Basic Family Relations, Parental Bonding, and Dyadic Adjustment in Families with a Member with Psychosis.

The aim of the current study is to describe and explore basic family relations, parental bonding, and dyadic adjustment in families with offspring diagnosed with a psychotic disorder. The sample was made up of 120 participants, 60 in the clinical group (GCL) and 60 in the comparison group (GCP). All participants were assessed using the basic family relations evaluation questionnaire (CERFB), the parental bonding instrument (PBI), and the dyadic adjustment scale (DAS). The results showed differences between the clinical and comparison groups in terms of perceptions of basic family relations, dyadic adjustment and parental bonding. The clinical group recorded less favorable results for all of these variables. More specifically, the study observed significant differences between the groups in parental function, overprotection and caring. This study deepens our understanding of how family assessment and relational diagnoses can serve as prevention and intervention tools for families affected by a psychotic disorder.

Adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (AdMSC) for the treatment of secondary-progressive multiple sclerosis: A triple blinded, placebo controlled, randomized phase I/II safety and feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: Currently available treatments for secondary progressive multiple sclerosis(SPMS) have limited efficacy and/or safety concerns. Adipose-mesenchymal derived stem cells(AdMSCs) represent a promising option and can be readily obtained using minimally invasive procedures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this triple-blind, placebo-controlled study, cell samples were obtained from consenting patients by lipectomy and subsequently expanded. Patients were randomized to a single infusion of placebo, low-dose(1x106cells/kg) or high-dose(4x106cells/kg) autologous AdMSC product and followed for 12 months. Safety was monitored recording adverse events, laboratory parameters, vital signs and spirometry. Expanded disability status score (EDSS), magnetic-resonance-imaging, and other measures of possible treatment effects were also recorded. RESULTS: Thirty-four patients underwent lipectomy for AdMSCs collection, were randomized and thirty were infused (11 placebo, 10 low-dose and 9 high-dose); 4 randomized patients were not infused because of karyotype abnormalities in the cell product. Only one serious adverse event was observed in the treatment arms (urinary infection, considered not related to study treatment). No other safety parameters showed changes. Measures of treatment effect showed an inconclusive trend of efficacy. CONCLUSION: Infusion of autologous AdMSCs is safe and feasible in patients with SPMS. Larger studies and probably treatment at earlier phases would be needed to investigate the potential therapeutic benefit of this technique.

The Effects of Parenteral K1 Administration in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum Patients Versus Controls. A Pilot Study.

INTRODUCTION: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare disease caused by mutations in the ABCC6 gene. Vitamin K1 is involved in the posttranslational carboxylation of some proteins related to inhibition of the calcification process. Our aim was to investigate, in patients affected by PXE, baseline levels of vitamin K1-dependent proteins and -metabolites and whether parenteral administration of phytomenadione was effective in modulating their levels. METHODS: We included eight PXE patients with typical clinical symptoms (skin, retina, and vascular calcification) and two ABCC6 causative mutations; 13 clinically unaffected first-degree patients' relatives (9 carrying one ABCC6 mutation and 4 non-carriers). We assessed urinary vitamin K1 metabolites and serum Glu- and Gla-OC, Gas6 and undercaboxylated prothrombin (PIVKA-II), at baseline and after 1 and 6 weeks after a single intramuscular injection of 10 mg vitamin K1. RESULTS: Comparison of PXE patients, heterozygous, and non-carriers revealed differences in baseline levels of serum MK-4 and of urinary vitamin K metabolites. The response to phytomenadione administration on vitamin K-dependent proteins was similar in all groups. CONCLUSION: The physiological axis between vitamin K1 and vitamin K-dependent proteins is preserved; however, differences in the concentration of vitamin K metabolites and of MK-4 suggest that vitamin K1 metabolism/catabolism could be altered in PXE patients.

Evidence and decision algorithm for the withdrawal of antipsychotic treatment in the elderly with dementia and neuropsychiatric symptoms.

PURPOSE: Antipsychotics (APs) are commonly used to manage neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in elderly patients with dementia, even though several large studies have demonstrated an association between AP treatment and increased morbidity and mortality in people with dementia. The aim of this study is to review the scientific literature of the use of AP in the elderly with dementia and to propose an algorithm to assist in decision-making regarding the withdrawal of APs. METHODS: A computerized literature search (MEDLINE: 1966 to December 2016, EMBASE: 1982 to December 2016) was used to locate relevant literature. Keywords in the search included terms from Medical Subject Headings (MESH) and EMBASE thesaurus (EMTREE). The following terms were used in the MESH database and EMTREE thesaurus: Aged, Antipsychotic Agents, Behavioral Symptoms and Dementia. RESULTS: Earlier studies of APs used in elderly patients with dementia suggest that, in most elderly demented patients, APs can be withdrawn with no effect on behaviour. These patients are likely to benefit from the algorithm we propose to assist clinicians in the withdrawal of APs. CONCLUSIONS: In this paper, we review the potential risks and benefits of discontinuing AP treatment in elderly demented patients with NPS and propose an algorithm to assist in decision-making regarding AP withdrawal.

Cambios en el Índice de Hígado Graso con una intervención con dieta mediterránea: seguimiento de 6 años del ensayo PREDIMED-Málaga / Changes in fatty liver index after consuming a Mediterranean diet: 6-year follow-up of the PREDIMED-Malaga trial

Objetivo: Analizar el efecto sobre el Índice de Hígado Graso (FLI, Fatty Liver Index) de la intervención con dieta mediterránea enriquecida con aceite de oliva virgen extra o frutos secos frente a un grupo control con una dieta baja en grasas. Metodología: Participantes del ensayo PREDIMED-Málaga, libres de enfermedad cardiovascular basalmente, pero con alto riesgo de desarrollarla. Al inicio, al año y a los 3, 5 y 6 años se les realizó mediciones antropométricas y toma de muestras de sangre para calcular el FLI. Se usaron modelos lineales mixtos para explorar los efectos fijos de los 3 grupos de intervención sobre el FLI, y sus interacciones con el tiempo. Resultados: Cumplían los criterios de participación en el estudio 276 participantes. La edad media fue de 67 años, con un 66% de mujeres. La prevalencia basal de HGNA estimado fue del 57%. El cambio temporal del FLI en el grupo control aumentó con el tiempo (1,13±0,4; p=0,006). En el grupo DietMed+AOVE la evolución fue similar a la de este, aunque por debajo (−3,90±1,9; p=0,038), y en DietMed+FS fue significativamente menor (−1,63±0,62; p=0,009). En el DietMed+FS la evolución del cambio del IMC fue 0,100 puntos menor al año en comparación con el grupo control (p=0,004). En el grupo de control, el cambio del perímetro de cintura aumentó significativamente con el tiempo (0,61±0,16cm/año; p<0,001) en contraste con DietMed+AOVE(−0,51±0,22; p=0,019). Conclusiones: La intervención dietética con dieta mediterránea podría retrasar o enlentecer la progresión natural del HGNA, siendo beneficiosa para la prevención y el tratamiento del mismo. No obstante, se necesitan estudios que ayuden a corroborar las conclusiones obtenidas (AU)

Objective: To analyze the effect of an intervention with a Mediterranean diet supplemented with either extra virgin olive oil or nuts, on the fatty liver index (FLI), compared to a low-fat control diet. Methods: Participants of the PREDIMED-Malaga trial, free from cardiovascular disease at baseline, but with a high risk to develop it, were included in this study. Anthropometric measurements were assessed and blood samples were taken to calculate participants’ FLI at study baseline and after one, 3, 5 and 6 years. Mixed linear models were used to explore the fixed effects of the 3 intervention groups on the FLI as well as their interaction with time. Results: A total of 276 participants were included in the study. Average participant age was 67 years, with 66% of participants being women. The baseline prevalence of NAFL was 57%. The change in the FLI of the control group increased significantly over time (1.13±0.41; P=.006). In the MedDiet+EVOO group, the time trend of the change in the FLI was similar to that of the control group, although it was seen to be lower (−3.90±1.9; P=.038). In the MedDiet+Nuts group, the trend was significantly lower than that of the control group (−1.63±0.62; P=.009). In the MedDiet+Nuts group, the trend of changes in participants’ BMI was 0.100 points lower per year compared to the control group (P=.004). In the control group, the change in waist circumference increased significantly over time (0.61±0.16cm/year; P<.001) in contrast to the MedDiet+EVOO group, in which this variable remained stable (−0.51±0.22; P=.019). Conclusions: A dietary intervention consisting of a Mediterranean diet could delay or slow down the natural progression of NAFL, thus, being beneficial for its prevention and treatment. However, further studies supporting these conclusions have yet to be carried out (AU)

Changes in fatty liver index after consuming a Mediterranean diet: 6-year follow-up of the PREDIMED-Malaga trial. / Cambios en el Índice de Hígado Graso con una intervención con dieta mediterránea: seguimiento de 6 años del ensayo PREDIMED-Málaga.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effect of an intervention with a Mediterranean diet supplemented with either extra virgin olive oil or nuts, on the fatty liver index (FLI), compared to a low-fat control diet. METHODS: Participants of the PREDIMED-Malaga trial, free from cardiovascular disease at baseline, but with a high risk to develop it, were included in this study. Anthropometric measurements were assessed and blood samples were taken to calculate participants' FLI at study baseline and after one, 3, 5 and 6 years. Mixed linear models were used to explore the fixed effects of the 3 intervention groups on the FLI as well as their interaction with time. RESULTS: A total of 276 participants were included in the study. Average participant age was 67 years, with 66% of participants being women. The baseline prevalence of NAFL was 57%. The change in the FLI of the control group increased significantly over time (1.13±0.41; P=.006). In the MedDiet+EVOO group, the time trend of the change in the FLI was similar to that of the control group, although it was seen to be lower (-3.90±1.9; P=.038). In the MedDiet+Nuts group, the trend was significantly lower than that of the control group (-1.63±0.62; P=.009). In the MedDiet+Nuts group, the trend of changes in participants' BMI was 0.100 points lower per year compared to the control group (P=.004). In the control group, the change in waist circumference increased significantly over time (0.61±0.16cm/year; P<.001) in contrast to the MedDiet+EVOO group, in which this variable remained stable (-0.51±0.22; P=.019). CONCLUSIONS: A dietary intervention consisting of a Mediterranean diet could delay or slow down the natural progression of NAFL, thus, being beneficial for its prevention and treatment. However, further studies supporting these conclusions have yet to be carried out.

Equity, barriers and cancer disparities: study of the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology on the access to oncologic drugs in the Spanish Regions.

PURPOSE: The Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM) has conducted a study on the access to oncologic drugs across the 17 Spanish Regions with the aim of identifying potential heterogeneities and making proposals for eliminating the barriers identified at the different levels. METHODS: An Expert Panel made up of medical oncologists designed a survey on certain indications approved for 11 drugs in the approach of breast cancer, melanoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer and support treatment. This survey was sent to 144 National Health System (NHS) hospitals. RESULTS: 77 hospitals answered the survey. The information modules analysed were: scope of the Commission that establishes binding decisions related to drug access; conditions, stages and periods of drug application, approval and administration processes; barriers to accessing drugs. CONCLUSIONS: The study shows variability in drug access. The SEOM makes proposals addressed to reducing the differences identified and homogenizing drug access conditions.

Análisis de la influencia de polimorfismos en APOE, APOA5, LPL, LIPC y CETP sobre los niveles de triglicéridos en población laboral malagueña / Analysis of the influence of polymorphisms in the APOE, APOA5, LPL, LIPC and CETP (Spain)

Introducción: Los triglicéridos se consideran un factor independiente de riesgo vascular. La influencia, por separado, de polimorfismos en genes como APOE, APOA5, LPL, LIPC y CETP sobre dichos niveles está descrita, por lo que resulta de interés su análisis conjunto y el estudio de interacciones con factores ambientales. Métodos: Se han genotipado en 1.825 sujetos (80% varones, edad media 36 años) procedentes del estudio ICARIA, el polimorfismo de APOE, 2 variantes de APOA5 (S19W y -1131 T/C), 5 deLPL (D9N, N291S, PvuII, HindIII y S447X), 1 de LIPC (-250G/A) y 1 de CETP (TaqI ) mediante PCR-restricción y ensayos TaqMan. El efecto conjunto de las variantes se ha analizado mediante regresión lineal con la variable triglicéridos transformada logarítmicamente y corrigiendo porcovariables. Las interacciones se han explorado mediante contrastes múltiples. Resultados: El alelo 4 de APOE, los polimorfismos de APOA5 S19W y -1131T/C y las variantes de LPL, D9N y N291S mostraron un efecto elevador de triglicéridos significativo e independiente. Los polimorfismos HindIII y S447X de LPL se asociaron significativamente con una reducción de los niveles de TG. Las variantes PvuII (LPL), -250G/A (LIPC) y TaqI (CETP) no mostraron asociaciones significativas. Se encontró una tendencia estadística (p=0,048) para la interacción entre obesidad abdominal (perímetro de cintura >102 cm en hombres; >88 cm en mujeres) y elalelo APOE- 4 (AU)

Introduction: Triglyceride levels are considered to be an independent vascular risk factor. The influence of polymorphisms in genes such as APOE, APOA5, LPL, LIPC and CETP on these levels has been separately described. The aim of the present study was to analyze the combined effects of these polymorphisms and their interaction with environmental factors. Methods: We genotyped the APOE polymorphism, two variants of APOA5 (S19W and -1131 T/C),five of LPL (D9N, N291S, PvuII, HindIII and S447X), one of LIPC (-250G/A) and one of CETP (TaqI )by polymerase chain reaction-restriction and TaqMan assays in 1825 subjects (80% male, meanage 36 years) from the ICARIA study. The combined effect of the variants was analyzed by linear regression with the log-transformed triglyceride variable and adjustment for covariates. The interactions were explored by multiple comparisons. Results: The 4 allele of APOE, the APOA5 polymorphisms S19W and -1131T/C and the LPL variants D9N and N291S independently and significantly increased triglyceride levels. The HindIII and S447X LPL polymorphisms were significantly associated with lower triglyceride levels. The PvuII (LPL), -250G/A (LIPC) and TaqI (CETP) variants showed no significant associations. There was a statistical trend (p = 0.048) for an interaction between abdominal obesity (waist circumference >102 cm in men and >88 cm in women) and the APOE- 4 allele. Conclusions: Our study shows the influence of the APOE- 4 allele, the S19W and -1131T/Cpolymorphisms of APOA5 and the LPL-D9N, N291S, HindIII and S447X variants on triglyceride levels and suggests that the effect of the 4 allele could by modulated by interaction with abdominal obesity (AU)

School teachers' vocal use, risk factors, and voice disorder prevalence: guidelines to detect teachers with current voice problems.

UNLABELLED: Teachers' voice problems are widely recognized as a consequence of their work. The measurement of vocal demands and risk factors is essential for adjusting occupational safety and health services to this population's needs. OBJECTIVES: To correlate vocal behavior and symptomatology with risk factors and voice disorders, and to further analyze gender influence on these variables. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: 282 kindergarten and elementary education teachers were surveyed in a cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire. For the purpose of this study, voice disorder prevalence was estimated based on the presence of a vocal effort plus 2 frequent symptoms. RESULTS: 81.5% of teachers reported some degree of vocal effort; more than 60% of subjects evidenced frequent throat paresthesias or vocal fatigue at the end of a working day, and about 55% reported hoarseness. Voice disorder prevalence was 59%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that female gender, time required to alleviate vocal symptoms, perceived general state of health, prolonged use of the voice, and pupils' indiscipline significantly increased the odds of having vocal problems. CONCLUSIONS: Voice disorders affected most teachers and had a multifactorial nature. Vocal health care is particularly necessary for those subjects reporting vocal effort and more than 2 frequent symptoms.

Additive effects of LPL, APOA5 and APOE variant combinations on triglyceride levels and hypertriglyceridemia: results of the ICARIA genetic sub-study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) is a well-established independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and the influence of several genetic variants in genes related with triglyceride (TG) metabolism has been described, including LPL, APOA5 and APOE. The combined analysis of these polymorphisms could produce clinically meaningful complementary information. METHODS: A subgroup of the ICARIA study comprising 1825 Spanish subjects (80% men, mean age 36 years) was genotyped for the LPL-HindIII (rs320), S447X (rs328), D9N (rs1801177) and N291S (rs268) polymorphisms, the APOA5-S19W (rs3135506) and -1131T/C (rs662799) variants, and the APOE polymorphism (rs429358; rs7412) using PCR and restriction analysis and TaqMan assays. We used regression analyses to examine their combined effects on TG levels (with the log-transformed variable) and the association of variant combinations with TG levels and hypertriglyceridemia (TG > or = 1.69 mmol/L), including the covariates: gender, age, waist circumference, blood glucose, blood pressure, smoking and alcohol consumption. RESULTS: We found a significant lowering effect of the LPL-HindIII and S447X polymorphisms (p < 0.0001). In addition, the D9N, N291S, S19W and -1131T/C variants and the APOE-epsilon4 allele were significantly associated with an independent additive TG-raising effect (p < 0.05, p < 0.01, p < 0.001, p < 0.0001 and p < 0.001, respectively). Grouping individuals according to the presence of TG-lowering or TG-raising polymorphisms showed significant differences in TG levels (p < 0.0001), with the lowest levels exhibited by carriers of two lowering variants (10.2% reduction in TG geometric mean with respect to individuals who were homozygous for the frequent alleles of all the variants), and the highest levels in carriers of raising combinations (25.1% mean TG increase). Thus, carrying two lowering variants was protective against HTG (OR = 0.62; 95% CI, 0.39-0.98; p = 0.042) and having one single raising polymorphism (OR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.39-2.87; p < 0.001) or more (2 or 3 raising variants; OR = 2.90; 95% CI, 1.56-5.41; p < 0.001) were associated with HTG. CONCLUSION: Our results showed a significant independent additive effect on TG levels of the LPL polymorphisms HindIII, S447X, D9N and N291S; the S19W and -1131T/C variants of APOA5, and the epsilon4 allele of APOE in our study population. Moreover, some of the variant combinations studied were significantly associated with the absence or the presence of hypertriglyceridemia.

Ventilación en decúbito prono. cuidados de enfermería / Prone decubitus ventilation. Nursing care

La ventilación en decúbito prono como actitud terapéutica ante pacientes con hipoxemias severa tiene la finalidad de mejorar el intercambio gaseoso. Es una técnica relativamente nueva en nuestra unidad. En este trabajo se revisan las teorías fisiológicas de la ventilación en decúbito prono, recordando sus indicaciones, contraindicaciones y complicaciones, y se presenta una planificación de cuidados para los pacientes que la requieran. La maniobra de colocación en decúbito prono es el momento durante el cual existe mayor riesgo de complicaciones. Para prevenirlas hacemos referencia a una serie de medidas a tener en cuenta. Presentamos 3 casos de pacientes diagnosticadas de síndrome de distrés respiratorio del adulto, a las que se les aplicó el decúbito prono cuando fracasaron otras medidas terapéuticas, siendo el resultado satisfactorio en dos de los tres casos (AU)