Prevalence, incidence and risk factors for acquisition and colonization of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- and carbapenemase-producing Enterobacteriaceae from dogs attended at a veterinary hospital in Spain.

The last 10 years have seen a progressive increase in antibiotic resistance rates in bacteria isolated from companion animals. Exposure of individuals to resistant bacteria from companion animals, such as extended-spectrum beta-lactamase- (ESBL) and carbapenemase- (CPE) producing Enterobacteriaceae, can be propitiated. Few studies evaluate the incidence and risk factors associated with colonization by multidrug-resistant bacteria in dogs. This work aims to estimate the prevalence, incidence and risk factors associated with colonization of ESBL-E and CPE-E in 44 canine patients hospitalized in a veterinary hospital. The antimicrobial susceptibility of Enterobacteriaceae strains was analyzed and the molecular detection of resistant genes was performed. A prevalence of 25.0% and an incidence of ESBL-E of 45.5% were observed in dogs colonized by Enterobacteriaceae at hospital admission and release, respectively. Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter koseri and Morganella morganii were identified as ESBL-producing bacterial species. Resistance genes were detected for ESBL-producing strains. No CPE isolates were obtained on the CPE-selective medium. The administration of corticosteroids prior to hospitalization and the presence of concomitant diseases were associated with colonization by these bacteria in dogs. Considering that one-quarter of the patients evaluated were colonized by ESBL-E, companion animals should be considered as potential transmission vehicles and ESBL-E reservoirs for humans. Special care should be taken in animals attended at veterinary hospitals, as the length of stay in the hospital could increase the risks.

Does Endovascular Treatment with Curative Intention Have Benefits for Treating High-Grade Arteriovenous Malformation versus Radiosurgery? Efficacy, Safety, and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis.

BACKGROUND: The treatment of high-grade arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) remains challenging. Microsurgery provides a rapid and complete occlusion compared with other options but is associated with undesirable morbidity and mortality. The aim of this study was to compare the occlusion rates, incidence of unfavorable outcomes, and cost-effectiveness of embolization and stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) as a curative treatment for high-grade AVMs. METHODS: A retrospective series of 57 consecutive patients with high-grade AVM treated with embolization or SRS, with the aim of achieving complete occlusion, was analyzed. Demographic, clinical, and angioarchitectonic variables were collected. Both treatments were compared for the occlusion rate and procedure-related complications. In addition, a cost-effectiveness analysis was performed. RESULTS: Thirty patients (52.6%) were men and 27 (47.4%) were women (mean age, 39 years). AVMs were unruptured in 43 patients (75.4%), and ruptured in 14 patients (24.6%). The presence of deep venous drainage, nidus volume, perforated arterial supply, and eloquent localization was more frequent in the SRS group. Complications such as hemorrhage or worsening of previous seizures were more frequent in the embolization group. No significant differences were observed in the occlusion rates or in the time necessary to achieve occlusion between the groups. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio for endovascular treatment versus SRS was $53.279. CONCLUSIONS: Both techniques achieved similar occlusion rates, but SRS carried a lower risk of complications. Staged embolization may be associated with a greater risk of hemorrhage, whereas SRS was shown to have a better cost-effectiveness ratio. These results support SRS as a better treatment option for high-grade AVMs.

Do bad habits bring a double constipation risk?

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Good dietary habits, fluid intake, and regular exercise are considered to ease defecation although very few cases of chronic constipation can be managed through these approaches alone. Good defecation habits are recommended to avoid chronic constipation; however, the literature regarding this remains scarce. In this paper, we aimed to assess the association of bad habits concerning defecation, such as postponing, reluctance, or avoiding defecation anywhere but at home, with chronic constipation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This was a cross-sectional observational study including subjects from a tertiary hospital taskforce. In total, 415 of 910 eligible subjects were randomly selected. A cluster of questionnaires easy to understand and fill out was distributed. The questionnaires included queries regarding demographic data; past medical history; the presence of constipation; and dietary, other lifestyle, and defecation habits. The Rome III criteria for chronic constipation were also recorded. RESULTS: In total, 24.3% of the subjects considered themselves constipated, and 26.5% fulfilled the Rome III criteria for constipation. There were obvious differences in constipation prevalence by sex (men 5% vs. women 31%). Fiber-rich diet, fluid intake, and exercise habits were not related to constipation. Defecation habits significantly correlated with the presence or absence of constipation: regular schedule (OR 0.39; CI 95% 0.23-0.67), persistently postponing defecation (OR 1.94; CI 95% 1.13-3.34), or avoiding defecation anywhere but at home (OR 2.38; CI 95% 1.4-4.1). CONCLUSION: Compared with dietary habits, behavioral aspects surrounding defecation are more related to chronic constipation. Our results indicate that the modification of these bad habits may be the first step in chronic constipation treatment.

Primary aldosteronism and its various clinical scenarios.

BACKGROUND: Primary aldosteronism is the most frequent endocrine cause of secondary hypertension. Aldosterone excess damages the cardiovascular system. OBJECTIVES: We compared biochemical; morphological, and cardiovascular risk differences among hypokalemic and normokalemic primary aldosteronism. We evaluated either both presentations correspond to two different entities or a unique disease in different evolutive stage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study including 157 patients with primary aldosteronism divided into two groups: typical presentation (serum potassium < 3.5 mmol/l, n = 87) and atypical presentation (serum potassium > 3.5 mmol/l, n = 70). RESULTS: The typical presentation group showed higher family background of ischemic heart disease (P = 0.028), plasmatic aldosterone levels (P = 0.001), and cardiovascular added risk (P = 0.013). Although kalemia was corrected in the hypokalemic group after specific treatment, typical presentation maintained lower levels. Predictors of typical presentation were the highest tertile of aldosterone level, baseline DBP, and a longer evolution of hypertension. Aldosterone serum levels increased along time in primary aldosteronism and it can be considered as the most discriminative factor for the type of presentation. CONCLUSION: Primary aldosteronism presentation along with normokalemia or hypokalemia could be the same disease at different evolution stages. Adequate detection of normokalemic primary aldosteronism deserves an early and intentional diagnostic attitude.

Robotic assistance may reduce conversion to open in rectal carcinoma laparoscopic surgery: systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that robotic assistance (RARS) could provide better intraoperative and short-term outcomes than a traditional laparoscopic approach (LARS) to rectal cancer surgery. METHODS: Systematic review of the literature, including electronic searches and communications to international robotic meetings. INCLUSION CRITERIA: studies involving rectal cancer patients and comparing outcomes of robotic surgery vs laparoscopic surgery. Primary end-points: conversion and postoperative short-term complications. Meta-analysis performed using Review Manager 5.0 software. RESULTS: Five case-control studies involving 486 patients (203 RARS-283 LARS) were finally included. Conversion to open rate (RR = 0.31; 95% CI 0.12,0.78) was lower for RARS. No differences were found in oncological outcomes, hospital stay or anastomotic leakage. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis of available non-randomized studies suggests that conversion to open rate may be reduced when using RARS instead of LARS for rectal cancer.

Lessons learned from long-term university training in minimally invasive surgery in Spain.

PURPOSE: Starting from our prolonged experience in university minimally invasive surgery training (1993 to 2005), we aim to analyze the most important differences in participants' requirements from these courses along this time span. METHODS: Surveys' answers from the 6 first course editions (from 1993 to 1999, group 1) are compared with the last 6 ones (from 1999 to 2005, group 2), for a number of items including reasons to choose these courses, opinion about duration of training minimally invasive surgery (MIS) courses, responsibility of training MIS, and opinion about experimental training with animals. RESULTS: Total number (N) of participants was 341, with 177 in group 1 and 164 in group 2. The most important feature was the number of hours of animal training (61% from group 1 vs. 75% from group 2, P<0.05). There was a trend to consider hospitals as more responsible (68.3% from group 1 vs. 83.5% from group 2, P=0.06) and the University as less responsible for MIS training (36.7% from group 1 and 18.2% from group 2, P=0.01). Laparoscopic training courses should last at least 1 year (76.7% from group 1 vs. 78.2% from group 2, not significant). CONCLUSIONS: The time dedicated to practical training is highly appreciated by participants in training courses. Furthermore, we have not found many changes in trainees' requirements from MIS training courses over the last 12 years.

Prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in the mestizo population of peru.

BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome (MS) has been shown to predict mortality due to cardiovascular disease. Currently, no population-based data on the prevalence of the MS is available in Peru. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence of the MS in urban Peruvian Mestizos, in the coastal districts of Lima, the capital of Peru. METHODS: A cross-sectional, epidemiological survey was undertaken, including 612 unrelated subjects aged 30-92 years (68.3% females). Prevalence of the MS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Expert Panel on Detection Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (ATPIII) criteria. Insulin resistance was estimated by the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA). RESULTS: Age and sex standardized prevalence of the MS was 14.9% (13.2% in males, 16.5% in females). The MS was significantly more prevalent in females aged 45-59 years old (20.2% vs. 6.7%, p = 0.019). In individuals with the MS, the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) was 45% in males/42% in females. Abdominal obesity (80% in males/92.8% in females), and low HDL cholesterol (55% males/75.4% females), but neither hypertriglyceridemia (85% in males/81.2% females) nor high fasting glucose (55% in males/36.2 % females) were more common in females. Prevalence of arterial hypertension was similar in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: In this Mestizo Peruvian population, prevalence of the MS is relatively low as compared to other ethnic groups; the higher prevalence in females is likely due to a higher prevalence of abdominal obesity. Overall, abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia were the predominant combination of metabolic disorders in individuals fulfilling criteria for the diagnosis of the MS.

Antenatal glucocorticoid treatment decreases mortality and chronic lung disease in survivors among 23- to 28-week gestational age preterm infants.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the influence of antenatal glucocorticoid therapy (AGT) on mortality and chronic lung disease (CLD) in surviving preterm infants 23 to 28 weeks gestational age (WGA). This was a multicenter, prospective, observational study. A total of 2448 infants 23 to 28 WGA were born in 2002 to 2003; 27.7% did not receive AGT, 18.8% were exposed to partial AGT, and 53.5% were exposed to complete AGT. A total of 883 died and 22.9% of 1537 survivors were affected by CLD. Unadjusted univariate analysis showed AGT was associated with a reduction in mortality (p<0.001), either with partial or complete AGT courses, and also with a reduction in CLD in survivors (p<0.001), but only with complete AGT courses. In logistic regression analysis adjusted for confounding factors and a propensity score for AGT, AGT was significant and independently associated with a reduction of mortality, but only for complete AGT course (odds ratio [OR], 0.64; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.47 to 0.87; p=0.004), and with a decrease in CLD if a complete AGT course was administered (OR, 0.63; 95% CI, 0.45 to 0.89; p=0.009). A complete course of AGT in 23 to 28 WGA pregnancies is associated with decreased rates of neonatal mortality and CLD disease in surviving infants.