Towards a New Strategy for Diagnosis of Congenital Trypanosoma cruzi Infection.

The immigration of Latin American women of childbearing age has spread the congenital transmission of Chagas disease to areas of nonendemicity, and the disease is now a worldwide problem. Some European health authorities have implemented screening programs to prevent vertical transmission, but the lack of a uniform protocol calls for the urgent establishment of a new strategy common to all laboratories. Our aims were to (i) analyze the trend of passive IgG antibodies in the newborn by means of five serological tests for the diagnosis and follow-up of congenital Trypanosoma cruzi infection, (ii) assess the utility of these techniques for diagnosing a congenital transmission, and (iii) propose a strategy for a prompt, efficient, and cost-effective diagnosis of T. cruzi infection. In noninfected newborns, a continuous decreasing trend of passive IgG antibodies was observed, but none of the serological assays seroreverted in any the infants before 12 months. From 12 months onwards, serological tests achieved negative results in all the samples analyzed, with the exception of the highly sensitive chemiluminescent microparticle immunoassay (CMIA). In contrast, in congenitally infected infants, the antibody decline was detected only after treatment initiation. In order to improve the diagnosis of congenital T. cruzi infection, we propose a new strategy involving fewer tests that allows significant cost savings. The protocol could start 1 month after birth with a parasitological test and/or a PCR. If negative, a serological test would be carried out at 9 months, which if positive, would be followed by another at around 12 months for confirmation.

Serological Diagnosis of Chronic Chagas Disease: Is It Time for a Change?

Chagas disease has spread to areas that are nonendemic for the disease with human migration. Since no single reference standard test is available, serological diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease requires at least two tests. New-generation techniques have significantly improved the accuracy of Chagas disease diagnosis by the use of a large mixture of recombinant antigens with different detection systems, such as chemiluminescence. The aim of the present study was to assess the overall accuracy of a new-generation kit, the Architect Chagas (cutoff, ≥1 sample relative light units/cutoff value [S/CO]), as a single technique for the diagnosis of chronic Chagas disease. The Architect Chagas showed a sensitivity of 100% (95% confidence interval [CI], 99.5 to 100%) and a specificity of 97.6% (95% CI, 95.2 to 99.9%). Five out of six false-positive serum samples were a consequence of cross-reactivity with Leishmania spp., and all of them achieved results of <5 S/CO. We propose the Architect Chagas as a single technique for screening in blood banks and for routine diagnosis in clinical laboratories. Only gray-zone and positive sera with a result of ≤6 S/CO would need to be confirmed by a second serological assay, thus avoiding false-positive sera and the problem of cross-reactivity with Leishmania species. The application of this proposal would result in important savings in the cost of Chagas disease diagnosis and therefore in the management and control of the disease.

Molecular effects of lapatinib in patients with HER2 positive ductal carcinoma in situ.

INTRODUCTION: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) amplification is frequent in ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) of the breast and is associated with poorly differentiated tumors and adverse prognosis features. This study aimed to determine the molecular effects of the HER2 inhibitor lapatinib in patients with HER2 positive DCIS. METHODS: Patients with HER2 positive DCIS received 1,500 mg daily of lapatinib for four consecutive weeks prior to surgical resection. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was used to determine changes in tumor volume. The molecular effects of lapatinib on HER2 signaling (PI3K/AKT and RAS/MAPK pathways), cell proliferation (Ki67 and p27) and apoptosis (TUNEL) were determined in pre and post-lapatinib treatment samples. RESULTS: A total of 20 patients were included. Lapatinib was well tolerated with only minor and transient side effects. The agent effectively modulated HER2 signaling decreasing significantly pHER2 and pERK1 expression, together with a decrease in tumor size evaluated by MRI. There was no evidence of changes in Ki67. CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks of neoadjuvant lapatinib in patients with HER2-positive DCIS resulted in inhibition of HER2 and RAS/MAPK signaling pathway. TRIAL REGISTRATION: 2008-004492-21 (Registered June 25th 2008).

Primary Chemoradiotherapy Treatment (PCRT) for HER2+ and Triple Negative Breast Cancer Patients: A Feasible Combination.

Primary systemic treatment (PST) downsizes the tumor and improves pathological response. The aim of this study is to analyze the feasibility and tolerance of primary concurrent radio−chemotherapy (PCRT) in breast cancer patients. Patients with localized TN/HER2+ tumors were enrolled in this prospective study. Radiation was delivered concomitantly during the first 3 weeks of chemotherapy, and it was based on a 15 fractions scheme, 40.5 Gy/2.7 Gy per fraction to whole breast and nodal levels I-IV. Chemotherapy (CT) was based on Pertuzumab−Trastuzumab−Paclitaxel followed by anthracyclines in HER2+ and CBDCA-Paclitaxel followed by anthracyclines in TN breast cancers patients. A total of 58 patients were enrolled; 25 patients (43%) were TN and 33 patients HER2+ (57%). With a median follow-up of 24.2 months, 56 patients completed PCRT and surgery. A total of 35 patients (87.5%) achieved >90% loss of invasive carcinoma cells in the surgical specimen. The 70.8% and the 53.1% of patients with TN and HER-2+ subtype, respectively, achieved complete pathological response (pCR). This is the first study of concurrent neoadjuvant treatment in breast cancer in which three strategies were applied simultaneously: fractionation of RT (radiotherapy) in 15 sessions, adjustment of CT to tumor phenotype and local planning by PET. The pCR rates are encouraging.

Impact of the Lockdown Due to COVID-19 Pandemic in the Use of Combined Hormonal Oral Contraception in Spain - Results of a National Survey: Encovid.

OBJECTIVE: To know the contraceptive behaviour of Spanish women who use combined oral contraception (COC) during the period of lockdown due to COVID-19. METHODS: Cross-sectional, descriptive study of a sample of Spanish women who use COC based on a survey conducted through social networks using the online platform Survey Monkey. The survey was conducted during the period of home confinement. RESULTS: A total of 1407 women answered the survey and 937 were valid for the analysis. A total of 675 women (71.8%) were confined all day at home. During confinement 96,6% of women continued to use the COC, 53.5% responded that their sexual activity decreased during this time and 54% that their physical activity had decreased. A significant percentage of women (10.3%) recognized a worsening of premenstrual symptoms. CONCLUSION: Despite the lockdown and the decrease in the frequency of sexual intercourse, the Spanish women who use COC did not abandon its use during the period of time analysed.

Macrometastasis at selective lymph node biopsy: A practical going-for-the-one clinical scoring system to personalize decision making.

BACKGROUND: Axillary sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is standard treatment for patients with clinically and pathological negative lymph nodes. However, the role of completion axillary lymph node dissection (cALND) following positive sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) is debated. AIM: To identify a subgroup of women with high axillary tumor burden undergoing SLNB in whom cALND can be safely omitted in order to reduce the risk of long-term complications and create a Preoperative Clinical Risk Index (PCRI) that helps us in our clinical practice to optimize the selection of these patients. METHODS: Patients with positive SLNB who underwent a cALND were included in this study. Univariate and multivariate analysis of prognostic and predictive factors were used to create a PCRI for safely omitting cALND. RESULTS: From May 2007 to April 2014, we performed 1140 SLN biopsies, of which 125 were positive for tumor and justified to practice a posterior cALND. Pathologic findings at SLNB were micrometastases (mic) in 29 cases (23.4%) and macrometastasis (MAC) in 95 cases (76.6%). On univariate analysis of the 95 patients with MAC, statistically significant factors included: age, grade, phenotype, histology, lymphovascular invasion, lymph-node tumor size, and number of positive SLN. On multivariate analysis, only lymph-node tumor size (≤ 20 mm) and number of positive SLN (> 1) retained significance. A numerical tool was created giving each of the parameters a value to predict preoperatively which patients would not benefit from cALND. Patients with a PCRI ≤ 15 has low probability (< 10%) of having additional lymph node involvement, a PRCI between 15-17.6 has a probability of 43%, and the probability increases to 69% in patients with a PCRI > 17.6. CONCLUSION: The PCRI seems to be a useful tool to prospectively estimate the risk of nodal involvement after positive SLN and to identify those patients who could omit cALND. Further prospective studies are necessary to validate PCRI clinical generalization.

Déficit de vitamina D en pacientes en hemodiálisis y factores relacionados / Deficit of vitamin D in hemodialysis patients and related factors

Introducción: La vitamina D interviene en el metabolismo óseo-mineral, la diabetes mellitus, enfermedades inmunológicas, procesos tumorales, el sistema cardio-vascular, anemia, etc. Objetivos: Determinar la prevalencia de insuficiencia-deficiencia de vitamina D y los factores de riesgo asociados en pacientes en hemodiálisis en Reus. Material y Método: Realizamos en abril de 2017 la determinación de los niveles sanguíneos, una entrevista oral sobre hábitos estables de adquisición de vitamina D y se extrajeron de la historia clínica enfermedades relacionadas, tratamientos e IMC. Resultados: Solo el 5,88% de los pacientes presenta-ban niveles normales. El 94,14% presentaron niveles inferiores a 30 ng/ml (promedio 9,64 ng/ml). En este grupo los pacientes resultaron de mayor edad, se exponen menos al sol, utilizan protección solar, hay mayor presencia de mujeres, toman menos alimentos enriquecidos o ricos en vitamina D y menos estatinas. Entre ellos se encuentran los tres pacientes con peso insuficiente. Los dos pacientes de raza negra tenían niveles < 10 ng/ml. En nuestra situación geográfica, Latitud: 41°09’22’’ N, en invierno la fotobiosíntesis de vitamina D es escasa. Solo el 14,12% de los pacientes tienen prescrito alguna suplementación de vitamina D. Sólo una variable fue estadísticamente significativa (raza) lo que puede atribuirse al tamaño limitado de la muestra. Conclusiones: El 94,14% de los pacientes tienen niveles bajos vitamina D y parece necesaria su suplementación farmacológica si queremos normalizarlos (AU)

Introduction: Vitamin D is involved in bone-mineral metabolism, diabetes mellitus, immunological diseases, tumor processes, cardiovascular system, anemia, etc.Aims: To evaluate the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency-deficiency and its associated risk factors in hemodialysis patients. Results: Only 5.88% of patients presented normal levels. 94.14% of patients had levels below 30 ng/ml (mean 9.64 ng/ml). In this last group, patients were older, less exposed to the sun and used sun protection. A greater presence of women was found, taking less vitamin D or VD enriched foods and fewer statins. Between them, three patients had insufficient weight. The two black patients had levels < 10 ng/ml. In our geographical situation [Latitude: 41° 09'22"N], in winter, vitamin D skin-synthesis is scarce. Only 14.12% of patients took any vitamin D supplementation. Only one variable was statistically significant (human race). We must consider that it can be attributed to our limited sample size. Conclusions: 94.14% of patients have low vitamin D levels and pharmacological supplementation seems necessary (AU)

Programa de formación en educación para la salud en el currículo enfermero / A health education program within the general degree in nursing curriculum

La educación para la salud en el marco de la promoción de la salud, la prevención y el tratamiento de los problemas de salud ha dejado de ser un aspecto deseable de la atención sanitaria, para convertirse en una actividad concreta, perfectamente explicitada y, a menudo fundamental, de los programas de salud. Es preciso, por tanto, que el currículo de diplomado en enfermería contemple un enfoque educativo en los cuidados enfermeros que se prestan a los individuos que padecen problemas de salud, y no se centren sólo en los aspectos clínicos individuales. Además de la incorporación de contenidos educativos de manera general en las materias del currículo base enfermero, es incuestionable considerar la aportación de una asignatura específica en materia de educación para la salud. Así, en este trabajo proponemos un Programa de Formación en Educación para la Salud como asignatura básica que ampliará el horizonte y las expectativas profesionales de los estudiantes de enfermería en lo que se refiere a la atención a las familias, a los grupos y a las comunidades, tanto fuera como dentro de los muros de las instituciones sanitarias, para acercarse hasta donde ellos vivan, se relacionen y trabajen (AU)