A Differential Clinical Benefit Examination of Full Lumbar Endoscopy vs Interspinous Process Spacers in the Treatment of Spinal Stenosis: An Effect Size Meta-Analysis of Clinical Outcomes.

Study Design: A design-agnostic standardized effect meta-analysis of 48 randomized, prospective, and retrospective studies on clinical outcomes with spinal endoscopic and interspinous process spacer (IPS) surgery.

Objective: The study aimed to provide reference set of Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and visual analog scale (VAS) effect size data for back and leg pain following endoscopic and IPS decompression for lumbar herniated disc, foraminal, or lateral recess spinal stenosis.

Background: Mechanical low back pain following endoscopic transforaminal decompression may be more reliably reduced by simultaneous posterior column stabilization with IPS.

KRAS and MET in non-small-cell lung cancer: two of the new kids on the 'drivers' block.

Non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a heterogeneous disease, and therapeutic management has advanced to identify various critical oncogenic mutations that promote lung cancer tumorigenesis. Subsequent studies have developed targeted therapies against these oncogenes in the hope of personalized treatment based on the tumor's molecular genomics. This review presents a comprehensive review of the biology, new therapeutic interventions, and resistance patterns of two well-defined subgroups, tumors with KRAS and MET alterations.

Case Report: Differential Genomics and Evolution of a Meningeal Melanoma Treated With Ipilimumab and Nivolumab.

Primary melanocytic tumors of the CNS are extremely rare conditions, encompassing different disease processes including meningeal melanoma and meningeal melanocytosis. Its incidence range between 3-5%, with approximately 0.005 cases per 100,000 people.

Impact of TR/L98H, TR/Y121F/T289A and TR Alterations in Azole-Resistant on Sterol Composition and Modifications after In Vitro Exposure to Itraconazole and Voriconazole.

Background: Sterols are the main components of fungal membranes. Inhibiting their biosynthesis is the mode of action of azole antifungal drugs that are widely used to treat fungal disease including aspergillosis. Azole resistance has emerged as a matter of concern but little is known about sterols biosynthesis in azole resistant .

EGFR Inhibitors Plus Bevacizumab are Superior Than EGFR Inhibitors Alone as First-Line Setting in Advanced NSCLC With EGFR Mutations and BIM Deletion Polymorphisms (BIM-CLICaP).

Purpose: BIM activation is essential for epidermal growth factor receptor ()-tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-triggered apoptosis in -mutant non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). A deletion in the intron two of the BIM gene results in generation of alternatively spliced isoforms that impairs their apoptotic response to TKIs, conferring the NSCLC cells intrinsic resistance to these medications. Patients with both alterations have poor clinical evolution.

Difficulties, Challenges, and the Learning Curve of Avoiding Complications in Lumbar Endoscopic Spine Surgery.

Spinal endoscopy has the stigma of being reserved for only a few surgeons who can figure out how to master the steep learning curve and develop clinical practice settings where endoscopic spine surgery can thrive. In essence, endoscopic treatment of herniated discs specifically and nerve root compression in the lumbar spine in general amounts to replacing traditional open spine surgery protocols with spinal endoscopic surgery techniques. In doing so, the endoscopic spine surgeon must be confident that the degenerative spine's common painful problems can be handled with endoscopic spinal surgery techniques with at least comparable clinical results and complication rates.

Effectiveness of rosuvastatin plus colchicine, emtricitabine/tenofovir and combinations thereof in hospitalized patients with COVID-19: a pragmatic, open-label randomized trial.

Background: The use of rosuvastatin plus colchicine and emtricitabine/tenofovir in hospitalized patients with SARS-CoV-2 disease (COVID-19) has not been assessed. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness and safety of rosuvastatin plus colchicine, emtricitabine/tenofovir, and their combined use in these patients.

Methods: This was a randomized, controlled, open-label, multicentre, parallel, pragmatic study conducted in six referral hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia.

Genotypic, proteomic, and phenotypic approaches to decipher the response to caspofungin and calcineurin inhibitors in clinical isolates of echinocandin-resistant Candida glabrata.

Background: Echinocandin resistance represents a great concern, as these drugs are recommended as first-line therapy for invasive candidiasis. Echinocandin resistance is conferred by mutations in FKS genes. Nevertheless, pathways are crucial for enabling tolerance, evolution, and maintenance of resistance.

p.G12C KRAS mutation prevalence in non-small cell lung cancer: Contribution from interregional variability and population substructures among Hispanics.

Background: The KRAS exon 2 p. G12C mutation in patients with lung adenocarcinoma has been increasing in relevance due to the development and effectiveness of new treatment medications. Studies around different populations indicate that regional variability between ethnic groups and ancestries could play an essential role in developing this molecular alteration within lung cancer.

[Virtual and in-person accompaniment of hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic in ColombiaAcompanhamento virtual e presencial de pacientes hospitalizados durante a pandemia de COVID-19 na Colômbia].

Objective: To describe the results of a virtual and in-person accompaniment strategy based on person-centered care of patients hospitalized for suspected or confirmed disease due to the novel 2019 coronavirus (COVID-19).

Method: Retrospective descriptive observational study conducted in five health facilities of the Colsanitas clinic network that implemented an accompaniment strategy with seven modalities: virtual information, personal mobile devices, virtual visits, contacts by other means, round-the-clock companion, in-person visit, and compassionate contact. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis.

Understanding the Potential Impact of Different Drug Properties on Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) Transmission and Disease Burden: A Modelling Analysis.

Background: The public health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has motivated a rapid search for potential therapeutics, with some key successes. However, the potential impact of different treatments, and consequently research and procurement priorities, have not been clear.

Methods: Using a mathematical model of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission, COVID-19 disease and clinical care, we explore the public-health impact of different potential therapeutics, under a range of scenarios varying healthcare capacity, epidemic trajectories; and drug efficacy in the absence of supportive care.

Efficacy of osimertinib plus bevacizumab in glioblastoma patients with simultaneous EGFR amplification and EGFRvIII mutation.

Background: Amplification of EGFR and its active mutant EGFRvIII are common in glioblastoma (GB). While EGFR and EGFRvIII play critical roles in pathogenesis, targeted therapy with EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitors or antibodies has shown limited efficacy. To improve the likelihood of effectiveness, we targeted adult patients with recurrent GB enriched for simultaneous EGFR amplification and EGFRvIII mutation, with osimertinib/bevacizumab at doses described for non-small cell lung cancer.

Treatment-free remission in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia: recommendations of the LALNET expert panel.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have dramatically changed the survival of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients, and treatment-free remission (TFR) has recently emerged as a new goal of CML treatment. The aim of this work was to develop recommendations for TKI discontinuation in Latin America (LA), outside of clinical trials. A working group of CML experts from LA discussed 22 questions regarding TFR and reached a consensus for TFR recommendations in the region.

Novel approaches to minimize intraoperative bleeding during endoscopic submucosal dissection of a large rectal lateral spreading tumor extended to the dentate line with internal hemorrhoids.

Video 1Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) of large rectal lateral spreading tumors (LSTs) that extend to the dentate line with internal hemorrhoids is a challenging procedure because of the increased risk of bleeding from penetrating and hemorrhoidal vessels and the reduced visual field caused by the dilated venous packages and the narrow anal lumen.This video describes novel technical approaches to minimize the risk of intraoperative bleeding.The described approaches are indicated in large rectal LSTs that extend to the dentate line with large internal hemorrhoids.

Imaging manifestations of pulmonary melioidosis: a case series.

Melioidosis is an endemic disease in Southeast Asia and Oceania caused by the gram-negative bacillus Burkholderia pseudomallei. We studied 15 adult patients from Colombia with microbiologically diagnosed pulmonary melioidosis. We reviewed 15 chest X-rays and 10 chest computed tomography (CT) studies.

A simplified alternative diagnostic algorithm for SARS-CoV-2 suspected symptomatic patients and confirmed close contacts (asymptomatic): A consensus of Latin American experts.

Introduction: Latin America accounts for one-quarter of global COVID-19 cases and one-third of deaths. Inequalities in the region lead to barriers to the best use of diagnostic tests during the pandemic. There is a need for simplified guidelines that consider the region's limited health resources, international guidelines, medical literature, and local expertise.

Cell-Free Circulating Tumor DNA Improves Standard Genotyping of Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer and Increases Detection of Targetable Alterations in a Selected Hispanic Cohort.

Background: Several studies have shown that the non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) genomic background among Hispanics differs from other populations. The finding of low-frequency genomic alterations in cell-free DNA (cfDNA) can increase diagnostic accuracy and could improve treatment in NSCLC.

Methods: Data from 54 Hispanic patients with advanced NSCLC with high clinical suspicion for ALK, EGFR, and ROS1 mutations were collected (including young age, female sex, and non-smokers).

Implications of Antibiotic Use during the COVID-19 Pandemic: The Example of Associated Antimicrobial Resistance in Latin America.

Antimicrobials are essential for infection management [...

Refractory Bullous Pemphigoid in a Patient with Metastatic Lung Adenocarcinoma Treated with Pembrolizumab.

We present the case of a 73-year-old male patient with a history of tobacco use who presented with a central nervous system mass that was confirmed to be a lung adenocarcinoma metastasis. High PD-L1 expression as well as negativity to other targetable drivers led to initiation of pembrolizumab monotherapy and ablative stereotactic radiation therapy on oligo-residual disease, achieving a complete response after 2 years of therapy. Following discontinuation of systemic treatment, the patient developed widespread desquamative plaques.

Characteristics and outcomes of thymomas in Latin America: Results from over 10 years of experience (CLICaP-LATimus).

Background: Thymomas are a group of rare neoplasms of the anterior mediastinum. The objective of this study was to describe the demographics, clinical characteristics and treatment approaches in Latin America.

Methods: This was a retrospective multicenter cohort study including patients with histologically proven thymomas diagnosed between 1997 and 2018.

Socioeconomic inequalities associated with mortality for COVID-19 in Colombia: a cohort nationwide study.

Background: After 8 months of the COVID-19 pandemic, Latin American countries have some of the highest rates in COVID-19 mortality. Despite being one of the most unequal regions of the world, there is a scarce report of the effect of socioeconomic conditions on COVID-19 mortality in their countries. We aimed to identify the effect of some socioeconomic inequality-related factors on COVID-19 mortality in Colombia.

Patient Blood Management Strategies to Avoid Transfusions in Body Contouring Operations: Controlled Clinical Trial.

Background: Anemia is a frequent process of morbidity and mortality in body contouring procedures. In aesthetic surgery, there are no standardized processes to minimize bleeding during surgery. For this reason, a study was designed to implement patient blood management strategies to reduce bleeding and transfusions in patients undergoing body contouring operations.

Genotyping Squamous Cell Lung Carcinoma in Colombia (Geno1.1-CLICaP).

Background: Lung cancer is a public health problem, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most prevalent subtype of this neoplasm. Compared to other subtypes, including adenocarcinoma, SCC is less well understood in terms of molecular pathogenesis, limiting therapeutic options among targeted agents approved for other disease subgroups. In this study, we sought to characterize the SCC genomic profile using a validated Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) platform.