Plasma microRNAs as potential biomarkers in early Alzheimer disease expression.

The microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for complex pathologies due to their involvement in the regulation of several pathways. Alzheimer Disease (AD) requires new biomarkers in minimally invasive samples that allow an early diagnosis. The aim of this work is to study miRNAS as potential AD biomarkers and their role in the pathology development. In this study, participants (n = 46) were classified into mild cognitive impairment due to AD (MCI-AD, n = 19), preclinical AD (n = 8) and healthy elderly controls (n = 19), according to CSF biomarkers levels (amyloid ß42, total tau, phosphorylated tau) and neuropsychological assessment. Then, plasma miRNAomic expression profiles were analysed by Next Generation Sequencing. Finally, the selected miRNAs were validated by quantitative PCR (q-PCR). A panel of 11 miRNAs was selected from omics expression analysis, and 8 of them were validated by q-PCR. Individually, they did not show statistically significant differences among participant groups. However, a multivariate model including these 8 miRNAs revealed a potential association with AD for three of them. Specifically, relatively lower expression levels of miR-92a-3p and miR-486-5p are observed in AD patients, and relatively higher levels of miR-29a-3p are observed in AD patients. These biomarkers could be involved in the regulation of pathways such as synaptic transmission, structural functions, cell signalling and metabolism or transcription regulation. Some plasma miRNAs (miRNA-92a-3p, miRNA-486-5p, miRNA-29a-3p) are slightly dysregulated in AD, being potential biomarkers of the pathology. However, more studies with a large sample size should be carried out to verify these results, as well as to further investigate the mechanisms of action of these miRNAs.

Cohort study with patients older than 80 years with stage 5 chronic kidney failure on hemodialysis vs conservative treatment: Survival outcomes and use of healthcare resources.

Renal replacement treatment has not been generalized to the elderly for different reasons. The main objective of the present cohort study is to compare survival in patients older than 80 years with chronic kidney disease stage 5 on renal replacement treatment with those on conservative treatment. The use of healthcare resources is compared too. A Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was run with the outcome variable death during the follow-up period. The independent variables were treatment type, age, gender, smoking habit, serum albumin, hemoglobin, Charlson Index, diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, ischemic cardiopathy, and neoplasm. For outcome variable "death," renal replacement treatment obtained a hazard ratio of 0.273 (P .006, CI95% 0.108-0.686) vs conservative treatment. In conclusion, patients older than 80 years with chronic kidney disease stage 5 on renal replacement treatment presented a lower mortality risk than those receiving conservative treatment. Comorbidity and age are both associated with mortality, but do not cancel out the survival advantage. In healthcare resources, the renal replacement treatment group made greater use of tests, medical visits and consumption of hospital dispensing drugs, but there were no differences with respect to the days of hospital admission or assistance in home hospitalization.

Analysis of the influence of clinical and demographic factors on the understanding of cataract informed consent / Análisis de la influencia de factores clínicos y demográficos en la comprensión del consentimiento informado de cataratas / Análise da influência de fatores clínicos e demográficos na compreensão do consentimento informado para cirurgia de catarata

PURPOSE: To estimate the influence of clinical and demographical information in the understanding of cataract surgery informed consent, identifying less understandable areas. To assess informed consent document concept. METHODS: Multiple-choice questionnaire was designed to collect information and to evaluate the understanding of cataract surgery and informed consent. An ordinary regression model was adjusted to express the effect of clinical and demographic variables to the questionnaire score. RESULTS: The study comprised 180 patients. Sex (female, p=0.404), non-ophthalmologist source of information (p=0.397), previous surgical history (p=0.571), not having a companion (p=0.396) nor the days since the signing of informed consent form (p=0.535) had no influence in the understanding of cataract surgery informed consent. Age (r=-0.083, p<0.001) and educational level (secondary studies r=1.845, p<0.001; tertiary studies r=4.289, p<0.001) showed statistical significance with greater strength of association educational level (OR secondary studies = 6.33, OR tertiary studies = 72.86) than age had (OR = 0.92). CONCLUSION: Patient's knowledge about cataract informed consent is influenced by age and educational level. The purpose and the risks, consequences of not performing surgery and postoperative indications are the least understood topics. Informed consent is seen as a forced legal obligation.

OBJETIVOS: estimar la influencia de la información clínica y demográfica en la comprensión del consentimiento informado de la cirugía de cataratas, identificando áreas menos comprensibles. Evaluar el concepto de "documento de consentimiento informad". MÉTODOS: el cuestionario de opción múltiple se diseñó para reunir información y evaluar la comprensión de la cirugía de cataratas y el consentimiento informado. Se ajustó un modelo de regresión ordinario para expresar el efecto de las variables clínicas y demográficas en la puntuación del cuestionario. RESULTADOS: El estudio abarcó 180 pacientes. Sexo (femenino, p = 0.404); fuente de información no oftalmológica (p = 0.397); historial quirúrgico previo (p = 0.571); no tener acompañante (p = 0.396), y los días desde la firma del formulario de consentimiento informado (p = 0,535), que no tuvo influencia en la comprensión del consentimiento informado en la cirugía de cataratas. La edad (r = -0.083, p <0.001) y el nivel educativo (estudios secundarios r = 1.845, p <0.001; estudios terciarios r = 4.289, p <0.001) mostraron significación estadística con una mayor fuerza del nivel educativo de asociación (OR estudios secundarios = 6.33, OR estudios terciarios = 72.86) que la edad (OR = 0.92). CONCLUSIÓN: El conocimiento del paciente sobre el consentimiento informado en cirugía de cataratas está influenciado por la edad y el nivel educativo. Los temas menos entendidos son el propósito y los riesgos, las consecuencias de no realizar la cirugía y las indicaciones postoperatorias. El consentimiento informado se considera una obligación legal forzada.

OBJETIVO: Estimar a influência de informações clínicas e demográficas na compreensão do consentimento informado para cirurgia de catarata, identificando áreas menos compreensíveis. Avaliar o conceito do documento de consentimento informado. MÉTODOS: Um questionário de múltipla escolha foi desenvolvido para coletar informações e avaliar a compreensão sobre cirurgia de catarata e de consentimento informado. Um modelo de regressão ordinária foi ajustado para expressar o efeito das variáveis clínicas e demográficas no escore do questionário. RESULTADOS: O estudo envolveu 180 pacientes. Sexo (feminino, p=0,404), fonte de informações não oftalmológica (p=0,397), história cirúrgica prévia (p=0,571), não ter um/a companheiro/a (p=0,396) nem os dias desde a assinatura do formulário de consentimento informado (p=0,535) tiveram influência na compreensão do consentimento informado para cirurgia de catarata. Idade (r=-0,083, p<0,001) e nível educacional (estudos secundários r=1,845, p<0,001; estudos terciários r=4,289, p<0,001) mostraram significância estatística, com maior força de associação para o nível educacional (OR estudos secundários = 6,33, OR estudos terciários = 72,86) que para a idade (OR = 0,92). CONCLUSÃO: O conhecimento do paciente sobre o consentimento informado para cirurgia de catarata é influenciado pela idade e nível educacional. O objetivo e os riscos, consequências, de não fazer a cirurgia e as indicações pós-operatórias são os tópicos menos compreensíveis. O consentimento informado é visto como uma obrigação legal compulsória.