Título del artículo:

Reliability of the Modified Ashworth Scale in post-stroke spasticity assessment: cross-sectional study

Introduction. Spasticity evaluation in stroke survivors is crucial for effective rehabilitation. The Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS) is commonly used for this purpose, but its reliability when administered by less expe-rienced individuals like physiotherapy students remains understudied. Therefore, our objective is to assess the inter-observer reliability of the MAS among physiotherapy students for evaluating post-stroke lower limb spasticity. Methods. Thirty-two patients (24 males, 65.2 ± 13.9 years) with hemiplegia/hemiparesis at least six months post-stroke were enrolled. Extensors and flexors in the hip, knee, and ankle of each participant were assessed independently by two trained final-year physiotherapy students, approximately 5 min apart. The Weighted Cohen’s Kappa Index (K) was calculated. Results. The MAS showed substantial agreement for hip extensors (K = 0.78) and flexors (K = 0.70), knee flexors (K = 0.77), dorsiflexors (K = 0.64), and plantar flexors (K = 0.63), and fair agreement for knee extensors (K = 0.54). Conclusions. Novice physiotherapy students demonstrated reliable application of the MAS when evaluating spasticity in the lower limbs of individuals recovering from strokes. Substantial agreement in most muscle groups examined supports the use of the MAS as a valid tool for assessment, even during the initial phases of clinical education.

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Physiotherapy Quarterly

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Spinal chondrosarcoma

Chondrosarcomas are primary malignant tumors that may arise from the cranial skull base or axial skeleton and are characterized by neoplastic growth of hyaline cartilaginous tissue. Primary tumors of the spinal column are rare, and chondrosarcomas are the least frequent of these, but their propensity to recur and lack of effective chemotherapeutic options makes this a formidable tumor to treat. Despite an increased understanding of potential targets for chondrosarcoma treatment, patients must be considered for potential en bloc resection, as this is the only available option to cure the patient of this cancer. These tumors may metastasize, so all patients must undergo staging of their tumor prior to any surgical resection, as this may change the goals of surgery. In this chapter, we discuss the presentation and treatment of a patient with a chondrosarcoma of the spinal column and poll an expert panel of spine surgeons to highlight the possible management strategies.

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Comparative Management of Spine Pathology

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Understanding the Challenge of Complex Congenital Heart Palliation Follow-Up in a Middle-Income Latin American Country

Introduction. Congenital heart disease of great complexity like single ventricle are the most prevalent congenital defects, managing these requires multiple surgical procedures, usually three stages. Lethality during the interstage period has decreased due to practices as home monitoring. Given the significant resources invested in patient care, it is essential to improve long-term outcomes. There is limited research in cardiovascular disease within middle-income countries. Objective. To identify factors associated with lack of medical follow-up and lethality in children during first interstage period. Method. A retrospective cohort study was conducted including 173 children in their first interstage period after cardiovascular surgery for severe congenital heart disease. Reviewed clinical records and contacted caregivers through telephone/instant messaging software. Analysis included central tendency and dispersion measures. Associations between independent variables and the primary outcomes —loss to follow-up (LTF) and mortality during the interstage period— were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney, Chi-square or Fisher’s exact tests. Results. Of 173 patients, 65 (37.6%) patients LTF. The risk factors for LTF: rural residence (OR=5.05, CI95%1.32-19.26), lower educational level of parents. Global lethality was 13.3% (CI95%7.9-20.4) and factors associated were: rural origin (OR=22.78, CI95%3.68-140.83), malnutrition (OR=25.47, CI95%2.96-218.73), necrotizing enterocolitis (OR=13.34, CI95%2.34-75.97) and heterotaxia or situs inversus (OR=8.05, CI95%1.26-51.34). The number of visits were a protective factor for interstage lethality (OR=0.71, CI95%0.55-0.9). Conclusion. The interstage period entails significant challenges for patients and their families, which are possibly exacerbated by the socio-economic context of a middle-income country. Improving follow-up and support for caregivers of patients under similar conditions could help mitigate identified factors related to lethality.

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Revista De Investigacion E Innovacion En Ciencias De La Salud

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Striatal Nitric Oxide Activity Better Predicts Motor Disability Than Proto-Oncogenes

Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS) are side effects observed after acute administration of D2 antagonists and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) inhibitors in rodents. To date, no study has examined NOS activity in parallel with c-Fos immunoreactivity (c-Fos-IR) following multiple doses of these compounds. The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether catalepsy and motor balance deficits resulting from specific acute doses of haloperidol (Hal), metoclopramide (MCP), and L-NOARG could correlate with changes in the number of c-Fos-IR and nNOS-positive cells, as well as NADPH-diaphorase activity in the striatum. Male Swiss mice received Hal (0.1-1 mg/kg, ip), MCP (1-45 mg/kg, ip), L-NOARG (15-45 mg/kg, ip), or saline. An increased cataleptic effect was observed in all experimental groups. All doses of Hal and the higher doses of MCP resulted in deficits in the Rota-rod test, whereas L-NOARG did not affect Rota-rod performance. Histochemical analysis revealed increased c-Fos-IR in the dorsal striatum following Hal, as well as in the dorsolateral striatum after low and intermediate clinically relevant doses of MCP. Both types of D2R antagonists led to an increase in NADPH-diaphorase activity in the dorsal striatum. Similarly, the higher catalepsy-inducing doses of L-NOARG resulted in increased NADPH-diaphorase activity in the dorsal striatum; however, these same doses also reduced c-Fos-IR in the dorsolateral striatum and nucleus accumbens (NAc). In conclusion, all drugs acutely induced catalepsy, with motor balance preserved after L-NOARG treatment. Our findings suggest that EPS side effects may be attributed to NADPH-diaphorase activity in the dorsal striatum.

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European Journal of Neuroscience

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Cardioneuroablation in the management of neurocardiogenic syncope with extracranial validation: efficacy and effects on the regulation of the cardiac autonomic system – a combined retrospective–prospective cohort study

Background: Neurocardiogenic syncope (NCS), particularly cardioinhibitory and mixed subtypes, remains a clinical challenge when refractory to conventional therapy. Cardioneuroablation (CNA) targeting the parasympathetic ganglionated plexi has emerged as a novel interventional option. This study evaluates the efficacy of biatrial CNA with extracardiac vagal stimulation (ECVS) validation in preventing recurrence and modulating cardiac autonomic regulation. Methods: A single-center combined retrospective–prospective cohort study was conducted at a fourth-level institution in Colombia, including patients with cardioinhibitory or mixed-type NCS refractory to conventional treatment. CNA was performed targeting both atria with three-dimensional mapping, followed by ECVS via the internal jugular vein for pre/post validation. Primary outcome was the recurrence of syncope. Secondary outcomes included changes in heart rate variability (HRV) and quality of life (QoL) as assessed by 24-hour Holter monitoring and the SF-36 questionnaire, respectively. Mean follow-up was 24 months. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Statistics 28.0.0.0. Results: Fifty-three patients (mean age 42.8 ± 10.1 years, 70% cardioinhibitory type) were included. Recurrence occurred in 7 patients (13.2%), with 86.8% syncope-free survival. HRV parameters decreased after CNA (SDNN: 137.03ms vs. 83.18ms; SDANN index: 79.12 vs. 39.35; RMSSD: 38.75ms vs. 13.91ms; p < 0.001), indicating vagal suppression. QoL improved significantly (SF-36 score: 81.91 vs. 94.62, p < 0.001). No major procedural complications or mortality were reported. Conclusion: CNA with ECVS validation is effective in reducing syncope recurrence, suppressing excessive parasympathetic tone, and improving QoL in patients with refractory neurocardiogenic syncope. These findings support its use as a therapeutic option in selected patients.

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Journal of Interventional Cardiac Electrophysiology

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Criteria of the Dutch Clinical Network and genetic testing in familial hyperlipidemia in a group of Colombian patients

Introduction: hyperlipidemia is a group of diseases, both hereditary and acquired, characterized by elevated levels of lipids in the human body, especially prevalent in the western hemisphere. Methods: this study seeks to identify patients with familial hyperlipidemia using the criteria of the Dutch Clinical Network applied to the subsidized population of Bucaramanga, Colombia, and evaluate their individual profiles. Results: the prevalence of heterozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HeFH) is estimated to be 1 in 200 to 500 people, while the prevalence of homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia (HoFH) is 1 in 300,000 to 600,000 people. In Bucaramanga, it is projected that 240,000 people could have HeFH and from 160 to 300 cases of HoFH. Conclusions: despite the estimates, the real prevalence of the disease in Colombia is unknown, which justifies carrying out this study to obtain more precise data on familial hyperlipidemia in the region.

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Revista De La Federacion Argentina De Cardiologia

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Unusual presentation of Crohn disease associated with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis syndrome: a case report

Crohn\'s disease (CD) is a chronic, multifactorial inflammatory condition that can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and is associated with systemic, extraintestinal, and atypical manifestations. Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH), also known as macrophage activation syndrome, is a rare and severe inflammatory disorder that may occur secondary to infections, malignancies, or autoimmune diseases. Its association with CD is extremely uncommon. We report the case of an 8-year-old male who initially presented with nonspecific symptoms including lower limb pain, lumbalgia, and progressive abdominal pain, evolving into respiratory failure and cardiogenic shock, which required admission to the intensive care unit (ICU). He developed bicytopenia, persistent fever, rash, bilateral pleural effusion, hyperferritinemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and signs of systemic inflammation, raising clinical suspicion for HLH. Infectious and hematologic malignancies were ruled out. The patient received intravenous immunoglobulin, broad-spectrum antibiotics, antifungal agents, and immunomodulatory treatment. Gastrointestinal symptoms included melena-like diarrhea, hematochezia, abdominal distension, and elevated fecal calprotectin levels. Abdominal CT imaging showed colonic wall thickening and mesenteric lymphadenopathy. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy, colonoscopy, and histopathological analysis confirmed the diagnosis of CD. Treatment with infliximab was initiated, leading to a favorable clinical response. This case underscores an atypical presentation of CD associated with HLH, posing significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges.

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Revista De Gastroenterologia Del Peru Organo Oficial De La Sociedad De Gastroenterologia Del Peru

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Eosinophilic gastroduodenitis secondary to toxocariasis: a zoonosis simulating gastric lymphoma in children

We describe the case of a pediatric patient with eosinophilic gastroduodenitis secondary to visceral toxocariasis, presenting with clinical, endoscopic, and histological features suggestive of gastric lymphoma. The patient, from a rural area, exhibited severe gastrointestinal symptoms, persistent hypereosinophilia, deep ulcerative lesions in the stomach and duodenum, as well as systemic involvement. After an extensive immunological, hematological, and infectious disease evaluation, the diagnosis was confirmed by positive serology for Toxocara canis. The patient showed favorable clinical evolution with antiparasitic therapy, immunomodulation, and intensive nutritional support. This case highlights the importance of considering infectious etiologies in the differential diagnosis of eosinophilic gastroduodenal disorders, particularly in pediatric patients with systemic involvement and a presentation mimicking malignant disease.

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Revista De Gastroenterologia Del Peru Organo Oficial De La Sociedad De Gastroenterologia Del Peru

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Viral metagenomics in mosquitoes as potential vectors of arboviruses in the Colombian Caribbean: characterisation of a \"core\" regional RNA viromeFIRST REVIEW ROUND - REVIEWERS COMMENTSAUTHORS RESPONSE TO REVIEWERSREVIEWERS COMMENTS

BACKGROUND: Mosquitoes are critical vectors in tropical regions where arboviruses like dengue and Zika are prevalent. This study focuses on characterising the RNA virome of mosquitoes in the Colombian Caribbean, emphasising the core regional virome and its role in the dynamics of arboviruses. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to identify and analyse the core RNA virome of mosquitoes across different genera and seasons in the Colombian Caribbean to understand its composition and potential influence on arbovirus transmission dynamics. METHODS: In 2023, 4,074 mosquitoes from the genera Mansonia, Coquillettidia, and Anopheles were collected across Córdoba, Sucre, Bolívar, and Magdalena during rainy and dry seasons. Specimens were pooled in groups of 50, subjected to RNA extraction, and sequenced on the MGI-G50™ platform. Bioinformatic analyses utilised the DIAMOND-MEGANizer pipeline and R packages (phyloseq, vegan, ggplot2) to identify viral communities. FINDINGS: The analysis identified 22 viral families and 24 unclassified RNA viruses. The core regional virome, consistently present across species and seasons, was dominated by insect-specific viruses (ISVs) such as Aedes aegypti to virus 1 and 2, Astopletus, and Cumbaru, alongside Picornaviridae (30% of reads), Rhabdoviridae (20%), Orthomyxoviridae, and Bunyavirales. Mansonia titillans (38 species) and Coquillettidia nigricans (21 species) exhibited the highest viral richness. No significant arboviruses were detected, highlighting ISV dominance. Virome composition varied seasonally, with greater diversity in the rainy season due to increased breeding site availability and temperature. MAIN CONCLUSIONS: The stability of the core virome suggests it modulates vector competence, potentially reducing arbovirus transmission. These findings advocate the use of metagenomics for enhanced vector surveillance and biological control strategies in neotropical ecosystems.

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Memorias do Instituto Oswaldo Cruz

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Iatrogenic Hepatocellular Adenoma in Relation to an Unusual Complication of Cardiac Surgery

Background: Inferior vena cava (IVC) obstruction is a rare but serious complication after atrial septal defect (ASD) repair. Case Summary: A 50-year-old woman with prior ASD closure presented for liver transplant evaluation due to cirrhosis and a suspected hepatocellular adenoma. Examination revealed congestive hepatopathy and dyspnea (NYHA II). Imaging identified IVC obstruction from Eustachian valve entrapment and thrombus at the cavoatrial junction. She underwent successful IVC recanalization and thrombectomy, with resolution of symptoms, prompting suspension of transplant listing. Discussion: IVC obstruction after ASD repair is exceedingly rare but can mimic liver disease and precipitate Budd-Chiari syndrome. Unlike previously reported cases, our patient uniquely demonstrated the coexistence of cirrhosis and an HNF1A-inactivated hepatocellular adenoma, a combination not described before in this setting. This case underscores the need to consider cardiac causes in unexplained hepatopathy, especially post-ASD repair. Take-Home Messages: IVC obstruction should be suspected in post-ASD repair patients with hepatopathy. Early recognition allows curative intervention and avoids unnecessary transplantation.

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Jacc Case Reports

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Clinical Outcomes of Percutaneous Mitral Valve Repair with Mitraclip®: A Longitudinal Observational Study (The Mitra-Angio-CDO Study)

Background: The MitraClip device is used as an endovascular therapy for mitral valve repair in patients with severe mitral insufficiency and high surgical risk. This therapy was used for the first time in Colombia in 2013, after its authorization by the National Institute of Drug and Food Surveillance. Materials and Methods: A quantitative, observational, descriptive, longitudinal study was conducted, with an analytical component stratified by age, in adults who underwent mitral valve repair with MitraClip from March 2013 to June 2022 to determine the clinical outcomes associated with hospitalization, mortality, complications, and health-related quality of life. Results: A total of 94 patients with a mean age of 70.3±10.3 years were evaluated, most of whom were male (65%), hypertensive (80%), and had New York Heart Association class III–IV classification (90.4%) and functional mitral insufficiency (93.6%) classified as severe (74.5%). The recurrence of all-cause hospitalization was 39.4%, of which 88% corresponded to heart failure. The immediate success of the procedure, determined as mitral insufficiency classified as ≤moderate after implantation, was 93.6% (p < 0.001). In-hospital mortality was 2.1%, mortality at 6 months was 12.8% (≤70 years 11.6% vs >70 years 13.7%, p = 0.007), mortality at 1 year was 16%, and mortality at 2 years was 20.2%. The incidence of complications was low, the most frequent one being de novo atrial fibrillation (7.4%), followed by major bleeding requiring transfusion (4.3%). The Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire scale was used, with a mean score of 69.9±19.3. Conclusion: Percutaneous mitral valve repair with MitraClip is a safe technique that directly affects survival and quality of life. There was a low incidence of complications related to the procedure and the patient’s preoperative condition, with results comparable to those of studies carried out in Europe and the United States.

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Therapeutics and Clinical Risk Management

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Effect of sea surface temperature in El Niño regions on dengue dynamics in Colombia: Evidence from causal machine learning

Dengue fever is among the most rapidly expanding vector-borne diseases globally, with Colombia ranking among the most affected countries in the Americas. Although previous research has linked climate variability and El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) episodes to dengue dynamics, the direct causal effect of sea surface temperature (SST) in El Niño regions remains insufficiently explored. We conducted a retrospective ecological analysis using monthly laboratory-confirmed dengue cases from 1,044 Colombian municipalities (2013–2023), combined with atmospheric, oceanic, and socioeconomic data. We emulated an experimental design to estimate the effect of SST in El Niño regions 1–2, 3, 3–4, and 4 on excess dengue cases. Confounder adjustment was guided by a Directed Acyclic Graph (DAG), and causal effects were estimated using Double Machine Learning (DML) with XGBoost learners. We estimated the Average Treatment Effect (ATE) and the Conditional Average Treatment Effect (CATE) conditioned on altitude. Robustness was evaluated with refutation tests introducing random confounders, subset replacement, and placebo exposures. A total of 455,329 confirmed dengue cases were reported during the study period, peaking in 2023. The strongest association was observed for El Niño region 3, where a standard deviation increase in SST (1.24 °C) raised the probability of excess dengue cases by 6.9 percentage points (ATE = 0.069, 95% CI = 0.056 – 0.083). El Niño regions 3–4 and 4 showed slightly weaker ATE yet significant effects (6.4% and 6.2%), while El Niño region 1–2 had the lowest effect (4.6%). The CATE analysis revealed that the effects of El Niño regions 1–2 and 3 were stronger at higher altitudes; meanwhile, for El Niño regions 3–4 and 4, the effects showed a slightly negative trend, suggesting a heterogeneous effect of El Niño regions on dengue incidence in Colombia based on altitude. Robustness checks indicated the presence of residual bias, particularly when applying the subset replacement test. These findings highlight the importance of integrating oceanic monitoring into early warning systems of the disease and tailoring vector-control strategies to local ecological contexts.

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Plos Global Public Health

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Perioperative use of levosimendan in complex congenital heart disease management

This study evaluated the impact of perioperative levosimendan on in-hospital outcomes in children undergoing surgery for complex congenital heart disease. A retrospective cohort of 120 neonates and infants undergoing Norwood operation, arterial switch operation, or truncus arteriosus repair was analyzed. Median age at surgery was 29.5 days, and median weight was 4.0 kg. In-hospital mortality was higher in female patients, who exhibited a 2.64-fold greater mortality rate compared with males (33.3% vs. 12.6%). Levosimendan use was not significantly associated with a significant reduction in in-hospital mortality (aOR 0.76; 95% CI 0.07-1.46), major complications (aOR 0.87; 95% CI 0.44-1.30), or length of stay (aOR 0.76; 95% CI 0.36-1.16). However, treatment allocation was clinically based, introducing selection bias and confounding by indication, therefore still leaving the question of potential levosimendan efficacy in the CHD postoperative context unanswered. Thus, further studies are warranted. CONCLUSION:  In this retrospective cohort of high-risk pediatric patients undergoing complex congenital heart surgery, perioperative levosimendan was not associated with significant differences in in-hospital mortality, postoperative length of stay, or major complications. WHAT IS KNOWN: • Vasoactive support is central after complex pediatric cardiac surgery; levosimendan is a calcium-sensitizer/inodilator used perioperatively. • Pediatric evidence is mixed: some reports suggest fewer LCOS events, but no consistent reduction in in-hospital mortality, AKI, ventilation duration, or LOS. WHAT IS NEW: • In a national referral cohort from a middle-income country, perioperative levosimendan showed no significant difference in mortality, LOS, or major complications versus no levosimendan in complex congenital heart surgery (Norwood procedure, Arterial switch operation and  truncus arteriosus repair). • Among postoperative ECMO patients, LOS was numerically shorter with levosimendan but not statistically significant (exploratory).

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European Journal of Pediatrics

Título del artículo:

Response to the letter of editor entitled: Hematological biomarkers in ceftriaxone-induced pseudolithiasis: a complementary diagnostic and monitoring tool

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Andes Pediatrica

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Prevalence and characterization of the population in condition of disability in los santos (Santander, Colombia), 2011

Objective: To determine the prevalence and characterize the condition of disabled people in the municipality Los Santos, Santander in 2010 and 2011. Materials and methods: A descriptive study was conducted using the tool of record \"Survey of Persons with Disabilities and its attendant\". Physiotherapy and bacteriology students from University of Santander (UDES), previously trained, collected the information by interview. We use descriptive statistics applying central tendency measures and absolute and relative frequencies. Results: We found 108 people with disabilities; the prevalence of disability in this population was 1.3% (95% CI 1.1 -1.6), the place with the highest prevalence was Los Teres (9.4%; 95% CI 5.1-15.5). Of the 108 disabled people, 48% were female and 47.2% were between 15 and 44 years old. The body structure more impairment was nervous system with a 64.8% and general tasks and demands were the most affected (57.4%). Problems with services, transport systems and policies, social security, health, and education were the main facilitator (57.4%). Conclusion: Disability as a public health problem affecting the activities, participation and performance of the people with disabilities decreasing their individual development and opportunities for integration into society.

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Salud Uninorte

Título del artículo:

Relevance of economical evaluation of medications: The metoprolol case

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Revista Colombiana de Cardiologia

Título del artículo:

Evaluating Three Rapid Tests for Dengue in Febrile Patients in a Dengue-Endemic Area

Objective: Rapid diagnostic tests have been used mainly when it is not possible to carry out the recommended laboratory tests due to challenges derived from the infrastructure of the state surveillance system and, in the specific case of dengue, due to catastrophic climatic events that prevent the transport of samples. However, the performance of rapid diagnostic tests must be evaluated in the particular context of the population in which they are applied. We aimed to assess three rapid diagnostic tests used in Mexico for dengue diagnosis and epidemiologic surveillance. Method: We used three rapid diagnostic tests that were compared to the RT-PCR/IgM capture ELISA construct as the gold standard. Additionally, the NS1-only results of the three rapid tests were compared to the RT-PCR test as the standard. A total of 125 plasma samples were randomly selected from febrile patients with suspected dengue who requested care between 2 and 6 days after the onset of fever. Result: The best-performing test showed a sensitivity of 57.3% and a specificity of 100%. Regarding NS1 detection compared to RT-PCR, the best-performing test has a sensitivity of 84.4% and a specificity of 88.75%. Conclusions: Although these tests can serve as an alternative to RT-PCR in emergencies, they should always be accompanied by a study that considers the history of predominant infection in the population and the circulation of serotypes.

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Tropical Medicine and International Health

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Genomic epidemiology of dengue virus 2 and 3 reveals repeated introductions and exportations of several lineages in Colombia

Dengue fever, a major mosquito-borne viral disease, is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and poses a significant global health burden. Despite extensive research, the spatiotemporal dynamics of dengue virus (DENV) lineages in Colombia remain understudied. Here, we analyze 11,443 complete genome sequences from Colombia and the Americas to map the genomic epidemiology of DENV-2 and DENV-3. Phylogeographic reconstruction revealed multiple independent introductions and exportations of the DENV-2 II and III lineages, as well as the DENV-3 lineage III_C.2, underscoring Colombia\'s critical role as both a source and a sink of viral traffic within the Americas. Antigenic profiling demonstrated distinct clustering of emergent lineages in antigenic space, consistent with immune-escape-driven turnover. These results highlight the necessity of sustained, high-resolution genomic surveillance to guide targeted public health interventions and mitigate dengue transmission across the region.

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Cell Reports

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Effects of a Mindfulness- and Compassion-Based Intercare Program on Stress Levels in Parents of NICU Children: A Quasi-Experimental Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a mindfulness- and compassion-based intercare program (MBIP) on stress levels in parents of infants hospitalized in the Neonatal In¬tensive Care Unit (NICU). METHODOLOGY: This was a quasi-experimental cohort study of parents of infants hospitalized in the NICU who presented parental stress (PS), according to the NICU Parenting Stress Scale. PS was measured and participants were sequentially assigned to two groups (31 participants in each group): one group receiving the MBIP for eight weeks in virtual mode and the other a control group. Data were analyzed using STATA software, calculating proportions, means, t-tests, and analysis of covariance, with 95% confidence intervals and probability values (p). RESULTS: The baseline PE level was similar between the two groups: 3.53 (95% Cl 3.3 6-3.70) in the intervention group and 3.51 (95% Cl 3.3 7-3.66) in the control group. At the final measurement, the PE level in the intervention group was 2.25 (95% Cl 2.02-2.49), compared to 3.73 (3.53-3.93) in the control group, for a between-group difference in PE of 1.48 (95% Cl 1.20-1.77). Analysis of covariance showed that the differences persisted even after controlling for age, sex, and initial PE. Furthermore, 64% of the change in PE was explained by the mindfulness intervention (corrected R2 = 63.96%, p< 0.001). CONCLUSION: The mindfulness- and compassion-based intercare program showed a significant decrease in PE levels; its implementation is recommended as part of comprehensive NICU management.

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Acta Pediatrica De Mexico

Título del artículo:

Reliability of Arm Curl and Chair Stand tests for assessing muscular endurance in older people

Objective: to assess the test-retest reliability and level of agreement between measures of the 30 second (30-s) Arm Curl and 30-s Chair Stand test in a sample of older adults from Bucaramanga. Materials and methods: a study of evaluation of diagnostic technology was done. Both tests were administered by the same evaluator to 111 adults older than 59 year-old (70,4 ± 7,3), on two occasions, with an interval of time between measures of 4 to 8 days. In the analysis, test-retest reliability was determined using the Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ICC= 2,1 with their confidence interval 95% (95%IC) respective. The agreement level was established by the Bland and Altman method. Results: the test-retest reproducibility of the 30-s Arm Curl test was very good ICC= 0,88 and to the Chair Stand test was good ICC= 0,78. The agreement was very good for both tests of muscle endurance. The 95% limits of agreement were between -3,8 and 3,2 stands to 30-s Chair Stand test and between -3,1 and 2,8 curls to 30-s Arm Curl test. Conclusion: the 30-s Arm Curl and 30-s Chair Stand test have good reliability and agreement to assess muscle endurance in older adults functionally independent.

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Revista Ciencias de la Salud