Integrating viral hepatitis management into the emergency department: A further step towards viral hepatitis elimination.

Background & Aims: Many people with HCV and HBV infection are unaware of their condition, particularly at-risk and vulnerable populations who face barriers for screening and linkage to care. Emergency departments are often their only point of contact with the health system. Methods: This is a prospective study investigating HBsAg and HCV antibody testing, with reflex testing for HDV antibodies and HCV RNA, in adults attending an emergency department and requiring a blood test. Positive cases were linked to care. A cost-effectiveness analysis was performed. Results: From February 2020 to February 2022, a total of 17,560 individuals were screened. HBsAg was detected in 91 (0.5%), HCV RNA in 128 (0.7%), and HDV antibodies in two (0.01%) individuals. Nearly 40% of positive cases were unaware of their condition. Linkage to care was achieved in 42 of 56 HBsAg-positive and 45 of 69 HCV RNA-positive participants who were candidates for referral. HCV and HBV screening vs. no screening yielded 1.06 and 0.42 additional quality-adjusted life-years, respectively, with incremental cost-utility ratios of €7,629 and -€147 per quality-adjusted life-year gained, respectively, and proved even more cost-effective in patients with hepatitis C aged 40-70 years. Conclusions: On emergency department screening for hepatitis B, C, and D in Barcelona, the prevalence of HBsAg was 0.5% and HCV RNA 0.7%, approximately threefold higher than that observed in the general population. This strategy diagnosed patients with active HCV infection and no risk factors, who would not have been screened according to the current recommendations. Screening and linkage to care of viral hepatitis is cost-effective in this setting. Impact and implications: We evaluated the performance and cost-effectiveness of a viral hepatitis screening programme implemented in an emergency department, which aimed to identify and link to care people living with hepatitis B and C. Our findings reveal a threefold higher prevalence of hepatitis B and C than in the general Spanish population, possibly attributable to the role of the emergency department as the main healthcare gateway for vulnerable populations, who have a higher prevalence of viral hepatitis. Risk factors for viral hepatitis could not be identified in most people living with hepatitis B and C attending the emergency department; hence, screening beyond risk factors should be considered in hepatitis detection strategies. Emergency department screening is cost-effective for hepatitis C and is a cost-saving strategy for hepatitis B in our setting. These data should inform future updates to clinical guidelines.

Mycotic aneurysms due to Trichosporon asahii in a patient with ulcerative colitis under immunosuppression.

Yeast fungi of the genus Trichosporon spp. can colonize the gastrointestinal tract in humans. In recent decades, the pathogenic role of Trichosporon asahii has been increasingly acknowledged especially in the setting of neutropenic patients with hematological malignancies. However, non-neutropenic patients who are immunosuppressed for other reasons are also at risk of developing invasive forms of this mycosis. We present the case of a 62-year-old male, with a history of ulcerative colitis under immunosuppressive treatment and previous exposure to antibiotics for various bacterial infections, who was admitted to the emergency department with a mycotic aneurysm of the abdominal aorta and left common iliac secondary to T. asahii infection. A multidisciplinary approach of the case (both early medical and surgical interventions) allowed the patient's favorable outcome. The patient was followed for more than two years with no evidence of relapse. We postulate that the diagnosis of invasive Trichosporonosis should be considered in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) under immunosuppressive treatment and with prior exposure to antibiotics.

Incidence of type 1 diabetes in children in Dominican Republic, 2010-2019: A national collaborative study.

The Dominican Republic has no recent data on type 1 diabetes (T1D) incidence in children. Therefore, a study was undertaken to determine this in persons aged <15 years (y). Data were collected on all new T1D diagnoses between 2010-2019 from the four institutions caring for children with T1D. Diagnosis was made according to standard criteria. No secondary ascertainment source was available. The trend and the effect of age and sex of T1D incidence was analyzed using Poisson regression. A total of 1224 new cases of T1D were diagnosed <15 y; mean ± standard deviation (range) 122 ± 12 (96-135) cases per year. Age at T1D diagnosis was 8.8 ± 3.7 y, with a significant female preponderance (n = 708, 57.8%, p < 0.001). When examined per 5-y age group, cases were consistently highest in 10-14 y, and lowest in 0-4 y in all study years. Mean crude T1D annual incidence was 4.3 (95% CI 3.5-5.1) per 100,000 population. There was no significant difference between incidence across the country's three departments (regions): Southeast (4.4 [3.4-5.7]/100,000 population), North (4.1 [2.9-5.6]), and Southwest (3.9 [2.4-5.9]). Mean standardized annual incidence was 4.1 (4.1-4.2) per 100,000 population, with no significant trend of increase over the study period. The incidence of T1D in children aged <15 y is relatively low in Dominican Republic, but consistent with the limited data from other countries in the region. However, the incidence is eight times higher than the previous estimate during 1995-1999. Ongoing surveillance is warranted.

Panoftalmitis: presentación atípica de un melanoma coroideo

RESUMEN La panoftalmitis es una forma rara y grave ocular de presentación del melanoma coroideo, por lo que, ante la presencia de una masa intraocular e inflamación de todas las estructuras intraoculares, con extensión extraescleral y los tejidos vecinos de la órbita, debe considerarse el diagnóstico diferencial de esta neoplasia maligna. Se presenta el caso de un paciente masculino de 83 años de edad, con diagnóstico de panoftalmitis como presentación atípica de un melanoma coroideo. Acudió a consulta de Cuerpo de Guardia de Oftalmología con dolor ocular intenso en ojo derecho, acompañado de náuseas y vómitos. Se constató, al examen, hipertensión ocular, que evolucionó tórpidamente durante su ingreso, con inflamación intraocular con extensión extraescleral. Se le realizaron ultrasonido ocular y tomografía axial computarizada de órbitas y se diagnosticó una panoftalmitis secundaria a un melanoma coroideo. Los hallazgos clínicos de esta forma atípica de presentación se mostraron, cuyo tratamiento definitivo es la enucleación. El diagnóstico histológico de melanoma maligno coroideo necrótico fue confirmado.

ABSTRACT Panophthalmitis is a rare and severe ocular form of presentation of choroid melanoma, therefore, in the presence of intraocular mass and inflammation of all intraocular structures, with extra-scleral extension and to the tissues neighboring the orbit, the differential diagnosis of this malignant neoplasia should be considered. The case presented deals with a male patient, aged 83 years, with diagnosis of panophthalmitis as atypical presentation of choroid melanoma. He assisted to the consultation of Ophthalmology Emergency with intense ocular pain in the right eye, accompanied by nausea and vomits. On examination, ocular hypertension was observed, that torpidly evolved during admission, with intraocular inflammation with extra-scleral extension. He had ocular ultrasound and computed axial tomography of orbits and was diagnosed with panophthalmitis secondary to choroid melanoma. The clinical findings of this atypical presentation form showed, whose definite treatment is enucleation. Histological diagnosis of necrotic choroid malignant melanoma was confirmed.

Maculopatía en ojo de buey por uso de cloroquina. Presentación de un caso / Maculopathy in bull's eye due to the use of chloroquine. Presentation of a case

RESUMEN Se reportó el caso de un paciente con maculopatía en ojo de buey, asociada al uso de cloroquina. El uso de cloroquina en patologías reumatológicas puede provocar daño retinal relacionado con la dosis y el tiempo de evolución del tratamiento. Puede provocar desde afectación visual leve hasta daño irreversible de la visión, lo que depende del tiempo en que se realice el diagnóstico. Se presentó una paciente de 72 años, con diagnóstico de artritis reumatoide desde hace 21 años y tratamiento con cloroquina desde hace 15. Acudió a consulta con disminución de la visión lenta y progresiva bilateral. En el examen oftalmológico de fondo de ojo se diagnosticó maculopatía en ojo de buey. Este diagnóstico se confirmó por estudios de autofluorescencia y por la tomografía de coherencia óptica (AU).

ABSTRACT A case is reported of a patient with maculopathy in bulls' eye associated to the use of chloroquine. The use of chloroquine associated with rheumatologic diseases can cause retinal damage related to the dose and the time of treatment evolution. It can cause from mild visual impairment to irreversible vision damage depending on the time the diagnosis is made. A 72-year-old female patient is presented with a diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis for 21 years and treatment with chloroquine for 15 years. She assisted the consultation with a slow and progressive bilateral vision decrease; at the ophthalmological examination of the fundus a maculopathy in bull's eye was diagnosed, later confirmed by auto fluorescence and optical coherence tomography studies (AU).

Comportamiento clínico-oftalmológico del síndrome de ojo seco / Clinical-ophthalmologic behavior of the dry eye syndrome

Introducción: el síndrome de ojo seco o queratoconjuntivitis seca, constituye uno de los trastornos oculares de mayor frecuencia en la actualidad. Objetivo: evaluar el comportamiento clínico del síndrome de ojo seco en la consulta de córnea. Material y Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo en 103 pacientes con diagnóstico de síndrome de ojo seco que acudieron al Servicio de Córnea del Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez, de Matanzas, en el período comprendido entre noviembre de 2013 a noviembre de 2016. Se analizaron las variables clínico-epidemiológicas, examen oftalmológico, test de Schirmer y BUT. Resultados: el grupo etáreo que predominó fue el de 60 a 69 años y el género femenino. La medicación sistémica fue el factor de riesgo que en mayor porciento se presentó. El síntoma predominante fue la sequedad ocular, mientras que la disminución del menisco lagrimal estuvo presente en gran parte de los pacientes. Tanto el BUT, como el test de Schirmer se presentaron alterados en el 81,5 y 65% de los investigados respectivamente. Conclusiones: el síndrome de ojo seco es una enfermedad frecuente en la práctica oftalmológica, el reconocimiento de sus elementos clínicos contribuye al diagnóstico preciso de la misma (AU).

Introduction: the dry eye syndrome or dry keratoconjunctivitis is, nowadays, one of the most frequent ocular disorders. Objective: to assess the clinical behavior of the dry eye syndrome in the cornea consultation. Materials and methods: a prospective, descriptive, observational study was carried out in 103 patients with diagnosis of dry eye syndrome who came to the Service of Cornea of the Clinical Surgical University Hospital "Comandante Faustino Pérez", of Matanzas, between November 2013 and November 2016. The clinical epidemiological variables, the ophthalmologic examination, the Schirmer´s test and BUT were analyzed. Results: the age group that predominated was the 60-69 years group, and female gender. Systematic medication was the risk factor showing higher percent. The predominant symptom was eye dryness, while the reduction of the lachrymal meniscus was present in most of the patients. The BUT as much as the Schirmer´s test were altered in 81.5 % and 65 % of the studied persons respectively. Conclusions: the dry eye syndrome is a disease frequently found in the ophthalmological practice; the recognition of its clinical elements contributes to its precise diagnosis (AU).

Comportamiento clínico-oftalmológico del síndrome de ojo seco / Clinical-ophthalmologic behavior of the dry eye syndrome

Introducción: el síndrome de ojo seco o queratoconjuntivitis seca, constituye uno delos trastornos oculares de mayor frecuencia en la actualidad.Objetivo: evaluar el comportamiento clínico del síndrome de ojo seco en la consultade córnea.Material y Métodos: se realizó un estudio observacional, descriptivo, prospectivo en103 pacientes con diagnóstico de síndrome de ojo seco que acudieron al Servicio deCórnea del Hospital Universitario Clínico Quirúrgico Comandante Faustino Pérez, deMatanzas, en el período comprendido entre noviembre de 2013 a noviembre de 2016.Se analizaron las variables clínico-epidemiológicas, examen oftalmológico, test deSchirmer y BUT.Resultados: el grupo etáreo que predominó fue el de 60 a 69 años y el génerofemenino. La medicación sistémica fue el factor de riesgo que en mayor porciento sepresentó. El síntoma predominante fue la sequedad ocular, mientras que ladisminución del menisco lagrimal estuvo presente en gran parte de los pacientes.Tanto el BUT, como el test de Schirmer se presentaron alterados en el 81,5 y 65% delos investigados respectivamente.Conclusiones: el síndrome de ojo seco es una enfermedad frecuente en la prácticaoftalmológica, el reconocimiento de sus elementos clínicos contribuye al diagnósticopreciso de la misma (AU).

Introduction: the dry eye syndrome or dry keratoconjunctivitis is, nowadays, one ofthe most frequent ocular disorders.Objective: to assess the clinical behavior of the dry eye syndrome in the corneaconsultation.Materials and methods: a prospective, descriptive, observational study was carriedout in 103 patients with diagnosis of dry eye syndrome who came to the Service ofCornea of the Clinical Surgical University Hospital “Comandante Faustino Pérez”, ofMatanzas, between November 2013 and November 2016. The clinical epidemiologicalvariables, the ophthalmologic examination, the Schirmer´s test and BUT wereanalyzed.Results: the age group that predominated was the 60-69 years group, and femalegender. Systematic medication was the risk factor showing higher percent. Thepredominant symptom was eye dryness, while the reduction of the lachrymal meniscuswas present in most of the patients. The BUT as much as the Schirmer´s test werealtered in 81.5 % and 65 % of the studied persons respectively.Conclusions: the dry eye syndrome is a disease frequently found in theophthalmological practice; the recognition of its clinical elements contributes to itsprecise diagnosis (AU).

Interferon-free treatments in patients with hepatitis C genotype 1-4 infections in a real-world setting.

AIM: To investigated the real-world effectiveness and safety of various regimens of interferon-free treatments in patients infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: We performed an observational study to analyze different antiviral treatments administered to 462 HCV-infected patients, of which 56.7% had liver cirrhosis. HCV RNA after 4 wk of treatment and at 12 wk after treatment sustained virologic response (SVR) as well as serious adverse events (SAEs) was analyzed first for the whole cohort and then separately in patients who met or did not meet the inclusion criteria of a clinical trial (CT-met and CT-unmet, respectively). RESULTS: The most frequently prescribed treatment was simeprevir/sofosbuvir (36.4%), followed by sofosbuvir/ledipasvir (24.9%) and ombitasvir/paritaprevir/ritonavir (r)/dasabuvir (19.9%). Ribavirin (RBV) was administered in 198 patients (42.9%). SVRs occurred in 437/462 patients (94.6%). The SVRs ranged between 93.3% and 100% for genotypes 1-4. SVRs were achieved in 96.2% patients in the CT-met group vs 91.9% patients in the CT-unmet group (P = 0.049). Undetectable HCV RNA at week 4 occurred in 72.9% of the patients. In the univariate analysis, the factors associated with SVRs were lower liver stiffness, absence of cirrhosis, higher platelet count, higher albumin levels, no RBV dose reduction, undetectable HCV RNA at week 4 and CT-met group. In the multivariate analysis, only albumin was an independent predictor of treatment failure (P = 0.04). Eleven patients (2.4%) developed SAEs; 5.2% and 0.7% of the patients in the CT-unmet and CT-met groups, respectively (P = 0.003). CONCLUSION: A high proportion of patients with HCV infection achieved SVRs. For patients who did not meet the CT criteria, treatment regimens must be optimized.

Impacto de una acción formativa en la prevalencia de automedicación del alumnado de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Educación de la Universidad de Málaga / Impact of a training action on the prevalence of self-medication among students from the Faculty of Education Sciences at the University of Malaga

OBJETIVOS: Primario: analizar la prevalencia y perfil de automedicación de los alumnos de la Facultad de Educación de la Universidad de Málaga. Secundarios: reconocer posibles factores de riesgo relacionados con la automedicación, evaluar el grado de conocimiento sobre automedicación y uso racional de los medicamentos y valorar a 6 meses el efecto de una intervención educativa sobre los objetivos previamente referidos. MÉTODOS: Estudio descriptivo y transversal de prevalencia de automedicación y factores de riesgo relacionados con la misma, mediante realización de encuesta anónima diseñada para tal fin, así como estudio analítico cuasi-experimental, del tipo antes-después, para detectar diferencias en la prevalencia y perfil de automedicación tras la realización de la intervención educativa. RESULTADOS: La prevalencia de automedicación reconocida por los alumnos fue del 72,7%, siendo mayor entre aquellos que aconsejaban o prestaban medicamentos, opinaban que la automedicación es una práctica eficaz y cuyos progenitores no poseían estudios universitarios. Tras la intervención educativa no disminuyó la prevalencia de automedicación, pero sí el hábito de recomendar y prestar medicamentos, el consumo de anticonceptivos y la creencia en la eficacia de la automedicación. Se observó una mejora en la clasificación correcta de los grupos farmacológicos, pasando del 45,4% al 58,2%, fundamentalmente en relación con un reconocimiento más adecuado de la antibioterapia y discriminación correcta de analgésicos y antiinflamatorios. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados demuestran una alta prevalencia de automedicación en población universitaria, y sugieren la necesidad de implementar intervenciones educativas específicas en salud y uso racional de los medicamentos

OBJECTIVES: Primary: analyze the prevalence and profile of self-medication habits among the students of the Faculty of Education Sciences at the University of Malaga. Secondary: identify posibles factores de riesgo relacionados con la automedicación, possible risk factors related to self-medication, evaluate the degree of knowledge about self-medication and rational use of medicines, this was re-assessed 6 months after an educational intervention. METHODS: Descriptive, cross-sectional study on the prevalence of self-medication habits and the risk factors derived from said habits. It was based on a specially designed anonymous survey and a quasi-experimental before-and-after analytical study in order to detect differences in the prevalence of self-medication and the profile of those with a tendency to self-medicate after completing the educational intervention. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-medication, as acknowledged by the students, was 72.7%. Self-medication was much more common among those students who recommended or lent medication to others, who considered that self-medication is an effective practice and whose parents do not have university studies. After the educational intervention, self-medication prevalence did not decrease regardless of the variable under analysis. What did decrease, however, was the habit of recommending and lending medication, the use of contraceptives and the belief that self-medication is an effective practice. We should highlight a higher accuracy in the classification of pharmacological groups (from 45.4% to 58.2%), particularly as regards a better understanding of antibiotic treatments and a correct distinction between painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The results show a high prevalence of self-medication in university population, and suggest the need to implement specific educational interventions in health and rational use of medicines

Perfil de los adolescentes frente al consumo de tabaco de un colegio nacional del distrito de Puente Piedra 2012 / Front profile of teenage snuff consumption of a national school in the District of Puente Piedra 2012

Determinar el perfil de los adolescentes frente al consumo de tabaco del nivel secundaria del colegio nacional Fe y Alegría N° 12 del distrito de Puente Piedra. Material y métodos: estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, con una población de 424 alumnos de secundaria. Tras obtener el consentimiento firmado por los padres de familia aceptando la participación de sus hijos, se empleó como instrumento ôEncuesta Global sobre el Uso del Tabaco entre la Juventud Peruanaõ elaborado y validado por la OMS, conformada por 14 preguntas, anónimo y auto aplicada. Resultados: se encontró que el 41,5% de los adolescentes ha experimentado el consumo de tabaco aunque sea uno o dos piteadas. La edad de inicio del consumo con mayor prevalencia es de 12 û 13 años. El 10,14% de los encuestados fumó 1 ó 2 días en los últimos 30 días y el 9,20% refiere fumar 1 cigarrillo diario, teniendo como el lugar más frecuente de consumo a los eventos sociales (10,38%). El 13,44% de los encuestados consigue cigarrillos en una tienda, el 16,5% de los encuestados indica que su edad no fue impedimento para comprar cigarrillos, pero el 1,42% refiere que una persona mayor se los facilita. De los adolescentes encuestados 1,40% fuma más cuando bebe alcohol o usa otras drogas y un 4,01% refiere sentir ganas de fumar apenas se despierta por la mañana. Conclusiones: existe un alto porcentaje de adolescentes que consumen tabaco, se debe mejorar la información sobre tabaco y salud en los colegios utilizando los medios de comunicación...

To determine the profile of adolescents to the consumption of snuff from the secondary school level National Fe y Alegria No. 12 district of Puente Piedra. Material and Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study with a sample of 424 high school students from a national school district of Puente Piedra. After obtaining informed consent formed by parents to accept the participation of their children, the survey which was used as an instrument ôGlobal Survey on the Use of Snuff between the Peruvian Youthõ developed and validated by WHO, made was done by 14 questions, this is anonymous and self-applied. Results: we found that 41.5% of adolescents have experimented with snuff even one or two piteadas. The age of first use is most prevalent 12 to 13 years. 10.14% of respondents smoked 1 or 2 days in the last 30 days and 9.20% reported daily cigarette smoking 1, with the most common place where cigarettes are consumed social events (10.38%) and one of the least frequent is school (5.66%). The 13.44% of respondents get cigarettes in a store, 16.5% of respondents indicated that their age was not impediment to buy cigarettes, but the 1.42% reported that an elderly person is the easier. Of teens surveyed 1.40% smoke more when drinking alcohol or using other drugs and 4.01% refers feel like smoking just wake up in the morning. Conclusions: there is a high percentage of teens who use snuff, should improve information on snuff and health in schools using the media...

Cirugía de bypass en la enfermedad coronaria multivasos: tratamiento antiguo con vigencia actual / Bypass surgery in multivessel coronary disease: old and contemporary relevance treatment

Objetivo: Evaluar nuestros resultados a corto y largo plazo en la cirugía de bypass para el grupo de enfermedad coronaria multivasos (3 vasos y/o tronco izquierdo). Analizar recientes estudios que comparan stent liberador de drogas (DES del inglés Drug eluting stents) versus cirugía. Actualizar recomendaciones. Métodos: Se analiza retrospectivamente 121 pacientes consecutivos tratados con cirugía de revascularización miocárdica por enfermedad coronaria multivasos entre diciembre de 1998 y febrero de 2008 y se comparan con los resultados de la literatura. Además se evaluó la presencia de factores de riesgo preoperatorios que influenciarían los resultados. Resultados: La mortalidad hospitalaria (30 días) fue de 2.5%. A un seguimiento de 4.4 años, en 100 pacientes se observa una sobrevida de 93.21% y una necesidad de repetir revascularización de 3.3%. Conclusión: Se observa un aumento de los factores de riesgo (edad y procedimientos coronarios previos, sean quirúrgicos o intervencionistas) en la población que acude a cirugía, a pesar de lo cual la morbi-mortalidad continúa baja, incluso en el seguimiento a largo plazo. Nuestros resultados concuerdan con los de las publicaciones internacionales de centros avanzados. Estudios randomizados y observacionales de estos centros muestran, en la enfermedad coronaria multivasos, que la cirugía tiene menos eventos adversos cardiacos y cerebro vasculares que el stent y ventaja en la sobrevida a largo plazo. La cirugía se mantiene como la opción preferida para la enfermedad coronaria multivasos no aguda, en especial cuando las lesiones coronarias son anatómicamente complejas.

Objective: With this study we have assessed our early and late surgical outcomes in patients with Multivessel Coronary Artery Disease (CAD) (defined as 3 coronary vessels or Left Main Coronary Disease) treated with Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting (CABG) Surgery. We have analyzed studies comparing Drug Eluting Stent (DES) versus CABG Surgery to treat Multivessel CAD. We have reviewed all up to date guidelines and recommendations. Methods: We have retrospectively analyzed 121 consecutive patients with multivessel CAD treated with CABG surgery. Results: In-hospital mortality (30 days) was 2,5 %. A subsequent follow up of 100 patients after 4,4 years showed a rate of survival of 93.21 % and the need for repeat myocardial revascularization procedures in 3,3%. Conclusion: CABG surgery to treat Multivessel CAD has low morbidity and mortality even with increase in the risk factors of the population.We have similar results to other published Randomized Controlled and Observational Trials. These studies show that CABG surgery has lower rates of Mayor Adverse Cardiac and Cerebrovascular Events (MACCE) and higher survival rates than DES. Surgery is still the treatment of choice for non-acute multivessel CAD, especially when there is a complex anatomy.

Sensibility and taste alterations after impacted lower thirdmolar extractions. A prospective cohort study

Objectives: To determine the incidence, severity and duration of lingual tactile and gustatory function impairments after lower third molar removal.Study Design: Prospective cohort study with intra-subject measures of 16 patients undergoing lower third molar extractions. Sensibility and gustatory functions were evaluated in each subject preoperatively, one week and one month after the extraction, using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and 5 different concentrations of NaCl, respectively. Additionally, all patients filled a questionnaire to assess subjective perceptions.Results: Although patients did not perceive any sensibility impairments, a statistically significant decrease was detected when Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. This alteration was present at one week after the surgical procedure and fully recovered one month after the extraction. There were no variations regarding the gustatory function. Conclusions: Lower third molar removal under local anesthesia may cause light lingual sensibility impairment. Most of these alterations remain undetected to patients. These lingual nerve injuries are present one week after the extraction and recover one month after surgery. The taste seems to remain unaffected after these procedures (AU)

Accuracy of urea breath test performed immediately after emergency endoscopy in peptic ulcer bleeding.

AIMS: The aim of this work is to investigate the accuracy of the urea breath test (UBT) performed immediately after emergency endoscopy in peptic ulcer bleeding (PUB). METHODS: Urea breath test was carried out right after emergency endoscopy in patients with PUB. The accuracy of this early UBT was compared to a delayed one after hospital discharge that was considered the gold standard. Clinical and epidemiological factors were analyzed in order to study their influence on the accuracy of the early UBT. RESULTS: Early UBT was collected without any complication and good acceptance from all the 74 patients included. In 53 of the patients (71.6%), a delayed UBT was obtained. Comparing concordance between the two tests we have calculated an accuracy of 83% for the early UBT. Sensibility and specificity were 86.36 and 66%, respectively, with a positive predictive value of 92.68% and negative predictive value of 50% (Kappa index = 0.468; p = 0.0005; CI: 95%). We found no influence of epidemiological factors, clinical presentation, drugs, times to gastroscopy, Forrest classification, endoscopic therapy, hemoglobin, and urea levels over the accuracy of early UBT. CONCLUSIONS: Urea breath test carried out right after emergency endoscopy in PUB is an effective, safe, and easy-to-perform procedure. The accuracy of the test is not modified by clinical or epidemiological factors, ulcer stage, or by the type of therapy applied. However, we have found a low negative predictive value for early UBT, so a delayed test is mandatory for all negative cases.

Sensibility and taste alterations after impacted lower third molar extractions. A prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: To determine the incidence, severity and duration of lingual tactile and gustatory function impairments after lower third molar removal. STUDY DESIGN: Prospective cohort study with intra-subject measures of 16 patients undergoing lower third molar extractions. Sensibility and gustatory functions were evaluated in each subject preoperatively, one week and one month after the extraction, using Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and 5 different concentrations of NaCl, respectively. Additionally, all patients filled a questionnaire to assess subjective perceptions. RESULTS: Although patients did not perceive any sensibility impairments, a statistically significant decrease was detected when Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments. This alteration was present at one week after the surgical procedure and fully recovered one month after the extraction. There were no variations regarding the gustatory function. CONCLUSIONS: Lower third molar removal under local anesthesia may cause light lingual sensibility impairment. Most of these alterations remain undetected to patients. These lingual nerve injuries are present one week after the extraction and recover one month after surgery. The taste seems to remain unaffected after these procedures.

Perfiles de expresión génica en las primeras doce semanas de tratamiento en pacientes con hepatitis C crónica / Gene expression profiling in the first twelve weeks of treatment in chronic hepatitis C patients

Introducción Los perfiles de expresión génica (PEG) en las primeras semanas de tratamiento de pacientes con hepatitis C crónica pueden servir para evaluar la eficacia de la terapia basada en interferón. El objetivo de este trabajo fue estudiar los PEG de pacientes respondedores y no respondedores precoces antes y tras 12 semanas de tratamiento con peginterferón alfa y ribavirina. Métodos Estudio observacional donde se analizaron los PEG de 12 pacientes con hepatitis C crónica candidatos a recibir tratamiento con peginterferón alfa y ribavirina. Resultados De los 12 pacientes estudiados, seis mostraron una respuesta virológica precoz completa, mientras que seis no lograron controlar la viremia. En respondedores precoces, el tratamiento con peginterferón y ribavirina indujo un aumento de la expresión de un mayor número de genes de respuesta al interferón (ISG15, IFI6, IFI44L, IFI27, MX1, OASL, IRF7, IFIT3, IFITM1, EIF2AK2, HERC5 y APOBEC3A) que en no respondedores (ISG15, IFI44L, IFI27, IRF7, USP18) (p<0,05). En ambos grupos, se observaron cambios en los niveles de algunos genes hasta ahora escasamente descritos en el tratamiento de la hepatitis C.Conclusiones Los PEG descritos en este trabajo pueden ayudar a comprender mejor la patogénesis de la infección, así como las bases fisiológicas de la respuesta al tratamiento. Así, el mayor efecto del tratamiento sobre la expresión de genes de respuesta al interferón observado en respondedores podría explicar su mejor control de la carga viral (AU)

Introduction: Gene expression profiling in the first weeks of treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C may contribute to better evaluate the response to interferon-based therapy. The objective of this study was to evaluate the gene expression profiles of early responders and non-responders before, and after12 weeks of treatment with peginterferon alfa and ribavirin. Methods: Gene expression profiles were analysed in 12 patients with chronic hepatitis C, and scheduled for treatment with peginterferon alpha and ribavirin. Results: Of the 12 patients studied, six showed a complete early virological response, while six failed tocontrol viremia. In early responders, treatment with peginterferon and ribavirin induced an increasedexpression of a larger number of interferon-induced genes (ISG15, IFI6, IFI44L, IFI27, MX1, OASL, IRF7,IFIT3, IFITM1, EIF2AK2, HERC5 and APOBEC3) than in non-responders (ISG15, IFI44L, IFI27, IRF7, USP18)in the first twelve weeks of treatment (P<0.05). In both groups, there were changes in the levels of certaingenes poorly described in the treatment of hepatitis C so far (AU)