[Immunonutrition, evidence and experiences]. / Inmunonutrición, evidencias y experiencias.

Introduction: Immunonutrition is a science that encompasses aspects related to nutrition, immunity, infection, inflammation and tissue damage. Immunomodulatory formulas have shown benefits in a wide variety of clinical situations. The objective of this work was to review the available evidence in immunonutrition (IN). For this, a bibliographic search has been carried out with the keywords: immunonutrition, arginine, glutamine, nucleotides, omega-3 fatty acids, ERAS, fast-track. Clinical trials, reviews and clinical practice guidelines have been included. IN has been shown to reduce postoperative fistulae in head and neck cancer patients and in gastric and esophageal cancer patients, infectious complications and hospital stay. Other clinical situations that benefit from the use of IN are pancreatic cancer surgery, colorectal cancer surgery and major burns. More controlled, prospective, and randomized studies are necessary to confirm the potential benefits of IN in other clinical situations such as non-esophageal thoracic surgery, bladder cancer, gynecological surgery, hip fracture, liver pathology and COVID-19, among others.

Introducción: La inmunonutrición es una ciencia que engloba aspectos relacionados con la nutrición, la inmunidad, la infección, la inflamación y el daño tisular. Las fórmulas inmunomoduladoras han demostrado beneficios en una amplia variedad de situaciones clínicas. El objetivo de este trabajo es revisar la evidencia disponible en inmunonutrición (IN). Para ello, se ha realizado una búsqueda bibliográfica con las palabras clave: inmunonutrición, arginina, glutamina, nucleótidos, ácidos grasos omega-3, ERAS, fast-track. Se han incluido ensayos clínicos, revisiones y guías de práctica clínica. La IN ha demostrado reducir las fístulas en el postoperatorio en pacientes con cáncer de cabeza y cuello. En pacientes con cáncer gástrico y cáncer de esófago, la IN se asocia a una disminución de las complicaciones infecciosas y la estancia hospitalaria. Otras situaciones clínicas que se benefician del uso de la IN son la cirugía del cáncer de páncreas, la cirugía del cáncer colorrectal y los grandes quemados. Son necesarios más estudios controlados, prospectivos y aleatorizados para confirmar los potenciales beneficios de la IN en otras situaciones clínicas como la cirugía torácica no esofágica, el cáncer vesical, la cirugía ginecológica, la fractura de cadera, la patología hepática y la COVID-19, entre otros.

Fluid administration in cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: neither too much nor too little

Abstract Introduction Intraoperative fluid therapy in cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy plays an important role in postoperative morbidity. Studies have found an association between overload fluid therapy and increased postoperative complications, advising restrictive intraoperative fluid therapy. Our objective in this study was to compare the morbidity associated with restrictive versus non-restrictive intraoperative fluid therapy. Methods Retrospective analysis of a database collected prospectively in the Anesthesiology Service of Virgen del Rocío Hospital, from December 2016 to April 2019. One hundred and six patients who underwent complete cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy were divided into two cohorts according to Fluid Therapy received 1. Restrictive ≤ 9 mL.kg-1.h-1 (34 patients), 2. Non-restrictive ≥ 9 mL.kg-1.h-1 (72 patients). Percentage of major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III-IV) and length hospital stay were the main outcomes variables. Results Of the 106 enrolled patients, 68.9% were women; 46.2% had ovarian cancer, 35.84% colorectal cancer, and 7.5% peritoneal cancer. The average fluid administration rate was 11 ± 3.58 mL.kg-1.h-1. The restrictive group suffered a significantly higher percentage of Clavien-Dindo grade III-IV complications (35.29%) compared with the non-restrictive group (15.27%) (p= 0.02). The relative risk associated with restrictive therapy was 1.968 (95% confidence interval: 1.158-3.346). We also found a significant difference for hospital length of stay, 20.91 days in the restrictive group vs 16.19 days in the non-restrictive group (p= 0.038). Conclusions Intraoperative fluid therapy restriction below 9 mL.kg-1.h-1 in cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy was associated with a higher percentage of major postoperative complications.

[Nutrition in palliative care: guidelines from the Working Group on Bioethics, Spanish Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (SENPE)]. / Nutrición en cuidados paliativos: resumen de recomendaciones del Grupo de Trabajo de Ética de la SENPE.

Introduction: Palliative care provides a holistic approach and care for patients with a terminal illness and their families. In palliative care physical complaints as well as emotional, social and spiritual aspects are considered. Nutritional care should be also considered within palliative support. For those working in the nutritional support field, to withhold or withdraw nutritional support may be an ethical dilemma in this scenario. The controversy starts when considering nutrition and hydration as basic care or a treatment. The goals of nutrition support in palliative care patients differ from common ones, aiming to improve quality of life, survival or both. The decision should be based on a consideration of prognosis (length of survival), quality of life, and risks-benefits ratio. Regarding oral nutrition (with or without oral supplements) the idea prevails of "comfort feeding", based on providing oral feeding till discomfort or avoidance develop. There is no evidence on the benefit of specific nutrients, despite the fact that omega-3 FAs may have some positive effects in patients with cancer. Regarding nutritional support (enteral or parenteral), no scientific evidence is present, so the decision needs to be agreed according to the desires and beliefs of the patient and their family, and based on a consensus with the interdisciplinary team on the aims of this support.

Introducción: Los cuidados paliativos proporcionan una atención integral que tiene en cuenta los aspectos físicos, emocionales, sociales y espirituales del paciente con enfermedad terminal y su entorno familiar. El tratamiento nutricional debe formar parte activa de los equipos de cuidados paliativos. La necesidad de iniciar o no un tratamiento nutricional sigue siendo, desde hace décadas, uno de los principales problemas éticos a los que se enfrentan los profesionales dedicados a la nutrición clínica. El origen de tal controversia radica, fundamentalmente, en cómo se consideran la nutrición y la hidratación: cuidado/soporte o tratamiento médico. Los objetivos fundamentales del tratamiento nutricional en los pacientes en cuidados paliativos deben ser otros: la mejoría de la calidad de vida, de la supervivencia o de ambas. La decisión de indicar o no el tratamiento nutricional en cuidados paliativos debe tomarse tras considerar el pronóstico, la calidad de vida y la relación "riesgo/beneficio". En relación a la alimentación por vía oral (con o sin suplementos orales), prevalece la idea de la "alimentación de confort", que se basa en intentos de alimentación oral hasta que se produzcan la incomodidad y/o el rechazo del paciente. No existen evidencias que justifiquen el uso de nutrientes específicos, aunque desde hace años se señala la posibilidad de lograr beneficios cuando se utilizan ácidos grasos omega-3 en los pacientes con cáncer. En cuanto al tratamiento nutricional (enteral o parenteral), en ausencia de evidencia, las decisiones sobre si iniciar una nutrición artificial en un paciente paliativo deben tomarse teniendo en cuenta los deseos y creencias del paciente y sus familiares, y basarse en el consenso del equipo interdisciplinar sobre los objetivos que se persiguen al iniciarla.

Genetic Variants in Folate and Cobalamin Metabolism-Related Genes in Pregnant Women of a Homogeneous Spanish Population: The Need for Revisiting the Current Vitamin Supplementation Strategies.

Polymorphisms of genes involved in the metabolism and transport of folate and cobalamin could play relevant roles in pregnancy outcomes. This study assessed the prevalence of genetic polymorphisms of folate and cobalamin metabolism-related genes such as MTHFR, MTR, CUBN, and SLC19A1 in pregnant women of a homogeneous Spanish population according to conception, pregnancy, delivery, and newborns complications. This study was conducted on 149 nulliparous women with singleton pregnancies. Sociodemographic and obstetrics variables were recorded, and all patients were genotyped in the MTHFR, MTR, CUBN, and SLC10A1 polymorphisms. The distribution of genotypes detected in this cohort was similar to the population distribution reported in Europe, highlighting that more than 50% of women were carriers of risk alleles of the studied genes. In women with the MTHFR risk allele, there was a statistically significant higher frequency of assisted fertilisation and a higher frequency of preeclampsia and preterm birth. Moreover, CUBN (rs1801222) polymorphism carriers showed a statistically significantly lower frequency of complications during delivery. In conclusion, the prevalence of genetic variants related to folic acid and vitamin B12 metabolic genes in pregnant women is related to mother and neonatal outcomes. Knowing the prevalence of these polymorphisms may lead to a personalised prescription of vitamin intake.

Fluid administration in cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy: neither too much nor too little.

INTRODUCTION: Intraoperative fluid therapy in cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy plays an important role in postoperative morbidity. Studies have found an association between overload fluid therapy and increased postoperative complications, advising restrictive intraoperative fluid therapy. Our objective in this study was to compare the morbidity associated with restrictive versus non-restrictive intraoperative fluid therapy. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of a database collected prospectively in the Anesthesiology Service of Virgen del Roc.ío Hospital, from December 2016 to April 2019. One hundred and six patients who underwent complete cytoreductive surgery and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy were divided into two cohorts according to Fluid Therapy received 1. Restrictive.ß..±.ß9.ßmL.kg-1.h-1 (34 patients), 2. Non-restrictive .ß.ß....ß9.ßmL.kg-1.h-1 (72 patients). Percentage of major complications (Clavien-Dindo grade III...IV) and length hospital stay were the main outcomes variables. RESULTS: Of the 106 enrolled patients, 68.9% were women; 46.2% had ovarian cancer, 35.84% colorectal cancer, and 7.5% peritoneal cancer. The average fluid administration rate was 11.ß...ß3.58.ßmL.kg-1.h-1. The restrictive group suffered a significantly higher percentage of Clavien-Dindo grade III...IV complications (35.29%) compared with the non-restrictive group (15.27%) (p.ß=.ß0.02). The relative risk associated with restrictive therapy was 1.968 (95% confidence interval: 1.158...3.346). We also found a significant difference for hospital length of stay, 20.91 days in the restrictive group vs 16.19 days in the non-restrictive group (p.ß=.ß0.038). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative fluid therapy restriction below 9.ßmL.kg-1.h-1 in cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy was associated with a higher percentage of major postoperative complications.

Relevance of nutritional assessment and treatment to counteract cardiac cachexia and sarcopenia in chronic heart failure.

Chronic heart failure (CHF) is frequently associated with the involuntary loss of body weight and muscle wasting, which can determine the course of the disease and its prognosis. While there is no gold standard malnutrition screening tool for their detection in the CHF population, several bioelectrical and imaging methods have been used to assess body composition in these patients (such as Dual Energy X-Ray Absorptiometry and muscle ultrasound, among other techniques). In addition, numerous nutritional biomarkers have been found to be useful in the determination of the nutritional status. Nutritional considerations include the slow and progressive supply of nutrients, avoiding high volumes, which could ultimately lead to refeeding syndrome and worsen the clinical picture. If oral feeding is insufficient, hypercaloric and hyperproteic supplementation should be considered. ß-Hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid administration prove to be beneficial in certain patients with CHF, and several interventional studies with micronutrient supplementation have also described their possible role in these subjects. Taking into account that CHF is sometimes associated with gastrointestinal dysfunction, parenteral nutritional support may be required in selected cases. In addition, potential therapeutic options regarding nutritional state and muscle wasting have also been tested in clinical studies. This review summarises the scientific evidence that demonstrates the necessity to carry out a careful nutritional evaluation and nutritional treatment to prevent or improve cardiac cachexia and sarcopenia in CHF, as well as improve its course.

RHEDAR study: Determination of the risk of gastrointestinal hemorrhage in treatment with dabigatran, acenocoumarol and rivaroxaban.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Atrial fibrillation is a major cause of death and disability due to stroke. Vitamin K antagonist drugs are effective for prevention, but they have a narrow therapeutic range and multiple pharmacological interactions. In recent years, new therapeutic alternatives have been searched to minimize complications. The main objective is to evaluate the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in anticoagulated patients and compare the classic treatment with new anticoagulants. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study to determine the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding in patients treated with acenocoumarol/dabigatran/rivaroxaban, between 2012 and 2016. We compared the classic with the new anticoagulant group, and a multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determinate the risk factors of gastrointestinal bleeding. RESULTS: A total of 1213 patients were selected, 52.7% male patients, a mean age of 72.6 years old (± 14.563). 73.6% had atrial fibrilation. 14.5% of patients used acetylsalicylic acid, and 4% clopidogrel. 67.2% had a high-risk CHADS-2 Score, and 36.9% a high-risk HAS-BLED Score. We determined a 5.6% (68) of gastrointestinal bleeding, without differences according to anticoagulant used. The multivariate model showed a greater risk for digestive hemorrhage in patients with a previous hemorrhagic event (odds ratio [OR] = 2.422 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.101-5.327) and the concomitant therapy with clopidogrel (OR = 2.373 95% CI: 0.996-5.652). CONCLUSIONS: No differences were found in the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding between the different anticoagulants. A previous gastrointestinal bleeding were considered independent risk factor. The HAS-BLED score should be taken into account to make clinical decisions about to prescribe anticoagulant treatment.

[Functional recovery of the cardio-respiratory patient]. / Recuperación funcional del paciente cardiorrespiratorio.

INTRODUCTION: Heart failure (HF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and most chronic diseases are associated with mild to moderate chronic or recurrent inflammation. This inflammation contributes to malnutrition through different mechanisms: anorexia, decreased intake, alteration of metabolism with increased energy expenditure at rest and increased muscle catabolism. The decrease in lean mass has been included as a phenotypic criterion in the recently coined definition of malnutrition. In addition, a greater importance is given to the evaluation of the function, together with that of the morphological parameters. The grip strength, measured with a manual dynamometer and compared to reference populations, is a simple measure of muscle strength and correlates with the strength of the legs. On the other hand, the so-called "paradox of obesity" occurs in both patients with HF and COPD, since overweight and obese patients have lower overall mortality than patients with normal or low body mass index (BMI). The nutritional treatment, with an adequate contribution of macro and micronutrients and a contribution of proteins of fast absorption, with a higher content of leucine or its metabolite ß-hydroxy-ß-methylbutyrate, seems to offer a benefit in the preservation of muscle mass and its functionality in the patient with cardiorespiratory pathology. Nutritional treatment, associated with a pulmonary or cardiac rehabilitation regimen, is essential to obtain good morphological and functional results.

INTRODUCCIÓN: La insuficiencia cardíaca (IC), la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica (EPOC) y la mayoría de las enfermedades crónicas se asocian con una inflamación crónica o recurrente de grado ligero o moderado. Dicha inflamación contribuye a la malnutrición a través de diferentes mecanismos: anorexia, disminución de la ingesta, alteración del metabolismo con elevación del gasto energético en reposo y el aumento del catabolismo muscular. En la definición de malnutrición acuñada recientemente se ha incluido como criterio fenotípico: la disminución de masa magra. Además, cada vez se concede una mayor importancia a la evaluación de la función, junto a la de los parámetros morfológicos. La fuerza de prensión, medida con un dinamómetro manual y comparada con poblaciones de referencia, es una medida sencilla de la fuerza muscular y se correlaciona con la fuerza de las piernas. Por otra parte, tanto en los pacientes con IC como con EPOC se produce la llamada "paradoja de la obesidad", ya que los pacientes con sobrepeso y obesidad tienen una menor mortalidad global que los pacientes con un índice de masa corporal (IMC) normal o bajo. El tratamiento nutricional, con un aporte adecuado de macronutrientes y micronutrientes y un aporte de proteínas de absorción rápida, con un mayor contenido en leucina o su metabolito ß-hidroxi-ß- metilbutirato, parece ofrecer un beneficio en la preservación de la masa muscular y su funcionalidad en el paciente con patología cardiorrespiratoria. El tratamiento nutricional, asociado a una pauta de rehabilitación pulmonar o cardíaca, es fundamental para obtener buenos resultados morfológicos y funcionales.

Effects of mindfulness training on the default mode network in borderline personality disorder.

Patients with borderline personality disorder (BPD) present dysfunctions of the default mode network (DMN). Mindfulness training has proven effective to improve the symptoms of BPD. The present study examines the effect of mindfulness training on BPD symptomatology and DMN activity during the performance of a working memory task in patients with BPD. Sixty-five individuals with BPD were randomized to receive psychotherapy with either the mindfulness module of dialectical behavioural therapy (DBT-M) or with interpersonal effectiveness module (DBT-IE). The impact of treatments was evaluated with clinical and mindfulness variables as well as with functional magnetic resonance imaging during performance of the task. Both groups showed improvement in BPD symptoms and other clinical variables after treatment. Unexpectedly, there were no between-group differences in DMN activation or deactivation. However, activation of the left anterior insula increased in both groups after the intervention. Compared with the control group, participants in the DBT-M group presented higher deactivation in a cluster extending bilaterally from the calcarine to the cuneus and superior occipital gyri.

Correction to: Exploring the relation between childhood trauma, temperamental traits and mindfulness in borderline personality disorder.

In the original publication of this article [1] the funding acknowledgement for grant "PI13/00134, ERDF Funds" was missing.

Susceptibility of Enterococcus faecalis and Propionibacterium acnes to antimicrobial photodynamic therapy.

Bacterial resistance to available antibiotics nowadays is a global threat leading researchers around the world to study new treatment modalities for infections. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has been considered an effective and promising therapeutic alternative in this scenario. Briefly, this therapy is based on the activation of a non-toxic photosensitizing agent, known as photosensitizer (PS), by light at a specific wavelength generating cytotoxic singlet oxygen and free radicals. Virtually all studies related to aPDT involve a huge screening to identify ideal PS concentration and light dose combinations, a laborious and time-consuming process that is hardly disclosed in the literature. Herein, we describe an antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT) study against Enterococcus faecalis and Propionibacterium acnes employing methylene blue, chlorin-e6 or curcumin as PS. Similarities and discrepancies between the two bacterial species were pointed out in an attempt to speed up and facilitate futures studies against those clinical relevant strains. Susceptibility tests were performed by the broth microdilution method. Our results demonstrate that aPDT mediated by the three above-mentioned PS was effective in eliminating both gram-positive bacteria, although P. acnes showed remarkably higher susceptibility to aPDT when compared to E. faecalis. PS uptake assays revealed that P. acnes is 80 times more efficient than E. faecalis in internalizing all three PS molecules. Our results evidence that the cell wall structure is not a limiting feature when predicting bacterial susceptibility to aPDT treatment.

Direct experience while eating: Laboratory outcomes among individuals with eating disorders versus healthy controls.

OBJECTIVE: To compare individuals with eating disorders (EDs) to healthy controls (HCs) to assess for differences in direct engagement in the eating process. METHOD: Participants (n=58) were asked to eat an orange slice. To assess the degree of direct engagement with the eating process, participants were asked to write down 10 thoughts about the experience of eating the orange slice. Next, the participants were instructed to classify the main focus of each thought as either experiential ("direct experience") or analytical ("thinking about"). A direct experience index (DEI) was computed by dividing the number of times that participants classified an experience as a "direct experience" (the numerator) by the total number of all observations (i.e., direct experience+thinking about). Participants also completed the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ) and the Experiences Questionnaire (EQ) to assess mindfulness facets and decentering, respectively. RESULTS: Compared to controls, participants in the EDs group presented significantly lower levels of direct experience during the eating task (EDs group: mean=43.54, SD=29.64; HCs group: mean=66.17, SD=22.23, p=0.03). Participants in the EDs group also scored significantly lower on other mindfulness-related variables. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that engagement with the direct experience of eating is lower in individuals with EDs. Future research should investigate the role of mindfulness-based interventions to address direct experience while eating in individuals with EDs.

Antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Treatment of Helicobacter pylori is difficult nowadays because of its high resistance. The prevalence and mechanism of resistance, the different methods to detect it and the clinical implication of resistance were addressed in several research papers last year. RECENT FINDINGS: Clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori has been recognized by the WHO as 'high priority', for which new antibiotics are needed. Moreover, the Maastricht consensus recommended, in areas with high resistance, that susceptibility tests should be performed, at least after a treatment failure. SUMMARY: Metronidazole and clarithromycin resistance rates are alarming although they vary among populations. Tetracycline and amoxicillin-resistance are very low in most countries. H. pylori resistance can be detected by phenotypic or by molecular methods. Different break points may be used when performing an antimicrobial susceptibility test, so comparing resistance among different populations is challenging. Genomic techniques open new possibilities in the diagnosis of H. pylori, and the detection of H. pylori and its antimicrobial resistance in faeces is an interesting approach. Eradication rates are dependent on the susceptibility of the strain to metronidazole and clarithromycin, being lower in patients infected with a resistant strain.

Fostering Self-Compassion and Loving-Kindness in Patients With Borderline Personality Disorder: A Randomized Pilot Study.

The aim of this randomized pilot study is to investigate the effects of a short training programme in loving-kindness and compassion meditation (LKM/CM) in patients with borderline personality disorder. Patients were allocated to LKM/CM or mindfulness continuation training (control group). Patients in the LKM/CM group showed greater changes in Acceptance compared with the control group. Remarkable changes in borderline symptomatology, self-criticism and self-kindness were also observed in the LKM/CM group. Mechanistic explanations and therapeutic implications of the findings are discussed. HIGHLIGHTS: Three weeks of loving-kindness and compassion meditations increased acceptance of the present-moment experience in patients with borderline personality disorder. Significant improvements in the severity of borderline symptoms, self-criticism, mindfulness, acceptance and self-kindness were observed after the LKM/CM intervention. LKM/CM is a promising complementary strategy for inclusion in mindfulness-based interventions and Dialectical Behavioural Therapy for treating core symptoms in borderline personality disorder. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Low-dose-rate brachytherapy for patients with transurethral resection before implantation in prostate cancer. Longterm results.

OBJECTIVES: We analyzed the long-term oncologic outcome for patients with prostate cancer and transurethral resection who were treated using low-dose-rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy. METHODS AND MATERIALS: From January 2001 to December 2005, 57 consecutive patients were treated with clinically localized prostate cancer. No patients received external beam radiation. All of them underwent LDR prostate brachytherapy. Biochemical failure was defined according to the "Phoenix consensus". Patients were stratified as low and intermediate risk based on The Memorial Sloan Kettering group definition. RESULTS: The median follow-up time for these 57 patients was 104 months. The overall survival according to Kaplan-Meier estimates was 88% (±6%) at 5 years and 77% (±6%) at 12 years. The 5 and 10 years for failure in tumour-free survival (TFS) was 96% and respectively (±2%), whereas for biochemical control was 94% and respectively (±3%) at 5 and 10 years, 98% (±1%) of patients being free of local recurrence. A patient reported incontinence after treatment (1.7%). The chronic genitourinary complains grade I were 7% and grade II, 10%. At six months 94% of patients reported no change in bowel function. CONCLUSIONS: The excellent long-term results and low morbidity presented, as well as the many advantages of prostate brachytherapy over other treatments, demonstrates that brachytherapy is an effective treatment for patients with transurethral resection and clinical organ-confined prostate cancer.

Low-dose-rate brachytherapy for patients with transurethral resection before implantation in prostate cancer. Long-term results

ABSTRACT We analyzed the long-term oncologic outcome for patients with prostate cancer and transurethral resection who were treated using low-dose-rate (LDR) prostate brachytherapy. Methods and Materials: From January 2001 to December 2005, 57 consecutive patients were treated with clinically localized prostate cancer. No patients received external beam radiation. All of them underwent LDR prostate brachytherapy. Biochemical failure was defined according to the "Phoenix consensus". Patients were stratified as low and intermediate risk based on The Memorial Sloan Kettering group definition. Results: The median follow-up time for these 57 patients was 104 months. The overall survival according to Kaplan-Meier estimates was 88% (±6%) at 5 years and 77% (±6%) at 12 years. The 5 and 10 years for failure in tumour-free survival (TFS) was 96% and respectively (±2%), whereas for biochemical control was 94% and respectively (±3%) at 5 and 10 years, 98% (±1%) of patients being free of local recurrence. A patient reported incontinence after treatment (1.7%). The chronic genitourinary complains grade I were 7% and grade II, 10%. At six months 94% of patients reported no change in bowel function.Conclusions: The excellent long-term results and low morbidity presented, as well as the many advantages of prostate brachytherapy over other treatments, demonstrates that brachytherapy is an effective treatment for patients with transurethral resection and clinical organ-confined prostate cancer

Effects of mindfulness training on different components of impulsivity in borderline personality disorder: results from a pilot randomized study.

BACKGROUND: Impulsivity is considered a core characteristic of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Previous research on the effects of mindfulness training (MT) has shown that it might modify impulsivity-related aspects of BPD. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the impact of MT on various facets of impulsivity in BPD patients. METHODS: Subjects with BPD diagnosis (n = 64) were randomly assigned to 10 weeks of MT (n = 32) or interpersonal effectiveness skills training (IE; n = 32). All participants were assessed pre- and post-intervention with a self-reported measure of impulsivity and five behavioral neuropsychological tasks to evaluate response inhibition, tolerance for delay rewards, and time perception. RESULTS: An interaction effect of time × group was only observed for some of the behavioral paradigms used. Participants in the MT group improved their ability to delay gratification and showed changes in time perception, consistent with a decrease in impulsivity. No differences were observed between treatments in terms of trait impulsivity and response inhibition. CONCLUSIONS: Mindfulness training might improve some aspects of impulsivity but not others. Further study is warranted to better determine the effects of mindfulness training on the components of impulsivity. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02397031.

Exploring the relation between childhood trauma, temperamental traits and mindfulness in borderline personality disorder.

BACKGROUND: Deficits in mindfulness-related capacities have been described in borderline personality disorder (BPD). However, little research has been conducted to explore which factors could explain these deficits. This study assesses the relationship between temperamental traits and childhood maltreatment with mindfulness in BPD. METHODS: A total of 100 individuals diagnosed with BPD participated in the study. Childhood maltreatment was assessed using the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire (CTQ-SF), temperamental traits were assessed using the Zuckerman-Khulman Personality Questionnaire (ZKPQ), and mindfulness capabilities were evaluated with the Five Facet Mindfulness Questionnaire (FFMQ). RESULTS: Hierarchical regression analyses were performed including only those CTQ-SF and ZKPQ subscales that showed simultaneous significant correlations with mindfulness facets. Results indicated that neuroticism and sexual abuse were predictors of acting with awareness; and neuroticism, impulsiveness and sexual abuse were significant predictors of non-judging. Temperamental traits did not have a moderator effect on the relationship between childhood sexual abuse and mindfulness facets. CONCLUSIONS: These results provide preliminary evidence for the effects of temperamental traits and childhood trauma on mindfulness capabilities in BPD individuals. Further studies are needed to better clarify the impact of childhood traumatic experiences on mindfulness capabilities and to determine the causal relations between these variables.

Effects of dialectical behaviour therapy-mindfulness training on emotional reactivity in borderline personality disorder: preliminary results.

UNLABELLED: Emotional dysregulation has been proposed as a hallmark of borderline personality disorder (BPD). Mindfulness techniques taught in dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) appear to be effective in reducing affective symptoms and may enhance emotion regulation in BPD patients. In the present study, we assessed whether 10 weeks of DBT-mindfulness (DBT-M) training added to general psychiatric management (GPM) could improve emotion regulation in BPD patients. A total of 35 patients with BPD were included and sequentially assigned to GPM (n = 17) or GPM plus DBT-M (n = 18). Participants underwent a negative emotion induction procedure (presentation of standardized unpleasant images) both pre-intervention and post-intervention. Clinical evaluation was also performed before and after treatment. No differences were observed in emotional response at the post-treatment session. However, patients in the DBT-M group showed greater improvement in clinical symptoms. Formal mindfulness practice was positively correlated with clinical improvements and lower self-reported emotional reactivity. Our preliminary results suggest that mindfulness training reduces some psychiatric symptoms but may not have a clear effect on how patients respond to emotional stimuli in an experimental setting. KEY PRACTITIONER MESSAGE: No clear effect of mindfulness training was observed on emotional response to a negative emotion induction procedure. Application of the DBT-M module jointly to GPM induced better clinical outcomes than GPM alone. Formal mindfulness practice showed a positive impact on emotion regulation and clinical improvement.