Real-World clinical, psychosocial and financial burden of atopic dermatitis: results from the Spanish cohort of the MEASURE-AD trial. / Carga clínica, psicosocial y económica de la dermatitis atópica en vida real: resultados de la cohorte española del estudio MEASURE-AD.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is one of the most prevalent skin diseases, but there are numerous knowledge gaps surrounding the impact this disease has on quality of life (QoL), mental health, and out-of-pocket expenses involved in the management of AD. The available scientific evidence on the multidimensional burden of AD is usually based on studies with measures reported by patients themselves. METHODS: In this context, the MEASURE-AD trial was developed as a cross-sectional, multicenter, multinational trial using patient- and physician-reported measures to characterize the multidimensional burden of AD in adults with moderate-to-severe AD. RESULTS: This paper presents the results of the Spanish cohort. We found that Spanish adults with moderate-to-severe AD and high EASI score (21.1-72) had a significantly increased disease burden, high severity of symptoms such as itch and sleep disturbances, impaired mental health and QoL, higher use of health care resources, and more out-of-pocket expenses than patients with low EASI scores (0-7 or 7.1-21). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides information to better understand disease burden, and identify aspects to be improved in the management of AD.

Regional differences in predictive biomarker testing rates for patients with metastatic NSCLC in the Netherlands.

BACKGROUND: Predictive biomarker testing has a key role in the treatment decision-making for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is mandated by (inter)national guidelines. The aim of this study was to establish guideline-adherent biomarker testing rates in the Netherlands in 2019 and to examine associations of demographical, clinical, and environmental factors with guideline-adherent testing. METHODS: This study involved the integration of clinical data of the Netherlands Cancer Registry with pathology reports of the Dutch Nationwide Pathology Databank. Data extracted from these reports included sample type, diagnosis, and molecular testing status of predictive biomarkers. The study population comprised all patients diagnosed with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC in the Netherlands in 2019. RESULTS: In the cohort of 3877 patients with metastatic non-squamous NSCLC under investigation, overall molecular testing rates for non-fusion predictive biomarkers (EGFR, KRAS, BRAF, ERBB2, MET) ranged from 73.9 to 89.0 %, while molecular testing for fusion-drivers (ALK, ROS1, RET, NTRK) ranged from 12.6 % to 63.9 %. Guideline-adherent testing of EGFR, KRAS, and ALK was performed in 85.2 % of patients, with regional rates spanning from 76.0 % to 90.8 %. Demographical and clinical factors associated with guideline-adherent biomarker testing included lower age (OR = 1.05 per one year decrease; p < 0.001), female sex (OR = 1.36; p = 0.002), diagnosis of adenocarcinoma (OR = 2.48; p < 0.001), availability of histological tumor material (OR = 2.46; p < 0.001), and clinical stage of metastatic disease (p = 0.002). Other factors associated with guideline-adherent biomarker testing included diagnosis at academic center (OR = 1.87; p = 0.002) and patient's region of residence (p < 0∙001). CONCLUSION: Optimization of the chain-of-care of predictive biomarker testing in patients with NSCLC in the Netherlands is needed to provide adequate care for these patients.

Coherent states of the Laguerre-Gauss modes.

Large quantum photonic systems hold promise for surpassing classical computational limits, yet their state preparation remains a challenge. We propose an alternative approach to study multiparticle dynamics by mapping the excitation mode of these systems to physical properties of the Laguerre-Gauss modes. We construct coherent states establishing a direct link between excitation number dynamics and the evolution of the Laguerre-Gauss modes. This highlights the photon transverse spatial degree of freedom as a versatile platform for testing the fundamental aspects of quantum multiparticle systems.

[Primary care and natriuretic peptides: design of a care process as a pathway to improve the diagnosis of heart failure]. / Atención primaria y péptidos natriuréticos: diseño de un proceso asistencial para la mejora en el diagnóstico de la insuficiencia cardiaca.

INTRODUCTION: There are few data about the optimal use of natriuretic peptides (NP) in the Primary Care (PC) setting. The aim to assess how, through a common coordinated PC-hospital care pathway, the use of NPs in patients with suspected heart failure (HF) is improved. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Analytical, experimental, prospective, non-randomized study. An intervention group composed of 22 PC physicians from 2 health centers is provided with face-to-face training and a consensual protocol is attached with a cut-off point of NT-proBNP> 300 pg/mL as pathological. The control group is made up of the rest of PC physicians in the healthcare area. The aim is to compare the use and results of PN in both groups. Propensity analysis is performed so thar the patient populations with requested PN are comparable. RESULTS: From June 2021 to March 2022, NP was requested in 103 and 105 patients in the intervention/control groups. Both populations were similar, with equal HF risk. Symptomatology was present in 100% of intervention vs 41% of asymptomatic patients in the control group (p <0.001). ECG was performed in 100% vs 33.3%, p <0.001. Optimal NP indication in 76.7% vs 29.5%, p <0.001. In the intervention group more patients with NT-proBNP> 300 pg/mL are referred to cardiology consultations (76.6% vs 27.2%, p 0.001). CONCLUSION: The optimal indication for NP and its interpretation as a diagnostic tool for HF, in the PC setting seems not to be appropriate, but improvable with a coordinated and multidisciplinary intervention approach.

Clinical importance of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio and systemic immune-inflammation index in dogs with leishmaniasis.

Leishmaniasis is a zoonotic disease caused by Leishmania spp., impacts multiple systems and organs. While hematological and biochemical profiles aren't definitive for diagnosis, recent studies have identified the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) as predictors of morbidity and mortality in critically ill human and dog patients. This study examined 100 dogs diagnosed with leishmaniasis, categorized by the International Renal Interest Society (IRIS) stages 1-4. Additionally, the dogs were divided based on whether they survived less or more than one year (L1Y and G1Y). Control group consisted of 43 dogs. The NLR increased as the disease progressed (IRIS 1-4), presenting statistically significant differences (P<0.05) when compared to the control group (2,37±2,08) IRIS 3 and 4 (4,59±13,39 and 6,99±12,86, respectively), and G1Y and L1Y (3,60±4,02 and 4,87±5,82, respectively). Significant changes in SII were only evident in short-term survivors (L1Y 951,93±1402) and advanced renal disease cases (IRIS 4 stage 1073,68±1901,09). Conversely, PLR remained largely unchanged. In conclusion, these results suggest that the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) may serve as potential markers for assessing disease progression and prognosis in dogs diagnosed with leishmaniasis.

Treatment of thyroglossal cyst using Koempel's technique: initial experience. / Tratamiento del quiste tirogloso mediante técnica de Koempel. Experiencia inicial.

INTRODUCTION: In spite of being inaccurate in terms of suprahyoid dissection, Sistrunk's procedure is the gold-standard technique in the treatment of thyroglossal cyst. Since it was first described in 2014, the modifications introduced by Koempel have allowed for a more reproducible suprahyoid approach. We present our initial experience with this technique. METHODS: A retrospective study of patients with thyroglossal cyst undergoing Koempel's technique in our institution from 2021 to 2022 was carried out. Demographic, clinical, and histological data was collected. RESULTS: In the study period, 5 patients -3 girls and 2 boys- underwent surgery. Median age and weight were 5 years (2-6) and 16 kg (14-25), respectively. All patients had suffered from previous infections, with 60% having cutaneous fistulization. In 2 patients, surgery was indicated following Sistrunk's procedure as a result of recurrence. Median operating time was 77 minutes (57-110), with the genioglossal muscle plane being identified in the 5 patients. No immediate complications were recorded, and diagnosis of thyroglossal cyst was histologically confirmed in all cases. One of the formerly recurrent patients had recurrence following surgery, but it was subclinical and incidentally diagnosed at control ultrasonography. The remaining patients had no recurrences after a median 8-month (1-12) follow-up period. CONCLUSIONS: Koempel's technique allows for a safe and reproducible approach of the suprahyoid segment. It is an attractive option in complicated cases as a result of previous infection or recurrence.

INTRODUCCION: La intervención de Sistrunk es el gold-standard en el tratamiento del quiste tirogloso pese a su imprecisión en cuanto a la disección suprahioidea. Tras su descripción en 2014, las modificaciones introducidas por Koempel, han permitido un abordaje suprahioideo más reproducible. Presentamos nuestra experiencia inicial con esta técnica. METODOS: Estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes con quiste tirogloso intervenidos mediante técnica de Koempel en nuestro centro en el periodo 2021-2022, recogiéndose datos demográficos, clínicos e histológicos. RESULTADOS: Durante el periodo de estudio se intervinieron 5 pacientes (3 mujeres/2 varones), con una mediana de edad y peso de 5 años (2-6) y 16 kg (14-25) respectivamente. Todos los casos habían sufrido infecciones previas presentando fistulización cutánea el 60%. En 2 de los pacientes se indicó la cirugía por recidiva tras intervención de Sistrunk. La mediana del tiempo quirúrgico fue de 77minutos (57-110) identificándose el plano del músculo geniogloso en los 5 pacientes. No hubo complicaciones inmediatas y el diagnóstico de quiste tirogloso se confirmó histológicamente en todos los casos. Uno de los pacientes del grupo con recidiva previa, presentó recidiva tras la intervención, siendo esta subclínica y diagnosticada incidentalmente tras ecografía de control. El resto de los pacientes no presentó ninguna recurrencia tras un seguimiento mediana de 8 meses (1-12). CONCLUSIONES: La técnica de Koempel permite un abordaje seguro y reproducible del segmento suprahioideo siendo una opción atractiva en casos complicados por infección o recidiva previa.

Clinical management of plant food allergy in patients sensitized to lipid transfer proteins is heterogeneous: identifying the gaps.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Patients sensitized to lipid transfer protein (LTP) present a wide clinical variability. The lack of practical diagnostic and therapeutic guidelines complicate their management. The aim of the study was to describe the clinical approach of Spanish allergists to this pathology using a survey designed by PICO method and subsequent Delphi approach validation. METHODS: Designed survey was answered by 224 allergists (75% women; 57.1% with >20 years of professional experience). Homogeneity regarding clinical practice on the main points of LTP allergy diagnosis was observed, except for patients with suspected NSAID hypersensitivity (44.6% frequently include LTP skin testing). Oral food challenges were not frequently performed (63.6% occasionally to never), and they were generally (75.5%) used to confirm tolerance. It was common to recommend fruit skins avoidance (77.2%) and maintaining consumption of foods to which patients are sensitised but tolerant (99.1%). RESULTS: There was heterogeneity on other dietary indications, modifications due to co-factors, or traces avoidance. Peach sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) was considered very/quite effective by 55.9% of allergists. The majority (79.5%) consider SLIT indicated in <25% of LTP allergic patients, based on severity (95.2%), frequency of reactions (99.4%), allergy to multiple food families (97.4%), and the quality of life/nutrition impairment (91.5%). There was different practice on SLIT prescription based on co-factor involvement. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that there is a need to increase evidence to reduce the clinical practice heterogeneity in the management of LTP allergy.

Urgent laparoscopic cholecystectomy as a result of acute calculous cholecystitis in Pediatrics. / Colecistectomía laparoscópica urgente por colecistitis aguda litiásica en Pediatría.

INTRODUCTION: In spite of the increase in the prevalence of cholelithiasis in the last decades, no recommendations regarding the best treatment of acute calculous cholecystitis (AC) in Pediatrics have been developed. CLINICAL CASE: 4-year-old, 20kg male patient with no significant history referred to our institution as a result of abdominal sepsis. The blood count showed leukocytosis, with normal hemoglobin and bilirubin levels, and a normal liver function. The abdominal ultrasonography revealed cholelithiasis, gallbladder hydrops, and an inflammatory process compatible with appendicular plastron. In the diagnostic laparoscopy, the appendix was macroscopically normal, and acute cholecystitis was observed. Given the patient's situation, and in cooperation with the General Surgery Department, laparoscopic cholecystectomy was carried out. The patient recovered uneventfully on hospitalization day 5 under piperacillin-tazobactam treatment. DISCUSSION: There are no recommendations regarding AC treatment in children. In septic patients, cooperation between general and pediatric surgeons allows urgent cholecystectomy to be considered as a safe option.

INTRODUCCION: Pese al aumento en la prevalencia de colelitiasis durante las últimas décadas, no se han desarrollado recomendaciones sobre el mejor tratamiento de la colecistitis aguda litiásica (CA) en Pediatría. CASO CLINICO: Paciente varón de 4 años y 20 kg de peso sin antecedentes de interés, que acude derivado por sepsis de origen abdominal. Analíticamente destaca leucocitosis con hemoglobina, función hepática y bilirrubina normales. La ecografía abdominal muestra colelitiasis, hidrops vesicular y proceso inflamatorio compatible con plastrón apendicular. En laparoscopia diagnóstica se observa apéndice macroscópicamente normal y colecistitis aguda. Ante la situación del paciente se realiza, conjuntamente con Cirugía General, colecistectomía laparoscópica. El paciente se recupera sin incidencias tras 5 días de ingreso bajo cobertura con piperacilina-tazobactam. COMENTARIOS: No existen recomendaciones sobre el tratamiento de la CA en niños. En los pacientes sépticos, la colaboración entre cirujanos pediátricos y cirujanos generales permite contemplar la colecistectomía urgente como una opción segura.

[SARS-CoV-2 antibodies after booster vaccination. Identification of subgroups with poor response]. / Anticuerpos contra el SARS-CoV-2 tras la dosis de vacuna de recuerdo. Identificación de subgrupos con respuesta insuficiente.

Objective: To determine which patients within the high-risk group are most likely to have insufficient post-vaccination immunity. Methods: Determination of IgG titers against SARS-CoV-2 after the booster dose. Vaccine response was categorized as negative (IgG titers < 34 BAU/ml), indeterminate (titers 34 - 259 BAU/ml) or positive (≥ 260 BAU/ml). Results: 765 patients were included (31.25% of those vaccinated). 54 (7.1%) on treatment with biologics, 90 (11.8%) with hematologic disease, 299 (39.1%) with oncologic pathology, 304 (39.7%) with solid organ transplant and 18 (2.4%) with immunosuppression for other reasons. 74 patients (9.7%) had negative serology and 45 (5.9%) had indeterminate titers. By diagnostic group, the patients with the highest proportion of negative or indeterminate serology were patients with biologic treatment (55.6%, mainly at expense of antiCD20), hematologic (35.4%) and transplant patients (17.8%, mainly lung and kidney). Oncology and other immunosuppressed patients had a favorable response to vaccination. Conclusion: Patients treated with antiCD20 drugs, hematologic patients and transplanted patients (mainly lung and kidney) have a higher risk of not achieving post-vaccination immunity. It is essential to identify them in order to individualize and optimize their management.

SARS-COV-2 antibodies after booster vaccination. Identification of subgroups with poor response.

OBJECTIVE: To determine which patients within the high-risk group are most likely to have insufficient post-vaccination immunity. METHODS: Determination of IgG titers against SARS-CoV-2 after the booster dose. Vaccine response was categorized as negative (IgG titers < 34 BAU/ml), indeterminate (titers 34-259 BAU/ml) or positive (≥260 BAU/ml). RESULTS: 765 patients were included (31.25% of those vaccinated). 54 (7.1%) on treatment with biologics, 90 (11.8%) with hematologic disease, 299 (39.1%) with oncologic pathology, 304 (39.7%) with solid organ transplant and 18 (2.4%) with immunosuppression for other reasons. 74 patients (9.7%) had negative serology and 45 (5.9%) had indeterminate titers. By diagnostic group, the patients with the highest proportion of negative or indeterminate serology were patients with biologic treatment (55.6%, mainly at expense of antiCD20), hematologic (35.4%) and transplant patients (17.8%, mainly lung and kidney). Oncology and other immunosuppressed patients had a favorable response to vaccination. CONCLUSION: Patients treated with antiCD20 drugs, hematologic patients and transplanted patients (mainly lung and kidney) have a higher risk of not achieving post-vaccination immunity. It is essential to identify them in order to individualize and optimize their management.

Real-space observation of ultraconfined in-plane anisotropic acoustic terahertz plasmon polaritons.

Thin layers of in-plane anisotropic materials can support ultraconfined polaritons, whose wavelengths depend on the propagation direction. Such polaritons hold potential for the exploration of fundamental material properties and the development of novel nanophotonic devices. However, the real-space observation of ultraconfined in-plane anisotropic plasmon polaritons (PPs)-which exist in much broader spectral ranges than phonon polaritons-has been elusive. Here we apply terahertz nanoscopy to image in-plane anisotropic low-energy PPs in monoclinic Ag2Te platelets. The hybridization of the PPs with their mirror image-by placing the platelets above a Au layer-increases the direction-dependent relative polariton propagation length and the directional polariton confinement. This allows for verifying a linear dispersion and elliptical isofrequency contour in momentum space, revealing in-plane anisotropic acoustic terahertz PPs. Our work shows high-symmetry (elliptical) polaritons on low-symmetry (monoclinic) crystals and demonstrates the use of terahertz PPs for local measurements of anisotropic charge carrier masses and damping.

Palliative care management in patients with Parkinson's disease and other movement disorders in Spain. National survey of neurologists.

INTRODUCTION: Palliative care in neurodegenerative diseases is useful but underused. The objective of this study is to know how palliative care (PC) is applied in Spain in order to identify limitations and unmet needs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: It is a descriptive, observational, cross-sectional study, anonymous survey type of 20 questions, directed and answered by neurologists dedicated to movement disorders (MD) in Spain. RESULTS: 58 responses were obtained from neurologists from 15 autonomous communities. 69% answered that they did not have a specialised MD nursing facility but did have a PC team in their centre (81%). No specific protocol for PC in MD was identified. All except one neurologist stated that they lacked sufficient training in PC, the main training need being the "advance directives explanation". Only 1 in 4 neurologists answered routinely explaining advance healthcare planning to their patients, recognising up to 84.5% of neurologists not knowing how to assess the patient's competence. 60.3% of those surveyed answered that between 10% and 30% of their patients would be candidates for PC, although 1 in 3 said they were not clear when to refer the patient to PC. 100% of neurologists affirmed the priority need to implement PC protocols in MD. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows a formative deficit in PC in this area and in the care of the patient with movement disorders and their environment, and should serve as a starting point to develop consensual care protocols.

Antibody landscape of C57BL/6 mice cured of B78 melanoma via immunotherapy.

Hoefges et al. utilized a whole-proteome peptide array approach to show that C57BL/6 mice develop a large repertoire of antibodies against linear peptide sequences of their melanoma after receiving a curative immunotherapy regimen consisting of radiation and an immunocytokine. Antibodies can play an important role in innate and adaptive immune responses against cancer, and in preventing infectious disease. Flow cytometry analysis of sera of immune mice that were previously cured of their melanoma through a combined immunotherapy regimen with long-term memory showed strong antibody-binding against melanoma tumor cell lines. Using a high-density whole-proteome peptide array, we assessed potential protein-targets for antibodies found in immune sera. Sera from 6 of these cured mice were analyzed with this high-density, whole-proteome peptide array to determine specific antibody-binding sites and their linear peptide sequence. We identified thousands of peptides that were targeted by 2 or more of these 6 mice and exhibited strong antibody binding only by immune, not naive sera. Confirmatory studies were done to validate these results using 2 separate ELISA-based systems. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study of the "immunome" of protein-based epitopes that are recognized by immune sera from mice cured of cancer via immunotherapy.

Multiyear methane and nitrous oxide emissions in different irrigation management under long-term continuous rice rotation in Arkansas.

Rice paddies are one of the major sources of anthropogenic methane (CH4 ) emissions. The alternate wetting and drying (AWD) irrigation management has been shown to reduce CH4 emissions and total global warming potential (GWP) (CH4 and nitrous oxide [N2 O]). However, there is limited information about utilizing AWD management to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from commercial-scale continuous rice fields. This study was conducted for five consecutive growing seasons (2015-2019) on a pair of adjacent fields in a commercial farm in Arkansas under long-term continuous rice rotation irrigated with either continuously flooded (CF) or AWD conditions. The cumulative CH4 emissions in the growing season across the two fields and 5 years ranged from 41 to 123 kg CH4 -C ha-1 for CF and 1 to 73 kg CH4 -C ha-1 for AWD. On average, AWD reduced CH4 emissions by 73% relative to CH4 emissions in CF fields. Compared to N2 O emissions, CH4 emissions dominated the GWP with an average contribution of 91% in both irrigation treatments. There was no significant variation in grain yield (7.3-11.9 Mg ha-1 ) or growing season N2 O emissions (-0.02 to 0.51 kg N2 O-N ha-1 ) between the irrigation treatments. The yield-scaled GWP was 368 and 173 kg CO2 eq. Mg-1 season-1 for CF and AWD, respectively, showing the feasibility of AWD on a commercial farm to reduce the total GHG emissions while sustaining grain yield. Seasonal variations of GHG emissions observed within fields showed total GHG emissions were predominantly influenced by weather (precipitation) and crop and irrigation management. The influence of air temperature and floodwater heights on GHG emissions had high degree of variability among years and fields. These findings demonstrate that the use of multiyear GHG emission datasets could better capture variability of GHG emissions associated with rice production and could improve field verification of GHG emission models and scaling factors for commercial rice farms.