ACTN3 R577X polymorphism related to sarcopenia and physical fitness in active older women.

BACKGROUND: As the population is getting older, physical activity promotion becomes a good strategy to increase quality of life in the elderly; but genetic condition also plays an important role. The purpose of this study was to examine the association of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism with physical fitness and muscle mass in physically active older women. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed with two groups of older women who practiced physical exercise regularly. The first cohort comprised 164 women (age 69.7 ± 3.2 years) and the second cohort 131 women (age 78.5 ± 3.0 years). The main outcome measures were anthropometric measures with assessment of sarcopenia and sarcopenic obesity, self-reported physical activity EXERNET questionnaire (EEPAQ), evaluation of physical fitness (muscle strength and flexibility test), and ACTN3 genotyping. RESULTS: Women above 75 years old with allele R presented a higher risk of experiencing sarcopenia compared to ACTNR XX homozygous women (odds ratio 0.356, 95% confidence interval 0.139-0.915, p = 0.026). Furthermore, statistically significant differences were found in the chair stand test (p = 0.04), as well as in the sit and reach test (p = 0.01), with better results for women below 75 years old with the ACTN3 XX genotype. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia and physical fitness show differences based on the ACTN3 R577X genotype in active older women.

Correction to: Application of a multiphase microreactor chemostat for the determination of reaction kinetics of Staphylococcus carnosus.

Unfortunately, in the "How to Cite as" section, the given and the family name of the author was incorrectly published, the correct name is Lladó Maldonado. S.

Does fitness attenuate the relationship between changes in sitting time and health-related quality of life over time in community-dwelling older adults? Evidence from the EXERNET multicenter longitudinal study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the relationship between fitness levels and components, sitting time and health-related quality of life (HRQoL), over time among community-dwelling older adults. METHODS: Three different sitting trajectories were calculated: (i) no change; (ii) decrease; and (iii) increase in ST, between baseline and follow-up. Fitness was assessed using the aerobic capacity, upper and lower limb strength, and total fitness. Participants were classified into higher (75th percentile or above) or lower (below 75th percentile) fitness levels, using the fitness tests. HRQoL scores at follow-up were compared to the three different sitting time trajectories within and across both the higher and the lower fitness groups for each of the three fitness indexes. RESULTS: Greater HRQoL scores were observed in those participants that decreased their ST as compared with those increasing their sitting time over time for participants classified in the lower end of their aerobic capacity or total fitness index. No differences were detected in HRQoL scores in people classified in the higher fitness level group for any of the fitness indexes. Participants that increased or did not change their sitting time and who were classified in the higher fitness end of aerobic capacity and total fitness index self-reported higher HRQoL scores when compared with those in the lower fitness end. CONCLUSION: Increased sitting time over time is associated with poorer HRQoL in older adults. Higher fitness levels could help attenuate the negative impact of sitting over time.

Application of a multiphase microreactor chemostat for the determination of reaction kinetics of Staphylococcus carnosus.

Bioreactors at the microliter scale offer a promising approach to accelerate bioprocess development. Advantages of such microbioreactors include a reduction in the use of expensive reagents. In this study, a chemostat operation mode of a cuvette-based microbubble column bioreactor made of polystyrene (working volume of 550 µL) was demonstrated. Aeration occurs through a nozzle (Ø ≤ 100 µm) and supports submerged whole-cell cultivation of Staphylococcus carnosus. Stationary concentrations of biomass and glucose were determined in the dilution rate regime ranging from 0.12 to 0.80 1/h with a glucose feed concentration of 1 g/L. For the first time, reaction kinetics of S. carnosus were estimated from data obtained from continuous cultivation. The maximal specific growth rate (µmax = 0.824 1/h), Monod constant (KS = 34 × 10- 3gS/L), substrate-related biomass yield coefficient (YX/S = 0.315 gCDW/gS), and maintenance coefficient (mS = 0.0035 gS/(gCDW·h)) were determined. These parameters are now available for further studies in the field of synthetic biology.

Evidence on the discrimination of quinoa grains with a combination of FT-MIR and FT-NIR spectroscopy.

Quinoa is considered as a valuable re-emergent crop due to its nutritional composition. In this study, five quinoa grains from different geographical origin (Real, CHEN 252, Regalona, BO25 and UDc9) were discriminated using a combination of FT-MIR and FT-NIR spectra as input for principal component analysis (PCA), cluster analysis (CA) and soft independent modelling class analogy (SIMCA). The results obtained from PCA and CA show a great power of discrimination, with an average silhouette width value of 0.96. Moreover, SIMCA showed an error rate and accuracy values of 0 and 1 respectively with only 4% misclassified samples. A relationship between each principal component and the most important variables for the discrimination were mainly due to vibrations of several oleofins groups (C-H, C-H2, C-H3), alkene group (-CH=CH-), hydroxyl group (O-H) and Amides I and II vibrational modes.

Cookies elaborated with oat and common bean flours improved serum markers in diabetic rats.

BACKGROUND: Common beans have been associated with anti-diabetic effects, due to its high content of bioactive compounds. Nevertheless, its consumption has decreased worldwide. Therefore, there is an increasing interest in the development of novel functional foods elaborated with common beans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-diabetic effect of oat-bean flour cookies, and to analyze its bioactive composition, using commercial oat-wheat cookies for comparative purposes. RESULTS: Oat-bean cookies (1.2 g kg-1 ) slightly decreased serum glucose levels (∼1.1-fold) and increased insulin levels (∼1.2-fold) in diabetic rats, reducing the hyperglycemic peak in healthy rats (∼1.1-fold). Oat-bean cookies (0.8 and 1.2 g kg-1 ) exerted a greater hypolipidemic effect than commercial oat-wheat cookies (1.2 g kg-1 ), as observed in decreased serum triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Furthermore, the supplementation with 1.2 g kg-1 oat-bean cookies decreased atherogenic index and serum C-reactive protein levels, suggesting their cardioprotective potential. The beneficial effect of oat-bean cookies was associated with their high content of dietary fiber and galacto oligosaccharides, as well as chlorogenic acid, rutin, protocatechuic acid, ß-sitosterol and soyasaponins. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that common beans can be used as functional ingredients for the elaboration of cookies with anti-diabetic effects. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry.

Multispecies mass mortality in the Beagle Channel associated with paralytic shellfish toxins.

The Beagle Channel is a Subantarctic semi-estuarine environment at the southern tip of South America, where intoxication events associated with harmful algal blooms have been reported since 1886, including a world record in toxicity due to Alexandrium catenella in 1992. Toxic algae affect public health and ecosystem services, particularly mussel aquaculture and fisheries management. During the austral summer of 2022, an intense bloom of A. catenella (5 × 104 cells L-1) occurred in the Beagle Channel, leading to the second most toxic event in the area, with mussel toxicity reaching 197,266 µg STXeq kg-1. This event was synchronous with the mortality of marine organisms from different trophic levels and terrestrial fauna, i.e., two Fuegian red foxes and a southern caracara. Stomach content and liver samples from dead kelp gulls (Larus dominicanus), Magellanic penguins (Spheniscus magellanicus), papua penguins (Pygoscelis papua), and imperial cormorants (Leucocarbo atriceps), presented variable paralytic shellfish toxins (PST) levels (up to 3427 µg STXeq kg-1) as measured by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), suggesting that deaths were associated with high PST toxicity level. The different toxin profiles found in phytoplankton, zooplankton, squat lobsters (Grimothea gregaria), Fuegian sprat (Sprattus fuegensis), and seabirds evidenced possible toxin transformation along the food web and the possible transfer vectors. The unexpected detection of PST in terrestrial fauna (up to 2707 µg STXeq kg-1) suggested intoxication by scavenging on squat lobsters, which had high toxicity (26,663 µg STXeq kg-1). PST trace levels were also detected in a liver sample of a dead false killer whale (Pseudorca crassidens), an oceanic odontocete stranded on the coast during the bloom. Overall, our results denote the exceptional nature of the toxic, multispecies mortality event and that toxins may propagate to several levels of the food web in this Subantarctic environment.

Ricinosomes provide an early indicator of suspensor and endosperm cells destined to die during late seed development in quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa).

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: In mature quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) seeds, the lasting endosperm forms a micropylar cone covering the radicle. The suspensor cells lie within the centre of the cone. During the final stage of seed development, the cells of the lasting endosperm accumulate protein and lipids while the rest are crushed and disintegrated. Both the suspensor and endosperm die progressively from the innermost layers surrounding the embryo and extending towards the nucellar tissue. Ricinosomes are endoplasmic reticulum-derived organelles that accumulate both the pro-form and the mature form of cysteine endopeptidase (Cys-EP), first identified in castor bean (Ricinus communis) endosperm during germination. This study sought to identify associations between the presence of ricinosomes and programmed cell death (PCD) hallmarks in suspensor and endosperm cells predestined to die during quinoa seed development. METHODS: A structural study using light microscopy and transmission electron microscopy was performed. To detect the presence of Cys-EP, both western blot and in situ immunolocalization assays were carried out using anti-R. communis Cys-EP antibody. A TUNEL assay was used to determine DNA fragmentation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Except for the one or two cell layers that constitute the lasting endosperm in the mature seed, ricinosomes were found in suspensor and endosperm cells. These cells were also the site of morphological abnormalities, including misshapen and fragmented nuclei, vesiculation of the cytosol, vacuole collapse and cell wall disorganization. It is proposed that, in suspensor and endosperm cells, the early detection of Cys-EP in ricinosomes predicts the occurrence of PCD during late seed development.

The hilum of the lung: Two classical radiological signs to decipher it.

Assessing the hilum of the lung is a common challenge in daily practice because various structures converge in this complex anatomic region. Because chest X-rays are widely available and deliver relatively low doses of radiation, they continue to be the most common imaging test, although new imaging modalities have decreased the use of chest X-rays for differentiating between true abnormalities and superimposed lung opacities. This article reviews the literature and describes the principal anatomic relations of the lung hilum through illustrative cases to enable the two most important radiologic signs to be identified: "hilum overlay" and "hilum convergence". In the initial imaging evaluation of patients with cardiothoracic disease, knowledge of these basic principles facilitates the three-dimensional location of lesions in a single-plane image, optimizing time and resources.

Scale-up of electrokinetic permeable reactive barriers for the removal of organochlorine herbicide from spiked soils.

This work aims to shed light on the scale-up a combined electrokinetic soil flushing process (EKSF) with permeable reactive barriers (PRB) for the treatment of soil spiked with clopyralid. To do this, remediation tests at lab (3.45 L), bench (175 L) and pilot (1400 L) scales have been carried out. The PRB selected was made of soil merged with particles of zero valent iron (ZVI) and granular activated carbon (GAC). Results show that PRB-EKSF involved electrokinetic transport and dehalogenation as the main mechanisms, while adsorption on GAC was not as relevant as initially expected. Clopyralid was not detected in the electrolyte wells and only in the pilot scale, significant amounts of clopyralid remained in the soil after 600 h of operation. Picolinic acid was the main dehalogenated product detected in the soil after treatment and mobilized by electro-osmosis, mostly to the cathodic well. The transport of volatile compounds into the atmosphere was promoted at pilot scale because of the larger soil surface exposed to the atmosphere and the electrical heating caused by ohmic losses and the larger interelectrode gap.

The hilum of the lung: two classical radiological signs to decipher it. / El hilio pulmonar, dos signos radiológicos clásicos para descifrarlo.

Assessing the hilum of the lung is a common challenge in daily practice because various structures converge in this complex anatomic region. Because chest X-rays are widely available and deliver relatively low doses of radiation, they continue to be the most common imaging test, although new imaging modalities have decreased the use of chest X-rays for differentiating between true abnormalities and superimposed lung opacities. This article reviews the literature and describes the principal anatomic relations of the lung hilum through illustrative cases to enable the two most important radiologic signs to be identified: "hilum overlay" and "hilum convergence". In the initial imaging evaluation of patients with cardiothoracic disease, knowledge of these basic principles facilitates the three-dimensional location of lesions in a single-plane image, optimizing time and resources.

Analysis of the care management protocol for COVID pregnant women and detection of improvement proposals applying clinical simulation methodology. / Análisis del protocolo de atención a las gestantes COVID y detección de puntos de mejora aplicando metodología de simulación clínica.

INTRODUCTION: The current SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has been the world's largest socio-health crisis experienced in the last century. Each healthcare center has been compelled to adapt the treatment guidelines established by the different scientific societies. OBJECTIVES: Analyze the impact of the methodology based on simulation as a tool to improve our clinical practice: work dynamics, effectiveness and safety of all the physicians involved in the management of labor in COVID pregnant women and its usefulness to facilitate the adaptation of protocols to a specific clinical context. METHOD: Descriptive observational study that includes the C-sections and deliveries of COVID pregnant women performed in our hospital. The actions carried out in each procedure were analyzed using the simulation multidisciplinary briefing and debriefing tools, before and after each case. RESULTS: A total of 5 clinical cases were analyzed. Difficulties were found in the execution of the protocols established for the care of the COVID pregnant. Organizational, structural, material resources and human factors obstacles were the most common. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that the analysis example using simulation methodology was a tool of great value in three aspects: teamwork improvement, actions consent and improvement proposals for the adaptation and implementation of protocols.

Is Sitting Time Related with Physical Fitness in Spanishelderly Population? The EXERNET Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Older adults spend most of their waking hours performing sedentary activities. The influence of these lifestyle patterns on the physical fitness (PF) levels of this population has not yet been sufficiently investigated. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to examine whether sedentary behavior (SB) (h•d-1sitting) is associated with PF, and specifically to analyze whether sitting >4 h•d-1 is associated with higher risk of having lower levels of fitness in seniors. DESIGN: EXERNET multi-center study. PARTICIPANTS AND SETTINGS: A representative sample of 3136 non-institutionalized elderly (aged 72.2±5.3 years), from 6 Regions of Spain were included in the study. MEASUREMENTS: PF was assessed using 8 different tests from the EXERNET battery. Lifestyle patterns were collected using a validated questionnaire. ANOVA was used to compare the groups according to the hours of sitting. Binary logistic regression was used to calculate the association between the SB and low levels of fitness. RESULTS: For both genders, those who spent sitting >4 h•d-1 had lower levels of balance, agility, walking speed and aerobic endurance (p<0.001). Sedentary men also had less strength of lower extremities (p<0.05), whereas, sedentary women were less flexible in the lower extremities (p<0.001). More than 4 h•d-1 sitting was associated, in men, to higher odds for having low strength (lower extremities), agility, flexibility (lower extremities) and aerobic endurance (p<0.05); and in women, to higher risk of low balance, strength (lower and upper extremities), flexibility (lower extremities), agility, walking speed and aerobic endurance (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Seniors that sit >4 h•d-1 have lower levels of fitness and this behavior is related with an increased risk of having low levels of PF in this population.

Describing force-induced bone growth and adaptation by a mathematical model.

This work proposes a mathematical model that qualitative describes the process of mechanically force-induced bone growth and adaptation. The mathematical model includes osteocytes as the key interfacing layer connecting tissue, cellular and molecular signaling levels. Specifically, in the presence of an increase in the mechanical stimuli, osteocytes respond by mechano-transduction releasing the local factors nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E(2) (PGE(2)). These local factors act as the signaling recruitment signals for bone cells progenitors and influence the coupling activity among osteoblasts and osteoclasts during the process of bone remodeling. The model is in agreement with qualitative observations found in the literature concerning the process of bone adaptation and the cellular interactions during a local bone remodeling cycle induced by mechanical stimulation.

El hilio pulmonar, dos signos radiológicos clásicos para descifrarlo / The hilum of the lung: two classical radiological signs to decipher it

El análisis del hilio pulmonar es un reto frecuente en la práctica diaria, por tratarse de una región anatómica compleja donde confluyen varias estructuras. La radiografía de tórax, por su alta accesibilidad y baja dosis de radiación, se mantiene como la primera técnica de imagen solicitada, pese a que las nuevas modalidades han disminuido su uso en el momento de diferenciar verdaderas anormalidades de opacidades pulmonares superpuestas. Se realizó una revisión bibliográfica que ilustra mediante casos didácticos sus principales relaciones anatómicas, lo que permite identificar los signos radiológicos que revisten mayor importancia: “sobreposición hiliar” y “convergencia hiliar”. En la valoración inicial del paciente con patología cardiotorácica, tener conocimiento de estos principios básicos facilita localizar tridimensionalmente lesiones en una imagen planar, optimizando tiempo y recursos.(AU)

Assessing the hilum of the lung is a common challenge in daily practice because various structures converge in this complex anatomic region. Because chest X-rays are widely available and deliver relatively low doses of radiation, they continue to be the most common imaging test, although new imaging modalities have decreased the use of chest X-rays for differentiating between true abnormalities and superimposed lung opacities. This article reviews the literature and describes the principal anatomic relations of the lung hilum through illustrative cases to enable the two most important radiologic signs to be identified: “hilum overlay” and “hilum convergence”. In the initial imaging evaluation of patients with cardiothoracic disease, knowledge of these basic principles facilitates the three-dimensional location of lesions in a single-plane image, optimizing time and resources.(AU)

[Relation between educational level and body composition in non-institutionalized elderly: The elderly EXERNET multi-center study.] / Relación entre el nivel educativo y la composición corporal en personas mayores no institucionalizadas: proyecto multi-céntrico EXERNET.

OBJECTIVE: There is an inverse association between educational level and body composition; however this association has strongly focused in young and adults population. The aim of this study was to analyze the educational levels attained in overweight and obesity Spanish elderly and to investigate if there was a correlation between having a low educational level and the risk of having overweight, central obesity or excess fat mass during the aging process. METHODS: A representative sample of 2706 elderly (629 men and 2077 women; mean age of 72.1 ± 5.3 years) from Spain were assessed in the elderly EXERNET multi-center study between 2008 and 2009. Body composition was assessed in all subjects by bioelectrical impedance. ANCOVA was used to compare the averages between the groups. Logistic regression was used to calculate the association between educational level and the risk of having overweight, central fat or obesity. RESULTS: We observed significances between waist circumference and educational level in both sex (men 96.6 cm, women 86.3 cm); (p less than 0.05 and p less than 0.01, respective). There is an inverse association between the academic level, fat mass (29.5 kg) and percentage of body fat (40.8%) in women (p less than 0.05, p less than 0.01, respectively). No differences were observed in men. CONCLUSIONS: low educational level increases the possibility of having overweight or obesity in women and to have an increased waist circumference in both sexes.

OBJETIVO: El nivel educacional se ha relacionado inversamente con la composición corporal, sin embargo esta asociación ha sido evidenciada mayoritariamente en población joven y adulta. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar la relación entre la composición corporal de las personas mayores de 65 años y su nivel educativo, y determinar si tener un nivel educativo alto puede prevenir el riesgo de padecer sobrepeso, obesidad central o exceso de grasa durante la senectud. METODOS: El estudio se realizó entre los años 2008-2009, sobre una muestra representativa de personas mayores de España (2.706; 629 varones, 2.077 mujeres; edad media 72,1 ± 5,3 años), pertenecientes al Proyecto Multi-céntrico EXERNET. La composición corporal se evaluó mediante bio-impedancia eléctrica. Se utilizó ANCOVA para determinar las diferencias entre grupos. La asociación entre el nivel educativo y el riesgo de padecer sobrepeso, obesidad central o exceso de grasa se analizó mediante regresión logística. RESULTADOS: En el perímetro de cintura, los hombres y mujeres con mayor nivel de estudios presentaron 96,6 cm y 86,3 cm, respectivamente (pmenor de 0,05 y p menor de 0,01, respectivamente). Las mujeres con menor nivel de estudios presentaron 29,5 kg de masa grasa total y 40,8% de masa grasa (p menor de 0,05 y p menor de 0,01, respectivamente). Los varones no presentaron diferencias en estas mediciones. CONCLUSIONES: Poseer un bajo nivel de estudios aumenta las posibilidades de padecer sobrepeso y obesidad en las mujeres y de tener mayor perímetro de cintura en ambos sexos.

Axillary web syndrome following sentinel node biopsy for breast cancer. / Síndrome de web axilar secundario a la biopsia selectiva del ganglio centinela en cáncer de mama.

A 49 year-old woman diagnosed with infiltrating lobular breast carcinoma, underwent a right mastectomy and sentinel node biopsy (SLNB). The resected sentinel lymph nodes were negative for malignancy, with an axillary lymphadenectomy not being performed. In the early post-operative period, the patient reported an axillary skin tension sensation, associated with a painful palpable cord. These are typical manifestations of axillary web syndrome (AWS), a poorly known axillary surgery complication, from both invasive and conservative interventions. By presenting this case we want to focus the attention on a pathological condition, for which its incidence may be underestimated by not including it in SLNB studies. It is important for nuclear medicine physicians to be aware of AWS as a more common complication than infection, seroma, or lymphoedema, and to discuss this possible event with the patient who is consenting to the procedure.

Identification and characterization of contrasting sunflower genotypes to early leaf senescence process combining molecular and physiological studies (Helianthus annuus L.).

Leaf senescence is a complex mechanism ruled by multiple genetic and environmental variables that affect crop yields. It is the last stage in leaf development, is characterized by an active decline in photosynthetic rate, nutrients recycling and cell death. The aim of this work was to identify contrasting sunflower inbred lines differing in leaf senescence and to deepen the study of this process in sunflower. Ten sunflower genotypes, previously selected by physiological analysis from 150 inbred genotypes, were evaluated under field conditions through physiological, cytological and molecular analysis. The physiological measurement allowed the identification of two contrasting senescence inbred lines, R453 and B481-6, with an increase in yield in the senescence delayed genotype. These findings were confirmed by cytological and molecular analysis using TUNEL, genomic DNA gel electrophoresis, flow sorting and gene expression analysis by qPCR. These results allowed the selection of the two most promising contrasting genotypes, which enables future studies and the identification of new biomarkers associated to early senescence in sunflower. In addition, they allowed the tuning of cytological techniques for a non-model species and its integration with molecular variables.

The Spanish version of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-R21 for children and adolescents (TFEQ-R21C): Psychometric analysis and relationships with body composition and fitness variables.

OBJECTIVE: The main purpose of the present study is to assess the factor structure and reliability of the Spanish version of the 21-item Three Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ-R21C) in children and adolescents and to analyze the relationships between eating behaviors, body composition and cardiovascular fitness. SUBJECTS: A total of 192 children and adolescents took part in this study (89 boys and 103 girls; aged from 8.8 to 16.8years old and with body mass index (BMI) ranging from 13.2 to 41.1kg/m(2)). None of them had either a history of psychological or eating disorders. MEASUREMENTS: Body composition (dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry-DXA), anthropometrics (body mass, height and BMI), cardiovascular fitness (cyclo-ergometer incremental test) and eating behaviors (TFEQ-R21C) were determined in all participants. RESULTS: The confirmatory factor analysis corroborated the same three factors of the original TFEQ-R21: Uncontrolled Eating (UE), Emotional Eating (EE) and Cognitive Restraint (CR). The internal-consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha coefficient) for the questionnaire was 0.73. Significant differences were found in BMI (F2,189=3.50, p=0.032) and total fat mass (TFM) (F2,189=3.60, p=0.029) between tertiles of the CR scale (children who had the lowest scores, also had lower BMI and fat mass). Cardiovascular fitness (measured by relative VO2 peak) differs depending on the UE and CR scores. The "healthy" group (those who were normal-weight and had also the highest relative VO2 peak) showed a significant lower CR (F3,160=3.07, p=0.030) and higher UE (F3,160=3.86, p=0.011) than the "unhealthy" group (those who were neither normal-weight nor had adequate relative VO2 peak). CONCLUSIONS: According to the psychometric analysis of the questionnaire, the TFEQ-R21C is a valid and useful tool to assess eating behaviors in Spanish child population. Further research is necessary to understand the links between eating behaviors and other health-related behaviors such as physical activity time or cardiovascular fitness.

Comparison of cytomegalovirus viral load measure by real-time PCR with pp65 antigenemia for the diagnosis of cytomegalovirus disease in solid organ transplant patients.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is the most frequent complication in solid organ transplant recipients. Currently, the antigenemia assay is widely used to detect this infection, although its success is being questioned to a great extent nowadays. The aim of our study is to compare a quantitative real time PCR to measure CMV DNA to the antigenemia assay, for the diagnosis to CMV disease. For our research, we prospectively processed 1198 samples (plasma and peripheral blood leukocytes [PBMC]), which belonged to 158 transplant recipients. In every sample the detection of the pp65 antigen in PBMC was carried out, as well as the quantification of CMV DNA by PCR (Light Cycler, LC-PCR). For this process, FRET probes, which detect a 254-bp fragment from the CMV gB gene, were used. The dynamic range of the LC-PCR was 500 to 5.10(7) copies/mL plasma and from 62 to 6.10(6) copies/10(6) PBMC. Twenty-three episodes of cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease occurred in 22 out of 158 patients and PCR displayed levels of sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 67%, respectively. The antigenemia assay obtained values of 91% and 57%. We established a cutoff value of 10(3) copies/mL plasma and 315 copies/10(6) cells. According to these cutoff values, PCR showed levels of sensitivity, specificity, VPN and VPP of 95.6%, 81.6%, 99%, and 53% respectively. Moreover, the LC-PCR assay anticipated the antigenemia assay in 10 patients out of 22 who developed CMV disease and the appearance of any clinical symptoms in 12 out of 22 patients. In conclusion, we believe that the quantification of CMV DNA by LC-PCR is a superior assay to pp65 antigenemia test regarding the early diagnosis of CMV disease in solid organ transplant recipients.