SUMMARY Masks are a basic element of protection and limitation of the spread of coronavirus infection. We can distinguish several types of masks (surgical, auto filtering, hygienical, etc.), which have different considerations related to the type of product, regulatory requirements, and grade of protection. The current pandemic situation makes essential the use of masks to limit the spread of infectious agents.

RESUMEN Las mascarillas son un elemento básico de protección y limitación de la propagación de la infección por coronavirus. En concreto y en la situación de pandemia sanitaria mundial ante la que nos encontramos frente al COVID-19. Podemos diferenciar varios tipos de mascarillas (quirúrgicas, autofiltrantes, higiénicas, etc.), teniendo cada una de ellas una consideración diferente en cuanto a tipo de producto, requisitos normativos y protección que nos ofrecen. La situación de pandemia actual en la que nos encontramos, hace imprescindible el uso de las mismas para limitar la propagación de agentes infecciosos.

ABSTRACT Introduction: The medical practice in the area of pain associates ethical problems in the care of patients with a disease that causes a functional deterioration, with an uncertain prognosis for their labor reintegration, and a great consumption of family and social resources. After the creation of a working group on bioethics within the Spanish Pain Society (SPS), an attempt is made to analyze these problems. Objective: To know which are the ethical problems that identify professionals (clinical practice, environment and institutions) which concerns SPS members; encouranging an ethical reflection. Methodology: Qualitative study, based on a semi-structured, open interview, send to members of the SPS (n = 1035), through electronic access, on 4 bioethical aspects: the problems detected in clinical practice, the problems of the work environment, the problems in the work organizations, and possible suggestions. These are grouped as they refer to the indications (beneficence and non-maleficence), justice (understood as equity), autonomy (information and preferences). Results: A total of 6 % professionals participated in the interview (n = 62/1035). A panel was prepared with the 10 main issues identified. They emphasize the uncertainty in the taking of decisions in the therapeutic, the limitation of the therapeutic effort, the conditioning of the sanitary system, the relations with the pharmaceutical industry and the search of the excellence. Conclusions: This qualitative study allows identifying ethical problems that interest professionals dedicated to pain. It is convenient to confirm and size them through quantitative studies.

RESUMEN Introducción: La práctica médica en el área del dolor plantea problemas éticos en la atención a pacientes con una enfermedad que provoca un deterioro funcional, con un pronóstico incierto para su reinserción laboral, y gran consumo de recursos familiares y sociales. Tras la creación de un grupo de trabajo en bioética dentro de la Sociedad Española del Dolor (SED) se intenta analizar dichos problemas. Objetivo: Conocer los problemas éticos relacionados con el manejo del dolor (práctica clínica, entorno e instituciones) que preocupan a los profesionales miembros de la SED, así como fomentar una reflexión ética. Metodología: Estudio cualitativo, basado en una entrevista semiestructurada, abierta, enviada a los miembros de la SED (n = 1035), mediante acceso electrónico, sobre 4 aspectos bioéticos: los problemas detectados en la práctica clínica, los problemas del entorno de trabajo, los problemas en las organizaciones de trabajo, y posibles sugerencias. Estos se agrupan según se refieran a las indicaciones (beneficencia y no maleficencia), la justicia (entendida como equidad) o la autonomía (información y preferencias). Resultados: Participaron en la entrevista un 6 % de los profesionales (n = 62/1035). Se elaboró un panel con las 10 cuestiones principales identificadas. Destacan la incertidumbre en la toma de decisiones en la terapéutica, la limitación del esfuerzo terapéutico, los condicionamientos del sistema sanitario, las relaciones con la industria farmacéutica y la búsqueda de la excelencia. Conclusiones: Este estudio cualitativo permite identificar problemas éticos que interesan a los profesionales dedicados al dolor. Es conveniente confirmarlos y dimensionarlos mediante estudios cuantitativos.

ABSTRACT Aims: To assess the expression of cathepsins in pancreatic samples obtained by endoscopic ultrasonography and fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and to investigate their relationship with the staging of the pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Methods: We prospectively included patients with solid pancreatic masses, in which EUS-FNA were performed. Cathepsins B, L, S and H expression was determined in FNA samples. Results: Seventeen FNA were performed. All cytological material was from PDAC. Expression of cathepsins was predominantly low (B 65%, L 23%, S 76%, and H 41%). We found no correlation between the expression levels and the extension of the neoplasm. Conclusion: Expression of cathepsins in the cytological material of PDAC is diverse but still poor to be useful in the pre-operative diagnosis. There is no correlation between the expression levels of cathepsins and the extension of the PDAC.

Background and aims: To assess the expression levels of cathepsins in malignant and premalignant lesions. Methods: We retrospectively included patients who underwent pancreatic surgery on pancreatic solid or cystic masses. The expression of cathepsin H, L, B and S was determined in both types of samples. Lesions were divided into three categories: malignant (pancreatic adenocarcinoma and malignant mucinous neoplasms), premalignant (mucinous neoplasms) and benign (other lesions). Results: Thirty-one surgical resection samples were studied. The expression of cathepsins was significantly higher in malignant lesions than in premalignant and benign lesions (H 75%, 27%, 37% p = 0.05; L 92%, 36%, 37% p = 0.011; B 83%, 36%, 62% p = 0.069; S 92%, 36%, 25% p = 0.004, respectively). Conclusions: Cathepsins are overexpressed in histological samples of malignant lesions compared to premalignant and benign lesions. However, the expression of cathepsins is similar in both premalignant and benign lesions.