Characterizing the early relationship between covert narcissism and cognitive empathy in medical students: a cross-sectional study.

Background: In medicine, empathy refers to a predominantly cognitive attribute (rather than an emotional one), which is important as a foundation for positive physician-patient relationships. Physicians with a narcissistic personality trait have an assortment of characteristics that undermine their interpersonal functioning in clinical encounters with their patients. Evidence suggests an inverse relationship between empathy and certain characteristics of a narcissistic personality trait in general population.

SARS-CoV-2 Neutralizing Antibodies in Mexican Population: A Five Vaccine Comparison.

Neutralizing antibodies (NAs) are key immunological markers and are part of the humoral response of the adaptive immune system. NA assays determine the presence of functional antibodies to prevent SARS-CoV-2 infection. We performed a real-world evidence study to detect NAs that confer protection against SARS-CoV-2 after the application of five vaccines (Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, Moderna, and CanSino) in the Mexican population.

Identification of Germline Variants in Patients with Hereditary Cancer Syndromes in Northeast Mexico.

Hereditary cancer syndromes (HCS) are genetic diseases with an increased risk of developing cancer. This research describes the implementation of a cancer prevention model, genetic counseling, and germline variants testing in an oncologic center in Mexico. A total of 315 patients received genetic counseling, genetic testing was offered, and 205 individuals were tested for HCS.

Effects of a Home-Based Exercise Program on Health-Related Quality of Life and Physical Fitness in Dementia Caregivers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Regular exercise can be an effective health-promotion strategy to improve the physical and mental health of informal caregivers. A randomized controlled trial study was designed to evaluate the effects of a 9-month home-based exercise intervention on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and physical fitness in female family caregivers of persons with dementia. Fifty-four female caregivers were randomly assigned to two groups for the 9-month study period.

Epidemiological Algorithm for Early Detection of COVID-19 Cases in a Mexican Oncologic Center.

An early detection tool for latent COVID-19 infections in oncology staff and patients is essential to prevent outbreaks in a cancer center. (1) Background: In this study, we developed and implemented two early detection tools for the radiotherapy area to identify COVID-19 cases opportunely. (2) Methods: Staff and patients answered a questionnaire (electronic and paper surveys, respectively) with clinical and epidemiological information.

Risk Association of and Gene Polymorphisms with Sporadic Breast Cancer in Mexican Women.

Breast cancer (BC) has one of the highest incidences and mortality worldwide. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in rs3803662 and rs1943779 have been associated with susceptibility to BC. In this case-control study, we evaluated the association of rs3803662 ()/rs1943779 () SNPs with clinical features, immunohistochemical reactivity, and risk association with BC in women from northeastern Mexico.

ADIPOQ single nucleotide polymorphisms and breast cancer in northeastern Mexican women.

Background: Adiponectin gene (ADIPOQ) polymorphisms have been shown to affect adiponectin serum concentration and some have been associated with breast cancer (BC) risk. The aims of this study were to describe the frequency of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ADIPOQ in Mexican women with BC and to determine if they show an association with it.

Methods: DNA samples from 397 patients and 355 controls were tested for the ADIPOQ gene SNPs: rs2241766 (GT) and rs1501299 (GT) by TaqMan allelic discrimination assay.

[Characteristics and one-year outcomes in elderly patients hospitalised with heart failure and preserved, mid-range and reduced ejection fraction].

Introduction: The latest European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure (HF) guidelines define three types of HF according to the ejection fraction (EF): HF with reduced EF (HFrEF) when EF<40%, HF with mid-range EF (HFmrEF), when EF 40-49%, and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) when EF≥50%. The objective of this study was to analyse the characteristics and results of elderly patients hospitalised with HF according to the new classification using EF.

Methods: A prospective study was carried out with 531 HF patients aged ≥75 years classified according to EF, and admitted in the geriatric wards of 6 hospitals in Spain.

Effects of an exercise program linked to primary care on depression in elderly: fitness as mediator of the improvement.

Purpose: The present study aimed to analyse the effects of 12 months of participation in a public physical activity program linked to primary care on depression level and fitness, and to determine which fitness components were responsible for the improvement in depression using mediation analysis.

Methods: Participants of this program were 2768 middle-aged and older adults from 67 municipalities throughout the Spanish region of Extremadura. In the analysis only participants with depression and without any missing values for fitness variables were included.

[Cross-speciality geriatrics: A health-care challenge for the 21st century].

Increasing numbers of older persons are being treated by specialties other than Geriatric Medicine. Specialists turn to Geriatric Teams when they need to accurately stratify their patients' risk and prognosis, predict the potential impact of their, often, invasive interventions, optimise their clinical status, and contribute to discharge planning. Oncology and Haematology, Cardiology, General Surgery, and other surgical departments are examples where such collaborative working is already established, to a varying extent.

Analysis of the pathogenic variants of BRCA1 and BRCA2 using next-generation sequencing in women with familial breast cancer: a case-control study.

Background: Pathogenic variants (PVs) of BRCA genes entail a lifetime risk of developing breast cancer in 50-85% of carriers. Their prevalence in different populations has been previously reported. However, there is scarce information regarding the most common PVs of these genes in Latin-Americans.

Genetic alterations of triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) in women from Northeastern Mexico.

Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer of heterogeneous nature that is negative for estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and growth factor human epidermal 2 (HER2) following immunohistochemical analysis. TNBC is frequently characterized by relapse and reduced survival. To date, there is no targeted therapy for this type of cancer.

Cost-effectiveness of a follow-up program for older patients with heart failure: a randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: To assess the cost-utility of adding a disease management program (DMP) delivered by geriatric day hospital (GDH) for older patients with heart failure (HF) after hospital discharge.

Methods: 117 older HF patients discharged by a geriatric service were randomly assigned to DMP (n = 59) and usual care (UC) (n = 58) groups. The DMP group received health education, therapeutic control and monitoring through both telephone contacts and face-to-face visits at the GDH for 12 months.

D-dimer from central and peripheral blood samples in asymptomatic central venous catheter-related thrombosis in patients with cancer.

Objectives: To evaluate the usefulness of a negative D-dimer in peripheral or central venous blood to screen for asymptomatic catheter-related thrombosis in cancer patients.

Methods: D-dimer was measured in blood from central venous catheter and peripheral venous samples in 48 patients with cancer. Asymptomatic catheter-related thrombosis was identified via Doppler ultrasound.

[Disorders associated with mild cognitive impairment. Risk factors and predictors].

Traditionally, cognitive impairment has been associated not only with ageing itself but also with concomitant comorbidities that interact in the disease continuum from the prodromic phases. Notable among these are delirium, nutritional alterations, balance and gait, infections and even a progressive incidence of neoplasms. However, with regard to diagnosis and staging, clinicians should perhaps remain especially alert to the possibility of pharmacological iatrogeny, which is not limited to psychopharmacological treatment.

Thymidylate synthase gene variants as predictors of clinical response and toxicity to fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy for colorectal cancer.

Background: Fluoropyrimidines form the chemotherapy backbone of advanced and metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC). These drugs are frequently associated with toxicity events that result in dose adjustments and even suspension of the treatment. The thymidylate synthase (TYMS) gene is a potential marker of response and toxicity to fluoropyirimidines as this enzyme is the molecular target of these drugs.

[C677T-SNP of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene and breast cancer in Mexican women].

Background: Low-penetrance susceptibility genes such as 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) have been considered in the progression of breast cancer (BC). Cancer is a result of genetic, environmental and epigenetic interactions; therefore, these genes should be studied in environmental context, because the results can vary between populations and even within the same country. The objective was to analyze the allelic and genotypic frequencies of the MTHFR C667T SNP in Mexican Mestizo patients with BC and controls from Northeastern Mexico.

Remarkably higher efficacy and a wider safety window for nonfrontline over first-line drug combinations in the adenocarcinoma Colo 320DM cell line.

Purpose: To determine in vitro, the efficacy and safety window of not-front-line and first-line anti-colorectal (CRC) drug combinations.

Methods: The adenocarcinoma cell line Colo 320DM and normal human mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue were used respectively to determine the anti-CRC efficacy (% of Colo 320DM cell death [CD]) and safety window [SW] - % Colo 320DM percent cancer death (PCD)/% of mesenchymal stem cell's death) of drug combinations, using the adenosine triphosphate-based chemotherapy response assay (ATP-CRA).

Results: First-line anti-CRC drug combinations (5-fluorouracil [5FU]/oxaliplatin [oxa] and 5-FU/Oxa /leucovorin [Leuco]) produced 57.

Epidermal growth factor receptor overexpression and outcomes in early breast cancer: A systematic review and a meta-analysis.

Background: The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is a member of the ErbB family of membrane tyrosine-kinase receptors. Studies exploring the prognostic role of EGFR-overexpression in early breast cancer have shown variable results, and the true prognostic value of EGFR is unknown.

Methods: A systematic review of identified publications exploring the association between EGFR-overexpression (as defined from different techniques and cut-offs) and outcomes [disease-free (DFS) and, overall survival (OS)] in women with early breast cancer.

Health Literacy and Health Outcomes in Very Old Patients With Heart Failure.

Introduction And Objectives: Health literacy (HL) has been associated with lower mortality in heart failure (HF). However, the results of previous studies may not be generalizable because the research was conducted in relatively young and highly-educated patients in United States settings. This study assessed the association of HL with disease knowledge, self-care, and all-cause mortality among very old patients, with a very low educational level.

A New Gene Expression Signature for Triple Negative Breast Cancer Using Frozen Fresh Tissue before Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer tumors. Comparisons between TNBC and non-triple negative breast cancer (nTNBC) may help to differentiate key components involved in TNBC neoplasms. The purpose of the study was to analyze the expression profile of TNBC versus nTNBC tumors in a homogeneous population from northeastern Mexico.

The frailty syndrome is associated with adverse health outcomes in very old patients with stable heart failure: A prospective study in six Spanish hospitals.

Background: Most studies on the association between the frailty syndrome and adverse health outcomes in patients with heart failure (HF) have used non-standard definitions of frailty. This study examined the association of frailty, diagnosed by well-accepted criteria, with mortality, readmission and functional decline in very old ambulatory patients with HF.

Methods: Prospective study with 497 patients in six Spanish hospitals and followed up during one year.

Prevalence and 3-year persistence of human papillomavirus serotypes in asymptomatic patients in Northern Mexico.

Objective: To investigate clinical outcomes and 3-year persistence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infections among women in Mexico.

Methods: A prospective study enrolled sexually active women attending primary healthcare clinics in metropolitan Monterrey, Mexico, between June 3 and August 30, 2002. Baseline data were collected and participants underwent HPV screening.