Prognostic value of static and dynamic biomarkers in COVID-19 patients: a prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to analyze in a prospective cohort of hospitalized COVID-19 patients the relationship between biomarkers levels and their variation within the first 4 days since admission, and prognosis. METHODS: Prospective cohort study. Individuals with confirmed diagnosis of covid-19 admitted in our hospital were included. Blood samples were obtained systematically on days 1 and 4 of hospitalization. Levels of RCP, LDH, Ferritin and D-dimer, together with platelets, lymphocytes and neutrophils counts were measured. A combined outcome that included ICU admission and death was considered the primary outcome. Logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: We included 335 patients with confirmed COVID-19. During their hospitalization, 23 (6.8%) needed ICU admission, and 10 (2.9%) died. In the multivariate analysis, a value of RCP greater than 10 mg/dl (OR 8.69, CI95% 1.45-52), an increase in RCP greater than 20% (OR 26.08, CI 95% 3.21-211.3), an increase in LDH greater than 20% (OR 6.29, CI 95% 1.84-21.44), a count of lymphocytes lower than 1500/mm3 (OR 2.74, CI 95% 1.04-7.23), a D-dimer value greater than 550 ng/ml (OR 9.8, CI 95% 1.78-53.9) and a neutrophil/lymphocyte index greater than 3(OR 4.5, CI 95% 1.43-14.19) were all associated with the primary outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Our study shows that the utilization of static and dynamic biomarkers may represent an important tool to assess prognosis of COVID-19 patients.

Análisis de relevancia clínica aplicado a 3métodos de reducción de peso en pacientes con sobrepeso u obesidad seguidos durante un año / Analysis of clinical relevance applied to 3methods of reducing weight in overweight or obesity followed-up for one year

Objetivo: Analizar el efecto de la utilización/implementación de 3métodos para reducir peso en pacientes con sobrepeso u obesidad, durante un año de seguimiento. Material y métodos: El diseño corresponde a un ensayo clínico, aleatorizado y controlado, doble ciego, con 3brazos y 12 meses de seguimiento. Los pacientes se aleatorizaron en 3grupos de intervención: intervención motivacional de obesidad con enfermera entrenada previamente en intervención motivacional por psicólogos expertos (G1; n=60); intervención en consulta de menor intensidad, sin grupo motivacional, con apoyo de plataforma digital (G2; n=61) y un tercer grupo que recibía recomendación de perder peso y seguimiento en consulta de Atención Primaria (G3; n=59). Se midieron las variables antropométricas (peso, talla y perímetro de cintura abdominal) y se consideró como principal medida de la efectividad del tratamiento el porcentaje de pacientes que lograron al año reducir su peso ≥5%. Resultados: Todos los grupos disminuyeron significativamente el peso al final del estudio. Fue más intensa la disminución en el G1 (−5,6kg), seguido del G2 (−4,3kg) y del G3 (−1,7kg); media en su conjunto: −3,9kg. Los indicadores de relevancia clínica fueron en el G1/G3: riesgo relativo (RR): 4,99 (IC 95%: 2,71 a 9,18); reducción relativa del riesgo (RRR): 399,1% (de 171,3 a 818,0); reducción absoluta del riesgo (RAR): 65,3% (de 51,5 a 79,1) y NNT: 2 (de 2 a 2). En los grupos G2/G3: RR: 3,01 (de 1,57 a 5,76); RRR: 200,5% (de 57,0 a 475,5); RAR: 32,8% (de 16,9 a 48,7) y NNT: 4 (de 3 a 6). En los grupos G1/G2: RR: 1,66 (de 1,25 a 2,20); RRR: 66,1% (de 25,3 a 120,1); RAR: 32,5% (de 16,6 a 48,4) y NNT: 4 (de 3 a 7). Conclusiones: Los 3grupos consiguieron reducir el peso, si bien el grupo con intervención motivacional alcanzó la mayor disminución y los indicadores de relevancia clínica más favorables (AU)

Objective: To analyse the effect of the use/implementation of 3methods to reduce weight in overweight or obese patients during one year of follow up. Material and methods: The design corresponds to a double-blind, randomised, controlled clinical trial with 3arms, and 12 months of follow-up. Patients were randomised into 3intervention groups: obesity motivational intervention, with a nurse previously trained in motivational intervention by expert psychologists (G1; n=60); lower intensity consultation, non-motivational group, with digital platform support (G2; N=61), and a third group that received recommendations for weight loss and follow-up in Primary Care Clinic (G3; n=59). Anthropometric variables (weight, height, and abdominal-waist circumference) were measured, and the percentage of patients who managed to reduce their weight ≥5% was considered as the main measurement of treatment effectiveness. Results: All groups significantly decreased body weight at the end of the study, with a reduction in G1 (−5.6kg) followed by G2 (−4.3kg), and G3 (−1.7kg), with an overall mean: −3.9kg. The indicators of clinical relevance were in G1/G3: relative risk (RR): 4.99 (95% CI: from 2.71 to 9.18); relative risk reduction (RRR): 399.1% (171.3 to 818.0); Absolute risk reduction (RAR): 65.3% (from 51.5 to 79.1) and NNT: 2 (from 2 to 2). In the G2/G3 groups: RR: 3.01 (from 1.57 to 5.76); RRR: 200.5% (from 57.0 to 475.5); RAR: 32.8% (from 16.9 to 48.7) and NNT: 4 (from 3 to 6). In the G1/G2 groups: RR: 1.66 (from 1.25 to 2.20); RRR: 66.1% (from 25.3 to 120.1); RAR: 32.5% (from 16.6 to 48.4) and NNT: 4 (from 3 to 7). Conclusions: All 3groups were able to reduce weight. Although the group with motivational intervention achieved the greatest decrease, as well as the most favourable clinical relevance indicators (AU)

[Analysis of clinical relevance applied to 3methods of reducing weight in overweight or obesity followed-up for one year]. / Análisis de relevancia clínica aplicado a 3métodos de reducción de peso en pacientes con sobrepeso u obesidad seguidos durante un año.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of the use/implementation of 3methods to reduce weight in overweight or obese patients during one year of follow up. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The design corresponds to a double-blind, randomised, controlled clinical trial with 3arms, and 12 months of follow-up. Patients were randomised into 3intervention groups: obesity motivational intervention, with a nurse previously trained in motivational intervention by expert psychologists (G1; n=60); lower intensity consultation, non-motivational group, with digital platform support (G2; N=61), and a third group that received recommendations for weight loss and follow-up in Primary Care Clinic (G3; n=59). Anthropometric variables (weight, height, and abdominal-waist circumference) were measured, and the percentage of patients who managed to reduce their weight ≥5% was considered as the main measurement of treatment effectiveness. RESULTS: All groups significantly decreased body weight at the end of the study, with a reduction in G1 (-5.6kg) followed by G2 (-4.3kg), and G3 (-1.7kg), with an overall mean: -3.9kg. The indicators of clinical relevance were in G1/G3: relative risk (RR): 4.99 (95% CI: from 2.71 to 9.18); relative risk reduction (RRR): 399.1% (171.3 to 818.0); Absolute risk reduction (RAR): 65.3% (from 51.5 to 79.1) and NNT: 2 (from 2 to 2). In the G2/G3 groups: RR: 3.01 (from 1.57 to 5.76); RRR: 200.5% (from 57.0 to 475.5); RAR: 32.8% (from 16.9 to 48.7) and NNT: 4 (from 3 to 6). In the G1/G2 groups: RR: 1.66 (from 1.25 to 2.20); RRR: 66.1% (from 25.3 to 120.1); RAR: 32.5% (from 16.6 to 48.4) and NNT: 4 (from 3 to 7). CONCLUSIONS: All 3groups were able to reduce weight. Although the group with motivational intervention achieved the greatest decrease, as well as the most favourable clinical relevance indicators.

Tuberculoma / Tuberculoma

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Eficacia y seguridad del tratamiento combinado con ciclosporina A y micofenolato de mofetilo en enfermos con glomeruloesclerosis segmentaria y focal ciclosporina-resistente / Efficacy and safety of combined cyclosporin A and mycophenolate mofetil therapy in patients with cyclosporin-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis

Introducción: La asociación de ciclosporina A (CsA) y micofenolato mofetil (MMF) tiene un efecto inmunosupresor sinérgico y, en consecuencia, podría inducir una remisión del síndrome nefrótico en enfermos con glomeruloesclerosis segmentaria y focal resistente a esteroides y a CsA. Objetivo: Analizar la eficacia y el perfil de seguridad de la asociación CsA y MMF en enfermos con GSF resistente a ciclosporina A. Pacientes y método: 27 enfermos con GSF resistente a CsA recibieron tratamiento con CsA (4 mg/kg/día) asociada a MMF (2 g/día) durante 12 meses. El seguimiento total fue de 5 años. Como medida de resultado, se consideró la proporción de enfermos con remisión de la proteinuria y la evolución de la función renal a los 5 años. Resultados: Al finalizar el período de tratamiento, ningún paciente presentó remisión completa; 4 pacientes (14,8%) presentaron reducción de proteinuria a valores <3,5 g/día. Estos enfermos presentaban proteinuria basal (5,62 ± 2,19 frente a 8,1 ± 2,96 g/día, p = 0,042) y pendientes de FG (-0,08 ± 0,12 frente a -0,69 ± 0,38; p = 0,003) significativamente inferiores y mayor función renal basal (99,6 ± 12,9 frente a 85,05 ± 15,5 ml/min; p = 0,003). Dieciséis de los 27 enfermos (59,2%) presentaron una enfermedad renal progresiva o estadio V al final del período de seguimiento. Se apreciaron efectos adversos gastrointestinales en el 33,3% de los enfermos y nefrotoxicidad aguda transitoria en el 14,8%. El 22,2% de los enfermos precisó un incremento en la dosis y/o número de hipotensores durante los 12 meses de tratamiento. Conclusiones: En enfermos con GSF resistente a ciclosporina, el tratamiento con asociación de CsA y MMF durante 12 meses, aunque puede inducir reducciones parciales de la proteinuria, no modifica significativamente el curso evolutivo de la función renal (AU)

Introduction: The combination of cyclosporin A (CsA) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has a synergistic immunosuppressive effect and, as a result, it may induce remission of nephrotic syndrome in patients with steroid- and CsA-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Objective: To analyse the efficacy and safety of the combined CsA and MMF treatment in patients with cyclosporin A-resistant FSGS. Patients and methods: Twenty-seven patients with CsA-resistant FSGS were treated for 12 months with CsA (4 mg/kg/day) combined with MMF (2 g/day). The overall follow-up was 5 years. The proportion of patients with remission of proteinuria and the evolution of kidney function after 5 years were used to measure the outcome. Results: At the end of the treatment period, no patients were in complete remission and 4 patients (14.8%) had reduced proteinuria to values <3.5g/day. These patients had significantly lower baseline proteinuria (5.62±2.19 compared to 8.1±2.96g/day, P=.042), significantly lower GFR (-0.08 compared to -0.69±0.38; P=.003) and higher baseline kidney function (99.6±12.9 compared to 85.05±15.5ml/min; P=.003). Sixteen out of the 27 patients (59.2%) had progressive or stage 5 kidney disease at the end of the follow-up period. Adverse gastrointestinal effects were observed in 33.3% of the patients and acute transitory nephrotoxicity in 14.8%. The dosage and/or number of anti-hypertensive drugs had to be increased in 22.2% of patients during the 12 months of treatment. Conclusions: Twelve months of combined CsA and MMF therapy does not significantly alter the evolution of kidney function in patients with cyclosporin-resistant FSGS, although it may induce partial reductions in proteinuria (AU)

Efficacy and safety of combined cyclosporin A and mycophenolate mofetil therapy in patients with cyclosporin-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis.

INTRODUCTION: The combination of cyclosporin A (CsA) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) has a synergistic immunosuppressive effect and, as a result, it may induce remission of nephrotic syndrome in patients with steroid- and CsA-resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). OBJECTIVE: To analyse the efficacy and safety of the combined CsA and MMF treatment in patients with cyclosporin A-resistant FSGS. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-seven patients with CsA-resistant FSGS were treated for 12 months with CsA (4mg/kg/day) combined with MMF (2g/day). The overall follow-up was 5 years. The proportion of patients with remission of proteinuria and the evolution of kidney function after 5 years were used to measure the outcome. RESULTS: At the end of the treatment period, no patients were in complete remission and 4 patients (14.8%) had reduced proteinuria to values <3.5g/day. These patients had significantly lower baseline proteinuria (5.62±2.19 compared to 8.1±2.96g/day, P=.042), significantly lower GFR (-0.08 compared to -0.69±0.38; P=.003) and higher baseline kidney function (99.6±12.9 compared to 85.05±15.5ml/min; P=.003). Sixteen out of the 27 patients (59.2%) had progressive or stage 5 kidney disease at the end of the follow-up period. Adverse gastrointestinal effects were observed in 33.3% of the patients and acute transitory nephrotoxicity in 14.8%. The dosage and/or number of anti-hypertensive drugs had to be increased in 22.2% of patients during the 12 months of treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Twelve months of combined CsA and MMF therapy does not significantly alter the evolution of kidney function in patients with cyclosporin-resistant FSGS, although it may induce partial reductions in proteinuria.

Start-up alternatives and performance of an UASB pilot plant treating diluted municipal wastewater at low temperature.

Different start-up procedures of an upflow anaerobic sludge bed (UASB) digester were carried out. Start-up without inoculum (experiment A) was delayed for about 120 day. The digester reached 75-85% total suspended solids (TSS) removal, 54-58% total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) removal and 63-73% biological oxygen demand (BOD5) removal at influent concentrations of 240-340 mg TCODil-1, temperatures of 13.5-15 degrees C and hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 10-11 h. Digested sludge was used as inoculum in experiment B. After the start-up period of 75 days, digester efficiencies were 58%, 41% and 54% for TSS, TCOD and BOD5 removal, respectively, working at 169 mg TCODil-1, temperature of 14 degrees C and HRT of 11 h. The sludge bed developed and stabilised quickly when using a hydraulically adapted inoculum (experiment C), but TCOD and BOD5 removals remained low and volatile fatty acids (VFA) accumulated in the effluent.

Meningitis linfomatosa como sitio de recaída en la enfermedad de Hodgkin / Limphomatous meningitis as recurrence site in Hodgkin's disease

Intracraneal manifestations of Hodgkin's Disease (HD) are extremely rare, with an estimated incidence rate of approximately 0.5%. They can be classified as: 1) treatment-related leucoencephalopathy, 2) central nervous system infections, 3) paraneoplasic syndromes and 4) intracraneal lymphomas, which could be sub-classified into intraparenchymal or intradural masses. We describe a case of a 40 year-old male with mixed cellularity type HD who developed neurological manifestations as relapsed disease. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested leptomeningeal metastases and atypical cells were found in cerebrospinal fluid. The patient died from progressive disease refractory to third line chemotherapy. There are less than 50 similar cases reported in the literature. We review the clinical features and differential diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastases in Hodgkin's disease.

Meningitis linfomatosa como sitio de recaída en la enfermedad de Hodgkin / Limphomatous meningitis as recurrence site in Hodgkins disease

Intracraneal manifestations of Hodgkins Disease (HD) are extremely rare, with an estimated incidence rate of approximately 0.5%. They can be classified as: 1) treatment-related leucoencephalopathy, 2) central nervous system infections, 3) paraneoplasic syndromes and 4) intracraneal lymphomas, which could be sub-classified into intraparenchymal or intradural masses. We describe a case of a 40 year-old male with mixed cellularity type HD who developed neurological manifestations as relapsed disease. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested leptomeningeal metastases and atypical cells were found in cerebrospinal fluid. The patient died from progressive disease refractory to third line chemotherapy. There are less than 50 similar cases reported in the literature. We review the clinical features and differential diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastases in Hodgkins disease.(AU)

Meningitis linfomatosa como sitio de recaída en la enfermedad de Hodgkin / Limphomatous meningitis as recurrence site in Hodgkins disease

Intracraneal manifestations of Hodgkins Disease (HD) are extremely rare, with an estimated incidence rate of approximately 0.5%. They can be classified as: 1) treatment-related leucoencephalopathy, 2) central nervous system infections, 3) paraneoplasic syndromes and 4) intracraneal lymphomas, which could be sub-classified into intraparenchymal or intradural masses. We describe a case of a 40 year-old male with mixed cellularity type HD who developed neurological manifestations as relapsed disease. Magnetic resonance imaging suggested leptomeningeal metastases and atypical cells were found in cerebrospinal fluid. The patient died from progressive disease refractory to third line chemotherapy. There are less than 50 similar cases reported in the literature. We review the clinical features and differential diagnosis of leptomeningeal metastases in Hodgkins disease.(AU)

Performance of a UASB-digester system treating domestic wastewater.

The anaerobic treatment of raw domestic wastewater by a novel technology consisting of an Up-flow Anaerobic Sludge Bed (UASB) reactor combined with a completely mixed digester for the stabilisation of the UASB sludge was assessed. A pilot-scale plant of the so-called UASB-Digester system was located at the municipal wastewater treatment facility of Santiago de Compostela (Northwest of Spain). The main aim of the Digester was to enhance the biodegradation of influent solids retained in the UASB reactor at low temperatures, then increasing its specific methanogenic activity. The sludge drawn from the middle zone of the UASB entered the upper zone of the Digester and then circulated from the bottom of the Digester to the UASB bottom. Circulating in an automated semi-continuous way, the flow of this sludge stream was selected in order to set a previously defined hydraulic retention time (HRT) (16-27 d) in the digester. The Digester temperature was set at an optimum value ranging from 25 to 35 degrees C. The steady state efficiency of the UASB system, at 6-8 h of HRT, 15-16 degrees C of temperature and 330-360 mg l(-1) of influent total chemical oxygen demand (TCOD) was 79% of total suspended solids (TSS) removal, 52% of TCOD removal and 60% of biological oxygen demand (BOD5) removal. The hydrolysis of retained solids reached 85%, while excess sludge generation was only 7% of influent TCOD. A stable anaerobic (pre)treatment of diluted domestic wastewater was reached as the sludge concentration in the reactor remained mainly constant and the specific methanogenic activity showed a slight increase.

La espirometría en el diagnóstico de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica en atención primaria / Spirometry used in primary care to diagnose chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

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Anaerobic hydrolysis of a municipal wastewater in a pilot-scale digester.

Raw domestic wastewater from the city of Santiago de Compostela (Northwest Spain) was fed into a pilot-scale hydrolytic up flow sludge bed (HUSB) digester with an active volume of 25.5 m3. The total influent chemical oxygen demand (COD) ranged from 360 to 470 mg/l, the influent SS varied from 190 to 370 mg/l, and the temperature was between 17 degrees and 20 degrees C. The organic load rate (OLR) applied increased step by step from 1.2 to 3.9 kgCOD/m3 x d, while the hydraulic retention time (HRT) decreased from 7.1 h to 2.9 h. A high suspended solids (SS) removal of about 82-85% from the influent was reached, most of which (81 to 88%) was eliminated by hydrolysis, while the rest remained in the purge stream. The total COD removal ranged from 46 to 59%. On the other hand, a high acidification of the COD remaining in the effluent was obtained, so the percent COD in the form of volatile fatty acids (VFA(COD)) with respect to total effluent COD was about 43% for the highest HRT applied, and about 27% for the lowest HRT. The soluble to total COD ratio (CODs/CODt) increased from 25-32% for the influent to 71-86% for the effluent. The results obtained confirm the viability and interest of direct anaerobic hydrolytic pre-treatment of domestic wastewater.

A reversible bilateral renal artery stenosis in association with antiphospholipid syndrome.

We describe a 26-year-old white female with a history of Raynaud phenomenon, erythema nodosum, polyarthralgias, migraine, vertigo, seizures, transient ischemic attacks, one fetal loss, and false positive VDRL, who developed milk hypertension without overt lupus nephritis. She had positive antinuclear antibodies (ANA) and double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid (dsDNA) antibodies. The lupus anticoagulant test (LAC) and cardiolipins antibodies (aCL) were positive. She was diagnosed as having a Systemic Lupus Erythematosus-like illness (SLE-like) with 'secondary' antiphospholipid syndrome (APS). Renal spiral computed tomography (CT) with intravenous (IV) contrast showed bilateral renal artery stenosis. Anticoagulation with acenocumarol was started. She became normotensive without antihypertensive drugs five months later. A follow-up renal spiral CT showed complete recanalization of both renal arteries, making thrombosis the more likely culprit pathology in the stenosis. After two years follow up the patient is normotensive. She remains on acenocumarol.

[Bronchiolitis obliterans with organizing pneumonia associated with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura]. / Bronquiolitis obliterante con neumonía organizada asociada a púrpura trombocitopénica idiopática.

We report a case of a 35 year-old woman with idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) who, under treatment with immunosuppressive drugs, developed bilateral interstitial pulmonary disease. Previously she had been splenectomized and treated with corticosteroids and cyclosporin. During the clinical course, the patient developed alterations of the hepatogram and presented a positive serology for Epstein-Barr virus. The lung biopsy showed the histologic pattern of obliterative bronchiolitis, interstitial inflammatory infiltration and intraalveolar pneumonia (BOOP). We could not find in the literature a previous report in which ITP was associated with BOOP. Of interest was the spontaneous remission of the pulmonary disease after suppression of cyclosporin and positive serology for Epstein-Barr virus.