Use of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) meshes for ventral hernia repair in emergency surgery.

PURPOSE: The implantation of non-absorbable meshes is the gold standard technique for ventral hernia (VH) repairs. However, emergency surgeries are often related to contaminated/infected fields, where the implantation of prosthetic materials may not be recommendable. Our aim was to evaluate the results of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) meshes used for contaminated and/or complicated VH repairs in the acute setting. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of patients with VH who underwent emergency surgery involving PVDF meshes, in a tertiary hospital (from November 2013 to September 2019). We analyzed postoperative complications and 1-year recurrence rates. We evaluated the relationships between contamination grade, mesh placement, infectious complications, and recurrences. RESULTS: We gathered data on 123 patients; their mean age was 62.3 years, their mean BMI was 31.1 kg/m2, and their mean CeDAR index was 51.6. 96.4% of patients had a grade 2-3 ventral hernia according to the Rosen index. The mean defect width was 8 cm (IQR 2-18). 93 cases (75.6%) were described as contaminated or dirty surgeries. A PVDF mesh was placed using an IPOM technique in 56.3% of cases, and via interposition location in 39.9%. The one-month recurrence rate was 5.7% and recurrence after one year was 19.1%. The overall mortality rate was 27.6%. Risk of recurrence was related to patients with a Rosen score over 2 (p < 0.001), as well as with postoperative SSI (p = 0.045). Higher recurrence rates were not related to PVDF mesh placement. CONCLUSION: The use of PVDF meshes for emergency VH repairs in contaminated surgeries seems safe and useful, with reasonable recurrence rates, and acceptable infectious complication rates, similar to those published in the literature.

Factors predictive of relapse in adult bacterial osteomyelitis of long bones.

BACKGROUND: Osteomyelitis is a difficult-to-cure infection with a high relapse rate despite combined medical and surgical therapies. Some severity factors, duration of antimicrobial therapy and type of surgical procedure might influence osteomyelitis relapse. METHODS: 116 patients with osteomyelitis were followed for ≥1 year after hospital discharge. Demographic, microbiological and clinical data, eight severity factors and treatment (surgical and antibiotic) were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age was 53 years and 74.1% were men. Tibia (62.1%) and S. aureus (58.5%) were the most commonly involved bone and bacteria, respectively. Mean follow-up was 67.1 months. Forty-six patients underwent bone debridement, 61 debridement plus flap coverage and 9 antimicrobial therapy only. Twenty-six patients (22.4%) relapsed, at a mean of 11.2 months since hospital discharge. Duration > 3 months (p = 0.025), number of severity factors (P = 0.02) and absence of surgery (P = 0.004) were associated with osteomyelitis relapse in the univariate analysis. In the Cox regression analysis, osteomyelitis duration > 3 months (P = 0.012), bone exposure (P = 0.0003) and type of surgery (P < 0.0001) were associated with relapse. Regarding the surgical modalities, bone debridement with muscle flap was associated with better osteomyelitis outcomes, as compared with no surgery (P < 0.0001) and debridement only (P = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: Osteomyelitis extending for > 3 months, bone exposure and treatment other than surgical debridement with muscular flap are risk factors for osteomyelitis relapse.

[Drug-related mortality among inpatients admitted in Internal Medicine]. / Mortalidad hospitalaria asociada a medicamentos en un Servicio de Medicina Interna.

BACKGROUND: To analyze the mortality associated with prescriptions, the drugs most frequently involved and the associated risk factors in patients admitted to Internal Medicine. METHODS: A retrospective, observational study. The clinical records of adult patients who died consecutively in the department of Internal Medicine in a Spanish tertiary hospital over twenty-two months were reviewed. The main variable was the prevalence of hospital death suspected of being related to the medications administered during admission. RESULTS: Out of the 455 deaths analyzed, 22.2% were related to the medications received; in 55 cases (12.1%) the drugs were suspected of being the cause of death and in 46 cases (10.1%) of contributing to it. The most frequent diagnoses in cases of death associated with drugs were cardiac arrhythmia (23.7%), severe hemorrhage (19.8%) and aspiration pneumonia (12.8%). The drugs with the highest prevalence in deaths related to pharmacological treatment were an-tithrombotic drugs (23.7%), digoxin (21.7%), antipsychotics (17.8%) and benzodiazepines (14.8%). The only independent risk factor for mortality associated with treatment was the number of medications administered (OR=1.25, 95%CI: 1.14-1.37). No significant association was found with age, sex, number of pathologies or duration of hospital stay. CONCLUSION: A high percentage of deaths of patients admitted to Internal Medicine were considered related to the medications received. Antithrombotic drugs, digoxin and psychotropic drugs were the agents most frequently implicated. This mortality is independently and significantly associated with the number of medications administered.

Bacterial osteomyelitis: microbiological, clinical, therapeutic, and evolutive characteristics of 344 episodes.

OBJECTIVE: Osteomyelitis is a difficult-to-cure infection, with high relapse rate despite adequate therapy. Large published osteomyelitis series in adults are rare. METHODS: A total of 344 adult osteomyelitis patients were studied and followed > 12 months after hospital discharge. Demographic, microbiological, clinical, therapeutic and outcome data were analyzed. RESULTS: Mean age was 52.5 ± 18.3 years and 233 (67.7%) were male. Main osteomyelitis types were post-surgical (31.1%), post-traumatic (26.2%) and hematogenous (23%). Tibia (24.1%) and femur (21.8%), and methicillin-susceptible S. aureus (29.6%) were the most commonly involved bone and bacteria, respectively. Median follow-up was 12.0 (IQR 0-48) months. Inflammatory markers were increased in 73.6%. Overall, patients were treated by IV and oral routes with one (IV: 44.5%, oral: 26.7%), two (IV: 30.1%, oral: 21.8%) or ≥ 2 (IV: 15.2%, oral: 6.1%) antibiotics. Median duration on IV/oral antimicrobials was 28.0 (IQR 24-28) and 19.5 (IQR 4-56) days, respectively. Anti-staphylococcal ß-lactams cloxacillin/cefazolin (19.2%) and ciprofloxacin (5.5%) were the most frequently used IV and orally, respectively. Overall 234 (68.0%) underwent surgery, 113 (32.8%) debridement, 97 (27.4%) debridement + muscle flap and 24 (7%) amputation. At the end of follow-up 208 patients (60.6%) did not have relapsed. Operated patients had significantly less relapses (p<0.0001). A total of 23 (6.7%) died, 11 (3.2%) by infectious complications and 48 (14%) were lost in the follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Osteomyelitis is due to different causes complicating its therapy. Risk factors or causal microorganism could influence its treatment and outcome. Aggressive surgery along with adequate antimicrobial therapy are mandatory for cure.

Recurrent Hepatocellular Carcinoma After Liver Transplantation: Analysis of Risk Factors.

BACKGROUND: Survival after orthotopic liver transplantation (LT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is influenced by tumor recurrence. This study examines the survival of patients who underwent LT for HCC and developed recurrence of tumor after transplantation. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed of the 200 patients who underwent LT secondary to HCC from 1990 to 2014. We excluded 19 patients from the study owing to early postoperative deaths in the 1st month. We divided our sample into 2 groups according to the presence of recurrence. We performed a univariate analysis to identify variables that are significantly associated with the risk of recurrence. Afterward we use multivariate analysis regression analysis to find independent significance. RESULTS: Univariate analysis shows significant relationship between high Edmondson-Steiner grades (G3-G4) and the development of tumor recurrence. Tumor size, vascular invasion, and capsular invasion were found to be independent risk factors of tumor recurrence in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Tumor recurrence defines survival of patients who underwent LT for HCC. In this study we discuss which histologic factor are associated with higher risk of tumor recurrence, and therefore a negative the impact on patient's survival.

Cribiform variant of papillary thyroid cancer and familial adenomatous polyposis.

BACKGROUND: Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP) is an autosomal dominant cancer predisposition syndrome characterised by the progressive development of multiple colorectal adenomatous polyps and an increased incidence of colorectal carcinoma. It is often accompanied by other benign or malignant extracolonic manifestations, including gastric and duodenal tumours, osteomas, desmoid tumours, retinal pigmentation, and thyroid and adrenocortical tumours METHODS AND RESULTS: We report the case of a 42-year-old white female with FAP who was referred to our Endocrine Surgery Unit for surgery because of a palpable mass in the left side of the neck. An ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration biopsy showed a cribriform-morular variant (CMV) of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). The incidence, clinical presentation, histology and treatment options for this rare histological subtype are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of CMV of PTC is very strongly related to the FAP syndrome and must be suspected when a thyroid node appears in FAP patients. Likewise, any patient without known FAP who presents this histology in a surgically biopsied or resected thyroid node should undergo total colonoscopy for screening of colonic polyposis and genetic study of the APC gene sequence.

Trends in the dispensation of antidepressant drugs over the past decade (2000-2010) in Andalusia, Spain.

PURPOSE: To study antidepressant drug dispensation in the Spanish region of Andalusia and in the Almeria Health Area (AHA) over the past decade, analyzing the variability, trends, and influential factors. METHODS: We conducted an observational ecological study of antidepressant drug dispensation between 2000 and 2010 in Andalusia. Dispensation was measured as Defined Daily Dose (DDD) per 1,000 inhabitants per day. A multilevel analysis (STATA 11.1) was performed to determine the variability among the basic health zones (BHZs) (2004-2010) and influential factors. RESULTS: Between 2000 and 2010, the total dispensation of antidepressant drugs increased by more than 100 % in Andalusia and in the AHA. This increase was primarily caused by the greater dispensation of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (ATC-N06AB) and other antidepressants (ATC-N06AX). Multilevel analysis revealed a wide variability in the levels and trends of antidepressant dispensation among BHZs. Urbanicity and the percentage of immigrants in the BHZ were negatively associated with their dispensation, which was positively influenced by a higher proportion of women and over 65-year-olds in the population. CONCLUSIONS: The elevated dispensation of several groups of antidepressant drugs in this study population indicates the need for health policies to rationalize their use. Further research is required into the differences in antidepressant dispensations between immigrant and native populations and the implications for public health policies.

Angiosarcoma radioinducido de mama. Dos casos de una patología infrecuente / Radiotherapy-induced breast agiosarcoma. Two cases of a rare disease

El angiosarcoma radioinducido de mama es una patología poco frecuente que se da en pacientes sometidas a radioterapia después de un proceso tumoral maligno tratado con cirugía, ya sea radical con mastectomía o conservadora. Presentamos 2 casos con diferentes características. El primero corresponde a una paciente joven sometida a cirugía conservadora, radioterapia y reconstrucción, y el segundo una paciente de edad avanzada con desarrollo de angiosarcoma sobre lecho de radioterapia preoperatoria y mastectomía. En ambos casos detallamos la actitud quirúrgica llevada a cabo de forma conjunta por los Servicios de Cirugía Plástica y Cirugía General y el tratamiento adyuvante por parte del Servicio de Oncología (AU)

Radiation-induced breast angiosarcoma is a rare disease which occurs in patients submitted to radiotherapy after a malignant tumour treated with conservative surgery or mastectomy. We report 2 cases with different characteristics. The first one is a young patient with conservative surgery, radiotherapy and reconstruction. The second case is an old patient who developed an angiosarcoma after preoperatory radiotherapy and mastectomy. In both cases, the surgical attitude by the Plastic Surgery and General Surgery is detailed, and the adjuvant treatment by Oncology (AU)

Diagnostic accuracy of two questionnaires for the detection of neuropathic pain in the Spanish population.

BACKGROUND: Several questionnaires have been developed for the detection of neuropathic pain. OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to compare the diagnostic accuracy of the Leeds Assessment of Neuropathic Symptoms and Signs (LANSS) pain scale and the Douleur Neuropathique en 4 questions (DN4) questionnaire for the detection of peripheral neuropathic pain in the Spanish population, and to analyse in detail the diagnostic quality of each item in these questionnaires. METHODS: A total of 192 patients were enrolled. We compared the validity of the DN4 and LANSS questionnaires by studying sensitivity and specificity and using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. We also analysed the validity of each item in the questionnaires. RESULTS: The sensitivity of the DN4 questionnaire with an accepted cut-off value of ≥ 4 was 95.04% and that of the LANSS questionnaire with an accepted cut-off value of ≥ 12 was 80.17%. The specificity of the DN4 instrument was 97.18% and that of the LANSS instrument was 100%. The estimated area under the ROC curve (95% confidence interval) was 0.989 (0.977-1) for the DN4 instrument and 0.973 (0.956-0.991) for the LANSS questionnaire. The area under the ROC curve was significantly larger for the DN4 than the LANSS questionnaire (p < 0.05). Analyses of specific items showed that tingling and numbness in the DN4 tool, and light touch pain and altered pinprick threshold in the LANSS scale, were the most important features of neuropathic pain. CONCLUSIONS: These results show that although both questionnaires are good screening tools, the DN4 questionnaire is particularly recommended for identifying patients with neuropathic pain in clinical practice and research studies.

Principios de evaluación y resultados funcionales en los reimplantes de miembro superior / Principles of evaluation and functional results in upper extremity replantation surgery

El objetivo de este trabajo es evaluar nuestros resultados funcionales y subjetivos en pacientes sometidos a reimplante de miembro superior. Medimos rango de movilidad articular, fuerza de la prensión y otros tests en 41 pacientes con edad media 44,8 años que sufrieron amputación de miembro superior y fueron sometidos a reimplante quirúrgico en nuestro hospital entre enero del 2005 y diciembre del 2009. Los resultados funcionales se midieron con la tabla de Mayo modificada para lesiones de pulgar, dedos largos y mano, distal a muñeca. Las amputaciones proximales a muñeca se evaluaron según los criterios de Chen. Los resultados subjetivos fueron documentados aplicando a todos los casos el cuestionario de Russell. La mayoría de las lesiones fueron provocadas por mecanismos de avulsión y 30 (74 %) fueron accidentes laborales. La tasa final de supervivencia fue del 85 % (35 pacientes) incluyendo 2 pacientes en los que se realizó trasplante de pie a mano para salvar la amputación. Aplicando la tabla de Mayo modificada, los resultados fueron buenos en pulgar y discretos en mano y dedos largos. En reimplantes proximales obtuvimos 1 resultado excelente y 2 discretos. Diecinueve pacientes retornaron al mundo laboral en una media de 10 meses. Veintisiete manifiestan satisfacción alta con los resultados obtenidos. Los resultados de cualquier reimplante deben superar los del cierre simple de una amputación. Aunque los resultados objetivos de la serie son moderados, muchos pacientes retornan al trabajo y la mayoría es capaz de realizar sus actividades cotidianas (AU)

The aim of this study was to evaluate functional and subjective outcome after upper limb replantation, with assessment or range of motions, grip strength, and additional functional tests. Forty-one patients, mean age 44.8 years old, with upper limb amputations were treated in our hospital with replantation between January 2005 and December 2009. Functional results were assessed by modified Mayo scoring system for thumb, fingers and hand amputations. Proximal amputations were evaluated according to the criteria of Chen. Subjective results were documented in all patients by Russell's Questionnaire. Most of the injuries were caused by avulsion forces and 30 (74 %) were work related. The final survival rate was 85 % (35 patients); we include 2 patients who have had immediate foot transplantations. Using modified Mayo score system the outcome was good in thumb patients and fair in fingers and hand amputations. According to Chen's criteria the result was excellent in 1 forearm amputation and fair in 2 patients. Nineteen patients had returned to work, their time-off work averaged was 10 months. Patient satisfaction was rated as better than expected and satisfactory in 27 patients. Outcomes of replantation must be better than revision amputation. Although functional outcomes were moderate, most of patients were able to use their hands to perform some work and daily living activities (AU)

Deficient selenium status of a healthy adult Spanish population.

INTRODUCTION: Selenium is an essential micronutrient for human health, being a cofactor for enzymes with antioxidant activity that protect the organism from oxidative damage. An inadequate intake of this mineral has been associated with the onset and progression of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary diseases, asthma, and cancer. For this reason, knowledge of the plasma and erythrocyte selenium levels of a population makes a relevant contribution to assessment of its nutritional status. OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to determine the nutritional status of selenium and risk of selenium deficiency in a healthy adult population in Spain by examining food and nutrient intake and analyzing biochemical parameters related to selenium metabolism, including plasma and erythrocyte levels and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymatic activity. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We studied 84 healthy adults (31 males and 53 females) from the province of Granada, determining their plasma and erythrocyte selenium concentrations and the association of these levels with the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and with life style factors. We also gathered data on their food and nutrient intake and the results of biochemical analyses. Correlations were studied among all of these variables. RESULTS: The mean plasma selenium concentration was 76.6 ± 17.3 µg/L (87.3 ± 17.4 µg/L in males, 67.3 ± 10.7 µg/L in females), whereas the mean erythrocyte selenium concentration was 104.6 µg/L (107.9 ± 26.1 µg/L in males and 101.7 ± 21.7 µg/L in females). The nutritional status of selenium was defined by the plasma concentration required to reach maximum GPx activity, establishing 90 µg/L as reference value. According to this criterion, 50% of the men and 53% of the women were selenium deficient. CONCLUSIONS: Selenium is subjected to multiple regulation mechanisms. Erythrocyte selenium is a good marker of longer term selenium status, while plasma selenium appears to be a marker of short-term nutritional status. The present findings indicate a positive correlation between plasma selenium concentration and the practice of physical activity. Bioavailability studies are required to establish appropriate reference levels of this mineral for the Spanish population.

[Comparative study on the clinical-nutritional status of obese postmenopausal women on a weight loss programme based on prepared dishes]. / Estudio comparativo del estatus clínico-nutricional en mujeres obesas posmenopáusicas incluídas en un programa de pérdida de peso basado en platos preparados.

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have evaluated the efficacy and reliability of weight loss-focussed prepared food dishes in obese post-menopausal women. OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of a weight loss programme based on a balanced hypocaloric diet using prepared dishes* with that of a similar programme based on standard commercially available foods and with a non-intervened control group. A further aim was to evaluate the subjectivity of participants in the preparation of the diet-adjusted dishes based on usually consumed products. SUBJECTS: Obese post-menopausal women aged between 55 and 65 years. DESIGN: Controlled longitudinal interventional study. METHOD: The sample of 75 female volunteers were divided into three groups of 25 women: a control group, who continued to consume their usual non-dietary adjusted meals (CG), an intervened group, treated with a diet adjusted to their individual requirements and based on standard commercially available food (SG), and another intervened group, treated with a similarly adjusted diet but based on prepared dishes (PG). Data were gathered on anthropometric variables, consumption habits and physical activity levels, and clinical-nutritional controls were conducted at the start and every two weeks to the end of the 8-week study in order to evaluate biochemical changes. RESULTS: The weight loss was slightly higher in the prepared-dishes group (PG) than in the standard food diet group (SG), but the difference was not statistically significant, whereas it was considerably higher in both groups than in the non-dietary adjusted control group (CG) and this difference was highly significant (losses of 7.60 kg in PG and 7.01 kg in SG versus 2.10 kg in CG (p < 0.01). However, the PG showed a significantly higher (p < 0.01) loss of fatty mass and abdominal circumference versus the SG women. CONCLUSION: More weight was lost by the two groups treated with a diet based on prepared dishes or usual food items in comparison to untreated controls, but the diet based on prepared dishes obtained more reliable and higher quality outcomes, achieving a positive change at fatty compartment level and in the abdominal circumference.

Deficient selenium status of a healthy adult Spanish population / Deficiencia de selenio en una población adulta sana española

Introduction: Selenium is an essential micronutrient for human health, being a cofactor for enzymes with antioxidant activity that protect the organism from oxidative damage. An inadequate intake of this mineral has been associated with the onset and progression of chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, coronary diseases, asthma, and cancer. For this reason, knowledge of the plasma and erythrocyte selenium levels of a population makes a relevant contribution to assessment of its nutritional status. Objetive: The objective of the present study was to determine the nutritional status of selenium and risk of selenium deficiency in a healthy adult population in Spain by examining food and nutrient intake and analyzing biochemical parameters related to selenium metabolism, including plasma and erythrocyte levels and selenium-dependent glutathione peroxidase (GPx) enzymatic activity. Material and methods: We studied 84 healthy adults (31 males and 53 females) from the province of Granada, determining their plasma and erythrocyte selenium concentrations and the association of these levels with the enzymatic activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and with life style factors. We also gathered data on their food and nutrient intake and the results of biochemical analyses. Correlations were studied among all of these variables. Results: The mean plasma selenium concentration was 76.6 ± 17.3 μg/L (87.3 ± 17.4 μg/L in males, 67.3 ± 10.7 μg/L in females), whereas the mean erythrocyte selenium concentration was 104.6 μg/L (107.9 ± 26.1 μg/L in males and 101.7 ± 21.7 μg/L in females). The nutritional status of selenium was defined by the plasma concentration required to reach maximum GPx activity, establishing 90 μg/L as reference value. According to this criterion, 50% of the men and 53% of the women were selenium deficient. Conclusions: Selenium is subjected to multiple regulation mechanisms. Erythrocyte selenium is a good marker of longer term selenium status, while plasma selenium appears to be a marker of short-term nutritional status. The present findings indicate a positive correlation between plasma selenium concentration and the practice of physical activity. Bioavailability studies are required to establish appropriate reference levels of this mineral for the Spanish population (AU)

Introducción: El selenio es un micronutriente esencial para la salud del ser humano, debido fundamentalmente a su implicación como cofactor de enzimas con actividad antioxidante que protegen al organismo del daño oxidativo, de modo que una ingesta inadecuada de este mineral está asociada con la aparición y desarrollo de enfermedades crónicas tales como hipertensión, diabetes, enfermedades coronarias, asma y cáncer. Por esta razón, la determinación de selenio plasmático y eritrocitario contribuirá a la valoración del estado nutricional de la población estudiada. Objetivo: El objetivo de estudio fue valorar el estado nutricional de selenio en una población adulta sana en riesgo de deficiencia, a través de una evaluación de la ingesta, así como de los niveles de selenio en plasma y eritrocito, y la actividad de la enzima selenio-dependiente Glutation Peroxidasa (GPx) en eritrocito. Material y métodos: El estudio se realizó en un grupo de población de 84 adultos sanos pertenecientes a la provincia de Granada (31 hombres y 53 mujeres) en los que se determinó la ingesta de nutrientes y selenio, sus niveles plasmáticos y eritrocitarios, así como su asociación con la actividad de la enzima Glutation Peroxidasa y con diversos factores del estilo de vida. Resultados: Las concentraciones medias de selenio en plasma fueron de 76,6 ± 17,3 μg/L (87,3 ± 17,4 μg/L en los hombres, y de 67,3 ± 10,7 μg/L para las mujeres), mientras que los valores eritrocitarios de selenio de la poblacion total del estudio fue de 104,6 μg/L (107,9 ± 26,1 μg/L en hombres y 101,7 ± 21,7 μg/L en mujeres). La evaluacion del estado nutricional de selenio, se realizo en funcion de la concentracion en plasma necesaria para alcanzar la maxima actividad de GPx, estableciendo como valor de referencia 90 μg/L, observamos que el 50% de los hombres y el 53% de las mujeres se encuentran en situacion de deficiencia. Conclusiones: El selenio es un mineral sujeto a múltiples mecanismos de regulación. El selenio eritrocitario es un buen indicador del estatus mineral de selenio a largo plazo, mientras que el selenio plasmático es un indicador de estatus nutricional de selenio a corto plazo. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron una correlación positiva entre los niveles de selenio en plasma y la realización de actividad física. Es necesario disponer de más estudios de biodisponibilidad de selenio con el fin de poder establecer niveles de referencia de este mineral para la población española (AU)

Estudio comparativo del estatus clínico-nutricional en mujeres obesas posmenopáusicas incluídas en un programa de pérdida de peso basado en platos preparados / Comparative study on the clinical-nutritional status of obese postmenopausal women on a weight loss programme based on prepared dishes

Introducción: Son escasos los estudios que hayan evaluado la eficacia y la fiabilidad de los platos de comidas preparadas enfocadas a la pérdida de peso en la mujer posmenopáusica obesa. Objetivo: Evaluar la eficiencia de un programa de pérdida de peso basado en una ingesta hipocalórica equilibrada, a partir de platos preparados comparando con otra basada en alimentos de consumo habitual en el mercado y con un grupo control no intervenido. En el presente estudio se pretende, además, valorar la subjetividad de la participante a la hora de preparar los platos ajustados a la dieta de restricción basada en productos de consumo habitual. Sujetos de estudio: mujeres posmenopáusicas obesas, con edad comprendida entre 55-65 años. Diseño del estudio: Estudio longitudinal de intervención y controlado. Metodología: La muestra de 75 mujeres voluntarias se divide en tres grupos de 25 mujeres; uno con alimentación habitual, sin dieta ajustada (GC), otro intervenido mediante tratamiento con una dieta ajustada a los requerimientos individuales, pero con productos de consumo habitual en mercado (GE) y un tercero intervenido con dieta ajustada del mismo modo al anterior, pero con platos preparados (GD). Se registraron datos antropométricos, hábitos de consumo y nivel de actividad física. También se realizaron controles clínico-nutricionales para evaluar cambios bioquímicos al inicio del estudio, cada 2 semanas y al final del estudio, durante 8 semanas. Resultados: El grupo basado en platos preparados GD muestra resultados de pérdida de peso ligeramente mayores, aunque no estadísticamente significativos, al grupo de dieta estándar GE, mostrando, sin embargo, ambos, descensos muy significativos respecto al grupo no ajustado GC (con una pérdida de 7,60 kg en GD, 7,01 kg en el grupo GE y 2,10 kg en GC). Sin embargo, éste grupo de mujeres alimentadas con dieta hipocalórica basada en platos preparados GD, presenta (p < 0,01) una mayor pérdida significativa, tanto de masa grasa como de perímetro abdominal. Conclusión: Las mujeres tratadas con dieta basada en platos preparados GD y las tratadas con dieta ajustada habitual GE presentan una mayor pérdida de peso, pero el grupo GD mostró unos resultados más fiables y de calidad, dado el cambio positivo encontrado a nivel de compartimento graso y en el perímetro abdominal de las participantes del grupo objeto del estudio (AU)

Introduction: Few studies have evaluated the efficacy and reliability of weight loss-focussed prepared food dishes in obese post-menopausal women. Objective: To compare the efficacy of a weight loss programme based on a balanced hypocaloric diet using prepared dishes with that of a similar programme based on standard commercially available foods and with a non-intervened control group. A further aim was to evaluate the subjectivity of participants in the preparation of the diet-adjusted dishes based on usually consumed products. Subjects: Obese post-menopausal women aged between 55 and 65 years. Design: Controlled longitudinal interventional study. Method: The sample of 75 female volunteers were divided into three groups of 25 women: a control group, who continued to consume their usual non-dietary adjusted meals (CG), an intervened group, treated with a diet adjusted to their individual requirements and based on standard commercially available food (SG), and another intervened group, treated with a similarly adjusted diet but based on prepared dishes (PG). Data were gathered on anthropometric variables, consumption habits and physical activity levels, and clinical-nutritional controls were conducted at the start and every two weeks to the end of the 8-week study in order to evaluate biochemical changes. Results: The weight loss was slightly higher in the prepared-dishes group (PG) than in the standard food diet group (SG), but the difference was not statistically significant, whereas it was considerably higher in both groups than in the non-dietary adjusted control group (CG) and this difference was highly significant (losses of 7.60 kg in PG and 7.01 kg in SG versus 2.10 kg in CG (p < 0.01). However, the PG showed a significantly higher (p < 0.01) loss of fatty mass and abdominal circumference versus the SG women. Conclusion: More weight was lost by the two groups treated with a diet based on prepared dishes or usual food items in comparison to untreated controls, but the diet based on prepared dishes obtained more reliable and higher quality outcomes, achieving a positive change at fatty compartment level and in the abdominal circumference (AU)

Pressure waves in the aorta during isolated abdominal belt loading: the magnitude, phasing, and attenuation.

While rupture of the aorta is a leading cause of sudden death following motor vehicle crashes, the specific mechanism that causes this injury is not currently well understood. Aortic ruptures occurring in the field are likely due to a complex combination of contributing factors such as acceleration, compression of the chest, and increased pressure within the aorta. The objective of the current study was to investigate one of these factors in more detail than has been done previously; specifically, to investigate the in situ intra-aortic pressure generated during isolated belt loading to the abdomen. Ten juvenile swine were subjected to dynamic belt loads applied to the abdomen. Intraaortic pressure was measured at multiple locations to assess the magnitude and propagation of the resulting blood pressure wave. The greatest average peak pressure (113.6 +/- 43.5 kPa) was measured in the abdominal aorta. Pressures measured in the thoracic aorta and aortic arch were 70 per cent and 50 per cent, respectively, that measured in the abdominal aorta. No macroscopic aortic trauma was observed. To the authors' knowledge the present study is the first one to document the presence, propagation, and attenuation of a transient pressure wave in the aorta generated by abdominal belt loading. The superiorly moving wave is sufficient to generate hydrostatic and intimal shear stress in the aorta, possibly contributing to the hypothesized mechanisms of traumatic aortic rupture.

[Reasons for not initating HCV treatment in prison: a subanalysis of the EPIBAND study]. / Causas de no inicios al tratamiento de la hepatitis C en el medio penitenciario: subanálisis del estudio EPIBAND.

OBJECTIVE: This sub-analysis was designed within the framework of the EPIBAND study to establish the reasons why prison patients do not initiate HCV treatment. METHODS: Epidemiological, prospective, multicentre study conducted in 26 centres. We present the results from those patients included in the EPIBAND study who did not initiate HCV treatment for different reasons. RESULTS: A total of 195 patients were evaluated (average age 39 ± 6.6 years, 86.7% male and 96.9% Spanish nationality). The reasons why this population did not initiate HCV treatment were secondary ones relating to the patient (41%), medical reasons (30.8%), and the prison environment (3.6%). 47.5% of patients reported lack of awareness and motivation, and 18.8% did not initiate treatment as a result of adverse events. Immunological status (35%). as well as psychiatric and neurological disorders (28.3%) were the main medical reasons for contraindication. Aspects associated to prison environment such as impending release or change of prison (64.4%) were among the various reasons that influenced treatment initiation. CONCLUSIONS: Lack of motivation and awareness in patients as well as adverse events were the main reasons for not initiating therapy. These factors are subjective, modifiable aspects that depend on patient education and adequate medical care.

Estudio epidemiológico sobre el metabolismo proteico y su relación con diversos hábitos en jóvenes universitarios / Epidemioligic research of the metabolism of proteins and its relationship with several university students´ habits

INTRODUCCIÓN: El consumo de alcohol y el ejercicio físico podría afectar a los valores de proteínas totales, creatinina y enzimas implicadas en el metabolismo hepático. OBJETIVO: Estudiar la influencia del ejercicio físico y del consumo de alcohol sobre los niveles de proteínas totales, creatinina y enzimas del metabolismo hepático en una población sana de jóvenes universitarios de Granada. METODOLOGÍA: Se ha realizado un estudio en 71 jóvenes (56 mujeres y 15 hombres) universitarios de la Universidad de Granada con edades comprendidas entre 18 y 31 años. Se realizó una encuesta sobre nivel de ejercicio físico (nulo, ligero, moderado e intenso), consumo de alcohol (tipo: cerveza/vino, destilados) y frecuencia del mismo. Las muestras de sangre fueron obtenidas en la Escuela de Análisis Clínicos de la Universidad de Granada y se midieron los niveles séricos de proteínas totales, creatinina y enzimas del metabolismo hepático (ALT, AST, GGT)(AU)

CONCLUSIÓN /DISCUSIÓN: Tras el análisis estadístico realizado podemos determinar que no existen diferencias significativas en los niveles de transaminasas de la población estudiada en función del tipo de alcohol consumido, quedando abierta la duda de si ello es debido a que las cantidades de consumo de alcohol no son lo suficientemente relevantes como para causar diferencias en los niveles de enzimas del metabolismo hepático estudiadas. Por otro lado si se encontraron diferencias significativas (p < 0,05) entre el tipo de alcohol consumido y los niveles de proteínas totales, en concreto se detectaron mayores niveles de proteínas totales en los consumidores de bebidas destiladas frente a los consumidores de cerveza/vino, lo que nos lleva a pensar que un consumo de bebidas destiladas con mayor gradación tiene un efecto negativo sobre las proteínas totales, aunque sin llegar a ser patológico. En relación al nivel de proteínas totales se observó que el 15,7 % de la población se encuentra por encima de los valores de referencia. Sería aconsejable plantear un estudio paralelo relacionando el mismo factor (alcohol) con otras enzimas de importancia en el metabolismo del alcohol como podría ser la alcohol deshidrogenasa. Por último estudiamos como afecta el ejercicio físico en los niveles de creatinina resultando que no existen diferencias significativas en la población estudiada, probablemente debido a que la cantidad de ejercicio realizada por los individuos más activos encuestados no es lo suficientemente destacable como para causar diferencias(AU)

INTRODUCTION: The ingestion of alcohol and exercise may affect the values of the Total Proteins, Creatinine and Enzimas involved in the hepatic metabolism. OBJETIVE: The study of the influence of exercise and the consume of alcohol on the levels of Total Protein, Creatinine and Enzimas involved in a healthy population of students from the University of Granada. METHOD: A research over 71 University of Granada students (56 females and 15 males) has been made, with ages from 18 to 31. A survey on exercise (void, light, moderate and intense), alcohol ingestion ( type: wine/ beer, distilled) and the frecuency of them was made. Blood samples were obtained from the School of Clinic Analysis of the University of Granada and the levels of Total Protein, Creatinine and Enzimas involved in the hepatic metabolism were measured(AU)

CONCLUSION: After the stadistic analysis we are able to assure that there are not significative differencies in the levels of transaminasae on the study itself according to the type of alcohol comsumed, remaining therefore the doubt of the relationship between the amount of alcohol comsumed and significant changes on the levels of the enzimas of the hepatic metabolism studied. On the other hand, we did find significatives differencies ( p + 0.05) between the type of alcohol consumed and the Total Protein levels, specially higher levels of Total Protein level were found in the high degree distilled drinks comsumers, wich leads us to believe that a high degree distilled drinks consume has a negative effect on the Total Protein, without getting to be patologic. According to the Total Protein levels, we observed that the 15,7% of the population is over the reference values. It would be comprehensible to set out a parallel research connecting the same factor (alcohol) with another relevan enzimas of the metabolism of alcohol, such as alcohol deshidrogenasa. Finally we studied how the exercise affects the levels of creatinine, resulting that there are not significative differencies in the population of this research, probably due to the quantity of exercise that the more active population in the survey get to make is not outstanding enough to cause differencies(AU)