Immunogenicity of BNT162b2 vaccine after two and three doses in health personnel and institutionalized elderly people not infected with SARS-CoV-2.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of our research was to compare the evolution of the immune response induced by the BNT162b2 vaccine after the administration of two and three doses in healthcare personnel and in institutionalized elderly people (>65 years of age) without previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was carried out on a convenience sample made up of health workers and institutionalized elderly people, measuring antibodies against S and N proteins of SARS-CoV-2 two and six months after receiving the second vaccine dose, as well as two months after receiving the third dose. RESULTS: A significant reduction of the anti-S humoral immune response was reported six months after the second dose of vaccine in both health workers and residents. The administration of a third dose of vaccine induced a significant increase in this antibody response in both investigated groups reaching a similar proportion of responders two months after this third dose. CONCLUSIONS: Humoral immunity induced by two doses of the BNT162b2 vaccine in persons without prior SARS-CoV-2 infection wanes over time. The administration of a third dose significantly increases anti-S antibodies being highly recommended, especially in people over 65 years of age.

Evaluation of RNA purification methods by using different blood stabilization tubes: identification of key features for epidemiological studies.

OBJECTIVE: Peripheral blood is the most promising source of RNA biomarkers for diagnostic and epidemiological studies, because the presence of disease and prognostic information is reflected in the gene expression pattern. Quality RNA is used by a number of different downstream applications, so the selection of the most appropriate RNA stabilization and purification method is important. We have analyzed the RNA purified from 300 blood samples from 25 donors processed by two technicians using three methodologies with Tempus and PaxGene tubes. RESULTS: The best quality sample results were obtained with the Tempus Spin RNA Isolation Kit and the PaxGene Blood miRNA Kit, although larger amounts of RNA were obtained with the Tempus Spin RNA Isolation Kit. Lower Cq values were observed for RNA and miRNA genes in samples that were tested with PaxGene Blood miRNA Kit and Tempus Spin RNA Isolation Kit respectively. We identify the Tempus Spin RNA Isolation Kit as the most robust methodology, whilst the MagMax for Stabilized Blood Tubes RNA Isolation Kit showed the most instability. For biobanks, which process a large cohort and conduct epidemiological studies, the Tempus Spin RNA Isolation Kit is the most appropriate methodology. The study demonstrates the robustness of real-life procedures.

Nutrición enteral domiciliaria, análisis de eficiencia en un Área de Salud / Home enteral nutrition: analysis of efficiency in a Healt District

Introducción. Los estudios que han analizado los costes directos generados por la nutrición enteral domiciliaria (NED) han sido escasos. El objetivo de nuestro estudio fue realizar un análisis de costes directos de la nutrición enteral domiciliaria utilizando como referentes los valores de seguimiento nutricionales tanto bioquímicos como nutricionales. Material y métodos. Desde enero de 1999 hasta diciembre de 2001 estudiamos un total de 102 pacientes consecutivos con indicación de soporte nutricional domiciliario. A todos los pacientes se les registraron los siguientes datos epidemiológicos: edad, sexo y patología primaria que indicaba la nutrición enteral, realizándose una valoración antropométrica y una valoración bioquímica nutricional trimestralmente. Se registraron asimismo el número de episodios de diarrea, vómitos, neumonía por aspiración y fallecimientos durante el tratamiento. Resultados. La edad media de los pacientes fue 58,7 ñ 13,3 años. La distribución de pacientes por enfermedades fue: 71 (69,3 por ciento) tenían cáncer de cabeza y cuello; 14 (13,9 por ciento) tenían una alteración neurológica que afecta a la deglución (accidente cerebrovascular y/o demencia); 6 (5,9 por ciento) presentaban tumores en otras localizaciones, y 11 (10,9 por ciento) tenían un grupo de patologías que inducen disfagia o anorexia. La NED fue administrada vía oral a 81 pacientes (79,4 por ciento), por sonda nasogástrica (SNG) en 15 pacientes (14,7 por ciento), mediante gastrostomía endoscópica percutánea (GEP) en 5 pacientes (4,9 por ciento) y yeyunostomía en un paciente (1 por ciento). La duración media de la NED fue de 101ñ46,9 días. Existió una mejoría significativa en los parámetros bioquímicos y antropométricos de los pacientes con NED. En el análisis de costes económicos directos generados por la nutrición enteral; fórmulas nutricionales y material fungible utilizados (contenedores, sondas y nutrilíneas), el coste medio total fue de 300.033 ñ 599.203 ptas/tratamiento completo/paciente (1.803ñ3.601 euros), representando un coste medio diario de 2.970ñ5.932 ptas/día/paciente de tratamiento (17,8ñ35,6 euros). En el análisis de costes por apartados, el material fungible (nutrilínea, sonda nasogástrica y contenedor de fórmula nutricional) representó una media de 1.284ñ4.571 ptas/ tratamiento completo/paciente (7,7ñ27,4 euros) (5 por ciento en total) y los preparados nutricionales una media de 231.313ñ399.756 ptas/tratamiento completo/paciente (1.390,2 ñ 2.402 euros) (95 por ciento). Los pacientes con mayor consumo de recursos fueron los pacientes con tumores de cabeza y cuello. Para analizar la eficiencia de este tratamiento se realizó un análisis de coste por cada parámetro objetivo que indicaba mejoría en el estado nutricional, de este modo el aumento de 1 g/dl de albúmina supuso un gasto medio de 103.817ñ2.897 ptas (623,9ñ17,4 euros) y el aumento de 1 kg de peso supuso un gasto medio de 857.237ñ25.097 ptas (5.152,1ñ150,8 euros).Conclusiones. En resumen, la nutrición enteral domiciliaria se demostró efectiva en la mejora del estado nutricional en diferentes grupos de pacientes ambulantes. El coste del soporte nutricional fue superior en el grupo de pacientes con tumores de vías aerodigestivas altas, influido por la duración del tratamiento y la vía de acceso (AU)

[Home enteral nutrition: analysis of efficiency in a Health District]. / Nutrición enteral domiciliaria, análisis de eficiencia en un Area de Salud.

INTRODUCTION: Studies on the analysis of direct costs generated by household enteral nutrition (HEN) have been scant. The objective of our study was to carry out a direct costs analysis of household enteral nutrition using both the biochemical and nutritional monitoring values of the nutritional state as a point of reference. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Since January 1999 until December 2001, we studied a total sample of 102 consecutive patients with indication of household nutritional support. The following epidemiological data were obtained in all patients: age, sex, and primary condition for which enteral nutrition was prescribed; we carried out an anthropometric assessment and a biochemical nutritional assessment quarterly. We recorded also the number of episodes of diarrhea, vomiting, aspiration pneumonia, and death during the treatment. RESULTS: Average age of the patients was 58.7 13.3 years. The number and proportion of patients according to primary conditions were the following: 71 (69.3%) with head and neck cancer, 14 (13.9%) with a neurological condition with swallowing disturbance (stroke and/or dementia), 6 (5.9%) with tumors in other locations, and 11 (10.9%) with a group of diseases associated with dysphagia or anorexia. HEN was administered by oral route in 81 patients (79.4%), by nasogastric tube (NGT) in 15 patients (14.7%), by PEG in 5 patients (4.9%) and by yeyunostomy in 1 patient (1%). Average duration of HEN was 101 46.9 days. We showed a significant improvement of biochemical and anthropometric parameters in patients with HEN. The economic analysis of direct costs generated by enteral nutrition showed that the total average cost of nutritional formulas and expendable equipment utilized (holders, probes and nutritional tubes) was 300,033 599,203 pesetas/full treatment/patient (1,803 3,601 euros), or a daily average cost of 2,970 5,932 pesetas/day/patient (17.8 35.6 euros). In the analysis of costs acording to different items, the expendable equipment (nutritional tubes, nasogastric tubes and nutritional formula holders) were an average of 1,284 4,571 pesetas/full treatment/patient (7.7 27.4 euros) (5% in total), and the nutritional preparations were an average of 231,313 399,756 pesetas/full treatment/patient (1,390.2 2,402 euros) (95%). The patients with greater resources expenditure were those with tumors of head and neck. In order to analyze the efficiency of this treatment an analysis of costs was carried out for each objective parameter indicating nutritional status improvement; that way, the increase of 1 g/dl of albumin was an average cost of 103,817 2,897 pesetas (623.9 17.4 euros), while the increase of 1 kg of weight was an average cost of 857,237 25,097 pesetas (5,152.1 150.8 euros). CONCLUSIONS. In summary, nutrition enteral household was an effective therapy for nutritional status improvement in different groups of ambulatory patients. The cost of the nutritional support was superior in the group of patients with tumors of the upper aereodigestive system because of the greater duration of the treatment and the complex access route.

Post-traumatic and stress-induced osteolysis of the distal clavicle: MR imaging findings in 17 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the MR imaging findings in patients with osteolysis of the distal clavicle and to compare the MR imaging appearance of clavicular osteolysis following acute injury with that related to chronic stress. DESIGN AND PATIENTS: MR imaging examinations were reviewed in 17 patients (14 men, 3 women; ages 16-55 years) with the diagnosis of post-traumatic or stress-induced osteolysis of the clavicle. A history of a single direct injury was present in seven patients and a history of weight-lifting, participation in sports, or repetitive microtrauma was present in 10 patients. RESULTS: MR imaging showed edema in the distal clavicle in 17 patients and, of these, eight also had edema in the acromion. The edema was most evident in STIR and fat-suppressed T2-weighted pulse sequences. Other findings about the acromioclavicular (AC) joint were prominence of the joint capsule in 14, joint fluid in eight, cortical irregularity in 12, and bone fragmentation in six patients. No differences in the MR imaging features of post-traumatic and stress-induced osteolysis of the distal clavicle were observed. CONCLUSION: Post-traumatic and stress-induced osteolysis of the distal clavicle have similar appearances on MR imaging, the most common and conspicuous MR imaging feature being increased T2 signal intensity in the distal clavicle.