The Key Role of Pain Catastrophizing in the Disability of Patients with Acute Back Pain.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the role of anxiety sensitivity, resilience, pain catastrophizing, depression, pain fear-avoidance beliefs, and pain intensity in patients with acute back pain-related disability. METHOD: Two hundred and thirty-two patients with acute back pain completed questionnaires on anxiety sensitivity, resilience, pain catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, depression, pain intensity, and disability. RESULTS: A structural equation modelling analysis revealed that anxiety sensitivity was associated with pain catastrophizing, and resilience was associated with lower levels of depression. Pain catastrophizing was positively associated with fear-avoidance beliefs and pain intensity. Depression was associated with fear-avoidance beliefs, but was not associated with pain intensity. Finally, catastrophizing, fear-avoidance beliefs, and pain intensity were positively and significantly associated with acute back pain-related disability. CONCLUSION: Although fear-avoidance beliefs and pain intensity were associated with disability, the results showed that pain catastrophizing was a central variable in the pain experience and had significant direct associations with disability when pain was acute. Anxiety sensitivity appeared to be an important antecedent of catastrophizing, whereas the influence of resilience on the acute back pain experience was limited to its relationship with depression.

Microsatellites and Alu elements from the human MHC in Valencia (Spain): analysis of genetic relationships and linkage disequilibrium.

Two different sets of noncoding markers (microsatellites and Alu elements) from the human chromosome six were analysed in 106 individuals from Valencia (Spain), with the aim of exploring the effect of evolutionary forces on the genetic variability of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) and assessing the potential usefulness of these genetic loci in phylogenetic studies. Linkage disequilibrium (LD) analyses revealed statistically significant associations among markers located in the MHC class I region, and also between the microsatellite D6S2792 and several genetic loci from MHC class I, II and III regions. Results of the Ewens-Watterson test indicated that only D6S2792 showed significant departure from selective neutrality. Despite the paucity of haplotype data in the literature, results of the phylogenetic analyses at world scale (Alu elements) showed that the genetic relationships of Valencia were mainly determined by the ethnic ancestry of the populations considered, whereas at European scale (microsatellites) population affinities were strongly influenced by geography. Our findings suggest that noncoding markers from the MHC such as Alu and microsatellite loci might have a potential value as lineage (ancestry) markers in investigations into evolutionary, medical and forensic perspectives.

High-flow Priapism in Pediatric Population: Case Series and Review of the Literature. / Priapismo de alto flujo en población pediátrica: serie de casos y revisión de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: Priapism is a prolonged erection that lasts longer than four hours. It is a rare pathology in the pediatric population, with an estimation of 0.3-1.5 per 100,000 children per year. The diagnostic sequence includes clinical history, physical examination and penile Doppler ultrasound (PDUS). Puncture of corpora cavernosa is not always necessary to establish the differential diagnosis between high-flow and low-flow priapism. The treatment of choice in pediatric age is not well defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Multicentric, retrospective and descriptive study including patients under 14 years with high-flow priapism between 2010 and 2020. RESULTS: A total of seven patients were diagnosed with high-flow priapism. None of them required puncture of the corpora cavernosa. Patients were treated with a conservative management, two patients required superselective arterial embolization due to persistent symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: High-flow priapism is a very rare entity in pediatric age; therefore, knowing the proper diagnosis and management is crucial. Currently, penile doppler ultrasound is enough for diagnosis in most cases and allows obviating the use of blood gas analysis. Children should be initially treated with a conservative management, reserving embolization for refractory cases.

High-flow priapism in pediatric population: Case series and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Priapism is a prolonged erection that lasts longer than four hours. It is a rare pathology in the pediatric population, with an estimation of 0.3-1.5 per 100,000 children per year. The diagnostic sequence includes clinical history, physical examination and penile Doppler ultrasound (PDUS). Puncture of corpora cavernosa is not always necessary to establish the differential diagnosis between high-flow and low-flow priapism. The treatment of choice in pediatric age is not well defined. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Multicentric, retrospective and descriptive study including patients under 14 years with high-flow priapism between 2010 and 2020. RESULTS: A total of seven patients were diagnosed with high-flow priapism. None of them required puncture of the corpora cavernosa. Patients were treated with a conservative management, two patients required superselective arterial embolization due to persistent symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: High-flow priapism is a very rare entity in pediatric age; therefore, knowing the proper diagnosis and management is crucial. Currently, penile doppler ultrasound is enough for diagnosis in most cases and allows obviating the use of blood gas analysis. Children should be initially treated with a conservative management, reserving embolization for refractory cases.

Genetic variability in autochthonous Basques from Guipuzcoa: a view from MHC microsatellites.

Five short tandem repeats (STRs) located at human chromosome 6 were analysed in 97 autochthonous Basques from Guipuzcoa (northern Spain), with the aim of assessing the genetic relationships of Basques at a European scale, based on the variability of the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) region, and comparing the phylogenetic information obtained from STRs, and from HLA class I genes (HLA-A and HLA-B) for the same set of European populations. The integrative approach was focused on D6S265 and D6S2792, according to availability of population databases. F(ST) genetic distances obtained from STRs and from HLA loci were very similar, thereby describing a comparable pattern of genetic structuring among the European populations. These findings were supported by results of the Mantel test of matrix correspondence (r = 0.796, P = 0.0022) and by significant correlations between the first two F(ST) eigenvectors of STRs and HLA genes. Coinciding with previous phylogenetic studies, Basques showed substantial genetic differentiation within the European context, probably as a result of the impact of random genetic drift and high inbreeding levels for extended periods of isolation even from adjacent populations. Analysis of the geographical distribution of the allele frequencies revealed a great number of latitudinal frequency clines in both the MHC STRs and the HLA class I genes, which supports the notion of the post-glacial resettlement of Europe being a crucial factor in the genetic make-up of Europeans. Our results indicate that analysing the genetic variability of MHC microsatellites could be a suitable strategy in evaluating the role of evolutionary forces such as natural selection (because of genetic hitchhiking effect), genetic drift and gene flow in the maintenance of polymorphism at the MHC region, because STRs can efficiently complement the genetic information obtained from HLA genes.

[Retroperitoneal malignant fibrous histiocytoma with contiguous organs infiltration]. / Histiocitoma fibroso maligno retroperitoneal con infiltración de organos vecinos.

Retroperitoneal tumours are extremely rare neoplasms, most of them malignant. We described the case of a 48-year-old man with a large retroperitoneal mass detected during the study of a constitutional syndrome. The mass was treated surgerically and pathological diagnosis was malignant fibrous histiocytoma. Literature is reviewed and clinical features, histological findings, radiological techniques and therapeutic management are analyzed.

[Prognostic factors for disease progression in patients with renal cell carcinoma]. / Análisis de los factores pronósticos de progresión tumoral en el adenocarcinoma renal.

INTRODUCTION: More than 40% of patients with renal cell carcinoma present with disease progression after surgery. The objective of the current study was to identify a clinically useful set of prognostic factors that would correlate significantly with the capacity of progression. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The authors studied 252 patients with renal cell carcinoma who underwent radical nephrectomy. Followup ranged from 12-246 months (median 36 months). Several morphologic parameters of the tumors were considered. DNA content was analyzed by flow cytometry and tumor size was determined from the surgical specimen. A Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to identify significant independent prognostic factors for disease progression. RESULTS: A total of 224 out of 252 were available for suitable histograms. Of the 224 patients, 95 (42.4%) were aneuploid tumors, 106 (47.2%) were organ-confined renal cell carcinoma and 87 (39.74%) presented disease progression. At 5 and 10 years of followup, disease free survival was found to be 66.31% and 62.23%, respectively. Univariate analysis revealed that DNA ploidy, Furhman grade and stage (TNM) had a statistically significant predictive value for disease progression. Survival univariate analysis found a worse probability of survival for aneuploid tumors, grade III-IV tumors, non organ-confined tumors and conventional and undiferentiated tumors. Using multivariate survival analyses, Furhman grade, stage (TNM) and DNA ploidy were the only independent prognostic factors. So, the probability of death for aneuploid tumor was 1.7 times higher than for diploid tumors. CONCLUSIONS: Stage, DNA content and Furhman grade were the only significant independent predictors of disease progression. Tumoral size and histological type did not provide more additional information.

[Conservative approach in major renal trauma]. / Manejo conservador de los traumatismos renales de alto grado.

INTRODUCTION: Genitourinary trauma amount to an 8-10% of abdominal trauma with the kidney being the most affected organ in 50% of cases, especially the left one. The choice of treatment will depend on the kind of lesion found in the affected renal unit and on the patient's clinical conditions. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study are twofold: to determine the applicability of conservative treatment in major renal trauma and to assess the evaluation and emergence of possible complications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We have analysed 309 cases of renal trauma dealt with in our department between January 1984 and January 2006, analyzing such variables as the etiology of the trauma, associated lesions in other organs, the therapeutic approach adopted as well as the presence of complications, both in the long and short run. RESULTS: Out of a total of 309 renal trauma analyzed, a 94.1% (291 cases) were blunt renal trauma. The distribution by grade was: Grade I, 213 cases (69%); Grade II, 39 cases (12.6%); Grade III/IV, 32 cases (10.3%); Grade V, 25 cases (8%). We have given a conservative approach in the 84.6% of the grade III/IV cases (24 cases). 4 grade III nephrectomies were carried out in the Emergency Room because of haemodynamic instability, other 4 grade IV nephrectomies were done for the same reason, one of which was a partial nephrectomy, 48-72 hours after the trauma. The treatment for grade V was nephrectomy in 67%. CONCLUSIONS: According to our experience and in the light of the results obtained, we consider the conservative approach adequate for major renal trauma as long as the patient is haemodynamically stable.

[Incidental renal cancer in young adults: clinical and histopathological findings]. / Cancer renal incidental en pacientes menores de 40 años: hallazgos clinicos e histopatológicos.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the clinical and pathological renal cancer (CR) characteristics in our series of tumours, analyzing its impact in the group of age less than 40 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 294 patients with CR. The pathologic characteristics were analyzed and DNA ploidy pattern of the surgical pieces were done in 252 patients. The patients were divided in two groups based on age, greater or less to 40 years, well then clinical and pathologic characteristics were compared between. RESULTS: Of all patients, 26 of 294 patients (8,94%) were included in the young age group (less to 40 years). We did not found differences between both groups comparing stage, tumoral volume, treatment realized or DNA ploidy pattern, but in nuclear grade with more aggressive tumours in young people (p=0,0018), without differences in recurrence-free survival or actuarial disease specific survival rate. CONCLUSIONS: The findings in our study indicate that the natural history and outcome of the RC is similar in both older and younger patients. Therefore, in our opinion, the management of CR in young people should be established with independence of the age.

[Gene therapy: is possible a vaccine for prostate cancer?]. / Terapia génica en el cáncer de próstata. Es posible una vacuna?

BACKGROUND: New approaches for prostate cancer are needed due to limitations of current therapies for the treatment in advanced stages of the disease. In fact, there is no effective treatment for these patients. Development in molecular biology research on prostate cancer has improved the knowledge of common alterations encoded in DNA sequence, which may be useful as targets for prostate cancer approach. In this review we give an overview of current gene therapy concepts, the most common gene alterations in prostate cancer and the gene therapy treatment strategies.

Is the adjustable TVA mesh effective for the long-term treatment of female stress incontinence? / ¿Es eficaz a largo plazo la malla ajustable TVA en el tratamiento de la incontinencia de esfuerzo femenina?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the long-term safety and efficacy of the adjustable TVA mesh in treating stress urinary incontinence. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Pseudoexperimental study, before and after, conducted in a university urology department. Eighty-two patients were invited to participate from January 2002 to March 2005. Thirty-two patients agreed to participate and were implanted an adjustable TVA mesh. The preoperative study included a medical history review, physical examination with full bladder, flowmetry, residue study, complete urodynamic study and the self-administered questionnaires I-QoL and ICIQ-SF. In the postoperative assessment, the PGI-I questionnaire was added, but a complete urodynamic study was not performed. RESULTS: Twenty-nine (90.6%) and 28 (87.5%) patients were continent in the stress test at 1 and 10 years, respectively. Twenty (62.5%) and 16 (50%) patients had no urine escape at 1 and 10 years, respectively. Twenty-eight (87.5%) and 25 (78%) patients were satisfied 1 and 10 years after the surgery, respectively. Twenty-eight (87.5%) and 21 (62.5%) patients had a good quality of life at 1 year and at 10 years, respectively. There were no significant complications at the end of the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of stress urinary incontinence with the TVA mesh presented a high degree of objective healing and satisfaction at 10 years, with no severe adverse effects. The study showed that satisfaction does not always mean total continence but rather it reflects the improvement of symptoms and consequent quality of life.

[Conservative surgery of bilateral renal angiomyolipoma during pregnancy]. / Cirugía conservadora del angiomiolipoma renal bilateral durante el embarazo.

The existence of bilateral renal angiomyolipoma (AML) is fairly infrequent, especially when not associated with such syndromes as tuberous sclerosis or linfangioleimiomatosis. Here we present the case of a 40-year-old woman who was accidentally diagnosed at week 33rd of gestation by an ultrasound, of bilateral renal AML and that could be treated with kidney sparing conservative treatment. We have also done a review of the literature focusing on its management and its relationship with pregnancy.

[Leiomyoma of renal pelvis]. / Leiomioma de pelvis renal.

Renal leiomyoma are uncommon mesenchymal tumours, which can arise from any organ of the genitourinary tract with smooth muscle cells. The diagnostic imaging techniques available can not differentiated easily leiomyoma from other malignant renal masses. Since preoperative diagnosis cannot be made, management usually involves radical nephrectomy as in the case described. After treatment, prognosis is excellent.

[Efficacy in endoscopic treatment of secondary vesicoureteral reflux with polydimethylsiloxane]. / Eficacia a largo plazo del tratamiento endoscópico en el reflujo vesicoureteral de etiología secundaria con polidimetilsiloxano.

OBJECTIVE: To value the efficacy in endoscopic treatment of the vesicoureteral reflux (VUR). MATERIAL AND METHOD: We have realized a prospective study in patients with RVU treated with endoscopic polydimethylsiloxane, from January 1999 until December 2001, analyzing the results after an average pursuit of 30 months. We included 144 patients, 92 girls and 52 children, with 213 VUR (124 primary ones and 89 of secondary etiology). The initial efficacy of the treatment was defined as the finished absence of RVU in the isotopic cystography, realized three months after the puncture. RESULTS: The global efficacy of the endoscopic treatment in secondary etiology reflux was lower than the reached one in the treatment of the primary RVU (77.7% against 86.2%) but the differences did not reach statistical significance (p=0,226). We do not also find significant differences on having compared the injected volume and the valuation of resolution of the ebb between the different causes of secondary RVU (p=0.361). We found recurrence in patients with RVU due to lower urinary tract dysfunction (4.34%). CONCLUSIONS: Endoscopic treatment of the secondary VUR is a minimally invasive skill, presents scarce morbidity and it is effective in chosen patients. The risk of a long term recurrence is grater in VUR secondary to functional alterations (neurogenic bladder and functional instability), for what, pursuit has to be established according to the base pathology.

[Renal cancer in elderly: clinical and histopathological findings]. / Cáncer renal incidental en pacientes de edad geriátrica: hallazgos clínicos e histopatológicos.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the clinical and pathological characteristics of the CCR in our series of tumors, analyzing its impact in the group of age greater than 65 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 300 patients with renal adenocarcinoma (CCR) were studied. In 252, ploidy pattern of DNA and pathologic characteristics of the surgical pieces were done. According to the criteria of the Spanish Society of Geriatrics, the patients were divided in two groups based on the age, greater and smaller of 65 years. The clinical and pathologic characteristics were compared between both groups. RESULTS: 103 of the 300 patients (33.3%) were included in the geriatric group. We did not found differences between both groups comparing stage, tumoral volume or treatment realized, but found differences in DNA ploidy pattern, recurrences and survey. CONCLUSIONS: The RCC in the elderly has a few clinical and pathological characteristics similar to the rest of patients in our series. Nevertheless differences exist in the average and actuarial survival, which is minor in the patient of more than 65 years, cause the percentage of detected aneuploidies and number of recurrences in not confined tumors in this group of age.

[Evaluation of pT3a stage in the current classification for renal cancer]. / Evaluación del estudio pT3a de la actual clasificación TNM del cáncer renal.

OBJECTIVE: We assessed the prognostic value of a stage pT3a diagnosis based on perirrenal fat infiltration. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A series of 300 patients diagnosed of renal cell carcinoma (CCR) between 1992 and 2001 were retrospectively analyzed. Focusing on pT3a tumors as defined by perirrenal fat infiltration, a group of 92 patients (91,08%) regardless lymph node involvement (Nall) were included. Patients with distant metastases were excluded. In patients with pT3a Nall M0 tumors, tumour size was a significant parameter predicting survival. The most significant cut-off value for tumor size based on ROC curve was 5,5 cm. Therefore two groups were defined (up to 5,5 cm or greater than 5,5 cm) and actuarial survival were compared between both groups. RESULTS: No significant differences were found comparing actuarial survival of selected pT3a and tumour size less than 5,5 cm with pT1 and pT2 tumors. After classifying selected pT3a less than 5,5 cm as pT1, multivariate analysis showed no differences regarding to prognostic variables before and after classification. Subsequently multivariate analysis showed that modified T stage was an independent significant predictor of cancer specific actuarial survival. CONCLUSIONS: Perirrenal fat infiltration in renal cell carcinoma should not be used to assign T category. In our series grading tumors pT3a lesser than 5,5 cm as pT1/pT2 TNM stage does not affect their prognostic value.

[Double J catheter loop as consequence of endourologic procedure: case report]. / Bucle intrapiélico con catéter doble J en procedimiento endourológico: a propósito de un caso.

We present a report of a patient that had a iatrogenic double J catheter loop after endourology procedure (neumatic balloon dilatation of ureteral estenosis) as well as its therapeutic management.

Mechanisms of Bacterial Extracellular Electron Exchange.

The biochemical mechanisms by which microbes interact with extracellular soluble metal ions and insoluble redox-active minerals have been the focus of intense research over the last three decades. The process presents two challenges to the microorganism. Firstly, electrons have to be transported at the cell surface, which in Gram-negative bacteria presents an additional problem of electron transfer across the ~6nm of the outer membrane. Secondly, the electrons must be transferred to or from the terminal electron acceptors or donors. This review covers the known mechanisms that bacteria use to transport electrons across the cell envelope to external electron donors/acceptors. In Gram-negative bacteria, electron transfer across the outer membrane involves the use of an outer membrane ß-barrel and cytochrome. These can be in the form of a porin-cytochrome protein, such as Cyc2 of Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, or a multiprotein porin-cytochrome complex like MtrCAB of Shewanella oneidensis MR-1. For mineral-respiring organisms, there is the additional challenge of transferring the electrons from the cell to mineral surface. For the strict anaerobe Geobacter sulfurreducens this requires electron transfer through conductive pili to associated cytochrome OmcS that directly reduces Fe(III)oxides, while the facultative anaerobe S. oneidensis MR-1 accomplishes mineral reduction through direct membrane contact, contact through filamentous extensions and soluble flavin shuttles, all of which require the outer membrane cytochromes MtrC and OmcA in addition to secreted flavin.

[Changes in spirometric parameters and arterial oxygen saturation during a mountain ascent to over 3000 meters]. / Cambios espirométricos y en la saturación arterial de oxígeno durante la ascensión a una montaña de más de 3.000 metros.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether climbing a mountain over 3000 meters high produces any alterations in ventilation, whether such alterations are modified by acclimatization, and whether they correlate with changes in arterial oxygen saturation (SaO2) or the development of acute mountain sickness (AMS). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The following parameters were measured in 8 unacclimatized mountaineers who climbed Aneto (3404 m) and spent 3 days at the summit: forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), airway response to inhaled terbutaline, SaO2, and the symptoms of AMS. RESULTS: At the summit, mean (SD) FEV1 declined by 12.3% (5.7%) and mean FVC by 7.6% (6.7%) while the ratio of FEV1 to FVC remained normal. The means for both parameters were higher on the following day. No airway response to bronchodilator treatment was observed. The restriction disappeared entirely on descent. At the peak, SaO2 increased progressively as the climbers became acclimatized. During the ascent, FEV1 correlated with SaO2 (r=0.79). One participant who suffered from AMS had a ratio of FEV1 to FVC less than 70% and the worst SaO2 during the 3 days on the summit. Obstruction preceded the AMS symptoms, did not respond to bronchodilator treatment, and disappeared when the climber descended. CONCLUSIONS: The mountaineers who climbed over 3000 meters presented restriction that correlated with hypoxemia. This restriction did not respond to bronchodilator treatment, improved with acclimatization, and disappeared on descent. One person with AMS presented obstruction that did not respond to terbutaline and disappeared on descent.

[Role of chronic prostatic infiltrate from specimens of prostate biopsy in total and free PSA determination]. / Influencia de la inflamación crónica prostática en muestras de biopsia sextante en los niveles séricos de PSA total y PSA libre.

PURPOSE: To analyze the influence in total serum PSA (PSA(t)) and free PSA (PSA(1)) of chronic inflammatory patterns from prostate biopsy specimens of non-symptomatic patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 518 non-symptomatic patients underwent ultrasonography and prostatic biopsy for PSA(t) > 4 ng/mL and/or DRE suspicious of malignancy. Those with a negative biopsy were divided into two subgroups: patients with benign prostatic lesions (LBP) and patients with chronic inflammatory signs (SIC). RESULTS: 456 patients (88.03%) were biopsied for elevated PSA(t) or/and DRE suspicious of malignancy in 62 patients (11.97%). Mean volume in patients with LBP was 54cc, while 51cc was the mean volume in patients with histological pattern of chronic inflammatory infiltrate. Mean PSA(t) in patients with LBP was 9.43 (IC 95% +/- 7.8) and 8.8 (IC 95% +/- 5.73) in SIC's group patients. CONCLUSIONS: The presence of SIC has no significant influence in the eventual value of PSA(1) y PSA(t) in a selected population. As a result of that finding data from serum PSA can be reliably evaluated even in the presence of SIC in biopsy specimens.