Hepatitis C Virus positivity prediction from serum samples using NIRS and L1-penalized classification.

AIMS: The hepatitis C virus (HCV) has developed a strategy to coexist with its host resulting in varying degrees of tissue and cell damage, which generate different pathological phenotypes, such as varying degrees of fibrosis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, there is no integrated information that can predict the evolutionary course of the infection. We propose to combine Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and machine learning techniques to provide a predictive model. In this work, we propose to discriminate HCV positivity in biobank patient serum samples. METHODS: 126 serum samples from 38 HCV patients in different stages of the disease were obtained from the Biobank of Hospital Universitario Fundación Alcorcon. NIRS spectrum was captured by a FT-NIRS Spectrum 100 (Perkin Elmer) device in reflectance mode. For each patient, the HCV positivity was identified (PCR) and labeled as detectable =1 and undetectable =0. We propose an L1-penalized logistic regression model to classify each spectrum as positive (1) or negative (0) for HCV presence (x). The regularization parameter is selected using 5- fold cross-validation. The penalized model will induce sparsity in the solution so that only a few relevant wavelengths will be different from zero. RESULTS: L1-penalized logistic regression model provided 167 wavelengths different from zero. The accuracy on an independent test set was 0.78. CONCLUSIONS: We present a straightforward promising approach to detect HCV positivity from patient serum samples combining NIRS and machine learning techniques. This result is encouraging to predict HCV progression, among other applications. Clinical relevance- We presented a simple while promising approach to use machine learning and NIRS to analyze viral presence on sample serums.

Anatomical study of surgical approaches to the talus. / Estudio y descripción anatómica de vías de abordaje del astrágalo.

Descriptive anatomical study of the different surgical approaches to the talus with photographic documentation using a 3-dimensional technique. The objective of this study is to evaluate macroscopic reference points, anatomical planes, structures at risk, field of visualization and possible applicability of each approach to help decision-making at the time of surgical planning in the event of a fracture of the talus. Eighteen fresh specimens and two specimens injected with black latex through the popliteal artery were dissected, performing each surgical approach twice with photographic documentation. This study highlights the need for correct pre-surgical planning to choose the best approach in each case and the importance of a combined approach in the vast majority of cases to achieve a correct reduction.

Radical robot-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy with thrombectomy in the vena cava. / Nefrectomía radical laparoscópica asistida por robot con trombectomía en vena cava.

BACKGROUND: Renal cell carcinoma has a natural tendency to extend through the renal vein. When the thrombus reaches the vena cava, thrombectomy and the necessary reconstruction of the vena cava are typically performed by open pathway. Robot-assisted technology provides advantages for performing this complex technique, using a minimally invasive access. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We present the technique we employed in the first case performed in our department. After performing renal artery embolisation, we conducted the surgery with the Vinci S robotic system. The main steps of the surgery are as follows: detachment and Kocher manoeuvre; release of the lower renal pole; clamping and sectioning of the renal artery; endocavitary ultrasound to locate the thrombus; placement of tourniquets in the vena cava below and above the renal veins and in the left renal vein; closure of the 3 tourniquets; opening of the vena cava; resection and extraction of the thrombus; suture of the vena cava; opening of the tourniquets; complete release of the kidney; bagging and extraction of the specimen. RESULTS: The surgery was performed without complications. The patient required a transfusion of 2 units of packed red blood cells and was discharged with modest renal failure (creatinine level of 1.60mg/dl). CONCLUSIONS: Radical nephrectomy with thrombectomy in the vena cava is a technique susceptible to severe complications and has, to date, been performed in few centres. We believe that the technique is reproducible and has clear advantages for our patients.

Multidisciplinary Approach in Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Level II Hospital: The First Decade of Hospital Universitario Fundacion Alcorcon.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Mean survival in hepatocellular carcinoma remains low. Many efforts have been done during the last years through screening, diagnosis and treatment to improve the results. The aim of this work is to present the experience of our hospital multidisciplinary group during the first decade of this century. METHODOLOGY: The patients with hepatocellullar carcinoma presented at the multidisciplinary meeting from 1999 to 2009 were prospectively studied. According to the tumor and functional status they were treated through the current available guidelines by transplant, partial hepatectomy, local/regional procedures, systemic or symptomatic treatment. RESULTS: One hundred and forty two patients were studied. Median tumor size was 3 cm. A single tumor was diagnosed in 64.8% of the patients. Eighteen patients had liver resection (6 transplantation and 12 with partial resection), 53 tumors were not treated due to advanced stage or liver dysfunction, and in the remaining patients radiofrequency, ethanol or embolization treatments were used, single or combined. CONCLUSIONS: a multidisciplinary approach of hepatocellular carcinoma in a second level hospital with trained professionals permits a diagnosis in early tumoral and functional stages in the majority of patients, and a variety of possible treatments with adequate survival outcomes.

[Site of care provision, etiology and treatment of community-acquired pneumonia in Palma de Mallorca]. / Lugar de atención, etiología y tratamiento de las neumonías adquiridas en la comunidad de Palma de Mallorca.

BACKGROUND: It is not common that community-acquired pneumonias studies include patients non treated in hospital. The objectives were: to determine the cases managed in the ambulatory setting; to describe the clinical features; to identify the aetiological agents, and to describe the treatment, comparing inpatients with outpatients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Observational prospective study. Population attended at three teaching primary care centers of Palma de Mallorca (60,450 habitants). Patients (> 14 years) were investigated when diagnosticated of community-acquired pneumoniae, from November 1992 to December 1994. Exclussions: HIV infection, patients living in a nursing home and tuberculosis. Data were collected in both Hospital and primary health care centers. Epidemiological, clinical, radiological and laboratory findings were recorded at the initial visit and 21 days after. RESULTS: 91 cases were investigated. 57% were managed at the primary care centers exclusively, 63.3% of the patients who went initially to the hospital were admitted in; but only 10.9% of those who went initially to the primary care centers (p < 0.005). 24 patients were hospitalized. 56 microbiological agents were identified in 48 patients (52.7%): Mycoplasma pneumoniae (10); Streptococcus pneumoniae (9); Influenza B (8); Chlamydia psittacci (7); Influenza A (7); Coxiella burnetii (5); Chlamydia pneumoniae (4); Legionella (3); Adenovirus (2); and Parainfluenza 3 (1). Mycoplasma was predominant in outpatients: 9 cases. S. pneumoniae in inpatients: 5 cases. Eritromycin was the most common treatment prescribed (76.9% of patients), alone or in combination with other antibiotics. Monotherapy was most common at primary care yield (96.7%) than at the hospital (45.2%) (p < 0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Most of the patients with community-acquired pneumonias are managed at primary health care centers. M. pneumoniae is the predominant microbiological agent in outpatients and S. pneumoniae in inpatients. Erithromycin is the most used antibiotic in both groups of patients.