EXPRESS: Development and validation of a pictographic assessment embodiment scale.

Embodiment is a complex concept related with the subjective perception of an object as it belongs to the own body. In general, this construct has been evaluated by means of questionnaires but validation studies in other cultures and limitations related with barriers of language received little attention. The purpose of the present investigation was twofold: to validate the factorial structure of Embodiment Questionnaire (EQ) and to construct a pictographic scale (PAE) to measure embodiment without relapse verbal representations. In a first experiment, one hundred and thirty-six participants underwent a Rubber Hand Illusion (RHI) procedure following both congruent and incongruent (control) visuo-tactile stimulations. Then, they evaluated embodiment illusion in EQ using a Likert scale to rate their agreement or disagreement with 27 statements and with a pictographic scale designed to assess their subjective experience of the illusion. Principal components analysis in EQ scores identified four components that emerged in both conditions: Embodiment, Disembodiment, Affect and Deafference. PAE scale was highly correlated with embodiment factor and can differentiate between conditions. In a second experiment, thirty participants underwent the RHI procedure, and they were assessed using PAE and proprioceptive drift. Results indicates a high positive correlation between PAE and post-illusion drift score. These results provide evidence about the consistency of the factorial structure of EQ across cultures and we also provide a new pictographic tool that allows quick measurement of embodiment overcoming language barriers.

Differences in Lymph Node Metastases Patterns Among Non-pancreatic Periampullary Cancers and Histologic Subtypes: An International Multicenter Retrospective Cohort Study and Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Standard lymphadenectomy for pancreatoduodenectomy is defined for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma and adopted for patients with non-pancreatic periampullary cancer (NPPC), ampullary adenocarcinoma (AAC), distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA), or duodenal adenocarcinoma (DAC). This study aimed to compare the patterns of lymph node metastases among the different NPPCs in a large series and in a systematic review to guide the discussion on surgical lymphadenectomy and pathology assessment. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included patients after pancreatoduodenectomy for NPPC with at least one lymph node metastasis (2010-2021) from 24 centers in nine countries. The primary outcome was identification of lymph node stations affected in case of a lymph node metastasis per NPPC. A separate systematic review included studies on lymph node metastases patterns of AAC, dCCA, and DAC. RESULTS: The study included 2367 patients, of whom 1535 had AAC, 616 had dCCA, and 216 had DAC. More patients with pancreatobiliary type AAC had one or more lymph node metastasis (67.2% vs 44.8%; P < 0.001) compared with intestinal-type, but no differences in metastasis pattern were observed. Stations 13 and 17 were most frequently involved (95%, 94%, and 90%). Whereas dCCA metastasized more frequently to station 12 (13.0% vs 6.4% and 7.0%, P = 0.005), DAC metastasized more frequently to stations 6 (5.0% vs 0% and 2.7%; P < 0.001) and 14 (17.0% vs 8.4% and 11.7%, P = 0.015). CONCLUSION: This study is the first to comprehensively demonstrate the differences and similarities in lymph node metastases spread among NPPCs, to identify the existing research gaps, and to underscore the importance of standardized lymphadenectomy and pathologic assessment for AAC, dCCA, and DAC.

Different Periampullary Types and Subtypes Leading to Different Perioperative Outcomes of Pancreatoduodenectomy: Reality and Not a Myth; An International Multicenter Cohort Study.

This international multicenter cohort study included 30 centers. Patients with duodenal adenocarcinoma (DAC), intestinal-type (AmpIT) and pancreatobiliary-type (AmpPB) ampullary adenocarcinoma, distal cholangiocarcinoma (dCCA), and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) were included. The primary outcome was 30-day or in-hospital mortality, and secondary outcomes were major morbidity (Clavien-Dindo 3b≥), clinically relevant post-operative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF), and length of hospital stay (LOS). Results: Overall, 3622 patients were included in the study (370 DAC, 811 AmpIT, 895 AmpPB, 1083 dCCA, and 463 PDAC). Mortality rates were comparable between DAC, AmpIT, AmpPB, and dCCA (ranging from 3.7% to 5.9%), while lower for PDAC (1.5%, p = 0.013). Major morbidity rate was the lowest in PDAC (4.4%) and the highest for DAC (19.9%, p < 0.001). The highest rates of CR-POPF were observed in DAC (27.3%), AmpIT (25.5%), and dCCA (27.6%), which were significantly higher compared to AmpPB (18.5%, p = 0.001) and PDAC (8.3%, p < 0.001). The shortest LOS was found in PDAC (11 d vs. 14-15 d, p < 0.001). Discussion: In conclusion, this study shows significant variations in perioperative mortality, post-operative complications, and hospital stay among different periampullary cancers, and between the ampullary subtypes. Further research should assess the biological characteristics and tissue reactions associated with each type of periampullary cancer, including subtypes, in order to improve patient management and personalized treatment.

Repeated pancreatic resection for pancreatic metastases from renal cell Carcinoma: A Spanish multicenter study (PANMEKID).

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Recurrent isolated pancreatic metastasis from Renal Cell Carcinoma (RCC) after pancreatic resection is rare. The purpose of our study is to describe a series of cases of relapse of pancreatic metastasis from renal cancer in the pancreatic remnant and its surgical treatment with a repeated pancreatic resection, and to analyse the results of both overall and disease-free survival. METHODS: Multicenter retrospective study of patients undergoing pancreatic resection for RCC pancreatic metastases, from January 2010 to May 2020. Patients were grouped into two groups depending on whether they received a single pancreatic resection (SPS) or iterative pancreatic resection. Data on short and long-term outcome after pancreatic resection were collected. RESULTS: The study included 131 pancreatic resections performed in 116 patients. Thus, iterative pancreatic surgery (IPS) was performed in 15 patients. The mean length of time between the first pancreatic surgery and the second was 48.9 months (95 % CI: 22.2-56.9). There were no differences in the rate of postoperative complications. The DFS rates at 1, 3 and 5 years were 86 %, 78 % and 78 % vs 75 %, 50 % and 37 % in the IPS and SPS group respectively (p = 0.179). OS rates at 1, 3, 5 and 7 years were 100 %, 100 %, 100 % and 75 % in the IPS group vs 95 %, 85 %, 80 % and 68 % in the SPS group (p = 0.895). CONCLUSION: Repeated pancreatic resection in case of relapse of pancreatic metastasis of RCC in the pancreatic remnant is justified, since it achieves OS results similar to those obtained after the first resection.

Splinting or non-splinting of fixed prostheses on adjacent implants: A critical review.

PURPOSE: The present study aimed to identify, through a critical review of the literature, the success factors associated with the splinting of fixed prostheses on adjacent implants of the posterior sectors in partially edentulous patients compared with those not splinted. STUDY SELECTION: A MEDLINE strategy was implemented based on a research question to systematically search and extract information from databases (PubMed and Scopus) using MeSH terms/keywords identified for each domain. Systematic reviews, clinical and in vitro studies were selected and classified according to eligibility criteria based on the research question and level of evidence using the PRISMA flowchart. RESULTS: A total of 32 studies were selected for data extraction and analysis according to study design (three systematic reviews, 14 clinical studies, and 15 in vitro studies). Overall, the studies found no significant difference in the association between the survival rate and prosthesis type. In clinical studies, there have been no differences in marginal bone loss between splinted and non-splinted prostheses, and the influence of peri-implant status and restorative materials has been poorly evaluated. The distribution of stress and loads determined in the in vitro studies showed results that could favor splinted prostheses; however, are generally associated with implant design. CONCLUSIONS: The need for splinted or non-splinted adjacent implant-supported prostheses remains controversial. The reviewed evidence indicates that factors such as implant size and its relationship with coronal height could be important in decision-making.

Comparative effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptors agonists, 4-dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors, and metformin on metabolic syndrome.

AIMS: To assess the comparative effects of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RA), 4-dipeptidyl peptidase inhibitors (DPP-4I), and metformin treatment during one year on metabolic syndrome (MetS) components and severity in MetS patients. METHODS: Prospective study (n = 6165 adults) within the frame of PREDIMED-Plus trial. The major end-point was changes on MetS components and severity after one- year treatment of GLP-1RA, DPP-4I, and metformin. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height and waist circumference), body mass index (BM), and blood pressure were registered. Blood samples were collected after overnight fasting. Plasma glucose, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), plasma triglycerides and cholesterol were measured. Dietary intakes as well as physical activity were assessed through validated questionnaires. RESULTS: MetS parameters improved through time. The treated groups improved glycaemia compared with untreated (glycaemia ∆ untreated: -1.7 mg/dL(± 13.5); ∆ metformin: - 2.5(± 23.9) mg/dL; ∆ DPP-4I: - 4.5(± 42.6); mg/dL ∆ GLP-1RA: - 4.3(± 50.9) mg/dL; and HbA1c: ∆ untreated: 0.0(± 0.3) %; ∆ metformin: - 0.1(± 0.7) %; ∆ DPP-4I: - 0.1(± 1.0) %; ∆ GLP-1RA: - 0.2(± 1.2) %. Participants decreased BMI and waist circumference. GLP-1RA and DPP-4I participants registered the lowest decrease in BMI (∆ untreated: -0.8(± 1.6) kg/m2; ∆ metformin: - 0.8(± 1.5) kg/m2; ∆ DPP-4I: - 0.6(± 1.3) kg/m2; ∆ GLP-1RA: - 0.5(± 1.2) kg/m2. and their waist circumference (∆ untreated: -2.8(± 5.2) cm; ∆ metformin: - 2.6(± 15.2) cm; ∆ DPP-4I: - 2.1(± 4.8) cm; ∆ GLP-1RA: - 2.4(± 4.1) cm. CONCLUSION: In patients with MetS and healthy lifestyle intervention, those treated with GLP-1RA and DPP-4I obtained better glycemic profile. Anthropometric improvements were modest.

Steatotic hepatocellular adenoma: an unusual cause of a hypermetabolic liver lesion.

A 22-year-old woman with a history of surgically treated pelvic teratoma and solid liver lesion in the extension study. Radiological follow-up was decided. This liver lesion experienced a progressive increase in size, reaching 6 cm. Contrast-enhanced liver MRI was performed, revealing a heterogeneous mass in the right hepatic lobe with non-hepatocyte-like behaviour. With this information, the following entities were ruled out: haemangioma, adenoma, hepatocarcinoma and focal nodular hyperplasia. Given that it could be a teratoma metastasis, a tumour of any other origin or a non-tumoral lesion with no hepatocyte component, it was decided to perform a 2-[18F]FDG PET/CT scan. It showed the liver mass with notable glycolytic hypermetabolism, suggestive of malignancy. In a multidisciplinary committee, it was decided to perform a laparoscopic right hepatectomy. Pathological examination revealed a benign hepatocytic lesion compatible with a steatotic adenoma.

Role of ambulatory blood pressure on prediction of cardiovascular disease. A cohort study.

Ambulatory blood pressure (BP) is associated with mortality, but it is also interesting to expand its association with cardiovascular morbidity. This study sought to evaluate association with cardiovascular morbidity and cardiovascular mortality. Patients without cardiovascular disease who had a first 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring were followed-up until the onset of the first event (a combined variable of cardiovascular mortality, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, peripheral arteriopathy, or hospital admission for heart failure). Changes in antihypertensive treatment couldn't be collected. Cox regression analysis was adjusted for risk factors and office BP. We included 3907 patients (mean age, 58.0, SD 13.8 years), of whom 85.5% were hypertensive. The follow up period was 6.6 (95% CI 5.0-8.5) years. A total of 496 (12.7%) events were recorded. The incidence rate was 19.3 (95% CI 17.7-21.1) cases per 1000 person-years. The patients with an event compared to the rest of patients were mostly men, older, with higher office and ambulatory systolic BP, higher prevalence of diabetes, chronic kidney disease, dyslipidemia, and non-dipper or riser circadian profile. In the fully adjusted model, office BP loses its significant association with the main variable. Ambulatory BP association remained significant with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, HR 1.494 (1.326-1.685) and 0.767 (0.654-0.899) for 24-hour systolic and diastolic BP, respectively. Nighttime systolic BP also maintained this significant association, 1.270 (1.016-1.587). We conclude that nighttime systolic BP and 24-hour BP are significantly associated with cardiovascular events and cardiovascular mortality in patients without cardiovascular disease attended under conditions of routine clinical practice.

Primary Graft Dysfunction: Factor V's Value for Its Early Diagnosis.

BACKGROUND: Primary graft dysfunction is a common postoperative complication, lacking consensus regarding diagnostic criteria. Olthoff criteria are the most used, based on blood parameters in the first 7 postoperative days. This lack of consensus and late diagnosis evidence the need of early parameters. This study proposes factor V (FV) as a marker in the first 3 postoperative days for primary graft dysfunction. METHODS: Within a 500-patient database, 27 patients with graft loss in the first 90 days were chosen and compared with a group of 54 patients composed of the immediately preceding and following transplant to each case. Through receiver operating characteristic curves, FV and maximum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) predictive value on the first 3 postoperative days were assessed. The best threshold value was selected according to the Youden index. RESULTS: FV was significantly higher in the control group, with second postoperative day as the highest discriminative one (area under the curve = 0.893). In addition, a cutoff point of FV 37.50 exhibited a specificity of 92% and sensibility of 69% in predicting allograft failure in the first 3 months. GPT showed a lower validity with area under the curve = 0.77, and a GPT of 1539 presented a specificity of 82% and sensibility of 67%. Combining FV < 37.5 and GPT > 1539, a specificity of 98% and sensibility of 55% was reached. CONCLUSIONS: FV could postulate as an early marker of primary graft dysfunction because of its high specificity despite having a lower sensibility. With de association of FV and GPT the maximum specificity for predicting graft loss in the first 3 months was reached, becoming a promising parameter for further analysis.

Blood-biomarkers and devices for atrial fibrillation screening: Lessons learned from the AFRICAT (Atrial Fibrillation Research In CATalonia) study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: AFRICAT is a prospective cohort study intending to develop an atrial fibrillation (AF) screening program through the combination of blood markers, rhythm detection devices, and long-term monitoring in our community. In particular, we aimed to validate the use of NT-proBNP, and identify new blood biomarkers associated with AF. Also, we aimed to compare AF detection using various wearables and long-term Holter monitoring. METHODS: 359 subjects aged 65-75 years with hypertension and diabetes were included in two phases: Phase I (n = 100) and Phase II (n = 259). AF diagnosis was performed by baseline 12-lead ECG, 4 weeks of Holter monitoring (NuuboTM), and/or medical history. An aptamer array including 1310 proteins was measured in the blood of 26 patients. Candidates were selected according to p-value, logFC and biological function to be tested in verification and validation phases. Several screening devices were tested and compared: AliveCor, Watch BP, MyDiagnostick and Fibricheck. RESULTS: AF was present in 34 subjects (9.47%). The aptamer array revealed 41 proteins with differential expression in AF individuals. TIMP-2 and ST-2 were the most promising candidates in the verification analysis, but none of them was further validated. NT-proBNP (log-transformed) (OR = 1.934; p<0.001) was the only independent biomarker to detect AF in the whole cohort. Compared to an ECG, WatchBP had the highest sensitivity (84.6%) and AUC (0.895 [0.780-1]), while MyDiagnostick showed the highest specificity (97.10%). CONCLUSION: The inclusion and monitoring of a cohort of primary care patients for AF detection, together with the testing of biomarkers and screening devices provided useful lessons about AF screening in our community. An AF screening strategy using rhythm detection devices and short monitoring periods among high-risk patients with high NT-proBNP levels could be feasible.

Evaluation of the HEFESTOS scale to predict outcomes in emergency department acute heart failure patients.

The HEFESTOS scale was developed in 14 Spanish primary care centres and validated in 9 primary care centres of other European countries. It showed good performance to predict death/hospitalisation during the first 30 days after an episode of acute heart failure (AHF), with c-statistics of 0.807/0.730 in the derivation/validation cohorts. We evaluated this scale in the emergency department (ED) setting, comparing it to the EHMRG and MEESSI scales in the ED and the EFFECT and GWTG scales in hospitalised patients, to predict 30-day outcomes, including death and hospitalisation. Consecutive AHF patients were enrolled in 34 Spanish EDs in January-February 2016, 2018, and 2019 with variables needed to calculate outcome scores. Thirty-day hospitalisation/death (together and separately) and post-discharge combined adverse event (ED revisit or hospitalisation for AHF or all-cause death) were determined for patients discharged home after ED care. Predictive capacity was assessed by c-statistic with 95% confidence intervals. Of 10,869 patients, 4,044 were included (median age: 83 years, 54% women). The performance of HEFESTOS was modest for 30-day hospitalisation/death, c-statistic=0.656 (0.637-0.675), hospitalisation, 0.650 (0.631-0.669), and death, 0.610 (0.576-0.644). Of 1,034 patients with scores for the 5 scales, HEFESTOS had the numerically highest c-statistic for hospitalisation/death at 30 days, 0.666 (0.627-0.704), vs. MEESSI= 0.650 (0.612-0.687, p=0.51), EFFECT=0.633 (0.595-0.672, p=0.21), GWTG=0.618 (0.578-0.657, p=0.06) and EHMRG=0.617 (0.577-0.704, p=0.07). Similar modest performances were observed for predicting hospitalisation [ranging from HEFESTOS=0.656 (0.618-0.695) to GWTG=0.603 (0.564-0.643)]. Conversely, prediction of 30-day death was good with the MEESSI=0.787 (0.728-845), EFFECT=0.754 (0.691-0.818) and GWTG=0.749 (0.689-0.809) scales, and modest with EHMRG=0.649 (0.581-0.717) and HEFESTOS=0.610 (0.538-0.683). Although the HEFESTOS scale was numerically better for predicting 30-day hospitalisation/death in ED AHF patients, its modest performance precludes routine use. Only 30-day mortality was adequately predicted by some scales, with the MEESSI achieving the best results.

Burden of heart failure in primary healthcare / Impacto de la insuficiencia cardíaca en la atención primaria

Objectives: To determine the epidemiology of heart failure registered in primary healthcare clinical records in Catalunya, Spain, between 2010 and 2014, focusing on incidence, mortality, and resource utilization. Design: Retrospective observational cohort study. Setting: Study was carried out in primary care setting. Participants and interventions: Patients registered as presenting a new heart failure diagnosis. The inclusion period ran from 1st January 2010 to 31st December 2013, but patients were followed until 31st December 2013 in order to analyze mortality. Main measures: Information came from electronic medical records. Results: A total of 64441 patients were registered with a new diagnosis of heart failure (2.76 new cases per 1000 persons-year). Among them, 85.8% were ≥65 years. The number of cases/1000 persons-year was higher in men in all age groups. Incidence ranged from 0.04 in women <45 years to 27.61 in the oldest group, and from 0.08 in men <45 years to 28.52 in the oldest group. Mortality occurred in 16305 (25.3%) patients. Primary healthcare resource utilization increased after the occurrence of heart failure, especially the number of visits made by nurses to the patients’ homes. Conclusion: Heart failure incidence increases with age, is greater in men, and remains stable. Mortality continues to be high in newly diagnosed patients in spite of the current improvements in treatment. Home visits represent the greatest cost for the management of this disease in primary care setting.(AU)

Objetivo: Determinar la epidemiología de la insuficiencia cardíaca registrada en las historias clínicas de atención primaria en Cataluña, España, entre 2010 y 2014, centrándose en la incidencia, la mortalidad y la utilización de recursos sanitarios. Diseño: Estudio de cohorte observacional retrospectivo. Emplazamiento: El estudio se llevó a cabo en atención primaria. Participantes e intervenciones: Pacientes registrados con nuevo diagnóstico de insuficiencia cardíaca en el período de estudio. El período de inclusión fue del 1 de enero de 2010 al 31 de diciembre de 2013, pero los pacientes se siguieron hasta el 31 de diciembre de 2014 para poder determinar la mortalidad. Mediciones principales: La información se obtuvo de la historia clínica electrónica de los participantes. Resultados: Se registraron un total de 64.441 pacientes con nuevo diagnóstico de insuficiencia cardíaca (2,76 nuevos casos/1000 personas-año). De ellos, el 85,8% tenían ≥65 años. El número de casos/1000 personas-año fue mayor en hombres en todos los grupos de edad. La incidencia varió de 0,04 en mujeres <45 años a 27,61 en el grupo de mayor edad, y de 0,08 en hombres <45 años a 28,52 en el grupo de mayor edad. La mortalidad se produjo en 16.305 (25,3%) pacientes. La utilización de los recursos de atención primaria aumentó tras el diagnóstico de insuficiencia cardíaca, especialmente el número de visitas realizadas por las enfermeras a los pacientes en su domicilio. Conclusión: La incidencia de insuficiencia cardíaca aumenta con la edad, es mayor en hombres y se mantiene estable en el tiempo. La mortalidad continúa siendo alta en pacientes recién diagnosticados a pesar de las mejoras actuales en el tratamiento. Las visitas domiciliarias representan el mayor coste para el manejo de esta enfermedad en el ámbito de atención primaria.(AU)