Systematic review of the implantation of penile prosthesis in major ambulatory surgery.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Penile prosthesis (PP) implantation is an effective option for erectile dysfunction. Although initially PP surgery was carried out in an inpatient setting, there is a growing trend to implant PP as a major ambulatory surgery (MAS). This study aimed to perform a systematic review of the literature to identify available evidence of the implantation of PP under MAS setting and go carry out a comparison between MAS and inpatient procedures. MATERIAL AND METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and MEDES electronic databases and non-indexed supplements for scientific congresses were searched to identify articles related to the surgical implantation of PP in MAS up to February 2021. Key search terms included penile prosthesis, erectile dysfunction, ambulatory surgery, ambulatory care, and surgery. RESULTS: Among 171 publications retrieved (51 PubMed, 73 EMBASE, 3 Cochrane, 2 using MEDES and 42 manual searching), 5 studies were finally selected. There were no significant differences between MAS or inpatient setting in terms of the type of device, surgical approach, or location of reservoir. Complication rates observed in both groups were similar. Implantation of PP in MAS was less expensive than inpatient surgery and was associated with acceptable patient satisfaction rates and adequate pain control. CONCLUSIONS: Studies demonstrated that outpatient PP surgery can achieve similar outcomes in terms of safety and satisfaction to implantation of PP in the inpatient setting, while it could reduce costs and improve the efficiency. This research could support decision makers to extend PP surgery into the ambulatory setting.

Economic evaluations of radioembolization with Itrium-90 microspheres in hepatocellular carcinoma: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with yttrium-90 microspheres is a clinically effective therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. This study aimed to perform a systematic review of the available economic evaluations of TARE for the treatment of HCC. METHODS: The Preferred Reported Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines was followed by applying a search strategy across six databases. All studies identified as economic evaluations with TARE for HCC treatment in English or Spanish language were considered. Costs were adjusted using the 2020 US dollars based on purchasing-power-parity ($US PPP). RESULTS: Among 423 records screened, 20 studies (6 cost-analyses, 3 budget-impact-analyses, 2 cost-effectiveness-analyses, 8 cost-utility-analyses, and 1 cost-minimization analysis) met the pre-defined criteria for inclusion. Thirteen studies were published from the European perspective, six from the United States, and one from the Canadian perspectives. The assessed populations included early- (n = 4), and intermediate-advanced-stages patients (n = 15). Included studies were evaluated from a payer perspective (n = 20) and included both payer and social perspective (n = 2). TARE was compared with transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) in nine studies or sorafenib (n = 11). The life-years gained (LYG) differed by comparator: TARE versus TACE (range: 1.3 to 3.1), and TARE versus sorafenib (range: 1.1 to 2.53). Of the 20 studies, TARE was associated with lower treatment costs in ten studies. The cost of TARE treatment varied widely according to Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) staging system and ranged from 1311 $US PPP/month (BCLC-A) to 71,890 $US PPP/5-years time horizon (BCLC-C). The incremental cost-utility ratio for TARE versus TACE resulted in a 17,397 $US PPP/Quality-adjusted-Life-Years (QALY), and for TARE versus sorafenib ranged from dominant (more effectiveness and lower cost) to 3363 $US PPP/QALY. CONCLUSIONS: Economic evaluations of TARE for HCC treatment are heterogeneous. Overall, TARE is a cost-effective short- and long-term therapy for the treatment of intermediate-advanced HCC.

Swine spermatozoa trigger aggregated neutrophil extracellular traps leading to adverse effects on sperm function.

In pigs, the number of PMN in uterus lumen increases within few hours after natural or artificial AI resulting in early PMN-derived innate immune reactions. Sperm-NETs formation was recently reported to occur in various mammalian species. Aim of this study was to investigate direct interactions of boar spermatozoa with swine PMN, the release of sperm-mediated NETs, and to assess NET-derived effects on sperm functionality. Sperm-triggered NETs were visualized by SEM- and immunofluorescence analyses. Sperm-mediated NETosis was confirmed by presence of extruded DNA with global histones and NE. Largest sizes of sperm-mediated aggNETs were detected after 5 h thereby resulting in effective massive sperm entrapment. The number of aggNETs increased from 3 h onwards. Kinetic studies of swine sperm-mediated NETosis showed to be a time-dependent cellular process. In addition, number of NETs-entrapped spermatozoa increased at 3 h of exposure whilst few free spermatozoa were detected after 3 h. Anchored NETs also increased from 3 h onwards. The cytotoxicity of NETs was confirmed by diminution of the total motility and the progressive motility. Spermatozoa membrane integrity and function loss exposed to NETs was confirmed from 3 h. Experiments revealed NETs-derived damaging effects on swine spermatozoa in membrane integrity, motility and functionality. We hypothesize that swine sperm-triggered aggNETs might play a critical role in reduced fertility potential in swine reproductive technique. Thus, aggNETs formation needs to be considered in future studies about uterine environment as well as advance of sperm in the porcine female reproductive tract.

Disease-related malnutrition in hospitalized chronic patients with complex needs.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Disease-related malnutrition is a prevalent condition that can be associated with multimorbidity. The purposes of this study were to assess the prevalence of disease-related malnutrition in a cohort of chronic patients with complex needs (CPCN) admitted to two University hospitals, and to evaluate the impact of malnutrition in their hospitalization outcomes. METHODS: All CPCN admitted on a previously agreed day in non-critical services of two University hospitals in Catalonia were included. Nutritional risk was evaluated with Mini-Nutritional Assessment Tool and Nutritional Risk Screening 2002. Hospitalization outcome data were evaluated, including length of the hospital stay, mortality during admission and placement when discharged. After five months, a new evaluation was performed to assess mortality and readmissions. RESULTS: A total of 101 patients were included, 83% of which were at nutritional risk when screened with NRS-2002; when using MNA, 86% of them were found to be either at nutritional risk or malnourished. Malnourished patients had a greater need for home care/intermediate care hospital at discharge (41.8% vs 22.9%, p < 0.01), and a higher mortality rate during admission (16.7% vs 1.6%, p < 0.01). Mortality at 5 months was also higher in the malnourished group (30.5% vs 9.8%, p < 0.01). Factors associated with malnutrition were BMI and gender (malnutrition was more prevalent in women). In our cohort, malnutrition was the sole independent predictor of mortality at 5 months. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of both malnutrition and risk of malnutrition is very high in hospital-admitted CPCN, and has a profound impact on placement at discharge and mortality. This high prevalence is not explained by the multimorbidity pattern. Other factors need to be evaluated in this group of high-need, high-cost patients.

Fatty and hydroxycarboxylic acid receptors: The missing link of immune response and metabolism in cattle.

Fatty and hydroxycarboxylic acids are one of the main intermediates of energy metabolism in ruminants and critical in the milk production of cattle. High production demands on a dairy farm can induce nutritional imbalances and metabolism disorders, which have been widely associated with the onset of sterile inflammatory processes and increased susceptibility to infections. The literature suggests that short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), long-chain fatty acids (LCFA) and hydroxycarboxylic acids are relevant modulators of the host innate inflammatory response. For instance, increased SCFA and lactate levels are associated with subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) and the activation of pro-inflammatory processes mediated by diverse leukocyte and vascular endothelial cells. As such, free LCFA and the ketone body ß-hydroxybutyrate are significantly increased in the plasma 1-2 weeks postpartum, coinciding with the time period in which cows are more susceptible to acquiring infectious diseases that the host innate immune system should actively oppose. Today, many of these pro-inflammatory responses can be related to the activation of specific G protein-coupled receptors, including GPR41/FFA3 and GPR43/FFA2 for SCFA; GPR40/FFA1 and GPR120/FFA4 for LCFA, GPR109A/HCA2 for ketone body ß-hydroxybutyrate, and GPR81/HCA1 for lactate, all expressed in different bovine tissues. The activation of these receptors modulates the release of intracellular granules [e.g., metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and lactoferrin], radical oxygen species (ROS) production, chemotaxis, and the production of relevant pro-inflammatory mediators. The article aimed to review the role of natural ligands and receptors and the resulting impact on the host innate immune reaction of cattle and, further, to address the most recent evidence supporting a potential connection to metabolic disorders.

Amiloride interferes with platelet- activating factor-induced respiratory burst and MMP-9 release in bovine neutrophils independent of Na+/H+ exchanger 1.

Cytoplasmic pH homeostasis is required for an appropriate response in polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs). In these cells, chemotaxis and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production are reduced by the use of Na+/H+ exchanger (NHE-1) inhibitors, but these results are mainly obtained using amiloride, a non-selective NHE-1 inhibitor. In bovine PMNs, the role of NHE-1 in functional responses has not been confirmed yet. The aim of this study was to determine the role of NHE-1 using amiloride and zoniporide in pH regulation, ROS production, matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) release and calcium flux in bovine PMNs induced by the platelet activation factor (PAF), additionally we evaluated the presence of NHE-1 and NHE-2 mRNA Our data show the presence only of NHE-1 but not NHE-2 in bovine PMNs. Amiloride or zoniporide inhibited the intracellular alkalization induced by PAF without affecting calcium flux. Amiloride diminished ROS production and MMP-9 release, while zoniporide enhanced ROS production without change the MMP-9 release induced by PAF. Our work led us to conclude that changes in intracellular pH induced by PAF are regulated by NHE-1 in bovine neutrophils, but the effects of amiloride on ROS production and MMP-9 release induced by PAF are not NHE-1 dependent.

Saturation and stability of nonlinear photonic crystals.

We consider a one-dimensional photonic crystal made by an infinite set of nonlinear nematic films immersed in a linear dielectric medium. The thickness of each equidistant film is negligible and its refraction index depends continuously on the electric field intensity, giving rise to all the involved nonlinear terms, which joints from a starting linear index for negligible amplitudes to a final saturation index for extremely large field intensities. We show that the nonlinear exact solutions of this system form an intensity-dependent band structure which we calculate and analyze. Next, we ponder a finite version of this system; that is, we take a finite array of linear dielectric stacks of the same size separated by the same nonlinear extremely thin nematic slabs and find the reflection coefficients for this arrangement and obtain the dependence on the wave number and intensity of the incident wave. As a final step we analyze the stability of the analytical solutions of the nonlinear crystal by following the evolution of an additive amplitude to the analytical nonlinear solution we have found here. We discuss our results and state our conclusions.

Butyric acid stimulates bovine neutrophil functions and potentiates the effect of platelet activating factor.

Increased short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production is associated with subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA) and activation of inflammatory processes. In humans and rodents, SCFAs modulate inflammatory responses in the gut via free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFA2). In bovines, butyric acid is one of the most potent FFA2 agonists. Its expression in bovine neutrophils has recently been demonstrated, suggesting a role in innate immune response in cattle. This study aimed to evaluate if butyric acid modulates oxidative and non-oxidative functions or if it can potentiate other inflammatory mediators in bovine neutrophils. Our results showed that butyric acid can activate bovine neutrophils, inducing calcium (Ca(2+)) influx and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphorylation, two second messengers involved in FFA2 activation. Ca(2+) influx induced by butyric acid was dependent on the extracellular and intracellular Ca(2+) source and phospholipase C (PLC) activation. Butyric acid alone had no significant effect on reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and chemotaxis; however, a priming effect on platelet-activating factor (PAF), a potent inflammatory mediator, was observed. Butyric acid increased CD63 expression and induced the release of neutrophil granule markers matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and lactoferrin. Finally, we observed that butyric acid induced neutrophil extracellular trap (NET) formation without affecting cellular viability. These findings suggest that butyric acid, a component of the ruminal fermentative process, can modulate the innate immune response of ruminants.

Andrographis paniculata decreases fatigue in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a 12-month double-blind placebo-controlled pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Andrographis paniculata (A. paniculata), a medicinal plant, has shown anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and antifibrotic effects in animal models as well as clinical efficacy in different studies, including an anti-fatigue effect in autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis. In multiple sclerosis (MS), fatigue is rated as one of the most common and disabling symptoms. In the present trial, we investigated the effect of A. paniculata on relapse rate and fatigue in relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients receiving interferon beta. METHODS: A randomised double-blind placebo-controlled trial assessed the effects of 170 mg of A. paniculata dried extract tablet b.i.d. p.o. on relapse rate and fatigue using the Fatigue Severity Scores (FSS) over 12 months in RRMS patients receiving interferon. The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, inflammatory parameters and radiological findings were also investigated. Twenty-five patients were enrolled, and twenty-two patients were ultimately analysed and randomised to the active or placebo group. RESULTS: Patients treated with A. paniculata showed a significant reduction in their FSS score as compared to the placebo, equivalent to a 44 % reduction at 12 months. No statistically significant differences were observed for relapse rate, EDSS or inflammatory parameters, with a trend in reducing new lesions among the A. paniculata group. One patient in the A. paniculata group presented with a mild and transient skin rash, which was alleviated with anti-histamine treatment for three weeks. CONCLUSION: A. paniculata was well tolerated in patients and no changes in clinical parameters were observed. A. paniculata significantly reduces fatigue in patients with RRMS receiving interferon beta in comparison to placebo and only interferon beta treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02280876 ; Trial registration date: 20.10.2014.

Accuracy of Different Mini Nutritional Assessment Reduced Forms to Evaluate the Nutritional Status of Elderly Hospitalised Diabetic Patients.

BACKGROUND: Disease-associated malnutrition (DAM) is a health problem involving all sanitary levels, especially hospitalised elderly patients. Different MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment)-based forms have been validated in different settings, but it remains unclear if they are appropriate to evaluate the nutritional status of geriatric hospitalised patients with diabetes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this work was to analyse the accuracy of several MNA reduced forms to detect malnutrition in hospitalised elderly diabetic patients. METHODS: A multicentre observational study was carried out in diabetic patients, who were over the age of 65, from 35 Spanish hospitals. Principal component analysis (PCA) selected the minimal components to elaborate the newly-proposed reduced new version of the MNA (r-MNA). Cohen's Kappa index (KI), with its 95% confidence interval (CI), was used to measure the agreement between the different reduced forms (r-MNA, MNA-SF-BMI, MNA-SF-CC, m-MNA) with the original MNA. RESULTS: Five hundred and ninety-one elderly diabetic patients were included in the study. ROC analysis determined the following cut-off points for the newly proposed r MNA: 0-<10 "malnourished", 10-12 "at risk" and >12-15 "well-nourished". The upper cut-off point demonstrated a sensitivity of 87.7%, a specificity of 78.3% and an area under the curve of 0.93. The lower cut-off point showed a sensitivity of 95.9%, a specificity of 78.3% and an area under the curve of 0.95. The best agreement with the original MNA was observed for the MNA-SF-BMI (Κ index 80.7; 95% CI: 77.4-84) and the worst for the r-MNA (Κ index 72; 95% CI: 68.2-75.4). CONCLUSIONS: This study found that MNA-SF-BMI is the most accurate screening tool for determining the nutritional status of hospitalised diabetic elderly patients. This is an easy-to-use, fast screening tool with a low risk of misclassification.

The acute phase response induced by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide modifies the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of florfenicol in rabbits.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute phase response (APR) on the pharmaco-kinetics and biotransformation of florfenicol (FFC) in rabbits. Six rabbits (3.0 ± 0.08 kg body weight (bw)) were distributed through a crossover design with 4 weeks of washout period. Pairs of rabbits similar in bw and sex were assigned to experimental groups: Group 1 (LPS) was treated with three intravenous doses of 1 µg/kg bw of E. coli LPS at intervals of 6 h, and Group 2 (control) was treated with an equivalent volume of saline solution (SS) at the same intervals and frequency of Group 1. At 24 h after the first injection of LPS or SS, an intravenous bolus of 20 mg/kg bw of FFC was administered. Blood samples were collected from the auricular vein before drug administration and at different times between 0.05 and 24.0 h after treatment. FFC and florfenicol-amine (FFC-a) were extracted from the plasma, and their concentrations were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. A noncompartmental pharmacokinetic model was used for data analysis, and data were compared using the paired Student t-test. The mean values of AUC0-∞ in the endotoxaemic rabbits (26.3 ± 2.7 µg·h/mL) were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than values observed in healthy rabbits (17.2 ± 0.97 µg·h/mL). The total mean plasma clearance (CLT ) decreased from 1228 ± 107.5 mL·h/kg in the control group to 806.4 ± 91.4 mL·h/kg in the LPS-treated rabbits. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in the half-life of elimination was observed in the endotoxaemic rabbits (5.59 ± 1.14 h) compared to the values observed in healthy animals (3.44 ± 0.57 h). In conclusion, the administration of repeated doses of 1 µg/kg E. coli LPS induced an APR in rabbits, producing significant modifications in plasma concentrations of FFC leading to increases in the AUC, terminal half-life and mean residence time (MRT), but a significant decrease in CLT of the drug. As a consequence of the APR induced by LPS, there was a reduction in the metabolic conversion of FFC to their metabolite FFC-a in the liver, suggesting that the mediators released during the APR induced significant inhibitory effects on the hepatic drug-metabolizing enzymes.

Multidisciplinary Approach in Hepatocellular Carcinoma in a Level II Hospital: The First Decade of Hospital Universitario Fundacion Alcorcon.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Mean survival in hepatocellular carcinoma remains low. Many efforts have been done during the last years through screening, diagnosis and treatment to improve the results. The aim of this work is to present the experience of our hospital multidisciplinary group during the first decade of this century. METHODOLOGY: The patients with hepatocellullar carcinoma presented at the multidisciplinary meeting from 1999 to 2009 were prospectively studied. According to the tumor and functional status they were treated through the current available guidelines by transplant, partial hepatectomy, local/regional procedures, systemic or symptomatic treatment. RESULTS: One hundred and forty two patients were studied. Median tumor size was 3 cm. A single tumor was diagnosed in 64.8% of the patients. Eighteen patients had liver resection (6 transplantation and 12 with partial resection), 53 tumors were not treated due to advanced stage or liver dysfunction, and in the remaining patients radiofrequency, ethanol or embolization treatments were used, single or combined. CONCLUSIONS: a multidisciplinary approach of hepatocellular carcinoma in a second level hospital with trained professionals permits a diagnosis in early tumoral and functional stages in the majority of patients, and a variety of possible treatments with adequate survival outcomes.

Impact of prompt catheter withdrawal and adequate antimicrobial therapy on the prognosis of hospital-acquired parenteral nutrition catheter-related bacteraemia.

Catheter-related bacteraemia (CRB) is a cause of death in hospitalized patients, and parenteral nutrition (PN) is a risk factor. We aim to describe the prognosis of PN-CRB and the impact of catheter extraction within 48 h from bacteraemia. All consecutive hospitalized adult patients with CRB (2007-2012) were prospectively enrolled. Factors associated with 30-day mortality were determined by logistic regression analysis. Among 847 episodes of CRB identified, 291 (34%) episodes were associated with short-term catheter use for PN. Cure was achieved in 236 (81%) episodes, 42 (14.5%) patients died within the first 30 days, 7 (2.5%) relapsed, and 6 (2%) had re-infection. On multivariate analysis, previous immunosuppressive therapy (OR 5.62; 95% CI 1.69-18.68; p 0.0048) and patient age (OR 1.05; 95% CI 1.02-1.07; p 0.0009) were predictors of 30-day mortality, whereas catheter removal within 48 h of bacteraemia onset (OR 0.26; 95% CI 0.12-0.58; p 0.0010) and adequate empirical antibiotic treatment (OR 0.36; 95% CI 0.17-0.77; p 0.0081) were protective factors. Incidence of PN-CRB decreased from 5.36 episodes/1000 days of PN in 2007 to 2.9 in 2012, yielding a 46.1% rate reduction (95% CI 15.7-65.5%), which may be attributable to implementation of a multifaceted prevention strategy. In conclusion, short-term PN-CRB accounted for one-third of all episodes of CRB in our setting, and 14.5% of patients died within 30 days following bacteraemia. Our findings suggest that prompt catheter removal and adequate empirical antibiotic treatment could be protective factors for 30-day mortality. Concomitantly with implementation of a multifaceted prevention strategy, PN-CRB incidence was reduced by half.

[Home parenteral nutrition in Spain 2011 and 2012; a report of the home and ambulatory artificial nutrition group NADYA]. / Nutrición Parenteral Domiciliaria en España 2011 y 2012: informe del grupo de nutrición artificial domiciliaria y ambulatoria NADYA.

OBJECTIVE: To report the data of the Home Parenteral Nutrition (HPN) registry of the NADYA-SENPE working group for the years 2011 and 2012. METHODOLOGY: We compiled the data from the on-line registry introduced by reviewers of NADYA group responsible for monitoring of NPD introduced by since January 1, 2011 to december 31, 2012. Included fields were: age, sex, diagnosis and reason for HPN, access path, complications, beginning and end dates, complementary oral or enteral nutrition, activity level, autonomy degree, product and fungible material supply, withdrawal reason and intestinal transplant indication. RESULTS: Year 2010: 184 patients from 29 hospitals , representing a rate of 3.98 patients/million inhabitants/ year 2011, with 186 episodes were recorded NPD . During 2012, 203 patients from 29 hospitals , representing a rate of 4.39 patients/million inhabitants/year 2012 , a total of 211 episodes were recorded NPD . CONCLUSIONS: We observe an increase in registered patients with respect to previous years.Neoplasia remains as the main pathology since 2003. Although NADYA is consolidated registry and has been indispensable source of information relevant to the understanding of the progress of Home Artificial Nutrition in our country, there is ample room for improvement. Especially that refers to the registration of pediatric patients and the registration of complications.

Objetivo: Comunicar los datos del registro de Nutrición Parenteral Domiciliaria (NPD) del grupo de trabajo NADYA-SENPE de los años 2011 y 2012. Material y métodos: Recopilación de los datos del registro "on-line" introducidos por los colaboradores del grupo NADYA responsables del seguimiento de la NPD desde el 1 de enero de 2011 al 31 de diciembre de 2012 dividido por años naturales. Resultados: Año 2010: Se registraron 184 pacientes, procedentes de 29 hospitales, lo que representa una tasa de 3,98 pacientes/millón habitantes/año 2011, con 186 episodios de NPD. Durante el año 2012 se registraron 203 pacientes, procedentes de 29 hospitales, lo que representa una tasa de 4,39 pacientes/millón habitantes/año 2012, con un total de 211 episodios de NPD. Conclusiones: Se observa un aumento progresivo de los pacientes registrados respecto a años anteriores. El principal grupo patológico sigue siendo oncológico ocupando el primer lugar desde 2003. Aunque el registro NADYA es un registro consolidado y ha sido y es fuente imprescindible de información relevante para el conocimiento de los avances de la Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria en nuestro país, queda un amplio margen para la mejora. En especial lo que hace referencia al registro de pacientes pediátricos y al registro de las complicaciones.

Delphinol® standardized maqui berry extract reduces postprandial blood glucose increase in individuals with impaired glucose regulation by novel mechanism of sodium glucose cotransporter inhibition.

AIM: The impetus of our study was to investigate the effects of a nutritional supplement Delphinol®, an extract of maqui berries (Aristotelia chilensis) standardised to ≥25% delphinidins and ≥35% total anthocyanins, on postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels and identify the physiologic mechanism involved. METHODS: Postprandial blood glucose and insulin were investigated in double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over fashion in ten volunteers with moderate glucose intolerance. Longer term effects on blood sugar levels were investigated in streptozotocin-diabetic rats over a four months period. Effects of maqui berry delphinidins on sodium-glucose symport were examined in rodent jejenum of the small intestine. RESULTS: Delphinol® intake prior to rice consumption statistical significantly lowered post prandial blood glucose and insulin as compared to placebo. We identified an inhibition of Na+-dependant glucose transport by delphinidin, the principal polyphenol to which Delphinol® is standardised. In a diabetic rat model the daily oral application of Delphinol® over a period of four months significantly lowered fasting blood glucose levels and reached values indistinguishable from healthy non-diabetic rats. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest a potential use of Delphinol® for naturally controlling post-prandial blood glucose owed to inhibition of sodium glucose co-transporter in small intestine.

Giant osteoma of the ethmoid sinus with orbital extension: craniofacial approach and orbital reconstruction.

Osteomas are the most common fibro-osseous lesions in the paranasal sinus. They are benign tumours characterized by slow growth and are often asymptomatic. Treatment is indicated in sphenoid osteomas that threaten the optic canal or orbital apex and in symptomatic cases. The choice of surgical management depends on the location, size and experience of the surgeon. An open approach allows tumour removal with direct visual control and remains the best option in large tumours, but the continued progression in endoscopic approaches is responsible for new indications in closed techniques. Immediate reconstruction allows aesthetic and functional restoration of neighbouring structures, which should one of the goals in the treatment of this benign entity. We report a case of a giant ethmoid osteoma with orbital invasion treated by a combined open craniofacial approach with reconstruction of the anterior cranial base and orbital walls. The literature is reviewed and aetiopathogenic theories, diagnostic procedures and surgical approaches are discussed.

Propionate induces the release of granules from bovine neutrophils.

Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) are produced by bacterial fermentation in the rumen of cattle and are the primary energy source in ruminants. Propionate is one of the main SCFA and it can exert multiple effects on the inflammatory process and neutrophil function via calcium (Ca(2+)) release, reactive oxygen species, and intracellular pH changes. However, currently no evidence has shown whether propionate can induce granule release from bovine neutrophils. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of propionate on granule release and to evaluate the expression of two G-protein coupled receptors-GPR41 and GPR43-that are activated by propionate. Neutrophil degranulation was assessed by quantifying the release of the neutrophil enzymes myeloperoxidase (MPO), lactoferrin, and matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9) as markers of azurophil, specific granules, and gelatinase granules, respectively. Isolated bovine neutrophils were treated with millimolar concentrations of propionate (0.3, 3 and 30mM), and the cell-free supernatants were recovered. The stimulation of neutrophils with 0.3mM propionate induced the release of lactoferrin and MMP-9 as revealed by ELISA and gelatin zymography, respectively. Propionate at 30mM induced the release of MPO as demonstrated using an enzymatic assay. The role of intracellular Ca(2+) influx and the signaling pathways that may regulate the propionate effect on granules release were also determined. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and real-time PCR were performed to analyze the expression of GPR41 and GPR43 mRNA in bovine neutrophils. Both mRNA were detected, whereas the expression of GPR43 was higher than that of GPR41, and the synthetic agonists for this receptor, phenylacetamides 1 and 2, caused an increase in intracellular Ca(2+), lactoferrin, and MMP-9 release. These results support that propionate-induced granule release is mediated by intracellular Ca(2+) influx and activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase ERK 1/2. We also propose a potential role of GPR43 in propionate-induced granule release from bovine neutrophils that may be involved in regulatory effects of propionate in the innate immune response in cattle.

[The registry of home artificial nutrition and ambulatory of the Spanish Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition; SWOT analysis]. / El registro de Nutrición Artificial Domiciliaria y Ambulatoria de la Sociedad Española de Nutrición Parenteral y Enteral; análisis DAFO.

OBJECTIVE: To evidence by means of a SWOT-R analysis performed by an expert consensus the most worrying characteristics of the register on Home-based and Outpatient Artificial Nutrition. MATERIAL AND METHODS: SWOT-R analysis with expert consensus. We requested the participation of the active members of the NADYA group within the last 5 years with the premise of structuring the SWOT-R based on the characteristics of the NADYA registry from its beginning. RESULTS: 18 experts from hospitals all over Spain have participated. The internal analysis seems to be positive, presenting the registry as having important resources. The external analysis did not show a great number of threats, there are very potent factors, "the voluntariness" of the registry and the "dependence on external financing". The opportunities identified are important. The recommendations are aimed at stabilizing the system by decreasing the threats as one of the main focus of the strategies to develop as well as promoting the items identified as opportunities and strengths. CONCLUSIONS: The analysis shows that the NADYA register shows a big potentiality for improvement. The proposed recommendations should be structured in order to stay on the track of development and quality improvement that has characterized the NADYA register from the beginning.

[Cherubism: diagnosis and treatment in the pediatric age]. / Querubismo: diagnóstico y tratamiento en la edad pediátrica.

Cherubism is a benign bone dysplasia of childhood, exclusively involving maxillary bones and spontaneous resolving after puberty in different grades. Approximately, 280 cases have been reviewed in the literature. It is an autosomal dominant disorder in which the normal bone is replaced by cellular fibrous and immature bone, resulting in painless symmetrical enlargement of the jaws. Diagnosis is based in clinical and radiological findings, confirmed by histology. Treatment is a controversial issue, and it is recommended surgical management as conservative as possible during the rapid growth phases. An aggressive case of cherubism is reported, diagnosed and followed since early childhood until puberty, with progressive involvement of facial bones developing in a disruption of facial contours and occlusion. The patient is treated by several surgical interventions oriented to minimize the aesthetic impact of the disease being as conservative as possible. The highlights of this case are the great proportion of the lesions, the functional and emotional disturbances brought out by these lesions and the difficulty to choose the most appropriate age and form of treatment.

Prevalence of malnutrition and its etiological factors in hospitals.

BACKGROUND: Malnutrition among inpatients is highly prevalent, and has a negative impact on their clinical outcome. The Working Group for the Study of Malnutrition in Hospitals in Catalonia was created to generate consensus guidelines for the prevention and/or treatment of malnutrition in hospitals in Catalonia, Spain. AIMS: The objectives of the study were to determine the prevalence of malnutrition on admission to hospital in Catalonia and to assess relationships between malnutrition, social and demographic data, overall costs, and mortality. METHODS: Prospective and multicenter study conducted with 796 patients from 11 hospitals representative of the hospitalized population in Catalonia. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Nutritional Risk Screening 2002 method. RESULTS: Overall, 28.9% of the patients are malnourished or at nutritional risk. Elderly patients, non-manual workers, those admitted to hospital as emergencies and with higher co-morbidities had higher risk of malnutrition. The type of hospital (second level vs. tertiary or University referral) to which they were admitted was also a factor predisposing to malnutrition. Length of hospital stay was longer in malnourished patients (10.5 vs. 7.7 days, p < 0.0001). The need for a convalescent home on leaving hospital was higher as well as the risk of mortality (8.6% malnourished vs. 1.3% nonmalnourished, p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of malnutrition is high in patients on admission to hospital in our community, resulting in elevated overall costs and higher risk of mortality. Age, social class and characteristics of the Unit and the Hospital are the main factors involved in hospital malnutrition.