Capi-score: a quantitative algorithm for identifying disease patterns in nailfold videocapillaroscopy.

OBJECTIVES: The European Alliance of Associations for Rheumatology (EULAR) supports the use of nailfold videocapillaroscopy (NVC) to identify disease patterns (DPs) associated with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and Raynaud's phenomenon (RP). Recently, EULAR proposed an easy-to-manage procedure, a so-called Fast Track algorithm, to differentiate SSc from non-SSc patterns in NVC specimens. However, subjectivity among capillaroscopists remains a limitation. Our aim was to perform a software-based analysis of NVC peculiarities in a cohort of samples from SSc and RP patients and, subsequently, build a Fast Track-inspired algorithm to identify DPs without the constraint of interobserver variability. METHODS: NVCs were examined by 9 capillaroscopists. Those NVCs whose DPs were consensually agreed (≥2 out of 3 interobservers) were subsequently analysed with an in-house developed software. Each variable's results were grouped according to the consensually agreed DPs in order to identify useful hallmarks to categorise them. RESULTS: Eight-hundred and fifty-one NVCs (21 957 images) whose DPs had been consensually agreed were software-analysed. Appropriate cut-offs set in capillary density and percentage of abnormal and giant capillaries, tortuosities and hemorrhages allowed DP categorization and the development of the CAPI-Score algorithm. This consisted of 4 rules: Rule 1, SSc vs non-SSc, accuracy 0.88; Rules 2 and 3, SSc-early vs SSc-active vs SSc-late, accuracy 0.82; Rule 4, non-SSc normal vs non-SSc non-specific, accuracy 0.73. Accuracy improved when the analysis was limited to NVCs whose DPs had achieved full consensus among interobservers. CONCLUSIONS: The CAPI-Score algorithm may become a useful tool to assign DPs by overcoming the limitations of subjectivity.

Psychological profiles and prescription opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal in people with chronic pain.

BACKGROUND: The negative consequences of prescription opioid misuse and opioid use disorder make it relevant to identify factors associated with this problem in individuals with chronic pain. This cross-sectional study aimed at identifying subgroups of people with chronic pain based on their psychological profiles, prescription opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal. METHODS: The sample comprised 185 individuals with chronic pain. We performed hierarchical cluster analysis on impulsivity, anxiety sensitivity, pain acceptance, pain intensity, opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal. RESULTS: The four-cluster solution was the optimal one. Misuse, craving, and anxiety sensitivity were higher among people in the Severe-problems cluster than among people in the other three clusters. Withdrawal was the highest in the High-withdrawal cluster. Impulsivity was higher among people in the Severe-problems and High-withdrawal clusters than those in the Moderate-problems and Mild-problems clusters. Pain acceptance was higher among people in the Mild-problems cluster than among people in the other three clusters. Anxiety sensitivity and misuse were higher among people in the Moderate-problems cluster than among people in the Mild-problems cluster. CONCLUSIONS: These results support that impulsivity, anxiety sensitivity, and pain acceptance are useful constructs to identify subgroups of people with chronic pain according to their level of prescription opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal. The results of this study may help in selecting the early intervention most suitable for each of the identified profiles. SIGNIFICANCE: The psychological profile of individuals with chronic pain, prescription opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal is characterized by fearing anxiety-related symptoms due to the catastrophic interpretation of such symptoms and reacting impulsively to negative moods. In contrast, participants with high pain acceptance had less prescription opioid misuse, craving, and withdrawal. The profiles identified in this study could help clinicians select targets for intervention among profiles with similar needs and facilitate early interventions to prevent opioid misuse onset or aggravation.

Sports motivation, anxiety and diet in education students / Motivación deportiva, ansiedad y dieta en estudiantes de educación

Motivational development with regards to sport plays a fundamental role in sport performance, however, anxiety and dietary patterns also play a key role. In consideration of the above, the present research aimed to develop an explanatory model of the motivational climate towards sport and its relationship with the Mediterranean diet and anxiety. This structural model was then examined according to gender using multi-group analysis. To this end, a cross-sectional, descriptive and comparative study was carried out with 556 university students. The instruments used were a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ-2), the Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) and the Predimed questionnaire. Finally, outcomes revealed that the female gender had a negative relationship with adherence to a healthy dietary pattern, whilst males showed better adherence to the Mediterranean diet and higher levels of anxiety (AU)

La motivación juega un papel fundamental en la práctica del ejercicio físico, sin embargo, la ansiedad y el patrón dietético también juegan un rol clave, por tanto,la presente investigación refleja los objetivos de desarrollar un modelo explicativo del clima motivacional hacia el deporte y su relación con la dieta mediterránea y la ansiedad y contrastar el modelo estructural mediante un análisis multigrupo en función del sexo. Se ha realizado un estudio descriptivo comparativo de corte transversal con 556 estudiantes universitarios. Los instrumentos utilizados han sido un cuestionario sociodemográfico, el Cuestionario de Clima Motivacional Percibido en el Deporte (PMCSQ-2), el Inventario de Ansiedad de Beck (BAI) y el cuestionario Predimed. Finalmente, los resultados revelan que el sexo femenino tiene una relación negativa con la adherencia positiva a un patrón dietético saludable, mientras que el masculino muestra una mejor adherencia hacia la dieta mediterránea y mayores niveles de ansiedad (AU)

Study of the relationship between motivation towards physical activityand its relationship with anxiety and self-concept in the educational setting.A systematic review / Estudio de la relación entre la motivación hacia la práctica deactividad física y su relación con la ansiedad y el autoconcepto. Unarevisión sistemática

Motivation is one of the most studied elements in sport psychology due to its great potential to explain the attitude towards sport practice. Therefore, the present systematic review aims to analyse the effects of sport-oriented motivation on physical activity, anxiety and self-concept. The Web of Science and SCOPUS databases were used to select articles published between 2012 and 2022. The criteria established by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement were followed for the elaboration of the systematic review, with the final analysis sample comprising a total of 19 articles. Finally, the analysis of the data reveals that developing sport motivation from extrinsic or intrinsic values can help to decrease or increase anxiety levels. In addition, it is also observed that motivation developed through extrinsic values plays a key role in the abandonment of physical activity, due to the frustration and worsening of the mental image generated at a professional level when the proposed objectives are not achieved.(AU)

Actualmente, la motivación es uno de los elementos más estudiados en la psicología del deporte debido a su gran potencial para explicar la actitud hacia la práctica deportiva. Es por ello que la presente revisión sistemática presenta el objetivo de analizar los efectos de la motivación orientada hacia el deporte sobre la práctica de actividad física, la ansiedad y el autoconcepto. Para ello se han utilizado las bases de datos de Web of Science y SCOPUS eligiéndose los artículos publicados entre los años 2012 y 2022. Para la elaboración de la revisión sistemática se han seguido los criterios establecidos por la declaración de los Elementos de Información Preferidos para Revisiones Sistemáticas y Meta-Análisis (PRISMA), quedando la muestra final de análisis compuesta por un total de 19 artículos. Finalmente, el análisis de los datos revela que desarrollar una motivación deportiva desde valores extrínsecos o intrínsecos puede ayudar a disminuir o a aumentar los niveles de ansiedad. Además, también se observa como la motivación desarrollada a través de valores extrínsecos supone jugar un papel clave en el abandono de la práctica de actividad físico deportiva, debido a la frustración y empeoramiento de la imagen mental generada a nivel profesional cuando no se consiguen los objetivos propuestos.(AU)

Effects of mechanical forces on the formation of cutaneous wounds during skin expansion and emerging therapies for wound healing and scar prevention.

OBJECTIVES: To update a possible role of cosmeceutical topic treatment to obtain a better scar. METHODS: This is a preliminary supportive study. A total of 14 patients who went to the General Hospital of Mexico City, Mexico, between May and December 2020, for breast reconstruction were included in the current study. The biopsies were carried out to the scar area of the previous I° and II° surgery. The patients were thus divided into 2 groups: those who used Cicolea cream® as a treatment supplement and those who used only petrolatum. RESULTS: Collagen fibers arranged in a regular pattern in the group treated with Cicolea compared to dispersed collagen fibers in the group treated with pure petrolatum. Furthermore, the patients who presented hypertrophic or keloid scars secondary to mastectomy, developed after insertion of breast expanders an organized scarring process, with improvement of scar if treated with Cicolea. CONCLUSION: Based on our observations, it is possible to propose that the action of the polyphenols present in the different components of Cicolea® cream leads to a better evolution of the wound healing compared to the action of petrolatum composition.

Biomarcadores asociados con la supervivencia y la respuesta terapéutica a la radioembolización con esferas cargadas de itrio-90 en las metástasis hepáticas del carcinoma colorrectal: nuestra experiencia / Biomarkers associated with survival and favourable outcome of radioembolization with yttrium-90 glass microspheres for colon cancer liver metastases: Single centre experience

Objetivo: Analizar la eficacia terapéutica, seguridad y valor pronóstico de diferentes biomarcadores de la radioembolización transarterial con esferas de itrio-90 (TARE) en pacientes con metástasis hepáticas de cáncer colorrectal. Material y métodos: Estudio prospectivo que incluye los pacientes con metástasis hepáticas de cancer colorrectal tratados con TARE entre noviembre de 2015 y junio de 2020. Se analizó la respuesta terapéutica (3 y 6 meses, criterios RECIST v1.1) mediante el cálculo de las tasas de respuesta tumoral objetiva (ORR) y de control de la enfermedad (DCR), así como la asociación de los biomarcadores con la respuesta terapéutica y la supervivencia global (SG) y libre de progresión (SLP). Resultados: Treinta TARE en 23 pacientes (edad media 61,61±9,13 años; 56,5% varones). La ORR a los 3 meses fue del 16,7% y el DCR del 53,3%. A los 6 meses progresaron el 80% de los pacientes. La ORR y DCR se asociaron con la edad (p=0,047), tratamiento con bevacizumab (p=0,008), hemoglobina (p=0,008), NLR (p=0,040), albúmina (p=0,012) y GPT (p=0,023) previas a la TARE, y la dosis absorbida tumoral estimada>115Gy (p=0,033). La mediana de SG fue de 12 meses (IC 95%: 4,75-19,25 meses) y de SLP 3 meses (IC 95%: 2,41-3,59 meses). La SG se asoció con la cirugía del tumor primario (p=0,019), mutación KRAS (p=0,024), hemoglobina (p=0,009), NLR (p=0,005) y PLR (p=0,042) previos a la TARE. Conclusión: Los biomarcadores con capacidad para predecir el pronóstico y respuesta terapéutica a la TARE incluyen desde parámetros bioquímicos a factores relacionados con la dosimetría tumoral estimada (AU)

Objetivo: To determine the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium-90 in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases and to evaluate the prognostic value of different biomarkers. Material and methods: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled consecutive patients with CRC liver metastases treated with TARE between November 2015 and june 2020. The therapeutic response at three and six months (RECIST1.1 criteria) and the relationship of biomarkers with therapeutic response, by calculating objective tumor response rates (ORR) and disease control (DCR), and overall survival (OS) and progression-free (PFS). Results: Thirty TAREs were performed in 23 patients (mean age, 61,61±9,13 years; 56,5% male). At three months, the objective response rate (ORR) was 16,7% and the disease control rate (DCR) 53,3%. At six months, the disease progressed in 80%. The ORR and DCR were significantly associated with age at diagnosis (P=.047), previous bevacizumab treatment (P=.008), pre-TARE haemoglobin (P=.008), NLR (P=.040), pre-TARE albumin (P=.012), pre-TARE ALT (P=.023) and tumour-absorbed dose>115Gy (P=.033). Median overall survival (OS) was 12 months (95% CI, 4.75-19.25 months) and median progression-free survival (PFS) 3 months (95% CI, 2.41-3.59). OS was significantly associated with primary tumour resection (P=.019), KRAS mutation (HR: 5.15; P=.024), pre-TARE haemoglobin (HR: .50; p=.009), pre-TARE NLR (HR: 1.65; P=.005) and PLR (HR: 1.01; P=.042). Conclusion: TARE prognosis and therapeutic response were predicted by different biomarkers, ranging from biochemical parameters to tumour dosimetrics (AU)

Concern about COVID-19 among the Spanish population: Validation of a scale and associated symptoms.

BACKGROUND: The health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a considerable increase in the psychopathology of COVID-19 patients and among the general population. This study aims to conduct the psychometric analysis of the scale of concern about COVID-19 in the Spanish population and to estimate the level of concern and dysfunctional anxiety present one year after the lockdown measures in Spain aimed at resisting the spread of the viral disease among the population. METHODS: The factorial structure of the instrument, its reliability for the general population and for COVID patients, and its construct validity have been analyzed, and measurements of dysfunctional concern have been obtained from a sample of 502 adults. RESULTS: The scale of concern about COVID-19 showed optimal results of reliability and validity for the Spanish population, confirming that it is an ideal instrument for estimating the concern regarding coronavirus contagion. LIMITATIONS: This study used a cross-sectional design and thus, could not compare the changes in the incidence of anxiety symptoms before and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Furthermore, the use of mental health services prior to the COVID-19 restrictions was not assessed in this study, and therefore, no comparisons between the two time points could be made. CONCLUSIONS: After a year of the confinement measures that was instilled to avoid further spread of the disease, the Spanish population presented levels of concern and anxiety that may require clinical attention, with a significant percentage of participants meeting the requirements to be diagnosed with generalized anxiety disorders.

Biomarkers associated with survival and favourable outcome of radioembolization with yttrium-90 glass microspheres for colon cancer liver metastases: Single centre experience.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium-90 in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases and to evaluate the prognostic value of different biomarkers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled consecutive patients with CRC liver metastases treated with TARE between November 2015 and june 2020. The therapeutic response at three and six months (RECIST1.1 criteria) and the relationship of biomarkers with therapeutic response, by calculating objective tumor response rates (ORR) and disease control (DCR), and overall survival (OS) and progression-free (PFS). RESULTS: Thirty TAREs were performed in 23 patients (mean age, 61.61 ±â€¯9.13 years; 56.5% male). At three months, the objective response rate (ORR) was 16.7% and the disease control rate (DCR) 53.3%. At six months, the disease progressed in 80%. The ORR and DCR were significantly associated with age at diagnosis (P = 0.047), previous bevacizumab treatment (P = 0.008), pre-TARE haemoglobin (P = 0.008), NLR (P = 0.040), pre-TARE albumin (P = 0.012), pre-TARE ALT (P = 0.023) and tumour-absorbed dose > 115 Gy (P = 0.033). Median overall survival (OS) was 12 months (95% CI, 4.75-19.25 months) and median progression-free survival (PFS) 3 months (95% CI, 2.41-3.59). OS was significantly associated with primary tumour resection (P = 0.019), KRAS mutation (HR: 5.15; P = 0.024), pre-TARE haemoglobin (HR: 0.50; p = 0.009), pre-TARE NLR (HR: 1.65; P = 0.005) and PLR (HR: 1.01; P = 0.042). CONCLUSION: TARE prognosis and therapeutic response were predicted by different biomarkers, ranging from biochemical parameters to tumour dosimetrics.

Age norms for grating acuity and contrast sensitivity in children using eye tracking technology.

KEY MESSAGES: Visual acuity is the most used method to assess visual function in children. Contrast sensitivity complements the information provided for visual acuity, but it is not commonly used in clinical practice. Digital devices are increasingly used as a method to evaluate visual function, due to multiple advantages. Testing with these devices can improve the evaluation of visual development in children from a few months of age. Visual acuity and contrast sensitivity tests, using eye tracking technology, are able to measure visual function in children across a wide range of ages, objectively, quickly and without need of an experienced examiner. PURPOSE: To report age-normative values for grating visual acuity and contrast sensitivity in healthy children using a digital device with eye tracking technology and to validate the grating acuity test. METHODS: In the first project of the study, we examined healthy children aged between 6 months and 7 years with normal ophthalmological assessment. Grating visual acuity (VA) and contrast sensitivity (CS) were assessed using a preferential gaze paradigm with a DIVE (Device for an Integral Visual Examination) assisted with eye tracking technology to provide age norms. For the validation project, we compared LEA grating test (LGT) with DIVE VA in a group of children aged between 6 months and 4 years with normal and abnormal visual development. RESULTS: Fifty-seven children (2.86 ± 1.55 years) were examined with DIVE VA test and 44 successfully completed DIVE CS test (3.06 ± 1.41 years). Both, VA and CS values increased with age, mainly along the first two years of life. Sixty-nine patients (1.34 ± 0.61 years) were included in the DIVE VA test validation. The mean difference between LGT and DIVE VA was - 1.05 ± 4.54 cpd with 95% limits of agreement (LoA) of - 9.95-7.84 cpd. Agreement between the two tests was higher in children younger than 1 year with a mean difference of - 0.19 ± 4.02 cpd. CONCLUSIONS: DIVE is an automatic, objective and reliable tool to assess several visual function parameters in children, and it has good agreement with classical VA tests, especially for the first stage of life.

Inteligencia emocional y adherencia a la dieta mediterránea. Un modelo de ecuaciones estructurales en adolescentes de educación primaria de la provincia de granada / Emotional intelligence and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. A model of structural equations in adolescents of primary education in the province of Granada

La adolescencia es una etapa de desarrollo, la cual juega un papel clave en lo que se refiere a la adquisición de una adherencia positiva a un patrón dietético saludable y en el control de las distintas emociones vivenciadas en el día a día. Teniendo en cuenta lo anterior, la presente investigación refleja los objetivos de desarrollar un modelo explicativo de la incidencia de la atención, claridad y reparación emocional sobre la adherencia hacia la dieta mediterránea en estudiantes del tercer ciclo de educación primaria y contrastar el modelo estructural mediante un análisis multigrupo en función del sexo. Para ello, se ha realizado un estudio descriptivo comparativo de corte transversal con 293 estudiantes del tercer ciclo de educación primaria. Los instrumentos utilizados han sido un cuestionario sociodemográfico, el test KIDMED y el Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24). Finalmente, los resultados revelan una relación negativa entre la adherencia a la dieta mediterránea y la claridad y atención emocional en el sexo femenino.(AU)

Adolescence is a stage of development, which plays a key role in terms of acquiring positive adherence to a healthy dietary pattern and in controlling the different emotions experienced on a daily basis. Taking into account the above, the present investigation reflects the objectives of developing an explanatory model of the incidence of attention, clarity and emotional repair on adherence to the Mediterranean diet in students of the third cycle of primary education and contrasting the structural model through a multigroup analysis according to sex. For this, a cross-sectional comparative descriptive study has been carried out with 293 students of the third cycle of primary education. The instruments used have been a sociodemographic questionnaire, the KIDMED test and the Trait Meta-Mood Scale (TMMS-24). Finally, the results reveal a negative relationship between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and clarity and emotional attention in the female sex.(AU)

Enfoque de tratamiento integral del paciente intoxicado por dióxido de cloro y derivados del cloro / Comprehensive therapy approach for patients affected by chloride dioxide and chlorine derivative poisoning

RESUMEN Durante la emergencia sanitaria debida al SARS-CoV-2 y ante la ausencia de una terapéutica específica surgieron tratamientos sin evidencia científica, conllevando a un contexto de infodemia sobre el uso de dióxido de cloro y derivados del cloro, cuyas medidas de elaboración, distribución y administración no son reguladas, exponiendo a un gran número de personas a dicho producto pudiendo llevar a contextos de intoxicación y muerte. En este escenario el artículo presentado tiene el objetivo de brindar al personal de salud, un enfoque de tratamiento integral del paciente intoxicado por estos productos a nivel prehospitalario, que consiste en realizar un protocolo donde se valore el escenario de la exposición del paciente (uso de equipo de protección personal, triaje, descontaminación, entre otros), se realice la evaluación primaria y una evaluación secundaria (revaloración continua del paciente) y a nivel hospitalario (evaluación sistemática del paciente, identificación de la vía de exposición y aplicación de uso de antídoto en escenarios específicos); así como medidas de prevención tanto para el personal de salud como para la población general.

ABSTRACT During the sanitary emergency due to SARS-CoV-2, and considering the absence of specific therapy against this condition, many therapy approaches with no underlying scientific evidence appeared, leading to infodemics with many publications about the use of chloride dioxide and chlorine derivatives, without any regulation on manufacturing, distribution, and administration of such products; and so many people developed multiple symptoms, leading to intoxication and death. In this context, this paper aims to offer healthcare personnel, a comprehensive pre-hospital therapy approach for patients affected by the aforementioned compounds. The idea is to perform a protocol where the scenario for patients' exposure is determined (use of personal protective equipment, triage, decontamination, and the like), primary and secondary assessments are to be performed (continuously reassessing the affected patient). Later, hospital management is to be performed (systematic patient's assessment, identifying the exposure route and use of an antidote when necessary for specific cases); and establishing prevention measures for both healthcare personnel and the general population.

Biomarkers associated with survival and favourable outcome of radioembolization with yttrium-90 glass microspheres for colon cancer liver metastases: Single centre experience. / Biomarcadores asociados con la supervivencia y la respuesta terapéutica a la radioembolización con esferas cargadas de itrio-90 en las metástasis hepáticas del carcinoma colorrectal: nuestra experiencia.

OBJETIVE: To determine the therapeutic effectiveness and safety of transarterial radioembolization (TARE) with Yttrium-90 in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) liver metastases and to evaluate the prognostic value of different biomarkers. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This prospective longitudinal study enrolled consecutive patients with CRC liver metastases treated with TARE between November 2015 and june 2020. The therapeutic response at three and six months (RECIST1.1 criteria) and the relationship of biomarkers with therapeutic response, by calculating objective tumor response rates (ORR) and disease control (DCR), and overall survival (OS) and progression-free (PFS). RESULTS: Thirty TAREs were performed in 23 patients (mean age, 61,61±9,13 years; 56,5% male). At three months, the objective response rate (ORR) was 16,7% and the disease control rate (DCR) 53,3%. At six months, the disease progressed in 80%. The ORR and DCR were significantly associated with age at diagnosis (P=.047), previous bevacizumab treatment (P=.008), pre-TARE haemoglobin (P=.008), NLR (P=.040), pre-TARE albumin (P=.012), pre-TARE ALT (P=.023) and tumour-absorbed dose>115Gy (P=.033). Median overall survival (OS) was 12 months (95% CI, 4.75-19.25 months) and median progression-free survival (PFS) 3 months (95% CI, 2.41-3.59). OS was significantly associated with primary tumour resection (P=.019), KRAS mutation (HR: 5.15; P=.024), pre-TARE haemoglobin (HR: .50; p=.009), pre-TARE NLR (HR: 1.65; P=.005) and PLR (HR: 1.01; P=.042). CONCLUSION: TARE prognosis and therapeutic response were predicted by different biomarkers, ranging from biochemical parameters to tumour dosimetrics.

Onychoscopy in a Colombian population with a diagnosis of toenail onychomycosis: an evaluation study for this diagnostic test.

BACKGROUND: Onychoscopy is a technique that uses a dermatoscope for the evaluation of specific features of different skin conditions that are not visible to the naked eye. There are few studies establishing parameters for the diagnosis of onychomycosis based on onychoscopy. Determining the sensitivity and specificity of a potentially new diagnostic test for onychomycosis requires an evaluation study of this new diagnostic test, as there are limited studies reporting onychoscopy results. AIM: To determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of onychoscopy findings in a Colombian population with onychomycosis. METHODS: We assessed outpatients with a diagnosis of toenail onychomycosis confirmed by potassium hydroxide preparation or fungal culture. Onychoscopy was performed using a dermatoscope, and digital images collected using a smartphone. RESULTS: The onychoscopy findings were: longitudinal striae, distal spiked pattern, distal irregular termination, linear edge and ruins aspect, while some patients were confirmed as having traumatic onycholysis. A statistically significant association was found between the clinical symptoms of onychomycosis and both the clinical feature of dyschromia and the onychoscopy feature of longitudinal striae. CONCLUSION: We suggest that this technique is an alternative method that should be used in patients with onychopathies because it has the potential to differentiate onychomycosis from traumatic onycholysis and another nail involvement.

Quality Standards for Allergen Immunotherapy Clinics in Spain: Consensus Document.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Allergen immunotherapy clinics (AITCs) in Spain differ widely in terms of structure, organization, resources, and portfolio of services. Therefore, it is essential to unify treatment criteria and define quality standards for the most complex AITCs. Objective: To establish a series of recommendations that make it possible to guarantee quality and safety in the administration of immunotherapy and define quality standards for the most complex AITCs. METHODS: This project began with an online survey of 65 allergy departments/units throughout Spain in 2013. Next, a 2-phase consensus process was carried out. In the first phase, 10 experts defined and agreed on the standards using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness method; in the second, the agreements were validated by means of a 2-round Delphi consultation with 84 experts. RESULTS: Consensus was reached on minimum safety and quality criteria in the administration of allergen immunotherapy, and 2 levels of highly complex AITCs were defined: accredited AITCs and accredited AITCs with excellence. Consensus was also reached on quality standards and accreditation criteria for both levels. CONCLUSIONS: This project is pioneering in terms of its purpose (the definition of quality standards for AITCs) and of the use of structured participation techniques (combination of the RAND/UCLA and Delphi methods). It enabled the design of minimum standards for quality and safety in administering AIT, as well as quality criteria for accreditation of AITCs supported by a broad panel of experts from the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology.

Development of a positron emission tomography risks map. / Desarrollo de un mapa de riesgos para la tomografía por emisión de positrones.

Patient safety is an essential component of quality of care, especially when the complexity of care has reached extreme levels. Currently achieving this safety is considered a basic strategy of the National Health System. Nuclear Medicine departments have certain peculiarities that make them special in terms of patient safety, with situations that go beyond the common healthcare practice of other departments. Namely, that both encapsulated and non-encapsulated ionizing radiation is used in daily practice, and numerous groups of professionals must be coordinated to undertake positron emission tomography (PET) specifically, from the clinical management unit itself, and from other departments of the hospital (as well as companies outside the hospital itself and the Public Health System). The objective of this paper was to identify the risks to which a patient who is to be explored through PET can be exposed in a Nuclear Medicine department and draw up a risk map for the PET process. The methodology used is part of the proposal of the Ministry of Health (2007), and its practical implementation (given the limited literature available on Nuclear Medicine), follows as far as possible that of related care areas (radiodiagnosis and radiotherapy). For this purpose, a multidisciplinary team of professionals directly related to the PET process was created, using the modal analysis of faults and effects methodology to identify possible failures, their causes and the potential adverse events causing each. As a final step, a risk map was created, locating the previously identified faults at each stage of the process. This paper exposes the PET process, and describes the risks that patients might run when a PET scan is required, as well as the adverse events deriving from it. All this is shown in a risk map of the PET process.

Quality standards for allergen immunotherapy clinics in Spain: consensus document

BACKGROUND: Allergen immunotherapy clinics (AITCs) in Spain differ widely in terms of structure, organization, resources, and portfolio of services. Therefore, it is essential to unify treatment criteria and define quality standards for the most complex AITCs. OBJECTIVE: To establish a series of recommendations that make it possible to guarantee quality and safety in the administration of immunotherapy and define quality standards for the most complex AITCs. METHODS: This project began with an online survey of 65 allergy departments/units throughout Spain in 2013. Next, a 2-phase consensus process was carried out. In the first phase, 10 experts defined and agreed on the standards using the RAND/UCLA Appropriateness method; in the second, the agreements were validated by means of a 2-round Delphi consultation with 84 experts. RESULTS: Consensus was reached on minimum safety and quality criteria in the administration of allergen immunotherapy, and 2 levels of highly complex AITCs were defined: accredited AITCs and accredited AITCs with excellence. Consensus was also reached on quality standards and accreditation criteria for both levels. CONCLUSIONS: This project is pioneering in terms of its purpose (the definition of quality standards for AITCs) and of the use of structured participation techniques (combination of the RAND/UCLA and Delphi methods). It enabled the design of minimum standards for quality and safety in administering AIT, as well as quality criteria for accreditation of AITCs supported by a broad panel of experts from the Spanish Society of Allergology and Clinical Immunology

ANTECEDENTES: Las unidades de inmunoterapia (UIT) en España son muy diferentes en cuanto a estructura, organización, recursos y cartera de servicios. Por ello, resulta esencial homogeneizar criterios de actuación y definir estándares de calidad para las UIT de mayor complejidad. OBJETIVO: Establecer recomendaciones que permitan garantizar la calidad y seguridad en la administración de la inmunoterapia y definir estándares de calidad para las UIT de mayor complejidad. MÉTODOS: Proyecto iniciado (año 2013) con una encuesta on-line a 65 servicios o unidades de alergología de toda España. Posteriormente, se desarrolló un proceso de consenso en dos fases. En la primera, diez expertos definieron y consensuaron los estándares mediante el método RAND/UCLA; en la segunda, los acuerdos se validaron mediante una consulta Delphi a dos rondas con 84 expertos. RESULTADOS: Se consensuaron criterios mínimos de seguridad y calidad en la administración de inmunoterapia con alérgenos (ITA) y se definieron dos niveles de UIT de mayor complejidad: las UIT acreditadas (UITA) y las UIT acreditadas con excelencia (UITAE), consensuándose también los estándares de calidad y criterios de acreditación para ambos niveles. CONCLUSIONES: Proyecto pionero en su objetivo - definición de estándares de calidad de UIT- y en el empleo de técnicas de participación estructuradas -combinación de los métodos RAND/UCLA y Delphi-. El resultado es la definición de unos mínimos de calidad y seguridad para administrar ITA, y un conjunto de criterios de calidad para la acreditación de las UIT que cuenta con el respaldo de un amplio panel de expertos de la SEAIC

Pressurized liquid extraction of Neochloris oleoabundans for the recovery of bioactive carotenoids with anti-proliferative activity against human colon cancer cells.

In recent years, the green microalgae Neochloris oleoabundans have demonstrated to be an interesting natural source of carotenoids that could be used as potential food additive. In this work, different N. oleoabundans extracts obtained by pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) have been analyzed in depth to evaluate the influence of different culture conditions (effect of nitrogen, light intensity or carbon supplied) not only on the total carotenoid content but also on the carotenoid composition produced by these microalgae. Regardless of the cultivation conditions, lutein and carotenoid monoesters were the most abundant carotenoids representing more than 60% of the total content in all extracts. Afterwards, the effect of the different N. oleoabundans extracts and the dose-effect of the most potent algae extracts (namely, N9, PS and CO2 (-)) on the proliferation of human colon cancer cells lines (HT-29 and SW480) and a cell line established from a primary colon cancer cell culture (HGUE-C-1) were evaluated by an MTT assay whereas a stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to get additional evidences on the relationship between carotenoid content and the antiproliferative activity. Results revealed that, as a general trend, those extracts with high total carotenoid content showed comparably antiproliferative activity being possible to establish a high correlation between the cell proliferation values and the carotenoid constituents. Monoesters showed the highest contribution to cell proliferation inhibition whereas lutein and violaxanthin showed negative correlation and diesters and zeaxanthin showed a positive significant contribution to cell proliferation.

Papel de la tomografía por emisión de positrones-tomografía computerizada con 18F-fluorocolina en la recidiva bioquímica tras tratamiento con intención curativa del cáncer de próstata / Role of PET-CT with 18F-fluorocholine in biochemical recurrence after treatment of prostate cancer with curative intent

Objetivos: Analizar la capacidad de la PET-TC con 18F-fluorocolina (18F-FCH) para detectar enfermedad en el momento de la recidiva bioquímica tras tratamiento con intención curativa. Determinar qué variables clínicas serían capaces de optimizar la rentabilidad diagnóstica de la prueba. Material y métodos: Estudio retrospectivo de las PET-TC con 18F-FCH realizadas a 61 pacientes con cáncer de próstata sometidos a tratamiento con intención curativa y que cumplían criterios de recidiva bioquímica. Los resultados del estudio PET-TC se categorizaron en positivos o negativos y fueron validados según criterios preestablecidos. Se estudió la relación entre el resultado de la PET-TC y el PSA inicial, PSA nadir, PSA trigger, velocidad de ascenso del PSA (PSAva) y PSA doubling time (PSAdt). Se analizó la relación entre las localizaciones metastásicas en la PET-TC y el resto de variables. Resultados: La tasa de detección de enfermedad fue del 34,4%. El PSA inicial, el PSA nadir, el PSA trigger y el PSAva demostraron diferencias estadísticamente significativas según el resultado de la PET-TC. El mejor punto de corte discriminatorio entre una PET-TC positiva o negativa para el PSA trigger y la PSAva fue 3,5ng/ml y 0,25ng/ml/mes respectivamente. El PSAdt fue significativamente menor en los pacientes con enfermedad a distancia frente a los pacientes con enfermedad localizada (5.1 vs 16.8 meses, p=0.01). La probabilidad de que la PET-TC detectara enfermedad a distancia vs localizada fue 3,2 veces mayor si el PSAdt era menor de 6 meses (80% vs 20%, OR: 3,2, p=0,02). En el análisis multivariante solo el PSA inicial y el hecho de no haberse sometido a prostatectomía radical demostraron ser factores predictores independientes del resultado positivo de la PET-TC. Conclusiones: La PET-TC con 18F-FCH es capaz de detectar enfermedad en un alto porcentaje de pacientes con recidiva bioquímica, y proporciona información sobre la localización anatómica de la misma. La cinética del PSA y el tratamiento previo del paciente son variables clave para aumentar el rendimiento diagnóstico de la exploración

Objectives: To analyse the ability of the PET-CT with 18F-fluorocholine (18F-FCH) to detect disease on biochemical recurrence after treatment with curative intent. To determine the clinical variables that would be able to optimise the test’s diagnostic yield. Material and methods: A retrospective study of PET-CTs with 18F-fluorocholine performed on 61 patients with prostate cancer who had undergone treatment with curative intent and met the criteria for biochemical recurrence. The results of the PET-CT were categorised into positive or negative and were validated using pre-established criteria. The relationship between the result of the PET-CT and the initial PSA nadir, PSA trigger, rising PSA velocity (PSAva) and PSA doubling time (PSAdt). The relationship between the metastatic sites on the PET-CT and the remaining variables was analysed. Results: There was a 34.4% detection rate of the disease. The initial PSA, PSA nadir, PSA trigger and PSAva showed statistically significant differences according to the result of the PET-CT. The best discriminatory cut-off point between a positive or negative PET-CT for PSA trigger and PSAva was 3.5ng/ml and 0.25ng/ml/month respectively. The PSAdt was significantly lower in patients with remote disease compared to patients with localised disease (5.1 vs 16.8 months, P=.01). The probability that the PET-CT would detect remote disease vs localised disease was 3.2 times higher if the PSAdt was under 6 months (80% vs 20%, OR: 3.2, P=.02). In the multivariate analysis, only the initial PSA and not having undergone radical prostatectomy were demonstrated as independent predictive factors of a positive PET-CT result. Conclusions: The PET-CT with 18F-FCH can detect disease in a high percentage of patients with biochemical recurrence and provides information on its anatomical location. PSA kinetics and the patient's previous treatment are key variables in increasing the test's diagnostic