging research begins to explore the neural correlates of these strategies in healthy population, it is important to explore these strategies in populations more likely to naturally attempt to use such strategies (clinical symptoms). The present study explored if the use of cognitive strategies to manage intrusive cognitions would be differentially reflected in psychophysiological measures (i.e., error-related negativity) of individuals characterized by obsessive-compulsive symptoms -a group commonly associated with suppression efforts- relative to a low OC control. 67 participants with high and low OC symptoms were randomly assigned to cognitive strategy (suppression or acceptance). Participants watched an emotion-eliciting video clip and used the assigned cognitive strategy while performing the Stroop task. EEG data was collected. Consistent with well-established and emerging literature, ERN was enhanced in individuals with high OC symptoms and a marginal effect of thought-control strategy was observed, such that ERN amplitude was reduced in the suppression condition and greater for the acceptance condition. Uniquely, the study expanded on emerging literature by exploring whether the relationship between ERN and cognitive strategies was moderated by OC level. Although results were not conclusive, these preliminary findings represent an important first step to study effects of suppression and acceptance on the ERN in a sample characterized by clinically-relevant symptoms and overall encourage further exploration

NFKB2 haploinsufficiency identified via screening for IFN-α2 autoantibodies in children and adolescents hospitalized with SARS-CoV-2–related complications

Autoantibodies against type I IFNs occur in approximately 10% of adults with life-threatening coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The frequency of anti-IFN autoantibodies in children with severe sequelae of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection is unknown. We quantified anti–type I IFN autoantibodies in a multicenter cohort of children with severe COVID-19, multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C), and mild SARS-CoV-2 infections. Circulating anti–IFN-α2 antibodies were measured by a radioligand binding assay. Whole-exome sequencing, RNA sequencing, and functional studies of peripheral blood mononuclear cells were used to study any patients with levels of anti–IFN-α2 autoantibodies exceeding the assay’s positive control. Among 168 patients with severe COVID-19, 199 with MIS-C, and 45 with mild SARS-CoV-2 infections, only 1 had high levels of anti–IFN-α2 antibodies. Anti–IFN-α2 autoantibodies were not detected in patients treated with intravenous immunoglobulin before sample collection. Whole-exome sequencing identified a missense variant in the ankyrin domain of NFKB2, encoding the p100 subunit of nuclear factor kappa–light-chain enhancer of activated B cells, aka NF-κB, essential for noncanonical NF-κB signaling. The patient’s peripheral blood mononuclear cells exhibited impaired cleavage of p100 characteristic of NFKB2 haploinsufficiency, an inborn error of immunity with a high prevalence of autoimmunity. High levels of anti–IFN-α2 autoantibodies in children and adolescents with MIS-C, severe COVID-19, and mild SARS-CoV-2 infections are rare but can occur in patients with inborn errors of immunity

Medicina de Urgencias Tomo 1

Public health represents one of the greatest challenges in society, which is why it is essential to strengthen the links of scientific cooperation between the academy and the community under a common premise: guarantee the health of the population. In Ecuador, public health faces a historical challenge framed by two edges: the health crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the shortcomings of the social system. This leads to thinking about both the importance of the problem and its possible solutions. Despite this, it is undeniable to affirm that all health personnel share a common ideology and the same commitment, guaranteeing the health of the population.Obviously it is not an easy task due to social uncertainty and the possible appearance of new diseases; however, it is based on a common denominator: basing decisions on the available scientific evidence or what is known as evidence-based medicine. The generation of new knowledge and the use of the best available scientific evidence is the only hope for solving the health problems that afflict the population. In this way, Emergency Medicine seeks to be a timely and practical clinical-therapeutic reference point for emerging regional circumstances, using updated international management guidelines as references and emphasizing evidence-based medicine. We are sure that it will be an invaluable contribution for health professionals.Emergency Medicine, in its two volumes, is a work carried out by teachers, students and medical and related specialists, from the Medicine and Nursing career of the Catholic University of Cuenca, Azogues Campus. In addition, it has the contribution of other medical specialists with extensive professional experience and contributes with 52 chapters that address clinical, surgical, pediatric, and gynecological-obstetric pathologies that require timely management in the emergency room. At the same time, this work addresses topics of current interest such as medicolegal aspects of emergency care, urgent complications in HIV infections, use of antimicrobials in emergencies, dose adjustment in patients with kidney failure; and, a special chapter on SARS-CoV-2: diagnostic-therapeutic management.La salud pública representa uno de los retos más grandes en la sociedad, razón por lo cual es fundamental que se robustezcan los vínculos de cooperación científica entre la academia y la colectividad bajo una premisa común: garantizar la salud de la población. En Ecuador, la salud pública afronta un reto histórico enmarcado en dos aristas: la crisis sanitaria debido a la pandemia por Covid-19 y las carencias del sistema social. Esto conduce a pensar tanto en la trascendencia del problema como en sus posibles soluciones. A pesar de aquello, resulta innegable afirmar que todo el personal sanitario comparte una ideología en común y el mismo compromiso, garantizar la salud de la población. Evidentemente no constituye una tarea fácil debido a la incertidumbre social y a la posible aparición de nuevas enfermedades; sin embargo, se basa en un denominador común: asentar las decisiones en la evidencia científica disponible o lo que se conoce como medicina basada en la evidencia. La generación de nuevo conocimiento y la utilización de la mejor evidencia científica disponible constituye la única esperanza para resolver los problemas de salud que aquejan a la población. De esta forma, Medicina de Urgencias busca ser un referente clínico- terapéutico, oportuno y práctico, de las circunstancias emergentes regionales, tomando como referencias guías de manejo internacionales actualizadas y haciendo hincapié en la medicina basada en la evidencia. Estamos seguros que será un aporte de carácter invaluable para los profesionales de la salud. Medicina de urgencias, en sus dos volúmenes, es una obra realizada por docentes, estudiantes y especialistas médicos y afines, de la carrera de Medicina y Enfermería de la Universidad Católica de Cuenca, Sede Azogues. Además, cuenta con el aporte de otros médicos especialistas con amplia trayectoria profesional y aporta con 52 capítulos que abordan patologías clínicas, quirúrgicas, pediátricas, y gíneco-obstétricas, que requieren manejo oportuno en la sala de emergencias.  Al mismo tiempo, la presente obra aborda temáticas de interés actual como aspectos médico legales de la atención en urgencias, complicaciones urgentes en las infecciones por VIH, uso de antimicrobianos en emergencias, ajuste de dosis en pacientes con insuficiencia renal; y, un capítulo especial sobre el SARS-CoV-2: manejo diagnóstico-terapéutico

Medicina de Urgencias Tomo 1

Public health represents one of the greatest challenges in society, which is why it is essential to strengthen the links of scientific cooperation between the academy and the community under a common premise: guarantee the health of the population. In Ecuador, public health faces a historical challenge framed by two edges: the health crisis due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the shortcomings of the social system. This leads to thinking about both the importance of the problem and its possible solutions. Despite this, it is undeniable to affirm that all health personnel share a common ideology and the same commitment, guaranteeing the health of the population.Obviously it is not an easy task due to social uncertainty and the possible appearance of new diseases; however, it is based on a common denominator: basing decisions on the available scientific evidence or what is known as evidence-based medicine. The generation of new knowledge and the use of the best available scientific evidence is the only hope for solving the health problems that afflict the population. In this way, Emergency Medicine seeks to be a timely and practical clinical-therapeutic reference point for emerging regional circumstances, using updated international management guidelines as references and emphasizing evidence-based medicine. We are sure that it will be an invaluable contribution for health professionals.Emergency Medicine, in its two volumes, is a work carried out by teachers, students and medical and related specialists, from the Medicine and Nursing career of the Catholic University of Cuenca, Azogues Campus. In addition, it has the contribution of other medical specialists with extensive professional experience and contributes with 52 chapters that address clinical, surgical, pediatric, and gynecological-obstetric pathologies that require timely management in the emergency room. At the same time, this work addresses topics of current interest such as medicolegal aspects of emergency care, urgent complications in HIV infections, use of antimicrobials in emergencies, dose adjustment in patients with kidney failure; and, a special chapter on SARS-CoV-2: diagnostic-therapeutic management.La salud pública representa uno de los retos más grandes en la sociedad, razón por lo cual es fundamental que se robustezcan los vínculos de cooperación científica entre la academia y la colectividad bajo una premisa común: garantizar la salud de la población. En Ecuador, la salud pública afronta un reto histórico enmarcado en dos aristas: la crisis sanitaria debido a la pandemia por Covid-19 y las carencias del sistema social. Esto conduce a pensar tanto en la trascendencia del problema como en sus posibles soluciones. A pesar de aquello, resulta innegable afirmar que todo el personal sanitario comparte una ideología en común y el mismo compromiso, garantizar la salud de la población. Evidentemente no constituye una tarea fácil debido a la incertidumbre social y a la posible aparición de nuevas enfermedades; sin embargo, se basa en un denominador común: asentar las decisiones en la evidencia científica disponible o lo que se conoce como medicina basada en la evidencia. La generación de nuevo conocimiento y la utilización de la mejor evidencia científica disponible constituye la única esperanza para resolver los problemas de salud que aquejan a la población. De esta forma, Medicina de Urgencias busca ser un referente clínico- terapéutico, oportuno y práctico, de las circunstancias emergentes regionales, tomando como referencias guías de manejo internacionales actualizadas y haciendo hincapié en la medicina basada en la evidencia. Estamos seguros que será un aporte de carácter invaluable para los profesionales de la salud. Medicina de urgencias, en sus dos volúmenes, es una obra realizada por docentes, estudiantes y especialistas médicos y afines, de la carrera de Medicina y Enfermería de la Universidad Católica de Cuenca, Sede Azogues. Además, cuenta con el aporte de otros médicos especialistas con amplia trayectoria profesional y aporta con 52 capítulos que abordan patologías clínicas, quirúrgicas, pediátricas, y gíneco-obstétricas, que requieren manejo oportuno en la sala de emergencias.  Al mismo tiempo, la presente obra aborda temáticas de interés actual como aspectos médico legales de la atención en urgencias, complicaciones urgentes en las infecciones por VIH, uso de antimicrobianos en emergencias, ajuste de dosis en pacientes con insuficiencia renal; y, un capítulo especial sobre el SARS-CoV-2: manejo diagnóstico-terapéutico