Clinical and genetic description of patients with prenatally identified cardiac tumors.

OBJECTIVE: Rhabdomyomas are the most common type of prenatal cardiac tumors. When isolated, 50% to 70% are related to the tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). The aim of this study was to reinforce the importance of additional clinical data in patients with prenatal heart tumors. METHODS: From 2010 to 2017, 10 prenatally detected cardiac tumors were referred to the Genetics Department, and a complete family history was taken. Postnatal echocardiographic and full clinical evaluation were completed. Next generation sequencing (NGS) of the TSC1 and TSC2 genes was performed. RESULTS: The 10 cases were postnatally confirmed as rhabdomyomas. Four de novo and four family cases were detected, and only one patient was previously aware of the TSC diagnosis. Molecular analysis by NGS was performed in four patients with three TSC2 mutations, two of which were previously reported and one not. DISCUSSION: Prenatal cardiac tumors are associated with TSC in 60% of cases. Prenatal diagnosis of cardiac tumors permits a further analysis of family members using the fetus as a clue for familial disease diagnosis.

Coping strategies in Spanish older adults: a MIMIC model of socio-demographic characteristics and activity level.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to analyze the combined effect of socio-demographic characteristics and activity level on coping strategies and to test which of these variables has a greater impact on coping. METHOD: A sample of 243 men and women aged 55-99 years old was selected from different elderly activity centers in Granada, Spain, using a convenience sampling. Associations between eight coping strategies measured by Coping Strategies Inventory and the above mentioned variables were examined using a Multiple Indicator and Multiple Causes model. RESULTS: Age was negatively related with problem solving, express emotions and social support. Activity level was positively related with problem solving, cognitive restructuring, express emotions and social support and it was negatively associated with social withdrawal. Gender only predicted the scores in self-criticism and living alone was related with higher emotional expression. Participation in creative activities, attending University for the third age and practicing physical exercise were related with differences in the use of several coping strategies. CONCLUSIONS: There is a complex relationship between socio-demographic characteristics, activity level and the coping strategies used by the elderly. It is important to understand this relationship in order to identify older adults who use ineffective coping, and to subsequently include them in intervention programs to improve their coping abilities.

Idiopathic dilatation of the right atrium. Case report and literature review.

Idiopathic dilatation of the right atrium is a rare malformation characterized by disproportionate growth of the right atrium in the absence of a cause that justifies it. We present the case of a patient with idiopathic dilatation of the right atrium diagnosed since fetal life.

La dilatación idiopática de la aurícula derecha (DIAD) es una malformación poco frecuente caracterizada por un crecimiento desproporcionado de la aurícula derecha en ausencia de una causa estructural o funcional que la justifique. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con DIAD con diagnóstico desde la etapa prenatal.

Patency rates of dysfunctional central hemodialysis venous catheter: Comparison between catheter exchange alone and catheter exchange with fibrin sheath angioplasty.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare patency rates and risk of obstruction of catheter exchange (CE) with that of CE with fibrin sheath angioplasty (CE+FSA) in dysfunctional tunneled central hemodialysis venous catheter (CHVC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 107 consecutive patients with dysfunctional CHVC were retrospectively included. There were 66 men and 41 women with a mean age of 67.8±12.5 (SD) years (range: 23.0-86.0 years). Seventy-three of 107 patients (68.2%) underwent CE procedure and 34 of 107 (31.8%) underwent CE+FSA. Kaplan-Meier log-rank test and multivariate Cox regression analyses were performed to determine patency rates and risk of obstruction according to type of endovascular procedure. RESULTS: Patency rates after endovascular procedures at 3, 6, 12, 24 and 36 months follow up were 75%, 75%, 65%, 65% and 65% in CE+FSA group and 70%, 65%, 62%, 30% and 0% in CE group. Mean time until obstruction of CHVC was 778.4 days after CE+FSA and 497 days after CE (P=0.211). Endovascular procedure was unrelated to risk of obstruction in adjusted model (HR=1.34; P=0.515). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that both techniques are equivalent in terms of patency and safety results, so other aspects as cost assessment should be considered when choosing between both techniques.

Dilatación idiopática de la aurícula derecha. Reporte de caso y revisión de la literatura / Idiopathic dilatation of the right atrium. Case report and literature review

Resumen La dilatación idiopática de la aurícula derecha (DIAD) es una malformación poco frecuente caracterizada por un crecimiento desproporcionado de la aurícula derecha en ausencia de una causa estructural o funcional que la justifique. Presentamos el caso de una paciente con DIAD con diagnóstico desde la etapa prenatal.

Abstract Idiopathic dilatation of the right atrium is a rare malformation characterized by disproportionate growth of the right atrium in the absence of a cause that justifies it. We present the case of a patient with idiopathic dilatation of the right atrium diagnosed since fetal life.

Ultrasound-Guided Angioplasty of Dysfunctional Vascular Access for Haemodialysis. The Pros and Cons.

PURPOSE: To describe the benefits and the disadvantages of angioplasty in dialysis fistulas using only ultrasound guidance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a prospective study in 132 failing or non-maturing arteriovenous accesses that underwent 189 ultrasound-guided balloon angioplasties. The technical success was defined as non-use of X-ray fluoroscopy during the procedure. RESULTS: 127 procedures (67%) were successfully completed without fluoroscopy. Most failures were due to difficulty to traverse aneurismal segments, as well as anastomotic stenoses. Including initial failures, the primary patency rates at 6, 12 months and 2 years were 75 ± 3, 41 ± 3 and 14 ± 2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: Endovascular repair of the dysfunctional vascular access for haemodialysis under ultrasound guidance is feasible and safe in roughly two-thirds of cases.

Biochemical bio markers of pollution in Algerian mouse (Mus spretus) to assess the effects of the AznalcÓllar disaster on Doñana Park (Spain).

On April 25, 1998, a tailings dam of the Aznalcóllar pyrite mine partially collapsed and released to the Guadiamar river acidic water (pH < 3) and mud containing toxic metals (Fe, Zn, Pb, As, Cu, Sb, Co, Tl, Bi, Cd, Ag, Hg, Sr), threatening the Doñana National Park, a Spanish wildlife reserve. To assess possible biological effects in terrestrial ecosystems, biochemical biomarkers have been assayed for the first time in Algerian mice (Mus spretus), a non-protected and free-living species, from several areas of Doñana and Guadiamar. Biomarkers assayed responded to different types of contaminants: I-metals and oxidant compounds (Se-glutathione peroxidase (SeGSHPx) and antioxidant activities, malondialdehyde (MDA), and glutathione redox status); II-Aromatic chemicals (ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (EROD) activity); III-Compounds of both types (glutathione-S-transferase (GST) activities). Before the Aznalcóllar spill (October 1997), mice from the 'Brazo de la Torre' had SeGSHPx and EROD activities close to animals from the Huelva Industrial Park, suggesting similar levels of oxidant and aromatic contaminants at both sites. Six months after the spill (October 1998), mice from the lower Guadiamar areas ('Cangrejo Grande' and 'Brazo de la Torre') also showed significant increase of soluble and microsomal GST activities, and altered levels of several antioxidant enzymes. Thus, the spilled chemicals could have induced further biological effects in mice from the exposed areas. Although no significant responses to contamination were found after the spill at Doñana core, further investigations should be carried out to monitor the situation.

Autoestima como variable psicosocial predictora de la actividad física en personas mayores / Self-esteem as a predictive psycho-social variable in physical activity in seniors

El propósito del presente estudio es investigar acerca de la relación existente entre la Autoestima manifestada por personas mayores de 65 años y la realización de actividad física. El autoconcepto y la Autoestima aparecen como componentes psicológicos fundamentales de la calidad de vida durante la adultez mayor y del bienestar personal. La Autoestima ha sido propuesta como un área de intervención para mejorar la calidad de vida en la población mayor. La muestra la componen 184 personas mayores, de las que 92 realizan actividad física frecuentemente y otras 92 desarrollan un estilo de vida sedentario. Se aplicó el cuestionario de Autoestima personal de Rosenberg. Los resultados muestran diferentes niveles de Autoestima entre los mayores que realizan actividad física y los que no, siendo significativamente más alta en los primeros. Estudios con objetivos similares demuestran y apoyan la comprobación de la hipótesis de partida que establece la relación positiva entre la Autoestima y la realización de actividad física (AU)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between self-esteem expressed by people over 65 years of age and taking part in physical activity. Self-concept and self-esteem are psychologically fundamental components of quality of life in adulthood and well-being. Selfesteem has been proposed as an area of intervention to improve the quality of life in the senior population. The sample was composed of more than 184 people, 92 of whom took part in physical activity on a regular basis and another 92, who developed sedentary lifestyles. The results of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire applied to the sample showed different levels of self-esteem between seniors who are physically active and those who are not, with self-esteem being significantly higher in active seniors. Studies with similar objectives demonstrate and support the verification of the hypothesis that establishes a positive relationship between self-esteem and participation in physical activity (AU)