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Infrared thermography is gaining relevance in breast cancer assessment. For this purpose, breast segmentation in thermograms is an important task for performing automatic image analysis and detecting possible temperature changes that indicate the presence of malignancy. However, it is not a simple task since the breast limit borders, especially the top borders, often have low contrast, making it difficult to isolate the breast area. Several algorithms have been proposed for breast segmentation, but these highly depend on the contrast at the lower breast borders and on filtering algorithms to remove false edges. This work focuses on taking advantage of the distinctive inframammary shape to simplify the definition of the lower breast border, regardless of the contrast level, which indeed also provides a strong anatomical reference to support the definition of the poorly marked upper boundary of the breasts, which has been one of the major challenges in the literature. In order to demonstrate viability of the proposed technique for an automatic breast segmentation, we applied it to a database with 180 thermograms and compared their results with those reported by others in the literature. We found that our approach achieved a high performance, in terms of Intersection over Union of 0.934, even higher than that reported by artificial intelligence algorithms. The performance is invariant to breast sizes and thermal contrast of the images.

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Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a common disease in young women of reproductive age, characterized by demyelination of the central nervous system (CNS). Understanding how genes related to MS are expressed during pregnancy can provide insights into the potential mechanisms by which pregnancy affects the course of this disease. This review article presents evidence-based studies on these patients' gene expression patterns. In addition, it constructs interaction networks using bioinformatics tools, such as STRING and KEGG pathways, to understand the molecular role of each of these genes. Bioinformatics research identified 25 genes and 21 signaling pathways, which allows us to understand pregnancy patients' genetic and biological phenomena and formulate new questions about MS during pregnancy.

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Introduction: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. The combination of statins and cholesterol-absorption inhibitors promotes the decrease in risk factors, such as high concentrations of LDL (low-density lipoproteins). The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in the lipid profile and the effect on therapeutic goals, as well as the safety of dyslipidemia patients treated with Rosuvastatin/Ezetimibe (Trezete®). Materials and Methods: A real-world evidence study was conducted with retrospective data collection through a review of clinical records from dyslipidemia patients treated with Trezete® in routine medical practice. Clinical records included results of biochemical markers before treatment and at least one follow up between weeks 8 and 16. Results: The study included 103 patients' clinical records (55.4% men) with a mean age of 56.0 ± 13.0 years. More than 57% of the patients had mixed dyslipidemia and a median disease progression of 3.1 (IQR, 1.5; 9.1) years. Regarding LDL concentrations, 72.8% of the patients achieved therapeutic goals according to cardiovascular risk (CVR), which was statistically significant. Similarly, 94.1% achieved goals for total cholesterol (<200 mg/dL) and 56.0% for triglycerides (<150 mg/dL), a p value <0.001. No cardiovascular events were observed. Conclusion: Trezete® shows an important clinical impact on CVR-related target markers during the treatment of dyslipidemia patients. It is relevant to mention that a significant percentage of patients achieved therapeutic goals during the first months of treatment. Fixed-dose combination therapy has shown to be as safe as monotherapy treatment. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04862962.

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ABSTRACT: The aim of the present study was to describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), including medical and surgical treatments, in several countries in Latin America and the Caribbean.IBD is recognized as a global health problem because its incidence and prevalence have increased significantly over the last few years.This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 4714 patients with IBD diagnosed from 9 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean: Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, and Venezuela.Crohn disease (CD) was more frequent in Puerto Rico (71.9%), the Dominican Republic (61.0%), and Peru (53.1%). Ulcerative colitis was more frequent in Colombia (78.6%), Venezuela (78.2%), Mexico (75.5%), Cuba (69.9%), Ecuador (64.1%), and Uruguay (60.9%). The following clinical characteristics were more frequent in the Caribbean: penetrating behavior in CD, steroid dependence, steroid resistance, intolerance to thiopurines, extraintestinal manifestations, surgeries, hospitalizations due to IBD, and family history of IBD. The factors associated with the use of biological therapy were pancolitis in ulcerative colitis, penetrating behavior in CD, steroid resistance and dependence, presence of extraintestinal manifestations, and the need for surgery.This study from Latin America and the Caribbean demonstrated the different epidemiological and clinical characteristics of IBD.

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The incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is increasing. Microbiome is one of the most important factors in its development and affects the different clinical outcomes of IBD patients depending on its composition and different alterations. We conducted a systematic review to discuss the association between microbiome and IBD in terms of immune regulation, and therapies that can modify microbiota. A comprehensive systematic literature search was performed through April 2020 in PubMed, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and clinicaltrials.gov. Inclusion criteria required IBD immune regulation and alternate therapeutics for IBD. This analysis helps explain the multifactorial origin of microbiome diversity including normal immune regulation, immune pathophysiology of IBD, and shows the evidence of several therapeutic targets to change microbiome in patients with IBD, such as prebiotics, probiotics, antibiotics, fecal microbiota transplant, and others.

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Background and aims: Dyslipidaemia is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease in the Mexican population. This analysis aimed to describe the baseline LDL-c levels of patients presenting to cardiovascular clinics and evaluate the proportion who achieved their risk-based LDL-c goals as recommended by 2021 ESC prevention guidelines. Methods: The REMECAR registry is an observational study of patients attending a specialized cardiovascular clinic for their first visit. The cardiovascular risk was retrospectively determined using the 2021 ESC guideline stratification and the SCORE2 and SCORE-OP. Results: A total of 5443 patients were included in the analysis. Within this population, 55.96% presented as very high, 39.98% as high and 4.06% as moderate to low risk. 63% of the participants were not on any lipid-lowering treatment at entry, while 12.4% were receiving high-intensity statin therapy. Patients presenting with established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease had a mean LDL-c of 90.9 ± 40.7 mg/dL. Of these, 14.1% were achieving LDL-c levels of 70-55 mg/dL and 19.3% were achieving LDL-c levels <55 mg/dL. In diabetic patients at very high risk, only 25.7% achieved their LDL-c goal. Finally, in patients without another risk factor and very high-risk evaluated by SCORE2 & SCORE-OP, only 14% of patients achieved their LDL-c goals. Conclusions: An important number of patients were not receiving any lipid-lowering therapy. Furthermore, in those who were, a significant portion did not achieve LDL-c recommended thresholds. Our results underline the urgent need to improve the prescription and optimization of lipid-lowering therapy as the current management appears to be insufficient for achieving optimal recommended goals. Identifying key barriers in lipid management is fundamental to establishing better strategies and health system policies to reduce cardiovascular risk.

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Fatty liver has been present in the lives of patients and physicians for almost two centuries. Vast knowledge has been generated regarding its etiology and consequences, although a long path seeking novel and innovative diagnostic biomarkers for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is still envisioned. On the one hand, proteomics and lipidomics have emerged as potential noninvasive resources for NAFLD diagnosis. In contrast, metabolomics has been able to distinguish between NAFLD and NASH, even detecting degrees of fibrosis. On the other hand, genetic and epigenetic markers have been useful in monitoring disease progression, eventually functioning as target therapies. Other markers involved in immune dysregulation, oxidative stress, and inflammation are involved in the instauration and evolution of the disease. Finally, the fascinating gut microbiome is significantly involved in NAFLD and NASH. This review presents state-of-the-art biomarkers related to NAFLD and NASH and new promises that could eventually be positioned as diagnostic resources for this disease. As is evident, despite great advances in studying these biomarkers, there is still a long path before they translate into clinical benefits.

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BACKGROUND: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) remains underdiagnosed and undertreated. OBJECTIVE: Report the results of the first years (2017-2019) of the Mexican FH registry. METHODS: There are 60 investigators, representing 28 federal states, participating in the registry. The variables included are in accordance with the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) FH recommendations. RESULTS: To date, 709 patients have been registered, only 336 patients with complete data fields are presented. The mean age is 50 (36-62) years and the average time since diagnosis is 4 (IQR: 2-16) years. Genetic testing is recorded in 26.9%. Tendon xanthomas are present in 43.2%. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes is 11.3% and that of premature CAD is 9.8%. Index cases, male gender, hypertension and smoking were associated with premature CAD. The median lipoprotein (a) level is 30.5 (IQR 10.8-80.7) mg/dl. Statins and co-administration with ezetimibe were recorded in 88.1% and 35.7% respectively. A combined treatment target (50% reduction in LDL-C and an LDL-C <100 mg/dl) was achieved by 13.7%. Associated factors were index case (OR 3.6, 95%CI 1.69-8.73, P = .002), combination therapy (OR 2.4, 95%CI 1.23-4.90, P = .011), type 2 diabetes (OR 2.8, 95%CI 1.03-7.59, P = .036) and age (OR 1.023, 95%CI 1.01-1.05, P = .033). CONCLUSION: The results confirm late diagnosis, a lower than expected prevalence and risk of ASCVD, a higher than expected prevalence of type 2 diabetes and undertreatment, with relatively few patients reaching goals. Recommendations include, the use of combination lipid lowering therapy, control of comorbid conditions and more frequent genetic testing in the future.

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Growing scientific evidence from studies on type 2 diabetes (T2D) has recently led to a better understanding of the associated metabolic-cardio-renal risks. The large amount of available information makes it essential to have a practical guide that summarizes the recommendations for the initial management of patients with T2D, integrating different aspects of endocrinology, cardiology, and nephrology. The expert consensus presented here does not attempt to summarize all the evidence in this regard but rather attempts to define practical summary recommendations for the primary care physician to improve the clinical prognosis and management of patients with T2D, while ensuring economic sustainability of health systems, beyond glycemic control.

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In late December 2019, COVID-19, a new emerging disease, quickly spread in Wuhan, China. The WHO formally declared it a pandemic and a health emergency on March 11th, 2020. The objective of this article is to specify and list key points in relation to the recommendations issued by the different colleges, and global surgical societies, for the benefit of the Mexican medical and surgical community. Based on scientific evidence, we make recommendations for medical consultations, surgical and endoscopic procedures, hospital infrastructure, and surgical services, in addition to a proposal to reopen surgical services and elective procedures related to the COVID-19 pandemic. The time to take leadership in healthcare where the national health system together with academic societies, universities and private initiative join forces to combat the pandemic has arrived. It is convenient to form collaboration groups of experts in the different specialties that through innovation in health and education, with evidence-based medicine, efficiency of operational costs and tools such as telemedicine, allow us to return to daily surgical procedures, reestablishing the surgery services as soon as possible.

A finales de diciembre de 2019, la COVID-19, una nueva enfermedad emergente, rápidamente se propagó en Wuhan, China. La Organización Mundial de la Salud la declaró formalmente una pandemia y emergencia sanitaria el 11 de marzo de 2020. El objetivo de este artículo es precisar y enumerar los puntos clave en relación a las recomendaciones emitidas por los distintos colegios, y sociedades quirúrgicas globales, para beneficio de la comunidad médica y quirúrgica mexicana. De acuerdo con la evidencia científica, se realizan recomendaciones para las consultas médicas, los procedimientos quirúrgicos y endoscópicos, la infraestructura hospitalaria y los servicios de cirugía, además de una propuesta a la reapertura para procedimientos quirúrgicos en torno a la pandemia de COVID-19. El momento de tomar el liderazgo en salud en el que el sistema nacional de salud y las sociedades académicas, las universidades y la iniciativa privada sumen esfuerzos para combatir la pandemia ha llegado. Es conveniente formar grupos de colaboración de expertos en las distintas especialidades que, por medio de innovación en salud y educación, apego a la medicina basada en la evidencia, eficiencia de costos operacionales y herramientas como la telemedicina, permitan regresar a los procedimientos quirúrgicos cotidianos y la operación de los servicios de cirugía se reestablezca a la brevedad.

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