Factores asociados a mayor sobrevida en pacientes con cáncer de páncreas tratados mediante pancreatoduodenectomía. Estudio de casos y controles

Introducción: El cáncer de páncreas (CP) tiene un pronóstico ominoso a pesar de los avances en técnica quirúrgica y en los cuidados peri/postoperatorios. Nuestro objetivo fue identificar factores asociados a mayor sobrevida en pacientes con CP tratados mediante pancreatoduodenectomía (PD). Material y Método: Estudio de casos y controles de pacientes con CP tratados mediante PD en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Católica entre 2002-2015. Se definió como caso al paciente con sobrevida ≥ 3 años y como control a aquel con sobrevida inferior a ese plazo. Se comparó entre casos y controles datos biodemográficos, clínicos, histopatológicos, de morbilidad y mortalidad mediante regresión logística. Resultados: Se analizaron 70 pacientes, con una edad media de 62 ± 11 años; 40 (57%) mujeres. Hubo morbilidad en 26 enfermos (37,1%); Clavien-Dindo ≥ Illa en 8 (11,4%). La mediana (rango) de días de hospitalización fue 12 (7-84). La sobrevida actuarial a 1, 3 y 5 años fue 77%, 32% y 22% respectivamente. Se identificaron 21 casos (30%) y 49 controles (70%). En el análisis univariable, la resección R0, los ganglios regionales negativos, la ausencia de infiltración perineural, los estadios más precoces (IA, IB y IIA) y la ausencia de diabetes mellitus (DM2) al momento del diagnóstico, fueron variables asociadas a sobrevida ≥ 3 años (p 100 U/mL) y los tratamientos complementarios no se asociaron a diferencias significativas en sobrevida. En el análisis multivariable, se identificó la ausencia de DM2 (OR ajustado: 12; IC95% 1,7-84,3), la ausencia de infiltración perineural (OR ajustado: 7; IC95% 1,3-36,3) y los estadios precoces IA, IB y IIA (OR ajustado: 10,3; IC95% 2,1-49,1) como los factores independientes asociados a sobrevida mayor a 3 años. Conclusión: Los pacientes no diabéticos, con etapas precoces del CP sin infiltración perineural, resecados R0 mediante PD pueden obtener una sobrevida mayor a 3 años.

Introduction: Pancreatic cancer (PC) remains one of the most lethal malignancies, despite developments in surgical and non-surgical therapies. Significant improvements in long-term survival have not been achieved. Only radical surgical resection has obtained a moderate extension in survival. We aim to identify factors associated with longer survival in patients with PC treated by pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Material and Method: We designed a case-control study of patients with PC treated by PD in our center between 2002-2015. We compare patients who survived ≥ 3 years (case) with those not achieving it (control). Bio-demographic, clinical, histopathological, morbidity and mortality data were compared between cases and controls using logistic regression. Results: Seventy patients were analyzed; mean age 62 ± 11 years; 40 (57%) women. Morbidity was found in 26 patients (37.1%); Clavien-Dindo ≥ Illa in 8 (11.4%). The median (range) of hospitalization days was 12 (7-84). The actuarial 1, 3, and 5 years survival was 77%, 32%, and 22%, respectively, for the entire series. Twenty-one cases (30%), and 49 controls (70%) were identified. In the univariate analysis, R0 resection, negative regional lymph nodes, the absence of perineural infiltration, the earliest stages (IA, IB, and IIA) and the absence of diabetes mellitus (DM) at time of diagnosis were variables associated with survival ≥ 3 years (p 100 U / mL), and neo/adjuvant treatments, did not significantly show differences in survival. In the multivariate analysis, no DM at diagnosis (adjusted OR: 12; 95% CI 1.7 - 84.3), no perineural infiltration (adjusted OR: 7; 95% CI 1.3 - 36.3) and early stages IA, IB, and IIA (adjusted OR: 10.3; 95% CI 2.1 - 49.1) were identified as independent factors associated with survival > 3 years. Conclusion: Nondiabetic patients with early stages PC without perineural infiltration, resected R0 by PD can achieve survival over 3 years.

Five-year airborne pollen calendar for a Sonoran Desert city and the relationships with meteorological variability.

Aerobiological studies are still scarce in northwestern Mexico where allergenic pollen have great impacts on health. Current global pollution and climate change problems are closely related to many allergic diseases, enhancing the need to continue researching these issues and improve life quality. This study provides the first Pollen Calendar for Hermosillo, Sonora, México. Airborne pollen were continuously collected for 5 years (2015-2019). The standardized methodology with a Hirst-type spore trap proposed for global aerobiological studies was used. Weather data were also taken from a station located in the city and used to explore correlations between climate and airborne pollen concentrations in different seasons. The most important pollen taxa recorded in air belongs to herbaceous pollen, such as Poaceae, Ambrosia, Asteraceae, Chenopodiaceae-Amaranthaceae, and some shrub trees typical of this arid region, such as Nyctaginaceae, Prosopis, Parkinsonia, and Fabaceae. The most critical herbaceous pollen related to allergies have a long mean pollen season throughout the years, and the most critical periods with high pollen concentration in air occur in two seasons, spring (March-April) and summer-fall (August-October). In these 5 years, the correlation analyses for these two peaks indicate that a link exists between pollen in the air and decreases in precipitation and temperatures, and an increase in relative humidity. An inter-annual variability in pollen concentrations was recorded related to different weather conditions. Although pollen calendars are location-specific, they are useful for future research on biological air quality scenarios in different cities. Using this standardized method for other regions can provide pollen calendars that have been proven clinically important in allergic disease management worldwide.

Total intravenous anesthesia (TIVA) with propofool and remifentanil during operative endoscopy tracheobronchial laser therapy.

Background: The aim of our study was to assess how total intra-venous anaesthesia (TIVA) achieved by propofol and remifentanil continuous infusion could ensure proper success of the endobronchial laser therapy, in optimal conditions for the endoscopist, determining at the same time an adequate hypnosis and a good analgesia. Methods: We studied 50 patients (28M - 22F), ASA class I-IV, mean age 42 ± 32.5 years , subjected to laser endoscopy to repair tracheal stenosis. TIVA was performed in all patients, and spontaneous breathing was maintained. Results: 10.2% of patients experienced episodes of coughing during induction. The depth of the anaesthesia plan, monitored by BIS, was 55 ± 5. The awakening was fast in all patients, with an Aldrete score of 7.71 ± 1.14 at 1 minute and 9.31 ± 1.12 at 10 minutes. Conclusion: The results of this study allow us to state that the continuous infusion of propofol and remifentanil proved to be the gold standard in patients ASA I-II-III undergoing endobronchial laser therapy. The use of TIVA has also allowed to perform endoscopic intervention on patients who suffered from a significant decrease of both cardiac and respiratory functions.

Epidemiology of ataxia and hereditary spastic paraplegia in Spain: A cross-sectional study.

INTRODUCTION: Ataxia and hereditary spastic paraplegia are rare neurodegenerative syndromes. We aimed to determine the prevalence of these disorders in Spain in 2019. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, multicentre, retrospective, descriptive study of patients with ataxia and hereditary spastic paraplegia in Spain between March 2018 and December 2019. RESULTS: We gathered data from a total of 1933 patients from 11 autonomous communities, provided by 47 neurologists or geneticists. Mean (SD) age in our sample was 53.64 (20.51) years; 938 patients were men (48.5%) and 995 were women (51.5%). The genetic defect was unidentified in 920 patients (47.6%). A total of 1371 patients (70.9%) had ataxia and 562 (29.1%) had hereditary spastic paraplegia. Prevalence rates for ataxia and hereditary spastic paraplegia were estimated at 5.48 and 2.24 cases per 100 000 population, respectively. The most frequent type of dominant ataxia in our sample was SCA3, and the most frequent recessive ataxia was Friedreich ataxia. The most frequent type of dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia in our sample was SPG4, and the most frequent recessive type was SPG7. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample, the estimated prevalence of ataxia and hereditary spastic paraplegia was 7.73 cases per 100 000 population. This rate is similar to those reported for other countries. Genetic diagnosis was not available in 47.6% of cases. Despite these limitations, our study provides useful data for estimating the necessary healthcare resources for these patients, raising awareness of these diseases, determining the most frequent causal mutations for local screening programmes, and promoting the development of clinical trials.

Percepción del usuario de absorbentes de incontinencia de orina y prevención de lesiones cutáneas desde la farmacia comunitaria / User perception of urine incontinence pads and prevention of skin lesions from the community pharmacy

JUSTIFICACIÓN: el farmacéutico comunitario desempeña una labor asistencial más allá de la dispensación de medicamentos. En España hay más de 6,5 millones de incontinentes. 1 de cada 4 mujeres mayores de 35 años y 1 de cada 4 hombres mayores de 40 la padecen. La incontinencia no supone un riesgo para la vida, pero si afecta a la calidad de vida: altera el sueño, reduce la movilidad, altera las relaciones sociales y sexuales. El 25 % de los pacientes incontinentes tiene problemas en su vida laboral. La incontinencia urinaria se ha convertido en la tercera enfermedad crónica que más afecta a la calidad de vida, después de la diabetes e hipertensión. Se ha observado que cuando la piel permanece constantemente húmeda pueden aparecer erupciones, infecciones de la piel y llagas. OBJETIVO: conocer la percepción del paciente o cuidador sobre el uso del absorbente, y el estado de la piel del usuario. Mejorar el estado de la piel de estos pacientes con educación sanitaria. MÉTODOS: entre el 15 y el 31 de Enero de 2022 se realiza una encuesta a todos los pacientes que acuden a una farmacia comunitaria solicitando absorbentes de incontinencia urinaria, que son mayores de edad, con estado cognitivo correcto y que aceptan realizar la encuesta. La encuesta consiste en cinco preguntas cerradas y dicotómicas (si o no) y con opción de añadir comentarios. Cuando se encuentran incidencias se pide al paciente o cuidador que entren en la zona de atención al paciente, donde reciben educación sanitaria de forma oral y escrita. Se contacta con ellos de nuevo a los 15 días para conocer si la actuación del farmacéutico ha ocasionado alguna mejoría. (AU)

El farmacéutico comunitario y el edema de Reinke: caso clínico / The community pharmacist and Reinke's oedema: a case report

ANTECEDENTES Y EVALUACIÓN: el edema de Reinke afecta a ambas cuerdas vocales, y aunque está relacionado con el consumo de tabaco, puede deberse al reflujo o alteraciones hormonales. Produce displasia epitelial leve y carcinoma microinvasor, ronquera y empeoramiento del tono, que a veces presenta cierto grado de aspereza. Mujer de 55 años, fumadora y padece EPOC. Se encuentra en tratamiento con Vilanterol y Bromuro de umeclidinio. Ninguna otra alergia, enfermedad o situación clínica reseñable. Refiere acudir al médico por padecer tos y ronquera, pareciendo su voz más grave de lo habitual. Le prescriben acetilcisteina, que no retira de la farmacia porque tenía un envase en su domicilio. Al día siguiente de comenzar el tratamiento acude a consultar a su farmacia comunitaria ya que refiere empeoramiento de la situación clínica, pareciendo una intensa disnea. INTERVENCIÓN: tras entrevista clínica y registro en la herramienta SEFAC e_XPERT se decide derivar al médico de familia con un informe por escrito, solicitando nueva valoración médica y en el que se recomienda suspender el tratamiento con la acetilcisteína por sospecha de que un incremento de la fluidez de las secreciones puede estar dando lugar a una obstrucción de las vías respiratorias, ya que la expectoración no es adecuada. También realizamos una primera intervención para lograr que la paciente abandone el consumo del tabaco. La paciente lo rechaza. EL médico de familia realiza una nueva valoración prescribiendo amoxicilina con clavulánico y prednisona. Realizamos seguimiento telefónico encontrando empeoramiento clínico a los 5 días de inicio del tratamiento antibiótico y antinflamatorio. La paciente refiere ronquera y tos intensa, aunque mejora de la disnea. Volvemos a insistir sobre la necesidad de dejar de fumar. Un familiar del paciente acude a la farmacia a recoger un nuevo informe por escrito donde recomendamos de nuevo valoración por parte del médico especialista. (AU)

Identificación y adquisición de dispositivos de entrenamiento para mejorar la técnica de administración en una farmacia comunitaria / Identification and procurement of training devices to improve dispensing technique in a community pharmacy

JUSTIFICACIÓN: el asma y la EPOC son dos patologías muy prevalentes y con una alta tasa de mortalidad. El tratamiento de ambas suele incluir medicación que tiene que ser administrada vía inhalada, mediante dispositivos en los que su manejo es complejo. Esto genera un mal control de la enfermedad y altas tasas de no adherencia, lo que agrava aún más el problema. La educación sanitaria, se convierte en un factor trascendental en el abordaje de esta patología respiratoria, y el farmacéutico comunitario en una figura clave en su difusión. Si el paciente no domina la técnica de inhalación, es muy útil disponer de dispositivos de inhalación no medicamentosos, para poder ofrecer una educación sanitaria de calidad. OBJETIVOS: identificar dispositivos de inhalación comercializados, averiguar si el laboratorio comercializador dispone de simuladores para entrenamiento de los pacientes en su manejo y adquirirlos para su uso en una farmacia comunitaria como herramienta de educación sanitaria. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: revisión bibliográfica para conocer los dispositivos autorizados y los laboratorios comercializadores. Se empleó la base de datos del consejo Botplus, y se consultó páginas de sociedades científicas así como guías clínicas. Se contacta con los laboratorios y se solicita los dispositivos. RESULTADOS/DISCUSIÓN: se localizaron once tipos de dispositivos de inhalación (Relvar®, Handihaler®, Accuhaler®, cartuchos a presión, Genuair®, Turbuhaler®, Respimat®, Nexthaler®, Modulite®, Breezhaler® y Spiromax®) comercializados por seis laboratorios farmacéuticos GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Chiesi, Novartis y TEVA. Cinco laboratorios si contestaron, pero solo tres mandaron los dispositivos. (AU)

Fracture and migration in right atrium of a permanent venous central access system in a elderly patient: case report and literature review.

Abstract: Catheter dislocation and fracture with migration of central venous lines have been reported in the International literature. Catheter fracture with consequent migration has been observed in 0.5-3.0% and may either be consequent to catheter removal or it can occur spontane-ously. Our case report concerns the migration of a Hickman catheter connected to a venous port to the right atrium in a 61-year old patient. A literature up-to-date has been performed to assess the risk of port-a-cath positioning. The position of catheter tip is considered critical for the risk of migration, that is greater as higher the tip localization respect to the carina. The aim of our study is to underline the critical role of X-ray to visualize the exact location of the catheter tip, regard-less of the approach used for catheter positioning.

Epidemiology of ataxia and hereditary spastic paraplegia in Spain: a cross-sectional study. / Mapa epidemiológico transversal de las ataxias y paraparesias espásticas hereditarias en España.

INTRODUCTION: Ataxia and hereditary spastic paraplegia are rare neurodegenerative syndromes. We aimed to determine the prevalence of these disorders in Spain in 2019. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional, multicentre, retrospective, descriptive study of patients with ataxia and hereditary spastic paraplegia in Spain between March 2018 and December 2019. RESULTS: We gathered data from a total of 1.809 patients from 11 autonomous communities, provided by 47 neurologists or geneticists. Mean (SD) age in our sample was 53.64 (20.51) years; 920 patients were men (50.8%) and 889 were women (49.2%). The genetic defect was unidentified in 920 patients (47.6%). A total of 1371 patients (70.9%) had ataxia and 562 (29.1%) had hereditary spastic paraplegia. Prevalence rates for ataxia and hereditary spastic paraplegia were estimated at 5.48 and 2.24 cases per 100 000 population, respectively. The most frequent type of dominant ataxia in our sample was SCA3, and the most frequent recessive ataxia was Friedreich ataxia. The most frequent type of dominant hereditary spastic paraplegia in our sample was SPG4, and the most frequent recessive type was SPG7. CONCLUSIONS: In our sample, the estimated prevalence of ataxia and hereditary spastic paraplegia was 7.73 cases per 100 000 population. This rate is similar to those reported for other countries. Genetic diagnosis was not available in 47.6% of cases. Despite these limitations, our study provides useful data for estimating the necessary healthcare resources for these patients, raising awareness of these diseases, determining the most frequent causal mutations for local screening programmes, and promoting the development of clinical trials.

Pulmonary embolisms in patients with COVID-19: a prevalence study in a tertiary hospital. / Tromboembolismo pulmonar en pacientes con COVID-19: estudio de prevalencia en un hospital terciario.

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the current pandemic, predominantly affects the respiratory tract, and a growing number of publications report the predisposition of patients with COVID-19 to develop thrombotic phenomena. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID-19; to determine the possible relationship between the severity of pulmonary involvement and D-dimer levels; to analyze the location of pulmonary embolisms in patients with COVID-19 and to compare it with the location in patients without COVID-19. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed all CT angiograms of the pulmonary arteries done in patients with suspected pulmonary embolisms between March 15 and April 30, 2020 and compared them with studies done in the same period one year earlier. RESULTS: We included 492 pulmonary CT angiograms (342 (69.9%) in patients with COVID-19 and 147 (30.1%) in patients without COVID-19). The prevalence of pulmonary embolisms was higher in patients with COVID-19 (26% vs. 16.3% in patients without COVID-19, p=0.0197; relative risk=1.6). The prevalence of pulmonary embolisms in the same period in 2019 was 13.2%, similar to that of the group of COVID-19-negative patients in 2020 (p=0.43). There were no significant differences in D-dimer levels or the location of pulmonary embolisms between the two groups. CT showed moderate or severe pulmonary involvement in 78.7% of the patients with COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 have an increased prevalence of pulmonary embolisms (26%), and most (78.7%) have moderate or severe lung involvement on CT studies. The location of pulmonary embolisms and the degree of elevation of D-dimer levels does not differ between patients with COVID-19 and those without.

Donante vivo hepático adulto-pediátrico totalmente laparoscópico: aspectos técnicos y resultados / Fully laparoscopic adult living donor for pediatric transplantation: technical aspects and results

Resumen Introducción: La cirugía hepática laparoscópica ha presentado un desarrollo más lento debido a la complejidad que ésta posee, lo que determina una curva de aprendizaje prolongada. En relación a la hepatectomía laparoscópica para donante vivo en trasplante hepático (TH), ésta se ha retrasado aún más por las preocupaciones sobre la seguridad del donante, el resultado del injerto y la adquisición de las competencias técnicas de los cirujanos. El objetivo de este artículo, es exponer detalles técnicos de la hepatectomía izquierda laparoscópica de donantes vivos adultos para trasplante pediátrico y se presentan los resultados quirúrgicos de los casos realizados en este centro. Materiales y Método: Presentación de la técnica quirúrgica de la hepatectomía izquierda en donantes vivos para TH en receptores pediátricos, además, de realizar un estudio cohorte no concurrente de pacientes sometidos a esta cirugía en el Hospital Clínico de la Universidad Católica entre mayo de 2011 y noviembre de 2017. Resultados: La serie consta de 15 pacientes, 60% sexo femenino. Trece pacientes (86,6%) eran madre o padre del receptor. El 100% de pacientes fue sometido a hepatectomía izquierda laparoscópica sin necesidad de conversión. Morbilidad Clavien-Dindo >3,1 paciente requirió punción percutánea de bilioma. Mediana de hospitalización de 3 días (2-5). No hubo mortalidad. Conclusión: La hepatectomía izquierda por vía laparoscópica de donante vivo para TH pediátrico es un procedimiento seguro y factible de realizar en este centro, con excelentes resultados en términos de morbimortalidad y consideramos que esta técnica debe ser la vía de elección para donantes vivos adultos-pediátricos.

Introduction: Laparoscopic liver surgery has presented a slower development due to the complexity it has, which determines a prolonged learning curve. In relation to laparoscopic hepatectomy for a living donor liver transplantation (LT), this has been further delayed due to concerns about donor safety, graft results and the acquisition of the technical skills of surgeons. The objective of this article is to present technical details of the laparoscopic left hepatectomy of adult living donors for pediatric transplantation and the surgical results of the cases performed in this center. Materials and Method: Presentation of the surgical technique of left hepatectomy in living donors for LT in pediatric recipients in addition to conducting a non-concurrent cohort study of patients undergoing this surgery at the Hospital Clinico Universidad Catolica between May 2011 to November 2017. Results: The series consists of 15 patients, 60% female. Thirteen patients (86.6%) were mother or father of the recipient. 100% of patients underwent laparoscopic left hepatectomy without conversion. Clavien-Dindo Morbidity > 3, in 1 patient who required percutaneous drainage of biloma. Median hospitalization of 3 days (2-5). There was no mortality. Conclusión: Laparoscopic left hepatectomy of living donors for pediatric LT is a safe and feasible procedure to perform in this center, with excellent results in terms of morbidity and mortality and we consider that this technique should be the route of choice for adult-pediatric living donors.

Indicaciones inhabituales de trasplante hepático. resultados / Unusual indications for liver transplantation. results

Resumen Introducción: El trasplante hepático (TH), es una terapia establecida en el tratamiento de diversas enfermedades del hígado agudas y crónicas terminales y del carcinoma hepatocelular (CHC). Las principales indicaciones en nuestro medio son la cirrosis de diferentes etiologías, el CHC, la atresia de vías biliares en niños y la falla hepática fulminante (FHF). Menos del 10% corresponden a indicaciones inhabituales, que incluyen pacientes con una miscelánea de enfermedades entre las cuales están la enfermedad poliquística hepática (EPH), enfermedades metabólicas (Niemann-Pick, otras), el síndrome hepato/portopulmonar, metástasis de diferentes tumores, etc. Objetivo: Describir y evaluar los resultados obtenidos con el trasplante hepático en estas indicaciones. Materiales y Método: Estudio de cohorte no concurrente que incluyó los TH por indicaciones inhabituales realizados entre marzo de 1997 y diciembre de 2016. De 295 TH realizados, 34 (11,5%) fueron por estas indicaciones. Resultados: Las causas más frecuentes fueron el síndrome porto/hepatopulmonar en 11 (40,7%) pacientes y la EPH en 9 (26,5%). Las enfermedades metabólicas representaron la tercera indicación, con 5 (14,7%) casos. Siete (20,6%) pacientes eran menores de 18 años. Las complicaciones más frecuentes fueron biliares y la trombosis de arteria hepática en 6 (17,6%) y 4 (11,8%) casos respectivamente; estos últimos eran portadores de una EPH masiva. Cuatro (12,5%) pacientes requirieron retrasplante. La mortalidad a 90 días fue de 2 (5,9%) enfermos. Conclusión: El TH es una opción factible en este grupo de pacientes con resultados similares a los obtenidos en las indicaciones clásicas.

Introduction: Liver transplantation (LT) is an established therapy in the treatment of several acute and chronic end-stage liver diseases and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The main indications worldwide are cirrhosis of different etiologies, HCC, biliary atresia in children, and fulminant hepatic failure (FHF). Less than 10% concerns unusual indications which include patients with miscellaneous diseases among which are hepatic polycystic disease (HPD), metabolic diseases (Niemann-Pick, others), portal/hepatopulmonary syndrome, metastasis of different tumors, among others. Aim: The objective of the study is to describe and asses the results obtained with liver transplantation in these indications. Materials and Method: We performed a non-concurrent cohort study that included all LT due to unusual indications between March 1997 and December 2016 in a university medical center. Of 295 TH performed, 34 (11.75%) were due to these indications. Results: The most frequent causes were the portal/hepatopulmonary syndrome in 11 (40.7%) patients and HPD in 9 (26.5%). Metabolic diseases accounted for the third indication in 5 (14.7%) cases. Seven (20.6%) patients were less than 18 years old. The most frequent complications were biliary and hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) in 6 (17.6%) and 4 (11.8%) cases, respectively. Patients complicated by a HAT suffered a massive EPH. Four (12.5%), required retransplantation. Mortality at 90 days was 2 (5.9%). Conclusión: LT is a feasible option in this group of patients with results similar to those obtained in classic indications of LT.

Understanding alkali metal cation affinities of multi-layer guanine quadruplex DNA.

To gain better understanding of the stabilizing interactions between metal ions and DNA quadruplexes, dispersion-corrected density functional theory (DFT-D) based calculations were performed on double-, triple- and four-layer guanine tetrads interacting with alkali metal cations. All computations were performed in aqueous solution that mimics artificial supramolecular conditions where guanine bases assemble into stacked quartets as well as biological environments in which telomeric quadruplexes are formed. To facilitate the computations on these significant larger systems, optimization of the DFT description was performed first by evaluating the performance of partial reduced basis sets. Analysis of the stabilizing interactions between alkali cations and the DNA bases in double and triple-layer guanine quadruplex DNA reproduced the experimental affinity trend of the order Li+< Rb+ < Na+ < K+. The desolvation and the size of alkali metal cations are thought to be responsible for the order of affinity. Nevertheless, for the alkali metal cation species individually, the magnitude of the bond energy stays equal for binding as first, second or third cation in double, triple and four-layer guanine quadruplexes, respectively. This is the result of an interplay between a decreasingly stabilizing interaction energy and increasingly stabilizing solvation effects, along the consecutive binding events. This diminished interaction energy is the result of destabilizing electrostatic repulsion between the hosted alkali metal cations. This work emphasizes the stabilizing effect of aqueous solvent on large highly charged biomolecules.

Adherence to treatment in children with growth hormone deficiency, small for gestational age and Turner syndrome in Mexico: results of the Easypod™ connect observational study (ECOS).

BACKGROUND: Assessing adherence to growth hormone (GH) is challenging. The Easypod™ connect device delivers pre-set doses of recombinant human GH (r-hGH) and stores a digital record of adherence that can be shared with healthcare provider. We assessed adherence to r-hGH delivered with Easypod™ according to the approved pediatric indications for r-hGH: growth hormone deficiency (GHD), born small for gestational age (SGA) who failed to show catch-up growth and Turner syndrome (TS). METHODS: ECOS (NCT01555528) was a multicenter (24 countries), 5-year, longitudinal, observational study, which aimed to evaluate country-specific adherence to r-hGH therapy prescribed via the Easypod™ electronic injection device. The primary endpoint was yearly adherence. Secondary endpoints were height velocity, height velocity standard deviation scores (SDS), height, height SDS and IGF-1 concentrations. Clinical and auxological data were obtained from medical records and adherence from Easypod™ logs. RESULTS: This study included 147 Easypod™-naïve Mexican children assessed during 3 years (mean age: 9.96 ± 3.41 years, 56.8% boys, mean height SDS at baseline: - 2.17 ± 0.97): 118 with GHD, 24 SGA and 5 with TS. A total of 105 (71.4%) patients were GH naïve. Overall median adherence was > 90% over the first year of treatment and > 80% at 3 years. Adherence was not different by r-hGH indication or between GH-naïve or experienced patients. At 1-year follow-up, mean change in height SDS was 0.57 ± 0.34, whereas mean height velocity SDS was 2.85 ± 2.51. In all, 84.7% patients had normal IGF-1 concentrations at 1-year follow-up. Adherence was associated with change in height SDS (r = 0.239, p = 0.005) and height velocity SDS (r = 0.194, p = 0.027). CONCLUSION: Adherence rates with the Easypod™ device are high and maintained over time in GHD, SGA and TS Easypod™-naïve Mexican patients. High adherence is associated with better outcomes. Easypod™ assists physicians in monitoring adherence to r-hGH.

Tromboembolismo pulmonar en pacientes con COVID-19: estudio de prevalencia en un hospital terciario / Pulmonary embolisms in patients with COVID-19: a prevalence study in a tertiary hospital

INTRODUCCIÓN: El coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, responsable de la pandemia actual, afecta preferentemente al tracto respiratorio, con un número creciente de publicaciones sobre su predisposición a fenómenos trombóticos. OBJETIVO: Conocer la prevalencia de tromboembolismo pulmonar (TEP) en pacientes con COVID-19; determinar su posible relación con la gravedad de la enfermedad pulmonar y los niveles de dímeros D, y analizar la localización del TEP en pacientes con COVID-19 comparándolos con los pacientes sin COVID-19. MÉTODO: Estudio retrospectivo de todas las angio-TC de arterias pulmonares realizadas por sospecha de TEP del 15 de marzo al 30 de abril de 2020. Se compara con las angio-TC realizadas durante el mismo periodo en 2019. RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 492 angio-TC pulmonares, 342 (69,9%) de pacientes con COVID-19 y 147 (30,1%) de pacientes sin infección. La prevalencia de TEP fue del 26% en el grupo COVID-19 positivo y del 16,3% en el negativo (p = 0,0197), con un riesgo relativo de 1,6 veces. La prevalencia de TEP en el mismo período del año 2019 fue del 13,2%, similar a la del grupo COVID-19 negativo del año 2020 (p = 0,43). No hubo diferencias significativas en el nivel de dímeros D ni en la localización del TEP entre ambos grupos. El 78,7% de los pacientes con COVID-19 con TEP mostraron una extensión de la afectación pulmonar moderada o grave en la tomografía computarizada. CONCLUSIONES: Los pacientes con COVID-19 tienen una prevalencia aumentada de TEP (26%) y la mayoría (78,7%) presentan una extensión moderada o grave de afectación pulmonar en la tomografía computarizada. No hay diferencias significativas en la localización del material embólico ni en el grado de elevación de dímero-D respecto a los pacientes sin COVID-19

INTRODUCTION: SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the current pandemic, predominantly affects the respiratory tract, and a growing number of publications report the predisposition of patients with COVID-19 to develop thrombotic phenomena. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of pulmonary embolism in patients with COVID-19; to determine the possible relationship between the severity of pulmonary involvement and D-dimer levels; to analyze the location of pulmonary embolisms in patients with COVID-19 and to compare it with the location in patients without COVID-19. METHODS: This retrospective study analyzed all CT angiograms of the pulmonary arteries done in patients with suspected pulmonary embolisms between March 15 and April 30, 2020 and compared them with studies done in the same period one year earlier. RESULTS: We included 492 pulmonary CT angiograms (342 (69.9%) in patients with COVID-19 and 147 (30.1%) in patients without COVID-19). The prevalence of pulmonary embolisms was higher in patients with COVID-19 (26% vs. 16.3% in patients without COVID-19, p = 0.0197; relative risk=1.6). The prevalence of pulmonary embolisms in the same period in 2019 was 13.2%, similar to that of the group of COVID-19-negative patients in 2020 (p = 0.43). There were no significant differences in D-dimer levels or the location of pulmonary embolisms between the two groups. CT showed moderate or severe pulmonary involvement in 78.7% of the patients with COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with COVID-19 have an increased prevalence of pulmonary embolisms (26%), and most (78.7%) have moderate or severe lung involvement on CT studies. The location of pulmonary embolisms and the degree of elevation of D-dimer levels does not differ between patients with COVID-19 and those without

Pancreatectomía corpo-caudal con resección en bloque de tronco celíaco: reporte de 2 casos / Corporal caudal pancreatectomy with celiac trunk block resection: report of 2 cases

INTRODUCCIÓN: El adenocarcinoma de cuerpo y cola de páncreas corresponde a cerca de un tercio del total de cánceres pancreáticos. Evoluciona en forma silenciosa hasta alcanzar estadios avanzados, llegando a comprometer muchas veces grandes vasos como tronco celíaco y sus ramas, y la arteria mesentérica superior. La resolución quirúrgica parece ser la única alternativa en estos casos. OBJETIVO: Presentar dos casos de adenocarcinoma de cuerpo y cola de páncreas tratados en nuestro hospital con pancreatectomía corpo-caudal y resección en bloque de tronco celíaco (procedimiento de Appleby modificado). DISCUSIÓN: Este procedimiento ha demostrado aumentar la sobrevida de estos pacientes, además de generar un alivio inmediato y duradero del dolor. Sin embargo, corresponde a una intervención con una alta morbilidad, siendo la fístula pancreática y la gastropatía isquémica las complicaciones más frecuentes. La evaluación del flujo de los vasos colaterales es un paso crítico para evitar las complicaciones isquémicas. CONCLUSIONES: La pancreatectomía corpo-caudal con resección en bloque de tronco celíaco, es una alternativa factible en adenocarcinoma de cuerpo y cola de páncreas localmente avanzado. Su indicación debe ser cuidadosa debido a que corresponde a un procedimiento con alta morbilidad.

INTRODUCTION: Adenocarcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas corresponds to about one third of all pancreatic cancers. It evolves silently to reach advanced stages, often involving large vessels such as the celiac trunk and its branches, and the superior mesenteric artery. Surgical resolution seems to be the only alternative in these cases. AIM: To present two cases of adenocarcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas treated in our hospital with distal pancreatectomy and celiac trunk en block resection (modified Appleby procedure). DISCUSSION: This procedure has been shown to increase the survival of these patients, in addition to generating immediate and lasting pain relief. However, it corresponds to an intervention with a high morbidity, being the pancreatic fistula and the ischemic gastropathy the most frequent complications. The evaluation of the flow of the collateral vessels is a critical step to avoid ischemic complications. CONCLUSIONS: Distal pancreatectomy with en bloc resection of the celiac trunk is a feasible alternative in locally advanced adenocarcinoma of the body and tail of the pancreas. Its indication must be careful since is a procedure with high morbidity.

Efecto del uso intraoperatorio de corticoides en dosis bajas en pacientes sometidos a resección hepática mayor con maniobra de Pringle / Effects of low dose corticosteroids in patients undergoing major hepatic resection with Pringle maneuver

Introducción: Las resecciones hepáticas mayores pueden presentar una alta morbimortalidad en relación al sangrado intraoperatorio. La utilización de la maniobra de Pringle permite disminuir esta complicación a costa de un daño por isquemia-reperfusión. Una estrategia para minimizarla es el uso de corticoides perioperatorios. Objetivo: Evaluar el uso de metilprednisolona en dosis bajas (< 500 mg) en pacientes sometidos a resección hepática mayor con maniobra de Pringle en la incidencia de daño por isquemiareperfusión, morbilidad y mortalidad perioperatoria. Material y Métodos: Estudio retrospectivo utilizando la base de datos de hepatectomías entre los años 2000 y 2015. De un total de 171 resecciones hepáticas mayores, 62 utilizaron clampeo vascular. Se establecieron dos grupos: (A) aquellos que recibieron metilprednisolona inmediatamente previo al clampeo (n = 27) y (B) pacientes sin metilprednisolona (n = 35). Se evaluó el daño por isquemia-reperfusión por alteración de las pruebas hepáticas en los días 1, 3 y 5. Resultados: Los pacientes del grupo A tuvieron mayor tiempo de isquemia (43 + 3,3 vs 27 + 2,1 min, p < 0,05) que el grupo B, con una significativamente menor elevación de las fosfatasas alcalinas y bilirrubina en los días 1 y 5 poshepatectomía. No se observó diferencias en la magnitud del sangrado y no hubo diferencias en morbimortalidad. Conclusiones: La utilización de dosis bajas de metilprednisolona parece disminuir el impacto del DIR relacionado a la resección hepática bajo clampeo vascular, evitando los efectos adversos de la administración de esteroides en dosis altas.

Introduction: Liver resections may be associated with high morbidity and mortality due to intraoperative bleeding. Pringle maneuver reduces this complication at the expense of ischemia-reperfusion injury. Current strategies to minimize reperfusion injury include the use of perioperative corticosteroids. Objective: To assess the use of methylprednisolone in low doses (< 500 mg) in patients submitted to major hepatic resection under Pringle maneuver in the incidence of ischemia-reperfusion injury, peri-operative morbidity, and mortality. Material and Methods: Retrospective study from the liver resections database undertaken between the years 2000-2015 in our center. One hundred and seventy-one major liver resections were done, in 62 under Pringle maneuver. Two groups were established: (A) Patients administered methylprednisolone immediately before Pringle maneuver (n = 27) and (B) those without steroid (n = 35). We assessed ischemia-reperfusion injury by measuring liver tests on days 1, 3 and 5. Results: Patients in group A had longer ischemia time (43 ± 3.3 vs. 27 ± 2.1 min, p < 0.05) than those of group B, and significantly lower elevation of serum phosphatase alkaline and bilirubin on days 1 and five post-hepatectomy. We did not observe any difference in bleeding magnitude, and there were no differences in morbidity or mortality. Conclusions: The use of low doses of methylprednisolone seems to diminish the impact of ischemia-reperfusion injury related to major hepatic resection under Pringle maneuver avoiding the adverse side effects of high dose steroid.

Effect of length of time post-mortem on quality and freezing capacity of Cantabric chamois (Rupicapra pyrenaica parva) epididymal spermatozoa.

Genome Resource Banks are keystones in the ex-situ conservation of wild species. Post-mortem (PM) collection of epididymal spermatozoa is an opportunistic and valuable source of germplasm, the time from the death of the animal limits its use. Seeking to improve germplasm preservation strategies for the chamois (Rupicapra sp.), the effect of PM time on epididymal sperm quality and freezability was studied using the Cantabrian chamois. Samples were classified according to PM collection time, up to 216 h (refrigerated), and cryopreserved (Tris-citric acid-fructose, 430 mOsm/kg, 15% egg yolk, 8% glycerol; freezing at -20 °C/min). Sperm quality was assessed after recovery and post-thawing (motility by CASA, HOS test, abnormal forms, cytoplasmic droplets, and viability and acrosomal damage by flow cytometry). The sperm mass pH and osmolality showed a positive correlation with time. Total sperm motility dropped after 2 days PM, with progressivity and sperm velocities remained similar up to 3 days PM. Sperm freezability was acceptable, with the post-thawing HOST, motility, progressivity, VAP, VCL, VSL and BCF negatively correlating with PM time. Overall, chamois epidydimal samples were not adequate for preservation after 6 days PM. Freezability capacity could make these spermatozoa suitable for specific ART even if kept refrigerated for several days PM.