Patient-reported outcomes before treatment for localized prostate cancer: are there differences among countries? Data from the True North Global Registry.

INTRODUCTION: Similar Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) at diagnosis for localized prostate cancer among countries may indicate that different treatments are recommended to the same profile of patients, regardless the context characteristics (health systems, medical schools, culture, preferences…). The aim of this study was to assess such comparison. METHODS: We analyzed the EPIC-26 results before the primary treatment of men diagnosed of localized prostate cancer from January 2017 onwards (revised data available up to September 2019), from a multicenter prospective international cohort including seven regions: Australia/New Zealand, Canada, Central Europe (Austria / Czech Republic / Germany), United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, and the United States. The EPIC-26 domain scores and pattern of three selected items were compared across regions (with Central Europe as reference). All comparisons were made stratifying by treatment: radical prostatectomy, external radiotherapy, brachytherapy, and active surveillance. RESULTS: The sample included a total of 13,483 men with clinically localized or locally advanced prostate cancer. PROs showed different domain patterns before treatment across countries. The sexual domain was the most impaired, and the one with the highest dispersion within countries and with the greatest medians' differences across countries. The urinary incontinence domain, together with the bowel and hormonal domains, presented the highest scores (better outcomes) for all treatment groups, and homogeneity across regions. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with localized or locally advanced prostate cancer undergoing radical prostatectomy, EBRT, brachytherapy, or active surveillance presented mainly negligible or small differences in the EPIC-26 domains before treatment across countries. The results on urinary incontinence or bowel domains, in which almost all patients presented the best possible score, may downplay the baseline data role for evaluating treatments' effects. However, the heterogeneity within countries and the magnitude of the differences found across countries in other domains, especially sexual, support the need of implementing the PRO measurement from diagnosis.

Cierre de un gran defecto de la pared torácica y abdominal usando omento y malla de polipropileno en un canino / Closure of a large thoracic and abdominal wall defect using omentum and a polypropylene mesh in a dog

RESUMEN Este reporte de caso describe la resección quirúrgica exitosa de un condroma de gran tamaño localizado en las dos últimas costillas y pared abdominal craneal izquierda de un canino, usando una malla de polipropileno, omento y avance del diafragma. Se discute la técnica quirúrgica y los materiales utilizados en el procedimiento, así como la evolución posquirúrgica del paciente.

ABSTRACT This case report describes the successful surgical resection of a large chondroma located in the last two ribs and left cranial abdominal wall of a dog, using a polypropylene mesh, omentum and diaphragm advance. The surgical technique and the materials used in the procedure, as well as the postoperative outcome, are discussed.

Comparative measurements of bone mineral density and bone contrast values in canine femora using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and conventional digital radiography.

BACKGROUND: Aseptic loosening due to bone remodelling processes after total hip replacement is one common cause for revision surgery. In human medicine, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) is the gold standard for quantitative evaluation of bone mineral density, whereas in veterinary medicine conventional radiography is used for follow-up studies. Recently, a method has been described using digital X-ray images for quantitative assessment of grey scale values of bone contrast. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the correlation of bone mineral density (BMD) measured by DEXA with grey scale values (GV) measured in digital X-ray images (RX50, RX66) ex vivo. RESULTS: The measured GV in the chosen X-ray settings showed on average a good correlation (r = 0.61) to the measured BMD with DEXA. Correlation between the two X-ray settings was very good (r = 0.81). For comparisons among regions of interests (ROIs) a difference of 8.2% was found to be statistically significant, whereas in the case of RX50 and RX66 differences of 5.3% and 4.1% were found to be statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that measuring absolute changes in bone mineral density might be possible using digital radiography. Not all significant differences between ROIs detectable with DEXA can be displayed in the X-ray images because of the lower sensitivity of the radiographs. However, direct comparison of grey scale values of the periprosthetic femur in one individual patient during the follow-up period, in order to predict bone remodelling processes, should be possible, but with a lesser sensitivity than with DEXA. It is important that the same X-ray settings are chosen for each patient for follow-up studies.

Determination of Anti-Anisakis Simplex Antibodies and Relationship with αß and γδ Lymphocyte Subpopulations in Patients with Crohn's Disease.

BACKGROUND: The etiology of Crohn's disease (CD) is still unknown although new theories are based on defects in innate immunity. We have previously shown a decrease in γδ T cells in CD patients. Previous studies have shown a high prevalence of anti-A. simplex immunoglobulins in CD patients. The diminution of γδ T cells in the peripheral blood and intestinal mucosa of CD patients may create a state of immunosuppression that would facilitate A. simplex infection. AIMS: To study the antibody responses to Anisakis antigens in Crohn's disease patients and its relationship with αß and γδ T cell subsets. METHODS: We recruited 81 CD patients and 81 healthy controls. αß and γδ T cell subsets and anti-A. simplex antibodies were measured. RESULTS: Levels of anti-A. simplex IgG and IgM were significantly increased in CD patients. Almost 20% of CD patients were positive for IgG and IgM anti-A. simplex versus only 3.7 and 2.5%, respectively, in normal subjects. However, lower specific IgA levels were observed in the group of CD patients versus healthy subjects. We found an association between CD3 + CD8 + Î³Î´ subset and IgM anti-A. simplex levels. In ileal cases and stricturing behavior of CD, we observed the highest levels of specific antibodies with the exception of anti-A. simplex IgA. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship of specific antibodies with a γδ T cell deficiency makes these cell candidates to play a role in the immune response against Anisakis. In addition, anti-Anisakis antibodies could be considered as markers of risk of progression in CD.

Predicting fat quality from pigs fed reduced-oil corn dried distillers grains with solubles by near infrared reflectance spectroscopy: fatty acid composition and iodine value.

This study tested the ability of near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to estimate the fatty acid (FA) composition and iodine value (IV) of backfat from carcasses of pigs fed reduced-oil corn dried distillers grains with solubles. NIRS was suitable for screening purposes for the proportions of total saturated, monounsaturated, polyunsaturated, n-3 and n-6 FAs and some individual FAs such as C16:0, C18:1, C18:2n-6 and C18:3n-3 (R(2)=0.80-0.89; RMSECVs, root mean square errors of cross-validation=0.21-1.37% total FA) in both cold and warm intact backfat samples. This technology also met the requirements for a quick screening for the backfat IV in both cold and warm intact samples (R(2)=0.90 and 0.87; RMSECVs=1.66 and 1.80% total FA, respectively), which would help provide differential feed-back to pig producers and the feed industry and may provide the opportunity for breeding pigs for a desirable fat quality.

Sexual behavior of castrated boars treated with prostaglandin F(2alpha).

The objectives were to test the hypothesis that exogenous prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) temporarily restores sexual behavior of castrated boars, and to evaluate effects of PGF(2alpha) on serum hormone concentrations. At 35 d after castration, nine lean-type adult boars were randomly assigned to three treatments in a 3x3 latin square (with three replicates). Treatments were three doses of PGF(2alpha) doses (0, 10, and 20mg) and three periods of treatment, with 5 d between each period. Serum testosterone (T) concentrations were non-detectable at the start of the experiment. Serum concentrations of estradiol (E2), LH, prolactin (PRL), and cortisol were unaffected (P>0.05) by PGF(2alpha) treatment. The interval from treatment to ejaculation in boars treated with 10mg (758s) or 20mg (660s) PGF(2alpha) did not differ, but were different (P < 0.05) from control boars (>1 800s). Ejaculation duration and false mounts differed (P < 0.05) between control boars and boars treated with 10 or 20mg PGF(2alpha). In conclusion, PGF(2alpha) treatment did not change serum concentrations of T, E2, LH, PRL, or cortisol, but restored sexual behavior. This restoration may have been due to an effect of PGF(2alpha) directly in specific areas of the brain, or indirectly via release of other hormones that stimulated areas in the brain that affected sexual behavior.

Immunohistochemical expression of somatostatin receptors in digestive endocrine tumours.

INTRODUCTION: Somatostatin receptors are expressed in a large number of human tumours. The somatostatin receptors types 1-5 expression in a series including 100 gastro-entero-pancreatic endocrine tumours were analysed. METHODS: From a prospectively built database of patients with gastro-entero-pancreatic endocrine tumours referred from three institutions, 100 cases with clinical and pathological data were selected. Somatostatin receptors expression by immunohistochemistry with somatostatin receptor types 1-5 antibodies in tissue paraffin sections were studied and correlated with the histological diagnosis according to the WHO classification, location and functional status. RESULTS: Of the 100 cases, 67 were gastrointestinal tumours, 25 pancreatic and 8 liver metastasis of unknown origin. Thirty-one of them were functioning tumours: 2 insulinomas, 5 gastrinomas, 1 glucagonoma and 23 carcinoids. Somatostatin receptors expression was observed in 94 tumours. The six negative cases were all non-functioning tumours. Somatostatin receptors 2a and 5 were highly expressed (86 and 62%, respectively), and surprisingly found even in poorly differentiated endocrine carcinomas. Somatostatin receptors expression was less frequent in pancreatic than in gastrointestinal tumours. Well-differentiated neoplasms had a higher density of somatostatin receptors. Only SSTR2a showed membrane staining. CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistochemistry revealed that somatostatin receptors were highly expressed in both primary and metastatic gastro-entero-pancreatic endocrine tumours with heterogeneous staining distribution. It proved to be a reliable technique even in small tumour samples.

Censo de talla en escolares del primer grado de la Región San Martín / Height census of first grade school children in the Region of San Martin

Se estudiaron 11,289 niños de ambos sexos comprendidos entre los 6 años 0 meses y 9 años 11 meses de edad, que asisten a primer grado de escolaridad, de 373 Centros Educativos Estatales ubicado en 52 distritos y 09 + provincias que conforman la Región de San Martín. Se utilizó la relación Talla/edad para determinar prevalencia de desnutrición crónica. La toma de la información y el análisis se hicieron siguiendo los lineamientos aceptados internacionalmente. La prevalencia de desnutrición crónica alcanza el 41.4% para la Región de San Martín, existiendo provincias tales como Lamas que alcanzan el 51.2%. ++ La diferencia de las tallas encontradas en relación a las de referencia llega a 14.8 cms. para los niños de 9 años. En conclusión podemos decir que el censo de talla en escolares es un instrumento valioso para conocer la magnitud y distribución de la desnutrición crónica en la Región y que a su vez constituye en el mayor problema nutricional del Perú.

11,289 children of both sexes were studied. They were between 6.0-9.11 years old who attend first grade of elementary school of 373 state schools located in the 09+ provinces of San Martin Region. The Height/year ratio was used to determine chronic malnutrition prevalences. The information date and analysis were made following the international accepted guidelines. The prevalence of chronic malnutrition reaches 41.4% for the Region of San Martin but there are Provinces as Lamas where prevalence surpasses 50%++. Height difference found in relation to age reference reaches 14.8 cms. for 9-year old children. In conclusion, we can say that height surveys in scholars is a very important tool that let us know the magnitude and distribution of chronic malnutrition, which in the highest nutritional problem in Peru.

Efectos analgésicos y antiinflamatorios de Drymonia serrulata (Jacq) Mart / The analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of Drymonia serrulata (Jacq) Mart

The authors experimentally demonstrated that an aqueous fraction of Drymonia serrulata (Jacq.) Mart. has peripheral, but not central, analgesic activity, and that it also has a dose-dependent anti-inflammatory activity at 24 and 96 hours. The experimental results indicate that the etnomedical use of this plant by the Guaymi Indians may have some scientific validity

Peroxidase activity and estradiol receptors in human breast cancer.

In order to establish the relation between peroxidase activity in human breast carcinoma and its estrogen-dependency, estradiol receptors and their peroxidase activities were determined by a very sensitive fluorimetric method in 61 carcinomas. The geometrical mean of peroxidase activity in the 34 estradiol receptor negative carcinomas, 12.8 mU/g tissue, was significantly higher (p less than 0.05) than that of the 27 estradiol receptor positive cases, with a mean of 10.57 mU/g tissue. Necrosis and/or inflammation were found more frequently in the estradiol receptor negative carcinomas (p less than 0.01) than in the estradiol receptor positive. It is concluded that peroxidase activity is linked more to the typical biological behavior of the tumor than to tumoral estrogen-dependency. Thus, the estradiol receptor negative tumors, which showed a more aggressive behavior associated with frequent necrosis and intratumoral inflammatory signs, had a greater peroxidase activity.