Arnold diffusion for an a priori unstable Hamiltonian system with 3 + 1/2 degrees of freedom.

In the present paper, we apply the geometrical mechanism of diffusion in an a priori unstable Hamiltonian system [L. Chierchia and G. Gallavotti, Ann. l'I.H.P. Phys. théor. 60, 1-144 (1994)] with 3 + 1/2 degrees of freedom. This mechanism consists of combining iterations of the inner and outer dynamics associated with a Normally Hyperbolic Invariant Manifold (NHIM) to construct diffusing pseudo-orbits and subsequently apply shadowing results to prove the existence of diffusing orbits of the system. In addition to proving the existence of diffusion for a wide range of the parameters of the system, an important part of our study focuses on the search for Highways, a particular family of orbits of the outer map (the so-called scattering maps), whose existence is sufficient to ensure a very large drift of the action variables, with a diffusion time near them that agrees with the optimal estimates in the literature. Moreover, this optimal diffusion time is calculated, with an explicit calculation of the constants involved. All these properties are proved by analytical methods and, where necessary, supplemented by numerical calculations.

Prevalence of myocardial bridges in the Mexican population: A morphometric and histological analysis.

BACKGROUND: Myocardial bridge (MB) is described as an abnormal band of myocardium covering a variable portion of any coronary artery. METHODS: The current study explores the presence of MB throughout the coronary arterial system and provides a morphometric description through instrumented dissection of a sample of 100 human hearts. The study shows a higher prevalence of MB in the Mexican population than in previous reports. RESULTS: In the total sample (n=100), MB was identified in 96% of it. A total of 421 MBs were observed, with a mean of 4.38mm (±0.28) per dissected heart. The most frequently affected vessel is the anterior interventricular artery where a total of 52 MBs were found, of the total sample studied. DISCUSSION: The high prevalence of MB among Mexican patients could be the result of a genetic association for this population or the neoformation of MB after birth due to lifestyle-associated factors. Further studies are required to better understand the high prevalence of MB among Mexican subjects.

BECN1 protein expression is associated with poor survival in triple negative locally advanced breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE: The role that Beclin 1 (BECN1) plays in the development and progression of cancer mediated by autophagy, as well as its differential expression in breast cancer cell lines and mammary tumor tissue according to the molecular subtype, has been demonstrated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the association of BECN1 cytoplasmic expression with clinical and pathologic response, recurrence, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in patients with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC), according to immunophenotype. PATIENTS AND METHODS: 64 patients with non-triple negative LABC and 20 patients with triple negative LABC who received preoperative chemotherapy were included in an observational, analytical and retrospective study to evaluate the cytoplasmic expression of BECN1 protein by immunohistochemistry in microarrays of breast cancer tissue obtained before treatment. Association between BECN1 and clinicopathological characteristics, clinical and pathologic response to preoperative chemotherapy and recurrence, were analyzed using Chi-square or Fisher's exact test. Postoperative DFS and OS were assessed by Kaplan-Meir curves, and the difference according to BECN1 expression was evaluated using the log-rank test. The bivariate analysis was performed using the Cox Proportional Hazards Model. A p-value of < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. RESULTS: BECN1 staining revealed positive expression in 62.5% of patients with non-triple negative and 60.0% with triple negative LABC. No association was observed between BECN1 expression and clinical or pathological response or recurrence. An association of the BECN1 expression with lower OS in triple negative breast cancer was found (HR = 5.19; 95% CI 1.12-24.02; p = 0.035). CONCLUSIONS: Results showed an association of the cytoplasmic expression of BECN1 with a lower OS, which could be a poor prognostic biomarker in triple negative LABC.

Measurements of circulating progesterone and estrone sulfate concentrations as a diagnostic and prognostic tool in porcine pregnancy revisited.

The main goal of this study was to examine the utility of measuring systemic concentrations of steroid hormones, namely progesterone (P4) and estrone sulfate (E1S), for monitoring the progression of porcine pregnancy and predicting sow fertility. There were 3 subsets of artificially inseminated (AI'd) sows used in the present experiments: (i) animals sacrificed on gestational day 20 (gd20; n = 16) or (ii) gd50 (n = 16; Experiment 1), and (iii) animals maintained throughout pregnancy (n = 24; Experiment 2). Blood samples (10 mL) were drawn from the orbital sinus and the endocrine data determined at different time points around ovulation/artificial insemination (gd0 (first AI), gd1 (second AI), and gd2) and maternal recognition of pregnancy (gd11), as well as on gd20 and gd50 (during 2 periods of increased embryonic/fetal mortality in swine) were examined for correlations with the numbers of healthy, arrested, and reabsorbing embryos (Experiment 1) or with the number of live, stillborn, and mummified piglets recorded at farrowing (Experiment 2). No correlations were recorded between circulating concentrations of both steroids and the numbers of healthy, arresting, or reabsorbing conceptuses on gd20 or 50 (Experiment 1). The number of corpora lutea (CL) was directly related to the number of healthy embryos/conceptuses on gd20 and 50 (r = 0.71, P = 0.007 and r = 0.76, P = 0.0007, respectively) and the number of arresting embryos on gd20 (r = 0.54, P = 0.05), and negatively correlated with the number of reabsorbing embryos on gd20 (r = -0.53, P = 0.05). In Experiment 2, circulating P4 concentrations on gd11 related directly to the number of live-born piglets (r = 0.46, P < 0.04). Systemic E1S concentrations on gd0, gd1, gd2 and gd50 were correlated with the number of mummified conceptuses recorded at farrowing (r = 0.50, P = 0.03; r = 0.59, P = 0.01; r = 0.48, P = 0.04; and r = 0.56, P = 0.01, respectively) and plasma concentrations of E1S on gd20 related directly to the number of stillborn piglets (r = 0.60, P = 0.02). In summary, the number of CL on gd20 and 50 is a reliable marker of embryonic/fetal pig status. Measurements of P4 and E1S on gd20 and 50 showed limited diagnostic value (ie, were not indicative of the number of healthy and abnormally developing embryos/fetuses). However, measurements of circulating P4 and E1S concentrations during the periconceptional period and in the early/mid-pregnancy of sows have the makings of a practical method to predict gestational outcomes.

Weighting the impact of virulence on the outcome of Pseudomonas aeruginosa bloodstream infections.

OBJECTIVES: We assessed the association between the lethality of Pseudomonas aeruginosa in a Caenorhabditis elegans model and outcomes of P. aeruginosa bloodstream infections. METHODS: A total of 593 P. aeruginosa bloodstream isolates recovered from a prospective Spanish multicentre study were analysed. Clinical variables, susceptibility profiles and Type III Secretion System (TTSS) genotypes (exoU/exoS genes) were available from previous studies. A C. elegans virulence score (CEVS) was used, classifying the isolates into high (CEVS 4-5), intermediate (CEVS 3) and low (CEVS 1-2) virulence. The main outcome analysed was 30-day mortality. RESULTS: Up to 75% (446/593) of the isolates showed a high-virulence phenotype, and 17% (101/593) a low-virulence one. No association between virulence phenotype and the main outcome variable (30-day mortality) was found (29/101 (28.7%) versus 127/446 (28.5%), p 1). However, an inverse association between C. elegans virulence and multidrug-resistant and extensively drug-resistant profiles was documented (OR 0.655 (95% CI 0.571-0.751) and OR 0.523 (95% CI 0.436-0.627), p <0.001, respectively), whereas the exoU genotype was significantly more frequent among isolates showing high virulence (10/101 (9.9%) versus 112/446 (25.1%), p <0.001). Moreover, although significance was not reached, strains showing a high-virulence phenotype tended to be associated with community-acquired infections (1/101 (1%) versus 25/446 (5.6%), p 0.065), whereas low-virulence phenotypes tended to be associated with a higher illness severity (such as higher median Pitt score: 2 (1-4) versus 1 (0-3), p 0.036, or initial multiorgan dysfunction: 17/101 (16.8%) versus 41/446 (9.2%), p 0.024), with some underlying conditions (such as chronic renal failure 24/101 (23.8%) versus 59/446 (13.2%), p 0.013), and with the respiratory source of infections (17/101 (16.8%) versus 45/446 (10.1%), p 0.058). CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that the P. aeruginosa virulence phenotype in a C. elegans model correlates with virulence genotype (TTSS) and resistance profile, but it is a poor prognostic marker of mortality in bloodstream infections.

Trombosis venosa profunda en extremidad superior como complicación tras luxación de la articulación acromioclavicular / Upper limb deep vein thrombosis as complication of acromioclavicular joint dislocation

Un 5-10% de las trombosis venosas profundas ocurren en el miembro superior. Su causa más frecuente suele ser secundaria a cáncer, catéter venoso central, tratamiento con radio-quimioterapia u hormonal. Con menor frecuencia, los traumatismos en la región del hombro también pueden ser causantes de una trombosis venosa profunda. Su diagnóstico probablemente sea más complejo que en la extremidad inferior debido a su baja frecuencia, así como por la clínica que presenta, siendo un 50% de los casos asintomáticos o presentando tan solo una cervicalgia u omalgia leves. Debido a su infrecuencia, las recomendaciones terapéuticas se basan en la evidencia indirecta de estudios de la trombosis venosa profunda de la extremidad inferior, siendo la anticoagulación oral el mejor tratamiento. Presentamos un caso clínico de trombosis venosa profunda en miembro superior tras sufrir traumatismo directo en el hombro por una caída con bicicleta de montaña, causando una luxación acromioclavicular grado III de Rockwood

Around 5%-10% of deep vein thrombosis occurs in the upper limb. Its most frequent cause is usually cancer, central venous catheter, radio-chemotherapy or hormonal treatment. Less commonly, trauma around the shoulder region can also be a cause of deep vein thrombosis. Its diagnosis is probably more complex than in the lower limb due to its low frequency and clinical suspicion, as well as the clinical presentation, 50% of the cases being asymptomatic or presenting only with mild neck pain or omalgia. Because of their infrequency, therapeutic recommendations are based on indirect evidence from studies of deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb, considering oral anticoagulation the best treatment. We report a case of deep vein thrombosis in the upper limb after trauma to the shoulder causing grade III Rockwood acromioclavicular dislocation

Upper limb deep vein thrombosis as complication of acromioclavicular joint dislocation. / Trombosis venosa profunda en extremidad superior como complicación tras luxación de la articulación acromioclavicular.

Around 5%-10% of deep vein thrombosis occurs in the upper limb. Its most frequent cause is usually cancer, central venous catheter, radio-chemotherapy or hormonal treatment. Less commonly, trauma around the shoulder region can also be a cause of deep vein thrombosis. Its diagnosis is probably more complex than in the lower limb due to its low frequency and clinical suspicion, as well as the clinical presentation, 50% of the cases being asymptomatic or presenting only with mild neck pain or omalgia. Because of their infrequency, therapeutic recommendations are based on indirect evidence from studies of deep vein thrombosis of the lower limb, considering oral anticoagulation the best treatment. We report a case of deep vein thrombosis in the upper limb after trauma to the shoulder causing grade III Rockwood acromioclavicular dislocation.

Comparación de resultados funcionales en 2 sistemas de fijación mediante hilera simple en sutura de manguito rotador / Comparison of functional results of two fixation systems using single-row suturing of rotator cuff

Introducción: La reparación artroscópica de los trastornos del manguito rotador es un procedimiento técnicamente exigente pero exitoso. En la actualidad hay disponibles muchas alternativas de anclas y suturas. La elección del implante por parte del cirujano es menos importante que la configuración de la sutura usada para fijar el tendón, no obstante hay que conocer si existen diferencias en cuanto a los resultados, utilizando cada uno de ellos. El objetivo del estudio es valorar si existen diferencias entre el implante anudado y no anudado en cuanto a resultados funcionales y de satisfacción. Material y métodos: Se realiza un estudio retrospectivo en 83 pacientes intervenidos entre 2010 y 2014 en nuestro centro mediante 2sistemas de anclaje con y sin anudado (39 frente a 44 pacientes respectivamente), con hilera simple en rotura completa de manguito rotador. Resultados: Una vez finalizado el seguimiento, se consiguió una puntuación media en la escala de Constant de 74,6. Un 98% de los pacientes, consideraron el resultado de la cirugía como satisfactorio. A nivel estadístico no hubo diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos en parámetros de funcionalidad, satisfacción ni reincorporación a actividades. Discusión y conclusiones: Los resultados funcionales de la sutura de manguito mediante hilera simple son satisfactorios, aunque estudios biomecánicos muestran ventajas a favor de suturas que reproducen un sistema transóseo. En nuestra serie de pacientes la presencia de anudado no muestra per se una diferencia funcional significativa siendo ambas técnicas superponibles en valores absolutos de funcionalidad y satisfacción de los pacientes

Introduction: Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff disorders is a technically demanding but successful procedure. Many anchor and suture alternatives are now available. The choice of the implant by the surgeon is less important than the configuration of the suture used to fix the tendon, however it is necessary to know if there are differences in the results, using each one of them. The aim of the study is to evaluate if there are differences between the knotted and non-knotted implant in terms of functional and satisfaction results. Material and methods: A retrospective study was carried out on 83 patients operated between 2010 and 2014 in our center using 2anchoring systems with and without knotting (39 versus 44 patients respectively), with single row in complete rupture of the rotator cuff. Results: At the end of the follow-up, an average score was obtained on the Constant scale of 74.6 points. 98% of the patients considered the result of the surgery satisfactory. Statistically, there were no significant differences between the 2groups in terms of functionality, satisfaction or reincorporation to activities. Discussion and conclusions: The functional results of the single-row cuff suture are satisfactory, although biomechanical studies show advantages in favor of sutures that reproduce a transoseo system. It our series of patients the presence of knotting does not show per se a significant functional difference being both superimposable techniques in absolute values of functionality and patient satisfaction

Comparison of functional results of two fixation systems using single-row suturing of rotator cuff. / Comparación de resultados funcionales en 2 sistemas de fijación mediante hilera simple en sutura de manguito rotador.

INTRODUCTION: Arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff disorders is a technically demanding but successful procedure. Many anchor and suture alternatives are now available. The choice of the implant by the surgeon is less important than the configuration of the suture used to fix the tendon, however it is necessary to know if there are differences in the results, using each one of them. The aim of the study is to evaluate if there are differences between the knotted and non-knotted implant in terms of functional and satisfaction results. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective study was carried out on 83 patients operated between 2010 and 2014 in our center using 2anchoring systems with and without knotting (39 versus 44 patients respectively), with single row in complete rupture of the rotator cuff. RESULTS: At the end of the follow-up, an average score was obtained on the Constant scale of 74.6 points. 98% of the patients considered the result of the surgery satisfactory. Statistically, there were no significant differences between the 2groups in terms of functionality, satisfaction or reincorporation to activities. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: The functional results of the single-row cuff suture are satisfactory, although biomechanical studies show advantages in favor of sutures that reproduce a transoseo system. It our series of patients the presence of knotting does not show per se a significant functional difference being both superimposable techniques in absolute values of functionality and patient satisfaction.

Hiponatremia e insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva refractaria a tratamiento diurético. Utilidad del tolvaptán / Hyponatraemia and congestive heart failure refractory to diuretic treatment. Utility of tolvaptan

La insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) constituye actualmente uno de los problemas sociosanitarios más importantes en nuestro país, con una prevalencia en continuo crecimiento. Los avances en el conocimiento de las distintas respuestas biológicas que favorecen el remodelado cardiaco y de la congestión venopulmonar constituyen la base del tratamiento actual. En este artículo elaborado por miembros de los grupos de IC de las sociedades españolas de Cardiología y Medicina Interna se comentan las estrategias terapéuticas actuales para el paciente congestivo refractario a tratamiento diurético, introduciendo nuestra experiencia clínica con el uso de tolvaptán como tratamiento adicional en la congestión asociada a hiponatremia. Para ello se propone un algoritmo sobre el uso de tolvaptán en pacientes con IC congestiva, natremia inferior a 130mEq/l y mala respuesta al tratamiento diurético convencional (AU)

Heart failure (HF) is currently one of the most significant healthcare problems in Spain and has a continuously increasing prevalence. Advances in our understanding of the various biological responses that promote cardiac remodelling and pulmonary venous congestion constitute the basis of current treatment. This article, prepared by members of the HF groups of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, discusses the current therapeutic strategies for patients with congestion refractory to diuretic treatment. The article includes our clinical experience with the use of tolvaptan as an additional treatment for congestion associated with hyponatraemia. To this end, we propose an algorithm for the use of tolvaptan in patients with congestive HF, natraemia <130mEq/l and poor response to conventional diuretic treatment (AU)

Hyponatraemia and congestive heart failure refractory to diuretic treatment. Utility of tolvaptan. / Hiponatremia e insuficiencia cardiaca congestiva refractaria a tratamiento diurético. Utilidad del tolvaptán.

Heart failure (HF) is currently one of the most significant healthcare problems in Spain and has a continuously increasing prevalence. Advances in our understanding of the various biological responses that promote cardiac remodelling and pulmonary venous congestion constitute the basis of current treatment. This article, prepared by members of the HF groups of the Spanish Society of Cardiology and the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine, discusses the current therapeutic strategies for patients with congestion refractory to diuretic treatment. The article includes our clinical experience with the use of tolvaptan as an additional treatment for congestion associated with hyponatraemia. To this end, we propose an algorithm for the use of tolvaptan in patients with congestive HF, natraemia <130mEq/l and poor response to conventional diuretic treatment.

Variaciones anatómicas del proceso uncinado en tomografía computada multidetector en pacientes con rinosinusitis crónica

Objetivo: Describir la anatomía del proceso uncinado y sus variaciones observadas a través de cortes coronales por tomografía computada multidetector (TCMD) en una población con rinosinusitis crónica. Introducción: Según la literatura científica revisada, no se encontraron estudios sobre las variaciones anatómicas del complejo osteomeatal (COM) en la población adulta colombiana. Los reportes coinciden en que las variaciones anatómicas de este complejo son parte de las causas de la sinusitis crónica refractaria a tratamiento médico, por lo que el presente trabajo se propone estudiar la anatomía de este complejo e identificar sus posibles variaciones anatómicas en pacientes adultos colombianos diagnosticados con sinusitis crónica. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, observacional y retrospectivo. Para las variables continuas se estimaron medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión, con un intervalo de confianza del 95%, mientras que para las variables categóricas se determinaron las frecuencias y los porcentajes con que se presentaron en la muestra. Resultados: Se contó con 143 casos. De este total, el 53,8% fueron hombres y el 46,2% mujeres. Tanto en el lado derecho como en el izquierdo, el proceso uncinado del hueso etmoides se insertó en la lámina papirácea (el 49,7% y el 53,1% de los hombres y mujeres, respectivamente). La inserción del proceso uncinado en la lámina cribosa del hueso etmoides en el lado derecho fue el segundo en frecuencia (25,2%) y en el lado izquierdo este lugar lo ocupó la inserción en la concha nasal media (23,8%). También se encontró que, en la mayoría de los casos, el proceso uncinado tuvo una orientación lateral (el 51% en el lado derecho y el 56,6% en el lado izquierdo). Conclusión: El proceso uncinado es una estructura anatómica muy variable que se encuentra a cada lado de la cavidad nasal. Presenta diferentes puntos de inserción y tiene cambios en su angulación y distintas longitudes. Es importante tener en cuenta estas variaciones para el manejo quirúrgico de la rinosinusitis crónica.

Objective: To describe the uncinate process anatomy and its variations observed through coronal, multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Introduction: As reviewed in the literature, no studies of anatomical variations ostiomeatal complex in Colombian adults were found. The reports agree that the anatomical variations of this complex are part of the causes of chronic sinusitis refractory to medical treatment, which motivated the present work to study the anatomy of this complex and identify possible anatomic variations in adult patients from Colombia, diagnosed with chronic sinusitis. Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational and retrospective study. Continuous variables were estimated with measures of central tendency and dispersion, with a confidence interval of 95%. Categorical variables were determined with frequencies and percentages. Results: The total sample was 143 cases. In the sample, 53.8% were men and 46.2% were women. Both of the right and left, the uncinate process of the ethmoid was inserted into the lamina papyracea in 49.7% and 53.1% of cases, respectively. The insertion of the uncinate process in the cribriform plate of the ethmoid (T6) had a frequency to the right side of 25.2%, but for the left side was the insertion into the middle nasal concha (T1) (23.8%). In most cases, the uncinate process had a lateral orientation and 51% on the right side and 56.6% on the left side. Conclusion: The uncinate process is a highly variable anatomical structure at each side of the nasal cavity, arranged indifferent insertion sites, changes in angle and different lengths which is important from the point of view of surgical management of chronic rinosinusitis.

Variaciones anatómicas del proceso uncinado en tomografía computada multidetector en pacientes con rinosinusitis crónica

Objetivo: Describir la anatomía del proceso uncinado y sus variaciones observadas a través de cortes coronales por tomografía computada multidetector (TCMD) en una población con rinosinusitis crónica. Introducción: Según la literatura científica revisada, no se encontraron estudios sobre las variaciones anatómicas del complejo osteomeatal (COM) en la población adulta colombiana. Los reportes coinciden en que las variaciones anatómicas de este complejo son parte de las causas de la sinusitis crónica refractaria a tratamiento médico, por lo que el presente trabajo se propone estudiar la anatomía de este complejo e identificar sus posibles variaciones anatómicas en pacientes adultos colombianos diagnosticados con sinusitis crónica. Materiales y métodos: Se realizó un estudio descriptivo de corte transversal, observacional y retrospectivo. Para las variables continuas se estimaron medidas de tendencia central y de dispersión, con un intervalo de confianza del 95%, mientras que para las variables categóricas se determinaron las frecuencias y los porcentajes con que se presentaron en la muestra. Resultados: Se contó con 143 casos. De este total, el 53,8% fueron hombres y el 46,2% mujeres. Tanto en el lado derecho como en el izquierdo, el proceso uncinado del hueso etmoides se insertó en la lámina papirácea (el 49,7% y el 53,1% de los hombres y mujeres, respectivamente). La inserción del proceso uncinado en la lámina cribosa del hueso etmoides en el lado derecho fue el segundo en frecuencia (25,2%) y en el lado izquierdo este lugar lo ocupó la inserción en la concha nasal media (23,8%). También se encontró que, en la mayoría de los casos, el proceso uncinado tuvo una orientación lateral (el 51% en el lado derecho y el 56,6% en el lado izquierdo). Conclusión: El proceso uncinado es una estructura anatómica muy variable que se encuentra a cada lado de la cavidad nasal. Presenta diferentes puntos de inserción y tiene cambios en su angulación y distintas longitudes. Es importante tener en cuenta estas variaciones para el manejo quirúrgico de la rinosinusitis crónica.(AU)

Objective: To describe the uncinate process anatomy and its variations observed through coronal, multislice computed tomography (MSCT) in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis. Introduction: As reviewed in the literature, no studies of anatomical variations ostiomeatal complex in Colombian adults were found. The reports agree that the anatomical variations of this complex are part of the causes of chronic sinusitis refractory to medical treatment, which motivated the present work to study the anatomy of this complex and identify possible anatomic variations in adult patients from Colombia, diagnosed with chronic sinusitis. Materials and methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional, observational and retrospective study. Continuous variables were estimated with measures of central tendency and dispersion, with a confidence interval of 95%. Categorical variables were determined with frequencies and percentages. Results: The total sample was 143 cases. In the sample, 53.8% were men and 46.2% were women. Both of the right and left, the uncinate process of the ethmoid was inserted into the lamina papyracea in 49.7% and 53.1% of cases, respectively. The insertion of the uncinate process in the cribriform plate of the ethmoid (T6) had a frequency to the right side of 25.2%, but for the left side was the insertion into the middle nasal concha (T1) (23.8%). In most cases, the uncinate process had a lateral orientation and 51% on the right side and 56.6% on the left side. Conclusion: The uncinate process is a highly variable anatomical structure at each side of the nasal cavity, arranged indifferent insertion sites, changes in angle and different lengths which is important from the point of view of surgical management of chronic rinosinusitis.(AU)

Lack of association between genotypes and haematogenous seeding infections in a large cohort of patients with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia from 21 Spanish hospitals.

There is increasing concern regarding the association between certain methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) genotypes and poor clinical outcome. To assess this issue, a large cohort of 579 subjects with MRSA bacteraemia was prospectively followed from June 2008 to December 2009, in 21 hospitals in Spain. Epidemiology, clinical data, therapy, and outcome were recorded. All MRSA strains were analysed in a central laboratory. Presence of a haematogenous seeding infection was the dependent variable in an adjusted logistic regression model. Of the 579 patients included in the study, 84 (15%) had haematogenous seeding infections. Microdilution vancomycin median MIC (IQR) was 0.73 (0.38-3) mg/L. Most MRSA isolates (n = 371; 67%) belonged to Clonal Complex 5 (CC5) and carried an SCCmec element type IV and agr type 2. Isolates belonging to ST8-agr1-SCCmecIV, ST22-agr1-SCCmecIV and ST228-agr2-SCCmecI--a single locus variant of ST5--accounted for 8%, 9% and 9% of the isolates, respectively. After adjusting by clinical variables, any of the clones was associated with increased risk of haematogenous seeding infections. Higher vancomycin MIC was not identified as an independent risk factor, either. In contrast, persistent bacteraemia (OR 4.2; 2.3-7.8) and non-nosocomial acquisition (3.0; 1.7-5.6) were associated with increased risk.

Use of mTOR inhibitors in chronic heart transplant recipients with renal failure: calcineurin-inhibitors conversion or minimization?

BACKGROUND: In the last decade, mTOR inhibitors (mTOR-is) have become the cornerstone of the calcineurin inhibitor (CNI)-reduced/free regimens aimed to the preservation of post-transplant renal function. We compared utility and safety of the total replacement of calcineurin inhibitors with a mTOR-i with a strategy based on calcineurin inhibitor minimization and concomitant use of m-TOR-i. METHODS: In a retrospective multi-center cohort of 394 maintenance cardiac recipients with renal failure (GFR<60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)), we compared 235 patients in whom CNI was replaced with a mTOR-i (sirolimus or everolimus) with 159 patients in whom mTOR-is were used to minimize CNIs. A propensity score analysis was carried out to balance between group differences. RESULTS: Overall, after a median time of 2 years from mTOR-i initiation, between group differences for the evolution of renal function were not observed. In a multivariate adjusted model, improvement of renal function was limited to patients with mTOR-i usage within 5years after transplantation, particularly with the conversion strategy, and in those patients who could maintain mTOR-i therapy. Significant differences between strategies were not found for mortality, infection and mTOR-i withdrawal due to drug-related adverse events. However, conversion group tended to have a higher acute rejection incidence than the minimization group (p=0.07). CONCLUSION: In terms of renal benefits, our results support an earlier use of mTOR-is, irrespective of the strategy. The selection of either a conversion or a CNI minimization protocol should be based on the clinical characteristics of the patients, particularly their rejection risk.

Effectiveness of interventions to promote physical activity among socioeconomically disadvantaged women: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Physical activity is important for preventing weight gain and obesity, but women experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage are at high risk of inactivity. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of interventions to increase physical activity among women experiencing disadvantage, and the intervention factors (i.e. physical activity measure, delivery mode, delivery channel, setting, duration, use of theory, behavioural techniques, participant age, risk of bias) associated with effectiveness. We conducted a meta-analysis of controlled trials using random-effects models and meta-regression. Seven databases were searched for trials among healthy women (18-64 years), which included a physical activity intervention, any control group, and statistical analyses of a physical activity outcome at baseline and post-intervention. Nineteen studies were included (n = 6,339). Because of substantial statistical heterogeneity (χ(2) = 53.61, df = 18, P < 0.0001, I(2) = 66%), an overall pooled effect is not reported. In subgroup analyses, between-group differences were evident for delivery mode, which modestly reduced heterogeneity (to 54%). Studies with a group delivery component had a standardized mean difference of 0.38 greater than either individual or community-based delivery. Programs with a group delivery mode significantly increase physical activity among women experiencing disadvantage, and group delivery should be considered an essential element of physical activity promotion programs targeting this population group.

Andalusian registry of heart transplantation: first official adult heart transplant report 2010.

This is the first official report of the Andalusian Registry of Heart Transplantation. Since 1986, two centers in the community have been authorized to perform adult heart transplantation. Until 2010, 854 adult heart transplantation procedures were performed, which constitute the basis of the present report. Clinical features and survival are analyzed. The leading reason for heart transplantation was ischemic cardiomyopathy (34%) and nonischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (34%). The mean age of the recipients was 46 ± 16 years and the mean age of the donors was 29 ± 13 years. After a median follow-up of 106 months, the mean survival was 13.4 ± 0.6 years.

First evidence of oncologic neuropathic pain prevalence after screening 8615 cancer patients. Results of the On study.

BACKGROUND: Thirty percent to ninety percent of cancer patients suffer from pain, including neuropathic pain (NP), which results in great burden for cancer patients. Thus, it was of great interest to determine NP prevalence in cancer patients in Spain, to raise awareness of the condition, and aiming to improve management of cancer NP. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A 1-month follow-up prospective epidemiological multicenter study was conducted to assess prevalence and management of NP in Spanish oncologic units. The first 10 cancer patients at each unit diagnosed with NP by the validated Douleur Neuropathique 4 questionnaire (DN4) were recruited. RESULTS: Of 8615 screened patients, 2567 (30%) suffered from pain. From these, 33% had NP according to investigators and 19% according to DN4 test. Three hundred and sixty-six patients (mean age 62.6 years; 61.2% male) were recruited. Pain decrease at 1 month was greater in patients with metastases (P<0.01) and depended on treatment (P<0.05), with 'oxycodone' showing 50.4% pain relief. CONCLUSIONS: NP prevalence in cancer pain is 33%. DN4 reports only about half the cancer NP cases diagnosed by clinicians. Pharmaceutical treatment of cancer pain, including NP, has a greater effect in patients with metastases and seems to depend on the specific treatment used.

Spontaneous internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm in a patient with behçet disease.

We describe the uncommon case of a patient with Behçet disease who developed a giant spontaneous cervical internal carotid artery pseudoaneurysm confirmed at surgery. We also discuss the implications of this rare complication.