Rationale, design and methodology of TESEO study: a registry of thrombosis and neoplasia of SEOM (Spanish Society of Medical Oncology).

BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE: Thromboembolic complications are a serious, preventable and common event in cancer patients that contributes to increasing morbidity and mortality. Despite increasing knowledge on cancer-associated thrombosis (CAT), there are still several aspects of diagnosis, clinical management, treatment and prognosis with uncertainties that are under-represented in randomized clinical trials. For this reason, the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) launched in June 2018 a registry of CAT. METHODS/DESIGN: TESEO is an ongoing prospective, non-interventional, multicentric study in consecutive cancer patients with newly diagnosed of thromboembolic event (TEE). Eligibility criteria include being > 18 years with a histologically confirmed diagnosis of cancer and a symptomatic or incidental TEE confirmed with an imaging technique in the previous month or any time after the cancer diagnosis and signing of informed consent. The study consists of two types of integrated but independent prospective registries. Regular CAT sub-registry includes information on patient's cancer´s characteristics, anticoagulant treatment provided and outcome data. Special CAT sub-registry includes variables related to special situations of CAT that comprise patients with severe kidney failure, thrombocytopenia, high risk of bleeding related to the cancer or with coexistence of bleeding and patients who receive new treatments such a targeted therapy, antiangiogenics agents and immunotherapy. The registry considers the status of the cancer and the time to assess how the prognosis is changed based on when the thrombus occurs. Some outcomes such as rethrombosis, major bleeding, tumor progression and survival will be valued in various time intervals including 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after the even in the first year; and then every 6 months until the patient's death. RESULTS: After 18 months and with 35 centers and researchers, the registry has 1128 patients. CONCLUSION: TESEO registry will provide clinical real-world evidence for prevention, treatment and complications of CAT in different scenarios that are under-represented in randomized clinical trials.

General recommendations paper on the management of older patients with cancer: the SEOM geriatric oncology task force's position statement.

Population aging is associated with greater numbers of older people with cancer. Thanks to treatment advances, not only are more seniors diagnosed with cancer, but there are also more and more older cancer survivors. This upward trend will continue. Given the heterogeneity of aging, managing older patients with cancer poses a significant challenge for Medical Oncology. In Spain, a Geriatric Oncology Task Force has been set up within the framework of the Spanish Society for Medical Oncology (SEOM). With the aim of generating evidence and raising awareness, as well as helping medical oncologists in their training with respect to seniors with cancer, we have put together a series of basic management recommendations for this population. Many of the patients who are assessed in routine clinical practice in Oncology are older. CGA is the basic tool by means of which to evaluate older people with cancer and to understand their needs. Training and the correct use of recommendations regarding treatment for comorbidities and geriatric syndromes, support care, and drug-drug interactions and toxicities, including those of antineoplastic agents, as detailed in this article, will ensure that this population is properly managed.

Safety and efficacy of primary thromboprophylaxis in cancer patients.

Cancer is often complicated by venous thromboembolism (VTE), a common and potentially fatal complication associated with poor prognosis in these patients. An increased incidence of VTE is being observed due to the advanced age of cancer patients, the thrombogenic effect of novel drugs and advances in the diagnosis of related complications. In this review, we look at five different risk groups of cancer patients with an increased probability of developing VTE, including hospitalized patients undergoing chemotherapy, patients undergoing a surgical procedure, ambulatory patients undergoing chemotherapy, patients with a central venous access and patients receiving antiangiogenic drugs or anticoagulant therapy due to previous chronic diseases. The aim of this review is to summarize the most important clinical evidence reported to date on the suitability of primary thromboprophylaxis to cancer patients. Recommendations have drawn up for each group based on current evidence and guidelines to facilitate decision-making in clinical practice.

[Ultrasound measurements of intra-abdominal adiposity and factors associated with cardiovascular risk in obese children]. / Mediciones de adiposidad intraabdominal por ultrasonido y factores asociados con riesgo cardiovascular en niños obesos.

BACKGROUND: Cardiovascular risk factors are commonly present in obese children. AIM: To evaluate the association among radiological measurements of intra-abdominal adipose tissue, and cardiovascular risk factors, in prepuberal obese children. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated 30 obese (body mass index > p95) children aged 6 to 12 years (15 males). Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured. Subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat thickness and fat area were measured by ultrasound (US) and computed tomography. Serum insulin, glucose and lipid profile were measured in a fasting blood sample. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was calculated as an index of insulin resistance. RESULTS: There was a significant correlation between US intra-abdominal fat thickness and HOMA (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), serum triglycerides (r = 0.46, p < 0.05) and with positive criteria for metabolic syndrome (r = 0.66, p < 0.01). A receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed that, above a cut-off of 45 mm for intra-abdominal fat thickness, US was able to identify insulin resistance with a sensibility and specificity of 79 and 69% respectively and metabolic syndrome with sensibility and specificity of 100 and 67% respectively. US and computed tomography measurements for intra-abdominal fat thickness were significantly correlated (r= 0.62, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: US measurements of intra-abdominal fat thickness identify obesity-associated damage in childhood. Age-specific measurements of intra-abdominal adipose tissue may improve the detection power of this approach.

Mediciones de adiposidad intraabdominal por ultrasonido y factores asociados con riesgo cardiovascular en niños obesos / Ultrasound measurements of intra-abdominal adiposity and factors associated with cardiovascular risk in obese children

Background: Cardiovascular risk factors are commonly present in obese children. Aim: To evaluate the association among radiological measurements of intra-abdominal adipose tissue, and cardiovascular risk factors, in prepuberal obese children. Patients and Methods: We evaluated 30 obese (body mass index > p95) children aged 6 to 12 years (15 males). Anthropometry and blood pressure were measured. Subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat thickness and fat area were measured by ultrasound (US) and computed tomography. Serum insulin, glucose and lipid profile were measured in a fasting blood sample. Homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was calculated as an index of insulin resistance. Results: There was a significant correlation between US intra-abdominal fat thickness and HOMA (r = 0.47, p < 0.01), serum triglycerides (r = 0.46, p < 0.05) and with positive criteria for metabolic syndrome (r = 0.66, p < 0.01). A receiver operating curve (ROC) analysis showed that, above a cut-off of 45 mm for intra-abdominal fat thickness, US was able to identify insulin resistance with a sensibility and specificity of 79 and 69 percent respectively and metabolic syndrome with sensibility and specificity of 100 and 67 percent respectively. US and computed tomography measurements for intra-abdominal fat thickness were significantly correlated (r= 0.62, p < 0.01). Conclusions: US measurements of intra-abdominal fat thickness identify obesity-associated damage in childhood. Age-specific measurements of intra-abdominal adipose tissue may improve the detection power of this approach.

Prevalencia de trastornos del desarrollo en consultorios de mediano riesgo del Hospital Garrahan / Prevalence of developmental disorders in patients seen at the aoutpatient clinic of the Garrahan Hospital

Los trastornos del desarrollo son problemas relevantes y de gran impacto para la familia y la sociedad. Según Glascoe aproximadamente el 15-18 por ciento de los niños en Estados Unidos tienen alteración del desarrollo o de la conducta. Los datos en países en vías de desarrollo son muy escasos. Objetivos. Determinar la prevalencia de trastornos del desarollo (TD) en niños de 1 año a 5 años, 11 meses y 29 días que asisten al consultorio de Mediano Riesgo (MR) del hospital de Pediatría Juan P. Garrahan. diferenciar y caracterizar a los niños con trastorno del desarrollo evidente o sospechoso. Materiales y métodos: Estudio de corte transversal, prospectivo y descriptivo realizado entre 07/2007 y 03/2008. Se incluyeron pacientes de 1 año a 5 años 11 meses y 29 días que consultaron al sector de Mediano Riesgo con trastornos del desarrollo evidente o sospechoso por evaluación clínica asistemática o presencia de factores de riesgo. Los evidentes fueron derivados para evaluación especifica del desarrollo. A los sospechosos se les realizó un interrogatorio del desarrollo y se les administró la prueba de pesquisa PRUNAPE. Resultados: Sobre un total de 922 pacientes elegidos al azar, el 45.5 por ciento (N=420) fueron incluidos por presentar alteraciones evidentes o sospechosas de trastornos del desarrollo para la población elegida en ese período fue del 20 por ciento (N=186) para los evidentes y 17.5 por ciento (N=161) para los sospechosos. Del grupo de pacientes sospechosos (N=161), el 62.2 por ciento (N=100) no pasó la prueba de pesquisa o presentó algún tipo de trastorno de conducta o disfluencia, que requirió intervención terapéutica orientada por el pediatra. Cuando la sospecha fue de los padres (N=20): un 75 por ciento falló en la PRUNAPE (N=15), un niño presentó trastorno de la conducta que requirió intervención terapéutica (N=1) y un niño disfluencia o trartamudez (N=1).

[Visceral adiposity and its association with serum lipids in female obese teenagers]. / Adiposidad visceral y su asociación con lípidos séricos e insulinemis en adolescentes obesas.

BACKGROUND: Increased visceral or abdominal adipose tissue in children and adults is strongly associated with metabolic and a variety of chronic diseases. AIM: To study the association between visceral or external body measurements of adiposity with blood lipids, glucose and insulin levels, in obese female adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 47 obese female adolescents (body mass index (BMI) >95th percentile) aged 10 to 15 years, were analyzed. Weight, height, BMI, Tanner pubertal stages, skinfold thickness, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, fasting and 120 min post prandial blood glucose, serum insulin, and lipid profile were studied. Visceral fat was assessed by computed tomography at the L4-L5 level, measuring the fat area or the length of a straight drawn line between the spine and the internal border of the rectus abdominus muscle. RESULTS: No association between lipid profile and BMI or external body measurements (skinfold thickness, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio) was observed. Total serum cholesterol >170 mg/dL was positively associated with the straight line over 63 mm (a cut-off obtained by ROC analysis (RR 2.64; 1.15-6.08). This association was statistically significant in girls in Tanner I + II (n =21; Fisher, p <0.023), but not with Tanner III + IV (n=26) stages. Increased cholesterol (>170 mg/dL) was also positively associated with a serum insulin >17 uU/mL in the Tanner I + II group (Fisher p<0.05), but not with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA). CONCLUSIONS: No external body measurement of adiposity was associated to increased serum cholesterol in these obese female adolescents. Increased total cholesterol (>170 mg/dL) was associated with visceral fat (evaluated through the straight line spina-rectus abdominus muscle), and also with a serum insulin >17 uU/ml in those teenagers with Tanner I or II pubertal stages.

Adiposidad visceral y su asociación con lípidos séricos e insulinemis en adolescentes obesas / Visceral adiposity and its association with serum lipids in female obese teenagers

Background: Increased visceral or abdominal adipose tissue in children and adults is strongly associated with metabolic and a variety of chronic diseases. Aim: To study the association between visceral or external body measurements of adiposity with blood lipids, glucose and insulin levels, in obese female adolescents. Material and methods: In a cross-sectional study, 47 obese female adolescents (body mass index (BMI) >95th percentile) aged 10 to 15 years, were analyzed. Weight, height, BMI, Tanner pubertal stages, skinfold thickness, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, fasting and 120 min post prandial blood glucose, serum insulin, and lipid profile were studied. Visceral fat was assessed by computed tomography at the L4-L5 level, measuring the fat area or the length of a straight drawn line between the spine and the internal border of the rectus abdominus muscle. Results: No association between lipid profile and BMI or external body measurements (skinfold thickness, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio) was observed. Total serum cholesterol >170 mg/dL was positively associated with the straight line over 63 mm (a cut-off obtained by ROC analysis (RR 2.64; 1.15-6.08). This association was statistically significant in girls in Tanner I + II (n =21; Fisher, p <0.023), but not with Tanner III + IV (n =26) stages. Increased cholesterol (>170 mg/dL) was also positively associated with a serum insulin >17 uU/mL in the Tanner I + II group (Fisher p<0.05), but not with the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA). Conclusions: No external body measurement of adiposity was associated to increased serum cholesterol in these obese female adolescents. Increased total cholesterol (>170 mg/dL) was associated with visceral fat (evaluated through the straight line spina-rectus abdominus muscle), and also with a serum insulin >17 uU/ml in those teenagers with Tanner I or II pubertal stages.

[Difficulties in learning mathematics]. / Dificultades en el aprendizaje de las matemáticas.

AIMS: To discuss our concern for some aspects of mathematics learning disorders related to the nomenclature employed and their diagnosis; these aspects refer to the term 'dyscalculia' and to its diagnosis (especially syndromatic diagnosis). We also intend to propose a classification that could help to define the terminology. Lastly we are going to consider the different aspects of diagnosis and to determine which of them are indispensable in the diagnosis of primary and secondary disorders. DEVELOPMENT: As far as the nomenclature is concerned, we refer to the term 'dyscalculia'. The origins of the term are analysed along with the reasons why it should not be used in children with difficulties in learning mathematics. We propose a classification and denominations for the different types that should undoubtedly be discussed. With respect to the diagnosis, several problems related to the syndromatic diagnosis are considered, since in our country there are no standardised tests with which to study performance in arithmetic and geometry. This means that criterion reference tests are conducted to try to establish current and potential performance. At this stage of the diagnosis pedagogical and psychological studies must be conducted. The important factors with regard to the topographical and aetiological diagnoses are prior knowledge, results from the studies that have been carried out and findings from imaging studies. The importance of a genetic study must be defined in the aetiological diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: We propose a nomenclature to replace the term 'dyscalculia'. Standardised tests are needed for the diagnosis. The need to establish current and potential performance is hierarchized. With regard to the topographical diagnosis, we highlight the need for more information about geometry, and in aetiological studies the analyses must be conducted with greater numbers of children.

[Learning and its difficulties]. / El aprendizaje y sus dificultades.

AIMS: To review some aspects of learning and its difficulties, learning understood as meaning a process that allows the nervous system to develop, and also as acquisition and consolidation, and as a synaptic and neocortical process. Likewise, we also intend to analyse the role played by the environment as well as the relations between learning and maturing, and between learning and plasticity. It is also our aim to define learning difficulties and to discuss how they can be classified. Finally, this study also seeks to consider diagnosis and the different possibilities it may offer. DEVELOPMENT: The main issue analysed here is the diagnosis of learning disorders, which is classified as being either positive (syndromatic, topographic, aetiological) or differential; the paper also describes the ways such diagnoses can be carried out and the role played by an interdisciplinary team is underlined. CONCLUSIONS: Attention is drawn to the importance of this subject owing to the large numbers of children who visit a specialist because of a possible learning disorder. At the same time we also highlight the fact that the members of the team that study these children will need to have a sound and comprehensive training because of the many pathologies that may be at play. Lastly, we discuss the need to conduct this research to resolve certain aspects that are not well understood.

[Attention and the executive functions]. / Atencion y funciones ejecutivas.

AIMS: The objective of this study was to determine the relations that exist between attention and the executive functions, and between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and dysexecutive syndrome, while at the same offering a definition of these terms. To achieve this, several aspects related to attention and the executive functions are reviewed, including the evolution of the concept, the different types and the anatomical location. DEVELOPMENT: The analysis investigates the possible relations between attention and the executive functions, and the modifications that have taken place in ADHD over time, which leads us to consider whether it is the children themselves and the factors that may have influenced these differences. The work then moves on to analyse the possible explanation behind the most frequent symptoms: attention deficit, hyperactivity and impulsiveness, and more especially whether they can be symptoms of executive dysfunction. The possibility of several clinical forms then arises. Finally, we accept the possible cause as being due to an alteration in neurotransmitters, especially dopamine and noradrenalin. A discussion is also included on whether the new interpretation, executive dysfunction, entails a different treatment and whether this offers some benefit for the child. CONCLUSIONS: Attention is related to the executive functions, but it is not one of them. ADHD has several clinical forms, one of which (although not the only one) may be dysexecutive syndrome. The clinical symptoms may be caused by a delay in the development of distinct neurotransmitter systems.

Sodium Propionate To Control Clostridium botulinum Toxigenesis in a Shelf-Stable Beef Product Prepared by Using Combined Processes Including Irradiation.

The antibotulinal effect of sodium propionate was evaluated by a factorial-design experiment and by an inoculated-pack study on a shelf-stable beef product. Processing of samples involved curing, cooking, vacuum packing, and gamma irradiation. The factorial-design experiment involved 240 samples treated with 0, 0.8, 2.0, and 3.3% sodium propionate, challenged with 101 to 105 spores of type A Clostridium botulinum per package, irradiated with 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 kGy, and stored at 28°C for up to 4 months. In the pack study, 110 samples with 2% added sodium propionate were challenged with 108 spores of C. botulinum per package, irradiated with 12.5 kGy, and stored (28°C) for 8 months. Addition of 0.8% sodium propionate resulted in a delay (compared to control samples) in toxigenesis of 18 (5 kGy), 34 (2.5 kGy), and 34 (7.5 kGy) days, while no toxin was detected in samples irradiated with 10 kGy. Samples containing 2 and 3.3% sodium propionate were not toxic at any irradiation dose assayed. A safety level, expressed as the number of decimal reductions (DR = log 1/P) for the combination 0.8% sodium propionate and 10 kGy, was estimated to be >4.4. In the inoculated pack study, 2 of 107 samples became toxic, and the safety level treatment resulted in 10.7 DR. Sodium propionate in combination with other processing factors was very effective in preventing C. botulinum toxigenesis: it can be used as a further safety hurdle in the development of shelf-stable meat products.

Panarteritis nudosa cutánea (PANC.) / Cutaneous Periarteritis nodosa (CPN.)

Presentamos y comentamos dos nuevos casos de panarteritis nudosa predominante cutánea, (uno de ellos asociado a Hepatitis B y el otro a una Hipertensión arterial severa que obligó a descartar una panarteritis nudosa sistémica con compromiso renal

Panarteritis nudosa cutánea (PANC.) / Cutaneous Periarteritis nodosa (CPN.)

Presentamos y comentamos dos nuevos casos de panarteritis nudosa predominante cutánea, (uno de ellos asociado a Hepatitis B y el otro a una Hipertensión arterial severa que obligó a descartar una panarteritis nudosa sistémica con compromiso renal (AU)

[Possible use of serum calcitonin in septic patients at risk of acute respiratory distress syndrome]. / Posible utilidad de la calcitonina sérica en pacientes sépticos en riesgo de desarrollar SIRPA.

The acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a late complication in critically ill patients and its diagnosis is usually made when the syndrome is fully established. There is an increased interest in developing early markers that may help to identify ARDS in its initial stages. Calcitonin was recently reported as a useful serum marker to identify burned patients at risk for respiratory failure. We report a case with abdominal sepsis and ARDS, whose serum calcitonin level was 1000 pg/mL without other known clinical causes of hypercalcitoninemia and who died in multiorganic failure. The possible mechanisms of hypercalcitoninemia and its possible utility as marker of ARDS in critically ill patients is discussed.

[Total gastrectomy in newborn infant]. / Gastrectomía total en lactante.

Total gastrectomy is rarely indicated in childhood and when necessary it involves multiple ulterior therapeutic problems, mainly nutritional, which need a meticulous physiological approach to avoid further complications, as illustrated by the following patient who, at age 15 months, was submitted to total gastric resection, Y en Roux esophagojejunal anastomosis and splenectomy, because of peritonitis secondary to dehiscence of a recent esophagogastric anastomosis for partial gastric resection due to gastric volvulus and necrosis, which in turn were associated to diaphragmatic relaxation. The patient was admitted to our hospital one month later with signs of acute calorie-protein malnutrition (W/A 60% and W/H 68%, NCHS standards) requiring combined parenteral and enteral nutritional support (via central venous catheter and jejunostomy tube for 15 and 35 days respectively) together with intramuscular vitamin B 12, oral iron and oral vitamin supplements before it became possible to fed him only by mouth. Prophylaxis against Streptococcus pneumonia infections with monthly benzatin penicillin was also instituted. Mean daily weight increases of 16 g, W/A 68% and W/H 74% were thus achieved before hospital discharge, without evidence of dumping syndrome nor alkaline reflux.

[Modular diet and parenteral support in persistent diarrhea]. / Dieta modular y apoyo parenteral en diarrea persistente.

Eleven infants with protracted diarrhea were treated with modular diet and short-term parenteral nutrition. Mean age at admission was 3.7 months with males predominating. Enteropathogenic E. coli, classic serotypes, were isolated from 7 patients and rotavirus from one. A child with combined, severe immunodeficiency died. Milk protein intolerance was diagnosed in another patient. Balance studies and peroral biopsies were performed. Malnutrition was more frequent and hospital stay was longer in those infants who developed nosocomial infections. Even though this treatment shortened the duration of the hospitalization, the negative nutritional impact persisted: Weight/Age (NCHS) decreased from 84% to 61%, with rapid recovery after discharge. Fecal lactic acid excretion was increased on admission to 1,296 mg x day and disaccharidase activity was decreased. The modular diet decreased both fecal volume and lactic acid excretion.