No impact of surviving sepsis campaign care bundles in reducing sepsis-associated acute kidney injury
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BACKGROUND: The impact of Surviving Sepsis Campaign (SSC) care bundles in reducing sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) was evaluated. METHODS: We conducted an observational single-center cohort study. Accomplishment of SSC care bundles was registered in all patients with severe sepsis admitted to the critical care department of a university hospital during three different periods. The main outcome measured was SA-AKI incidence defined as any worsening of AKI stage within the first 7 days from onset of sepsis. RESULTS: Among 260 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock finally meeting inclusion criteria, 82 (31.5%) patients developed SA-AKI. None of the SSC care tasks significantly decreased SA-AKI incidence, although a trend was observed with an initial better blood glucose control as well as with a more protective ventilation strategy. Hypotension requiring fluid challenge (hazard ratio (HR), 2.3; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.2 - 4.2) and the presence of an abdominal sepsis etiology (HR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.1 - 3.1) were independently associated with SA-AKI. Patients who developed SA-AKI had a higher 90-day mortality rate (62.2 vs. 40.4%). CONCLUSION: In a cohort of septic patients, none of the SSC care tasks significantly decreased SA-AKI incidence within the first week after onset of sepsis.
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Coronectomy versus surgical removal of the lower third molars with a high risk of injury to the inferior alveolar nerve. A bibliographical review.

BACKGROUND: Coronectomy is the surgical removal of the crown of the tooth deliberately leaving part of its roots. This is done with the hope of eliminating the pathology caused, and since the roots are still intact, the integrity of the inferior alveolar nerve is preserved. OBJECTIVE: The aim is to carry out a systematic review in order to be able to provide results and conclusions with the greatest scientific evidence possible. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A literature review is carried out through the following search engines: Pubmed MEDLINE, Scielo, Cochrane library and EMI. The level of evidence criteria from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality was applied, and the clinical trials' level of quality was analyzed by means of the JADAD criteria. RESULTS: The following articles were obtained which represents a total of 17: 1 systematic review, 2 randomized clinical trials and 2 non-randomized clinical trials, 3 cohort studies, 2 retrospective studies, 3 case studies and 4 literature reviews. CONCLUSIONS: Coronectomy is an adequate preventative technique in protecting the inferior alveolar nerve, which is an alternative to the conventional extraction of third molars, which unlike the former technique, presents a high risk of injury to the inferior alveolar nerve. However, there is a need for new clinical studies, with a greater number of samples and with a longer follow-up period in order to detect potential adverse effects of the retained roots.

The importance of a good evaluation in order to prevent oral nerve injuries: a review.

OBJECTIVE: Oral nerve injuries are a less frequent complication but they involve a decrease in the patient life quality. The purpose of the current review is to know the described risk factors to prevent injuries and to know the therapies against an established injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A Pubmed search of the English and Spanish language literature from 2000-2012 using the keywords 'oral surgery' or 'trigeminal nerve injuries' or 'lingual nerve injuries' or 'mandibular nerve injuries' was performed. Review articles were included and important articles from the references were added. RESULTS: A total of 662 were obtained from the search, from which 25 were selected accomplishing the inclusion criteria. Moreover, seven important articles were selected from the references of the ones mentioned, obtaining a total of 32 articles for the review. CONCLUSIONS: There is a relationship between the position of the extracted tooth and the incidence of the inferior alveolar nerve and lingual nerve injuries; as well as the age of the patient, the intra-operatory exposition of the nerve, the technique access for the lower third molar extraction and the surgeon's inexperience. The radiological examination is useful to evaluate the nerve damage and to decide on the surgical technique.

Necroptosis induced by ruthenium (II) complexes as mitochondrial disruptors.

Inducing necroptosis in cancer cells has emerged as an effective strategy to overcome drug resistance. However, while organic small molecules have been extensively studied for this purpose, metal-based compounds have received relatively little attention as triggers of necroptosis. The development of ruthenium (II) hybrid compounds, particularly those containing triazene (Ru-TRZ), highlights a novel avenue for modulating necroptotic cell death. Here we show that incorporating a methyltriazene moiety, a known alkylating warhead, confers superior mitochondrial-targeting properties and enhances cell death compared to amide-containing counterparts. Ru-hybrid TRZ2 exhibits also antitumor efficacy against in vivo drug-resistant cancer cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrate that Ru-TRZ hybrids induce apoptosis. In addition, by activating downstream RIPK3-driven cell death, TRZ2 proficiently restrains normal mitochondrial function and activity, leading to cancer cell necroptosis. Finally, TRZ2 synergizes anti-proliferative activity and cell death effects induced by conventional drugs. In conclusion, Ru-TRZ2 stands as a promising ruthenium-based chemotherapeutic agent inducing necroptosis in drug resistant cancer cells.

Becoming baby-friendly in Spain: a quality-improvement process.

AIM: To describe the implementation process and effect of a quality-improvement intervention aimed at achieving compliance with the Baby-friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI). METHODS: We conducted a prospective study of the development and evaluation of a quality-improvement intervention at the Yecla Hospital, Spain. A random sample of 1273 infants born in the hospital was followed up in primary care centres between 1997 and 2005. The study interventions were process-oriented training, audit and feedback, quality-improvement cycles and provision of breastfeeding support resources. The main outcome measures were changes in compliance with the Global Criteria for the BFHI and breastfeeding rates before, during and after the intervention. RESULTS: Compliance with the Global Criteria increased progressively, and in 2004 all criteria were met. The median duration of breastfeeding went up gradually from the start of the intervention. The likelihood of being breastfed at different ages among infants born in 2005 was between 45% [odds ratio (OR) 0.55; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.38-0.79] and 86% (OR 0.14; 95% CI 0.09-0.20) higher than among infants born in 1997. CONCLUSION: Quality-improvement interventions based on participation, training, audit and feedback of information, and provision of resources are useful for the implementation of the BFHI, which is associated with a significant increase in breastfeeding rates.

Time-to-Treatment in Oral Cancer: Causes and Implications for Survival.

The purpose of this review was to identify and describe the causes that influence the time-intervals in the pathway of diagnosis and treatment of oral cancer and to assess its impact on prognosis and survival. The review was structured according to the recommendations of the Aarhus statement, considering original data from individual studies and systematic reviews that reported outcomes related to the patient, diagnostic and pre-treatment intervals. The patient interval is the major contributor to the total time-interval. Unawareness of signs and/or symptoms, denial and lack of knowledge about oral cancer are the major contributors to the process of seeking medical attention. The diagnostic interval is influenced by tumor factors, delays in referral due to higher number of consultations and previous treatment with different medicines or dental procedures and by professional factors such as experience and lack of knowledge related to the disease and diagnostic procedures. Patients with advanced stage disease, primary treatment with radiotherapy, treatment at an academic facility and transitions in care are associated with prolonged pre-treatment intervals. An emerging body of evidence supports the impact of prolonged pre-treatment and treatment intervals with poorer survival from oral cancer.

Augmented renal clearance. An unnoticed relevant event.

Augmented renal clearance (ARC) is a phenomenon that can lead to a therapeutic failure of those drugs of renal clearance. The purpose of the study was to ascertain the prevalence of ARC in the critically ill patient, to study the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) throughout the follow-up and analyze the concordance between the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration (CKD-EPI) estimation formula and measured GFR. Observational, prospective, multicenter study. ARC was defined as a creatinine clearance greater than 130 ml/min/1.73 m2. Eighteen hospitals were recruited. GFR measurements carried out twice weekly during a 2-month follow-up period. A total of 561 patients were included. ARC was found to have a non-negligible prevalence of 30%. More even, up to 10.7% already had ARC at intensive care unit (ICU) admission. No specific pattern of GFR was found during the follow-up. Patients in the ARC group were younger 56.5 (53.5-58.5) versus 66 (63.5-68.5) years than in the non-ARC group, p < 0.001. ICU mortality was lower in the ARC group, 6.9% versus 14.5%, p = 0.003. There was no concordance between the estimation of GFR by the CKD-EPI formula and GFR calculated from the 4-h urine. ARC is found in up to 30% of ICU patients, so renal removal drugs could be under dosed by up to 30%. And ARC is already detected on admission in 10%. It is a dynamic phenomenon without an established pattern that usually occurs in younger patients that can last for several weeks. And the CKD-EPI formula does not work to estimate the real creatinine clearance of these patients.

Factors associated to breastfeeding cessation before 6 months.

This research aimed to identify the determinants of full breastfeeding (FBF) and any breastfeeding (ABF) cessation before 6 months, through a six-month follow-up of 248 mothers going a postpartum visit. Data were collected by personal interview during the first month and telephone interviews at four and six months postpartum. Coxs proportional hazards model was used. Not having previous ABF experience, previous ABF duration

A Double Case: Socket Shield and Pontic Shield Techniques on Aesthetic Zone.

When a tooth is extracted, a bone remodeling of the alveolar process occurs irretrievably. Various techniques have emerged over time to maintain the thickness of the bone crest in fixed prosthetics on teeth and implants. The socket shield and pontic shield techniques are aimed at minimizing buccal bone remodeling, especially in the aesthetic area. We present a case of an aesthetic sector rehabilitated with partial fixed denture using the socket shield and pontic shield techniques.

Oral Lichen Planus and Dental Implants: Protocol and Systematic Review.

A systematic review was conducted to answer the following PICO question: "Can patients diagnosed with oral lichen planus (OLP) be rehabilitated with dental implants as successfully as patients without OLP?". A systematic review of the literature was done following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statements to gather available and current evidence of oral lichen planus and its relationship with dental implants. The synthesis of results was performed using a Binary Random-Effects Model meta-analysis. Summary measures were odds ratios (ORs), frequencies, and percentages comparing the survival rate of dental implants placed in patients with OLP vs. those in patients without OLP. The electronic search yielded 25 articles, after removing the duplicated ones, 24 articles were selected. Out of the 24 articles, only 15 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. According to the results of the meta-analysis, with a total sample of 48 patients with OLP and 49 patients without OLP, an odds ratio of 2.48 (95% CI 0.34-18.1) was established, with an I2 value of 0%. According to the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy (SORT) criteria, level A can be established to conclude that patients with OLP can be rehabilitated with dental implants.

Prevalence of tinea pedis, tinea unguium of toenails and tinea capitis in school children from Barcelona.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of tinea capitis, tinea pedis, and tinea unguium in children from several schools of Barcelona city. METHODS: During the period of 2003-2004, a prospective cross-sectional study was carried out in 1,305 children (9% immigrant population) between the ages 3 and 15 in 17 schools in Barcelona. A systematic examination of the feet, (including nails and scalp), was performed to identify lesions compatible with tinea. Cultures of scalp and feet samples were done and analysis of environmental samples was performed for dermatophyte isolation. RESULTS: Dermatophytes were isolated in 2.9% of the samples with a prevalence of 2.5% in feet, 0.23% in scalp, and 0.15% in nails of the feet. The predominant etiologic agents in feet were Trichophyton mentagrophytes in 45.7% of the cases and Trichophyton rubrum in 31.4%. In the nails, T. rubrum and Trichophyton tonsurans were isolated, while T. mentagrophytes (2 cases) and Trichophyton violaceum (1 case) were identified in scalp samples. Forty-five per cent of dermatophytes were isolated from healthy feet, the majority of cases in children 13- 15-years-old (p < 0.05). Microsporum gypseum was the only agent identified in the environmental samples, and was also found in one of the cases of tinea pedis. CONCLUSION: The results of this study demonstrate a low prevalence of tinea capitis and tinea unguium in school children of Barcelona. On the contrary, high prevalence of dermatophytes in feet was found. It highlights the high prevalence of healthy carriers of dermatophytes in feet.

Functional outcomes after glossectomies: Pilot study on use of a thrombin-fibrinogen biosponge (TachoSil).

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate whether the use of a thrombin-fibrinogen biosponge (TachoSil) has any advantage in tongue healing. STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective study with 30 patients treated with partial glossectomy (below half a tongue) was designed. We compared the results from a group using the biosponge (n =15 patients) and a control group (n = 15). Variables taken into consideration were bolus clearance, frenulum flexibility, and oral transit time. With these parameters, we formulated a "tongue remaining functional" (TRF) scale to assess tongue functionality after the surgery. We also evaluated long-term quality of life by using the Functional Intraoral Glasgow Scale (FIGS). RESULTS: In this study, TRF score, bolus clearance, oral transit time, and frenulum flexibility were significantly improved in the biosponge group. However, there were no differences between the 2 groups in the FIGS scores. CONCLUSIONS: The use of the biosponge in this pilot study showed positive long-term effects in lingual healing and functionality after partial glossectomies.

Guided Bone Regeneration of an Atrophic Maxilla Using Heterologous Cortical Lamina.

Alloplastic dental implants are currently the best way to replace lost teeth. In order to achieve good function and prognosis of dental implants, having bone and soft tissue to support them is necessary. When the amount of bone left is not enough to ensure the outcome of the implant, techniques such as shorts implants, zygomatic implants, or guided bone regeneration have been used. Even though autologous bone is mostly the "gold standard," other biomaterials such as xenografts have led to the reduction of the morbidity of treatments and to the improvement of the regeneration technique outcomes. We present a clinical case of severe atrophy of the maxilla in which we used different types of biomaterials: heterologous cortical lamina, xenograft and autologous bone, and microscrews.

Intraosseous Leiomyoma of the Jaw in an Adolescent.

Leiomyoma is a benign tumor of the smooth muscle that rarely occurs in the mouth as an intraosseous lesion. The purposes of this paper are to: (1) present a case of an intraosseous solid leiomyoma of the mandible in a 13-year-old child, who presented with a well-defined unilocular radiolucency in the right mandible incidentally discovered during a routine dental radiographic examination; and (2) conduct a review of the literature to describe clinicopathological features and management of intraosseous jaw leiomyoma (IJL). A total of 17 articles describing 18 cases of IJL satisfied the selection criteria; including the present patient, to date a total of 19 cases of IJL have been reported. IJL occurs mainly in young patients (36.8 percent), more often in boys (1:5:1 male-to-female ratio), and reaches a larger size in children than in adults. The treatment of choice for IJL is surgical excision, which should be as minimally invasive as possible, especially in children.

Clinical variables associated with poor outcome from sepsis-associated acute kidney injury and the relationship with timing of initiation of renal replacement therapy.

PURPOSE: Identify clinical variables associated with mortality in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI) receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and examine timing of initiation of CRRT in reference to those variables identified. METHODS: Retrospective study conducted at two tertiary care hospitals including 939 septic shock patients with SA-AKI who received CRRT in the intensive care unit (ICU). Cox regression models were used to identify variables associated with 90-day mortality. Timing of CRRT initiation was assessed in relationship to significant clinical variables identified. RESULTS: Overall 90-day mortality was 62.9%. Variables prior to CRRT associated with 90-day mortality included: age (aHR, 1.02; 95%CI, 1.01-1.02, p<000.1), APS-III score (1.01, 1.0-1.0, p<0.048), days from hospital admission to CRRT initiation (1.01, 1.0-1.0, p<0.01), blood urea nitrogen (1.01, 1.0-1.0, p<0.04), medical admission (1.76, 1.5-2.1, p<0.0001), creatinine (0.99, 0.9-1.0, p<0.001), and urine output (0.77, 0.6-0.9, p=0.049). In patients with advanced SA-AKI at ICU admission receiving CRRT within the first 5days (n=433), urine output during the 24h prior to CRRT initiation was a strong predictor of survival (2.6, 1.6-4.3, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with SA-AKI, survival is lower when CRRT is started in the setting of low urine output.

Prevalence of tinea capitis and tinea pedis in Barcelona schoolchildren.

BACKGROUND: Although dermatophytoses can appear at any age, some types are particularly prevalent in children. There are no prior data on the prevalence of tinea capitis and tinea pedis in Barcelona, Spain. To identify the prevalence of tinea in school children in the area with the highest immigrant population in this city, a cross-sectional study was performed. A second objective was to identify the etiologic agent to study the possibility of the introduction of foreign dermatophyte species and to evaluate the possibility of encountering healthy hosts. METHODS: From October 2002 until June 2003, we evaluated 1305 schoolchildren, ages 3-15 years, belonging to 21 schools located in the inner city of Barcelona to determine the prevalence of tinea capitis and pedis in school children. Cultures of scalp and feet were done in each child. RESULTS: 36(2.8%) children had tinea pedis and 3 (0.23%) had tinea capitis. One child had tinea capitis and tinea pedis, caused by different species (t. capitis caused by Trichophyton mentagrophytes and tinea pedis caused by Trichophyton rubrum). Of the 39 positive cases for dermatophytes, the etiologic agent in 18 (46.1%) was T. mentagrophytes, 17 (43.5%) T. rubrum, 2 (5.5%) Epidermophyton floccosum and 2 (5.5%) Trichophyton tonsurans. Of these 39 cases of tinea, 15 (38.5%) were Spanish natives and 22 (56.4%) were immigrants. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of tinea capitis was lower that we had expected, and it was noted that there was a greater prevalence of tinea pedis among schoolchildren 13-15 years of age (64.10%), the great majority of them male. The number of cases of tinea was significantly greater in immigrants.

The Spanish version of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form: reliability and validity assessment.

BACKGROUND: Only a minority of infants are exclusively breastfed for the recommended 6 months postpartum. Breastfeeding self-efficacy is a mother's confidence in her ability to breastfeed and is highly predictive of breastfeeding behaviors. The Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale-Short Form (BSES-SF) was developed among English-speaking mothers to measure breastfeeding self-efficacy. OBJECTIVES: To translate the BSES-SF into Spanish and assess its psychometric properties. DESIGN: Methodological study. SETTING: One public hospital in Orihuela, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 135 in-hospital breastfeeding women was recruited on their second day postpartum. METHODS: The BSES-SF was translated into Spanish using forward translation, back-translation and pilot testing. Internal consistency, construct validity and predictive validity were assessed. A battery of self-report questionnaires was administered on the second day postpartum including: a questionnaire on sociodemographic variables and breastfeeding status, the translated BSES-SF, the Spanish adaptation of the General Self-Efficacy Scale and the Stress Management Self-Efficacy Scale. Also, data on breastfeeding status at three weeks postpartum were collected by telephone interviews. RESULTS: The Cronbach's alpha coefficient for internal consistency was 0.92. The translated BSES-SF presented a unidimensional structure with factor loadings of >0.30. In addition, demographic response patterns and correlations with self-efficacy scales provided further evidence of construct validity. In-hospital BSES-SF scores significantly predicted exclusive breastfeeding at 3 weeks postpartum. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that the Spanish translation of the BSES-SF can be considered a valid and reliable measure of maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy in Spain.