Radiofrequency echographic multi spectrometry (REMS) in the diagnosis and management of osteoporosis: state of the art.

Radiofrequency Echographic Multi Spectrometry (REMS) is a radiation-free, portable technology, which can be used for the assessment and monitoring of osteoporosis at the lumbar spine and femoral neck and may facilitate wider access to axial BMD measurement compared with standard dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA).There is a growing literature demonstrating a strong correlation between DXA and REMS measures of BMD and further work supporting 5-year prediction of fracture using the REMS Fragility Score, which provides a measure of bone quality (in addition to the quantitative measure of BMD).The non-ionising radiation emitted by REMS allows it to be used in previously underserved populations including pregnant women and children and may facilitate more frequent measurement of BMD.

Pannexin-1 expression in tumor cells correlates with colon cancer progression and survival.

Aims: Pannexin-1 (PANX1) is a hemichannel that releases ATP upon opening, initiating inflammation, cell proliferation, and migration. However, the role of PANX1 channels in colon cancer remains poorly understood, thus constituting the focus of this study.

Main Methods: PANX1 mRNA expression was analyzed using multiple cancer databases.

Clinical Practice Guidelines of the Latin American Federation of Endocrinology for the use of vitamin D in the maintenance of bone health: recommendations for the Latin American context.

Introduction: These guidelines aim to provide evidence-based recommendations for the supplementation of Vitamin D in maintaining bone health. An unmet need persists in Latin American regarding the availability of clinical and real-world data for rationalizing the use of vitamin D supplementation. The objective of these guidelines is to establish clear and practical recommendations for healthcare practitioners from Latin American countries to address Vitamin D insufficiency in clinical practice.

Sunproofing from within: A deep dive into oral photoprotection strategies in dermatology.

Background: Photoprotection is the first measure in the prevention and treatment of the deleterious effects that sunlight can cause on the skin. It is well known that prolonged exposure to solar radiation leads to acute and chronic complications, such as erythema, accelerated skin aging, proinflammatory and procarcinogenic effects, and eye damage, among others.

Methods: A better understanding of the molecules that can protect against ultraviolet radiation and their effects will lead to improvements in skin health.

Optimisation of vitamin D status in global populations.

Vitamin D is important for musculoskeletal health. Concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, the most commonly measured metabolite, vary markedly around the world and are influenced by many factors including sun exposure, skin pigmentation, covering, season and supplement use. Whilst overt vitamin D deficiency with biochemical consequences presents an increased risk of severe sequelae such as rickets, osteomalacia or cardiomyopathy and usually warrants prompt replacement treatment, the role of vitamin D supplementation in the population presents a different set of considerations.

Anatomy of the Flexor Hallucis Longus and Its Relationship With Hallux Valgus: A Cadaveric Study.

Background: Hallux valgus (HV) is a complex deformity, with many associated risk factors. The flexor hallucis longus (FHL) tendon is a dynamic and potentially deforming force as it bowstrings laterally with HV. We hypothesized that FHL is more laterally inserted in the distal phalanx in cadavers with HV; therefore, it might be also a primary destabilizing force.

A comprehensive characterization of the spectrum of MUTYH germline pathogenic variants in Latin America.

MUTYH-Associated Polyposis (MAP) is caused by biallelic pathogenic germline variants in the MUTYH gene. However, individuals harboring monoallelic MUTYH pathogenic variants in the presence of a positive family history have been reported to have a twofold increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC) and extra colonic cancers. Our aim was to characterize the spectrum of monoallelic and biallelic germline MUTYH pathogenic variants in Latin American patients and to describe their clinical and genetic characteristics.

Factors associated with reparability of rotator cuff tears: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: To identify and quantify the factors associated with the reparability of rotator cuff tears (RCTs).

Methods: PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases were searched for clinical studies published in English focusing on RCT reparability by using the keywords "rotator cuff tear" and "reparability". A meta-analysis was conducted if ≥3 studies examined the same factor and provided enough data to assess RCT reparability.

Complications of antibiotic cement spacers used for elbow infections.

Background: Antibiotic cement spacers have been widely used in the treatment of joint infections. There are no commercially available antibiotic spacers for the elbow. Instead, they are typically fashioned by the surgeon at the time of surgery using cement alone or a combination of cement with sutures, Steinmann pins, external fixator components, or elbow arthroplasty components.

Are we ready to use new endoscopic scores for ulcerative colitis?

For ulcerative colitis (UC), the variability in inflammatory activity along the colon poses a challenge in management. The focus on achieving endoscopic healing in UC is evident, where the UC Endoscopic Index of Severity and Mayo Endoscopic Subscore are commonly used for evaluation. However, these indices primarily consider the most severely affected region.

[Strategies and recommendations to face respiratory syncytial virus disease in 2024].

During the winter of 2023, Chile faced a complex situation related to the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). After experiencing a decline in RSV circulation during the years of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, a late outbreak was observed in the spring of 2022 and an early onset of the outbreak in 2023, with a significant increase in the number of serious cases. The ineffectiveness of strategic planning and risk communication contributed to the complexity of the situation.

Analysis of Vancomycin Dosage and Plasma Levels in Critically Ill Adult Patients Requiring Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO).

Critically ill patients undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) exhibit unique pharmacokinetics. This study aimed to assess the achievement of vancomycin therapeutic targets in these patients. This retrospective cohort study included patients on ECMO treated with vancomycin between January 2010 and December 2018.

Treatment of unilateral cervical facet fractures without evidence of dislocation or subluxation: a narrative review and proposed treatment algorithm.

Isolated cervical spine facet fractures are often overlooked. The primary imaging modality for diagnosing these injuries is a computed tomography scan. Treatment of unilateral cervical facet fractures without evidence of dislocation or subluxation remains controversial.

Technological innovation for workload allocation in nursing care management: an integrative review.

Background: Technology reduces the nursing workload, improve the quality care processes, patient's safety, and avoid staff burnout. Innovative technologies are disrupting healthcare systems by improving the efficiency of processes and management. There is a discussion on the benefits, challenges, and barriers of these technologies and considering human factors of nursing management.

A Phase I Dose-Escalation Clinical Trial to Assess the Safety and Efficacy of Umbilical Cord-Derived Mesenchymal Stromal Cells in Knee Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common degenerative joint disease. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are promising cell-based therapy for OA. However, there is still a need for additional randomized, dose-dependent studies to determine the optimal dose and tissue source of MSC for improved clinical outcomes.

Self-reported clinical features and treatment effectiveness of Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome patients from five Latin American countries: A cross-sectional online survey study.

Background/objectives: Most studies about Papillon-Lefèvre syndrome (PLS) are limited to case reports and patients of the same nationality. This study aimed to determine the self-reported prevalence of signs, symptoms and treatment effectiveness in PLS patients from five Latin American countries.

Methods: An online survey was conducted among adult and paediatric patients from Mexico, Argentina, Colombia and Brazil.

Eradication rate and adherence with high-dose amoxicillin and proton pump inhibitor as first-line treatment for Helicobacter pylori infection: Experience from University Hospital in Chile.

Introduction: In Chile, more than 70% of adults are infected by Helicobacter pylori. Clarithromycin should not be used in any regimen if there is >15% resistance to this antibiotic, being greater than 26% in our population. In this scenario, the effectiveness of triple therapy (proton pump inhibitor [PPI], clarithromycin, amoxicillin) was only 63.

Chilean consensus by expert panel using the Delphi technique for primary and secondary prevention of gastric cancer.

Introduction: Gastric cancer (GC) is the first cause of cancer-related death in Chile and 6 in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) is the main gastric carcinogen, and its treatment reduces GC incidence and mortality.

Treatment with hyperbaric oxygen in a Crohn's disease patient.

Despite advances in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease, particularly with biological therapies and new small molecules, a significant gap still exists in achieving persistent remission from a symptomatic, biomarker, and endoscopic perspective. In this context, hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is considered as a therapeutic strategy. This approach has also been suggested for managing ischemic ulcers located at anastomotic sites.

Artificial intelligence-based three-dimensional templating for total joint arthroplasty planning: a scoping review.

Purpose: The purpose of this review is to evaluate the current status of research on the application of artificial intelligence (AI)-based three-dimensional (3D) templating in preoperative planning of total joint arthroplasty.

Methods: This scoping review followed the PRISMA, PRISMA-ScR guidelines, and five stage methodological framework for scoping reviews. Studies of patients undergoing primary or revision joint arthroplasty surgery that utilised AI-based 3D templating for surgical planning were included.