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Predictors of Response to Exclusive Enteral Nutrition in Newly Diagnosed Crohn´s Disease in Children: PRESENCE Study from SEGHNP
Exclusive enteral nutrition (EEN) has been shown to be more effective than corticosteroids in achieving mucosal healing in children with Crohn s disease (CD) without the adverse effects of these drugs. The aims of this study were to determine the efficacy of EEN in terms of inducing clinical remission in children newly diagnosed with CD, to describe the predictive factors of response to EEN and the need for treatment with biological agents during the first 12 months of the disease. We conducted an observational retrospective multicentre study that included paediatric patients newly diagnosed with CD between 2014-2016 who underwent EEN. Two hundred and twenty-two patients (140 males) from 35 paediatric centres were included, with a mean age at diagnosis of 11.6 +/- 2.5 years. The median EEN duration was 8 weeks (IQR 6.6-8.5), and 184 of the patients (83%) achieved clinical remission (weighted paediatric Crohn's Disease activity index [wPCDAI] 15 mg/L and ileal involvement tended to respond better to EEN. EEN administered for 6-8 weeks is effective for inducing clinical remission. Due to the high response rate in our series, EEN should be used as the first-line therapy in luminal paediatric Crohn's disease regardless of the location of disease and disease activity
Uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic lung sparing tracheo-bronchial and carinal sleeve resections
Pathology arising from the intrathoracic portion of the trachea (distal trachea), the carina and the main bronchi is usually neoplastic and is mainly treated with surgery. Resection of the intrathoracic portion of the trachea, the carina and the main bronchi for neoplastic lesions does not necessitate lung resection and is traditionally being conducted via open surgery. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is witnessing an exponential growth and is the treatment of choice for early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The experience accumulated over the past two decades along with the introduction of reliable and ergonomic technology, has led to the expansion of its indications. In this article we provide a detailed description of lung sparing distal tracheal, carinal and main bronchi resection for primary neoplasms of the airway, without involvement of the lung, with the uniportal video-assisted technique. The chest is entered through the fourth intercostal space, mid-axillary line. Dissection of the paratracheal space anteriorly, the tracheoesophageal groove posteriorly and the subcarinal space and division of the azygos arch are essential to mobilize the distal trachea and carina. Lateral dissection should be avoided beyond the points of division of the airway, as it may hinder the blood supply to the anastomosis. Any tension to the anastomosis should be relieved by release maneuvers. Ventilation is achieved through an endobronchial catheter, inserted into the left main bronchus through which a high-frequency jet ventilation catheter can be also inserted through it. The rationale of applying a minimally invasive technique for the conduction of tracheal and carinal resections, is to exploit its advantages, namely less pain, earlier mobilization and lower morbidity. Uniportal video-assisted resections of the distal trachea, carina and the main bronchi, are safe when conducted by experienced surgical and anesthetic teams
COVID-19: age, Interleukin-6, C-reactive protein, and lymphocytes as key clues froAM a multicentre retrospective study
Background: The SARS-CoV-2 infection has widely spread to become the greatest public health challenge to date, the COVID-19 pandemic. Different fatality rates among countries are probably due to non-standardized records being carried out by local health authorities. The Spanish case-fatality rate is 11.22%, far higher than those reported in Asia or by other European countries. A multicentre retrospective study of demographic, clinical, laboratory and immunological features of 584 Spanish COVID-19 hospitalized patients and their outcomes was performed. The use of renin-angiotensin system blockers was also analysed as a risk factor. Results: In this study, 27.4% of cases presented a mild course, 42.1% a moderate one and for 30.5% of cases, the course was severe. Ages ranged from 18 to 98 (average 63). Almost 60 % (59.8%) of patients were male. Interleukin 6 was higher as severity increased. On the other hand, CD8 lymphocyte count was significantly lower as severity grew and subpopulations CD4, CD8, CD19, and NK showed concordant lowering trends. Severity-related natural killer percent descents were evidenced just within aged cases. A significant severity-related decrease of CD4 lymphocytes was found in males. The use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors was associated with a better prognosis. The angiotensin II receptor blocker use was associated with a more severe course. Conclusions: Age and age-related comorbidities, such as dyslipidaemia, hypertension or diabetes, determined more frequent severe forms of the disease in this study than in previous literature cohorts. Our cases are older than those so far reported and the clinical course of the disease is found to be impaired by age. Immunosenescence might be therefore a suitable explanation for the hampering of immune system effectors. The adaptive immunity would become exhausted and a strong but ineffective and almost deleterious innate response would account for COVID-19 severity. Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors used by hypertensive patients have a protective effect in regards to COVID-19 severity in our series. Conversely, patients on angiotensin II receptor blockers showed a severer disease
Impact of Hyponatremia on COPD Exacerbation Prognosis
The most common electrolyte disorder among hospitalized patients, hyponatremia is a predictor of poor prognosis in various diseases. The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of hyponatremia in patients admitted for acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), as well as its association with poor clinical progress. Prospective observational study carried out from 1 October 2016 to 1 October 2018 in the following hospitals: Salnes in Vilagarcia de Arousa, Arquitecto Marcide in Ferrol, and the University Hospital Complex of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia, Spain, on patients admitted for AECOPD. Patient baseline treatment was identified, including hyponatremia-inducing drugs. Poor progress was defined as follows: prolonged stay, death during hospitalization, or readmission within one month after the index episode discharge. 602 patients were enrolled, 65 cases of hyponatremia (10.8%) were recorded, all of a mild nature (mean 131.6; SD 2.67). Of all the patients, 362 (60%) showed poor progress: 18 (3%) died at admission; 327 (54.3%) had a prolonged stay; and 91 (15.1%) were readmitted within one month after discharge. Patients with hyponatremia had a more frequent history of atrial fibrillation (AF) (p 0.005), pleural effusion (p 0.01), and prolonged stay (p 0.01). The factors independently associated with poor progress were hyponatremia, pneumonia, and not receiving home O2 treatment prior to admission. Hyponatremia is relatively frequent in patients admitted for AECOPD, and it has important prognostic implications, even when mild in nature
Use of Antipsychotics in Patients with Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Results of a Spanish Delphi Consensus.
BACKGROUND: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) are difficult to manage and associated with poor outcome. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to reach consensus on the use of antipsychotics in patients with BPSD in Spain. METHODS: A qualitative, multicenter, two-round Delphi study was carried out, with the participation of specialists involved in the care of dementia patients throughout Spain. They completed a 76-item questionnaire related to the identification of BPSD, treatment with antipsychotics, follow-up of patients, barriers for the use of atypical antipsychotics, and effects of antipsychotics on quality of life. RESULTS: A total of 162 specialists in neurology, psychiatry, and geriatrics (61% men) with a mean (SD) age of 45.9 (10) years participated in the study. Almost all participants (96.9%) strongly agreed that atypical antipsychotics are safer and better tolerated than typical antipsychotics. There was agreement on the importance to review the indication and dose of the antipsychotic drug at least every 3 months. There was consistent high rate of agreement on the beneficial impact of atypical antipsychotics on the quality of life of patients with dementia and their caregivers. A consensus was also reached on the need of detecting BPSD in patients with dementia as it decreases the quality of life of both patients and caregivers, and the need to routinely screen for dementia in elderly patients with no previous psychiatric history in the presence of suggestive symptoms of BPSD. Finally, the participants in the study agreed that administrative barriers for the prescription of atypical antipsychotics in Spain hinder the access to this drug group and favor the prescription of typical antipsychotics. CONCLUSIONS: The participants in the study agreed that atypical antipsychotics should be preferred to typical antipsychotics in the management of BPSD. Wide consensus was reached about the importance of early identification of BPSD in persons with cognitive impairment, the use and management of atypical antipsychotic drugs and their favorable impact on patients and caregiver's quality of life
Characterization of New Proteomic Biomarker Candidates in Mucopolysaccharidosis Type IVA
Mucopolysaccharidosis type IVA (MPS IVA) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by mutations in the N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfatase (GALNS) gene. Skeletal dysplasia and the related clinical features of MPS IVA are caused by disruption of the cartilage and its extracellular matrix, leading to a growth imbalance. Enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) with recombinant human GALNS has yielded positive results in activity of daily living and endurance tests. However, no data have demonstrated improvements in bone lesions and bone grow thin MPS IVA after ERT, and there is no correlation between therapeutic efficacy and urine levels of keratan sulfate, which accumulates in MPS IVA patients. Using qualitative and quantitative proteomics approaches, we analyzed leukocyte samples from healthy controls (n = 6) and from untreated (n = 5) and ERT-treated (n = 8, sampled before and after treatment) MPS IVA patients to identify potential biomarkers of disease. Out of 690 proteins identified in leukocytes, we selected a group of proteins that were dysregulated in MPS IVA patients with ERT. From these, we identified four potential protein biomarkers, all of which may influence bone and cartilage metabolism: lactotransferrin, coronin 1A, neutral alpha-glucosidase AB, and vitronectin. Further studies of cartilage and bone alterations in MPS IVA will be required to verify the validity of these proteins as potential biomarkers of MPS IVA
Gastrointestinal Tracking and Gastric Emptying of Coated Capsules in Rats with or without Sedation Using CT imaging
Following oral administration, gastric emptying is often a rate-limiting step in the absorption of drugs and is dependent on both physiological and pharmaceutical factors. To guide translation into humans, small animal imaging during pre-clinical studies has been increasingly used to localise the gastrointestinal transit of solid dosage forms. In contrast to humans, however, anaesthesia is usually required for effective imaging in animals which may have unintended effects on intestinal physiology. This study evaluated the effect of anaesthesia and capsule size on the gastric emptying rate of coated capsules in rats. Computed tomography (CT) imaging was used to track and locate the capsules through the gastrointestinal tract. Two commercial gelatine mini-capsules (size 9 and 9h) were filled with barium sulphate (contrast agent) and coated using Eudragit L. Under the effect of anaesthesia, none of the capsules emptied from the stomach. In non-anaesthetised rats, most of the size 9 capsules did not empty from the stomach, whereas the majority of the smaller size 9h capsules successfully emptied from the stomach and moved into the intestine. This study demonstrates that even with capsules designed to empty from the stomach in rats, the gastric emptying of such solid oral dosage forms is not guaranteed. In addition, the use of anaesthesia was found to abolish gastric emptying of both capsule sizes. The work herein further highlights the utility of CT imaging for the effective visualisation and location of solid dosage forms in the intestinal tract of rats without the use of anaesthesia
Role of Monocytes/Macrophages in Covid-19 Pathogenesis: Implications for Therapy
Emerging studies from SARS-CoV-2-infected patients indicate a preponderant role of monocytes/macrophages in the pathogenesis of this viral infection, in a similar way to that previously observed in other coronavirus outbreaks (SARS and MERS). The clinical presentation of severe patients resembles viral-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, a rare condition previously seen during lethal influenza pandemics and during previous SARS and MERS coronavirus outbreaks. SARS-CoV-2 infection triggers an over-exuberant inflammatory response due to the development of a cytokine storm and the depletion of the adaptative immune compartment, which may prelude sepsis in many cases. The present review summarizes past evidence on the role of monocytes/macrophages in previous coronavirus outbreaks and the emerging knowledge on their role in COVID-19 pathogenesis. Treatment strategies incorporating the blockade of migration and differentiation of monocyte-macrophage, such as granulocyte macrophage-colony stimulating factor inhibitors, might enhance the promising results seen so far with selective cytokine blockade