Atezolizumab Plus Bevacizumab Treatment for Unresectable Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Real-life Experience from a Single Tertiary Centre in Spain and ALBI Score as a Survival Prognostic Factor.

Background/aim: Atezolizumab/bevacizumab (atez/bev) has been established as first-line systemic treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, concerns regarding safety and efficacy have been raised, and no biomarkers to predict response have yet been identified. We aimed to evaluate the real-life experience of atez/bev in a Spanish tertiary hospital and identify factors associated with overall survival (OS).

Humoral and cellular immune responses to Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in adolescents with liver transplantation: Single center experience.

Background: Immune responses to vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS)-coronavirus (CoV)-2 are variable. In the absence of disease, youngsters are expected to better react to vaccines than adults. Nevertheless, chronic immunosuppression in transplant recipients may impair their capability to generate protection.

Factors Associated with Depression and Anxiety Symptoms among Migrant Population in Spain during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Migrants are likely to experience mental health conditions, being one of the most vulnerable groups during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aims to: (1) estimate the prevalence of depressive and anxious symptoms and (2) examine the impact of risk and protective factors on this symptomatology. A sample of 129 migrants living in Spain during the COVID-19 pandemic completed an anonymous online survey, including information on sociodemographic and individual characteristics, migration, basic needs, social environment and perceived health domains.

The Usefulness of In Vitro Percutaneous Absorption Experiments Applying the Infinite Dose Technique to Predict In Vivo Plasma Levels: Comparison of Model-Predicted and Observed Plasma Concentrations of Nortriptyline in Rats.

The aims of this study were to evaluate the feasibility of a nortriptyline (NT) formulation for transdermal administration and to assess the usefulness of an estimated kinetic parameter () using the in vitro infinite dose technique to predict in vivo plasma levels when used in combination with pharmacokinetic parameters. To do so, a simple one-compartment model was used to describe the transport of a permeant across a membrane (skin). This model provides relatively simple expressions for the amount of permeant in the skin, the cumulative amount of permeant that crosses the skin, and the flux of permeant, for both the infinite and the finite dose regimens.

MUC1 intracellular bioactivation mediates lung fibrosis.

Background: Serum KL6/mucin 1 (MUC1) has been identified as a potential biomarker in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), but the role of MUC1 intracellular bioactivation in IPF is unknown.

Objective: To characterise MUC1 intracellular bioactivation in IPF.

Methods And Results: The expression and phosphorylation of Thr and Tyr on the intracellular MUC1-cytoplasmic tail (CT) was increased in patients with IPF (n=22) compared with healthy subjects (n=21) and localised to fibroblasts and hyperplastic alveolar type II cells.

Care Burden Derived from the Introduction of an Early Lung Cancer Screening Program in High-Risk HIV-Infected Patients.

We describe the care burden derived from a lung cancer screening program in high-risk patients with HIV. In a well-selected group with the described criteria, one annual low-dose thoracic computed tomographic exploration can be applied to 7.2% of the patients attended (95% confidence interval: 4.

An Intensive Lifestyle Intervention Is an Effective Treatment of Morbid Obesity: The TRAMOMTANA Study-A Two-Year Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective therapy to induce weight loss in morbidly obese patients. Objective. This controlled, clinical trial with a two-year intervention was aimed at comparing the efficacy of two nonsurgical approaches versus bariatric surgery, on body weight changes and metabolic parameters in morbidly obese patients.

One year weight loss in the TRAMOMTANA study. A randomized controlled trial.

Background: Morbid obesity is a major health problem and bariatric surgery is currently the most effective therapy available to induce weight loss in these patients. This report describes 1-year changes in weight and metabolic parameters, in a trial designed to examine the effects of a nonsurgical approach, Intensive Life style Intervention (ILI) on the therapy of morbid obesity.

Methods: The primary outcome was change in body weight.

[Methods for analyzing uncertainty].

Current budgetary restrictions in health systems have increased the influence of economic evaluation studies on decision making. Nevertheless, uncertainty about the parameters used in pharmacoeconomic models is inevitable and may affect the conclusions drawn. The present article aims to review the main methods proposed to quantify the uncertainty inherent in pharmacoeconomic evaluations applied to health technologies.

[TRAMOMTANA (Multidisciplinary treatment of morbid obesity: medication, behavioral therapy, nutritional support, and physical activity). From question to reality in an investigator-initiated clinical trial (II)].

Implementation of an intensive, multidisciplinary weight loss program in patients with morbid obesity is reported. This program is based on behavioral changes, lifestyle intervention, medication, and group therapy sessions. Our objective is to show that the results achieved with this two-year weight loss program will be at least similar to those achieved with bariatric surgery in patients with morbid obesity.

[Key points in the start and conduct of a clinical trial. From question to reality in an investigator-initiated clinical trial (I)].

Evidence-based clinical practice requires integration of individual professional experience with the best objective data to make the best therapeutic decision. The best degree of scientific evidence derives from controlled, randomized clinical trials and post-marketing drug surveillance studies and meta-analyses. During our clinical activities, we often search unsuccessfully for a clinical trial which answers our scientific questions.

Evaluation of bleeding risk and measurement methods in dental patients.

Objective: The present study explores bleeding manifestations in routine dental surgical procedures, evaluates the influence of antithrombotic drugs upon bleeding risk, and validates the efficiency of a clinical method for the measurement of bleeding.

Material And Method: A prospective observational study was made involving a cohort of 99 patients in the setting of normal clinical practice, with the added conduction of prior hematological tests including baseline hemostasis and platelet function, based on a new method (Multiplate System®). For evaluation of the bleeding manifestations, a clinical method was selected that evaluates bleeding on the basis of its duration and the hemostatic measures needed to resolve the problem.

Quantification of nortriptyline in plasma by HPLC and fluorescence detection.

A simple, sensitive and specific high-performance liquid chromatography method has been developed for the determination of nortriptyline (NT) in plasma samples. The assay involved derivatization with 9H-fluoren-9-ylmethyl chloroformate (Fmoc-Cl) and isocratic reversed-phase (C(18)) chromatography with fluorescence detection. The developed method required only 100 microl of plasma sample, deproteinized and derivatized in one step.

Nortriptyline for smoking cessation: release and human skin diffusion from patches.

The objective of this work was to develop a simple and inexpensive transdermal formulation containing Nortriptyline Hydrochloride (NTH) for smoking cessation support therapy. Hydroxypropyl-methyl-cellulose was chosen as polymer and a mixture of transdermal enhancers (selected from previous research) was incorporated. The formulations were characterised in terms of appearance, thickness, uniformity of NTH content, release and skin permeation.

[Recommendations for antibiotic monitoring in ICU patients].

Monitoring plasma concentrations of antimicrobial agents used to treat infection in critically ill patients is one of the recommended strategies for improving clinical outcome. Drug monitoring has a double aim: to limit adverse events and to increase the effectiveness of the drugs. In clinical practice, however, this approach is mainly limited to monitoring plasma concentrations of vancomycin and aminoglycosides, although future extension to other antimicrobial agents would be desirable.

[Recommendations for antibiotic monitoring in ICU patients].

Unlabelled: Monitoring plasma concentrations of antimicrobial agents used to treat infection in critically ill patients is one of the recommended strategies for improving clinical outcome. Drug monitoring has a double

Aim: to limit adverse events and to increase the effectiveness of the drugs. In clinical practice, however, this approach is mainly limited to monitoring plasma concentrations of vancomycin and aminoglycosides, although future extension to other antimicrobial agents would be desirable.

[A time series analysis of the cost of the most common drug treatment groups in an intensive care unit].

Objective: To determine the evolution of the most common drug treatment groups in an intensive care unit over a period of seven years, characterise the time-cost relationship and establish an ARIMA prediction model using Box-Jenkins methodology.

Method: A retrospective analysis of the costs of thirteen drug treatment groups was carried out in an intensive care unit with 19 beds between the period of 1998 to 2004. The monthly cost of these treatment groups constituted the time series.

Effect of intracerebroventricular continuous infusion of valproic acid versus single i.p. and i.c.v. injections in the amygdala kindling epilepsy model.

Two protocols were tested to assess anticonvulsant efficacy and drug concentrations after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.

[Intradialysis hemolysis secondary to hypophosphatemia].

We report a 76-year-old man, stable on a thrice-weekly hemodialysis program over a period of 3 years, who developed acute intradialysis hemolysis secondary to hypophosphatemia, an unusual cause of hemolysis. During the dialysis session we monitored the starting point, the severity and duration of intradialysis hemolysis. Severe hyphosphatemia is a rare cause of intradialysis hemolysis.