Short- and mid-term changes in CORVIS ST parameters in successful, adult orthokeratology patients.

Clinical Relevance: The changes in various biomechanical and tomographic characteristics of the cornea associated with orthokeratology may allow us to identify potential mid- and long-term structural alterations, resulting in a better understanding of the governing mechanisms of this procedure and in its optimisation.

Background: The study aimed at describing short and mid-term changes in CORVIS ST® parameters and indices in orthokeratology (ortho-k), and their diurnal variations.

Methods: A prospective observational study was designed in which several CORVIS ST® parameters of 75 new adult participants successfully fitted with overnight ortho-k Seefree® (Conóptica - Hecht Contactlinsen) contact lenses were explored.

Reactogenicity to the mRNA-1273 Booster According to Previous mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination.

The objective of this study was to assess the local and systemic adverse reactions after the administration of a COVID-19 mRNA-1273 booster between December 2021 and February 2022 by comparing the type of mRNA vaccine used as primary series (mRNA-1273 or BNT162b2) and homologous versus heterologous booster in health care workers (HCW). A cross-sectional study was performed in HCW at a tertiary hospital in Barcelona, Spain. A total of 17% of booster recipients responded to the questionnaire.

A molecular epidemiological study of human parainfluenza virus type 3 at a tertiary university hospital during 2013-2015 in Catalonia, Spain.

Human parainfluenza virus type 3 (HPIV-3) is one of the most common respiratory viruses particularly among young children and immunocompromised patients. The seasonality, prevalence and genetic diversity of HPIV-3 at a Spanish tertiary-hospital from 2013 to 2015 are reported. HPIV-3 infection was laboratory-confirmed in 102 patients (76%, under 5 years of age).

Circulation of a novel human respiratory syncytial virus Group B genotype during the 2014-2015 season in Catalonia (Spain).

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is one of the most common viral aetiological agents in the youngest population. In the present study a novel HRSV-B BA genotype is first described based on the phylogenetic analysis of the coding hypervariable region 2 sequences of G protein from strains detected during the 2014-2015 season. Among all strains detected in the last season, 44% belonged to this new genotype.

[Incidence of pneumococcal disease admissions in children with risk conditions in Catalonia (2005-2012)].

Introduction: Streptococcus pneumoniae is a significant cause of morbidity and mortality. Children with certain conditions are at risk of developing pneumococcal disease, including invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). The aim of this study is to estimate admission rates for IPD in children with risk conditions in Catalonia, and to describe their characteristics.

Molecular epidemiology and molecular characterization of respiratory syncytial viruses at a tertiary care university hospital in Catalonia (Spain) during the 2013-2014 season.

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the main cause of lower respiratory tract infections among infants and young children.

Objectives: The molecular epidemiology and characterization of HRSV strains detected at a Spanish tertiary hospital during the 2013-2014 season is reported.

Study Design: Phylogenetic analysis and molecular characterization of HRSV laboratory-confirmed respiratory samples were performed, based on coding sequences of G and F proteins.

[Pneumococcal vaccination coverage in at-risk children in Catalonia].

Introduction: The public health system in Catalonia only funds pneumococcal vaccination in paediatrics for children at-risk. The aim of this study was to determine pneumococcal vaccination coverage and its association with age, sociodemographic factors and other variables.

Material And Method: Descriptive cross-sectional study of children aged between 2 months and 15 years old assigned to primary care centres in Catalonia and with diseases that are included for pneumococcal vaccine in the official vaccination program.

Effectiveness of the WC/rBS oral cholera vaccine in the prevention of traveler's diarrhea: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: Traveler's diarrhea (TD) is the most frequent disease among people from industrialized countries who travel to less developed ones, especially sub-Saharan Africa, Southern Asia and South America. The most common bacteria causing TD is enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC). The WC/rBS cholera vaccine (Dukoral) has been shown to induce cross-protection against ETEC by means of the B subunit of the cholera toxin.

[Susceptibility to measles and varicella in healthcare workers in a tertiary hospital in Catalonia].

Introduction: To estimate the susceptibility to measles and varicella (chickenpox) in healthcare workers in a public tertiary level teaching hospital, in Catalonia.

Methods: A prevalence study was conducted from January 2006 to December 2008 on 2,752 workers who had serology performed for the determination of measles or varicella by ELISA test during a health examination. Data were analysed by, sex, age, professional category and work unit.

Association of HLA class II genes with systemic sclerosis in Spanish patients.

Objective: To examine the role of HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 alleles in the susceptibility to systemic sclerosis (SSc) and its clinical expression in a Spanish population.

Methods: One hundred Spanish Caucasian patients with SSc and 130 controls were studied. Molecular HLA-DRB1 and HLA-DQB1 typing was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequence-based typing and PCR sequence-specific oligonucleotide.

Differentiating between malignant and idiopathic pleural effusions: the value of diagnostic procedures.

Background: Which diagnostic procedures should be used to differentiate between idiopathic and malignant pleural effusions, is not well established.

Aim: To identify which parameters allow differentiation between idiopathic and malignant pleural effusions.

Design: Case-note review.

Fecal excretion of deoxyribonucleic acid in long-term follow-up of patients with inactive ulcerative colitis.

Background: We have developed a technique for measuring fecal excretion of human DNA by assuming that luminal desquamation of epithelial and inflammatory cells increases in damaged colonic mucosa. However, the clinical usefulness of this technique in the follow-up of patients with ulcerative colitis has not been established. The aim of this study was to determine the stability of fecal DNA in inactive ulcerative colitis and its potential value as an indicator of relapse.

Study of microvessel density and the expression of the angiogenic factors VEGF, bFGF and the receptors Flt-1 and FLK-1 in benign, premalignant and malignant prostate tissues.

Purpose: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic factor that stimulates endothelial cell growth and enhances vascular permeability. VEGF exerts its action by binding to the specific cell surface receptors, fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (Flt-1) and fetal liver kinase 1 (FLK/KDR). In tumor angiogenesis, Vascular endothelial growth factor stimulates endothelial cells to produce Basic fibroblastic growth factor (bFGF), which further enhances angiogenic activity.

Angiogenic factors and angiogenesis inhibitors in exudative pleural effusions.

The angiogenesis system has been implicated in inflammatory and neoplastic processes; nevertheless, it has been little studied in relation to the pleural space. Our aim is to analyze pleural and plasma levels of the activators--vascular endothelial growth factor, basic fibroblastic growth factor, and inhibitors--endostatin and thrombospondin-1 and to estimate the association between these factors and related biochemical markers. We analyzed pleural fluid from 105 patients with one of the following types of pleural effusion: empyema or complicated parapneumonic, non-complicated parapneumonic, tuberculous, neoplastic and transudative.

Angiotensin-converting enzyme i/d polymorphism in patients with malignant hypertension.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene has been implicated in the manifestation of the phenotype of malignant hypertension (MH). In 1990 the ACE gene polymorphism characterized by the insertion or deletion of a 287-base pair fragment in the 17q23 chromosome was identified. The DD genotype is associated with increased tissue and circulating ACE levels and elevated angiotensin II.

Metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in exudative pleural effusions.

The aim of this study was to assess the expression of several metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in exudative pleural effusions, and their relationship with inflammatory and fibrinolytic mediators in parapneumonic effusions. The study included 51 parapneumonic effusions (30 empyema or complicated parapneumonic, 21 noncomplicated parapneumonic), 28 tuberculous, 30 malignant and 30 transudates. Inflammatory markers (tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-8, polymorphonuclear elastase), fibrinolytic system variables (tissue plasminogen activator (PA), urokinase PA (u-PA), plasminogen activation inhibitor (PAI)-1, PAI-2), and several MMPs (MMP-1, MMP-2, MMP-8, MMP-9) and TIMPs (TIMP-1, TIMP-2) were determined by ELISA in plasma and pleural fluid.

Do myocardial perfusion SPECT and radionuclide angiography studies in adult patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy have prognostic implications?

Background: Some myocardial perfusion single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) and radionuclide ventriculography studies have suggested that the presence of regional perfusion defects and diastolic abnormalities could have prognostic implications in patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HC). The aim of this prospective study was to analyze the prognostic value of these techniques in adult patients with HC.

Methods And Results: One hundred one patients with HC (44 women; mean age, 54 +/- 16 years; 55% obstructive) were prospectively studied by means of myocardial perfusion SPECT and radionuclide angiography.

[Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in adult patients. Clinical course and prognostic factors in 119 patients].

Background And Objective: The purpose of this study was to characterize adult patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), to compare their mortality with that of the general population and to establish a prognosis based on clinical and noninvasive techniques.

Patients And Method: One hundred nineteen consecutive patients (60 women, mean: 52 [12] years) with HCM were prospectively studied by ECG, Holter, echo-Doppler, exercise testing, myocardial perfusion SPET and radionuclide ventriculography. Prognostic variables included clinical data and parameters derived from these noninvasive techniques.

Accuracy of chest sonography and polymorphonuclear elastase in the assessment of bacterial pleural effusion.

Background: The relationship between chest sonography findings and inflammatory markers for assessing bacterial pleural effusion is not well established. We decided to study the accuracy of chest sonography in determining the nature of bacterial pleural effusion and its relationship with polymorphonuclear elastase (PMN-E) results. Methods: Pleural sonography and PMN-E were evaluated in a prospective study of 144 consecutive patients with pleural effusion of various etiologies: 25 complicated parapneumonic, 18 uncomplicated parapneumonic, 33 tuberculous, 17 malignant, 12 transudates, and 39 of unknown etiology.

Clinical significance of antinuclear antibodies in malignant diseases: association with rheumatic and connective tissue paraneoplastic syndromes.

Our objective was to determine the prevalence of antinuclear antibodies (ANAs) in patients with malignancies and to investigate if their presence might be related with development of musculoskeletal symptoms or paraneoplastic rheumatic syndromes. Antinuclear antibodies were determined by indirect immunofluorescence on Hep-2 cells in 274 neoplastic patients and in a control group of 140 age-adjusted healthy subjects. Antinuclear antibody specificities (anti-DNA and anti-ENA) were investigated in patients with rheumatological symptoms and positive ANA.

Predictive factors for early mortality following liver transplantation.

Aims: To retrospectively review our liver transplant performance to identify factors that influenced early outcomes and to prospectively test their validity in predicting outcomes.

Methods: Clinical records from 190 patients with liver transplants (LT; n = 200) performed between 1991 and 1997 were reviewed and the data evaluated by univariate and multivariate analyses regarding clinical outcome. The prognostic model thus obtained was prospectively evaluated in 55 patients undergoing transplant between 1999 and 2000.

Polymorphonuclear elastase in the early diagnosis of complicated pyogenic pleural effusions.

Background: Polymorphonuclear elastase (PMN-E) is a neutrophilic marker that has been implicated in acute inflammatory responses.

Objectives: To evaluate the accuracy of PMN-E in the diagnosis of complicated pyogenic effusions.

Patients And Method: We studied 536 patients with pleural effusion of various etiologies.

Association between inflammatory mediators and the fibrinolysis system in infectious pleural effusions.

The response of the fibrinolytic system to inflammatory mediators in empyema and complicated parapneumonic pleural effusions is still uncertain. We prospectively analysed 100 patients with pleural effusion: 25 with empyema or complicated parapneumonic effusion, 22 with tuberculous effusion, 28 with malignant effusion and 25 with transudate effusion. Inflammatory mediators, tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and polymorphonuclear elastase, were measured in serum and pleural fluid.

[Prospective multicenter study of adverse drug reactions in hospitalized elderly patients].

Background And Objective: The incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) in hospitalized elderly patients is an important clinical problem. The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of ADRs in elderly in-patients, to analyze the factors involved in their presentation and to evaluate the reactions detected.

Patients And Method: Prospective multicenter study in patients older than 65 years during their stay in hospital or nursing home.