Subthreshold Micropulse Laser Acute Exudative Maculopathy in Central Serous Chorioretinopathy.

Photodynamic acute exudative maculopathy is a transient increase in subretinal fluid (SRF) within the first days after treatment in different chorioretinal diseases and tumors. Recently, this entity has attracted much attention. However, no cases of acute exudative maculopathy have been described after subthreshold laser (STL). This report presents the case of a 35-year-old male with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy with an extrafoveal serous retinal pigment epithelium detachment (PED) who underwent STL. One day after treatment, the patient noted an acute decrease in visual acuity and abundant SRF. One month after treatment, both the SRF and PED were spontaneously resolved. [Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina 2023;54:540-542.].

Effectiveness of nursing educational interventions in managing post-surgical pain. Systematic review.

OBJECTIVES: Analyze and integrate studies that inquire on the benefits of nursing educational interventions to manage post-surgical pain. METHODS: A systematic search was conducted in the databases of Scopus, Medline (Pubmed), Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and CINAHL of systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, and quasi-experimental studies published in English and Spanish until 2018 that analyzed the effectiveness of educational interventions in managing post-surgical pain in adult patients. RESULTS: Twelve studies complied inclusion criteria, of which nine reported less pain in the group receiving the educational intervention. These interventions also helped to diminish the level of anxiety and improved functionality to perform activities of daily life. The level of quality of the studies was medium. CONCLUSIONS: Although the review showed that nursing educational interventions could influence on the relief of post-surgical pain, more rigorous studies are necessary, with bigger sample sizes and higher methodological quality, which help to establish the real effectiveness in managing post-surgical patients with pain.

Effectiveness of nursing educational interventions in managing post-surgical pain. Systematic review

Abstract Objective. Analyze and integrate studies that inquire on the benefits of nursing educational interventions to manage post-surgical pain. Methods. A systematic search was conducted in the databases of Scopus, Medline (Pubmed), Web of Science, The Cochrane Library, and CINAHL of systematic reviews, randomized clinical trials, and quasiexperimental studies published in English and Spanish until 2018 that analyzed the effectiveness of educational interventions in managing post-surgical pain in adult patients. Results. Twelve studies complied inclusion criteria, of which nine reported less pain in the group receiving the educational intervention. These interventions also helped to diminish the level of anxiety and improved functionality to perform activities of daily life. The level of quality of the studies was medium. Conclusion. Although the review showed that nursing educational interventions could influence on the relief of post-surgical pain, more rigorous studies are necessary, with bigger sample sizes and higher methodological quality, which help to establish the real effectiveness in managing post-surgical patients with pain.

Resumen Objetivo. Analizar e integrar los estudios que indagan en los beneficios de las intervenciones educativas enfermeras para el manejo del dolor postquirúrgico. Métodos. Se realizó una búsqueda sistemática en las bases de datos Scopus, Medline (Pubmed), Web of Science, The Cochrane Library y CINAHL de revisiones sistemáticas, ensayos clínicos aleatorizados y estudios cuasiexperimentales publicados en inglés y castellano hasta 2018 que analizaran la efectividad de las intervenciones educativas en el manejo del dolor postquirúrgico en pacientes adultos. Resultados. Doce estudios cumplieron criterios de inclusión, de los cuales nueve reportaron menor dolor en el grupo que recibió la intervención educativa. Estas intervenciones también ayudaron a disminuir el nivel de ansiedad y mejoraron la funcionalidad para realizar las actividades de la vida diaria. El nivel de calidad de los estudios fue medio. Conclusión. Aunque la revisión mostró que las intervenciones educativas enfermeras podrían influir en el alivio del dolor postquirúrgico, son necesarios estudios más rigurosos, con mayores tamaños muestrales y de mayor calidad metodológica que ayuden a establecer la real efectividad en el manejo del paciente postquirúrgico con dolor.

Resumo Objetivo. Analisar e integrar os estudos que indagarão nos benefícios das intervenções educativas de enfermagem para o manejo da dor pós-cirúrgico. Métodos. Se realizou uma busca sistemática nas bases de dados Scopus, Medline (Pubmed), Web of Science, The Cochrane Library e CINAHL de revisões sistemáticas, ensaios clínicos aleatorizados e estudos quase-experimentais publicados em inglês e castelhano até 2018 que analisassem a efetividade das intervenções educativas no manejo da dor pós-cirúrgico em pacientes adultos. Resultados. Doze estudos cumpriram critérios de inclusão, dos quais nove reportaram menos dor no grupo que recebeu a intervenção educativa. Estas intervenções também ajudaram a diminuir o nível de ansiedade e melhoraram a funcionalidade para realizar as atividades da vida diária. O nível de qualidade dos estudos foi médio. Conclusão. Embora a revisão mostrou que as intervenções educativas de enfermagem poderiam influir no alivio da dor pós-cirúrgico, são necessários estudos mais rigorosos, com maiores tamanhos de amostras e de maior qualidade metodológica, que ajudem a estabelecer a real efetividade no manejo do paciente pós-cirúrgico com dor.

Consumo de alcohol, tabaco, cannabis y otras drogas en la adolescencia: efectos de la familia y peligro del barrio / Use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other drugs in adolescence: Effects of family and neighborhood

El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los factores de protección o riesgo de los estilos educativos parentales para el consumo de alcohol, tabaco, cannabis y otras drogas, considerando la interacción de los estilos parentales con la peligrosidad del barrio. A partir de las respuestas de 628 adolescentes, 369 mujeres (58.8%) y 259 hombres (41.2%) entre 15 y 17 años (M = 16.03 años, DT = 0.79 años), se clasificaron las familias según el estilo educativo (autorizativo, indulgente, autoritario o negligente) y el riesgo percibido en el barrio (alto o bajo). Los resultados no mostraron interacciones, pero sí efectos principales de los estilos educativos y del riesgo percibido. Los adolescentes de familias indulgentes mostraron el menor consumo en las sustancias evaluadas; mientras que los de familias autorizativas, autoritarias y negligentes mostraron un consumo mayor. Además, los adolescentes de barrios de alto riesgo mostraron el mayor consumo. El estilo educativo indulgente, actuando fundamentalmente mediante el afecto y no con la imposición, ejerce un factor protector independientemente de la peligrosidad del barrio. Se destaca la importancia de fomentar esta actuación parental en programas de prevención e intervención, promocionando estrategias educativas específicas que mejoren el afecto, la comunicación y la implicación parental

The aim of this study was to analyze the protective or risk factors of parental educational styles for the consumption of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis and other drugs, considering the interaction of parenting styles with the dangerousness of the neighborhood. Based on the responses of 628 adolescents, 369 females (58.8%) and 259 males (41.2%) between 15 and 17 years old (M = 16.03 years old, SD = 0.79 years old), families were classified according to their educational style (authoritative, indulgent, authoritarian or neglectful) and their level of perceived neighborhood risk (high or low). Results showed no interaction effect; however, main effects of educational styles and perceived neighborhood risk were obtained. Adolescents from indulgent families showed the lowest consumption in the substances evaluated, while those from authoritative, authoritarian and neglectful families showed the highest consumption. Moreover, adolescents from high-risk neighborhoods obtained the highest consumption. Indulgent educational style, acting primarily through affection and not imposition, works as a protective factor regardless of the danger in the neighborhood. The importance of encouraging this parental performance in prevention and intervention programs is highlighted, promoting specific educational strategies to improve affection, communication and parental involvement

Late evolution of kidney transplants in elderly donors and recipients receiving initial immunosuppressant treatment with daclizumab, mycophenolate mofetil, and delayed introduction of tacrolimus.

BACKGROUND: Organ transplants in elderly recipients have increased over the past few years. This situation poses specific problems both in terms of organs and recipients; therefore, immunosuppressant regimens must be adapted accordingly. A previous study demonstrated good initial results in kidney transplant cases in which older donors and recipients (average ages of 64.4 years and 61.3 years) had received initial immunosuppressant therapy with daclizumab and mycophenolate mofetil as well as delayed introduction of reduced-dose tacrolimus. In this study we reviewed the long-term results in the same group of patients. METHODS: An observational, retrospective multi-centre study carried out at a national level to determine survival rates and renal function in 126 patients included in the initial study (127 patients who survived the first year with a functioning graft, 123 treated according to protocol). We gathered data from the 2nd to the 6th year for 120, 118, 113, 102 and 62 patients, respectively. The evolution of renal function, relevant clinical data, and safety profiles were also analysed. RESULTS: After five years, most patients continued with the initial immunosuppressant regimen: 92% tacrolimus and 80% mycophenolate mofetil; 48% had abandoned steroids and proliferation signal inhibitors had been introduced in 3%. Patient and graft survival (adjusted for patient death) after five years was 93.1% and 93.8%, respectively. The main cause of death was neoplasia (in 7 out of 10 cases) whilst graft loss was mainly due to death with a functioning graft. The other causes of death were 2 acute myocardial infarctions and a gastrointestinal haemorrhage. Renal function was moderately but significantly reduced with the passing of time (P<.001): average creatinine levels in the overall group of patients rose from 1.60 ± 0.50mg/dl after the 1st year to 1.63 ± 0.70 mg/dl at the end of study. MDRD dropped from 46.28 ± 15.64 ml/min after the 1st year to 45.69 ± 15.44 ml/min at the end of study (P<.01). Only two acute rejections were observed after the 1st year. There were 19 cardiovascular events registered in 12 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The regimen used in our study was useful and appropriate for elderly donor-recipient pairs as demonstrated by the good long-term survival results, continued optimum renal function, and acceptable safety profile.

Gastrointestinal quality of life improvement of renal transplant recipients converted from mycophenolate mofetil to enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium drugs or agents: mycophenolate mofetil and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium.

BACKGROUND: In renal transplant (RT) recipients, treatment with enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS) improves gastrointestinal (GI) tolerability compared with mycophenolate mofetil (MMF). The impact of conversion from MMF to EC-MPS on patient's health-related quality of life (HRQoL) using GI-specific instruments has been scarcely evaluated in randomized trials. METHODS: The present randomized, multicenter, open-labeled, 12-week study included RT recipients experiencing GI adverse events due to MMF treatment. Patients were randomized to continue with MMF (n=54) or change to EC-MPS (n=59). Patients were converted at equimolar doses, and dose was optimized between weeks 2 and 6 to achieve maximum tolerated dose. RESULTS: Incidence of GI complications (particularly diarrhea) was significantly lower in the EC-MPS group (67.8% vs. 87.0%, P=0.015). The baseline-adjusted mean global scores at 12 weeks in GI quality of life index were significantly higher in the EC-MPS group versus MMF (P=0.014). Results at 12 weeks for all secondary scales indicated better HRQoL in the EC-MPS group compared with the MMF group (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale, Psychological General Well-Being Index, and overall treatment effect). In the EC-MPS group, a higher percentage of patients were receiving intermediate doses of mycophenolic acid (720 mg/day) at 12 weeks compared with MMF (55.4% vs. 27.4%, P=0.003), whereas no differences were observed for high doses (>720 mg/day). CONCLUSIONS: In RT patients with GI undesirable effects due to MMF, switching from MMF to EC-MPS may enable an increase in the maximum tolerated dose of mycophenolic acid and reduce GI complications, thus enhancing patients' GI HRQoL.

Comparable Renal Function at 6 Months with Tacrolimus Combined with Fixed-Dose Sirolimus or MMF: Results of a Randomized Multicenter Trial in Renal Transplantation.

In a multicenter trial, renal transplant recipients were randomized to tacrolimus with fixed-dose sirolimus (Tac/SRL, N = 318) or tacrolimus with MMF (Tac/MMF, N = 316). Targeted tacrolimus trough levels were lower in the Tac/SRL group after day 14. The primary endpoint was renal function at 6 months using creatinine clearance (Cockcroft-Gault) and was comparable at 66.4 mL/min (SE 1.4) with Tac/SRL and at 65.2mL/min (SE 1.3) with Tac/MMF (completers). Biopsy-confirmed acute rejection was 15.1% (Tac/SRL) and 12.3% (Tac/MMF). In both groups, graft survival was 93% and patient survival was 99.0%. Premature withdrawal due to an adverse event was twice as high in the Tac/SRL group, 15.1% versus 6.3%. Hypercholesterolemia incidence was higher with Tac/SRL (P < .05) while CMV, leukopenia, and diarrhea incidences were higher with Tac/MMF (P < .05). The incidence of any antidiabetic treatment for >30 consecutive days in previously nondiabetic patients was 17.8%, Tac/SRL, and 24.8%, Tac/MMF. Evaluation at 6 months showed comparable renal function using tacrolimus/sirolimus and tacrolimus/MMF regimens.

Heterogeneity of induction therapy in Spain: changing patterns according to year, centre, indications and results.

Background. The use of induction drugs has increased markedly over the last 15 years in the USA, but there are few data about their use in other countries. Moreover, there are not enough data about when they are indicated and their long-term effects. The aim of our study was to know the rates of use and the drugs used as induction therapy, in which patients they were prescribed and the long-term graft survival effect in Spain.Methods. We conducted a retrospective cohort study with adult patients (4861) receiving a kidney allograft in Spain over four different years (1990, 1994, 1998 and 2002) with a functioning graft at the end of the first post-transplant year. Induction therapy was defined as when the patient received polyclonal antibodies, OKT3 monoclonal antibodies or anti-CD25 monoclonal antibodies.Results. From 1990 to 2002, the use of induction therapy in Spain changed, with a progressive reduction in the use of OKT3 and an increasing use of anti-CD25 antibodies. There were great differences in the rate of induction use from one centre to another, although with a common trend to greater use at each centre. Induction therapy was mainly prescribed in patients with a higher rejection risk (higher panel reactive antibody (PRA) titres and mismatches and re-transplants) and in older and diabetic recipients. Lastly, patients who were treated with induction therapy had significant higher allograft survival than those who did not (P value = 0.035).Conclusions. The use of induction therapy in Spain has changed, with an increasing use of monoclonal antibodies in recent years. Induction therapy has a protective role in long-term graft survival.

Evaluación de lodos residuales como abono orgánico en suelos volcánicos de uso agrícola y forestal en Jalisco-México / Evaluation of sewage sludge as an organic fertilizer in volcanic soils of agricultural and forestal use in Jalisco-Mexico

La posibilidad de reutilizar materiales orgánicos ricos en nutrientes hace de la aplicación de lodos residuales en suelos agrícolas y forestales una alternativa importante. Se evaluaron diferentes dosis de lodos de aguas residuales sanitarias como abono orgánico en la productividad de maíz y sobre el desarrollo inicial de Pinus douglasiana. Los experimentos se establecieron en un suelo volcánico ubicado en la zona centro de Jalisco, México. En el cultivo de maíz se evaluaron 10 y 20 t-ha-¹ de lodos deshidratados, así como 10 y 20 t-ha-¹ de compost de lodos mezclados con residuos de jardinería. Los materiales se distribuyeron homogéneamente sobre el suelo bajo un diseño experimental de bloques al azar con cinco repeticiones. Se evaluó el rendimiento de grano y de forraje. El rendimiento de grano en los tratamientos con lodos residuales y compost se incrementó significativamente, en 18 y 22 por ciento respectivamente, con respecto al control. En la plantación de Pinus douglasiana se evaluaron 00,30, 60 y 100 g de lodos por árbol. A los 14 meses de la plantación se registró una supervivencia de hasta 83 por ciento en las parcelas con mayor dosis de lodos mientras que en el control la supervivencia fue de 67 por ciento. La altura y diámetro del tallo se incrementaron en ~18 por ciento con la mayor dosis de lodos, en comparación con el control. La aplicación de lodos de aguas residuales sanitarias como abono orgánico mejoró la producción de maíz y el crecimiento inicial de Pinus douglasiana en suelos volcánicos.

Disposition of instilled versus nebulized tobramycin and imipenem in ventilated intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

BACKGROUND: Delivery of antibiotics to the lower respiratory tract could potentially achieve antimicrobial bronchial drug concentrations without toxicity. AIM: To assess bronchial and serum concentrations of imipenem or tobramycin obtained by nebulization or instillation in critically ill mechanically ventilated patients. METHODS: Prospective randomized open trial. Eighteen patients ventilated for more than 48 h were included. Two doses of imipenem/cilastatin (1000/500 mg) separated by 8 h, or two doses of tobramycin 200 mg separated by 12 h were randomly nebulized or instilled into the tracheal tube. Five bronchoaspirates (two bronchoscopic, three blind) and five blood samples were collected on a timed schedule after the second dose. Respiratory and serum samples were analysed by HPLC, and a subset of blood samples was also evaluated by enzyme-immunoassay. RESULTS: When instilled, imipenem/cilastatin obtained higher concentrations in respiratory secretions than when nebulized (P=0.022, 1 h after the last dose; P=0.029, 2 h after the last dose). Tobramycin showed equally high concentrations when nebulized or instilled. Instillation of tobramycin may result in significant accumulation in patients with renal failure. CONCLUSIONS: High bronchial concentrations of imipenem could only be achieved by instillation, whereas tobramycin seems suitable for both modes of administration. Instillation of these antibiotics is a safe procedure that achieves high drug concentrations in respiratory secretions.

The influence of delayed graft function.

We study the incidence of delayed graft function (DGF) in a group of 3365 renal transplant recipient patients from various Spanish centres, its clinical consequences, and the evolution in time (transplants performed in 1990, 1994 and 1998) of the factors that determine its presence. The incidence of DGF remained constant in the 3 years studied (30.4, 30.8 and 29.2%, respectively) when contrasting the following factors involved in the establishment of DGF were studied: body mass of recipient, donor age, non-heart beating donation, type of replacement treatment in the pre-transplant period, time of vascular anastomosis and time of cold ischaemia. DGF was not associated with graft or patient survival. In the transplants performed with elderly donors, the cold ischaemia time was associated with greater incidence of DGF, and the latter with less survival of the graft when censored for death. The presence of DGF was significantly associated with acute rejection, cytomegalovirus infection, worse renal function and arterial hypertension at 3 months post-transplantation. In conclusion, the incidence of DGF remained stable in our patients over the years studied and, although not directly, it can affect graft survival as it is associated with acute rejection, arterial hypertension and worse renal graft function. A shortening of ischaemia times may reduce the incidence of DGF and improve transplant results.

Noninvasive ventilation in severe hypoxemic respiratory failure: a randomized clinical trial.

The efficacy of noninvasive ventilation (NIV) to avoid intubation and improve survival was assessed in 105 patients with severe acute hypoxemic respiratory failure (arterial O2 tension or saturation persistently 60 mm Hg or less or 90% or less, respectively; breathing conventional Venturi oxygen at a maximal concentration [50%]), excluding hypercapnia, admitted into intensive care units of three hospitals. Patients were randomly allocated within 24 hours of fulfilling inclusion criteria to receive NIV (n=51) or high-concentration oxygen therapy (n=54). The primary end-point variable was the decrease in the intubation rate. Both groups had similar characteristics. Compared with oxygen therapy, NIV decreased the need for intubation (13, 25% vs. 28, 52%, p=0.010), the incidence of septic shock (6, 12% vs. 17, 31%, p=0.028), and the intensive care unit mortality (9, 18% vs. 21, 39%, p=0.028) and increased the cumulative 90-day survival (p=0.025). The improvement of arterial hypoxemia and tachypnea was higher in the noninvasive ventilation group with time (p=0.029 each). Multivariate analyses showed NIV to be independently associated with decreased risks of intubation (odds ratio, 0.20; p=0.003) and 90-day mortality (odds ratio, 0.39; p=0.017). The use of noninvasive ventilation prevented intubation, reduced the incidence of septic shock, and improved survival in these patients compared with high-concentration oxygen therapy.