Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on excess maternal deaths in Brazil: A two-year assessment.

Background: Accurate estimates of the COVID-19 pandemic's indirect impacts are crucial, especially in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to update estimates of excess maternal deaths in Brazil during the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: This was an exploratory mixed ecological study using the counterfactual approach.

Excess maternal mortality in Brazil: Regional inequalities and trajectories during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has exceeded 6 million known disease-related deaths and there is evidence of an increase in maternal deaths, especially in low- and middle-income countries. We aimed to estimate excess maternal deaths in Brazil and its macroregions as well as their trajectories in the first 15 months of the COVID-19 epidemic.

Methods: This study evaluated maternal deaths from the Mortality Information System of the Ministry of Health, with excess deaths being assessed between March 2020 and May 2021 by quasi-Poisson generalized additive models adjusted for overdispersion.

Gunshot Wounds Causing Distal Arterial Bullet Embolisms.

We report two cases involving small-caliber gunshot wounds to the chest with embolization of the bullet which complete occluding arterial circulation into the left lower extremity. A 30-years-old and 19-years-old men suffered gunshots wound to the thorax and abdomen with subsequent arterial embolisms into their left legs. Image studies revealed the left popliteal and femoral arteries occlusion by the missiles.

A Survey of Attitudes and Beliefs about Care, Compassion and Communities Networks in Palliative Care. A Preliminary Study for the Development of a Compassionate University.

Unlabelled: The aim of this study was to know the level of knowledge, sensitivities and training needs regarding care of people at the end of life in medicine, nursing and psychology students/academic and administration university personnel; and to identify skills to perceive and expressed values related to compassion it in their living environment.

Method: a descriptive observational study was conducted among undergraduate medical, nursing and psychologist students, academic and administration personnel of the University of Bogotá in Colombia the survey was based on a web-based questionnaire (November 2019-April 2020). Levels of knowledge and sensitivities about care of people at the end of life, educational needs and compassion were assessed.

An international, multi-institution survey on performing EUS-FNA and fine needle biopsy.

Background And Objectives: Endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and fine needle biopsy (FNB) are effective techniques that are widely used for tissue acquisition. However, it remains unclear how to obtain high-quality specimens. Therefore, we conducted a survey of EUS-FNA and FNB techniques to determine practice patterns worldwide and to develop strong recommendations based on the experience of experts in the field.

Narrow-Band Imaging for Detection of Neoplasia at Colonoscopy: A Meta-analysis of Data From Individual Patients in Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background & Aims: Adenoma detection rate (ADR) is an important quality assurance measure for colonoscopy. Some studies suggest that narrow-band imaging (NBI) may be more effective at detecting adenomas than white-light endoscopy (WLE) when bowel preparation is optimal. We conducted a meta-analysis of data from individual patients in randomized controlled trials that compared the efficacy of NBI to WLE in detection of adenomas.

Narrow-band imaging does not improve detection of colorectal polyps when compared to conventional colonoscopy: a randomized controlled trial and meta-analysis of published studies.

Background: A colonoscopy may frequently miss polyps and cancers. A number of techniques have emerged to improve visualization and to reduce the rate of adenoma miss.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) in two clinics of the Gastrointestinal Department of the Sanitas University Foundation in Bogota, Colombia.

Chemoprophylaxis in contacts of patients with leprosy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To identify and summarize randomized clinical trials (RCTs) that assessed the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis to prevent leprosy in contacts of patients newly diagnosed with the disease.

Methods: All studies were extracted from Medline (PubMed 1966 to November 2008), the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register (number 3 2008), LILACS (1982 to November 2008), and Scirus (November 2008). Manual searches and searches of crossed references of assessed articles were also done.