Seizing hope: Advancing cell therapy for pharmaco-resistant epilepsy toward the clinic.

In this issue of Cell Stem Cell, Bershteyn et al.1 developed a human interneuron cell therapy that reduced spontaneous seizure activity in a mouse model of mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). The data presented here support an ongoing phase 1/2 clinical trial for the treatment of pharmaco-resistant epilepsy in patients.

Impact of Coronavirus Disease 2019 on Cardiac Arrhythmia Care: Experience of a Spanish Tertiary Hospital During the Health Crisis Triggered by the First Wave of the Pandemic.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has resulted in a deep restructuring of cardiovascular care, especially in the setting of cardiac arrhythmia units, which are characterized by a wide variety of clinical and interventional activities. We describe the experience of a large university hospital deeply hit during the COVID-19 health crisis (first outbreak of the pandemic), focusing on the exceptional measures implemented and their impact in terms of outcomes. We performed a retrospective study comparing the human and structural resources and the activity of a cardiac arrhythmia unit in a Spanish tertiary hospital for two consecutive periods: from January 12, 2020, to March 8, 2020 ("pre-COVID stage"), and from March 9, 2020, to May 2, 2020 ("COVID stage"). Data were contextualized within the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the region of Madrid. The measures implemented were promotion of non-face-to-face consultations, selection of urgent procedures, design of a "COVID-free" circuit for outpatient interventions, and protocolization for patients with COVID-19. A total of 3,526 consultations and 362 procedures were performed. During the COVID stage, the number of consultations remained stable, and the electrophysiology rooms' activity decreased by 55.2% with a relative increase in the number of urgent-hospitalized cases attended (11.8% COVID-19-positive patients). The electrophysiology rooms' activity returned to "normal" in the last week of the COVID stage, with no contagion being detected among patients or professionals. In conclusion, the measures implemented allowed us to respond safely and efficiently to the health care needs of patients with arrhythmias during the COVID-19 crisis and may be useful for other institutions facing similar situations.

Alcohol Advertising Regulation for the Adult Population: An Analysis of Distilled Spirits Radio Endorsements in Spain.

OBJECTIVE: Restrictions on advertising of high-alcohol-content beverages aims to prevent consumption in young people and alcohol misuse in adults. The main objective of this research was to analyze the presence of distilled spirits mentions and its compliance with legislation in relation to the minor protection time slot, the factors associated with drinking, and the promotion of excessive consumption. METHOD: We conducted a content analysis of all advertising mentioning spirits broadcast throughout 2017 on news/talk radio stations targeting an adult audience in Spain. We identified 355 radio mentions. RESULTS: The special protection time slot for minors was disregarded in 91.8% of cases. Radio personalities encouraged immoderate consumption in 76.6% of the analyzed mentions, and associated alcohol consumption with improved physical performance, social success, or health in 42.3% of cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals the shortcomings of public administration in the control and monitoring of spirits mentions in the radio medium, in a context in which the adult population is unprotected against messages that frequently encourage excessive consumption and associate it with positive and gratifying values.

False and misleading health-related claims in food supplements on Spanish radio: an analysis from a European Regulatory Framework.

OBJECTIVE: The excessive growth of the food supplements' industry highlights the need to focus attention on all aspects involved in their proper consumption; one that takes centre stage is advertising. The aim of this research is to analyse the presence of false and misleading claims in food supplements advertising. To this end, a relationship is established between the different types of health-related claims and the substances on which they are based, whether authorised or not by European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). DESIGN: This empirical work conducts a content analysis of all radio mentions broadcast throughout 2017 on news/talk radio stations. SETTING: Spain. PARTICIPANTS: All radio mentions broadcast on news/talk commercial radio stations in Spain with the highest audience levels. The corpus is composed of 437 advertisements. RESULTS: Results indicate that 80·3 % of function claims included in the analysed advertisements are not authorised by EFSA, while 20·4 % of disease claims are not allowed by EU regulation. Likewise, almost half of the substances referred to (43·7 %) are illicit: 54·1 % in function claims, 57·3 % in disease claims and 73·7 % in the case of reduction of disease risk claims. CONCLUSIONS: This work reveals consistent failures to comply with European regulation on food supplements advertising. The widespread use of unauthorised health claims and substances is aggravated by the indirect recourse of illness as a persuasive argument, descriptions of alleged benefits as product attributes and the omission of essential information. This leads to dangerous misinformation and can pose serious health risks. Stronger legal mechanisms are needed for effective consumer protection.

Endorsers' presence in regulation and endorsements in dietary supplements' advertising on Spanish radio.

Healthy lifestyles provide a market niche for products offering health benefits in a context where consumers have a misconception of the characteristics and functions of dietary supplements (DS). Due to an increase of endorsers' advertising persuasion, their presence is limited and, in some cases, forbidden. The main objective of this work is to analyse the presence of endorsers in DS advertising on Spanish radio in order to verify its compliance with current legislation and determine the endorsements' characteristics. Specifically, this paper analyses the quantity, frequency, placement and endorsement type of DS spots on full-service radio stations. Content analysis of the totality of radio spots broadcast throughout the year 2017 is conducted, deriving a corpus of 165 different radio spots belonging to the product category of dietary supplements, broadcast a total of 10,566 times. The results show that 40% of radio spots use endorsers not allowed by law, such as health care professionals, typical consumers and celebrities. The latter have an unusually high presence in DS radio advertising, with one out of four spots featuring celebrities or opinion leaders, including journalists and radio hosts as well as a frequent use of testimonial endorsements. Implications for health and public policy are made.

[Compliance evaluation of "do not do" recommendations of the Spanish Society of Preventive Medicine and public health]. / Evaluación del cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de "no hacer" de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública.

OBJECTIVE: The reduction of unnecessary health interventions determines good care quality. The objective of this work was to evaluate the compliance of the "do not do" recommendations proposed by the Spanish Society of Preventive Medicine, Public Health and Hygiene. METHODS: Prospective, observational, descriptive study of patients admitted to the La Princesa University Hospital between December 2018 and January 2019. The compliance of each recommendation in different patients was analyzed. The quantitative variables are expressed as means and standard deviation and the qualitative values as percentages and confidence interval. RESULTS: In Recommendation 1 (R1: "Do not remove hair systematically"), 231 interventions were studied and the compliance was of 100% (95% CI: 98.27-100). In Recommendation 2 (R2: "Do not maintain antibiotics for more than 48 hours, unless evidence of infection"), 201 interventions were studied and the compliance was of 93.53% (95% CI: 90.09-96.91). In Recommendation 3 (R3: "Do not analyze C. difficile toxin in asymptomatic patients"), 200 determinations were studied and the compliance was of 93.5% (95% CI: 90.08-96.92). In Recommendation 4 (R4: "Do not do routine nasal decolonization"), 167 interventions were recruited and the compliance was of 100% (95% CI: 97.6-100). In Recommendation 5 (R5: "Do not perform routine replacement of peripheral venous catheter every 72-96 hours"), 153 patients were studied in compliance with the recommendation of 98.04% (95% CI: 94.12-99.35). CONCLUSIONS: A 100% compliance was found in Recommendations 1 and 4. There is an opportunity of improvement in the recommendations R2, R3 and R5.

OBJETIVO: La reducción de las intervenciones sanitarias innecesarias, bien porque no han demostrado su eficacia, bien porque poseen efectividad dudosa o no son eficientes, mejora la calidad de la atención sanitaria. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el grado de cumplimiento de las recomendaciones consensuadas por la Sociedad Española de Medicina Preventiva, Salud Pública e Higiene para el proyecto "No hacer". METODOS: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, observacional y descriptivo de pacientes ingresados en el Hospital Universitario de La Princesa entre diciembre de 2018 y enero de 2019. Se evaluó el cumplimiento de cada recomendación en diferentes pacientes. Se calcularon porcentajes e intervalos de confianza en las variables cualitativas y el las cuantitativas la media y desviación estándar. RESULTADOS: En la Recomendación 1 (R1: "No eliminar el vello de forma sistemática"), se estudiaron 231 intervenciones y el cumplimiento de la recomendación fue del 100% (IC95%: 98,27-100%). En la Recomendación 2 (R2: "No continuar con antibióticos más de 48 horas, a menos que haya evidencia de infección"), se estudiaron 201 intervenciones y el cumplimiento de la recomendación fue del 93,53% (IC95%: 90,09-96,91%). En la Recomendación 3 (R3: "No realizar análisis de toxina C. difficile en pacientes asintomáticos"), se estudiaron 200 determinaciones y el cumplimiento fue del 93,5% (IC95%: 90,08-96,92%). En la Recomendación 4 (R4: "No utilizar descontaminante nasal rutinario"), se reclutaron 167 intervenciones y el cumplimiento fue del 100% (IC95%: 97,6-100%). En la Recomendación 5 (R5: "No reemplazo rutinario de catéter venoso periférico cada 72-96 horas"), se estudiaron 153 pacientes con un cumplimiento de 98,04% (IC95%: 94,12-99,35%). CONCLUSIONES: Se comprueba un cumplimiento del 100% en las Recomendaciones 1 y 4. Hay oportunidad de mejora en las recomendaciones R2, R3 y R5.

Evaluación del cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de "no hacer" de la Sociedad Española de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública / Compliance evaluation of "do not do" recommendations of the Spanish Society of Preventive Medicine and public health

OBJETIVO: La reducción de las intervenciones sanitarias innecesarias, bien porque no han demostrado su eficacia, bien porque poseen efectividad dudosa o no son eficientes, mejora la calidad de la atención sanitaria. El objetivo de este trabajo fue evaluar el grado de cumplimiento de las recomendaciones consensuadas por la Sociedad Española de Medicina Preventiva, Salud Pública e Higiene para el proyecto "No hacer". MÉTODOS: Se realizó un estudio prospectivo, observacional y descriptivo de pacientes ingresados en el Hospital Universitario de La Princesa entre diciembre de 2018 y enero de 2019. Se evaluó el cumplimiento de cada recomendación en diferentes pacientes. Se calcularon porcentajes e intervalos de confianza en las variables cualitativas y el las cuantitativas la media y desviación estándar. RESULTADOS: En la Recomendación 1 (R1: "No eliminar el vello de forma sistemática"), se estudiaron 231 intervenciones y el cumplimiento de la recomendación fue del 100% (IC95%: 98,27-100%). En la Recomendación 2 (R2: "No continuar con antibióticos más de 48 horas, a menos que haya evidencia de infección"), se estudiaron 201 intervenciones y el cumplimiento de la recomendación fue del 93,53% (IC95%: 90,09-96,91%). En la Recomendación 3 (R3: "No realizar análisis de toxina C. difficile en pacientes asintomáticos"), se estudiaron 200 determinaciones y el cumplimiento fue del 93,5% (IC95%: 90,08-96,92%). En la Recomendación 4 (R4: "No utilizar descontaminante nasal rutinario"), se reclutaron 167 intervenciones y el cumplimiento fue del 100% (IC95%: 97,6-100%). En la Recomendación 5 (R5: "No reemplazo rutinario de catéter venoso periférico cada 72-96 horas"), se estudiaron 153 pacientes con un cumplimiento de 98,04% (IC95%: 94,12-99,35%). CONCLUSIONES: Se comprueba un cumplimiento del 100% en las Recomendaciones 1 y 4. Hay oportunidad de mejora en las recomendaciones R2, R3 y R5

OBJECTIVE: The reduction of unnecessary health interventions determines good care quality. The objective of this work was to evaluate the compliance of the "do not do" recommendations proposed by the Spanish Society of Preventive Medicine, Public Health and Hygiene. METHODS: Prospective, observational, descriptive study of patients admitted to the La Princesa University Hospital between December 2018 and January 2019. The compliance of each recommendation in different patients was analyzed. The quantitative variables are expressed as means and standard deviation and the qualitative values as percentages and confidence interval. RESULTS: In Recommendation 1 (R1: "Do not remove hair systematically"), 231 interventions were studied and the compliance was of 100% (95% CI: 98.27-100). In Recommendation 2 (R2: "Do not maintain antibiotics for more than 48 hours, unless evidence of infection"), 201 interventions were studied and the compliance was of 93.53% (95% CI: 90.09-96.91). In Recommendation 3 (R3: "Do not analyze C. difficile toxin in asymptomatic patients"), 200 determinations were studied and the compliance was of 93.5% (95% CI: 90.08-96.92). In Recommendation 4 (R4: "Do not do routine nasal decolonization"), 167 interventions were recruited and the compliance was of 100% (95% CI: 97.6-100). In Recommendation 5 (R5: "Do not perform routine replacement of peripheral venous catheter every 72-96 hours"), 153 patients were studied in compliance with the recommendation of 98.04% (95% CI: 94.12-99.35). CONCLUSIONS: A 100% compliance was found in Recommendations 1 and 4. There is an opportunity of improvement in the recommendations R2, R3 and R5

The relationship between homocysteine and genes of folate-related enzymes in migraine patients.

BACKGROUND: It has been suggested that homocysteine (Hcy) and the 5'-10'-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T variant are implicated in the pathogenesis of migraine. Homocysteine has the potential to damage endothelium and accelerate atherosclerosis. Genetic factors such as the MTHFR C677T polymorphism, and other polymorphisms in folate-related genes associated with high homocysteine levels, may contribute to increasing this vascular risk. RESULTS: We recruited 427 migraine patients (199 without aura [MO]; 228 with aura [MA]), and 310 controls in a neurologic clinic. Hcy levels and 6 polymorphisms corresponding to 6 folate-related genes, including the MTHFR C677T variant, were determined in all migraine participants and in a subset of 155 controls. We found higher sex-adjusted Hcy levels in MA (mean: 11.02 microM) than MO patients (9.86 microM; P = .005 for the difference). Hcy levels higher than 12.0 microM doubled the risk for MA (OR = 2.145; 95% confidence intervals [CI] = 1.3-3.4; P = .001), and those higher than 15.0 microM incurred a 6-fold increase (OR = 5.95; 95% CI = 2.1-20.0, P < .001). The number of MTHFR 677T alleles was the best genetic predictor of Hcy levels (r(2) = 0.06; P = 6.2e-6; corrected for genetic variants analyzed) and this effect remained significant after correction for other confounding factors. Using multi-dimensionality reduction approaches, we observed significant epigenetic interaction among some of the folate-related genetic variants to predict higher Hcy levels, and also among higher Hcy levels and folate-related genetic variants to predict the end-diagnosis of MA only among migraineurs. In controls, Hcy levels and the number of MTHFR 677T alleles were found to be intermediate between those observed in MA and MO patients. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that MA patients have higher Hcy levels. We also observed complex epigenetic interaction among folate-related enzymes, sex, and Hcy levels predicting MA phenotype. Nevertheless, genetic factors explained only a minor proportion of the variance for both Hcy plasma levels and for predicting MA phenotype. Determination of MTHFR C677T polymorphisms and Hcy levels may be useful to identify patients with a high risk of suffering from MA.

The combined influence of central and peripheral routes in the online persuasion process.

The elaboration likelihood model (ELM) is one of the most widely used psychological theories in academic literature to account for how advertising information is processed. The current work seeks to overturn one of the basic principles of the ELM and takes account of new variables in the model that help to explain the online persuasion process more clearly. Specifically, we posit that in a context of high-involvement exposure to advertising (e.g., Web pages), central and peripheral processing routes may act together. In a repeated-measures experimental design, 112 participants were exposed to two Web sites of a fictitious travel agency, differing only in their design--serious versus amusing. Findings evidence that a peripheral cue, such as how the Web pages are presented, does prove relevant when attempting to reflect the level of effectiveness. Moreover, if we take account of individuals' motivation when accessing the Internet, whether cognitive or affective, the motivation will impact their response to the Web site design. The work contributes to ELM literature and may help firms to pinpoint those areas and features of Internet advertising that prove most efficient.

Multilocus analyses reveal involvement of the ESR1, ESR2, and FSHR genes in migraine.

OBJECTIVE: Female hormone genes have been investigated in migraine in recent years. Research in this field has been controversial, especially in regard to ESR1 gene findings. None of the reports have yet to approach the problem from a multigenic point of view. METHODS: We investigated 5 polymorphisms implicated in female hormone metabolism (FSHR, CYP19A1, ESR1, NRIP1, and ESR2) in a cohort of 730 subjects matched for age and sex. The effect of gene-gene interaction was assessed using the set association approach, and the corresponding haplotypes were studied with PM Plus software. To corroborate initial results, we analyzed the selected markers using a cohort of 134 families in which 168 trios were suitable for transmission-disequilibrium test (TDT) analysis under the migraine with aura (MA) phenotype. RESULTS: A total of 356 consecutive migraine patients (198 with MA [76% females] and 158 migraine without aura [MO, 74% females], and 374 matched controls [71% females]) were genotyped. In the 2-point analyses, the ESR1 and ESR2 polymorphisms showed nominal association under MA/MO phenotype, and this association was higher with the FSHR polymorphism in MA females (P = .004, uncorrected). Using the SUMSTAT program, we observed ESR2-ESR1-FSHR significant gene-gene interaction, suggesting association with the MA/MO phenotype (P = .005; P = .003 in females), and with MA alone (P = .021; P = .030 for females).We corroborated that ESR2-ESR1-FSHR haplotypes interacted for migraine under a model-free hypothesis (empirical P = .010 for the whole sample; P = .001 for females), and the association was stronger for the MA phenotype alone (empirical P = 5.0e-4, under the heterogeneity model; P = .001 for females). These results were corroborated using family-based association approaches. We observed nominal association for ESR2 and ESR1 (P = .031 and .034, respectively) in the TDT study, and significant association for ESR1 using family-based association test statistics. Haplotype-TDT analyses showed further significant gene-gene interaction for ESR1-ESR2 (global P = .009), ESR2-FSHR (global P = .011), and nominally significant interaction for ESR2-ESR1-FSHR genes (global P = .037). CONCLUSION: We found significant association of female hormone metabolism polymorphisms under the perspective of multigene approach.

Lack of association of endothelial nitric oxide synthase polymorphisms and migraine.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate if 2 functional endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) gene polymorphisms might be risk factors for migraine. BACKGROUND: Nitric oxide synthase promotes the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO). NO is a potent vasodilator and mediates several processes involved in migraine pathophysiology. Only one study has suggested an association with migraine with aura. METHODS: We performed a sex- and age-matched case-control study using 2 eNOS polymorphisms (rs1800779 and rs1799983), which are in linkage disequilibrium. Genotypes were obtained with allele-specific probes in a real-time polymerase chain reaction assay. Genotypic and allelic distributions were compared with chi(2) method. We also estimated the reconstructed haplotypes and calculated ORs for individual haplotypes. RESULTS: A total of 337 migraine patients (188 with aura) and 341 healthy controls were recruited. We found no significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and alleles for either polymorphism among clinical subgroups. Neither rs1800779 nor rs1799983 polymorphisms increased the risk for suffering from migraine aura. CONCLUSIONS: As others have previously reported, we failed to demonstrate genetic association of the eNOS gene with migraine.

Association of migraine and ESR1 G325C polymorphism.

Migraine is a genetically complex disorder in which sexual hormones influence the phenotype. ESR1 G594A polymorphism has been associated with migraine in Australians. We performed a case-control study with G594A and G325C polymorphisms to determine whether ESR1 is associated with migraine in our population. An association between G594A and migraine could not be demonstrated here. By contrast, we observed that the C325 allele conferred a 1.6 (95% confidence interval=1.1-2.4) higher risk for suffering from migraine in women than the G allele. Women carrying the C352C genotype were over 3 times more likely to suffer from migraine than those carrying the G325G genotype. Therefore, we conclude that ESR1 G325C polymorphism is associated with migraine in our population.

Brote epidémico por Salmonella richmond en Castellón, España / Epidemic outbreak caused by Salmonella richmond in Castellón, España

Se efectuó un estudio de casos y controles para investigar un brote de gastroenteritis aguda declarado en un destacamento militar situado en una zona rural de Castellón, España. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer las causas del brote y adoptar medidas de control. En total se incluyó a 135 hombres de los 153 que componían dicho destacamento. Entre el 9 y el 11 de agosto de 1993 se notificaron 45 casos, cuya media de edad fue de 19,2 +- 1,5 años. La tasa de ataque fue de 33,3 por ciento. En el cuadro clínico predominaron diarreas (76 por ciento), vómitos (67 por ciento), n—seas (67 por ciento) y dolor abdominal (28 por ciento). La mediana de la duración de los síntomas fue un día y la del período de incubación, 33 horas. Solo se hospitalizó a un paciente y la evolución de todos los afectados fue buena. En cinco de 14 coprocultivos realizados se aisló Salmonella richmond (6,7:y:1,2). También se detectó una asociación entre el consumo de agua de una acequia, que discurria próxima al campamento, y la enfermedad. Mediante un modelo de regresión logística se constató que el consumo del agua de esta fuente permaneció asociado con el estado de caso después de ajustar la asociación según la edad y el consumo de distintos alimentos (razón de posibilidades + 96,5; intervalo de confianza de 95 por ciento:11,4-814,4). El riesgo de padecer la enfermedad aumentó con la cantidad de agua ingerida (prueba de tendencia X2=65,4;P0,0001). El análisis químico y bacteriológico del agua de la acequia indicó la presencia de contaminación fecal. Esta acequia no había sido sometida a control sanitario, a pesar de que se utilizaba para riego agrícola. Se evidenció la difusión de especies de Salmonella en el medio ambiente. La educación sanitaria y los estudios microbiológicos de los cauces de agua son de gran valor para la prevención de estas epidemias

Brote epidémico por Salmonella richmond en Castellón, España / Epidemic outbreak caused by Salmonella richmond in Castellón, España

Se efectuó un estudio de casos y controles para investigar un brote de gastroenteritis aguda declarado en un destacamento militar situado en una zona rural de Castellón, España. El objetivo del estudio fue conocer las causas del brote y adoptar medidas de control. En total se incluyó a 135 hombres de los 153 que componían dicho destacamento. Entre el 9 y el 11 de agosto de 1993 se notificaron 45 casos, cuya media de edad fue de 19,2 +- 1,5 años. La tasa de ataque fue de 33,3 por ciento. En el cuadro clínico predominaron diarreas (76 por ciento), vómitos (67 por ciento), náuseas (67 por ciento) y dolor abdominal (28 por ciento). La mediana de la duración de los síntomas fue un día y la del período de incubación, 33 horas. Solo se hospitalizó a un paciente y la evolución de todos los afectados fue buena. En cinco de 14 coprocultivos realizados se aisló Salmonella richmond (6,7:y:1,2). También se detectó una asociación entre el consumo de agua de una acequia, que discurria próxima al campamento, y la enfermedad. Mediante un modelo de regresión logística se constató que el consumo del agua de esta fuente permaneció asociado con el estado de caso después de ajustar la asociación según la edad y el consumo de distintos alimentos (razón de posibilidades + 96,5; intervalo de confianza de 95 por ciento:11,4-814,4). El riesgo de padecer la enfermedad aumentó con la cantidad de agua ingerida (prueba de tendencia X2=65,4;P<0,0001). El análisis químico y bacteriológico del agua de la acequia indicó la presencia de contaminación fecal. Esta acequia no había sido sometida a control sanitario, a pesar de que se utilizaba para riego agrícola. Se evidenció la difusión de especies de Salmonella en el medio ambiente. La educación sanitaria y los estudios microbiológicos de los cauces de agua son de gran valor para la prevención de estas epidemias