Characterization of strength, endurance and lung function in subjects with neuromuscular diseases with the R577X polymorphism of the ACTN3 gene.

Unlabelled: The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism determines the expression of alpha-actinin 3 protein in human muscle. The homozygous XX genotype fails to synthesize alpha-actinin 3 and is associated with lower muscle strength than the RR genotype. Neuromuscular diseases (NMD) generate an accelerated loss of muscle strength, and their relationship with the ACTN3 gene has not been established.

Vitamin D levels and morbidity and mortality in very low birth weight preterm infants.

Unlabelled: Very low birth weight (VLBW) preterm newborns lack some nutrients such as vitamin D (VD), which is important in the function and development of different systems.

Objective: To evaluate serum levels of 25-OH-VD in VLBW newborns and to describe the possible association between its deficit and frequent morbidities in this population.

Patients And Methods: Cross-sectional study of VLBW newborns (< 1,500 g and/or < 32 weeks of gestational age).

[Vitamin D status in children with prolonged hospitalization for chronic respiratory diseases].

Unlabelled: Children with chronic respiratory diseases (CRD) are at high risk of vitamin D deficiency, which can be aggravated in those hospitalized for prolonged periods, a group with unknown prevalence.

Objective: to determine the vitamin D status and the risk factors in children with CRD hospitalized for prolonged periods.

Patients And Method: Cross-sectional study carried out at the Hospital Josefina Martinez from September to December 2012, in children with CRD.

Adaptation and Validation of the Autism Mental Status Examination (AMSE) in Chile: seeking to reduce the diagnostic gap.

Unlabelled: Early detection of Autism is a challenge in Chile and Latin America. Gold-standard evaluations are expensive and difficult to access. The Autism Mental Status Exam (AMSE) is a brief, structured, observational instrument for clinical use with promising results.

[Low levels of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and morbidity in preterm newborns].

Unlabelled: Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is the main mediator of fetal growth. An association has been described between low levels of IGF-1 and the development of some morbidities such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in newborns weighing less than 1500 grams or less than 32 weeks at birth.

Objective: To determine the association between serum levels of IGF-1 and morbidity in premature infants.

[Early detection and referral of autism spectrum disorder: review of screening test validated in Chile].

Early detection and referral of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are key in promoting the development of affected children. Recently, a law was enacted that indicates screening for ASD in health care services. This law represents a challenge for pediatricians working in outpatient care.

Eco-epidemiological Survey of Trypanosoma cruzi in Dogs from Mendoza, Argentina.

Urban domestic dog populations can provide important clues about the eco-epidemiological characteristics of Trypanosoma cruzi, the causative agent of Chagas disease (ChD). Given the limited data on ChD from the Metropolitan Area of Mendoza, Argentina, a seroprevalence survey of 327 dogs across an urban-rural gradient was conducted between April 2018 and May 2019. Seropositive cases were analyzed considering host, social, and environmental factors, subtypes (DTUs), and bloodstream parasite load.

Predictive Optimization of Patient No-Show Management in Primary Healthcare Using Machine Learning.

The "no-show" problem in healthcare refers to the prevalent phenomenon where patients schedule appointments with healthcare providers but fail to attend them without prior cancellation or rescheduling. In addressing this issue, our study delves into a multivariate analysis over a five-year period involving 21,969 patients. Our study introduces a predictive model framework that offers a holistic approach to managing the no-show problem in healthcare, incorporating elements into the objective function that address not only the accurate prediction of no-shows but also the management of service capacity, overbooking, and idle resource allocation resulting from mispredictions.

Optimizing automated photo identification for population assessments.

Several legal acts mandate that management agencies regularly assess biological populations. For species with distinct markings, these assessments can be conducted noninvasively via capture-recapture and photographic identification (photo-ID), which involves processing considerable quantities of photographic data. To ease this burden, agencies increasingly rely on automated identification (ID) algorithms.

Global Perspectives on Returning Genetic Research Results in Parkinson Disease.

Background And Objectives: In the era of precision medicine, genetic test results have become increasingly relevant in the care of patients with Parkinson disease (PD). While large research consortia are performing widespread research genetic testing to accelerate discoveries, debate continues about whether, and to what extent, the results should be returned to patients. Ethically, it is imperative to keep participants informed, especially when findings are potentially actionable.

Clinical-grade extracellular vesicles derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stromal cells: preclinical development and first-in-human intra-articular validation as therapeutics for knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degradation. Persistent low-grade inflammation defines OA pathogenesis, with crucial involvement of pro-inflammatory M1-like macrophages. While mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) and their small extracellular vesicles (sEV) hold promise for OA treatment, achieving consistent clinical-grade sEV products remains a significant challenge.

Design and validation of a simulation-based training module for ileo-transverse intracorporeal anastomosis.

Background: The benefits of the totally laparoscopic right hemicolectomy have been established, but its adoption has been limited by the challenges of intracorporeal suturing. While simulation is effective for training advanced surgical skills, no dedicated simulation-based course exists for intracorporeal ileo-transverse anastomosis (ICA). This study aimed to develop and validate a simulation module for training in ICA.

Opportunistic Hounsfield units measurements on computed tomography scans can predict the number of prevalent vertebral compression fractures in older adults.

Purpose: There is a growing interest in using computed tomography (CT) scans to opportunistically assess bone mineral density via Hounsfield units (HU). Previous studies have shown lower HU in patients with vertebral compression fractures (VCFs) and that HU can predict pre-existing VCFs. This study evaluated whether HU from CT scans can predict the number of prevalent VCFs.

Refining PREVENT prediction models for 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease using measures of anxiety and depression.

Background: Anxiety and depression are associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). We aimed to investigate whether adding measures of anxiety and depression to the American Heart Association Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Events (PREVENT) predictors improves the prediction of CVD risk.

Methods: We developed and internally validated risk prediction models using 60% and 40% of the cohort data from the UK Biobank, respectively.

Increased BMI is associated with an altered decision-making process during healthy food choices in males and females.

Unhealthy diets (rich in calories, sugar, fat, and sodium) are a major cause of obesity. Why individuals struggle to make healthy food choices remains unclear. This study examined how body mass index, biological sex, and eating context influence food attribute perception, the food choice process, and the percentage of healthy food choices.

Environmental assessment of formal and informal waste treatment of liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors.

In Santiago, Chile, 315,000 liquid crystal display (LCD) monitors are discarded annually. Of this amount, the formal sector of refurbishment and recycling manages only 5 %, creating the conditions for the emergence of informal management systems. This study provides the first comprehensive environmental and circularity assessment of monitor treatment across multiple impact categories, identifying trade-offs associated with formal and informal operations.

Efficiency Analysis of Healthcare Systems in Latin American and Caribbean Countries: An Application Based on Data Envelopment Analysis.

Objectives: Despite the increasing investments in Latin American healthcare, the corresponding improvement in population health is not proportional. This discrepancy may be attributed to the efficiency of resource utilization. This study used the data envelopment analysis (DEA) methodology to assess the efficiency of healthcare systems in 23 Latin American and Caribbean countries.

Factors associated with tuberculosis treatment initiation among bacteriologically negative individuals evaluated for tuberculosis: An individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Globally, over one-third of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) disease diagnoses are made based on clinical criteria after a negative bacteriological test result. There is limited information on the factors that determine clinicians' decisions to initiate TB treatment when initial bacteriological test results are negative.

Methods And Findings: We performed a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis using studies conducted between January 2010 and December 2022 (PROSPERO: CRD42022287613).

Mercury exposure in an endangered songbird: influence of marsh hydrology and evidence for early breeding impairment.

Songbird reproductive success can decline from consuming mercury-contaminated aquatic insects, but assessments of hydrologic conditions influencing songbird mercury exposure are lacking. We monitored breast feather total mercury (THg) concentrations and reproductive success in the U.S.