Immune response in breast cancer surgery. A comparative and prospective study of different anesthetic techniques.

INTRODUCTION: The main reason for high mortality in breast cancer is local recurrence and metastasis, despite surgery as the first therapeutic option. The anesthesia used in the operation room can determine the immune response. METHODS: A prospective, comparative and non- randomised study in patients undergoing breast cancer surgery was conducted in our hospital after obtaining approval from the Hospital's Institutional Review Board. Patients were divided in two groups: Group A received general anesthesia with propofol and opioids. Group B, in addition to general anesthesia, three interfascial blocks (Pec I, Pec II and BRILMA) were performed in all patients. Three blood samples were taken 1) previous anesthetic induction; 2) two hours after the end of the surgery and 3) 24-48 h after surgery. Leukocytes, CD3, CD4, CD8 and Natural Killer cells were determined at each time. RESULTS: 103 patients were included. 59 (group A) received general anesthesia and 54 (group B) general anesthesia and interfascial blocks. Regarding baseline characteristics, age was significantly higher in the group that received general anesthesia and mastectomy was more frequent in the group that received interfascial blocks. We observed after surgery an increase in leukocytes level that returns close to baseline levels. On the other hand, a reduction in the immune response was observed that also returns to the previous level 48 h after surgery. Group A and B get similar results and also subgroups of hormonal receptors (HER+, PR and/or ER+). CONCLUSIONS: Interfascial blocks in chest wall added to general anesthesia in breast cancer surgery has not shown a significant difference in the inflammatory response or immunological depression compared to general anesthesia as the only anesthetic technique. It seems to trend less immunological depression in the interfascial block group.

Risk of a Second Skin Cancer in a Cohort of Patients With Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer -Basal Cell Carcinoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Treated With Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A National Prospective Cohort Study. / Riesgo de aparición de segundas neoplasias cutáneas en una cohorte de pacientes diagnosticados de carcinoma queratinocítico (carcinoma basocelular y carcinoma epidermoide) tratados con cirugía de Mohs. Estudio de cohortes prospectivo nacional.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC)-ie, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-have an increased risk of developing a second skin cancer. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, incidence per 1000 person-years, and predictors of a second skin cancer in a cohort of patients with NMSC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study of a national cohort of patients with NMSC who underwent MMS at 22 Spanish hospitals between July 2013 and February 2020; case data were recorded in the REGESMOHS registry. The study variables included demographic characteristics, frequency and incidence per 1000 person-years of second skin cancers diagnosed during the study period, and risk factors identified using mixed-effects logistic regression. RESULTS: We analyzed data for 4768 patients who underwent MMS; 4397 (92%) had BCC and 371 (8%) had SCC. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years. Overall, 1201 patients (25%) developed a second skin cancer during follow-up; 1013 of the tumors were BCCs (21%), 154 were SCCs (3%), and 20 were melanomas (0.4%). The incidence was 107 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 101-113) for any cancer, 90 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 85-96) for BCC, 14 (95% CI, 12-16) per 1000 person-years for SCC, and 2 (95% CI, 1-3) per 1000 person-years for melanoma. More men than women developed a subsequent skin cancer (738 [61%] vs 463 [39%]). The main risk factors were a history of multiple tumors before diagnosis (relative risk [RR], 4.6; 95% CI, 2.9-7.1), immunosuppression (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4-3.1), and male sex (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1.9). CONCLUSION: Patients have an increased risk of developing a second tumor after MMS treatment of NMSC. Risk factors are a history of multiple tumors at diagnosis, immunosuppression, and male sex.

[Joubert syndrome and neurofibromatosis type 1]. / Síndrome de Joubert y neurofibromatosis de tipo 1.

TITLE: Síndrome de Joubert y neurofibromatosis de tipo 1.

Spiritual well-being, self-transcendence, and spiritual practices among Filipino women with breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The study was conducted in order to determine the relationship between spiritual well-being and self-transcendence and to identify the spiritual practices utilized by Filipino patients who are recovering from breast cancer. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study was used, and a purposive sampling technique was utilized to select the participants in the study. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and Pearson's r correlation. RESULTS: The study revealed that the overall mean score of the spiritual index of well-being among the participants was 4.41 (±0.54), while the mean score of self-transcendence was 3.64 (±0.50). The results showed that there was a significant relationship between spirituality and self-transcendence among Filipino women with breast cancer. SIGNIFICANCE OF RESULTS: Filipino women with breast cancer rely on their spirituality, which enables them to find meaning in their illness. Hence, assessing spirituality among this population group will enable nurses to provide holistic nursing care, as this can help them cope with the challenges associated with their illness.

Critical Care Nursing in the Philippines: Historical Past, Current Practices, and Future Directions.

This article provides a brief background on critical care nursing in the Philippines, its trend on current practice, and its implication and future direction. An overview is given on the milieu and processes inherent in the critical care unit with the intensive care unit setup taken as its exemplar. The roles and responsibilities of critical care nurses within these units and nature of common issues within their practice is explored. The need for training in communication skills, conflict resolution, and palliative care is implied for these nurses to fully fulfill their roles as collaborative clinician and active patient advocate.

Kidney Transplantation in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease After a Previous Lung Transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The development of chronic kidney disease is a common complication after a lung transplantation, especially since the introduction of immunosuppressive treatments based on calcineurin inhibitors. Many of these patients reach end-stage renal disease and even need renal replacement therapy. Among the different options of renal replacement therapy, we consider kidney transplantation as a feasible option for these patients. METHODS: A single center, observational retrospective study including 8 lung transplanted patients who have received a kidney transplant in the period between 2013 and 2017 with at least 1 year of follow-up was used. RESULTS: Seven patients maintained an adequate function of the graft 1 year after kidney transplantation, and 1 patient died because of a pulmonary condition in spite of a previous kidney transplant. Two patients presented delayed graft function in the first days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: The kidney transplantation is a technique of renal replacement therapy that should be considered in patients with previous lung transplantation. Experienced centers in double sequential lung and kidney transplantation should be established to assess and treat these types of patients.

Decision Aid for Trapeziometacarpal Arthritis: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

PURPOSE: Decision aids increase patient participation in decision making and reduce decision conflict. The goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of a decision aid prior to the appointment, upon decisional conflict measured immediately after the visit relative to usual care. We also evaluated other effects of the decision aid over time. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, we included 90 patients seeking the care of a hand surgeon for trapeziometacarpal (TMC) arthritis for the first time. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either usual care (an informational brochure) or an interactive Web-based decision aid. At enrollment, consult duration was recorded, and patients completed the following measures: (1) Decisional Conflict Scale; (2) Quick Disabilities of Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (QuickDASH); (3) pain intensity; (4) Physical Health Questionnaire (PHQ-2); (5) satisfaction with the visit; and (6) Consultation And Relational Empathy (CARE) scale. At 6 weeks and 6 months, patients completed: (1) pain intensity measure; (2) Decision Regret Scale; and (3) satisfaction with treatment. We also recorded changes in treatment and provider. RESULTS: Patients who reviewed the interactive decision aid prior to visiting their hand surgeon had less decisional conflict at the end of the visit. Other outcomes were not affected. CONCLUSIONS: Use of a decision aid prior to a first-time visit for TMC led to a measurable reduction in decision conflict. Decision aids make people seeking care for TMC arthritis more comfortable with their decision making. Future research might address the ability of decision aids to reduce surgeon-to-surgeon variation, resource utilization, and dissatisfaction with care CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Surgeons should consider the routine use of decision aids to reduce decision conflict.

Enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal: características de fenotipo y tratamiento en un hospital universitario de Bogotá, Colombia / Phenotypic characteristics and treatment of inflammatory bowel disease at a university hospital in Bogotá, Colombia

Resumen Introducción: la enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal (EII) (colitis ulcerativa [CU], enfermedad de Crohn [EC]) es una patología inflamatoria crónica y recurrente del tracto digestivo, de causa aún incierta. La incidencia y prevalencia de esta enfermedad están en aumento a nivel mundial, especialmente en los países en vías de desarrollo. Objetivo: describir las características del fenotipo y el tipo de tratamiento administrado a 165 pacientes con diagnóstico de EII que consultaron durante el período comprendido entre el 5 de julio del 2013 y el 31 de diciembre del 2016 en un hospital universitario de la ciudad de Bogotá, Colombia. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio descriptivo basado en frecuencias y proporciones de los pacientes con diagnóstico de EII atendidos en la Clínica Universitaria Colombia (Bogotá) entre el 5 de julio del 2013 y el 31 de diciembre del 2016. Resultados: el 75,8% de los casos correspondió a CU y el 24,2% a EC, con un leve predominio del sexo femenino en ambas (56% y 55%, respectivamente); la forma de presentación más frecuente de la CU fue la pancolitis en el 46,4%. Los pacientes con EC tuvieron un compromiso más frecuentemente ileocolónico (52,5%) e inflamatorio no estenosante ni fistulizante (60%), un mayor porcentaje de manifestaciones extraintestinales (35%), de uso de medicamentos biológicos (35%) y requirieron un mayor número de cirugías (27,5%) en comparación con los pacientes con CU.

Abstract Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) includes ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease which are chronic and recurrent inflammatory pathologies of the digestive tract whose causes are still uncertain. IBD's incidence and prevalence are increasing worldwide, especially in developing countries. Objectives: The objective of this study was to describe phenotypic characteristics and types of treatment of 165 patients diagnosed with IBD treated between July 5, 2013 and December 31, 2016 at a university hospital in Bogotá, Colombia. Methods: This is a descriptive study based on frequencies and proportions of patients diagnosed with IBD at the University Clinic Colombia in Bogotá between July 5, 2013 and December 31, 2016. Results: UC accounted for 75.8% of the cases while CD accounted for 24.2% of these cases. Women accounted for a slightly larger proportion of patients than did men: 56% of UC cases and 55% of CD cases. UC's most frequent form of presentation was pancolitis which was found 46.4% of the patients. Frequent forms of CD presentation were ileocolonic (52.5%) and inflammatory non-stenosing or fistulizing (60%). CD patients had a greater percentage of extraintestinal manifestations (35%), greater use of biological medications (35%) and required a greater number of surgeries (27.5%) than did UC patients.

Severe renal failure and thrombotic microangiopathy induced by malignant hypertension successfully treated with spironolactone.

Malignant hypertension can cause thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) characterized by hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. On the other hand, severe hypertension is sometimes associated with hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) or thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Distinguishing these entities is important because of therapeutic implications. Plasmapheresis should be initiated as soon as possible if we are dealing with TTP. We describe the case of a 30-year-old man referred to our hospital with malignant hypertension, severe renal failure and TMA: haemoglobin=9g/dL, total bilirubin=0.4mg/dL, haptoglobin≤10mg/dL, platelet count=59,000/µL and schistocytes on peripheral smear. He required initiation of hemodialysis. Additionally, we considered that the possible cause of TMA was malignant hypertension according to the presence of hypertensive retinopathy and thrombocytopenia which remitted only with blood pressure control, hence, plasmapheresis was not given. Renal function did not improve and the patient remained chronic hemodialysis. Intensive therapy for hypertension with a combination of antihypertensive drugs including spironolactone successfully lowered his blood pressure without developing hyperkalemia.

[Diabetic retinopathy screening programme in primary health care. Diagnostic concordance between family and eye care practitioners]. / Cribado de retinopatía diabética en atención primaria. Concordancia diagnóstica entre médicos de familia y oftalmólogos.

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic concordance in retinography interpretation between primary care and eye care practitioners and assess the soundness index of a diabetic retinography screening programme during its implementation stage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Descriptive, observational study was conducted on a sample of 243 patients with diabetes mellitus (type 1 and 2) over age 14, in 2 urban health care centers, gathered in an opportunistic manner between the dates of 21/07/2011 and 26/01/2012. A 45° digital bilateral retinography, intraocular pressure and visual acuity were obtained from each patient. The primary care practitioners prepared a report for each patient, which was telematically sent to the eye care doctor within the corresponding retinographies. A new diagnostic report was prepared then by the eye care doctor after revising the images. The lack of retinographies and/or reports were considered both as losses. The diagnostic concordance between the observers and the validity and reliability from the screening programme were estimated. RESULTS: The kappa value obtained was 0.62 (95% CI 0.42-0.82) and 0.89 PABAK. The following validity indexes were obtained: Sensitivity 68.8%, specificity 96.5%, positive and negative predictive values: 61.1 and 97.5%, respectively. A percentage of 57.2 of the patients were not observed any pathology requiring referral to a eye care doctor. CONCLUSIONS: The concordance value obtained varied between considerable and almost perfect, depending on the index used for the analysis (kappa/PABAK, respectively). It's worth highlighting that carrying out retinographies in the primary care centers enhances patient-treatment capacity of the primary care doctors and the patients accessibility to screening.

Protective effect of sulfurous water in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of Alzheimer's disease patients.

AIMS: One of the main features of sulfurous water (SW) is the presence of hydrogen sulfide (H2S), which confers its antioxidant activity. Since oxidative stress plays an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) we hypothesize that SW could have a protective effect in these patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A therapeutic in vitro approach of SW was performed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of AD patients and in age-matched healthy non-demented controls using one modification of the comet assay (to measure oxidative DNA damage) and the MTT assay (as an indicator of cell viability). Hydrogen peroxide and homocysteine were used to induce oxidative DNA damage, and vitamin C, Trolox and N-acetyl-cysteine were selected as antioxidants of reference to compare SW treatment results. KEY FINDINGS: SW did not increase per se the oxidative DNA damage of PBMC. Furthermore, SW protected them against enhanced oxidative stress in AD and control populations after pro-oxidant stimuli, with similar results to those observed when using the antioxidants of reference. Nevertheless, SW was the only treatment that could avoid the loss of viability of PBMC for all pro-oxidant stimuli in both populations, suggesting that H2S could confer to SW a more antioxidant capacity than other known antioxidants. SIGNIFICANCE: The protective effect of SW was proved for the first time not only in DNA stability but also in cell viability preservation in AD, indicating that further research in other in vitro and in vivo models could lead to include SW as a possible therapy for AD.

Expression of the basophil-specific antibodies 2D7 and BB1 in patients with cutaneous Mastocytosis.

BACKGROUND: 2D7 and BB1 are thought to be basophil-specific markers. In this study, we tested both antibodies in different skin and mast cell disorders with the aim of determining whether it was possible to differentiate between benign and aggressive presentations of mastocytosis. METHODS: Using the antibodies 2D7, BB1, and c-Kit, we performed an immunohistochemical study of skin biopsy specimens from patients with cutaneous mastocytosis (15 urticaria pigmentosa and telangiectatic macularis eruptive perstans) and liver or bone marrow biopsy specimens from patients with systemic mastocytosis. A basophil leukemia cell line was used as a reference. Peripheral blood basophils from healthy donors were used as controls. RESULTS: We observed intense expression of 2D7 and BB1 in all skin biopsy specimens from patients with cutaneous mastocytosis. Immunostaining of liver and bone marrow specimens from patients with systemic mastocytosis with 2D7 and BB1 antibodies was negative. Specimens from patients with either type of mastocytosis showed similarly strong expression of c-Kit. The basophil cell line showed a 2D7 and a BB1 profile, with intense expression of c-Kit. Peripheral blood basophils exhibited notable immunostaining for 2D7, BB1, and c-Kit. CONCLUSIONS: 2D7 and BB1 are expressed in cutaneous mastocytosis, although this expression is lost when mast cell proliferation is systemic, thus reflecting either a different cellular differentiation stage or the presence of basophils in these skin diseases.

[Validity and reliability of bladder ultrasound imaging for noninvasive estimation of urine volume in a major outpatient surgery department]. / Validez y fiabilidad de la ecografía vesical en la estimación no invasiva del volumen de orina en una Unidad de cirugía mayor ambulatoria.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the validity and reliability of bladder ultrasound imaging for noninvasive estimation of urine volume, residual volume after voiding, volume before anesthetic induction and after surgery, and volume on sensing an urge to void. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Study of a prospective series of 47 ASA 1-3 patients aged 18 to 79 years undergoing major outpatient surgical procedures under general anesthesia (n = 24) or regional anesthesia and sedation (n = 23). Urine volume was measured at baseline and on recovery (bladder volume by ultrasound and voided volume in a flask) and at the end of surgery (ultrasound only). The reliability and validity of the ultrasound estimation was calculated. RESULTS: Agreement (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]) between 4 ultrasound-image estimations at baseline and the measured amount collected in a flask ranged from 0.70 to 0.86. The inter- and intra-measurement reliability was high, with ICC values greater than 0.80. The median error of estimation by ultrasound, with respect to measurement in the flask, was 23% at baseline and 29% after recovery. The amount in the flask was greater. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound monitoring of urine in the bladder is reliable and valid, particularly for small volumes. The procedure is tolerated by patients.

[A case-control study of the influence of the smoking behaviour in multiple sclerosis]. / Estudio de casos y controles sobre la influencia del hábito tabáquico en la esclerosis múltiple.

INTRODUCTION: Several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that there is a genetic factor of susceptibility in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and that the environmental factors play an important important role in their development. Smoking is among the environment factors studied. In fact, several studies have established a relationship between smoking and multiple sclerosis, although most of them did not find significant results or found that these were contradictory. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of the smoking habit on the risk of suffering MS. METHODS: This was a case-control matched study with 138 patients diagnosed of MS according to the McDonald criteria who were paired with the same number of controls of the same gender, residents in the same city and having the same age +/-2 years. Demographic data, smoking status (never, always smokers, ex-smokers), Kurtzke disability status scale (EDSS) and type of MS were collected. RESULTS: Out of a total of 138 MS patients (93 women, 43 men), 110 had relapsing-remitting MS, 20 secondary progressive MS and 7 primary progressive MS. Most of the patients were smokers and ex-smokers (63%). In the control group, only the 41,3% were smokers/ex-smokers. Moreover, the age of onset for smoking was earlier in the case group. CONCLUSION: Being a smoker/ex-smoker implies a 27% greater risk of developing MS compared to those who have never smoked. This risk is statistically significant for women but not for men due to the low number of them in the sample.

Evaluation of preoperative expectations and patient satisfaction after carpal tunnel release.

PURPOSE: We tested the hypothesis that preoperative expectations affect postoperative satisfaction and arm-specific, self-reported health status after elective carpal tunnel release. METHODS: Forty-nine patients having elective carpal tunnel release completed questionnaires evaluating self-rated upper extremity-specific disability using the Disabilities of the Arm Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire, expectations regarding surgery (Preop Expectations Score), personal importance of upper-extremity function, measures of general optimism, the Life Orientation Test (LOT), as well as health-specific optimism, and the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control scale. Six months after surgery, patients completed a 10-point Likert scale to assess satisfaction, the DASH, and measures determining (1) fulfillment of expectations (Postop Met Expectations Score) and (2) relief of specific systems (Postop Help Score). RESULTS: The DASH scores decreased significantly from an average of 37 points before surgery to an average of 15 points 6 months after carpal tunnel release (p<.001), and patients rated their satisfaction (mean +/- standard deviation) as 8 +/- 3. Preoperative expectations did not correlate with patient satisfaction or postoperative DASH scores. Multivariable analyses determined that patient satisfaction was best predicted by fulfillment of expectations (Postop Help Score alone, accounting for 41% of the variance in scores) and postoperative DASH scores were predicted by a combination of Postop Met Expectations Score and the LOT score (accounting for 31% of the variance in scores). CONCLUSIONS: As measured in this study, the strongest predictor of satisfaction after carpal tunnel release was relief of symptoms, and the strongest predictors of postoperative disability were met expectations and optimism; however, the majority of the variance in postoperative satisfaction remains unexplained. TYPE OF STUDY/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Prognostic III.