In-hospital mortality of high-risk pulmonary embolism: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Portugal from 2010 to 2018

BACKGROUND

The mortality associated with high-risk pulmonary embolism (PE) is remarkably high, and reperfusion to unload right ventricle should be a priority. However, several registries report reperfusion underuse. In Portugal, epidemiological data about the incidence, rate of reperfusion and mortality of high-risk PE are not known.

METHODS

Nationwide population-based temporal trend study in the incidence and outcome of high-risk PE, who were admitted to hospitals of the National Health Service in Portugal between 2010 and 2018. High-risk PE was defined as patients with PE who developed cardiogenic shock or cardiac arrest. International Classification of Diseases (ICD), 9th and 10th revision, Clinical Modification codes, were used for data from the period between 2010 and 2016 (ICD-9-CM) and 2017-2018 (ICD-10-CM), respectively. The assessment focused on trends in the use of reperfusion treatment, which was defined by application of thrombolysis or pulmonary embolectomy. A comparison was made between the use or non-use of reperfusion therapy in order to examine trends in in-hospital mortality among high-risk PE cases.

RESULTS

From 2010 and 2018, there were 40.311 hospitalization episodes for PE in adult patients at hospitals of the National Health Service in mainland Portugal. There was a significant increase in the annual incidence of PE (41/100.000 inhabitants in 2010 to 46/100.000 in 2018; R2=0.582, p = 0.010). The average annual incidence was 45/100.000 inhabitants/year, with 2,7% of the PE episodes (1104) categorized as high-risk. The mortality rate associated with high-risk PE was high, although it has decreased over the years (74.2% in 2010 to 63.6% in 2018; R2=0.484; p = 0.022). Thrombolytic therapy was underused in high-risk PE, and its usage has not increased in recent years (17.3% in 2010 to 21.1% in 2018, R2=-0.127; p = 0.763). Surgical pulmonary embolectomy was used in 0.27% of cases, and there was no registry of catheter-directed thrombolysis. Patients with high-risk PE undergoing reperfusion therapy had lower in-hospital mortality compared to non-reperfused patients (OR=0.52; IC95% 0.38-0.70).

CONCLUSION

In Portugal, between 2010 and 2018, very few patients with PE developed high-risk forms of the disease, but the mortality rate among those patients was high. The low reperfusion rate could be associated with high in-hospital mortality and highlights the need to implement advanced therapies, as an alternative to systemic thrombolysis.

A medication reconciliation failure: A case report and incident analysis

BACKGROUND

Medication reconciliation is advocated to ensure the continuity, safety, and effective use of medicines across transitions of care.

CASE REPORT

In this report, we describe the case of a 90-year-old female with previous diagnoses of atrial fibrillation and cutaneous metastatic breast cancer presenting with bilateral ulcerative lesions on the chest wall. The patient was diagnosed with Deep Vein Thrombosis at the Emergency Department and started on rivaroxaban, although the patient was already taking edoxaban. This therapeutic duplication was noticed only one week later, even though she was already experiencing significant bleeding managed through a prescribing cascade. Despite the technical error (action-based), it is possible to identify several weaknesses in the organisation's structure, which provided a trajectory of accident opportunity.

CONCLUSION

Anticoagulants are ranked first for the highest priority to receive a medication reconciliation. To achieve an optimal level of medication reconciliation, we ought to recognise and correct latent failures.

Complications and degree of difficulty of orotracheal intubation in the Intensive Care Unit before and after the establishment of an intubation protocol for critically ill patients: a prospective, observational study

OBJECTIVE

The objective of our study was to compare the degree of difficulty and complications related to tracheal intubation in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) before and after the introduction of an intubation protocol based on the Difficult Airway Society guidelines for the management of tracheal intubation in critically ill adults, published in 2018.

METHODS

Prospective, observational study comparing all intubations performed in our ICU over 2 periods: pre-protocol (January 2015-January 2019) and post-protocol (February 2019-July 2022). The material used for intubation, the degree of difficulty, and intubation-related complications were recorded.

RESULTS

During the study period, 661 patients were intubated - 437 in the pre-protocol period (96% by direct laryngoscopy) and 224 in the post-protocol period (53% with direct laryngoscopy, 46% with video laryngoscopy). We observed an improvement in laryngeal view in the post-protocol period compared to the pre-protocol period (Cormack-Lehane ≥ 2b in 7.6% vs. 29.8%, p < 0.001), and a decrease in the number of moderate-to-severely difficult intubations (6.7% vs. 17.4%, p < 0.001). The first-pass success rate was 92.8% in the post-protocol period compared to 90.2% pre-protocol (p = 0.508). We did not find significant differences in complications between the periods studied.

CONCLUSIONS

Intubations performed in the post-protocol period were associated with improved laryngeal view and fewer cases of difficult intubation compared with the pre-protocol period.

IL-4 shapes microglia-dependent pruning of the cerebellum during postnatal development

Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is a type 2 cytokine with pleiotropic functions in adaptive immunity, allergies, and cognitive processes. Here, we show that low levels of IL-4 in the early postnatal stage delineate a critical period in which microglia extensively prune cerebellar neurons. Elevating the levels of this cytokine via peripheral injection, or using a mouse model of allergic asthma, leads to defective pruning, permanent increase in cerebellar granule cells, and circuit alterations. These animals also show a hyperkinetic and impulsive-like phenotype, reminiscent of attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These alterations are blocked in Il4rαfl/fl::Cx3cr1-CreER mice, which are deficient in IL-4 receptor signaling in microglia. These findings demonstrate a previously unknown role for IL-4 during a neuroimmune critical period of cerebellar maturation and provide a first putative mechanism for the comorbidity between allergic disease and ADHD observed in humans.

Species Identification and Mycotoxigenic Potential of Aspergillus Section Flavi Isolated from Maize Marketed in the Metropolitan Region of Asunción, Paraguay

Zea mays var. amylacea and Zea mays var. indurata are maize ecotypes from Paraguay. Aspergillus section Flavi is the main spoilage fungus of maize under storage conditions. Due to its large intraspecific genetic variability, the accurate identification of this fungal taxonomic group is difficult. In the present study, potential mycotoxigenic strains of Aspergillus section Flavi isolated from Z. mays var. indurata and Z. mays var. amylacea that are marketed in the metropolitan region of Asunción were identified by a polyphasic approach. Based on morphological characters, 211 isolates were confirmed to belong to Aspergillus section Flavi. A subset of 92 strains was identified as Aspergillus flavus by mass spectrometry MALDI-TOF and the strains were classified by MALDI-TOF MS into chemotypes based on their aflatoxins and cyclopiazonic acid production. According to the partial sequencing of ITS and CaM genes, a representative subset of 38 A. flavus strains was confirmed. Overall, 75 A. flavus strains (86%) were characterized as producers of aflatoxins. The co-occurrence of at least two mycotoxins (AF/ZEA, FUM/ZEA, and AF/ZEA/FUM) was detected for five of the Z. mays samples (63%). Considering the high mycological bioburden and mycotoxin contamination, maize marketed in the metropolitan region of Asunción constitutes a potential risk to food safety and public health and requires control measures.

Voltage/mass ratio (VMR) prognosis value in heart failure (HF) patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA)

Funding Acknowledgements

Type of funding sources: None.

Introduction

Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) is an emerging cause of heart failure (HF) and is associated with cardiac mass hypertrophy and voltage impairment, but little is known on how theses markers interplay with survival.

Objective

To evaluate if cardiac voltage/mass ratio (VMR) is associated with prognosis in HF patients involving ATTR-CA.

Methods

Patients with confirmed mutated (m) or wild-type (wt) ATTR-CA addressed in a single cardiology center underwent retrospective ECG and echocardiographic study to define voltage with Sokolow indice (SV1+RV5, in mV) and left ventricular mass (LVM, g/m²) according to ASE definition. Two groups of patients were defined according to the median cardiac voltage/mass ratio (VMR in µV/g/m²) : Low (VMR &lt; 6.1) or normal (VMR ≥ 6.1). Tc99m-HDP myocardial uptake (MU) on bone scintigraphy (BS) was described according to Perugini (P) classification : PI (MU &lt; chest bones), PII (MU = chest bones) and PIII (MU &gt; bones). Main end-point was overall mortality.

Results

Among the 74 patients included, mean age was 82±7 years, 80% were males (Graph 1) and 25 (34%) were classified as ATTRwt-CA, 3 (4%) as ATTRm-CA, and 46 (62%) had ongoing genetic exploration. Mean follow-up was 543±332 days. Overall mortality was 21%. On BS, 6 patients (8%) were ranked as PI, 30 (42%) PII and 36 (50%) PIII, with no difference on mortality rates. After ANOVA, mean VMRi significantly decreased with intensity of Tc99m-HDP myocardial uptake on BS (p=0.033, Graph 2A). After log-rank test, survival was impaired in the low VMR group (p=0.034, Graph 2B). After Cox regression, low voltage/masse ratio remained associated with increased risk of mortality (HR 4.6, 95% CI [1.1–18.6], p=0.03), after adjusting on age, sex, left ventricle ejection fraction and log(NT-proBNP).

Conclusion

VMR is a simple index to collect and significantly associated with impaired survival in HF patients with ATTR-CA. Further studies are needed to confirm these results.

Antifungal Potential of Capsaicinoids and Capsinoids from the Capsicum Genus for the Safeguarding of Agrifood Production: Advantages and Limitations for Environmental Health

Opportunistic pathogenic fungi arise in agricultural crops as well as in surrounding human daily life. The recent increase in antifungal-resistant strains has created the need for new effective antifungals, particularly those based on plant secondary metabolites, such as capsaicinoids and capsinoids produced by Capsicum species. The use of such natural compounds is well-aligned with the One Health approach, which tries to find an equilibrium among people, animals, and the environment. Considering this, the main objective of the present work is to review the antifungal potential of capsaicinoids and capsinoids, and to evaluate the environmental and health impacts of biofungicides based on these compounds. Overall, capsaicinoids and their analogues can be used to control pathogenic fungi growth in plant crops, as eco-friendly alternatives to pest management, and assist in the conservation and long-term storage of agrifood products. Their application in different stages of the agricultural and food production chains improves food safety, nutritional value, and overcomes antimicrobial resistance, with a lower associated risk to humans, animals, and the environment than that of synthetic fungicides and pesticides. Nevertheless, research on the effect of these compounds on bee-like beneficial insects and the development of new preservatives and packaging materials is still necessary.

V-046 LAPAROSCOPIC SURGICAL MANAGEMENT OF AN HUGE DIAPHRAGMATIC HERNIA

Introduction

Diaphragmatic hernias (DH) in most cases are the consequence of a diaphragmatic trauma causing a missed injury. Less frequently, DHs are congenital.

Case Presentation

A 52 years old patient came to our attention due to a worsening severe dyspnea. A chest CT scan were performed, showing an extensive left-side DH. We present the video of the surgical procedure.

The patient mentioned a severe left hemithorax trauma occurred almost twenty years before due to a motorbike accident. Possibly, a diaphragmatic injury was not diagnosed at the time. Subsequently, a Covid-19-related chronic cough resulting in a persistently increased intra abdominal pressure may have caused the herniation of abdominal viscera.

The surgical procedure was laparoscopic. The whole greater omentum and most of the transverse colon were herniated and, after a thorough adhesiolysis between the herniated tissues and the left diaphragmatic crus, the DH was reduced. It was confirmed the presence of a 8 cm defect of the left hemidiaphragm, it was repaired with a absorbable continuous suture. A 08×10 cm Bio-A patch was positioned over. The herniated tissues were meticulously examined and showed no signs of damage.

Conclusions

Diaphragm's injuries are unfortunately difficult to diagnose in an acute setting, thus remaining often unbeknownst to the surgeon. Some patients never develop any symptoms because of such missed diaphragmatic injuries. Some others instead, due to an increase in the intra abdominal pressure, may develop symptomatic DHs. In the latter case, surgical management becomes mandatory.

P-091 IMPROVEMENT OF RESPIRATORY PHYSIOLOGY AFTER POSTERIOR COMPONENT SEPARATION TAR: A PILOT STUDY

Aim

Patients with incisional hernia with a width greater than 9 centimeters, submitted to Posterior Component Separation Trasversus Abdominis Release, by Department of Emergency and Transplantation Surgery in Varese Hospital, were analyzed to define the modifications in respiratory physiology after surgery.

Material and Methods

Patients that underwent Posterior Component Separation were prospectively analyzed by evaluating: volume of laparocele, volume of abdominal cavity and their ratio. Furthermore Pulmonary Peak pressures and Pulmonary Plateau pressures were measured in three different times: at the induction of the anaesthesia, when the mesh was placed and at the closure of the anterior muscular layer. All patients were submitted to a pre-operative simple spirometry, and re-examinated three months after the surgical procedure with the same procedure to check if modifications in their respiratory function were present.

Results

Primary results of the study will be shown to define how this surgical procedure impacts on the respiratory function of the patients. The expectation is that an improvement of the respiratory physiology happens independently from a pulmonary pressure elevation which is determinated by the re-allocation of the herniated viscera in the abdomen when the anterior muscular fascia is closed.

Conclusions

the aim of this study is to show how, the reconstitution of a functional abdominal wall with an efficient respiratory accessory musculature guaranteed by the laparocele correction with Posterior Component Separation, ensures an improvement of respiratory physiology visible with spirometry, independently from the development of a superior intrathoracic pressure.

P-092 LAPAROSCOPIC TRANS-PERITONEAL HERNIOPLASTY (TAPP) IN EMERGENCY

 

The aim efficacy and technical feasibility of TAPP operation by analyzing patients operated on incarcerated inguino-crural hernia in emergency setting.

Materials and methods

In 1 year, we enrolled 8 urgent incarcerated hernia patients operated using laparoscopic trans-peritoneal approach (TAPP) operated on acutely for inguino-crural incarcerated hernia associated with suspected visceral ischemic damage.

Results

We repaired 6 inguinal incarcerated hernia and 2 cases of crural hernia. Among 6 inguinal hernia, only one was recurrent. In one case the laparoscopic approach permitted to exclude an obstructed Spigelian hernia diagnosed through tomography. In another case, TAPP allowed to diagnose omental incarcerated Spigelian hernia. In 3 cases this approach permitted to diagnose concomitant unknown wall defects. All cases presented signs of small bowel obstruction. The content of the sac in three cases was small bowel, in other three cases it was omentum, and in other two cases it contained lipoma. None of the cases were converted to open technique. The operative average time was 95 min; the average hospital stay was 1.5 days. No chronic pain or recurrences were observed after a mean follow up time of 8 months.

Conclusions

The repair of complicated inguino-crural with TAPP in emergency is not a standard treatment. In our experience the laparoscopic approach allowed a safe reduction of hernia, the observation of the feature of hernia content, the diagnosis and repair of unknown wall defect, and a crural defects and contralateral inguinal hernia.

V-045 SAFENESS OF LIQUIBAND FIX8® IN T.A.P.P. PROCEDURE: ANALYSIS OF COSTS, POST-OPERATIVE COMPLICATIONS AND RECURRENCES

Aims

We tested the use of LiquiBand®FIX8™ versus standard TAPP procedure comparing costs, surgical time, complications, recurrence rate, chronic pain to check the feasibility of the procedure.

Materials and Methods

LiquiBand®FIX8™is a cyanoacrylic adhesive used to fix the mesh during laparoscopic procedures. It consents the avoidance of plastic or metallic fixing materials that can causes post-operative chronic pain or vascular damage

Discussion

We performer 54 TAPP procedures, 48 with standardized tack technique and 6 with LiquiBand®FIX8™. We checked the results after a 6 months follow-up and we found no difference in recurrence rate or chronic pain between the two techniques. Costs and surgical time were inferior in LiquiBand®FIX8™ group.

Conclusions

The use of LiquiBand®FIX8™is a safe and feasible procedure during TAPP to reduce the surgical time, to limit costs and to avoid intraoperative and postoperative complications that can occur with mechanical fixing materials.

V-056 LAPAROSCOPIC VENTRAL HERNIA REPAIR WITH GORE SINECOR INTRAPERITONEAL BIOMATERIAL: OUR CENTER EXPERIENCE

Aim

Ventral hernias including incisional ones are very common in our population. Mesh reinforcement options for ventral/incisional hernia repair continue to evolve with advances in polymer science and better understanding of the extracellular matrix. Consensus on the safety and efficacy of these various types of synthetic and biologic mesh has yet to be reached.

Intraperitoneal onlay mesh (IPOM) is the laparoscopic technique most frequently used in our center to treat umbilical and abdominal ventral defects sized 3 cm to 8 cm. Our equipe built an expertise with Gore DualMesh prosthesis (2% recurrence ratio in our center); we used the Gore Sinecor Intraperitoneal Biomaterial for the first time here.

Methods

Symptomatic supraumbilical incisional hernia in a 74 years old man; parietal defect sized 7×8 cm. We performed an Ipom repair procedure using a 20×25 cm Gore Sinecor Intraperitoneal Biomaterial, trimmed to 18×20 cm. Follow-up at one and six months from surgery.

Results

The patient was discharged the day after surgery. He did not complain severe pain in the first week after surgery and he only use Paracetamolo 1g die as antalgic therapy. After seven days he resumed his daily activities.

He did not experience any short-term sieroma nor long-term complication at follow up.

Conclusions

The Gore Sinecor Intraperitoneal Biomaterial, while maintaining a firm peritoneal adhesivity, has a better handling and feels lighter than the Gore DualMesh we routinely use. The transparency makes it possible to visualize the overlying abdominal wall, allowing a safer tacs positioning.

P09.07.A Signs and Symptoms in the last days of life of the glioblastoma patients - A Descriptive and Retrospective Study

Background

Despite scientific advances to develop techniques for early diagnosis and treatment of glioblastoma, the disease continues to have a remarkably poor prognosis. Studies have shown that in patients with glioblastoma, not only the presence of end-of-life signs and symptoms but also their frequency differs from those in the rest of cancer patients. The complexity of glioblastoma symptoms makes the integration of a palliative care philosophy essential.

Objective

To identify the main signs and symptoms that occur in patients with glioblastoma in their last seven days of life in a neuro-oncology ward.

Material and Methods

This was a descriptive and retrospective study regarding the signs and symptoms in the last seven days of life of patients with glioblastoma who were admitted to the neurology ward of a national oncology reference center. The patients were admitted after neuro-oncologist consultations between 2019 and 2020. The data collection instrument used was based on the document “The Last Hours of Living”. Confidentiality of the participants was guaranteed, and authorization was obtained from the institution’s ethics committee.

Results

The sample had 17 patients (13 men and 4 women), with an average hospital stay of 17.3 days. The men and women had average ages of 61.8 and 63 years, respectively. Clinical and nursing records revealed that the most prevalent signs and symptoms were “decreased level of consciousness” (94%); “rare and unexpected events” (94%); “respiratory dysfunction” (88%); and “loss of ability to swallow” (76%). In the last seven days of life, the approximate times of presentation for these signs and symptoms were: decreased level of consciousness, 6 days; rare and unexpected events, 2 days; respiratory dysfunction, 3 days; and loss of ability to swallow, 6 days. Support was requested from the in-hospital palliative care support team for 76.4% of patients.

Conclusion

The identification of reduced level of consciousness and alterations in swallowing as the most prevalent symptoms is consistent with the findings of previous studies. The prevalence of rare and unexpected events (such as fever, myoclonus and seizures) aligns with previous studies that indicated a difference in the signs and symptoms presented by patients with glioblastoma in the last days of life and patients with other oncological diseases. In this sense, the instrument used for data collection may not be the most appropriate for the population with primary central nervous system tumors. The decreased level of consciousness and impaired communication can complicate the assessment of signs and symptoms, such as pain, nausea, anxiety and depression. It is essential to conduct research studies with more representative samples. The recording of the signs and symptoms presented, as well as interventions and the evaluation of their effectiveness, are essential to ensure the quality of end-of-life.

P11.74.A Plexiform Neurofibromas prevalence and treatment modalities in a referral comprehensive cancer center

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is the most common tumor predisposition syndrome, with an incidence of 1/3500. Plexiform neurofibromas (PN) are benign tumors that can occur along the nerve sheath throughout the body, with unpredictable growth and with risk of malignant transformation. Symptoms will depend on their size and location, and include pain, deformity and functional impairment. There is a great variability in the PN severity and impact on quality-of-life (QOL). An unknown percentage of NF1 patients may need treatment, either medical and/or surgical.

Objectives

To assess the frequency of PN in a NF1 population followed in a comprehensive cancer center.

Material and Methods

Retrospective study. All patients with NF1 and PN followed in our center, between 31/12/2000 and 31/12/2021.

Results

Of 438 NF1 patients, 185 had PN (42%). 52 NF1 patients with PN were children (≤ 18). The most common symptoms were pain in 71 people (38,4%), deformity in 70 (37,8%) and functional impairment in 69 (37,3%). Several patients had a combination of these symptoms. Different treatment modalities were used for PN: medical, surgical or both. In this study, 54 patients (29,1%) were treated with MEK inhibitors (selumetinib), 74 patients (40%) were treated surgically and 12,4% (23) needed a combined approach (medical and surgical treatment).

Conclusion

PN are frequent in NF1 patients. A significant percentage is symptomatic and will require treatment, surgical, medical or both. There is no standard of care for PN NF1. The timing and sequence of medical and surgical treatment is yet to be defined.

Factors Influencing Healthcare Utilization Among Patients at Three Free Clinics

Despite improvements in healthcare for uninsured persons, health disparities remain. We surveyed patients at three free clinics in an urban Florida community to better understand the factors that influence where they seek healthcare. Survey questions were developed based on factors previously demonstrated to affect healthcare utilization. A focus group validated the instrument. Patients self-administered written surveys over a 6-week period at three free clinics, including a student-run free clinic (SRFC). Results were compiled and analyzed using Chi-square and Fisher-Freeman-Halton Exact tests, Kruskal-Wallis test, Mann-Whitney U test, and Spearman's rho, as appropriate. Odds ratios were calculated for significant findings (p < 0.05). Patients completed 323 surveys. Free clinic visit frequency was positively related to female gender, Hispanic ethnicity, higher income, and poorer health. Black race was related to less frequent visits. Visit frequency differed among the clinic sites. Patients attending a SRFC were more likely to utilize another clinic. Patient satisfaction was not related to visit frequency. Seeking care at other clinics was related to employment. Emergency room utilization was positively related to male gender. Patients listed proximity and ability to receive care not offered at the free clinic as the primary reasons for seeking care at another clinic. In this sample, free clinic utilization was related to demographic and community factors. Free clinics should consider these factors when designing their care delivery. SRFC's should further evaluate how they function in the safety net.

A synchrotron computed tomography dataset for validation of longitudinal tensile failure models based on fibre break and cluster development

We performed in-situ tensile tests on two carbon fibre/epoxy composites with continuous scanning using synchrotron computed tomography (CT). Both composites were cross-ply laminates, and two specimens were tested for each composite. The voxel size was sufficiently small to recognize individual fibres and fibre breaks. For each test, 16-19 volumes were reconstructed, cropped down to the 0° plies and analysed to track fibre break and cluster development. This dataset provides the last CT volume before failure for each of the four specimens as well as the individual fibre break locations in all reconstructed volumes. These data are then plotted against predictions from six state-of-the-art strength models. The target is that these data become a benchmark for the development of new models, inspiring researchers to set up refined experiments and develop improved models.

Addictive behaviours during the COVID-19 pandemic: results from a nationwide study in Portugal

Background

Evidence shows that individuals can engage in maladaptive behaviours as a response to a pandemic context, which can compromise their health and wellbeing. This project aims to characterize self-reported changes in addiction-related behaviours and associated factors in the adult population during the first COVID-19 lockdown, in Portugal.

Methods

Cross-sectional study, with an online survey conducted between May 22 and July 20, 2020, targeting a non-probabilistic sample of adults (18 years of age or more) dwelling in Portugal (mainland and autonomous regions). The following data were collected: alcohol drinking, smoking, use of cannabis and other substances, gambling, and sugar-sweetened food intake, work-related variables, and sociodemographics. After data cleaning and weighting (by sex, age group, NUTS II and educational level), logistic regression models were conducted to assess potential determinants of addiction-related behaviours.

Results

Overall, 3.982 individuals participated in the study (79.1% women; mean age of 45.15 years). Women, young adults (18-34 years) and individuals with difficulties in work-life balance had higher odds for self-reported increase of sweets intake. Men, young adults (18-34 years) and those with work-life balance difficulties presented higher odds for alcohol drinking increase. Those unemployed (or with suspended activity or in layoff) and those with lower income had higher odds for gambling behaviour increase.

Conclusions

Some segments of the Portuguese population reported to have increased their engagement in addictive-related behaviours, during the COVID-19 lockdown, which can have negative consequences for mental health. The study of the correlates of maladaptive responses under this scenario is pivotal to inform public health interventions and alleviate the potential deleterious impacts of this pandemic.

Key messages

COVID-19 pandemic can increase maladaptive coping behaviours in some segments of the population. Public health interventions are needed to mitigate the negative consequences of this pandemic.

Mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Portugal

Background

Mental health is being impacted by COVID-19, as a result of both the globalized perception of health risk and the massive social and economic measures, required to control the pandemic. A main goal of this study, the SM-COVID19, was to characterize the mental health of the general population and to identify vulnerable groups, during the first lockdown in Portugal.

Methods

Cross-sectional online survey, conducted between May 22 and July 20, 2020, with a nationwide non-probabilistic sample of adults residing in Portugal (≥18 years old). Data were collected with sound psychometric scales for symptoms of anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), work-life balance, resilience, work-related variables, and sociodemographics. Logistic regression models were used to assess risk and protective factors for mental health suffering.

Results

Overall, 3982 individuals participated in the study (female, 79.1%; mean age, 45.15±12.31 years; 71.0% completed higher education studies). The prevalence of symptoms of moderate to severe anxiety was 26.5% (95% Confidence Interval (CI): 24.0-29.1), of depression symptoms was 26.0% (95%CI, 23.6-28.7), and of PTSD symptoms was 26.5% (95%CI, 24.0-29.2). Moreover, more than one third of the respondents (41.2%; 95%CI: 38.3-44.1) reported symptomatology for at least one of these three psychiatric disorders. Women, individuals who suspended their professional activity (or in layoff or unemployed) during the lockdown, and those with difficulties in managing work and family demands had higher odds for psychological suffering.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic is a public health crisis with major interpersonal, social and economic impacts at the individual level. Mental health and wellbeing are being severely affected, as confirmed by the high prevalence of symptoms of psychological suffering herein. Mental health protection measures need to be defined and implemented, mainly targeting the most vulnerable groups.

Key messages

COVID-19 pandemic is associated with high prevalence of anxiety, depression and PTSD. Observed mental health inequities imply effective vulnerable-groups-focused mental health promotion programs.

On- vs off-hours primary percutaneous coronary intervention: a single-centre experience

Introduction

In ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients, emergency medical system delays importantly affect outcomes. The effect of admission time in STEMI patients is dubious when percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is the preferred reperfusion strategy.

Aims

The authors aimed to retrospectively describe the association between admission time and STEMI patient's care standards and outcomes.

Methods

Characteristics and outcomes of 1222 consecutive STEMI patients treated in a PCI-centre were collected. On-hours were defined as admission on non-national-holidays from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 6 PM. Time delays, in-hospital and one-year all-cause mortality were assessed.

Results

A total of 439 patients (36%) were admitted on-hours and 783 patients (64%) were admitted off-hours. Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between groups, including the percentage of patients admitted in cardiogenic shock (on-hours: 4.6% vs off-hours 4%; p=0.62).

Median emergency system dependent time to reperfusion (i.e. first-medical contact to reperfusion) did not differ between the two groups (on-hours: 120 min vs. off-hours 123 min, p=0.54). The authors observed no association between admission time and in-hospital mortality (on-hours: 5% vs. off-hours 4.9%, p=0.90) or 1-year mortality (on-hours: 10% vs. off-hours 10%, p=0.97).

In patients admitted directly in the PCI-centre, median time from first-medical contact to reperfusion (on-hours: 87 min vs off-hours: 88 min, p=0.54), in-hospital mortality (on-hours: 4% vs off-hours: 7%, p=0.30) and 1 year mortality (on-hours: 9% vs off-hours: 13%, p=0.27) did not differ between the two groups.

Survival analysis showed no survival benefit of on-hours PCI over off-hours PCI (HR 1.01; 95% CI [0.77–1.46], p=0.95).

Conclusion

In a contemporary well-organized emergency network, STEMI patients admission time in the PCI-centre was not associated with reperfusion delays or increased mortality.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. Kaplan-Meier curve

ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction: are women being discriminated?

Background

Although outcomes in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) undergoing primary percutaneous coronary interventions (PCI) have improved, a gender disparity exists, with women showing higher mortality.

Objectives

To assess gender differences in presentation, management and in-hospital, at 30-days, 6-months and 1-year after STEMI mortality.

Methods

We collected data from 809 consecutive patients treated with primary PCI and compared the females versus males.

Results

Women were older than man (69,1±14,6 vs. 58,5±12,7 years; p&lt;0.001) with higher prevalence of age over 75 years (36.7% vs. 11.7%; p&lt;0.001), diabetes (30,6% vs. 18,5%; p=0.001), hypertension (60.5% vs. 45.9%; p=0.001), chronic kidney disease (3.4% vs. 0.6%; p=0.010) and acute ischemic stroke (6.8% vs. 3.0%; p=0.021). At presentation, women had more atypical symptoms, less chest pain (90.3% vs. 95.6%; p=0.014) and greater clinical severity (cardiogenic shock (10.7% vs. 5.4%; p=0.011). There were no differences in the symptom-first medical contact me (95.0 min vs. 80.5 min; p=0.215); however, women had longer time until reperfusion (264.0 min vs. 212.5 min; p=0.001) and were less likely to receive optimal medical therapy (aspirin-93.1% vs. 99.2%; p&lt;0.001; P2Y12 inhibitors 91.9% vs. 98.2%; p&lt;0.001; beta-blockers-90.8% vs. 95.1%; p=0.032; ACEIs- 88.1% vs. 94.8%; p=0.003). In-hospital mortality (9.6% vs. 3.5%; p=0.001), at 30-days (11.3% vs. 4.0%; p&lt;0.001), 6-months (14.1% vs. 4.7%; p&lt;0.001) and 1-year (16.4% vs. 6.3%; p&lt;0.001) was significantly higher in women. The multivariate analysis identified age over 75 years (HR=4.25; 95% CI [1.67–10.77]; p=0.002), Killip class II (HR=8.80; 95% CI [2.72–28.41]; p&lt;0.001), III (HR=5.88; 95% CI [0.99–34.80]; p=0.051) and IV (HR=9.60; 95% CI [1.86–48.59]; p=0.007), acute kidney injury (HR=2.47; 95% CI [1.00–6.13]; p=0.051) and days of hospitalization (HR=1.04; 95% CI [1.01–1.08]; p=0.030) but not female gender (HR=0.83; 95% CI [0.33–2.10]; p=0.690) as independent prognostic factors of mortality.

Conclusions

Compared to men, women with STEMI undergoing primary PCI have higher mortality rates. Our results suggest that this is not due to the gender itself, but due to the women worse risk profile, the higher reperfusion time related with system delays and the minor probability of receiving the recommended therapy. Efforts should be made to reduce these gender differences.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Evaluation of Perugini score and myocardial mass and voltage abnormalities in transthyretine cardiac amyloidosis

Background

Transthyretine cardiac amyloidosis (TTR-CA) is an emerging treatable disease in cardiology. Severity of TTR infiltration can be assessed by bone scintigraphy with Perugini score, depending on HPD-Tc99M myocardial intensity uptake. Less is known on how Perugini score interplays with routine cardiac structural parameters, especially cardiac mass and voltage.

Aim

To evaluate correlation between Perugini score and myocardial mass and voltage abnormalities in patients with TTR-CA.

Methods

Patients diagnosed with ATTR-CA and addressed to our center for treatment underwent complete evaluation including electrocardiogram (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). Routine electrical and echographic parameters were obtained such as: Sokolow indice (SV1+RV5) in millivolt (mV), PR delay (ms), QRS width (in ms), left ventricular mass (LVM, in grams) and diastolic interventricular septum (dIVS) thickness (in mm). Patients were classified in three categories according to Perugini score: I (cardiac uptake &lt; chest bones), II (cardiac uptake = chest bones) and III (cardiac uptake &gt; bones). Main end-point were LVM and Voltage/Mass ratio (VMR) variations, depending on Perugini score.

Results

Among the 17 patients included, 14 were male (82.4%) and mean age was 82±8 years old. On ECG, 6 patients (35.3%) had permanent atrial fibrillation (AF). Mean voltage according to Sokolow index, mean PR delay and mean QRS width were respectively 1.5±0.5 mV, 212±54 ms and 113±19 ms. On TTE, mean LVM and mean dIVS width were respectively 333±98 g (188±55 g/m2) and 19±4 mm. Mean voltage/mass ratio (VMR) was 0.48±0.26 uV/g (see table). On bone scintigraphy, 3 patients were scored with Perugini I (17.6%), 4 with Perugini II (23.5%) and 10 with Perugini III (58.8%). According to Pearson test, there was a strong correlation between Perrugini score and LVM (r=+0.56, p=0.03) (graph A), and a strong negative correlation between Perrugini score and VMR (r=−0.70, p=0.003) (graph B). There were a trend for correlation between Perugini score and Voltage according to Sokolow (r=−0.46, p=0.07) and between Perugini score and dIVS width (r=0.49, p=0.07).

Conclusion

In TTR-CA patients, Perugini score appears to strongly correlate with left ventricle mass and voltage. Larger scale studies are needed to confirm these results.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None. ECG and TEE trends according to PeruginiCardiac mass and voltage with Perugini

Managing bifurcations: are two stents better than one?

Introduction

Bifurcation percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with a higher degree of complexity when compared with non-bifurcation procedures. Although 1-stent PCI remains the standard approach for most bifurcation lesions, data is constantly being published on 2-stent PCI.

Aim

To evaluate and compare the characteristics and outcomes of patients that underwent bifurcation PCI with one or two stents.

Methods

Single center, retrospective observational study including all patients who underwent bifurcation PCI between January 2015-December 2018. We defined two groups: 1-stent PCI group (1s-PCI) and 2-stent PCI group (2s-PCI). The 2s-PCI group included PCI patients with all the different techniques used in our center: provisional stenting with 2 stents, Cullote, crushing stent and DK Crush.

Results

1s-PCI group included 376 individuals and 2s-PCI group included 26. Overall baseline clinical characteristics were balanced between groups. There was no statistically significant difference in age (mean 64 vs 66; p=0.388), gender (79% vs 85% males; p=0.622) and comorbidities (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, hypercholesterolemia, chronic kidney disease, smoking and previous history of coronary artery disease). Also, there was no difference in clinical status (NSTEMI 36% vs 38%; stable disease 32% vs 42%; STEMI 28% vs 19%; unstable angina 5% vs 0%; p=0.419). Coronary angiography and lesion distribution were similar in both groups (p=0.367). However, radiation dose (median 90.5 [IQR=79] vs 156 [IQR=84] mGy cm2; p&lt;0,001) and contrast volume (median 150 [IQR=100] vs 156 [IQR=83] ml; p&lt;0,001) were significantly higher in 2s-PCI group. At 12-month follow-up, mortality rate was higher in 1s-PCI group, but without statistical significance (8% vs 4%; p=0.71); the same is true for acute myocardial infarction at 12 months (3% vs 0%; p=0.368). Target-lesion failure was only reported in 4 patients in the 1s-PCI group. Survival tests showed no significant difference between groups (χ2(1,n=402)=0.634; p=0.426).

Conclusion

Individuals that underwent 1s-PCI were overall similar to those who underwent 2s-PCI. Predictably, deploying more than 1 stent required more contrast volume and implied a higher radiation dose. We should note that our studied is greatly limited by the 2s-PCI group size, which may justify the lack of difference in the evaluated outcomes.

Funding Acknowledgement

Type of funding sources: None.

Socioeconomic factors and the probability of death by Covid-19 in Brazil

BACKGROUND

To design better measures to contain the Covid-19 epidemics, it is relevant to know whether socioeconomic factors are associated with a higher risk of death by Covid-19. This work estimates the effects of individual socioeconomic characteristics on the risk of death by Covid-19.

METHODS

Logistic models were estimated to assess the effect of socioeconomic characteristics (income, race/ethnicity, schooling, occupation and economic activity) on the risk of death from Covid-19. For this purpose, Covid-19 individual death records in Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil were combined with the Annual Register of Social Information, which contains socioeconomic information about formal workers.

FINDINGS

Workers employed in establishments in the health and public safety sectors present a risk of dying 2.46 and 2.25 times higher than those employed in other activities. Non-white people, men, and those who work in the Metropolitan Region are also more likely to die from Covid-19. People with higher education are 44% less likely to die from the disease.

CONCLUSIONS

Some population groups are more vulnerable to the Covid-19 pandemic and individual socioeconomic conditions play a relevant role in the probability of death by the disease. That should be considered in the design of prevention policies to be adopted.

Influence of S. cerevisiae and P. kluyveri as starters on chocolate flavour

BACKGROUND

Fermented cocoa beans (Theobroma cacao L.) are a pivotal raw material for chocolate production. A cocktail yeast applied in the cocoa fermentation process can promote the formation of pleasant metabolites. Saccharomyces, Pichia and Hanseniaspora have been widely used in fermentation to improve the final product organoleptic profile, highlighting that fermentation is a critical point for chocolate flavour precursor production. This study aims to evaluate the impact of Pichia kluyveri and Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains as starter cultures on the fermentation for two cocoa hybrids, FA13 and CEPEC2002.

RESULTS

During fermentation processes, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and protein profiles were assessed. Chocolates produced were also assessed regarding the presence of VOCs. Eighty VOCs were identified using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry analysis. Mass spectrometry provided the protein profile evolution during fermentation and showed that the profiles changed with inoculation type (spontaneous versus inoculated fermentation). Chocolate obtained from FA13 inoculated with S. cerevisiae strain contained a greater amount of organics acids, being categorised as sourer than chocolate produced by spontaneous fermentation of FA13. CEPEC2002 inoculated with S. cerevisiae strain in co-culture with P. kluyveri strain generated less sour and sweeter chocolate than spontaneous fermentation only.

CONCLUSIONS

Chocolates from inoculated assays with starter cultures were more accepted by evaluators, highlighting that P. kluyveri and S. cerevisiae influence the composition of VOCs. Besides, protein profiles also changed throughout fermentation. Further investigation should be conducted to clarify protein degradation dynamics during inoculated fermentations to define which of the microbial cultures positively affect the chocolate sensory characteristics. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

An overview on possible links between aflatoxin B1 exposure and gallbladder cancer

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is one of the most common sites for biliary tract cancers. It has a worldwide distribution being endemic in South America and Southern Asia. These high GBC rates have previously been linked to the determinants of health such as nutrition, genetics, lifestyle, and environment. Exposure to aflatoxin B₁ (AFB₁), a human carcinogen, is suggested to be involved with GBC development. This work aims to analyse the interplay of social, lifestyle, and genetic predisposing factors to GBC. AFB₁ plays a pivotal role in carcinogenic onset by genetic and epigenetic modifications. AFB₁ can induce molecular changes involved in the GBC pathogenesis, such as overexpression of UCHL1 gene, mutagenesis of TP53 gene, abnormal expression of oncogenes BCL-2, and aberrantly methylation of ERBB family receptors. However, a large-scale scientific cooperation is needed to confirm these molecular links through which AFB₁ may increase the GBC risk. For that, monitoring AFB₁ exposure through AF-albumin and AFB1-lysine will clarify the level of exposure of the population to AFB₁ in the GBC hotspot. Further, analyses of AFB1-adduct concentrations in GBC cases (fatal and non-fatal) are needed to understanding if AF contamination can trigger gallbladder cancer.

The old guard: Age-related changes in microglia and their consequences

Among all major organs, the brain is one of the most susceptible to the inexorable effects of aging. Throughout the last decades, several studies in human cohorts and animal models have revealed a plethora of age-related changes in the brain, including reduced neurogenesis, oxidative damage, mitochondrial dysfunction and cell senescence. As the main immune effectors and first responders of the nervous tissue, microglia are at the center of these events. These cells experience irrevocable changes as a result from cumulative exposure to environmental triggers, such as stress, infection and metabolic dysregulation. The age-related immunosenescent phenotype acquired by microglia is characterized by profound modifications in their transcriptomic profile, secretome, morphology and phagocytic activity, which compromise both their housekeeping and defensive functions. As a result, aged microglia are no longer capable of establishing effective immune responses and sustaining normal synaptic activity, directly contributing to age-associated cognitive decline and neurodegeneration. This review discusses how lifestyle and environmental factors drive microglia dysfunction at the molecular and functional level, also highlighting possible interventions to reverse aging-associated damage to the nervous and immune systems.

COVID-19, Chikungunya, Dengue and Zika Diseases: An Analytical Platform Based on MALDI-TOF MS, IR Spectroscopy and RT-qPCR for Accurate Diagnosis and Accelerate Epidemics Control

COVID-19 and arboviruses (ARBOD) epidemics co-occurrence is a great concern. In tropical and subtropical regions, ARBOD diseases such as chikungunya, dengue, and Zika are frequent. In both COVID-19 and ARBOD cases, an accurate diagnosis of infected patients is crucial to promote adequate treatment and isolation measures in COVID-19 cases. Overlap of clinical symptoms and laboratory parameters between COVID-19 and ARBOD present themselves as an extra challenge during diagnosis. COVID-19 diagnosis is mainly performed by quantitative reverse polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), while ARBOD diagnosis is performed by serology, detection of antigen or antibody, and molecular diagnosis. In this review, the epidemiologic profile of arboviruses and SARS-CoV-2 is analyzed, and potential risks of symptom overlap is addressed. The implementation of an analytical platform based on infrared (IR) spectroscopy, MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and RT-qPCR is discussed as an efficient strategy for a fast, robust, reliable, and cost-effective diagnosis system even during the co-occurrence of virus outbreaks. The spectral data of IR spectroscopy and MALDI-TOF MS obtained from COVID-19 infected and recovered patients can be used to build up an integrated spectral database. This approach can enable us to determine quickly the groups that have been exposed and have recovered from COVID-19 or ARBOD, avoiding misdiagnoses.

First genotyping of Trypanosoma cruzi from naturally infected Triatoma juazeirensis, Triatoma melanica and Triatoma sherlocki from Bahia State, Brazil

Many previous studies have shown a great phylogenetic and biological variability of Trypanosoma cruzi using different molecular and biochemical methods. Populations of T. cruzi were initially clustered into two main lineages called TcI and TcII by the size of the mini-exon PCR product. In the present study, 33 isolates derived from three triatomine taxa, which belong to the Triatoma brasiliensis species complex (Triatoma juazeirensis, Triatoma melanica and Triatoma sherlocki); collected in three distinct areas of Bahia state were characterized by PCR. The isolates were identified by the size of the mini-exon gene, 18S rRNA and 24Sα rRNA amplicons. T. cruzi isolates obtained in sylvatic and intradomiciliar ecotopes, derived from T. juazeirensis and T. melanica, were identified as TcI while the parasites originated from T. sherlocki were characterized as TcI and TcII genotypes, respectively. Those species are present in sylvatic ecotopes but are able to infest intradomiciliar areas. Therefore, it would be important to maintain studies in those localities of Bahia and further investigate the possibilities of Chagas disease transmission. Human disease may occur by any T. cruzi genotype and not only by TcII as it is the case in Amazonia.