Changes of resistance rates in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains are unrelated to antimicrobial consumption in ICU populations with invasive device-related infection / Los cambios en la resistencia de cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa identificadas en infecciones relacionadas con dispositivos invasores no se relacionan con el consumo de antibióticos en la UCI

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between antipseudomonal antibiotic consumption and each individual drug resistance rate in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains causing ICU acquired invasive device-related infections (IDRI). DESIGN: A post hoc analysis was made of the data collected prospectively from the ENVIN-HELICS registry. SETTING: Intensive Care Units participating in the ENVIN-UCI registry between the years 2007 and 2016 (3-month registry each year). PATIENTS: Patients admitted for over 24h. MAIN VARIABLES: Annual linear and nonlinear trends of resistance rates of P. aeruginosa strains identified in IDRI and days of treatment of each antipseudomonal antibiotic family per 1000 occupied ICU bed days (DOT) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 15,095 episodes of IDRI were diagnosed in 11,652 patients (6.2% out of a total of 187,100). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified in 2095 (13.6%) of 15,432 pathogens causing IDRI. Resistance increased significantly over the study period for piperacillin-tazobactam (P<0.001), imipenem (P=0.016), meropenem (P=0.004), ceftazidime (P=0.005) and cefepime (P=0.015), while variations in resistance rates for amikacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and colistin proved nonsignificant. A significant DOT decrease was observed for aminoglycosides (P<0.001), cephalosporins (P<0.001), quinolones (P<0.001) and carbapenems (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: No significant association was observed between consumption of each antipseudomonal antibiotic family and the respective resistance rates for P. aeruginosa strains identified in IDRI

OBJETIVO: Evaluar la relación entre el consumo de antibióticos antipseudomonales y la tasa de resistencia de cada fármaco individual en cepas de Pseudomonas aeruginosa aisladas en infecciones relacionadas con dispositivos invasivos (IDRI, por sus siglas en inglés) adquiridas en la unidad de cuidados intensivos (UCI). DISEÑO: Análisis post-hoc de los datos recopilados prospectivamente del registro ENVIN-HELICS. Ámbito: Las UCI que participaron en el registro ENVIN-UCI entre los años 2007-2016 (registro de 3 meses cada año). PACIENTES: Pacientes ingresados >24h. VARIABLES PRINCIPALES: Se calcularon las tendencias anuales lineales y no lineales de las tasas de resistencia de las cepas de P. aeruginosa identificadas en IDRI y los días de tratamiento de cada familia de antibióticos antipseudomonales por 1.000 días de cama ocupada en la UCI (DOT). RESULTADOS: Se diagnosticaron 15.095 episodios de IDRI en 11.652 pacientes (6,2% de 187.100). Se identificó P. aeruginosa en 2.095 (13,6%) de 15.432 patógenos que causaron IDRI. La resistencia aumentó significativamente durante el período de estudio para piperacilina-tazobactam (p < 0,001), imipenem (p = 0,016), meropenem (p = 0,004), ceftazidima (p = 0,005) y cefepima (p = 0,015), mientras que las variaciones en las tasas de resistencia de amikacina, ciprofloxacina, levofloxacina y colistina no fueron significativas. Se observó una disminución significativa de la DOT para aminoglucósidos (p < 0,001), cefalosporinas (p < 0,001), quinolonas (p < 0,001) y carbapenems (p < 0,001). CONCLUSIONES: No se encontró asociación significativa del consumo de cada familia de antibióticos antipseudomonales con sus respectivas tasas de resistencia para las cepas de P. aeruginosa identificadas en IDRI

Changes of resistance rates in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains are unrelated to antimicrobial consumption in ICU populations with invasive device-related infection.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between antipseudomonal antibiotic consumption and each individual drug resistance rate in Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains causing ICU acquired invasive device-related infections (IDRI). DESIGN: A post hoc analysis was made of the data collected prospectively from the ENVIN-HELICS registry. SETTING: Intensive Care Units participating in the ENVIN-UCI registry between the years 2007 and 2016 (3-month registry each year). PATIENTS: Patients admitted for over 24h. MAIN VARIABLES: Annual linear and nonlinear trends of resistance rates of P. aeruginosa strains identified in IDRI and days of treatment of each antipseudomonal antibiotic family per 1000 occupied ICU bed days (DOT) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 15,095 episodes of IDRI were diagnosed in 11,652 patients (6.2% out of a total of 187,100). Pseudomonas aeruginosa was identified in 2095 (13.6%) of 15,432 pathogens causing IDRI. Resistance increased significantly over the study period for piperacillin-tazobactam (P<0.001), imipenem (P=0.016), meropenem (P=0.004), ceftazidime (P=0.005) and cefepime (P=0.015), while variations in resistance rates for amikacin, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin and colistin proved nonsignificant. A significant DOT decrease was observed for aminoglycosides (P<0.001), cephalosporins (P<0.001), quinolones (P<0.001) and carbapenems (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: No significant association was observed between consumption of each antipseudomonal antibiotic family and the respective resistance rates for P. aeruginosa strains identified in IDRI.

Características epidemiológicas de la psoriasis. Un estudio poblacional / Epidemiology of Psoriasis. A Population-Based Study

Antecedentes y objetivo: La psoriasis es una enfermedad inmunoinflamatoria crónica de la piel muy frecuente en el mundo occidental. Muchos autores han intentado calcular su prevalencia en diversas regiones, aunque en la mayoría de los casos esta se ha obtenido mediante encuestas y existen escasas publicaciones procedentes del área mediterránea. El objetivo de nuestro estudio era analizar la prevalencia y severidad de la psoriasis en Lleida (región del noreste de España), identificar diferencias en edad y sexo, y comparar nuestros resultados con otras series europeas. Materiales y métodos: Se obtuvo una base de datos conjunta entre medicina primaria y el departamento de dermatología de toda la provincia de Lleida con datos epidemiológicos, diagnóstico de psoriasis y codificación de tratamiento. Resultados: La base de datos final comprendía a 398.701 individuos y 6.868 de ellos (1,72%) fueron codificados con el diagnóstico de psoriasis. La prevalencia de psoriasis fue significativamente mayor en hombres que en mujeres (1,88 vs. 1,56%; OR = 1,21; IC 95%: 1,15-1,27). La prevalencia más alta de psoriasis se encontró en el grupo de edad de los 61-70 años (2,90%) y la prevalencia de psoriasis en menores de 18 años fue del 0,30%. En nuestra población, el 7,27% de los pacientes fueron clasificados como psoriasis moderada-severa (499/6.868). Conclusiones: Este estudio reporta la prevalencia y severidad de la psoriasis en una muestra amplia de una región mediterránea, obteniendo la información mediante una base de datos electrónica. Además, se evidencia una prevalencia menor de psoriasis comparada con otros países europeos y una proporción de psoriasis severa (basado en criterios de tratamiento) menor que en otros estudios. Estas diferencias podrían deberse a factores genéticos, estilo de vida y dieta

Background and objectives: Psoriasis is a chronic immunoinflammatory skin disease very frequent in the western world. Several authors have tried to calculate its prevalence in different regions, although most of them obtained the data from surveys and there are few publications from Mediterranean areas. The objective of our study was to analyze the prevalence and severity of psoriasis in Lleida (a northeastern region in Spain), identify age and sex specific differences and compare our results with other European series. Materials and methods: A joint database of primary care medicine and the dermatology department was obtained from the entire province of Lleida with epidemiological data and psoriasis diagnosis and treatment codification. Results: A corrected database was obtained with 398,701 individuals and 6,868 of them (1.72%) were coded with the diagnosis of psoriasis. The prevalence was significantly higher in men than in women (1.88% vs 1.56%, OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.15-1.27). The highest prevalence of psoriasis was found in the 61-70 years group (2.90%) and psoriasis in population under 18 years of age was 0.30%. In our sample, 7.27% of the patients were classified as moderate-severe psoriasis (499/6,868). Conclusion: This study reports the prevalence and severity of psoriasis in a large Mediterranean region sample, obtaining the information through a electronic database. This study reveals a lower prevalence of psoriasis compared to other European countries, and the proportion of severe psoriasis (based on treatment criteria) is lower than in other studies. We emphasize that these differences could probably due to genetic background, life style and diet

Psoriasis, metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors. A population-based study.

BACKGROUND: Psoriasis is a very prevalent systemic chronic inflammatory disease. Major cardiovascular events are the main cause of mortality in these patients which suggests an association between psoriasis and traditional cardiovascular risk factors. OBJECTIVE: To identify classic cardiovascular risk factors and metabolic syndrome (MS) in patients with psoriasis, their possible association with its severity and compare it with the non-psoriatic population. METHODS: This is an observational and cross-sectional population study in Lleida (Spain) from a joint hospital/primary care database. RESULTS: The database comprised 398 701 individuals. There were 6868 cases registered as psoriasis (1.7%), and 499 of them (7.3%) were classified as moderate-severe psoriasis. Patients with psoriasis had a higher prevalence of traditional cardiovascular risk factors than non-psoriatic population: diabetes mellitus 2 (13.9% vs 7.4%, OR 2.01), dyslipidaemia (28.8% vs 17.4%, OR 1.92), arterial hypertension (31.2% vs 19.0%, OR 1.93), obesity (33.7% vs 28.1%, OR 1.30), altered fasting basal glycaemia (21.4% vs 15.1%, OR 1.54), low cholesterol HDL (38.1% vs 32.3%, OR 1.29), hypertriglyceridaemia (45.7% vs 35.2%, OR 1.55) and high waist circumference (75.7% vs 72.3%, OR 1.19). MS was more prevalent in psoriatic patients (28.3% vs 15.1%, OR 2.21), and cardiovascular risk factors were similar between psoriasis severity groups. Psoriatic patients had a higher prevalence of ischaemic heart disease (3.3% vs 1.8%, OR 1.87) and vascular cerebral accidents (1.8% vs 1.2%, OR 1.55). A model for MS showed a significant nonlinear relationship with age and sex and significant differences between patients with and without psoriasis. CONCLUSION: We found statistically significant differences in relation to the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, MS and major cardiovascular events in psoriatic patients. However, differences were not seen between psoriasis severity groups. Our work reinforces the need for a multidisciplinary approach and close monitoring of cardiovascular risk factors in these patients to prevent a cardiovascular event.

Epidemiology of Psoriasis. A Population-Based Study. / Características epidemiológicas de la psoriasis. Un estudio poblacional.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Psoriasis is a chronic immunoinflammatory skin disease very frequent in the western world. Several authors have tried to calculate its prevalence in different regions, although most of them obtained the data from surveys and there are few publications from Mediterranean areas. The objective of our study was to analyze the prevalence and severity of psoriasis in Lleida (a northeastern region in Spain), identify age and sex specific differences and compare our results with other European series. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A joint database of primary care medicine and the dermatology department was obtained from the entire province of Lleida with epidemiological data and psoriasis diagnosis and treatment codification. RESULTS: A corrected database was obtained with 398,701 individuals and 6,868 of them (1.72%) were coded with the diagnosis of psoriasis. The prevalence was significantly higher in men than in women (1.88% vs 1.56%, OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.15-1.27). The highest prevalence of psoriasis was found in the 61-70 years group (2.90%) and psoriasis in population under 18 years of age was 0.30%. In our sample, 7.27% of the patients were classified as moderate-severe psoriasis (499/6,868). CONCLUSION: This study reports the prevalence and severity of psoriasis in a large Mediterranean region sample, obtaining the information through a electronic database. This study reveals a lower prevalence of psoriasis compared to other European countries, and the proportion of severe psoriasis (based on treatment criteria) is lower than in other studies. We emphasize that these differences could probably due to genetic background, life style and diet.

A comparison between biostimulation and bioaugmentation in a solid treatment of anaerobic sludge: Drug content and microbial evaluation.

Emerging pollutants can reach the environment through the sludge of Wastewater Treatment Plants. In this work, the use of Trametes versicolor in biopiles at lab-scale was studied, evaluating its capacity to remove the most hydrophobic Pharmaceuticals and assessing the evolution of the biopiles microbial communities. The total removal of drugs at real concentrations from sewage sludge was assessed for non-inoculated and fungal inoculated biopiles, testing if the re-inoculation of the biopiles after 22 days of treatment would improve the removal yields. It was found that 2 out of the 15 initially detected pharmaceuticals were totally degraded after 22 days, and re-inoculated fungal biopiles achieved higher removal rates than non-re-inoculated fungal biopiles for single compounds and for all the drugs simultaneously: 66.45% and 49.18% re-inoculated and non-re-inoculated biopiles, respectively. Finally, the study of the bacterial and fungal communities revealed that fungal inoculated and non-inoculated biopiles evolved to similar communities adapted to the presence of those drugs.

Molecular basis of dental sensitivity: The odontoblasts are multisensory cells and express multifunctional ion channels.

Odontoblasts are the dental pulp cells responsible for the formation of dentin. In addition, accumulating data strongly suggest that they can also function as sensory cells that mediate the early steps of mechanical, thermic, and chemical dental sensitivity. This assumption is based on the expression of different families of ion channels involved in various modalities of sensitivity and the release of putative neurotransmitters in response to odontoblast stimulation which are able to act on pulp sensory nerve fibers. This review updates the current knowledge on the expression of transient-potential receptor ion channels and acid-sensing ion channels in odontoblasts, nerve fibers innervating them and trigeminal sensory neurons, as well as in pulp cells. Moreover, the innervation of the odontoblasts and the interrelationship been odontoblasts and nerve fibers mediated by neurotransmitters was also revisited. These data might provide the basis for novel therapeutic approaches for the treatment of dentin sensibility and/or dental pain.

Pharmaceuticals removal and microbial community assessment in a continuous fungal treatment of non-sterile real hospital wastewater after a coagulation-flocculation pretreatment.

Hospital wastewaters are a main source of pharmaceutical active compounds, which are usually highly recalcitrant and can accumulate in surface and groundwater bodies. Fungal treatments can remove these contaminants prior to discharge, but real wastewater poses a problem to fungal survival due to bacterial competition. This study successfully treated real non-spiked, non-sterile wastewater in a continuous fungal fluidized bed bioreactor coupled to a coagulation-flocculation pretreatment for 56 days. A control bioreactor without the fungus was also operated and the results were compared. A denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequencing approach was used to study the microbial community arisen in both reactors and as a result some bacterial degraders are proposed. The fungal operation successfully removed analgesics and anti-inflammatories, and even the most recalcitrant pharmaceutical families such as antibiotics and psychiatric drugs.

Estudio de la población nacida pequeña para la edad gestacional en tratamiento con hormona del crecimiento / Study of small for gestational age in treatment with growth hormone

Objetivo: El objetivo principal de este estudio es analizar los cambios producidos en la velocidad de crecimiento durante los 2 primeros años de terapia con hormona del crecimiento recombinante humana (rhGH) en niños pequeños para su edad gestacional (PEG), en estadio I de Tanner, atendidos en el servicio de pediatría del hospital de referencia de la provincia de Lleida. Material y métodos: Se han recogido los datos de los pacientes PEG que han seguido tratamiento con rhGH durante al menos 2 años, en estadio I de Tanner al inicio y al final del periodo. Se han utilizado como referencia los datos del estudio español de crecimiento de 2010. Resultados: El número de pacientes que cumplen estos criterios es de 58 (un 45% varones y un 55% mujeres). La media de edad al inicio del tratamiento fue de 8 ± 2,7 años. La velocidad de crecimiento (VC) previa al tratamiento era de 5,2 ± 2,8 cm. En el primer año de tratamiento la VC fue de 8,6 ± 1,9 cm y en el segundo de 7 ± 2,1 cm. El análisis de regresión lineal ajustado por la edad del niño muestra un aumento significativo en la VC después del primer y segundo año respecto al valor inicial pretratamiento, mayor tras el primer año que tras el segundo. La desviación estándar (DE) de la talla previa al tratamiento era de -2,6 ± 0,4 (-2,1 ± 0,5 en el primer año y -1,8 ± 0,6 en el segundo). El análisis de regresión lineal muestra un aumento significativo en la DE después del primer y segundo año respecto al valor inicial pretratamiento, es decir, una aproximación progresiva a los valores normales. La dosis inicial de rhGH fue de 0,035 mg/kg/día. Durante el periodo estudiado no se han producido efectos secundarios que hayan precisado la suspensión del tratamiento en ningún caso. Conclusiones: Los datos incluidos en este estudio demuestran que el tratamiento con rhGH favorece el crecimiento en los niños PEG, observándose su máximo efecto durante el primer año (AU)

Objective: To analyze the changes produced in the growth velocity among small for gestational age (SGA) children in Tanner's first stage, receiving recombinant human growth hormone therapy (rhGH), in the Paediatric Department of Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova, hospital of reference in province of Lleida in northern Spain. Material and methods: Patient information was collected before and after treatment for two years with rhGH. Data from the Spanish growth study of 2010 were used as reference. Results: The number of patients who fulfilled inclusion criteria was 58 (45% male; 55% female). The average age at the beginning of treatment was 8 ± 2.7 years. The growth velocity (GV) prior to treatment was 5.2 ± 2.8 cm per year. In the first year of treatment, the GV increased to 8.6 ± 1.9 cm/yr and in the second year of the study, to 7 ± 2.1 cm/yr. Linear regression analysis adjusted for age showed a significant increase in GV after the first and second year compared to the pretreatment value, with a greater increase in the first year of treatment than in the second. The standard deviation (SD) of size prior to treatment was -2.6 ± 0.4 (-2.1 ± 0.5 in the first year and -1.8 ± 0.6 in the second year). Linear regression analysis showed a significant increase in the SD after the first and second years of treatment compared to the pretreatment value; in other words, a progressive return to normal values was found. The initial dose of rhGH was 0.035 mg/kg/day. During the study period there were no reported adverse effects which necessitated suspension of treatment. Conclusion: The data found in this study show that treatment with rhGH promotes growth in SGA children, producing a maximum effect in the first year of treatment (AU)

Stable Carbon Isotope Fractionation During 1,2-Dichloropropane-to-Propene Transformation by an Enrichment Culture Containing Dehalogenimonas Strains and a dcpA Gene.

A stable enrichment culture derived from Besòs river estuary sediments stoichiometrically dechlorinated 1,2-dichloropropane (1,2-DCP) to propene. Sequential transfers in defined anaerobic medium with the inhibitor bromoethanesulfonate produced a sediment-free culture dechlorinating 1,2-DCP in the absence of methanogenesis. Application of previously published genus-specific primers targeting 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed the presence of a Dehalogenimonas strain, and no amplification was obtained with Dehalococcoides-specific primers. The partial sequence of the 16S rRNA amplicon was 100% identical with Dehalogenimonas alkenigignens strain IP3-3. Also, dcpA, a gene described to encode a corrinoid-containing 1,2-DCP reductive dehalogenase was detected. Resistance of the dehalogenating activity to vancomycin, exclusive conversion of vicinally chlorinated alkanes, and tolerance to short-term oxygen exposure is consistent with the hypothesis that a Dehalogenimonas strain is responsible for 1,2-DCP conversion in the culture. Quantitative PCR showed a positive correlation between the number of Dehalogenimonas 16S rRNA genes copies in the culture and consumption of 1,2-DCP. Compound specific isotope analysis revealed that the Dehalogenimonas-catalyzed carbon isotopic fractionation (εC(bulk)) of the 1,2-DCP-to-propene reaction was -15.0 ± 0.7‰ under both methanogenic and nonmethanogenic conditions. This study demonstrates that carbon isotope fractionation is a valuable approach for monitoring in situ 1,2-DCP reductive dechlorination by Dehalogenimonas strains.

Invaginación intestinal: cambio en su incidencia desde 1987 a 2008 / Intestinal invagination: change in its incidents from 1987 to 2008

En algunas series se ha apreciado una disminución en la incidencia de las invaginaciones intestinales en los últimos años. Además, la reciente introducción de nuevos tipos de vacunas contra el rotavirus hace que el seguimiento de la incidencia de las invaginaciones intestinales adquiera importancia. Para ello, son necesarios datos epidemiológicos locales fiables. Con el objetivo de conocer la evolución de la incidencia de las invaginaciones y su valor actual en nuestro área, hemos realizado un estudio retrospectivo de los pacientes menores de 3 años diagnosticados de Invaginación Intestinal y con confirmación por enema opaco o ecografía durante los últimos 21 años. En los resultados obtenidos se observa una disminución estadísticamente significativa de la tasa de incidencia, con una razón de incidencias de un año respecto al anterior de 0,82 (IC95% 0,78-0,86) pasando de una incidencia estimada para 1987 de 17,74 casos por cada 10.000niñas y 30,04 casos por cada 10.000 niños, a una incidencia estimada en 2008 de 0,27 casos por cada 10.000 niñas y 0,49 casos por cada 10.000niños.Concluimos que en nuestra serie se aprecia en el periodo estudiado un importante descenso de la incidencia de las invaginaciones intestinales, especialmente en los pacientes de menos de un año y estableciéndose la incidencia actual en 0,27 casos por cada 10.000 niñas y 0,49casos por cada 10.000 niños menores de 3 años (AU)

Some series have shown a decrease in the incidence of intestinal invaginations in last years. Moreover, the recent introduction of new types of rotavirus vaccines increases the interest of invagination’s incidence. To this purpose, reliable local epidemiological data are needed. In order to ascertain the trend in the incidence of invaginations and their current value in our area we have performed a retrospective review of patients under 3 years of age with the diagnosis of intussusception and confirms with barium enema or ultrasound examination during the past 21 years. Our results show a statistically significant decrease in the incidence rate, with an incidence rate of one year from the previous 0.82 (95%0,78-0, 86) from an estimated incidence for 1987 of 17.74 cases per10,000 girls and 30.04 cases per 10,000 boys, in 2008 an estimated incidence of 0.27 cases per 10,000 girls and 0.49 cases per 10,000 boys. We conclude that in our population during the study period a significant decrease of invagination’ s incidence has been seen, especially in patients younger than one year. The current incidence is 0.27 cases per 10,000 girls and 0.49 cases per 10,000 boys less than 3 years old (AU)

[Intestinal invagination: change in its incidence from 1987 to 2008]. / Invaginación intestinal: cambio en su incidencia desde 1987 a 2008.

Some series have shown a decrease in the incidence of intestinal invaginations in last years. Moreover, the recent introduction of new types of rotavirus vaccines increases the interest of invagination' s incidence. To this purpose, reliable local epidemiological data are needed. In order to ascertain the trend in the incidence of invaginations and their current value in our area we have performed a retrospective review of patients under 3 years of age with the diagnosis of intussusception and confiemes with barium enema or ultrasound examination during the past 21 years. Our results show a statistically significant decrease in the incidence rate, with an incidence rate of one year from the previous 0.82 (95% 0,78-0, 86) from an estimated incidence for 1987 of 17.74 cases per 10,000 girls and 30.04 cases per 10,000 boys, in 2008 an estimated incidence of 0.27 cases per 10,000 girls and 0.49 cases per 10,000 boys. We conclude that in our population during the dtudy period a significant decrease of invagination' sincidence has been seen, especially in patients younger than one year. The current incidence is 0.27 cases per 10,000 girls and 0.49 cases per 10,000 boys less than 3 years old.

Expression of somatostatin receptors in human melanoma cell lines: effect of two different somatostatin analogues, octreotide and SOM230, on cell proliferation.

Somatostatin analogues (SAs) are potential anticancer agents. This study was designed to investigate the expression of somatostatin receptors (SSTRs) in melanoma cells and the effect of two SAs on cell proliferation and viability. Eighteen primary and metastatic human cutaneous melanoma cell lines were treated with octreotide and SOM230. Expression of SSTR1, SSTR2, SSTR3 and SSTR5 was assessed by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Proliferation, viability and cell death were assessed using standard assays. Inhibition was modelled by mixed-effect regression. Melanoma cells expressed one or more SSTR. Both SAs inhibited proliferation of most melanoma cell lines, but inhibition was < 50%. Neither SA affected cell viability or induced cell death. The results suggest that melanoma cell lines express SSTRs. The SAs investigated, under the conditions used in this study, did not, however, significantly inhibit melanoma growth or induce cell death. Novel SAs, combination therapy with SAs and their anti-angiogenic properties should be further investigated.

Health-related quality of life in young cocaine users and associated factors.

AIM: To analyse drug consumption patterns and demographic and medical factors associated with health-related quality of life (HRQL) in a nonclinical sample of regular cocaine consumers. METHODS: Face-to-face interviews with 687 young regular cocaine users (aged 18-30 years) in three Spanish cities: Barcelona, Madrid and Seville. HRQL was measured using the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), and degree of dependence through the Severity of Dependence Scale (SDS). Bivariate analyses were conducted using nonparametric techniques, and a Tobit regression analysis was carried out to determine which variables best explained HRQL. RESULTS: Most participants showed a good HRQL, but differences in HRQL were found for sociodemographic (gender), medical (days stayed in bed during the previous 12 months) and consumption-pattern related variables (length of drug use, intravenous drug use, crack use, SDS). In multivariate analyses cocaine dependence measured by SDS explained the greatest amount of HRQL variation. Although women declared worse HRQL (13.6 versus 9.7, P < 0.01), in the final model with interactions no gender differences were observed, except that HRQL for women worsened with the number of days they had stayed in bed in the previous 12 months. CONCLUSIONS: Even in early phases of dependence, deterioration in HRQL is observed, mainly related to drug-use history and patterns.

Treatment adequacy for anxiety and depressive disorders in six European countries.

The aims of this study are to describe the adequacy of treatment for anxiety and depressive disorders in Europe and how itdiffers between providers, using data from the ESEMeD study. The overall proportion of adequate treatment was 45.8% (57.4% in the specialised sector and 23.3% in the general medical care sector). Between-country differences were found in treatment adequacy in the specialised setting. Organisational and political aspects may explain these findings.

[The impact of mood and anxiety disorders, and physical chronic conditions in the quality of life of general population of Spain. Results of the ESEMeD-Spain study]. / Impacto de los trastornos del ánimo, de ansiedad y de las enfermedades físicas crónicas en la calidad de vida de la poblacíon general de España. Resultados del estudio ESEMeD-España.

INTRODUCTION: Mental disorders and chronic physical conditions significantly impair health related quality of life (HRQOL). To date, there are no studies in the general population of Spain about their impact. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the impact of mood and anxiety disorders and chronic physical conditions in HRQOL and functional disability (estimated considering work loss days). METHODS: The ESEMeD-Spain is an epidemiological study carried out in the general population of Spain aged 18 years or older. Mental disorders were assessed with the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 3.0); the HRQOL with the SF-12; and functional disability with the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule. Additionally, chronic physical conditions were assessed. RESULTS: A total of 5,473 individuals were assessed. Response rate was 78.6 %. Mental disorders, specially mood disorders, showed the highest impairment in HRQOL and functional disability (more work loss days). This impairment was even higher than the impairment associated to chronic physical conditions. Comorbidity between mood and anxiety disorders was associated to the worst HRQOL. In general, mental HRQOL was more impaired than physical HRQOL. CONCLUSIONS: Mood disorders substantially impair HRQOL and augment functional disability in Spain. Their comorbidity with anxiety disorders in especially impairing.

Morphological and ultrastructural characterization of an unusual purple sulfur bacterium from a marine microbial-mat community.

An unusual purple sulfur bacterium present in the pink layer of the Ebro Delta microbial mats has been identified through the study of its ultrastructural features. As pure cultures of this bacterium have not been obtained, due to its inability to grow in axenic conditions, only enrichment cultures where it reached at least 90% of total biomass have been considered. In enrichment cultures, the cells are rods that are 5.4+/-0.6 microm wide and 11.0+/-2.1 microm long. The color of the cell suspensions is pink to pinkish-red. Cells are motile by means of a polar tuft of flagella and multiply by binary fission. This bacterium possesses an extensive internal photosynthetic membrane system consisting of stacks of lamellae, contains bacteriochlorophyll a and carotenoids of normal spirilloxanthin series and deposits sulfur intracellularly. In natural samples, the most abundant phototrophic purple sulfur bacterium developing in this ecosystem has the same kind of intracytoplasmic membrane system, but the cells differ slightly in size and arrangement, in that they are ovoid, 4.2+/-0.5 microm wide and 6.0+/-1.4 microm long, and can be seen forming irregular non-motile clumps which are embedded in slime. Differences observed between field samples and enrichment cultures suggest that environmental conditions may bring about changes in the phenotypic characteristics of the cells. The morphological characteristics of the described bacterium resemble those of large Chromatia. However, this bacterium differs from known species in this group, particularly in terms of its photosynthetic membrane system and in its light absorption properties.

12-Month comorbidity patterns and associated factors in Europe: results from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project.

OBJECTIVE: Comorbidity patterns of 12-month mood, anxiety and alcohol disorders and socio-demographic factors associated with comorbidity were studied among the general population of six European countries. METHOD: Data were derived from the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD), a cross-sectional psychiatric epidemiological study in a representative sample of adults aged 18 years or older in Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. The diagnostic instrument used was the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI). Data are based on 21 425 completed interviews. RESULTS: In general, high associations were found within the separate anxiety disorders and between mood and anxiety disorders. Lowest comorbidity associations were found for specific phobia and alcohol abuse-the disorders with the least functional disabilities. Comorbidity patterns were consistent cross-nationally. Associated factors for comorbidity of mood and anxiety disorders were female gender, younger age, lower educational level, higher degree of urbanicity, not living with a partner and unemployment. Only younger people were at greater risk for comorbidity of alcohol disorder with mood, anxiety disorders or both. CONCLUSION: High levels of comorbidity are found in the general population. Comorbidity is more common in specific groups. To reduce psychiatric burden, early intervention in populations with a primary disorder is important to prevent comorbidity.

Sampling and methods of the European Study of the Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project.

OBJECTIVE: The European Study of Epidemiology of Mental Disorders (ESEMeD) project was designed to evaluate the prevalence, the impact and the treatment patterns in Europe. This paper presents an overview of the methods implemented in the project. METHOD: ESEMeD is a cross-sectional study in a representative sample of 21 425 adults, 18 or older, from the general population of Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Spain. The Composite International Diagnostic Interview (WMH-CIDI) was administered by home interviews from January 2001 to August 2003 using Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) technology. Data quality was controlled to ensure reliability and validity of the information obtained. RESULTS: Response rate varied from 78.6% in Spain to 45.9% in France. Less than 4% of the individuals had errors in the checking procedures performed. CONCLUSION: The sampling methodologies, comprehensive psychiatric instruments and quality control procedures used have rendered the ESEMeD database a unique and important source of information about the prevalence, the disability burden and unmet medical needs of mental disorders within Europe.