Successful Closure of a Persistent Enterocutaneous Fistula with a Myocutaneous Flap
We present a patient with a chronic complex enterocutaneous fistula who underwent several surgeries, resulting in a considerable amount of bowel resection. Based on history and findings of high output fistula with diverting transverse colostomy, the fistula was closed with a left rectus myocutaneous pedicle flap to avoid entering the abdominal cavity and prevent the possibility of short bowel syndrome. This case contributes to the growing body of literature supporting the use of rectus myocutaneous flaps for the closure of intractable complex enterocutaneous fistulas in patients unable to undergo resection of the affected ...
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tatiana Pelegrina-Perez Hermes Aponte-Rivera Jose Augusto Cordero-Pacheco Angel Rivera-Barrios Source Type: research

A Novel Case of Legionnaire's Disease after Staying at Home Rentals
P R Health Sci J. 2023 Dec;42(4):325-327.ABSTRACTCase of a 44-year-old woman with past medical history of dermatomyositis who had been on Methrotexate therapy who became infected with Legionella pneumophila after staying at a home rental, known commercially as an Airbnb. The patient presented to the ER with complaints of general malaise and subsequently developed sepsis with respiratory failure requiring intubation. CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of pneumonia and through extensive research L. pneumophila was identified using a pneumonia panel that works by identifying nucleic acids of fastidious organisms that are difficu...
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Maria Isabel Hawayek Alvaro Aranda Juan Malpica Source Type: research

An Unexpected Presentation of a Maxillary Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in an Elderly Hispanic Patient
P R Health Sci J. 2023 Dec;42(4):328-331.ABSTRACTExtranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type and aggressive NK cell leukemia are rare in Western World been less than 1% in USA to 8% in Asia among Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. It is aggressive, with poor outcome and optimal treatment is unclear. A combination therapy that includes Peg-Asparaginase (SMILE) has been employed in young patients. An 85-year-old Puerto Rican male presented with anorexia, epistaxis, vertigo and involuntary facial movements. He was treated with injectable Onabotulinum toxin A due to suspicion of a hemifacial spasm. However, a CT scan demonstrated ...
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Dalianie Nieves Elias Sobrino William Caceres-Perkins Trevor L Kuttler Fernando Cabanillas Source Type: research

Comprehensive Preventive and Therapeutic Oral Health Care: A Case Report of Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IV A in a Pediatric Patient
P R Health Sci J. 2023 Dec;42(4):332-334.ABSTRACTMucopolysaccharidosis (MPS) is a metabolic disorder resulting from a deficiency of lysosomal enzymes. It is an autosomal recessive disorder with similar incidences in men and women. Mucopolysaccharidosis type IV A is caused by a deficiency of N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase, which deficiency is, in turn, caused by alterations in the GALNS gene. It is marked by a short stature, a pigeon chest, frontal bossing, kyphosis, and a flat nasal bridge. Intraorally, macroglossia, hypodontia, dentinogenesis imperfecta, a broad mouth, and an anterior open bite are some of the common f...
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Chanchala Hp Gunica Harjai Vidya G Doddawad Manjual S Source Type: research

The Role of Sirtuins in Cell Life and their Potential Therapeutic Uses
P R Health Sci J. 2023 Dec;42(4):269-275.ABSTRACTSirtuins (SIRTs) constitute a family of enzyme-type proteins dependent on nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. These enzymes are considered cellular metabolic sensors since the cell's energy level can regulate their activity to compensate for energy fluctuations. They constitute an evolutionarily conserved family of deacetylases class III enzymes, with a recognized role in prolonging life expectancy. Sirtuins are related to the development of age-associated pathologies, such as cancer, diabetes, neurodegeneration, and metabolic disorders. This group of enzymes has become a pos...
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Lyda C Caballero-M éndez Andrea E Garc ía Luz Natalia Franco-Montoya Source Type: research

Evaluating Alterations in Breast Cancer Patients after Recovery Via A PET/CT-Assisted Metabolomics Approach
CONCLUSION: Untargeted metabolomics studies can be used to understand the etiopathogenesis of breast cancer, finding new biomarkers and alterations of metabolic pathways. After the tumor burden was removed, homeostasis was restored and the concentration of several metabolites began to normalize. This study elucidated the effects of breast cancer at the molecular level.PMID:38104283 (Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal)
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Adem Maman Onur Senol Source Type: research

Investigation of the IL7R α Gene Polymorphism rs6897932 and the Expression Levels of the CDH1, TTPAL, and FHIT Genes in Patients with Breast Cancer
CONCLUSION: Our results are compatible with those reported in the literature. It can be suggested that the upregulation observed in the TTPAL gene might be a marker for breast cancer. The downregulation of CDH1 and FHIT gene expression has been validated in our study. An increase in the copy numbers of FHIT mRNA in blood samples and a decrease in the tumor samples can also be considered an abnormal condition.PMID:38104284 (Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal)
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Evrim Suna Arikan-Soylemez Murat Çilekar Murat Akici Çigdem Tokyol Hatice Arzu Özyürek Zafer S öylemez Mustafa Solak Source Type: research

Knowledge of Obesity's Health Related Outcomes among Hispanic Women living in Puerto Rico
CONCLUSION: Counseling about preventable cancer risk factors through primary care to all women must be encouraged especially in young healthy females. Further studies should address qualitative aspects of the odds differences in the obesity-cancer link knowledge observed between income categories for women with/without previous cancer diagnoses.PMID:38104285 (Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal)
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Sofia Vivoni Francisco Garrat ón Maria Carro Lorena Gonz ález-Sepúlveda Josefina Romaguera Sharee Umpierre Source Type: research

Tobacco Use and Depression: A Hidden Epidemic among Smokers 18 Years and Older, Puerto Rico, 2018-2020
CONCLUSION: Our results indicate that SWD should be targeted in any health-based tobacco-control efforts to develop evidence-based strategies to reduce or eliminate tobacco use in this same population.PMID:38104286 (Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal)
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Alex Cabrera-Serrano Marcos E Felici-Giovanini Rose M D íaz-García Miriam V Ramos-Col ón Idania Rodr íguez-Ayuso Source Type: research

Development and Content Validity of a Disability Self-Management Questionnaire for Hispanic Older Adults
CONCLUSION: The scale and item validity for the SF-DLAQ, Spanish version, has been demonstrated but should be confirmed with further testing.PMID:38104287 (Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal)
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Elsa M Orellano-Col ón Carla M Feo-Portuondo Francis N Rivadeneira-Salvador Nicole M Suazo-Valdez Nicole M Rom án-Medina Jonathan J De Hoyos-Ram írez V íctor E Bonilla-Rodríguez Source Type: research

Comparison of Corticotomy and Micro-osteoperforation during Canine Retraction: A Split-Mouth Design
CONCLUSION: There were not any clinically or statistically significant differences in retraction between the interventions. At 3 months, a MOP is as effective as a corticotomy in accelerating the rate of tooth movement.PMID:38104288 (Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal)
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Carina Perez-Cisneros Augusto R El ías-Boneta Sona Rivas-Tumanyan Manuel Rodr íguez-Reyes Mario Polo Source Type: research

Compliance with Influenza Vaccination and Cervical, Breast, and Colorectal Cancer Screening in a Sample of Women in Puerto Rico: Community Engagement Efforts from PR-CEAL
CONCLUSION: Adherence to cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer screening in the past year did not differ by influenza vaccination status. Influenza vaccination appointments may therefore represent a missed opportunity to promote preventative cancer screening in Puerto Rico.PMID:38104289 (Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal)
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Katherine Hill Cynthia M P érez Adriana Pons-Calvo Karelys Canales-Birriel Andrea L ópez-Cepero Norangelys Sol ís-Torres Zaydelis Tamarit-Quevedo Vivian Col ón-López Source Type: research

Successful Closure of a Persistent Enterocutaneous Fistula with a Myocutaneous Flap
We present a patient with a chronic complex enterocutaneous fistula who underwent several surgeries, resulting in a considerable amount of bowel resection. Based on history and findings of high output fistula with diverting transverse colostomy, the fistula was closed with a left rectus myocutaneous pedicle flap to avoid entering the abdominal cavity and prevent the possibility of short bowel syndrome. This case contributes to the growing body of literature supporting the use of rectus myocutaneous flaps for the closure of intractable complex enterocutaneous fistulas in patients unable to undergo resection of the affected ...
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Tatiana Pelegrina-Perez Hermes Aponte-Rivera Jose Augusto Cordero-Pacheco Angel Rivera-Barrios Source Type: research

A Novel Case of Legionnaire's Disease after Staying at Home Rentals
P R Health Sci J. 2023 Dec;42(4):325-327.ABSTRACTCase of a 44-year-old woman with past medical history of dermatomyositis who had been on Methrotexate therapy who became infected with Legionella pneumophila after staying at a home rental, known commercially as an Airbnb. The patient presented to the ER with complaints of general malaise and subsequently developed sepsis with respiratory failure requiring intubation. CT scan confirmed the diagnosis of pneumonia and through extensive research L. pneumophila was identified using a pneumonia panel that works by identifying nucleic acids of fastidious organisms that are difficu...
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Maria Isabel Hawayek Alvaro Aranda Juan Malpica Source Type: research

An Unexpected Presentation of a Maxillary Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma in an Elderly Hispanic Patient
P R Health Sci J. 2023 Dec;42(4):328-331.ABSTRACTExtranodal NK/T-cell lymphoma (ENKTL), nasal type and aggressive NK cell leukemia are rare in Western World been less than 1% in USA to 8% in Asia among Non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. It is aggressive, with poor outcome and optimal treatment is unclear. A combination therapy that includes Peg-Asparaginase (SMILE) has been employed in young patients. An 85-year-old Puerto Rican male presented with anorexia, epistaxis, vertigo and involuntary facial movements. He was treated with injectable Onabotulinum toxin A due to suspicion of a hemifacial spasm. However, a CT scan demonstrated ...
Source: Puerto Rico Health Sciences Journal - December 17, 2023 Category: International Medicine & Public Health Authors: Dalianie Nieves Elias Sobrino William Caceres-Perkins Trevor L Kuttler Fernando Cabanillas Source Type: research