Visualization of automatically combined disease maps and pathway diagrams for rare diseases.

Introduction: Investigation of molecular mechanisms of human disorders, especially rare diseases, require exploration of various knowledge repositories for building precise hypotheses and complex data interpretation. Recently, increasingly more resources offer diagrammatic representation of such mechanisms, including disease-dedicated schematics in pathway databases and disease maps. However, collection of knowledge across them is challenging, especially for research projects with limited manpower. Methods: In this article we present an automated workflow for construction of maps of molecular mechanisms for rare diseases. The workflow requires a standardized definition of a disease using Orphanet or HPO identifiers to collect relevant genes and variants, and to assemble a functional, visual repository of related mechanisms, including data overlays. The diagrams composing the final map are unified to a common systems biology format from CellDesigner SBML, GPML and SBML+layout+render. The constructed resource contains disease-relevant genes and variants as data overlays for immediate visual exploration, including embedded genetic variant browser and protein structure viewer. Results: We demonstrate the functionality of our workflow on two examples of rare diseases: Kawasaki disease and retinitis pigmentosa. Two maps are constructed based on their corresponding identifiers. Moreover, for the retinitis pigmentosa use-case, we include a list of differentially expressed genes to demonstrate how to tailor the workflow using omics datasets. Discussion: In summary, our work allows for an ad-hoc construction of molecular diagrams combined from different sources, preserving their layout and graphical style, but integrating them into a single resource. This allows to reduce time consuming tasks of prototyping of a molecular disease map, enabling visual exploration, hypothesis building, data visualization and further refinement. The code of the workflow is open and accessible at https://gitlab.lcsb.uni.lu/minerva/automap/.

Impact of Biological Agents on Postsurgical Complications in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Multicentre Study of Geteccu.

BACKGROUND: The impact of biologics on the risk of postoperative complications (PC) in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is still an ongoing debate. This lack of evidence is more relevant for ustekinumab and vedolizumab. AIMS: To evaluate the impact of biologics on the risk of PC. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 37 centres. Patients treated with biologics within 12 weeks before surgery were considered "exposed". The impact of the exposure on the risk of 30-day PC and the risk of infections was assessed by logistic regression and propensity score-matched analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1535 surgeries were performed on 1370 patients. Of them, 711 surgeries were conducted in the exposed cohort (584 anti-TNF, 58 vedolizumab and 69 ustekinumab). In the multivariate analysis, male gender (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.2-2.0), urgent surgery (OR: 1.6; 95% CI: 1.2-2.2), laparotomy approach (OR: 1.5; 95% CI: 1.1-1.9) and severe anaemia (OR: 1.8; 95% CI: 1.3-2.6) had higher risk of PC, while academic hospitals had significantly lower risk. Exposure to biologics (either anti-TNF, vedolizumab or ustekinumab) did not increase the risk of PC (OR: 1.2; 95% CI: 0.97-1.58), although it could be a risk factor for postoperative infections (OR 1.5; 95% CI: 1.03-2.27). CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative administration of biologics does not seem to be a risk factor for overall PC, although it may be so for postoperative infections.

Variaciones anatómicas del nervio musculocutáneo en una muestra de población colombiana. Estudio en cadaver / Anatomic variations of the musculocutaneous nerve in a colombian population sample. Cadaveric study

Introducción y objetivo: El nervio musculocutáneo (NMC) inerva a los músculos bíceps, coracobraquial y braquial, que tienen como función principal contribuir con la flexión de la articulación del codo. El conocimiento de la anatomía y las variantes de sus ramas motoras permite transferencias nerviosas para recuperar la flexión del codo cuando se lesiona.El objetivo de este estudio es describir la distribución anatómica y biométrica de las principales ramas motoras y sensitivas terminales del NMC en su recorrido en el miembro superior en cadáveres de una población local de población colombiana.Material y método.Estudio descriptivo anatómico de miembros superiores en cadáveres mediante disecciones para determinar el origen de las ramas motoras y sensitivas del NMC en relación a estructuras anatómicas constantes, y su número de ramas terminales al llegar a los vientres musculares respectivos.Resultados.Disecamos 30 extremidades superiores. El NMC atraviesa el músculo coracobraquial (MCB) a 56 mm (DE 17 mm) de la apófisis coracoides; la rama motora del bíceps sale del tronco del NMC a 142 mm (DE 44); el 80% se localizan en el tercio medio, 14% en tercio proximal y 6% en tercio distal; existe 1 rama motora para el bíceps en el 57% de los casos, 2 en el 27% y 3 o más en el 16%; la longitud de las ramas es de 34 mm (DE 17). Para el músculo braquial, la rama motora sale del tronco del NMC a 181 mm (DE 28) de la apófisis coracoides; existe 1 rama motora para el braquial en el 70% de los casos, 2 en el 20% y 3 o más en el 10%; el 88% se localizan en el tercio medio y el 12% en tercio distal; la longitud es de 44 mm (DE 17); encontramos unión con el nervio mediano en el tercio medio del brazo en el 10%. (AU)

Background and objective: The musculocutaneous nerve (NMC) innervates biceps, coracobrachialis and brachialis muscle, whose main function is to flex the elbow. Knowledge of the anatomy and variations in motor branches allow to carry out nerve transfer surgery to recover the functionality of elbow flexion when the musculocutaneous nerve is injured.Our aim is to describe the anatomical and biometric distribution of the main terminal motor and sensitive branches of the MCN during its course in the upper limb in bodies of a local Colombian population.Methods.Descriptive anatomical study in corpses of upper limbs using dissections to find the origin site of the NMC motor and sensitives branches in relation to constant anatomical structures and their number of terminal branches when they reach the respective muscle bellies.Results.Dissections were performed on 30 upper extremities. MCN crosses the coracobrachialis muscle 56 mm (SD 17) from the coracoid process; the motor branch of the biceps leaves de NMC trunk at 142 mm (SD 44); 80% of the branches are located in the middle third, 14% in the proximal third and 6% in the distal third; there is 1 motor branch for biceps in 57% of cases, 2 in 27% and 3 or more in 16%; the length of the motor branches is 34 mm (SD 17). For brachialis muscle, the motor branch leaves de NMC trunk at 181 mm (SD 28) from the coracoid process; there is 1 motor branch for brachialis muscle in 70% of cases, 2 in 20% and 3 or more in 10%; 88% of the branches are located in the middle third and 12% in the distal third; the length of the motor branches of the BR is 44 mm (DS 17). Union with the median nerve was found in the middle third of the arm in 10%. (AU)

Bryozoa from deep-sea habitats of the northern Gulf of Cádiz (Northeastern Atlantic).

This study examines material collected in the northern part of the Gulf of Cádiz, in the Northeastern Atlantic Ocean, between the Iberian Peninsula and northern Africa, at 300-1200 m depth, within the Site of Community Importance "Volcanes de fango del Golfo de Cádiz" (Mud volcanoes of the Gulf of Cádiz, ESZZ-12002). Several previous studies were carried out in the Iberian Peninsula and Moroccan area (shallow and deep waters), recording ca. 300 bryozoan species from the Gulf of Cádiz. In the present study a total of 40 bryozoan taxa were identified, including two species new to science-Antropora gemarita n. sp. and Microporella funbio n. sp.-and three new records for the area.

Clinical presentation and outcome across age categories among patients with COVID-19 admitted to a Spanish Emergency Department.

PURPOSE: To determine the differences by age-dependent categories in the clinical profile, presentation, management, and short-term outcomes of patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to a Spanish Emergency Department (ED). METHODS: Secondary analysis of COVID-19_URG-HCSC registry. We included all consecutive patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 admitted to the ED of the University Hospital Clinico San Carlos (Madrid, Spain). The population was divided into six age groups. Demographic, baseline and acute clinical data, and in-hospital and 30-day outcomes were collected. RESULTS: 1379 confirmed COVID-19 cases (mean age 62 (SD 18) years old; 53.5% male) were included (18.1% < 45 years; 17.8% 45-54 years; 17.9% 55-64 years; 17.2% 65-74 years; 17.0% 75-84 years; and 11.9% ≥ 85 years). A statistically significant association was found between demographic, comorbidity, clinical, radiographic, analytical, and therapeutic variables and short-term results according to age-dependent categories. There were less COVID-specific symptoms and more atypical symptoms among older people. Age was a prognostic factor for hospital admission (aOR = 1.04; 95% CI 1.02-1.05) and in-hospital (aOR = 1.08; 95% CI 1.05-1.10) and 30-day mortality (aOR = 1.07; 95% CI 1.04-1.09), and was associated with not being admitted to intensive care (aOR = 0.95; 95% CI 0.93-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: Older age is associated with less COVID-specific symptoms and more atypical symptoms, and poor short-term outcomes. Age has independent prognostic value and may help in shared decision-making in patients with confirmed COVID-19 infection.

Spermcast mating with release of zygotes in the small dioecious bivalve Digitaria digitaria.

Digitaria digitaria, a small astartid usually less than 10 mm in length, has a non-brooding behaviour in spite of its limited space for gonad development. This species lives in highly unstable environments with strong currents, which represent a challenge for fertilization and larval settlement. The studied population of D. digitaria from the Strait of Gibraltar area was dioecious, with significant predominance of females and sexual dimorphism, where females are larger than males. The reproductive cycle is asynchronous throughout the year, without a resting period, but with successive partial spawning events. The presence of stored sperm in the suprabranchial chamber and inside the gonad of some females, together with the release of eggs along the dorsal axis of both gills, points to internal oocyte fertilization. Bacteriocytes were found in the female and male follicle walls, but no bacteria were observed inside any of the gametes. Digitaria digitaria could represent a "missing link" between spermcast mating bivalves with brooded offspring and bivalves with broadcast release of eggs and sperm. The small size, limiting the oocyte production, together with the unstable environment could represent evolutionary pressures towards sperm uptake in D. digitaria.

Observational study comparing the accuracy/variability between the ERSPC and the PCPT risk calculators for the prediction of significant prostate cancer in patients with PSA <10 ng/mL.

INTRODUCTION: Risk calculators (RCs) are easy-to-use tools considering available clinical variables that could help to select those patients with risk of prostate cancer (PCa) who should undergo a prostate biopsy. OBJECTIVE: To perform a comparison for the prediction of significant PCa (SigPCa) between the European Randomised Study of Screening for PCa (ERSPC) and the PCa Prevention Trial (PCPT) RCs in patients with prostate-specific antigen (PSA) between 3 and 10 ng/mL through an evaluation of the accuracy/variability between two consecutive PSA values. SETTING: An observational study in a major university hospital in the south of Spain. METHODS AND PARTICIPANTS: An observational study was performed in patients who underwent a prostate biopsy. SigPCa probabilities were calculated with the two PSA measures using ERSPC3/4+digital rectal examination and PCPT v2+free PSA RCs. The prediction of SigPCa was determined by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Calibration, discrimination and decision curve analysis were studied. The variability between both RCs' agreement was compared using Cohen's kappa coefficient. RESULTS: 510 patients were analysed (87 diagnosed with SigPCa). The median PSA values were 5.3 and 5 ng/mL for PSA1 and PSA2, respectively. Both RCs overestimated the risk in the case of high-risk probabilities. Discriminative ability for SigPCa was similar between models with an AUC=0.73 (0.68-0.79) for ERSPC-RC versus 0.73 (0.67-0.79) for PCPT-RC. ERSPC-RC showed less variability than PCPT-RC, with a constant agreement (k=0.7-0.8) for usual range of clinical decision-making. Remarkably, a higher number of biopsies would be avoided using the ERSPC-RC, but more SigPCa would be missed along all the risk probabilities. CONCLUSIONS: Both RCs performed similar in the prediction of SigPCa. However, ERSPC-RC seems to be more stable for intraindividual PSA variations.

Evolution of international collaborative research efforts to develop non-Cochrane systematic reviews.

This research-on-research study describes efforts to develop non-Cochrane systematic reviews (SRs) by analyzing demographical and time-course collaborations between international institutions using protocols registered in the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) or published in scientific journals. We have published an a priori protocol to develop this study. Protocols published in scientific journals were searched using the MEDLINE and Embase databases; the query terms "Systematic review" [Title] AND "protocol" [Title] were searched from February 2011 to December 2017. Protocols registered at PROSPERO during the same period were obtained by web scraping all non-Cochrane records with a Python script. After excluding protocols that had a fulfillment or duplication rate of less than 90%, they were classified as published "only in PROSPERO", "only in journals", or in "journals and PROSPERO". Results of data and metadata extraction using text mining processes were curated by two reviewers. These Datasets and R scripts are freely available to facilitate reproducibility. We obtained 20,814 protocols of non-Cochrane SRs. While "unique protocols" by reviewers' institutions from 60 countries were the most frequent, a median of 6 (2-150) institutions from 130 different countries were involved in the preparation of "collaborative protocols". The highest Ranked countries involved in overall protocol production were the UK, the U.S., Australia, Brazil, China, Canada, the Netherlands, Germany, and Italy. Most protocols were registered only in PROSPERO. However, the number of protocols published in scientific journals (924) or in both PROSPERO and journals (807) has increased over the last three years. Syst Rev and BMJ Open published more than half of the total protocols. While the more productive countries were involved in "unique" and "collaborative protocols", less productive countries only participated in "collaborative protocols" that were mainly published in PROSPERO. Our results suggest that, although most countries were involved in solitary production of protocols for non-Cochrane SRs during the study period, it would be useful to develop new strategies to promote international collaborations, especially with less productive countries.

Risk of Surgical Site Infection in Patients with Asymptomatic Bacteriuria or Abnormal Urinalysis before Joint Arthroplasty: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Routine screening and treatment for pre-operative asymptomatic bacteriuria (ASB) before joint arthroplasty are controversial. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the impact of ASB and other bacterial colonization markers (BCM) observed in abnormal urine analyses, such as positive nitrites, leukocyturia, or positive leukocyte esterase in the risk of surgical site infections (SSIs) of joint arthroplasty patients. METHODS: Studies published between 1970 and 2017 that reported data on SSI and prosthetic joint infection (PJI) in patients after joint arthroplasty of the hip, knee, or shoulder with pre-operative ASB or BCM were included. A meta-analysis with random effect model was performed. RESULTS: Eleven studies were included (29,371 patients and 35,323 joints). The main procedures were total hip replacements (53.3%) and the mean follow-up period was 21.5 months, with 12 months being the minimum time of follow-up. A total of 2,400 cases (9.5%) reported pre-operative BCM (15%) or ASB (85%). The proportion of SSI was higher in patients with ASB (2.3% vs. 1.1%) (p < 0.001) and was related to a higher risk of SSI (odds ratio [OR] 2.89; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.36-6.17), however, in only six cases (12.7%) was the SSI micro-organism correlated with the urine culture. Finally, antibiotic treatment for ASB did not reduce the SSI risk (OR = 0.82; 95% CI 0.34-1.97). CONCLUSIONS: Asymptomatic bacteriuria represent a relatively common finding among these patients and is related to a higher risk of SSI. However, the poor microbiologic correlation suggests that ASB could represent a surrogate marker for other conditions correlated with bacterial infection. Therefore, systematic urinalysis screening should be discouraged, whereas a complete risk assessment that considers comorbidities and past medical history should be promoted.

Three species of Reteporella (Bryozoa: Cheilostomata) in a diapiric and mud volcano field of the Gulf of Cádiz, with the description of Reteporella victori n. sp.

Diapirs and mud volcanoes (MVs) are formed by the migration and extrusion of fluids and mud to the seafloor, respectively. In the Gulf of Cádiz there are ca. 60 MVs and several diapirs with different environmental conditions and seepage activity. Previous studies, mainly on MVs, have demonstrated that the invertebrate fauna associated with these seafloor structures can be very diverse, including chemosymbiotic species, mostly mollusks and frenulate polychaetes, as well as vulnerable suspension feeders, such as cold-water corals and sponges, among others. Previous studies of the bryozoan fauna in this area have recorded species belonging to 28 families. One of these families is Phidoloporidae, which comprises 27 genera worldwide, including the common Rhynchozoon, Reteporellina, and Reteporella. In the present study, two species belonging to Reteporella are redescribed, and a new species is described from diapirs and MVs on the shelf and slope of the Gulf of Cádiz. The samples were collected during several oceanographic expeditions carried out by the Instituto Español de Oceanografia. This genus is well represented in the NE Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and our study extends its occurrence on MVs and diapirs fields of the Gulf of Cádiz.

Evaluating characteristics of PROSPERO records as predictors of eventual publication of non-Cochrane systematic reviews: a meta-epidemiological study protocol.

BACKGROUND: Epidemiology and the reporting characteristics of systematic reviews (SRs) and meta-analyses (MAs) are well known. However, no study has analyzed the influence of protocol features on the probability that a study's results will be finally reported, thereby indirectly assessing the reporting bias of International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registration records. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to explore which factors are associated with a higher probability that results derived from a non-Cochrane PROSPERO registration record for a systematic review will be finally reported as an original article in a scientific journal. METHODS/DESIGN: The PROSPERO repository will be web scraped to automatically and iteratively obtain all completed non-Cochrane registration records stored from February 2011 to December 2017. Downloaded records will be screened, and those with less than 90% fulfilled or are duplicated (i.e., those sharing titles and reviewers) will be excluded. Manual and human-supervised automatic methods will be used for data extraction, depending on the data source (fields of PROSPERO registration records, bibliometric databases, etc.). Records will be classified into published, discontinued, and abandoned review subgroups. All articles derived from published reviews will be obtained through multiple parallel searches using the full protocol "title" and/or "list reviewers" in MEDLINE/PubMed databases and Google Scholar. Reviewer, author, article, and journal metadata will be obtained using different sources. R and Python programming and analysis languages will be used to describe the datasets; perform text mining, machine learning, and deep learning analyses; and visualize the data. We will report the study according to the recommendations for meta-epidemiological studies adapted from the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement for SRs and MAs. DISCUSSION: This meta-epidemiological study will explore, for the first time, characteristics of PROSPERO records that may be associated with the publication of a completed systematic review. The evidence may help to improve review workflow performance in terms of research topic selection, decision-making regarding team selection, planning relationships with funding sources, implementing literature search strategies, and efficient data extraction and analysis. We expect to make our results, datasets, and R and Python code scripts publicly available during the third quarter of 2018.

La formación de los maestros noveles en la guía de las escuelas: una preocupación de ayer y de hoy / Beginner teacher training in school guidance: a concern from the past and the present / A formação dos maestros novatos na guia das escolas: uma preocupação de ontem e de hoje

Resumen La formación de los maestros principiantes fue una preocupación de Juan Bautista de La Salle, como lo fue de otros pedagogos que lo antecedieron y lo sucedieron. La Salle estaba convencido de la importancia del maestro para que la escuela fuera bien. Hoy, sin duda, también lo es, aunque haya una mayor riqueza de medios y recursos. No obstante, los tiempos actuales nos desafían a repensar la intuición del Patrono de los Educadores y a diseñar procesos de formación y acompañamiento de aquellos que recién se inician en la docencia para que, no sean el principio de ensayo y error ni la improvisación, los caminos para encontrar la mejor manera de hacer su trabajo educativo.

Abstract Beginner teacher training was a concern for John Baptiste de La Salle, as it was for other pedagogues who preceded and succeeded him. La Salle was convinced of the importance of the teacher for the school to perform well. Despite the greater availability of means and resources today, this importance remains undoubtedly the same. Current times, however, challenge us to rethink the intuition of the Patron Saint of Teachers and to design training and accompanying processes for those who are just starting in the teaching profession so that the trial-and-error principle and improvisation are not the road to find the best way to carry out their educational work.

Resumo A formação dos maestros principiantes foi uma preocupação de Juan Batista de La Salle, como foi também de outros pedagogos que o antecederam e o sucederam. La Salle estava convencido da importância do maestro para que a escola fosse bem. Hoje, sem dúvida, também é, embora tenha uma maior riqueza de meios e recursos. Não obstante, os tempos atuais nos desafiam a repensar a intuição do Patrão dos Educadores e a desenhar processos de formação e acompanhamento de aqueles que recém se iniciam na docência para que, não sejam o princípio de ensaio e erro nem a improvisação, os caminhos para encontrar a melhor maneira de fazer seu trabalho educativo.

Effects of pulsed therapeutic ultrasound on the treatment of people with knee osteoarthritis.

[Purpose] The aim was to evaluate the effect of therapeutic ultrasound on the pain, joint mobility, muscle strength, physical function, and quality of life of people with knee OA. [Subjects and Methods] One-site, one-arm, before-after study that included people with Grade II or III tibiofemoral osteoarthritis. Ten therapeutic ultrasound sessions (duty cycle=20%, ERA=10 cm2, BNR=6:1, SATP=2.2 W/cm2, SATA=0.44 W/cm2, frequency=1 MHz, time=4 minutes) were applied. Assessments of primary outcome variables: pain intensity and function, and secondary variables: joint mobility, muscle strength and quality of life, were performed at onset and end of therapy; an additional intermediate evaluation was included for the primary variables. [Results] Means of repeated measurements of pain intensity (pain at rest, pain on palpation and pain after functional activities) and function showed significant differences. There was a significant reduction in pain intensity at the end of functional activities as well as a significant increase in function and in quadriceps muscle strength. [Conclusion] Therapeutic ultrasound applied in accordance with the parameters used, could be recommended during the treatment of individuals with knee osteoarthritis, because it significantly decreased the intensity of pain after the 5th session, and this reduction was maintained until the end of the intervention.

Supracondylar femoral osteotomy and knee joint replacement during the same surgical procedure in a type A haemophiliac patient with knee flexion deformity and ankylosis.

BACKGROUND: Haemophilia A is the cause of diverse musculoskeletal disorders such as ankylosis, arthritis and associated angular deformity. There are few reported cases in patients with haemophilia A in which simultaneous supracondylar femoral osteotomy and knee joint replacement has been performed to treat knee angular deformity and ankylosis. Here we present the case of an 18year old male patient, with an evolution of two years, who was unable to walk due to the presence of an untreated supracondylar fracture in the left femur and ipsilateral haemophilic arthropathy which led him to develop an ankylosis in flexion close to 70°. METHODS AND RESULTS: Supracondylar osteotomy of the femur and of the left knee joint was performed in the same surgical procedure. Bleeding control was achieved with a protocol of factor VIII supply. The patient was followed up for eight years, and recovered a 0 to 90° range of motion and regained his gait pattern. CONCLUSIONS: This case potentially provides a new alternative approach for haemophilia patients presenting with angular deformities and complex ankylosis. We suggest that mixed lesions of intra- and extra-articular deformity in haemophiliac patients can be corrected during the same surgical intervention. In addition, interdisciplinary management including haematology for operative and immediately postoperative control of intra-bleeding using factor VIII supply and control, combined with a controlled rehabilitation plan, can yield good functional outcomes in patients with haemophilic arthropathy.

Management of diaphyseal tibial fractures by plate fixation with absolute or relative stability: a retrospective study of 45 patients.

BACKGROUND: Fixation of diaphyseal tibial fractures by plates is not considered the best option due to complications that may eventually arise; however, if principles of stability and proper surgical techniques are used, it is possible to obtain fracture consolidation without major risks. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional observational descriptive study by retrospectively analyzing medical records of patients with diaphyseal tibial fractures that were treated with plates from the period between June 2011 and June 2014 at San José and Susana López Hospitals in the city of Popayan, Colombia. 3 treatment groups were created and analyzed according to the type of fracture (Association Osteosynthesis/Osteosynthesis Trauma Association AO/OTA): group I: simple fractures 42A/B, absolute stability; group II: simple fractures 42A/B, Minimally Invasive Plate Osteosynthesis (MIPO) technique, relative stability; group III: multifragmentary fractures 42C, MIPO technique, relative stability. A descriptive analysis of patients, fracture consolidation time, and complications in each group were performed. RESULTS: 45 patients with tibial fractures treated with osteosynthesis plates were analyzed. Group I: 14 patients, 42A (n=13) and 42B (n=1), had an average consolidation time of 16.38 (SD=1.98) and 14 weeks, respectively. In group II: 19 patients, out of which 18 achieved fracture consolidation (42A n=15 and 42B n=3) with an average time of 17.4 (SD=3.33) and 17.3 weeks (SD=6.11), respectively. Finally, in group III: 12 patients all with 42C fractures with a consolidation time of 16.86 (SD=2.93) weeks. The average fracture consolidation time for all 44 patients was 16.86 weeks (SD 2.93). CONCLUSIONS: Osteosynthesis plates are an alternative to intramedullary nailing for diaphyseal tibial fractures and their outcomes can be favorable as long as the management of soft tissues and the proper principle of stability are taken into account. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer Risk Calculator: External Validation, Variability, and Clinical Significance.

OBJECTIVE: To externally validate the European Randomized Study of Screening for Prostate Cancer (ERSPC) risk calculator (RC) and to evaluate its variability between 2 consecutive prostate-specific antigen (PSA) values. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We prospectively catalogued 1021 consecutive patients before prostate biopsy for suspicion of prostate cancer (PCa). The risk of PCa and significant PCa (Gleason score ≥7) from 749 patients was calculated according to ERSPC-RC (digital rectal examination-based version 3 of 4) for 2 consecutive PSA tests per patient. The calculators' predictions were analyzed using calibration plots and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (area under the curve). Cohen kappa coefficient was used to compare the ability and variability. RESULTS: Of 749 patients, PCa was detected in 251 (33.5%) and significant PCa was detected in 133 (17.8%). Calibration plots showed an acceptable parallelism and similar discrimination ability for both PSA levels with an area under the curve of 0.69 for PCa and 0.74 for significant PCa. The ERSPC showed 226 (30.2%) unnecessary biopsies with the loss of 10 significant PCa. The variability of the RC was 16% for PCa and 20% for significant PCa, and a higher variability was associated with a reduced risk of significant PCa. CONCLUSION: We can conclude that the performance of the ERSPC-RC in the present cohort shows a high similitude between the 2 PSA levels; however, the RC variability value is associated with a decreased risk of significant PCa. The use of the ERSPC in our cohort detects a high number of unnecessary biopsies. Thus, the incorporation of ERSPC-RC could help the clinical decision to carry out a prostate biopsy.

Influencia de las condiciones climáticas en el empeoramiento de los síntomas de artritis reumatoide: el posible efecto de la temperatura / Weather conditions may worsen symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients: the possible effect of temperature

Objetivo. Los pacientes con artritis reumatoide (AR) se quejan de que las condiciones meteorológicas empeoran sus síntomas. Este estudio trata de ver los efectos a corto plazo de las condiciones climáticas en empeoramiento sintomático en pacientes con AR y determinar posibles fluctuaciones estacionales. Métodos. Se realizó un estudio de casos cruzados en Madrid, España. Los casos diarios de empeoramiento de la AR se obtuvieron de la sala de urgencias de un hospital terciario entre 2004 y 2007. Resultados. 245 pacientes con AR con 306 visitas a urgencias con AR como diagnostico principal se incluyeron en el estudio. Los pacientes de 50 a 65 años tuvieron un 16% más de probabilidades de presentar empeoramiento sintomático de la AR con una menor temperatura media. Conclusiones. Nuestros resultados apoyan la creencia de que el clima influye en el dolor reumático de los pacientes con mediana edad (AU)

Objective: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complain that weather conditions aggravate their symptoms. We investigated the short-term effects of weather conditions on worsening of RA and determined possible seasonal fluctuations. Methods: We conducted a case-crossover study in Madrid, Spain. Daily cases of RA flares were collected from the emergency room of a tertiary level hospital between 2004 and 2007. Results: 245 RA patients who visited the emergency room 306 times due to RA related complaints as the main diagnostic reason were included in the study. Patients from 50 to 65 years old were 16% more likely to present a flare with lower mean temperatures. Conclusions: Our results support the belief that weather influences rheumatic pain in middle aged patients (AU)

Weather conditions may worsen symptoms in rheumatoid arthritis patients: the possible effect of temperature.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) complain that weather conditions aggravate their symptoms. We investigated the short-term effects of weather conditions on worsening of RA and determined possible seasonal fluctuations. METHODS: We conducted a case-crossover study in Madrid, Spain. Daily cases of RA flares were collected from the emergency room of a tertiary level hospital between 2004 and 2007. RESULTS: 245 RA patients who visited the emergency room 306 times due to RA related complaints as the main diagnostic reason were included in the study. Patients from 50 to 65 years old were 16% more likely to present a flare with lower mean temperatures. CONCLUSIONS: Our results support the belief that weather influences rheumatic pain in middle aged patients.