Enhancing Kidney Transplant Outcomes: The Impact of Living Donor Programs.

INTRODUCTION: The protocol for deceased donor kidney transplants has been standardised. The procedure for a living donor has peculiarities derived from the differences in the graft. When a living kidney donor program is implemented, changes occur in both the profile of the kidney transplant candidate and in the postoperative treatments. AIMS: To discover whether a living donor program influences the functional outcomes of kidney grafts in a longstanding classical deceased donor kidney transplant program and to identify the factors associated with transplant outcomes. METHODS: Retrospective observational multicentre study. SAMPLE: Kidney transplant patients in two urology referral centres for renal transplant in Spain between 1994 and 2019. Groups: TV (living transplant): patients given kidney transplants from living donors (n = 150); TCpre11 (deceased transplant previous to 2011): patients given kidney transplants from deceased donors before the living donor program was implemented (n = 650); and TCpost11 (deceased transplant after 2011): patients given kidney transplants from deceased donors after the living donor program was implemented (n = 500). RESULTS: Mean age was 55.75 years (18-80 years), higher in TCpre11. There were 493 female patients (37.92%) and 1007 male patients (62.08%). Mean body mass index (BMI) was 26.69 kg/m2 (17.50-42.78 kg/m2), higher in TCpre11. Mean ischemia time was 17.97 h (6-29 h), higher in TCpost11. Median duration of urethral catheter: 8 days (6-98 days), higher in TCpost11. Median duration of double-J ureteral stent: 58 days (24-180 days), higher in TCpost11. Pretransplant UTIs: 17.77%, higher in TCpre11 (25.69%) than in TV (12%), higher in TV (12%) than TCpost11 (9.2%), and higher in TCpre11 (25.69%) than TCpost11 (9.2%). Acute renal rejection in 9.33% of TV, 14.77% of TCpre11, and 9.8% of TCpost11. Multivariate analysis: TCpost11 featured higher BMI, more smoking, and chronic renal failure progression time. Lower use of nonantibiotic prophylaxis to prevent recurrent urinary tract infections, increased duration of urethral catheters due to obstructive problems, and favoured deterioration of kidney function was observed in the deceased donor program. The living donor (LD) program had a strong influence on deceased donor transplants in the prelysis phase. Implementation of a LD program was associated with a decrease in the likelihood of acute rejection in TCpost11 and an increase in the tendency towards normal kidney function. CONCLUSIONS: Implementing living donor transplant programs affects functional outcomes in deceased donor transplants, reducing the probability of acute rejection and increasing the tendency towards normal kidney function. Preventing recurrent urinary tract infections with measures other than antibiotics, smoking cessation, delaying the removal of the double-J stent from the graft, and pre-emptive transplant (transplant prior to dialysis) are associated with improved renal function of the graft.

Recurrent Bacteriuria as a Prognosis Marker in the Adjuvant Treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer.

PURPOSE: Bacteriuria may affect the response to adjuvant therapy in non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). The main aim of this study was to examine the effect of recurrent bacteriuria (RB) on the prognosis of NMIBC in women receiving intravesical therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed a prospective observational study from 2012 to 2019. We included women with bladder cancer treated with transurethral resection of the bladder (TURB) and adjuvant intravesical treatment. Significant bacteriuria was defined as a presence in urine cultures at or above 100,000 colony-forming units per millilitre. The recurrent bacteriuria group included patients with significant bacteriuria in at least two determinations in 6 months or in 3 or more determinations in a year. The institutional board approved the study. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-six patients diagnosed with NMIBC participate in the study, of whom 100 met the inclusion criteria. During follow-up, 48 were categorized in the RB group and 52 formed the non-bacteriuria group (NB). RB GROUP HAD A BETTER OUTCOME: Eight patients (16.67%) experiencing a recurrence of the same grade, with no progression to a higher-grade tumor or muscle-invasive tumor. In the NB group, 18 (34.6%) patients presented a recurrence (P = .001) and 22 (42.3%) progressed to a higher-grade tumor or muscular invasion (P = .001). The presence of RB was identified as a predictor of good response in multivariate regression with a relative risk of 0.13 (P = .018) CONCLUSIONS: Female patients with RB had a better response to adjuvant treatment for NMIBC. The RB group showed lower rates of tumor recurrences and progression.

Relationship between Mental Disorders, Smoking or Alcoholism and Benign Prostate Disease.

INTRODUCTION: Mental disorders, smoking, or alcoholism and benign prostate disease are highly prevalent in men. AIMS: To identify the relationship between mental disorders, smoking, or alcoholism and benign prostate disease. METHODOLOGY: A prospective multicenter study that evaluated prostate health status in 558 men from the community. Groups: GP-men who request a prostate health examination and whose medical history includes a mental disorder, smoking, or alcoholism prior to a diagnosis of benign prostate disease; GU-men who request a prostate health examination and whose medical history includes a benign prostate disease prior to a diagnosis of mental disorder, smoking, or alcoholism. VARIABLES: age, body mass index (BMI), prostate specific antigen (PSA), follow-up of the mental disorder, smoking or alcoholism, time elapsed between urological diagnosis and the mental disorder, smoking or alcoholism diagnosis, status of the urological disease (cured or not cured), concomitant diseases, surgical history, and concomitant treatments. Descriptive statistics, Student's t-test, Chi2, multivariate analysis. RESULTS: There were no mental disorders, smoking, or alcoholism in 51.97% of men. Anxiety, smoking, major depressive disorder, pathological insomnia, psychosis, and alcoholism were identified in 19.71%, 13.26%, 5.73%, 4.30%, 2.87%, and 2.15% of individuals, respectively. Nonbacterial prostatitis (31.54%), urinary tract infection (other than prostatitis, 24.37%), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (13.98%), and prostatodynia (1.43%) were prostate diseases. Unresolved symptomatic benign prostate disease was associated with anxiety, depression, and psychosis (p = 0.002). Smoking was the disorder that men managed to eliminate most frequently. The dominant disorder in patients with symptomatic benign prostatic disease was alcoholism (p = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: Unresolved symptomatic benign prostatic disease is associated with anxiety, depression, and psychosis. Alcoholism is associated with a worse prognosis in the follow-up of symptomatic benign prostatic disease.

Four vertex technique for correcting urethral prolapse: technique description and cohort study.

Introduction/Objectives: This study aims to describe the procedure and effectiveness of the four-vertex technique for correcting urethral prolapse in women. Methods and Materials: includes a retrospective case series of 17 patients who underwent surgery for urethral prolapse. Two study groups were distinguished based on the presence or absence of pelvic heaviness symptoms. The variables were analyzed, including age, BMI, concomitant diseases, obstetric and gynecological history, time from diagnosis to surgery, and outcomes of treatment. Results: All patients were postmenopausal, with a mean age at the time of the intervention of 70.41 years, with no differences between groups. Mean BMI was 23.67 kg/m2, higher in the group with a sensation of vaginal heaviness (p = 0.027). Mean time elapsed between diagnosis and operation was 231.58 days, with no differences between groups. Mean childbirth count was 2.29. The most frequent causes for consultation were urethrorrhagia (33.33%) and a bulging sensation (33.33%). After the intervention, 14 patients (82.35%) were asymptomatic, two (11.76%) had dysuria, and one (5.88%) had urinary urgency. Ten patients had pre-surgical urinary incontinence, which was resolved in nine patients. 17.46% subsequently presented pelvic organ prolapse. In three women there was secondary impairment of sexual activity. Conclusion: The four-vertex technique was effective in resolving symptoms in most patients. However, some patients experienced dysuria, urinary urgency, and pelvic organ prolapse after surgery. Urinary incontinence improved in most patients, but a few required additional treatments with suburethral tape. The study also identified associations between variables and the presence of cystocele, consultation for a bulging sensation, and bleeding from urethral prolapse. Overall, this study sheds light on the challenges and outcomes of surgical treatment for urethral prolapse and provides valuable insights for future research in this area.

Heat stress and heat strain among outdoor workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua.

BACKGROUND: There is growing attention on occupational heat stress in Central America, as workers in this region are affected by a unique form of chronic kidney disease. Previous studies have examined wet bulb globe temperatures and estimated metabolic rates to assess heat stress, but there are limited data characterizing heat strain among these workers. OBJECTIVE: The aims were to characterize heat stress and heat strain and examine whether job task, break duration, hydration practices, and kidney function were associated with heat strain. METHODS: We used data from the MesoAmerican Nephropathy Occupational Study, a cohort of 569 outdoor workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua who underwent workplace exposure monitoring, including continuous measurement of core body temperature (Tc), heart rate (HR), physical activity, and wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT), over the course of three days in January 2018 - May 2018. Participants represented five industries: sugarcane, corn, plantain, brickmaking, and construction. RESULTS: Median WBGTs were relatively high (>27 °C) at most sites, particularly when work shifts spanned the afternoon hours (e.g., 29.2 °C among plantain workers). Sugarcane workers, especially cane cutters in both countries and Nicaraguan agrichemical applicators, had the highest estimated metabolic rates (medians: 299-318 kcal/hr). Most workers spent little time on break (<10% of the shift), as determined by physical activity data. Overall, sugarcane workers-particularly those in Nicaragua-experienced the highest Tc and HR values. However, a few workers in other industries reached high Tc (>39 °C) as well. Impaired kidney function (estimated glomerular filtration rate <90 mL/min/1.73 m2) was associated with higher Tc and HR values, even after adjustment. SIGNIFICANCE: This is the largest study to-date examining heat stress and strain among outdoor workers in Central America. Workers at sugar companies regularly experienced Tc > 38°C (76.9% of monitored person-days at Nicaraguan companies; 46.5% at Salvadoran companies). Workers with impaired kidney function had higher measures of Tc and HR. IMPACT STATEMENT: This study examined levels of occupational heat stress and heat strain experienced among outdoor workers in five industries in El Salvador and Nicaragua. We characterized heat stress using wet bulb globe temperatures and estimated metabolic rate and heat strain using core body temperature and heart rate. Sugarcane workers, particularly cane cutters and Nicaraguan agrichemical applicators, performed more strenuous work and experienced greater levels of heat strain. Impaired kidney function was associated with higher heart rates and core body temperatures.

Implementation Science of Telepsychotherapy for Anxiety, Depression, and Somatization in Health Care Workers Dealing with COVID-19.

Introduction: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) has proven to be effective in treating affective and somatic symptoms, which are among the leading mental health problems of health care workers (HCWs) dealing with COVID-19 (HCW-COVID-19). However, efforts to develop and evaluate the strategies required to promote its implementation in clinical practice are still scarce, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Objective: To describe and evaluate the implementation process and clinical impact of a brief, remote, manualized CBT-based intervention for moderate anxiety, depressive, and somatic symptoms among Mexican HCW-COVID-19 ≥18 years old. Methods: The implementation process comprises community engagement, intervention systematization and education, leadership engagement, and team-based coaching as main strategies. A total of 26 participants completed self-report measures of symptoms before and after treatment, and a subsample of 21 answered a final questionnaire on the acceptability of the intervention. Therapists registered the techniques used in each case, regardless of whether they were part of the intervention manual. Results: The number of sessions was 4.6 (2.43). The most frequently employed techniques were those included in the intervention manual, especially identifying and modifying maladaptive thoughts, used to treat 70% of HCW-COVID-19. Supplementary techniques were implemented to enhance treatment or meet HCW-COVID-19s special needs (such as workplace issues, insomnia, COVID-19 status, and bereavement). The intervention had a significant effect (delta Cohen's coefficients ≥1), and the majority of HCW-COVID-19 were "totally satisfied" with its contents and considered it "not complex" (95.2% and 76.1%, respectively). Conclusions: Telepsychotherapy for anxiety, depression, and somatization in HCW coping with health emergencies in middle-income countries is a feasible, clinically valuable, and acceptable form of treatment.

High prevalence of chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology among workers in the Mesoamerican Nephropathy Occupational Study.

BACKGROUND: Mortality from chronic kidney disease of unknown etiology (CKDu) is extremely high along the Pacific coast of Central America, particularly among sugarcane workers. The Mesoamerican Nephropathy Occupational Study (MANOS) is a prospective cohort study of CKDu among agricultural and non-agricultural workers in El Salvador and Nicaragua. The objective of this manuscript is to describe the MANOS cohort recruitment, baseline data collection, and CKDu prevalence after two rounds. METHODS: Workers with no known diabetes, hypertension, or CKD were recruited from sugarcane, corn, plantain, brickmaking, and road construction industries (n = 569). Investigators administered questionnaires, collected biological samples, and observed workers for three consecutive workdays at the worksite. Serum specimens were analyzed for kidney function parameters, and used to calculate estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). At six months, serum was collected again prior to the work shift. CKD at baseline is defined as eGFR ≤ 60 ml/min/1.73m2 at both timepoints. Age-standardized prevalence was calculated by industry, country, and demographic measures. Kidney function parameters were compared by CKD status. RESULTS: Prevalence of CKD at baseline was 7.4% (n = 42). Age-standardized prevalence was highest in Salvadoran sugarcane (14.1%), followed by Salvadoran corn (11.6%), and Nicaraguan brickmaking (8.1%). Nicaraguan sugarcane had the lowest prevalence, likely due to kidney function screenings prior to employment. CONCLUSION: Despite efforts to enroll participants without CKD, our identification of prevalent CKD among agricultural and non-agricultural workers in the MANOS cohort indicates notable kidney disease in the region, particularly among sugarcane workers.

Relationship between obstetric history and recurrent urinary infections.

Urinary tract infections affect more than 50% of women. 25% derive from recurrent UTI (RUTI). It is not known the relationship between obstetric history and RUTI occurrence. Investigate the relationship between obstetric events and RUTI. Multicenter observational retrospective study. Groups: G.RUTI (n = 294): women with RUTI; G.NON.RUTI (n = 126): women without RUTI (treated and cured of renal cancer). Descriptive statistics, ANOVA analysis of variance (with Scheffe's test for normal samples and Kruskal-Wallis for other distributions), Fisher's exact test, Pearson and Spearman correlation studies, and multivariate analysis multiple regression were used. Mean age 61.04 years (19-92), G.RUTI: 56.77 years SD 4.46 (19-85). G.NON.RUTI: 71 years SD 6.73 (25-92) (p = 0.0001). Obstetric history: Nulliparous G.RUTI: 20 (3.4%) G.NON.RUTI: 90 (71.42%) p 0.0001; Eutocic G.RUTI: 416 (70.74%) G.NON.RUTI: 30 (23.8%) p 0.0001. Dystocic G.RUTI: 58 (9.86%) G.NON.RUTI: 56 (44.44%) p 0.0001. G.RUTI abortion: 102 (17.34%) G.NON.RUTI: 30 (23.8%) p 0.1381. Hysterectomy without adnexectomy G.RUTI: 100 (17%) G.NON.RUTI: 18 (14.28%) p 0.5640. Hysterectomy with adnexectomy G.RUTI: 100 (17%) G.NON.RUTI: 66 (52.28%) p 0.0001. Nulliparity, dystocic delivery, and hysterectomy with adnexectomy are more frequent in women without RUTI, while eutocic births are more associated with RUTI. The most prevalent gynaecological-obstetric history in women with RUTI is eutocic delivery associated with a good health state.

Impact of whole-cell bacterial immunoprophylaxis in the management of recurrent urinary tract infections in the frail elderly.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of whole-cell bacterial immunotherapy, i.e. MV140 and autovaccines, in reducing the number ofurinary tract infections (UTIs)in frail elderly patients with recurrent UTI (RUTI). METHOD: A prospective cohort observational study was performed including 200 frail elderly subjects suffering RUTI, both females and males, between 2016 and 2018. The effectiveness of autovaccines and the polybacterial formulation MV140 (Uromune®), consisting ofwhole-cell heat-inactivated Escherichia coli25%, Klebsiella pneumoniae25%, Proteus vulgaris25% andEnterococcus faecalis25% were evaluated. Subjects initiated a 3-month sublingually daily course with MV140 or autovaccine, either first treatment or a new course if they had been previously vaccinated prior to inclusion in the study. Number of UTIs and quality of life (QoL, SF-36 score) were measured in the different study groups. RESULTS: The mean age for participants was 82.67 (SD, 7.12) for female and 80.23 (SD, 11.12) for male subjects. In all groups, 12 months following bacterial immunotherapy, the number of UTIs significantly decreased compared to before the treatment with autovaccine or MV140: the rate of reduction ranged between 7- and 40-fold. An increase in QoL scoring was also observed in any study group. When comparing medical interventions, MV140 conferred significantly higher benefit than autovaccines. For previously vaccinated individuals, a new 3-month course with MV140 or autovaccines provided further clinical improvement. CONCLUSIONS: MV140 and autovaccines emerge as valuable immunoprophylaxis for the management of RUTI in the frail elderly, contributing to an improvement in patient's quality of life. Herein, MV140 has shown to confer a higher effectiveness compared to autovaccines, regardless sex or course of treatment.

Remeex® System Effectiveness in Male Patients with Stress Urinary Incontinence.

BACKGROUND: When conservative management fails, patients with stress urinary incontinence (SUI) are considered for surgical treatment. Simpler, more economical and less invasive surgical techniques, such as the Remeex® system, have been developed. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the objective effectiveness of the Remeex® system in the treatment of male stress urinary incontinence. To study survival and complication rates of the Remeex® system in male SUI patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Prospective observational study between July 2015 and May 2020. Group A (n = 7; GA) patients with mild SUI. Group B (n = 22; GB) patients with moderate SUI. Group C (n = 18; GC) patients with severe SUI. Effectiveness was assessed by the number of patients achieving complete and partial dryness. Complete dryness was defined as patients using 0-1 safety pads per day; partial dryness as a >50% reduction in the number of pads used. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Student's t-test. Chi2, Fisher's exact test, ANOVA, and multivariate analysis. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: Mean age 69.76 years, mean follow-up 33.52 months. Objective effectiveness was observed in 89.36% of patients with incontinence. The effectiveness was 85.71% in GA, 90.91% in GB and 88.89% in GC. There were no significant differences among groups (p = 1.0000). 34.04% of patients with an implant required at least one readjustment, while 66.00% did not require any. There were no significant differences among groups (p = 0.113) Chi2 = 4.352. 95.74% of implants remained in place by the end of follow-up. We observed complications in 17.02% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Remeex® system is an effective and safe method for male stress urinary incontinence treatment, regardless of the severity of the incontinence, with high survival and low complication and removal rates. System readjustments are required in one-third of the cases.

Improvement in Quality of Life with Pelvic Floor Muscle Training and Biofeedback in Patients with Painful Bladder Syndrome/Interstitial Cystitis.

OBJECTIVE: To prove the benefits of pelvic floor muscle training with biofeedback (BFB) as a complementary treatment in women with bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC). METHODS: Prospective, randomized study in 123 women with BPS/IC. Groups: BFB+ (n = 48): women with oral drug treatment (perphenazine and amitriptyline) plus intravesical instillations (sodium hyaluronate) plus pelvic floor muscle training with BFB; BFB-: (n = 75): women with oral drug treatment plus intravesical instillations. VARIABLES: age, body mass index (BMI), time of follow-up, length of disease, time free of disease, diseases and health conditions concomitant, and responses to the SF-36 health-related quality of life questionnaire at the first consultation (SF-36 pre-treatment), and at the end of the study (SF-36 post-treatment). The treatment was considered successful when the SF-36 score reached values equal to or greater than 80 points or when the initial value increased by 30 or more points. RESULTS: Mean age was 51.62 years old (23-82). BMI was higher in BFB-. The mean length of BPS/IC condition was 4.92 years (1-20), shorter in BFB+ than in BFB-. Mean SF-36 score pre-treatment was 45.92 points (40-58), lower in BFB+ than in BFB-. Post-treatment SF-36 score was higher than pre-treatment SF-36 score both in BFB+ and BFB-. SF-36 values were higher in BFB+ compared to BFB- over the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: BFB improves quality of life in women with BPS/IC as adjunct therapy to combined oral and intravesical treatment.

Increased urinary markers of kidney damage in the institutionalized frail elderly due to recurrent urinary tract infections.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize the impact on kidney injury of recurrent urinary tract infections (RUTI) in the frail elderly. METHODS: Prospective observational study in 200 frail elderly subjects for 1 year. Groups: GA (n = 100): subjects without RUTI, GB (n = 100): subjects with RUTI. Variables: age, concomitant diseases, glomerular filtration rate (GFR), urine neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) at the beginning (NGAL-1) and end (NGAL-2) of the study, urine N-acetyl glucosaminidase (NAG) at the beginning (NAG-1) and the end (NAG-2) of the study, urine transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGFß-1). Descriptive statistics, Mann-Whitney test, Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact test, and multivariate analysis were used. RESULTS: Mean age was 84.33 (65-99) years old, with no difference between GA and GB. Mean NGAL-1 was 1.29 ng/ml (0.04-8). There was lower in GA than in GB. Mean NGAL-2 was 1.41 ng/ml (0.02-9.22). NGAL-2 was lower in GA than in GB. Mean NAG-1 was 0.38 UU.II/ml (0.01-2.63. NAG-1 in GA was lower than in GB. Mean NAG-2 was 0.44 UU.II/ml (0-3.41). NAG-2 was lower in GA compared with GB. Mean TGFß-1 was 23.43 pg/ml (0.02-103.76). TGFß-1 was lower in GA than GB. There were no differences in the presence of secondary diagnoses between GA and GB. NAG-2 and NGAL-1 were the most determining factors of renal function; in GA it was NGAL-2, followed by NAG-1; in GB it was NGAL-1, followed by NAG-2. CONCLUSION: Frail elderly with RUTI have higher urinary levels of renal injury markers, specifically NGAL, NAG, and TGFß-1, chronically in periods between urinary tract infection (UTI). Urinary markers of renal injury, specifically NGAL, NAG, and TGFß-1, identify early deterioration of renal function, compared with serum creatinine, or albuminuria, in frail elderly with recurrent urinary infections.

Effects on Health-Related Quality of Life of Biofeedback Physiotherapy of the Pelvic Floor as an Adjunctive Treatment Following Surgical Repair of Cystocele.

OBJECTIVES: to demonstrate the benefits of physiotherapy (PT) with pelvic floor biofeedback (BFB) in improving health-related quality of life when used as a complementary therapy after surgical treatment of cystocele, in cases in which perineal pain or discomfort persists. MATERIALS AND METHODS: prospective observational study in 226 women who received complementary therapy after surgical treatment of cystocele due to persistent perineal discomfort or pain. Groups: GA (n = 78): women treated with 25 mg of oral pregabalin every 12 h plus BFB, consisting of 20 once-weekly therapy sessions, each 20 min long, with perineal pregelled surface electrodes connected to a screen which provides visual feedback; GB (n = 148): women treated with oral pregabalin 25 mg every 12 h without BFB. VARIABLES: age, body mass index (BMI), time since onset of cystocele prior to surgery (TO), SF-36 health-related quality of life survey score, diseases and concomitant health conditions, follow-up time, success, or failure of postsurgical treatment. RESULTS: average age 67.88 years (SD 12.33, 30-88), with no difference between GA and GB. Average body mass index (BMI) 27.08 (SD 0.45, 18.74-46.22), with no difference between GA and GB. Time since onset of cystocele prior to surgery (TO) was 6.61 years (SD 0.6), with no difference between GA and GB. Pretreatment SF-36 score was lower in GA success than GB success. Treatment was successful in 141 (63.20%) women and failed in 82 (36.80%). PT and age were the main predictors of success, and the least important were pretreatment SF-36 and the time elapsed after the intervention. In GA, 63 women (80.80%) showed improvement while 15 (19.20%) did not. Age was the main predictor of treatment success, while the least important was BMI. In GB, 78 women (53.80%) showed improvement while 67 (46.20%) did not improve. The main predictor was time since cystocele onset prior to surgery, while the least important was age. The odds ratio (OR) of improving quality of life for each unit increase in SF-36 was 11.5% (OR = 0.115) in all patients, with no difference between success and failure; in GA it was 23.80% (OR = 0.238), with a difference between success and failure; in GB it was 11.11% (OR = 0.111), with no difference between success and failure. GA and GB success had more history of eutocic delivery. GA success had more rUTI. GB success and GA failure both had more history of UI corrective surgery. The "failure" outcome had a higher number of patients with more than two concomitant pathological conditions. CONCLUSIONS: BFB as an adjunctive treatment improves quality of life in women suffering from persistent discomfort after surgery for cystocele. Young women who meet the criteria for recurrent urinary tract infection or who have a history of eutocic delivery show greater improvement. Body mass index does not influence response to treatment, while the presence of more than two concomitant conditions indicates a poor prognosis for improving quality of life.

The Association between Prostate-Specific Antigen Velocity (PSAV), Value and Acceleration, and of the Free PSA/Total PSA Index or Ratio, with Prostate Conditions.

INTRODUCTION: Prostate-specific antigen velocity (PSAV) is used to monitor men with clinical suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa), with a normal cut-off point of 0.3-0.5 ng/mL/year. The aim of the study is to establish the predictive capacity of PSAV (value and acceleration) and of the free PSA/total PSA index or ratio. METHOD: Prospective multicentre observational study in 2035 men of over 47 years of age. INCLUSION CRITERIA: men who wished to be informed on the health of their prostate. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: men with a previously diagnosed prostate condition. Groups: GA: (n = 518): men with serum PSA equal to or greater than 2.01 ng/mL. GB: (n = 775): men with serum PSA greater than or equal to 0.78 ng/mL and less than 2.01 ng/mL. GC: (n = 742): men with serum PSA less than 0.78 ng/mL. VARIABLES: prostate-specific antigen (PSA); age; body mass index (BMI); PSA velocity (PSAV) (ng/mL per year); free PSA/total PSA index (iPSA); PSAV acceleration (increasing: positive, or decreasing: negative); prostate diagnosis (benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia (PIN), or infectious and non-infectious prostatitis and prostatic adenocarcinoma (PCa)); de novo diagnoses of urinary tract diseases or conditions; concomitant treatments, diseases and conditions; final diagnosis of prostate health. RESULTS: Mean age 62.35 years (SD 8.12), median 61 (47-94); age was lowest in GC. Mean BMI was 27.89 kg/m2 (SD 3.96), median 27.58 (18.56-57.13); no differences between groups. Mean PSAV was 0.69, SD 2.16, median 0.13 (0.001-34.46); PSAV was lowest in GC. Mean iPSA was 27.39 u/L (SD 14.25), median 24.29 (3.7-115); iPSA was lowest in GA. PSAV had more positive acceleration in GA and more negative acceleration in GC. There were 1600 (78.62%) cases of normal prostate or BPH, 322 (15.82%) cases of PIN or non-infectious prostatitis, and 113 (5.55%) cases of PCa. There were more cases of BPH in GC and more cases of PIN or prostatitis and cancer in GA (p = 0.00001). De novo diagnoses: 15 cases of urinary incontinence (UI), 16 discomfort/pain in LUT, 112 cases of voiding disorders, 12 urethral strictures, 19 hematuria, 51 cystitis, 3 pyelonephritis, 4 pelvic inflammatory disease; no differences were found between groups. In the multivariate analysis, PSAV and the direction of PSAV acceleration (positive or negative) were the variables which were correlated most strongly with prostate health. iPSA was associated with the presence of prostatitis, PCa, and BPH. Men in GA had more prostatitis, PCa, treatment with alpha blockers, and history of previous smoking. GB had more cases of BPH and more positive acceleration of PSAV. GC had more normal prostates, more BPH, more use of ranitidine, and more PSAV with negative acceleration. CONCLUSIONS: PSAV, direction of PSAV acceleration, and iPSA in PSA cut-off points of 0.78 ng/mL and 2.01 ng/mL in a priori healthy men over 47 predict the probability of benign or malignant pathology of the prostate.

Benefits of Physiotherapy on Urinary Incontinence in High-Performance Female Athletes. Meta-Analysis.

Introduction: High performance female athletes may be a risk group for the development of urinary incontinence due to the imbalance of forces between the abdomen and the pelvis. Pelvic floor physiotherapy may be a useful treatment in these patients. Objectives: (1) To identify the scientific evidence for pelvic floor (PF) dysfunctions that are associated with urinary incontinence (UI) in high-performance sportswomen. (2) To determine whether pelvic floor physiotherapy (PT) corrects UI in elite female athletes. Materials and methods: Meta-analysis of published scientific evidence. The articles analyzed were found through the following search terms: (A) pelvic floor dysfunction elite female athletes; (B) urinary incontinence elite female athletes; (C) pelvic floor dysfunction elite female athletes physiotherapy; (D) urinary incontinence elite female athletes physiotherapy. Variables studied: type of study, number of individuals, age, prevalence of urinary incontinence described in the athletes, type of sport, type of UI, aspect investigated in the articles (prevalence, response to treatment, etiopathogenesis, response to PT treatment, concomitant health conditions or diseases. Study groups according to the impact of each sport on the PF: G1: low-impact (noncompetitive sports, golf, swimming, running athletics, throwing athletics); G2: moderate impact (cross-country skiing, field hockey, tennis, badminton, baseball) and G3: high impact (gymnastics, artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, ballet, aerobics, jump sports (high, long, triple and pole jump)), judo, soccer, basketball, handball, volleyball). Descriptive analysis, ANOVA and meta-analysis. Results: Mean age 22.69 years (SD 2.70, 18.00-29.49), with no difference between athletes and controls. Average number of athletes for each study was 284.38 (SD 373,867, 1-1263). The most frequent type of study was case-control (39.60%), followed by cross-sectional (30.20%). The type of UI was most often unspecified by the study (47.20%), was stress UI (SUI, 24.50%), or was referred to as general UI (18.90%). Studies on prevalence were more frequent (54.70%), followed by etiopathogenesis (28.30%) and, lastly, on treatment (17.00%). In most cases sportswomen did not have any disease or concomitant pathological condition (77.40%). More general UI was found in G1 (36.40%), SUI in G2 (50%) and unspecified UI in G3 (63.64%). In the meta-analysis, elite athletes were found to suffer more UI than the control women. In elite female athletes, in general, physiotherapy contributed to gain in urinary continence more than in control women (risk ratio 0.81, confidence interval 0.78-0.84)). In elite female athletes, former elite female athletes and in pregnant women who regularly engage in aerobic activity, physiotherapy was successful in delivering superior urinary continence compared to the control group. The risk of UI was the same in athletes and in the control group in volleyball female athletes, elite female athletes, cross-country skiers and runners. Treatment with PT was more effective in control women than in gymnastics, basketball, tennis, field hockey, track, swimming, volleyball, softball, golf, soccer and elite female athletes. Conclusions: There is pelvic floor dysfunction in high-performance athletes associated with athletic activity and urinary incontinence. Eating disorders, constipation, family history of urinary incontinence, history of urinary tract infections and decreased flexibility of the plantar arch are associated with an increased risk of UI in elite female athletes. Pelvic floor physiotherapy as a treatment for urinary incontinence in elite female athletes, former elite female athletes and pregnant athletes who engage in regular aerobic activity leads to a higher continence gain than that obtained by nonathlete women.

The inhibitory activity of Lactobacillus spp. isolated from breast milk on gastrointestinal pathogenic bacteria of nosocomial origin.

Milk acts as a mean for transporting many essential substances from the mother to the child. In human beings, milk includes several predominant bacteria, such as staphylococci, streptococci, micrococci, lactobacilli, enterococci, lactococci and bifidobacteria. Besides, its intake favors the predominance of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli in the child's intestinal microbiota. The present work explores the isolation and selection of lactobacilli strains with probiotic potential, focusing in their degree of hydrophobicity and antagonism against important gastrointestinal nosocomial pathogens. 98 lactobacilli were isolated from 48 breast milk samples, with most strains belonging to the obligately homofermentative group (36.7%). 63% of the isolated strains showed a high degree of hydrophobicity when tested on three solvents and were selected for detecting antimicrobial activity against gastrointestinal pathogens, including Escherichia coli, Shigella spp, Pseudomonas spp and Salmonella spp strains. When applying the agar diffusion test, many isolated strains presented inhibitory activity against pathogenic strains. We observed that: Salmonella enteriditis was the most inhibited pathogen, and the strains with the most inhibitory power were AR2 and O1 (both highly hydrophobic lactic acid bacteria), which showed an opposing effect against all nosocomial pathogens tested. Although more in vitro, in vivo or clinical data would be needed before any conclusion on the probiotic properties of the strains can be drawn, our results demonstrate that some of the tested strains may have good probiotic potential for their inclusion in products targeting infants.

Diagnóstico y tratamiento de un caso de malformación uterina / A case of uterine malformation diagnostic and treatment

Las anomalías congénitas del sistema mulleriano a pesar de su escasa incidencia, tienen una considerable repercusión en la vida fértil de la mujer, siendo la causa de un gran número de abortos y partos de prematuros. A propósito de esto, presentamos el caso de una paciente de 36 años quién consultó por imposibilidad para el coito y esterilidad primaria de 4 años de evaluación. Los exámenes clínico, ecosográfico y radiológico revelan la existencia de un sistema septum total, con hemivagina ciega izquierda. A continuación se discute la metodología diagnóstica y el tratamiento quirúrgico

Furunculosis e hiposideremía / Furuncles e hiposideremia

Se ha especulado sobre la participación del catión hierro en la respuesta inmunológica del huesped en relación a la aparición de patologías dérmicas tipo furunculosis. Nuestro estudio no pretende demostrar mecanismos etiopatológicos, sino la significancia clínica de el catión hierro como tratamiento coadyuvante a la antibioticoterapia en la furunculosis recidivante. Tomamos una muestra de 60 pacientes con furunculosis recidivante conformando dos grupos, a uno de los cuales se le administró sólo antibioticoterapia y al otro antibiótico más citrato de hierro amoniacal. Se pudo concluir que hubo una mejoría clínica y estadísticamente significativa en el segundo grupo en relación al primero

Tratamiento de la infección urinaria baja con netilmicina en dosis única / Treatment of the urinary tract infections low with netilmicin in dose unique

Las infecciones de las vías urinarias siguen en frecuencia a las del aparato respiratorio. La importancia de las infecciones de las vías urinarias radica no solo en su frecuencia, sino también en el riesgo que entrañan de originar bacteriemia, lesión progresiva e irreversible y recurrencias, de tratamiento y profilaxis a menudo difíciles. El objetivo de nuestro trabajo fue evaluar la eficacia de la netilmicina en el tratamiento de infecciones urinarias bajas, no complicadas, a dosis única de 300 mg vía intramuscular, obteniéndose resultados muy satisfactorios que permiten acortar la curación de la patología de una forma rápida de fácil cumplimiento y más económica

Factores predisponentes a un manejo inadecuado de los hijos / Predisposing factors to an inadequate children management

Se realizo un estudio a 55 ninosescogidoa al azar en los cuales se determino que existio un mal manejo familiar. En el se puso en evidencia una serie de factores predisponentes a malos manejos en la educacion de los menores, la mayoria relacionados con un mal funcionamiento de la familia, mayor cantidad de antecedentes patologicos familiares y de caracteristicas psicopatologicas de personalidad en todos los padres de los pacientes no asi en el grupo testigo de de ninos aparentemente sanos