Persistent Respiratory Failure and Re-Admission in Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Following Hospitalization for COVID-19.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been associated with worse clinical evolution/survival during a hospitalization for SARS-CoV2 (COVID-19). The objective of this study was to learn the situation of these patients at discharge as well as the risk of re-admission/mortality in the following 12 months. Methods: We carried out a subanalysis of the RECOVID registry. A multicenter, observational study that retrospectively collected data on severe acute COVID-19 episodes and follow-up visits for up to a year in survivors. The data collection protocol includes general demographic data, smoking, comorbidities, pharmacological treatment, infection severity, complications during hospitalization and required treatment. At discharge, resting oxygen saturation (SpO2), dyspnea according to the mMRC (modified Medical Research Council) scale and long-term oxygen therapy prescription were recorded. The follow-up database included the clinical management visits at 6 and 12 months, where re-admission and mortality were recorded. Results: A total of 2047 patients were included (5.6% had a COPD diagnosis). At discharge, patients with COPD had greater dyspnea and a greater need for prescription home oxygen. After adjusting for age, sex and Charlson comorbidity index, patients with COPD had a greater risk of hospital re-admission due to respiratory causes (HR 2.57 [1.35-4.89], p = 0.004), with no significant differences in survival. Conclusion: Patients with COPD who overcome a serious SARS-CoV2 infection show a worse clinical situation at discharge and a greater risk of re-admission for respiratory causes.

Residual pulmonary infiltrates, symptoms and diffusion impairment at 1-year after severe COVID-19 infection have different associated factors.

INTRODUCTION: After severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pneumonia, patients may show lung sequelae on radiology and functional impairment at the 1-year follow-up. We aimed to describe the persistence of symptoms, radiological alterations, or reduced diffusing capacity of the lung for carbon monoxide (DLCO ) at 1-year follow-up in patients from the Spanish Registry RECOVID. METHODS: RECOVID collected symptom and radiological and functional lung tests data on hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 during the acute phase and at the 6- and 12-month follow-up visits. RESULTS: Of the 2500 enrolled survivors (90% admitted to the ward), 1874 had follow-up visits for up to a year. Of these, 42% continued to present with symptoms, 27% had radiological sequelae and 31% had reduced DLCO . Independently associated factors included female sex, asthma and the requirement for invasive or non-invasive mechanical ventilation. Complete radiological resolution was 72.2% at 12 months; associated factors with incomplete recovery were age, male sex, oxygen or respiratory support, corticosteroids and an initial SpO2 /FiO2 <450 or CURB-65 ≥2. Reduced DLCO was observed in 31% of patients at 12 months; associated factors were older age, female sex, smoking habit, SpO2 /FiO2 <450 and CURB-65 ≥2 and the requirement of respiratory support.At 12 months, a proportion of the asymptomatic patients showed reduced DLCO (9.5%), radiological findings (25%) or both (11%). CONCLUSIONS: The factors associated with symptom persistence, incomplete radiological resolution and DLCO <80% differed according to age, sex, comorbidities and respiratory support. The burden of symptoms, reduced DLCO and incomplete radiological resolution were considerable in patients with SARS-CoV-2 pneumonia at the 1-year follow-up after hospitalisation.

Bacterial co-infection at hospital admission in patients with COVID-19.

OBJECTIVES: We described the current incidence and risk factors of bacterial co-infection in hospitalized patients with COVID-19. METHODS: Observational cohort study was performed at the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona (February 2020-February 2021). All patients with COVID-19 who were admitted for >48 hours with microbiological sample collection and procalcitonin (PCT) determination within the first 48 hours were included. RESULTS: A total of 1125 consecutive adults met inclusion criteria. Co-infections were microbiologically documented in 102 (9.1%) patients. Most frequent microorganisms were Streptococcus pneumoniae (79%), Staphylococcus aureus (6.8%), and Haemophilus influenzae (6.8%). Test positivity was 1% (8/803) for blood cultures, 10.1% (79/780) for pneumococcal urinary antigen test, and 11.4% (15/132) for sputum culture. Patients with PCT higher than 0.2, 0.5, 1, and 2 ng/mL had significantly more co-infections than those with lower levels (p=0.017, p=0.031, p<0.001, and p<0.001, respectively). In multivariate analysis, oxygen saturation ≤94% (OR 2.47, CI 1.57-3.86), ferritin levels <338 ng/mL (OR 2.63, CI 1.69-4.07), and PCT higher than 0.2 ng/mL (OR 1.74, CI 1.11-2.72) were independent risk factors for co-infection at hospital admission owing to COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Bacterial co-infection in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 is relatively common. However, clinicians could spare antibiotics in patients with PCT values <0.2, especially with high ferritin values and oxygen saturation >94%.

Impact of Inflammatory Response Modifiers on the Incidence of Hospital-Acquired Infections in Patients with COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: The study aim was to assess the influence of inflammatory response modifiers, including anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) biologics and corticosteroids, on the incidence of hospital-acquired infections in patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Case-control study performed at a university hospital from February 26 to May 26, 2020. Cases were defined as patients with COVID-19 who developed hospital-acquired infections. For each case, two controls were selected among patients without infections. Cases and controls were matched obeying three criteria in a hierarchical sequence: length of hospital stay up until the first infection; comorbidity; and need for Intensive care unit (ICU) admission. Conditional logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the association of exposures with being a case. RESULTS: A total of 71 cases and 142 controls were included. Independent predictors for acquiring a hospital infection were chronic liver disease [odds ratio (OR) 16.56, 95% CI 1.87-146.5, p = 0.012], morbid obesity (OR 6.11, 95% CI 1.06-35.4, p = 0.043), current or past smoking (OR 4.15, 95% CI 1.45-11.88, p = 0.008), exposure to hydroxychloroquine (OR 0.2, 95% CI 0.041-1, p = 0.053), and invasive mechanical ventilation (OR 61.5, 95% CI 11.08-341, p ≤ 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Inflammatory response modifiers had no influence on acquisition of nosocomial infections in admitted patients with COVID-19. Hospital-acquired infections primarily occurred in the critically ill and invasive mechanical ventilation was the main exposure conferring risk.

Changing epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections in neutropenic oncohematological patients.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to describe the epidemiology of catheter-related bloodstream infections (CRBSIs) in onco-hematological neutropenic patients during a 25-year study period, to evaluate the risk factors for Gram-negative bacilli (GNB) CRBSI, as well as rates of inappropriate empirical antibiotic treatments (IEAT) and mortality. MATERIALS/METHODS: All consecutive episodes of CRBSIs were prospectively collected (1994-2018). Changing epidemiology was evaluated comparing five-year time spans. A multivariate regression model was built to evaluate risk factors for GNB CRBSIs. RESULTS: 482 monomicrobial CRBSIs were documented. The proportion of CRBSIs among all BSIs decreased over time from 41.2% to 15.8% (p<0.001). CRBSIs epidemiology has been changing: the rate of GNB increased over time (from 11.9% to 29.4%; p<0.001), as well as the absolute number and rate of multidrug-resistant (MDR) GNB (from 9.5% to 40.0%; p = 0.039). P. aeruginosa increased and comprised up to 40% of all GNB. Independent factors related with GNB-CRBSIs were: longer duration of in-situ catheter (OR 1.007; 95%CI 1.004-1.011), older age (OR 1.016; 95%CI 1.001-1.033), prior antibiotic treatment with penicillins (OR 2.716; 95%CI 1.306-5.403), and current antibiotic treatment with glycopeptides (OR 1.931; 95%CI 1.001-3.306). IEATs were administered to 30.7% of patients, with the highest percentage among MDR P. aeruginosa (76.9%) and S. maltophillia (92.9%). Mortality rate was greater among GNB than GPC-CRBSI (14.4% vs 5.4%; p = 0.002), with mortality increasing over time (from 4.5% to 11.2%; p = 0.003). CONCLUSION: A significant shift towards GNB-CRBSIs was observed. Secondarily, and coinciding with an increasing number of GNB-MDR infections, mortality increased over time.

Risk Factors for Mortality in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients with Bloodstream Infection: Points To Be Addressed by Future Guidelines.

In recent years, important epidemiologic changes have been described in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) recipients with bloodstream infection (BSI), with increases in gram-negative bacilli and multidrug resistant (MDR) gram-negative bacilli. These changes have been linked to a worrisome increase in mortality. We aimed to define the risk factors for mortality of HSCT patients experiencing BSI. All episodes of BSI in patients with HSCT between 2008 and 2017 were prospectively collected. Multivariate analyses were performed. A total of 402 BSI episodes were documented in 293 patients who had undergone HSCT (75.4% allogenic, 32.3% autologous, 19.3% second HSCT). The median time from HSCT to BSI was 62 days (interquartile range, 9 to 182 days). Gram-positive cocci accounted for 56.7% of the episodes; gram-negative bacilli, for 42%. The most common microorganisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci (30.6%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (15.9%). MDR gram-negative bacilli caused 11.9% of all episodes. Clinical characteristics, source of BSI, etiology, and outcomes changed depending on time since HSCT. Globally, 26.6% of episodes were treated with inappropriate empiric antibiotic therapy, more frequently in BSI episodes caused by P. aeruginosa, MDR P. aeruginosa, and MDR gram-negative bacilli. The 30-day mortality was 19.2%. Independent risk factors for mortality were BSI occurring ≥30 days after HSCT (odds ratio [OR], 11.21; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.63 to 27.19), shock (OR, 7.10; 95% CI, 2.98 to 16.94), BSI caused by MDR P. aeruginosa (OR, 4.45; 95% CI, 1.12 to 17.72), and inappropriate empiric antibiotic therapy for gram-negative bacilli or Candida spp. (OR, 3.73; 95% CI, 1.27 to 10.89). HSCT recipients experiencing BSI have high mortality related to host and procedure factors, causative microorganism, and empiric antibiotic therapy. Strategies to identify HSCT recipients at risk of MDR P. aeruginosa and reducing inappropriate empiric antibiotic therapy are paramount to reduce mortality.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcome of Bloodstream Infections in HIV-Infected Patients with Cancer and Febrile Neutropenia: A Case-Control Study.

INTRODUCTION: We aimed to compare the clinical characteristics and outcomes of bloodstream infections (BSI) in cancer patients presenting febrile neutropenia with and without HIV infection, and analyze the prognostic factors for mortality. METHODS: BSI episodes in febrile neutropenic patients following chemotherapy were prospectively collected (1997-2018). A case (HIV-infected)-control (non-HIV-infected) sub-analysis was performed (1:2 ratio), matching patients by age, gender, baseline disease, and etiological microorganism. RESULTS: From 1755 BSI episodes in neutropenic cancer patients, 60 (3.4%) occurred in those with HIV. HIV characteristics: 51.7% were men who have sex with men; 58.3% had < 200 CD4; 51.7% had a detectable HIV-1 RNA viral load before the BSI episode; 70.0% met AIDS-defining criteria; and 93.3% were on antiretroviral therapy, with a protease inhibitor-based regimen being the most common (53.0%). HIV-infected patients were younger, more frequently male and more commonly presenting chronic liver disease (p < 0.001 for all). BSI due to Enterococcus spp. was significantly more frequent among patients with HIV (p = 0.017) with no differences in other pathogens. HIV-infected patients with cancer presented with shock more frequently (p = 0.014) and had higher mortality (31.7% vs. 18.1%, p = 0.008). In the case-control analysis, cases (HIV-infected) had chronic liver disease (p = 0.003) more frequently, whereas acute leukemia (p = 0.013) and hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (p = 0.023) were more common among controls. There was a non-significant trend for cases to have higher mortality (p = 0.084). However, in multivariate analysis, HIV infection was not associated with mortality (p = 0.196). CONCLUSION: HIV-infected patients with cancer developing febrile neutropenia and BSI have different epidemiological and clinical profiles, and experience higher mortality. However, HIV infection by itself was not associated with mortality.

Self-management interventions for adults living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): The development of a Core Outcome Set for COMPAR-EU project.

BACKGROUND: A large body of evidence suggests that self-management interventions (SMIs) may improve outcomes in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, accurate comparisons of the relative effectiveness of SMIs are challenging, partly due to heterogeneity of outcomes across trials and uncertainty about the importance of these outcomes for patients. We aimed to develop a core set of patient-relevant outcomes (COS) for SMIs trials to enhance comparability of interventions and ensure person-centred care. METHODS: We undertook an innovative approach consisting of four interlinked stages: i) Development of an initial catalogue of outcomes from previous EU-funded projects and/or published studies, ii) Scoping review of reviews on patients and caregivers' perspectives to identify outcomes of interest, iii) Two-round Delphi online survey with patients and patient representatives to rate the importance of outcomes, and iv) Face-to-face consensus workshop with patients, patient representatives, health professionals and researchers to develop the COS. RESULTS: From an initial list of 79 potential outcomes, 16 were included in the COS plus one supplementary outcome relevant to all participants. These were related to patient and caregiver knowledge/competence, self-efficacy, patient activation, self-monitoring, adherence, smoking cessation, COPD symptoms, physical activity, sleep quality, caregiver quality of life, activities of daily living, coping with the disease, participation and decision-making, emergency room visits/admissions and cost effectiveness. CONCLUSION: The development of the COPD COS for the evaluation of SMIs will increase consistency in the measurement and reporting of outcomes across trials. It will also contribute to more personalized health care and more informed health decisions in clinical practice as patients' preferences regarding COPD outcomes are more systematically included.

Comparación de inmunoexpresión de receptores CD68 en células gigantes y mononucleadas en lesiones central y periférica de células gigantes de los maxilares / A comparison of immunoexpression of CD68 receptors in giant cell and mononuclear cells of central and peripheral giant cell lesions of the jaws

Introducción: La lesión central (LCCG) y periférica (LPCG) de células gigantes de los maxilares, son lesiones reactivas con comportamiento clínico diferente. Objetivo: Comparar la inmunoexpresión de CD68 en células gigantes (CGm) mononucleares (CMn) en lesiones central y periférica de los maxilares. Material y métodos: Se evaluaron 35 casos de LCCG y 24 de LPCG en bloques de parafi na que podían ser procesadas para la expresión del anticuerpo CD68. La inmunoexpresión se valoró en el citoplasma de ambas poblaciones celulares, obteniendo proporciones; la inmunoexpresión se categorizó en intensa, moderada, leve. Las proporciones se compararon con χ2, siendo signifi cativo p ≤ 0.05. Resultados: Para las CGm de LCCG, CD68 se expresó en una proporción de 96 versus 84.2% LPCG (p < 0.005). La proporción de la tinción de la expresión intensa y moderada fue más frecuente en las LCCG (p = 0.032). Las proporciones entre las CMn 59.3% LCCG versus 18.6% en la LPCG (p < 0.001). Hubo diferencia en intensidad de CD68, en las CMn de LCCG fue mayor (p = 0.002). Conclusiones: La alta expresión de CD68 en las CGM y CMn en la lesión central y periférica confi rma su fenotipo de macrófago. Las diferencias entre las proporciones y la tinción a CD68 refl eja mayor actividad fagocítica posiblemente relacionada con el comportamiento clínico (AU)

Introduction: Central (CGCL) and Peripheral (PGCL) giant cell lesions of jaws are reactive lesions displaying diff erent behavior patterns. Objective: To compare CD68 immunoexpression between CGCL and PCGL in giant multinucleated and mononuclear cells. Material and methods: 35 CGCL and 24 PGCL were retrieved from paraffi n-embedded biopsy, as well as the feasibility to analyze CD68 immunoexpression. The immunoexpression was analyzed in cytoplasm both cell populations cellular, for and staining intensity was categorized as intense, moderate or faint. Proportions were compared by χ2, making a p ≤ 0.05 value signifi cate. Results: In 96% of CGCL's in GMCs displayed CD68, as compared to 84.2% in PGCL, (p < 0.005). The proportion of stained cells, intense to moderate staining was more frequent in CGCL (p = 0.032). The proportion CD68 was expressed in 59.3% or CGCL mononuclear cells, as compared to 18.6% in PGCL, (p < 0.001). There was diff erence in staining CD68 intensity between mononuclear cells in CGCL, (p = 0.002). Conclusions: The high CD68 expression frequency in GMCs and mononuclear cells in central and peripheral GCL confi rm a macrophage phenotype; a more intense staining in CGML and GMCs suggests a more active phagocytic activity, and possibility underline the diff erent clinical behavior (AU)

Frecuencia y caracterización de Staphylococcus spp. en la mucosa bucal de pacientes diabéticos y no diabéticos / Frequency and characterization of Staphylococcus spp. in the buccal mucosa of diabetic and non-di

Antecedentes: Dentro de la gran diversidad de microorganismos en la microbiota oral, el género Staphylococcus es causante de una gran variedad de infecciones, desde leves hasta diseminadas que pueden causar la muerte. Los portadores de estas bacterias tienen más riesgo de presentar infecciones por estas mismas. Un grupo vulnerable de sufrir infecciones por estos microorganismos son los pacientes diabéticos por sus características sistémicas propias de la enfermedad, deterioro inmunológico y locales bucales, por lo que es importante conocer si son portadoras de este grupo de bacterias. Objetivo: Determinar la frecuencia de colonización por Staphylococcus spp. en aislamientos obtenidos de la mucosa bucal de pacientes diabéticos y sin diabetes. Material y métodos: Se tomó un raspado superficial de la mucosa bucal de personas diabéticas y sin diabetes para cultivo y análisis microbiológico. Se sembró en agar sal manitol y los aislados se identificaron por galerías API Staph. La concentración de glucosa se determinó con equipo Accu-Chek. El análisis fue descriptivo, las diferencias y asociaciones se investigaron con χ2 y T Student. Se consideró estadísticamente significativo cuando el valor de p < 0.05. Resultados: La colonización por Staphylococcus spp. total fue de 73.7%, no hubo diferencia significativa entre diabéticos y no diabéticos (p = 0.946). S. epidermidis se identificó en 69% y S. aureus en 17.6%, sin diferencia entre ambos grupos con p = 0.556 y p = 0.428 respectivamente. Setenta y seis por ciento de los pacientes portadores de prótesis bucales estaban colonizados con Staphylococcus spp. Conclusiones: No se encontró que los pacientes diabéticos tuvieran porcentajes significativamente mayores de colonización por Staphylococcus spp. a pesar de sus condiciones particulares inmunológicas, glucemia anormal y disminución de flujo salival en la cavidad bucal (AU)

Background: Within the great diversity of microorganisms in the buccal microbiota, the genus Staphylococcus is the cause of a great variety of infections ranging from mild to disseminated, which can cause death. The carriers of these bacteria are more at risk of developing infections by themselves. A vulnerable group to suffer infections by these microorganisms are diabetic patients due to their systemic characteristics of the disease, immunological deterioration and local buccal, so it is important to know if they are carriers of this group of bacteria. Objective: The objective was determined the frequency of colonization by Staphylococcus spp. in isolates obtained from the oral mucosa of diabetic and without diabetes patients. Material and methods: A superficial scraping of the buccal mucosa of diabetic and without diabetes people was taken for culture and microbiological analysis. It was seeded in sal manitol agar and the isolates were identified by API Staph galleries. The glucose concentration was determined with Accu-Chek equipment. The analysis was descriptive, differences and associations were investigated with χ2 and Student T. It was considered statistically significant when the value of p < 0.05. Results: Total colonization by Staphylococcus spp. was 73.7%, there was no significant difference between diabetics and nondiabetics (p = 0.946). S. epidermidis was identified in 69% and S. aureus in 17.6%, without difference between both groups with p = 0.556 and p = 0.428 respectively. 76% of patients with oral prostheses were colonized with Staphylococcus spp. Conclusions: Diabetic patients were not found to have significantly higher rates of colonization by Staphylococcus spp. despite their particular immunological conditions, abnormal glycemia and decreased salivary flow in the oral cavity (AU)

Current evidence in the stability of medicines in dose administration aids: implications for patient safety.

INTRODUCTION: As the elderly population and polypharmacy are increasing, it is predicted that interventions to enhance medication adherence, as dose administration aids (DAA), will grow. One of the limitations of repackaging medicines into DAA is to assure the stability of medicines, and, therefore, their quality, efficacy and safety. AREAS COVERED: This article collects and summarises data of all the stability studies of repackaged medicines into DAAs. Computerized search in databases: PubMed, Google Scholar, SciELO, and reference texts related to the field (keywords: drug stability, DAAs, compliance aids, and repackaging), open access databases and guidelines. Also, it provides recommendations on the suitability of repackaging and compares them with those established. EXPERT OPINION: Since medicines are removed from primary package, their stability can be compromised due to psychochemical characteristics of the drug substance and product, the dosage form, the type of DAA selected, the co-storage and splitting, the repackaging conditions, and the conditions of storage. This review reflects the need of more standardized stability studies to guarantee the quality of repackaged medicines. In addition, the importance of them to support the pharmacist to make the best decisions in order to maximize outcomes and minimize risks related to patients' medication when repackaging it.

Achieving Health Equity Through Community Engagement in Translating Evidence to Policy: The San Francisco Health Improvement Partnership, 2010-2016.

BACKGROUND: The San Francisco Health Improvement Partnership (SFHIP) promotes health equity by using a novel collective impact model that blends community engagement with evidence-to-policy translational science. The model involves diverse stakeholders, including ethnic-based community health equity coalitions, the local public health department, hospitals and health systems, a health sciences university, a school district, the faith community, and others sectors. COMMUNITY CONTEXT: We report on 3 SFHIP prevention initiatives: reducing consumption of sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs), regulating retail alcohol sales, and eliminating disparities in children's oral health. METHODS: SFHIP is governed by a steering committee. Partnership working groups for each initiative collaborate to 1) develop and implement action plans emphasizing feasible, scalable, translational-science-informed interventions and 2) consider sustainability early in the planning process by including policy and structural interventions. OUTCOME: Through SFHIP's efforts, San Francisco enacted ordinances regulating sale and advertising of SSBs and a ballot measure establishing a soda tax. Most San Francisco hospitals implemented or committed to implementing healthy-beverage policies that prohibited serving or selling SSBs. SFHIP helped prevent Starbucks and Taco Bell from receiving alcohol licenses in San Francisco and helped prevent state authorization of sale of powdered alcohol. SFHIP increased the number of primary care clinics providing fluoride varnish at routine well-child visits from 3 to 14 and acquired a state waiver to allow dental clinics to be paid for dental services delivered in schools. INTERPRETATION: The SFHIP model of collective impact emphasizing community engagement and policy change accomplished many of its intermediate goals to create an environment promoting health and health equity.

Vitamin C uncouples the Warburg metabolic switch in KRAS mutant colon cancer.

KRAS mutation is often present in many hard-to-treat tumors such as colon and pancreatic cancer and it is tightly linked to serious alterations in the normal cell metabolism and clinical resistance to chemotherapy.In 1931, the winner of the Nobel Prize in Medicine, Otto Warburg, stated that cancer was primarily caused by altered metabolism interfering with energy processing in the normal cell. Increased cell glycolytic rates even in the presence of oxygen is fully recognized as a hallmark in cancer and known as the Warburg effect.In the late 1970's, Linus Pauling and Ewan Cameron reported that vitamin C may have positive effects in cancer treatment, although deep mechanistic knowledge about this activity is still scarce.We describe a novel antitumoral mechanism of vitamin C in KRAS mutant colorectal cancer that involves the Warburg metabolic disruption through downregulation of key metabolic checkpoints in KRAS mutant cancer cells and tumors without killing human immortalized colonocytes.Vitamin C induces RAS detachment from the cell membrane inhibiting ERK 1/2 and PKM2 phosphorylation. As a consequence of this activity, strong downregulation of the glucose transporter (GLUT-1) and pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)-PTB dependent protein expression are observed causing a major blockage of the Warburg effect and therefore energetic stress.We propose a combination of conventional chemotherapy with metabolic strategies, including vitamin C and/or other molecules targeting pivotal key players involved in the Warburg effect which may constitute a new horizon in anti-cancer therapies.

Immunohistochemical expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin and glucocorticoid and calcitonin receptors in central giant-cell lesions.

BACKGROUND: Central giant-cell lesions (CGCLs) are reactive lesions that consist histologically of spindle-shaped stromal cells, (fibroblasts and myofibroblasts) loosely arranged in a fibrous stroma, multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear cells with haemorrhagic areas. This study identified the immunoexpression of alpha-smooth muscle actin in spindle-shaped stromal cells, and glucocorticoid and calcitonin receptors in multinucleated giant cells and mononuclear cells. Their association with the clinical and radiographic characteristics of these lesions was identified. METHODS: Thirty-five cases of CGCLs were studied. Expression of alpha-smooth muscle actin, glucocorticoid and calcitonin was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. The labelling index was 100 times the quotient of the number of positive cells divided by the total number of cells of each type. Logistic regression analysis was applied. RESULTS: Alpha-smooth muscle actin was positive (54%) for spindle stromal cells (myofibroblasts). A significant association was observed with root resorption (P = 0.004) and cortical bone destruction (P = 0.024). Glucocorticoid immunoexpression was positive for 99% of the giant cells and 86.7% of the mononuclear cells. Glucocorticoid immunoexpression in the mononuclear cells was associated with root resorption (P = 0.031). A longer evolution time was associated with lower immunoexpression of glucocorticoid (OR 12.4: P = 0.047). Calcitonin immunoexpression was positive in 86% of the giant cells. Immunoexpression of calcitonin was associated with age (P = 0.040). CONCLUSIONS: Myofibroblasts are important components of CGCLs, stromal cells and alpha-smooth muscle. Actin immunoexpression was associated with root and cortical bone resorption.

[Oral lesions associated to immunosuppression in kidney transplant patients]. / Lesiones bucales asociadas a inmunosupresión en pacientes con trasplante renal.

BACKGROUND: The use of immunosuppresive drugs in patients with kidney transplantation (KT) could influence the development of oral lesions (OL). The aim of this study was to establish the OL prevalence in a group of KT patients, and explore some possible associations of their presence. METHODS: Cross-sectional study. We examined the oral mucosa (OM) of 190 KT patients searching for OL. Our findings were analyzed by multiple logistic regression, and possible associations between OLs and several variables (demographic, clinical, of immunosuppressor drugs, and of lab results) were explored. RESULTS: Overall OL prevalence was 28.4 %; 15.8 % had oral candidiasis (which was more prevalent in diabetic cases, p = 0.002), herpes simplex 7.4 %, hairy leukoplakia 5.3 %, oral verruca vulgaris 3.7 %, and OM ulcers 2.6 %. The combination of cyclosporin A + azathioprine + prednisone had the highest OL prevalence. Hairy leukoplakia was related to a lower total leukocyte count, p = 0.006, and oral verruca vulgaris to a cadaveric KT donor. CONCLUSIONS: Oral candidiasis was the most prevalent OL, and it was more prevalent in diabetic cases. The association of hairy leukoplakia to a lower total leukocyte count might agree with previous reports classifying it as an immunosuppression marker.

Introducción: el uso de medicamentos inmunosupresores en pacientes con trasplante renal (TR) predispone el desarrollo lesiones bucales (LB) asociadas a inmunosupresión. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la prevalencia de LB en un grupo de pacientes con TR y explorar algunas posibles asociaciones de presencia. Métodos: estudio transversal en el que se examinó la mucosa bucal de 190 pacientes con TR, en búsqueda de LB. Los hallazgos se analizaron mediante regresión logística múltiple y se exploraron posibles asociaciones entre las LB y variables demográficas, clínicas, de los medicamentos inmunosupresores, y de laboratorio. Resultados: la prevalencia de LB fue de 28.4 %; la candidiasis bucal (CB), con 15.8 %, fue más frecuente en diabéticos (p = 0.002); el herpes simple 7.4 %; la leucoplasia vellosa 5.3 %; las verrugas vulgares peribucales 3.7 %, y las úlceras 2.6 %. La combinación de ciclosporina A + azatioprina + prednisona tuvo la mayor frecuencia de LB. La leucoplasia vellosa se asoció a una cifra más baja de leucocitos totales (p = 0.006) y las verrugas peribucales a TR de donador cadavérico. Conclusión: la LB más frecuente fue la CB, la cual fue más frecuente en diabéticos. La asociación de leucoplasia vellosa con una cuenta más baja de leucocitos concuerda con su clasificación previa como marcador de inmunosupresión.

Efeito da cinesioterapia na lesão isquêmica e reperfusão em ratos / Effects of kinesiotherapy in ischemic lesion and reperfusion in rats

OBJETIVO: Verificar o efeito da cinesioterapia na funcionalidade do membro pélvico de ratos após lesão isquêmica e reperfusão. MÉTODOS: Foram utilizados 10 ratos, divididos em dois grupos, GI (controle) e GII (cinesioterapia). Todos os animais foram submetidos à isquemia por um período de três horas, seguido de reperfusão tecidual. No Grupo GII foi realizado cinesioterapia sistêmica (natação) não resistida em três sessões semanais de 50 minutos durante quatro semanas, enquanto que no grupo GI os animais permaneceram em repouso. A análise funcional do comportamento motor foi realizada semanalmente. Posteriormente, os animais foram mortos e retirados os músculos sóleo, gastrocnêmio e nervo ciático para análise histopatológica. RESULTADOS: Houve uma recuperação significativa do comportamento motor com o tratamento cinesioterapêutico ao longo das quatro semanas de tratamento. No entanto, na avaliação histológica os tecidos não mostraram alterações morfológicas de lesão e reparação celular. CONCLUSÃO: Não foi possível afirmar que o exercício mostrou-se eficiente na reparação celular, pois, tanto no grupo controle como no experimental, não apresentou diferença histológica. Por outro lado, a cinesioterapia sistêmica apresentou um efeito benéfico na reabilitação funcional após isquemia e reperfusão. Nível de Evidência III, Estudo Caso-Controle.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of kinesiotherapy on the functionality of the pelvic limb of rats after ischemic and reperfusion injury. METHODS: 10 rats were divided into two groups, GI (control) and GII (kinesiotherapy). All the animals underwent ischemia for a period of three hours, followed by tissue reperfusion. In Group GII, non-resistive systemic kinesiotherapy was performed (swimming) in three weekly sessions of 50 minutes, over a period of four weeks, while the GI animals remained at rest. Functional analysis of motor behavior was evaluated weekly. The animals were then sacrificed, and the soleus, gastrocnemius and sciatic nerve removed for histopathological analysis. RESULTS: There was a significant recovery of motor behavior with kinesiotherapeutic treatment during the four weeks of treatment. However, the histological tissues showed no morphological changes of cell injury and repair. CONCLUSION: It was not possible to affirm that the exercise was effective in cell repair, because neither of the groups (control and experimental) showed any histological difference. On the other hand, systemic kinesiotherapy showed a beneficial effect on functional rehabilitation after ischemia and reperfusion. Level of evidence III, Case-Control Study.

Decisiones médicas al final de la vida de los niños / Medical decisions at the end of a child's life

Se presentan los conceptos generales sobre la fase terminal de las enfermedades en los niños, el abordaje terapéutico que se realiza en una institución de tercer nivel de atención, la forma en que se proporcionan las malas noticias a los padres y niños, los aspectos bioéticos y el apoyo médico, emocional y espiritual que se requiere en esta compleja situación.

This paper presents the general concepts regarding the terminal phase of a child's illness and the therapeutic approach undertaken at a third-level care institution. We discuss how this information is transmitted to parents and children along with the bioethical aspects and the medical, emotional and spiritual support required during this complex situation.

Graft-versus-host disease, an eight case report and literature review.

UNLABELLED: Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a common complication in bone marrow transplant (BMT) patients. It is characterized by systemic and oral cavity alterations. Depending on the timing of lesions, GVHD is classified as acute or chronic. Alterations in the oral cavity are lichenoid reticular lesions, erythema, ulcerations, and xerostomia. Sporadically, mucocele and pyogenic granulomas can be present. AIM: To describe GVHD oral manifestations in eight allogenic BMT patients, and discuss GVHD and drug-immunosuppresion associated lesions diagnosis and treatment. STUDY DESIGN: For a year, we examined the oral mucosa of eight consecutive allogenic BMT patients attending the Dermatology out-patient clinic at the Instituto Nacional de Cancerologia (National Institute of Oncology) in Mexico City, looking for oral mucosa lesions. RESULTS: Patients were five men and three women, ages 24.8 -/+ 9.7 years. Four had a BMT because of chronic granulocytic, two for acute myeloblastic, one for acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and one for aplastic anemia. Three patients developed acute GVHD, with reticular oral mucosa lesions, erythema and mucositis; and all eight developed chronic GVHD, with reticular oral lesions, erythema, and ulcerations. A Patient had tongue and cheek pyogenic granulomas. Six reported xerostomia. Other oral lesions, associated to drug-immunosuppression, were candidiasis and herpes simplex. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with GVHD frequently develop oral lesions, some of which interfere with normal feeding; timely diagnosis and treatment are therefore essential to improve the quality of life of affected patients. We propose an alternative treatment for pyogenic granulomas.

Oral lesions in a group of kidney transplant patients.

AIM: To assess the prevalence of oral mucosa lesions (OL) in a group of kidney transplant (KT) patients, and analyze possible OL associations with one another and with drugs use and relevant clinical and laboratory variables. METHODOLOGY: Transversal study, in which consecutive KT patients from the nephrology outpatient service at a General Zonal Hospital were examined. The prevalence of several types of OL was assessed, and their possible statistical associations with one another and total leukocyte count, renal function, the simplified oral hygiene index (S-OHI), cyclosporin-A (CsA) dose and blood levels, and nifedipine use was analyzed. A logistic regression model was used to analyze the association between gingival hyperplasia (GH) and CsA dose and nifedipine use. RESULTS: Fifty (55.6%) men and forty (44.4%) women were studied. Sixty percent of the patients had at least one OL. Oral candidiasis (OC) was found in 18.7%; 13% had lesions clinically compatible with hairy leukoplakia (CHL). An association was found between OC and CHL (P<0.05). Saburral tongue (ST) was found in 22% of the patients and gingival hyperplasia (GH) in 49%, which was distributed as follows: Grade 1 in 11 (12.2%); Grade 2 in 26 (28.9%), and Grade 3 in 7 (7.8%). Logistic regression results showed an association between GH and poor oral hygiene (P< 0.001), but not to either CsA dose or blood levels, or nifedipine use (P=0.075). CONCLUSION: Sixty percent of the KT patients had at least one OL. The association between GH and poor oral hygiene corroborate the need for oral hygiene practices supervision in the transplant patient.

Manifestaciones bucales en pacientes VIH-positivos en la ciudad de México: informe preliminar / Oral manifestations in HIV-positive patients in Mexico city: a preliminary report

Informe preliminar que describe las manifestaciones bucales encontradas en 54 pacientes VIH-positivos examinados en la clínica de SIDA del INNSZ, de los cuales 46 (85 por ciento) se encontraban en estadio avanzado de la infección (CDC-IV) y 8 (15 por ciento) en estadios tempranos (CDC-II y III). El 81 por ciento de los individuos examinados presentaron una o varias lesiones bucales. La candidosis bucal (46 por ciento) y la leucoplasia vellosa (35 por ciento) fueron las más frecuentes. La candidosis eritematosa se observó con mayor frecuencia (31 por ciento) que el tipo paseudomembranosa (15 por ciento): asimismo la primera se observó asociada a estadios tempranos y la segunda a etapas tardías de la infección. La frecuencia de leucoplasia vellosa se observó aumentada en el grupo CDC-IV. Si bien el presente trabajo es tan sólo un informe preliminar, cabe afirmar que las manifestaciones bucales son frecuentes en pacientes en etapas tempranas y tardías de la infección por VIH