Clinical and economic burden of acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: a prospective observational study in Spain (OASIS study).

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal progressive lung disease entailing significant impairment in health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and high socioeconomic burden. The course of IPF includes episodes of acute exacerbations (AE-IPF) leading to poor outcomes. This study aimed to compare management, costs and HRQoL of patients with AE-IPF to patients without AE-IPF during one year in Spain.

Economic Burden of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Spain: A Prospective Real-World Data Study (OASIS Study).

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive and fatal lung disease associated with dyspnoea, cough and impaired quality of life affecting around 7500 patients in Spain.

Objective: Our aim was to estimate the economic impact of IPF according to forced vital capacity (FVC) % predicted level in adult patients.

Methods: We conducted a prospective, observational, multicentric study of patients with confirmed IPF in Spain.

Clinical management and acute exacerbations in patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in Spain: results from the OASIS study.

Background: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease associated with decline in lung function and poor prognosis entailing significant impairment in quality of life and high socioeconomic burden. The aim of this study was to characterize clinical management and resources utilization of patients with IPF in Spain, according to predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) % at baseline.

Methods: Prospective, non-interventional, multicentric real-world data study in patients with IPF in Spain with 12-months follow-up.

[Patients' Perceptions of the Management of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis. Explora-IPF Project].

Introduction: Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) impacts the life of patients and their families, so it is necessary to ascertain their perception in the approach to their disease.

Methods: Observational study by means of a specific questionnaire that includes socio-demographic and clinical variables, perception of the impact of the disease (5-point Likert scale), preferences regarding the characteristics of the medication (degree of importance/concern 1-10) and satisfaction with treatment (SATMED-Q® scale 0-100).

Results: 69 individuals participated (age: 66.

SREBP-2-driven transcriptional activation of human SND1 oncogene.

Upregulation of Staphylococcal nuclease and tudor domain containing 1 (SND1) is linked to cancer progression and metastatic spread. Increasing evidence indicates that SND1 plays a role in lipid homeostasis. Recently, it has been shown that SND1-overexpressing hepatocellular carcinoma cells present an increased cholesterol synthesis and cholesteryl ester accumulation.

Identifying and quantifying geochemical and mixing processes in the Matanza-Riachuelo Aquifer System, Argentina.

The Matanza-Riachuelo River Basin, in the Northeast of the Buenos Aires Province, is one of the most industrialized and populated region in Argentina and it is worldwide known for its alarming environmental degradation. In order to prevent further damages, the aquifer system, which consists of two overlaid aquifers, is being monitored from 2008 by the river basin authority, Autoridad de la Cuenca Matanza-Riachuelo. The groundwater chemical baseline has been established in a previous paper (Zabala et al.

PNPLA3 Expression Is Related to Liver Steatosis in Morbidly Obese Women with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Recent reports suggest a role for the Patatin-like phospholipase domain-containing protein 3 (PNPLA3) in the pathology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Lipid deposition in the liver seems to be a critical process in the pathogenesis of NAFLD. The aim of the present work was to evaluate the association between the liver PNPLA3 expression, key genes of lipid metabolism, and the presence of NAFLD in morbidly obese women.

Increased Circulating Levels of Alpha-Ketoglutarate in Morbidly Obese Women with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Background: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) causes a wide spectrum of liver damage, ranging from simple steatosis to cirrhosis. However, simple steatosis (SS) and steatohepatitis (NASH) cannot yet be distinguished by clinical or laboratory features. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between alpha-ketoglutarate and the degrees of NAFLD in morbidly obese patients.

Downregulation of de Novo Fatty Acid Synthesis in Subcutaneous Adipose Tissue of Moderately Obese Women.

The purpose of this work was to evaluate the expression of fatty acid metabolism-related genes in human adipose tissue from moderately obese women. We used qRT-PCR and Western Blot to analyze visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue mRNA expression involved in de novo fatty acid synthesis (ACC1, FAS), fatty acid oxidation (PPARα, PPARδ) and inflammation (IL6, TNFα), in normal weight control women (BMI < 25 kg/m², n = 35) and moderately obese women (BMI 30-38 kg/m², n = 55). In SAT, ACC1, FAS and PPARα mRNA expression were significantly decreased in moderately obese women compared to controls.

Oral Alitretinoin in the Treatment of Severe Refractory Chronic Hand Eczema in the Spanish National Health System: Description and Analysis of Current Clinical Practice.

Background And Objective: Hand eczema affects nearly 10% of the population. The condition becomes severe and chronic in 5% to 7% of cases and is refractory to topical corticosteroids in 2% to 4%. This study aimed to describe the current use of oral alitretinoin in treating Spanish national health system patients with hand eczema that is refractory to potent topical corticosteroids.

Profiling of promoter occupancy by the SND1 transcriptional coactivator identifies downstream glycerolipid metabolic genes involved in TNFα response in human hepatoma cells.

The NF-κB-inducible Staphylococcal nuclease and tudor domain-containing 1 gene (SND1) encodes a coactivator involved in inflammatory responses and tumorigenesis. While SND1 is known to interact with certain transcription factors and activate client gene expression, no comprehensive mapping of SND1 target genes has been reported. Here, we have approached this question by performing ChIP-chip assays on human hepatoma HepG2 cells and analyzing SND1 binding modulation by proinflammatory TNFα.

The promoter of cell growth- and RNA protection-associated SND1 gene is activated by endoplasmic reticulum stress in human hepatoma cells.

Background: Staphyloccocal nuclease domain-containing protein 1 (SND1) is involved in the regulation of gene expression and RNA protection. While numerous studies have established that SND1 protein expression is modulated by cellular stresses associated with tumor growth, hypoxia, inflammation, heat-shock and oxidative conditions, little is known about the factors responsible for SND1 expression. Here, we have approached this question by analyzing the transcriptional response of human SND1 gene to pharmacological endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress in liver cancer cells.

Functional impairment in patients with major depressive disorder and comorbid anxiety disorder.

Objective: To analyze the potential for different aspects of anxiety to modify the effect of impaired functioning in major depressive disorder (MDD).

Methods: Participants (n = 1226) were psychiatric outpatients with MDD. A cross-sectional, multicentre, nationwide study was designed.

[Prevalence and factors associated to mental disorders in primary care attenders aged 75 and older].

Background: Mental disorders in old age are a major public health problem. However, few epidemiological studies provide data on prevalence and risk factors of mental illness in older old population. The aim of this study is to assess the prevalence of common mental disorders and their associated factors in primary care patients over 75 years.

Stressful life events severity in patients with first and recurrent depressive episodes.

Background: Stressful life events are associated with depression and their role in first onset and recurrences is a promising but controversial perspective of research. The objective is to analyze the role of number of previous episodes and life events exposure in a large sample of primary care depressive patients taking into account life events severity.

Method: 10,257 patients with DSM-IV criteria for a current single or recurrent major depressive episode were recruited by 2,056 general practitioners in a cross-sectional epidemiological study.

NF-κB, Sp1 and NF-Y as transcriptional regulators of human SND1 gene.

Staphylococcal nuclease domain-containing protein 1 (SND1), also called Tudor-SN, is required for many biological events ranging from gene expression to cell growth regulation. Promoter regulation of SND1 gene and its molecular mechanism have remained elusive to date. In this work, we have identified SND1 as a new target gene for NF-κB, Sp1 and NF-Y transcription factors.

Clinical patterns and treatment outcome in patients with melancholic, atypical and non-melancholic depressions.

Objective: To assess sociodemographic, clinical and treatment factors as well as depression outcome in a large representative clinical sample of psychiatric depressive outpatients and to determine if melancholic and atypical depression can be differentiated from residual non-melancholic depressive conditions.

Subjects/materials And Method: A prospective, naturalistic, multicentre, nationwide epidemiological study of 1455 depressive outpatients was undertaken. Severity of depressive symptoms was assessed by the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) and the Self Rated Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology (IDS-SR(30)).

Psychometric properties of the IDS-SR30 for the assessment of depressive symptoms in Spanish population.

Background: Due to the high prevalence of depression, it is clinically relevant to improve the early identification and assessment of depressive episodes. The main objective of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the IDS-SR30 (Self-rated Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology) in a large Spanish sample of depressive patients.

Methods: This prospective, naturalistic, multicenter, nationwide epidemiological study conducted in Spain included 1595 adult patients (65.

Clinical differences between early and late remission in depressive patients.

Objective: Predicting treatment outcome at an early stage is clinically relevant. The main objectives are: to compare rates of remission after acute and continuation phase treatment and to determine the most common residual symptoms among remitted patients; to compare the residual symptoms in early and late remitted and to identify factors that predict early or faster remission.

Method: It is a prospective, naturalistic, multicenter, and nationwide epidemiological study of 1595 depressive outpatients.

Clinical differences between first and recurrent episodes in depressive patients.

Background: Depressive disorder is one of the most common mental disorders in primary care. Depression is often a chronic disorder with recurrent episodes. Little is known about the differences in clinical profile between first and recurrent episodes.

Inhibition of macrophage inflammatory cytokine secretion by chylomicron remnants is dependent on their uptake by the low density lipoprotein receptor.

Secretion of pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines by macrophages is a contributory factor in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. In this study, the effects of chylomicron remnants (CMR), the lipoproteins which transport dietary fat in the blood, on the production of pro-inflammatory chemokine and cytokine secretion by macrophages was investigated using CMR-like particles (CRLPs) together with THP-1 macrophages or primary human macrophages (HMDM). Incubation of CRLPs or oxidized CRLPs (oxCRLPs) with HMDM or THP-1 macrophages for up to 24h led to a marked decrease in the secretion of the pro-inflammatory chemokine monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and the pro-inflammatory cytokines tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1β (-50-90%), but these effects were reduced or abolished when CRLPs protected from oxidation by incorporation of the antioxidant drug, probucol, (pCRLPs) were used.

Medical comorbidity in recurrent versus first-episode depressive patients.

Objective: This study compares the comorbidity of affective disorders and medical diseases in primary care patients with either a first or recurrent depressive episode.

Method: A cross-sectional epidemiological study in primary care centres in Spain was designed. A total of 10,257 primary care patients suffering a DSM-IV major depressive episode (MDD) were analysed.

[Evaluation of preferences in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease and dysphagia concerning treatment with lansoprazole orally disintegrating tablets].

Introduction And Objective: Recently, a new lansoprazole formulation consisting of orally disintegrating tablets has become available, which could improve acceptability and compliance with this type of medication. The aim of the present study was to evaluate preferences in patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease concerning lansoprazole orally disintegrating tablets compared with lansoprazole capsules.

Material And Methods: A phase IV, multicenter, crossed, open and randomized clinical trial was performed in patients with symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease and associated dysphagia.