IntroductionAutism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by alterations in the intellectual, social, communication, and behavioral capabilities of an individual, and is rarely detected in children before 24 months of age. Early diagnosis and intervention may be more effective at a younger age. Functional connectivity magnetic resonance imaging (fcMRI) of 6-month old infants may be able to identify brain connection patterns related to at least one of the characteristics of autism, which normally appear at 24 months of age, by using a mathematical model to analyze the neuroimaging data.MethodsClinical studies published up to December 2018 that used fcMRI to detect autism in infants were reviewed. The literature databases searched included PubMed, Web of Science, the Trip Database, DynaMed, the Cochrane Library, the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Early assessments of fcMRI analysis were identified through the Early Awareness and Alert System of the Agencia de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias.ResultsOnly one prospective study of 59 infants at 6-months of age was retrieved. A fcMRI analysis was performed to identify 2,635 pairs of functional connections from 230 brain regions. The infants were subsequently assessed for autism at 24 months of age using gold standard tests. The functional connections correlated with at least one of the behaviors related to autism evaluated at 24 months of age. Eleven infants (19%) were diagnosed with autism at 24 months. Compared with the gold standard test results, the predictive model achieved the following: sensitivity 0.82 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.52 - 0.95); specificity 1.00 (95% CI: 0.93–1.00); positive predictive value 1.00 (95% CI: 0.70–1.00); negative predictive value 0.96 (95% CI: 0.87–0.99); and negative likelihood ratio 0.18 (95% CI: 0.05–0.64). Adverse effects were not reported in the study.ConclusionsThe fcMRI analysis could help in early detection of autism and the development of preventive interventions. However, the evidence is sparse and more well-designed studies are needed.

IntroductionTreatment of varicose veins is currently performed by different interventionist alternatives that include surgical, endothermal and non-thermal ablation therapies. The main guidelines recommended endovenous thermal treatment as the first choice therapy; however present side effects related to thermal energy. Non-tumescent endovenous ablation techniques such as cyanoacrylate ablation (CA) started to develop to avoid these problems. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness and safety of CA for saphenous vein incompetence.MethodsA systematic review with meta-analysis was carried out. The search of scientific literature was performed in Medline, Embase, Cochrane library, CDR, WoS and Scopus databases. GRADE methodology was used to assess the quality of the evidence and Cochrane risk of bias tool to assess methodological quality of randomized control trials (RCT). Pooled risk ratio was calculated using a random effects model.ResultsTwo RCTs and one non-RCT comprising 1,077 participants were included. Additionally, 10 case series were included for safety assessment. Pooled analysis of closure rates by the two RCTs indicated there were not significant differences between CA and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) or endovenous laser ablation (EVLA). Improvements in venous clinical severity score were reported by all comparative studies without significant differences among groups. The most frequently reported adverse events were ecchymosis, phlebitis, paraesthesia, and thrombosis. The pooled analysis showed significant differences only in ecchymosis rates, with lower probability of ecchymosis in CA groups. CA treatment showed lower pain rates and shorter intervention times and recovery compared to endothermal therapies.ConclusionsThe effectiveness of CA devices in the treatment of varicose veins is comparable to EVLA and RFA, while the rates of adverse effects are lower. Despite the limitations of the evidence, CA may be a promising alternative to existing treatments, with the advantages of better patient comfort.

Introduction:Minimally invasive capsulorhexis is an incision in the anterior capsule in the peripheral zone for cataract extraction. It allows reduction of the size of the lesion, ensuring a better transparency of the visual axis, preserving the capsule almost intact and a layer of lenticular epithelial cells. The procedure could have a potential regenerative effect of the lens in a natural way. The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy and safety of minimally invasive capsulorhexis to promote lens regeneration in children's cataracts.Methods:This technology was identified by the early Awareness and Alert System, “SINTESIS-new technologies” of Agencia de Evaluación de Tecnologías Sanitarias (AETS) Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII). An early assessment was conducted. The searched databases were: PubMed, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination (CRD), and Cochrane Library. Clinical studies using the procedure published in any language until 29 September 2017 were reviewed.Results:An open-label, randomized trial in pediatric cataract patients (age: 0–2 years) was retrieved. Twelve patients underwent minimally invasive capsulorhexis, while twenty-five patients received the standard treatment. Regarding efficacy, a transparent regenerated biconvex lens was found in 100 percent of eyes three months after surgery, but wasn't found in the control group. 100 percent of capsular openings healed within one month after surgery in the experimental group, but not in the control group. Both groups increased their visual acuity parameters without significant differences. Regarding safety, children receiving the standard technique had a higher incidence of corneal edema (eight percent in the intervention vs thirty percent in the control group), anterior chamber inflammation (seventeen percent vs seventy-four percent), additional laser capsulotomy (zero percent vs eighty-four percent) and increased visual axis opacification (four percent vs eighty-four percent).Conclusions:Minimally invasive capsulorhexis in children's cataracts seems to be a promising new procedure. Preliminary efficacy results were good and safety profile was better than standard treatment. However, it would be necessary to continue further studies to confirm these results.