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Price caps through international reference pricing are widely used worldwide but not so commonly in over-the-counter markets. We study the short-term effects of a price cap regulation for oral contraceptives in Colombia, a market dominated by the presence of several branded generics with multiple active ingredients. Most of the regulated products were fourth-generation contraceptives, and the Colombian health benefits plan only covers second-generation ones, resulting in a de facto over-the-counter market. Our aim is to establish whether the regulation triggered a competitive response within and across product categories, by price levels and regulatory status. The panel data analysis of quarterly level data for 52 drugs (and 79 drugs in an expanded sample without transactions for some quarters) reveals a massive expansion of transactions, for the directly regulated products that were formerly the most expensive, and for the indirectly regulated (i.e., a regulated ingredient) among those with an intermediate price. Although this price reduction could have led to a crowd out of the publicly provided contraceptives, we show that this is not the case. Since the information system cannot trace the final consumers' purchases, we complement our analysis with an audit study involving 213 pharmacies in Bogota. We find that the price reduction was effectively transmitted to the final consumers.

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Aicardi syndrome is an X-linked-dominant genetic condition that is present almost exclusively in females. To diagnose Aicardi syndrome, the classic triad of agenesis of the corpus callosum, infantile spasms, and chorioretinal lacunae must be present. Here, we described a case of a female newborn baby delivered at 36 weeks of gestation that arrived at the emergency department with stiffening of arms and legs; therefore, an electroencephalogram was performed, showing generalized polypots confirming infantile spasms. Moreover, magnetic resonance was performed, showing complete agenesis of the corpus callosum. The patient was then transferred for an ophthalmoscopic examination, which evidenced multiple hypopigmented chorioretinal lesions corresponding to chorioretinal lacunae. Based on the clinical and radiological findings, the diagnosis of Aicardi syndrome was established, and treatment with anticonvulsive therapy and physiotherapy was initiated. This case report highlights the main characteristics that clinicians should consider to suspect this rare genetic condition, emphasizing the imaging and electroencephalographic findings.

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Dengue is a disease of high interest for public health in the affected localities. Dengue virus is transmitted by Aedes species and presents hyperendemic behaviors in tropical and subtropical regions. Colombia is one of the countries most affected by the dengue virus in the Americas. Its central-west region is a hot spot in dengue transmission, especially the Department of Antioquia, which has suffered from multiple dengue outbreaks in recent years (2015-2016 and 2019-2020). In this article, we perform a retrospective analysis of the confirmed dengue cases in Antioquia, discriminating by both subregions and dengue severity from 2015 to 2020. First, we conduct an exploratory analysis of the epidemic data, and then a statistical survival analysis is carried out using a Cox regression model. Our findings allow the identification of the hazard and socio-demographic patterns of dengue infections in the Colombian subtropical region of Antioquia from 2015 to 2020.

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Objective: To report the case of a pregnant woman with ultrasound diagnosis of altered fetal tegumental system and postnatal diagnosis of Omenn syndrome. Case presentation: A 27-year-old patient who presented at 31 weeks of gestation with prenatal ultrasound evidence of a fetus with significant scalp edema, echogenic amniotic fluid and scaly abdominal skin, with ichtyosis variant impression on diagnostic ultrasound. The baby was born with congenital erythroderma complicated with skin infection, and later developed septic shock and died. The genetic and pathologic workup led to the conclusion of Omenn syndrome. Conclusion: Omenn syndrome must be considered as part of the differential diagnoses when prenatal ultrasound shows findings of altered tegument system. Studies are required to assess the accuracy of ultrasound for prenatal diagnosis of erythroderma.

Objetivo: reportar el caso de una gestante con diagnóstico ultrasonográfico de alteración del sistema tegumentario fetal y diagnóstico posnatal de síndrome de Omenn. Presentación de caso: se presenta el caso de paciente de 27 años con embarazo de 31 semanas, con exploración ultrasonográfica prenatal que evidencia feto con edema significativo del cuero cabelludo, líquido amniótico ecogénico y descamación de la piel abdominal, con aproximación diagnóstica ultrasonográfica de variante de ictiosis. El recién nacido presentó eritrodermia congénita complicada con infección de piel, con posterior choque séptico y muerte. El estudio genético y patológico concluye síndrome de Omenn. Conclusión: el síndrome de Omenn debe ser tomado en cuenta en los diagnósticos diferenciales cuando en la ultrasonografía prenatal existan hallazgos ultrasongráficos de una alteración del sistema tegumentario. Se requieren estudios que evalúen la exactitud del ultrasonido en el diagnóstico antenatal de las eritrodermias.

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BACKGROUND: To date, there is no specific antiviral therapy for severe acute respiratory syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) that causes Coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19). Since there is no specific therapy against SARS-CoV2, current efforts aim to prevent contagion through public health measures and develop a protective vaccine. While waiting for the latter, it is necessary to evaluate the drugs that at least, in initial studies, suggested some degree of utility in the management of Covid-19 or its complications. The main objective of the study was to describe the clinical manifestations and outcomes of patients with severe Covid-19 Pneumonia treated with corticosteroids and colchicine. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross sectional study of 301 adult patients with Covid-19 Pneumonia confirmed by Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction for SARS-CoV2 (RT-PCR SARS-CoV2), Berlin protocol, who required hospitalization in three hospitals in Antioquia, Colombia. Patients were treated according to the institutional protocol (from March 20, 2020 to June 30, 2020) with corticosteroid if the patient required supplemental oxygen. From July 1, 2020, the management protocol changed with the addition of colchicine to all patients admitted to the institutions. The treatment was supervised and monitored by the same specialist in Infectology of the institutions. We describe the clinical manifestations and outcomes of the patients who received these treatments. The information of the patients was analyzed according to the outcome of interest (alive/dead) with univariate, bivariate, and multivariate measures to adjust the variables that presented statistical association. RESULTS: All patients had pneumonia documented by chest computed tomography with ground glass images and presented an alveolar pressure/inspired oxygen fraction (PaFi) less than 300. Three hundred one patients were included, 240 (79.7%) received corticosteroids, within these 145 (48.2%) received colchicine also, and the remaining 61 (20.3%) patients did not receive corticosterioids or colchicine. Mortality in the group that received colchicine was lower compared to the group that did not receive it (9.6 vs 14.6%, p-value = 0.179). CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with corticosteroids and colchicine for managing patients with severe Covid-19 Pneumonia was associated with low mortality at the hospital level. Randomized, placebo-controlled studies are required to evaluate the effect of corticosteroids and colchicine on complications or death from Covid-19.

Assuntos

RESUMO

Objetivo: reportar el caso de una gestante con diagnóstico ultrasonográfico de alteración del sistema tegumentario fetal y diagnóstico posnatal de síndrome de Omenn. Presentación de caso: se presenta el caso de paciente de 27 años con embarazo de 31 semanas, con exploración ultrasonográfica prenatal que evidencia feto con edema significativo del cuero cabelludo, líquido amniótico ecogénico y descamación de la piel abdominal, con aproximación diagnóstica ultrasonográfica de variante de ictiosis. El recién nacido presentó eritrodermia congénita complicada con infección de piel, con posterior choque séptico y muerte. El estudio genético y patológico concluye síndrome de Omenn. Conclusión: el síndrome de Omenn debe ser tomado en cuenta en los diagnósticos diferenciales cuando en la ultrasonografía prenatal existan hallazgos ultrasongráficos de una alteración del sistema tegumentario. Se requieren estudios que evalúen la exactitud del ultrasonido en el diagnóstico antenatal de las eritrodermias.

Objective: To report the case of a pregnant woman with ultrasound diagnosis of altered fetal tegumental system and postnatal diagnosis of Omenn syndrome. Case presentation: A 27-year-old patient who presented at 31 weeks of gestation with prenatal ultrasound evidence of a fetus with significant scalp edema, echogenic amniotic fluid and scaly abdominal skin, with ichtyosis variant impression on diagnostic ultrasound. The baby was born with congenital erythroderma complicated with skin infection, and later developed septic shock and died. The genetic and pathologic workup led to the conclusion of Omenn syndrome. Conclusion: Omenn syndrome must be considered as part of the differential diagnoses when prenatal ultrasound shows findings of altered tegument system. Studies are required to assess the accuracy of ultrasound for prenatal diagnosis of erythroderma.

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RESUMO

RESUMEN Introducción: Los estudiantes de educación superior son una población vulnerable a los trastornos mentales, más aún durante la pandemia por COVID-19. Su salud mental se ha visto afectada por el confinamiento, las dificultades en el desarrollo de las actividades académicas y las exigencias de las nuevas modalidades pedagógicas. Se planteó entonces la pregunta: en las instituciones de educación superior, ¿cuáles acciones en torno a a) promoción y prevención, b) atención a síntomas mentales y c) adaptaciones pedagógicas pueden desarrollarse con el fin de mejorar la salud mental de sus estudiantes? Métodos: Síntesis crítica a partir de la revisión sistemática de la literatura. Se realizó la búsqueda de artículos científicos de alcance descriptivo, analítico, experimental o evaluativo, así como recursos web de organizaciones relacionadas con el tema. Se realizó una síntesis en función de los 3 focos de la pregunta mediante comparación constante, hasta realizar la agrupación de acciones por similitud en los actores que las ejecutarían y recibirían. Se anticipó una baja calidad de la evidencia, por lo que no se realizó evaluación estandarizada. Resultados: Se exploraron 68 artículos y 99 recursos web. Después de la revisión del texto completo se incluyeron 12 artículos científicos y 11 recursos web. Como lineamentos generales, se encontró que la propuesta más frecuente es el diseño de un programa estructurado específico para el tema de salud mental en las instituciones educativas, que sea multidisciplinario, incluyente, dinámico y sensible a la cultura. Las acciones deben ser divulgadas periódicamente para que los estudiantes y demás miembros de la comunidad educativa las tengan claras, e idealmente se propone mantenerlas hasta el periodo pospandémico e incluir a los egresados. Para a) la promoción y prevención, se encontró la psicoeducación por vía electrónica, donde se expliquen estilos de vida saludable, reacciones emocionales en pandemia, estrategias de afrontamiento y signos de alarma. Se propone la participación de los pares como estrategia de apoyo y espacios de interacción social que no se enfoquen únicamente en aspectos académicos. Se reporta la necesidad de cribar síntomas mentales por medio de envío frecuente de formularios en línea o aplicaciones móviles, donde también se indague por la satisfacción de las necesidades básicas y tecnológicas. En cuanto a b) atención de síntomas mentales, una de las acciones que se encontró con mayor frecuencia es disponer de un centro de consultoría que sea capaz de realizar atención en salud mental por vía telefónica, por tecnologías e incluso presencial, con atención permanente las 24 h o equipos de respuesta rápida ante una situación de crisis, como la conducta suicida y la violencia doméstica. Para c) las adaptaciones pedagógicas, se señala como requisito indispensable la comunicación fluida para tener instrucciones claras sobre el desarrollo de las actividades académicas para disminuir la incertidumbre y, por ende, la ansiedad y favorecer la gestión del tiempo por el estudiante. Los profesores y pedagogos de la institución pueden ofrecer asesorías directas (por videollamadas o reuniones de grupos en línea) para proveer apoyo en hábitos de estudios, materias propias de cada carrera y salud mental. Conclusiones: Los recursos incluidos proponen que la institución educativa cree un programa que aborde específicamente la salud mental de los estudiantes. Esta síntesis puede proveer lineamientos que faciliten la toma de decisiones, sin perder de vista que la institución y el estudiante están inmersos en un contexto complejo, con circunstancias y otros actores en varios niveles que también intervienen en la salud mental. Se requieren investigaciones sobre la evolución de la situación de salud mental y el efecto de las acciones que se vayan tomando.

ABSTRACT Background: College and university students are a population vulnerable to mental disorders, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their mental health has been affected by confinement, difficulties in the development of academic activities, and the demands of new pedagogical modalities. We aimed to respond to the question: what are the actions around a) promotion and prevention, b) mental symptoms care, and c) pedagogical adaptations that can be developed in order to improve the mental health of college and university students? Methods: We conducted a critical synthesis from a systematic review of the literature. A search was made for scientific articles with descriptive, analytical, empirical or evaluative designs, as well as web resources of organizations related to the topic. A synthesis was carried out based on the three aspects of the question by means of a constant comparative method, until the aggregation of actions by similarity in the actors. We anticipated low evidence quality; therefore, a standardized evaluation was not performed. Results: We explored 68 articles and 99 web resources. After reviewing the full text, 12 scientific articles and 11 web resources were included. As general guidelines, we found that the most frequent suggestion is the design of a specific structured mental health program within universities, one that should be multidisciplinary, inclusive, dynamic and culturally sensitive. All actions taken by the university should be reported and published periodically so that students and other members of the university community are clear about them. Ideally, it is suggested to keep them until the post-pandemic period and include alumni. Regarding a) promotion and prevention, digital psychoeducation was recommended, with information about healthy lifestyles, common emotional reactions to epidemics, coping strategies and warning signs. Peer participation is suggested as a support strategy, as well as spaces for social interaction that focus not only on academic aspects but also on leisure. Screening for mental symptoms is suggested through frequent submission of online forms or mobile applications. In addition to mental health, it is important to inquire about the degree of satisfaction of basic and technology-related needs. For b) the care of mental symptoms, one of the actions commonly identified was a consulting centre that can provide mental health care by telephone, by technology, and even in person -if required -, with permanent availability with rapid response teams for crisis situations, such as suicidal behavior and domestic violence. For c) pedagogical adaptations, fluent communication is an indispensable requirement; having clear instructions on academic activities can reduce uncertainty and therefore anxiety. The teaching and pedagogical staff at the institution can offer direct advice (via video calls or online group meetings) to provide support in study habits, degree-specific material and mental health. Conclusions: Included resources suggest the creation of a program that specifically addresses the mental health of students. This synthesis can provide guidelines that facilitate decision-making by the university, without losing sight of the fact that the institution and the student are immersed in a complex context, with circumstances and other actors at various levels that also intervene in mental health. Research is required on the evolution of the mental health situation and the effect of the actions that are being taken.

RESUMO

BACKGROUND: College and university students are a population vulnerable to mental disorders, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their mental health has been affected by confinement, difficulties in the development of academic activities, and the demands of new pedagogical modalities. We aimed to respond to the question: what are the actions around a) promotion and prevention, b) mental symptoms care, and c) pedagogical adaptations that can be developed in order to improve the mental health of college and university students? METHODS: We conducted a critical synthesis from a systematic review of the literature. A search was made for scientific articles with descriptive, analytical, empirical or evaluative designs, as well as web resources of organisations related to the topic. A synthesis was carried out based on the three aspects of the question by means of a constant comparative method, until the aggregation of actions by similarity in the actors. We anticipated low evidence quality; therefore, a standardised evaluation was not performed. RESULTS: We explored 68 articles and 99 web resources. After reviewing the full text, 12 scientific articles and 11 web resources were included. As general guidelines, we found that the most frequent suggestion is the design of a specific structured mental health programme within universities, one that should be multidisciplinary, inclusive, dynamic and culturally sensitive. All actions taken by the university should be reported and published periodically so that students and other members of the university community are clear about them. Ideally, it is suggested to keep them until the post-pandemic period and include alumni. Regarding a) promotion and prevention, digital psychoeducation was recommended, with information about healthy lifestyles, common emotional reactions to epidemics, coping strategies and warning signs. Peer participation is suggested as a support strategy, as well as spaces for social interaction that focus not only on academic aspects but also on leisure. Screening for mental symptoms is suggested through frequent submission of online forms or mobile applications. In addition to mental health, it is important to inquire about the degree of satisfaction of basic and technology-related needs. For b) the care of mental symptoms, one of the actions commonly identified was a consulting centre that can provide mental health care by telephone, by technology, and even in person --if required --, with permanent availability with rapid response teams for crisis situations, such as suicidal behaviour and domestic violence. For c) pedagogical adaptations, fluent communication is an indispensable requirement; having clear instructions on academic activities can reduce uncertainty and therefore anxiety. The teaching and pedagogical staff at the institution can offer direct advice (via video calls or online group meetings) to provide support in study habits, degree-specific material and mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Included resources suggest the creation of a programme that specifically addresses the mental health of students. This synthesis can provide guidelines that facilitate decision-making by the university, without losing sight of the fact that the institution and the student are immersed in a complex context, with circumstances and other actors at various levels that also intervene in mental health. Research is required on the evolution of the mental health situation and the effect of the actions that are being taken.

RESUMO

Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) is a progressive hereditary neuromuscular neuropathy with pathology in the myelin sheath or the axon. CMT caused by mutations in the Ganglioside-induced differentiation associated protein 1 (GDAP1) gene has been described by a spectrum of phenotypic presentations. GDAP1 is a mitochondrial protein responsible for protecting neuronal bodies from oxidative stress. It is associated with axonal and demyelinating pathophysiology with recessive and dominant modes of inheritance.We describe a case of a 9-year-old Puerto Rican female with clinical and electrodiagnostic results compatible with an axonal sensory-motor neuropathy where a genetic test describes a homozygous GDAP1 missense mutation at the c.692C>T (p.Pro231Leu), previously undetected in a pediatric Latino patient. Mutations in GDAP1 have been previously described in Tunisian, Old Order Amish, European and Japanese families with varying modes of inheritance. To our knowledge, this homozygous variant presentation of the GDAP1 gene is the first to be described in a pediatric Puerto Rican patient without a family history of hereditary sensory motor neuropathy.

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