Resumen: Introducción: La cirugía de revascularización miocárdica ha sido ratificada como el tratamiento de elección ante las enfermedades complejas del árbol coronario, fundamentado en que en estos pacientes, el ICP (intervencionismo coronario percutáneo) presenta mayor necesidad de repetición de la revascularización (14,1% vs. 20,9%, P=0,11), aumento en las cifras de eventos cardíacos y cerebrovasculares mayores al año (12,4% vs. 17,8%, P<0,005) y a los 5 años (24,1% vs. 41,9%; P<0,0005) y mayor mortalidad (14,1% vs. 20,9%, P=0,11). Este último aspecto es el más influyente, se hace necesario conocer su comportamiento e identificar los diferentes factores que influyeron en ella. Material y métodos: Se realizó un estudio longitudinal, en el Hospital Clínico-Quirúrgico Hermanos Ameijeiras, en 291 pacientes operados durante el período comprendido entre marzo de 2012 y noviembre del 2015 seguidos hasta junio de 2016. Resultados: La mortalidad durante todo el período de estudio y seguimiento fue del 13,7%. El 2,4% falleció durante las primeras 24 horas y 8,6% al primer mes. Los factores que más se asociaron fueron: preoperatorios (diabetes mellitus); operatorios (revascularización incompleta e isquemia perioperatoria), y posoperatorios (la aparición de bajo gasto cardíaco y arritmias malignas). Conclusiones: Aunque la mortalidad tuvo un comportamiento similar al de series internacionales en las primeras 24 horas y al año, a los 30 días existió un aumento significativo que se relaciona principalmente con las características clínicas al ingreso de los pacientes. Abstract: Introduction: Myocardial revascularization surgery remains the treatment of choice in patients with complex diseases of the coronary tree since percutaneous coronary intervention presents a greater need for repeat revascularization (14.1% vs. 20.9%, P = 0.11), an increase in the number of cardiac and cerebrovascular events beyond one year (12.4% vs. 17.8%, P < 0.005) and at 5 years (24.1% vs. 41.9%; P < 0.0005) and a higher mortality (14.1% vs. 20.9%, P = 0.11). With mortality being the most influential aspect, it becomes necessary to understand its behavior and identify its different contributing factors. Material and Methods: A longitudinal study was carried out at the “Hermanos Ameijeiras” Clinical-Surgical Hospital in 291 patients operated between March 2012 and November 2015 and followed-up until June 2016. Results: Mortality during the whole study and follow-up period was 13.7%. 2.4% of the patients died during the first 24 hours and reached 8.6% in the first month. Factors most associated with mortality were: preoperative—diabetes mellitus; operative—incomplete revascularization and perioperative ischemia; and postoperative—low cardiac output and malignant arrhythmias. Conclusions: Although mortality had a similar behavior to international series in the first 24 hours and at one year, a significant increase was observed at 30 days, mainly related to the clinical characteristics at the patients’ admission.

Resumen: Introducción: La estimulación epicárdica permanente es una alternativa cuando existen contraindicaciones para el abordaje endocavitario. Métodos y resultados: Se presentan dos casos, con bloqueo aurículo ventricular completo y contraindicación para la estimulación endocavitaria, a quienes se le implantó electrodo epicárdico por cirugía subxifoidea mínima invasiva. Se empleó anestesia endovenosa e infiltración local (lidocaína 2%); pero sin necesidad de entubación endotraqueal. Se abordó por vía sub-xifoidea con incisión cutánea de 2-3 cm y sin resección del apéndice xifoides. Se resecó el pericardio y el electrodo epicárdico unipolar modelo 5071 [Medtronic (Minneapolis, Minnesota)], se avanzó hasta la cara diafragmática del ventrículo derecho y con buen apoyo se liberó el mecanismo de fijación, posteriormente, se midieron los parámetros de estimulación. Se realizó un bolsillo subcutáneo en la zona abdominal pararectal izquierda, submuscular y se colocó el marcapasos unicameral VVIR Efecta [Biotronik (Berlín, Alemania)]. Se realizó profilaxis antibiótica según el protocolo del servicio. Al mes de seguimiento los parámetros de estimulación eran estables y no se reportaba infección en los sitios quirúrgicos. Conclusiones: El implante de marcapasos epicárdico por técnica mínima invasiva subxifoidea es eficaz, seguro y reproducible. Abstract: Introduction: Permanent epicardial stimulation is an alternative when there are contraindications to the endocavitary approach. Methods and results: Two cases are presented with complete ventricular atrial block and contraindication for endocavitary stimulation. In both cases, an epicardial electrode was implanted by minimally invasive subxiphoid surgery. Intravenous anesthesia and local infiltration (lidocaine 2%) were used; endotracheal intubation was not required. Subxiphoid approach was performed with a 2-3 cm skin incision and without resection of the xiphoid appendix. The pericardium was resected and the unipolar epicardial electrode model 5071 [Medtronic (Minneapolis, Minnesota)] was advanced to the diaphragmatic face of the right ventricle and with good support, the fixation mechanism was released; subsequently the stimulation parameters were measured. A subcutaneous pocket was made in the left pararectal abdominal area, submuscular and the VVIR Efecta unicameral pacemaker [Biotronik (Berlin, Germany)] was placed. Antibiotic prophylaxis was performed according to the service protocol. At one month of follow-up, the stimulation parameters were stable and no infection was reported at the surgical sites. Conclusions: The implantation of an epicardial pacemaker using minimally invasive subxiphoid technique is effective, safe and reproducible.

Resumen: Introducción: El neumotórax es una de las enfermedades pleurales más frecuentes en la práctica médica, siendo excepcional su asociación con el embarazo, existiendo pocos casos reportados en la literatura mundial. La linfangioleiomiomatosis es una enfermedad multisistémica poco frecuente, que afecta predominante al sexo femenino en edad fértil y puede verse exacerbada por el embarazo. Objetivo: Realizar el reporte de un caso y la revisión del tema que permitan un diagnóstico precoz y una conducta de forma temprana. Caso clínico: Paciente gestante de 15 semanas, de 36 años de edad, con antecedentes de salud anterior, que debuta súbitamente con disnea a los medianos esfuerzos, tos, dolor torácico y neumotórax derecho espontáneo, recurrente en su evolución y posteriormente bilateral. Su curso fue tórpido requiriendo tratamiento en Unidad de Cuidados Intensivos por fallo respiratorio agudo, falleciendo luego de 3 meses del inicio del cuadro. Se le realizó, Radiografía de tórax: patrón reticular de tipo panal de abejas, tomografía de tórax: imágenes quísticas múltiples en todo parénquima pulmonar de predominio basal. Biopsia pulmonar compatible con linfangioleiomiomatosis. Conclusiones: La aparición de disnea súbita, dolor pleurítico y neumotórax en una gestante, deben ser siempre suficientes para tener en cuenta la presencia de una linfangioleiomiomatosis. Su inespecificidad sintomática inicial se traduce en un diagnóstico tardío, lo que empobrece su pronóstico. Abstract: Introduction: pneumothorax is one of the most frequent pleural diseases in medical practice, its association with pregnancy has being exceptional, with few cases reported in the world literature. Lymphangioleiomyomatosis is a rare multisystem disease, which predominantly affects females of childbearing age and can be exacerbated by pregnancy. Objective: due to the poor prognosis of this condition influenced by the delay in its diagnosis and the absence of a treatment that can modify its progression, evolving to global respiratory failure and death, it is decided to review the current literature and the presentation of one case. Clinical case: pregnant patient of 15 weeks, of 36 years, with antecedents of previous health, who debuted suddenly with dyspnea to the medium efforts, cough, chest pain and spontaneous right pneumothorax, recurrent and later bilateral. His course was torpid requiring treatment in the ICU due to acute respiratory failure, dying after 3 months of the onset of symptoms. Chest x-ray pattern reticular, chest CT: multiple cystic images throughout lung parenchyma with basal predominance. Lung biopsy compatible with Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Conclusions: the appearance of sudden dyspnea, pleuritic pain and pneumothorax in a pregnant woman must always be sufficient to take into account the presence of an Lymphangioleiomyomatosis. Its initial symptomatic inespecificity results in a late diagnosis, which impoverishes its prognosis.

Abstract: This research proves that the notion of attunement constitutes an interdisciplinary encounter/space between musical and theatrical training. On this dissertation, I take a look at several notions of attunement to prove It is a physical phenomenon that implies a bodily transformation. Dalcroze's method is the point of departure to define a historical conception of physical training in music and theatre education. However, further developments of his contribution to theatre consider training as a psycho-physical attunement; a method to achieve corporeal plasticity. Next to that, meaningful findings on the study of motion and action in the field of cognitive neuroscience show that the brain works under its independent plasticity, suggesting a more complicated process that attunes two distinct intentionalities in the relation body/mind. This scientific conception of attunement exposes an intricate dialogue between inner and outer bodily dimensions and reveals a relation between individual and collective processes of communication. Neuroscience call to this the mirror mechanism; a system that explains how the process of synapsis occurs as a complex integration that depends on the relation of action and perception of self, others and the environment. Finally, all this knowledge related with instrumental practice will be analyzed and compared with the outcomes of two cases of study; a workshop with members of the Youth Philharmonic Orchestra of Bogotá 2015-2018 and the experience of the performance ‘Blended Affor-dances of Gozo’ at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2019. Based on this study, I will demonstrate the suitability of conceiving instrumental practice as a collective physical training. A possible emerging method that conceives the development of artistic skills through the practice of physical activity, beyond the childhood period, in later stages of life.

Abstract: Background & aims In patients with compensated advanced chronic liver disease (cACLD) requiring the use of extralarge (XL) probe for liver stiffness measurement (LSM) due to overweight/obesity, the prognostic value of simple non-invasive surrogates of portal hypertension (PH) and controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) for predicting first clinical decompensation has not been fully assessed. Methods Consecutive patients with cACLD (LSM ≥10 kPa by XL probe) observed between 2015 and 2018 in two large academic centers were included. Clinically relevant events including classical decompensation (ascites, PH bleeding, jaundice, hepatic encephalopathy) and severe bacterial infections were recorded on follow-up. Results 272 patients were followed up for a median of 17 months (IQR 11-24). 17 developed clinically relevant events (12 classical decompensation, 5 severe bacterial infections). LSM, LSPS and PH risk score showed a high prognostic discriminative ability (AUROC) for classical decompensation: LSM 0.848 (95%CI 0.720-0.976, p<.0001), PH risk score 0.881 (95%CI 0.798-0.954, p<.0001), and LSPS 0.890 (95%CI 0.814-0.966, p<.0001) and for clinically relevant events. NASH patients showed similar results. By multivariate Cox regression analysis, in the subgroup of patients with NASH, LSM and CAP remained independently associated with clinically relevant events, being CAP≥220dB/m negatively associated for classical decompensation (HR 0.043 95%CI 0.004-0.476, p=0.01). Conclusions Simple and readily available non-invasive surrogates of portal hypertension help identifying patients with cACLD and obesity/overweight who are at increased risk of developing first clinically relevant events and classical decompensation. Resumen: Antecedentes y objetivos En los pacientes con enfermedad hepática crónica avanzada compensada (cACLD) que requieren el uso de una sonda extralarga (XL) para medir la rigidez del hígado (LSM) debido al sobrepeso/obesidad, no se ha evaluado plenamente el valor pronóstico de los sustitutos no invasivos simples de la hipertensión portal (PH) y el parámetro de atenuación controlada (CAP) para predecir la primera descompensación clínica. Métodos Se incluyeron pacientes consecutivos con cACLD (LSM ≥10 kPa por sonda XL) observados entre 2015 y 2018 en dos grandes centros académicos. En el seguimiento se registraron eventos clínicamente relevantes, incluyendo descompensación clásica (ascitis, hemorragia PH, ictericia, encefalopatía hepática) e infecciones bacterianas graves. Resultados 272 pacientes fueron seguidos durante una mediana de 17 meses (IQR 11-24). 17 pacientes desarrollaron eventos clínicamente relevantes (12 descompensaciones clásicas, 5 infecciones bacterianas graves). LSM, LSPS y PH risk score mostró una alta capacidad de discriminación pronostica (AUROC) para la descompensación clásica: LSM 0.848 (95%CI 0.720-0.976, p<0,0001), puntuación de riesgo de PH 0.881 (95%CI 0.798-0.954, p<.0001), y LSPS 0.890 (95%CI 0.814-0.966, p<.0001) y para eventos clínicamente relevantes. Los pacientes de EHNA mostraron resultados similares. Mediante un análisis de regresión de Cox multivariante, en el subgrupo de pacientes con EHNA, el LSM y el CAP permanecieron asociados de forma independiente con eventos clínicamente relevantes, siendo CAP≥220dB/m asociados negativamente para la descompensación clásica (HR 0.043 95%CI 0.004-0.476, p=0.01). Conclusiones Los sustitutos no invasivos de la hipertensión portal, simples y fácilmente disponibles, ayudan a identificar a los pacientes con cACLD y obesidad/sobrepeso que corren un mayor riesgo de desarrollar los primeros eventos clínicamente relevantes y la descompensación clásica.

Abstract: Background: The mechanisms of action of several classes of cardiovascular medications are associated with COVID-19 pathology and have led to conflicting theories about their potential harm or benefits to the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients. However, published systematic reviews have only focused on the effects of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors. Objective: to assess the current evidence about the effects of six classes of cardiovascular medications (angiotensin receptor blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, diuretics, calcium channel blockers, β- and α-blockers) on the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients. Search Methods: Systematic searches were conducted at Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, PubMed, OFSpreprints, MedRxiv, BioRxiv, and LitCovid website to include studies published since the infection outbreak began up to August 2020. The recently updated Ovid Medline expert filter for COVID-19 was used along with validated search filters from previous Cochrane systematic reviews. Additionally, ongoing studies were searched at ClinicalTrials.gov and PROSPERO databases. Selection criteria: English or Spanish observational studies involving minimum 10 participants with confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis and taking ACEI, ARBs, CCBs, diuretics, β- and/or α- blockers were included. Data collection and analysis: The studies were selected based on the inclusion criteria at a title, abstract, and full-text review steps. Main results: 55 observational studies were included involving 780540 confirmed COVID-19 patients. 34 studies obtained consistent evidence that the baseline treatment with neither of the studied cardiovascular medications was associated with: 1) risk of contracting SARS-CoV-2 infection; 2) developing a severe COVID-19 disease; 3) mortality or 4) undergoing clinical complications and poor disease course. In-hospital administration of amlodipine or nifedipine is associated with a lower risk of mortality and mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: most of the current evidence is consistent to suggest that baseline treatments with the studied cardiovascular medications are not associated with worsening clinical outcomes in COVID-19 patients; however, the comprehensive analysis and comparison of the data was limited by the great heterogeneity across the studies’ design. More robust evidence is required to overcome the limitations of the current evidence and to properly address the controversies around this research topic. Resumen: Introducción: Los mecanismos de acción de varias clases de medicamentos cardiovasculares se han asociado a la patogénesis de la infección por COVID-19. Esta asociación ha promovido el surgimiento de diferentes teorías relacionadas con los efectos benéficos o perjudiciales de estos medicamentos en los desenlaces clínicos de pacientes diagnosticados con COVID-19. Sin embargo, las revisiones sistemáticas publicadas a la fecha sobre este tema se han enfocado exclusivamente en los efectos de los medicamentos inhibidores del sistema renina-angiotensina-aldosterona. Objetivo: Evaluar la evidencia sobre los efectos de seis clases de medicamentos cardiovasculares (bloqueadores de los receptores de angiotensina, inhibidores de la enzima de convertidora de angiotensina, diuréticos, bloqueadores de los canales de calcio, bloqueadores beta-adrenérgicos y bloqueadores alfa-adrenérgicos) en los desenlaces clínicos de pacientes con COVID-19. Metodología de búsqueda: Se realizaron búsquedas sistemáticas en Ovid Medline, Ovid Embase, PubMed, OFSpreprints, MedRxiv, BioRxiv, and LitCovid website con el fin de incluir estudios publicados desde el inicio del brote de la infección hasta Agosto de 2020. Se desarrollaron estrategias de búsqueda avanzadas empleando filtros de búsqueda validados como el filtro para COVID-19, desarrollado y actualizado por expertos de Ovid Medline, junto con filtros obtenidos de previas revisiones sistemáticas de Cochrane. Adicionalmente, se realizó una búsqueda de estudios en curso en las bases de datos ClinicalTrials.gov y PROSPERO. Criterios de selección: Estudios observacionales publicados en ingles o español incluyendo mínimo 10 participantes con un diagnóstico confirmado de COVID-19 y en tratamiento con IECA, ARA, BCC, diuréticos, beta-bloqueadores y/o alfa-bloqueadores. Selección y análisis de datos: Los estudios se seleccionaron aplicando los criterios de inclusión en el screening del título, abstract y texto completo. Resultados: Se incluyeron 55 estudios observacionales que involucraron 780540 pacientes con diagnostico confirmado de COVID-19. 34 estudios fueron consistentes al obtener evidencia de que los tratamientos de base con cualquiera de las seis clases de medicamentos cardiovasculares estudiados no se asociaron con 1) mayor riesgo de contraer una infección por SARS-CoV-2; 2) la severidad de la infección por COVID-19; 3) mortalidad o 4) complicaciones clínicas en el curso de la enfermedad. La administración intrahospitalaria de amlodipino o nifedipino puede estar asociada con un menor riesgo de mortalidad y ventilación mecánica en pacientes con COVID-19. Conclusión: La evidencia actual sugiere que los tratamientos de base con IECA, ARA, BCC, diuréticos, beta-bloqueadores y/o alfa-bloqueadores no se asocian con peores desenlaces clínicos en pacientes con COVID-19. Sin embargo, la gran heterogeneidad en el diseño de los estudios limitó el análisis exhaustivo y la comparación de los datos entre los estudios. Evidencia mas robusta que supere estas limitaciones y aborde las controversias generados en torno a este tema de investigación es necesaria.

Abstract: From brown algae species, it is a polysaccharide that have been studies due to their potential use in several biomedical applications. This is known as fucoidan. In this research the anti- cancer properties of a commercially available fucoidan (from Fucus vesiculosus) and different molecular weight fractions of fucoidan extracted from a brown algae found in the Colombian caribean coast (Sargassum filipendula, at LMW, (10–50 kDa), medium (MMW, 50–100 kDa) and high (HMW, >100 kDa)) were studied on osteosarcoma cells (MG-63). The results showed penetrability variation of the different fucoidan inside cells. Moreover, the focal adhesion and cell proliferation had a dose-dependent drop for all fucoidan types with strongest effects observed for HMW and F. vesiculosus fucoidan. G1-Phase arrest and accummulation in the sub-G1-phase was induced by F. vesiculosus. Simillarly, HMW and LMW caused G1-phase arrest. All fucoidan caused mitochondrial damage but mithochondrial fragmenttion was only observed with F. vesiculosus. Stress-induced apoptosis-like cell death was observed for F. vesiculosus fucoidan and stress-induced necrosis-like cell death for S. filipendula fucoidans by Annexin V/PI, TUNEL and cytochrome C stainings. As a results, These differences in anti-cancer activity of fucoidans are applicable for osteosarcoma treatment. Resumen: De las algas marrones, hay un polisacárido que ha sido estudiado debido a su potencial uso en diversas aplicaciones biomédicas. Estos se conocen como fucoidanos. En esta investigación, las propiedades anticancerígenas de los fucoidanos de una especie disponible comercialmente (Fucus vesiculosus)y de diferentes fracciones de peso molecular de fucoidanos extraídos de un alga marrón que se encuentra en la costa caribe colombiana (Sargassum filipendula, en bajo LMW, (10–50 kDa), medio (MMW, 50-100 kDa) y alto peso molecular (HMW,> 100 kDa)) se estudiaron en células de osteosarcoma (MG-63). Los resultados mostraron una variación de la penetrabilidad de los diferentes fucoidan dentro de las células. Además, la adhesión focal y la proliferación celular tuvieron una caída dependiente de la dosis para todos los tipos de fucoidan con efectos más fuertes observados para HMW y F. vesiculosus fucoidan. La detención y acumulación de la fase G1 y la fase sub- G1 fueron inducidas por F. vesiculosus. De manera similar, HMW y LMW causaron la detención de la fase G1. Todos los fucoidan causaron daño mitocondrial, pero solo se observó fragmentación mitocondrial con F. vesiculosus. Se observó muerte celular similar a la apoptosis inducida por estrés para el fucoidano extraido de F. vesiculosus y muerte celular similar a la necrosis inducida por estrés para fucoidanos de S. filipendula mediante tinciones con Anexina V / PI, TUNEL y citocromo C. Como resultado, estas diferencias en la actividad anticancerígena de los fucoidanos podrían ser aplicables para el tratamiento del osteosarcoma.

Background: The effect of early surgery in elderly patients with hip fractures has been controversial during the last five decades due to equivocal evidence both in favour and against it. The objective of this thesis is to systematically assess all the available evidence on the effect(s) of early surgery compared with delayed surgery in elderly patients with hip fractures. Methods: Searches for randomised controlled trials (RCTs) or prospective observational studies were conducted from inception to July 2017 in the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (OVID), EMBASE (OVID), and they were complemented with list of references searching, review of both clinical trials registers and archives of orthopaedic meetings. Two reviewers independently selected studies for inclusion, extracted data and evaluated risk of bias; and a third reviewer resolved discrepancies. Risk ratios (RR) were calculated for dichotomous data, and mean difference (MD) or standardised mean difference (SMD) was calculated for continuous data. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. Results: 39 studies were included with 51,857 participants (range of mean age: 74 to 93 years) comparing early versus delayed surgery. Three studies were RCTs and 36 were observational studies. The evidence from RCTs and observational studies showed that early surgery reduces risk of all-cause 3 mortality in elderly patients with a hip fracture (RR 0.73, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.65 to 0.83; I2 = 67%; number needed to treat for benefit (NNTB) 20; low quality of evidence). Observational studies showed reduced risk of all-cause mortality by early surgery at 6 (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.91; I2 = 56%; very low quality of evidence) and 12 months postoperative (RR 0.69, 95% CI 0.55 to 0.87; I2 = 76%; very low quality of evidence), and when surgery is performed within the first 48 hours upon hospital admission (RR 0.72, 95% CI 0.62 to 0.84; I2 = 65%; very low quality of evidence). Observational studies also showed a reduction of complications (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.73; I2 = 64%; very low quality of evidence) and length of hospital stay (MD -5.06, 95% CI -6.52 to -3.60; I2 = 87%; very low quality of evidence) by early surgery, but the evidence was uncertain for functionality (SMD 0.05, 95% CI -0.04 to 0.14; I2 = 0%; low quality of evidence) and pain (RR 0.89, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.17; I2 = 0%; very low quality of evidence). RCTs showed that early surgery reduces length of stay (MD -6.73, 95% CI -12.92 to -0.54; I2 = 54%; very low quality of evidence) and improves functionality (SMD 0.32, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.59; I2 = 5%; low quality of evidence). Conclusions: Low-quality evidence showed that early surgery reduces all-cause mortality at 6 and 12 months post-surgery, especially when it is performed during the first 48 hours after hospital admission. There was very low-quality evidence of a reduction in complications including pneumonia and pressure sores, and low-quality evidence for a reduced risk of urinary tract infection for early compared with delayed surgery. Reductions in length of hospital stay and improvement of postoperative functionality with early surgery were also observed but with very low- and low-quality of evidence respectively. There was very low-quality evidence for no effect of early surgery on postoperative pain.

El desgaste por empatía es un concepto relativamente reciente y en evolución que ha captado el interés de los profesionales sanitarios debido a que el trabajo en el ámbito de la salud implica un coste emocional que repercute en la misma salud del trabajador y en su labor profesional. Según la literatura revisada, los programas en prevención en todos los niveles de este tipo de estrés son escasos, por lo tanto, el objetivo de este trabajo es proponer un programa de prevención del desgaste por empatía en profesionales sanitarios de una unidad de diálisis de hospital. La idea surgió de la necesidad manifiesta por la Unidad de Diálisis del Hospital Universitario Infanta Sofía (HUIS), hacia la Unidad de Salud Mental del mismo Hospital y de la confianza depositada en la investigación académica, relacionada con la dificultad en el afrontamiento a la muerte de pacientes de la Unidad, por parte del personal asistencial. El propósito es entonces entrenar a los profesionales en estrategias de regulación emocional del desgaste por empatía, con el fin de disminuir los niveles de este tipo de estrés y prevenir su futura aparición, por medio del desarrollo de 6 módulos, que se llevarán a cabo a través de diferentes ciclos y que puede tener continuidad a través de una modalidad de Formación Continuada. Se ha diseñado una evaluación estandarizada con el fin de medir la presunta efectividad del programa para prevenir el desgaste por empatía. Se realiza una valoración sobre los resultados esperados, las conclusiones del diseño de la propuesta del programa, así como de sus limitaciones y sobre futuras líneas de investigación. Abstract: The compassion fatigue is a relatively recent and evolving concept that has captured the interest of health professionals because working in health implies an emotional cost that affects the health and the worker performance. According to the revised literature, prevention programs at all levels of this kind of stress are scarce, therefore, the objective of this work is to propose a program of prevention of compassion fatigue in healthcare professionals of a dialysis unit of a hospital. The idea came up from the necessity exposed by the Dialysis Unit of the Hospital Universitario Infanta Sofia (HUIS), towards the Mental Health Unit of the same Hospital and from the confidence placed in the academic research, related to the difficulty of facing death of patients of the unit, by the assistance personnel. The purpose is then to train professionals in strategies of emotional regulation of compassion fatigue, in order to reduce the levels of this type of stress and prevent its future emergence, through the development of 6 modules, which will be carried out through different cycles and that can have continuity through a continuous training modality. A standardized assessment has been designed to measure the presumed effectiveness of the program to prevent the compassion fatigue. An assessment is made of the expected results, the conclusions of the design of the program proposal, as well as its limitations and future lines of research.

Organotypic brain culture is an experimental tool widely used in neuroscience studies. One major drawback of this technique is reduced neuronal survival across time, which is likely exacerbated by the loss of blood flow. We have designed a novel, tube flow system, which is easily incorporated into the commonly-used, standard semi-permeable membrane culture methodology which has significantly enhanced neuronal survival in a brain stem nucleus involved in control of motivated and arousal states: the laterodorsal tegmental nucleus (LDT). Our automated system provides nutrients and removes waste in a comparatively aseptic environment, while preserving temperature, and oxygen levels. Using immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology, our system was found superior to standard techniques in preserving tissue quality and survival of LDT cells for up to 2 weeks. In summary, we provide evidence for the first time that the LDT can be preserved in organotypic slice culture, and further, our technical improvements of adding a flow system, which likely enhanced perfusion to the slice, were associated with enhanced neuronal survival. Our perfusion system is expected to facilitate organotypic experiments focused on chronic stimulations and multielectrode recordings in the LDT, as well as enhance neuronal survival in slice cultures originating from other brain regions.