[Epidemiological profile of patients with COVID-19 admitted to a tertiary care public hospital].

Background: The knowledge about the epidemiological profile of patients admitted to the hospital for severe COVID infection, allows an adequate health care planning and resource allocation.

Aim: To describe the epidemiology of patients with COVID-19 admitted to a public hospital between March 2020 and July 2021.

Material And Methods: Demographic variables, comorbidities, ventilatory support requirements, and hospital resources were recorded from clinical records and hospital databases of diagnosis related groups.

Hydrological, Environmental and Taxonomical Heterogeneity during the Transition from Drying to Flowing Conditions in a Mediterranean Intermittent River.

Intermittent rivers and ephemeral streams (IRES) are increasingly studied because of their often-unique aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity, biogeochemical processes and associated ecosystem services. This study is the first to examine the hydrological, physicochemical and taxonomic variability during the dry-wet transition of an intermittent river in the Chilean Mediterranean Zone. Based on 30-years of river monitoring data and the TREHS tool, the hydrology of the river was characterised.

The longest fragment drives fish beta diversity in fragmented river networks: Implications for river management and conservation.

Connectivity plays a crucial role in maintaining the structural and functional attributes of river networks. Therefore, the loss of connectivity (fragmentation) alters the functioning and diversity patterns of the biota at local and regional scales. The global hydropower boom is one of the main drivers of river network fragmentation, with significant effects on the diversity of riverine biota.

Liver safety parameters of ulipristal acetate for the treatment of uterine fibroids: a comprehensive review of the clinical development program.

Introduction: Uterine fibroids are benign tumors within the uterine wall affecting women. Ulipristal acetate 5 mg was first authorized in the European Union on 23 February 2012, with a post-marketing exposure estimated to be more than 765,000 patients so far. During the post-marketing experience, sporadic cases of liver injury and hepatic failure were reported.

Treatment of female rhesus macaques with a somatostatin receptor antagonist that increases oocyte fertilization rates without affecting post-fertilization development outcomes.

Purpose: To determine the effects of PGL1001, a somatostatin receptor isoform-2 (SSTR-2) antagonist, on ovarian follicle development, oocyte fertilization, and subsequent embryo developmental potential in the rhesus macaque.

Methods: Cycling female rhesus macaques (N = 8) received vehicle through one menstrual (control) cycle, followed by daily injections of PGL1001, a SSTR-2 antagonist, for three menstrual (treatment) cycles. Main endpoints include overall animal health and ovarian hormones (e.

Gene expression changes in uterine myomas in response to ulipristal acetate treatment.

Research Question: Does ulipristal acetate (UPA) modify the expression of genes related to apoptosis or the extracellular matrix in uterine myomas and are any modifications associated with a clinical response?

Design: Targeted analysis of 176 apoptosis- or extracellular-matrix-related genes was conducted using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) arrays. Relevant results were validated by quantitative PCR. Four groups were established: responsive short-term (one course, n = 9), responsive long-term (two to four courses, n = 9), non-responsive (n = 9), and the control group who was not given any hormone therapy (n = 9).

Functionality of a novel follitropin alfa pen injector: results from human factor interactions by patients and nurses.

Objective: The main objective of this user experience testing study was to evaluate the impact of human factors on the use of a disposable pen containing follitropin alfa by patients and nurses with special focus on the convenience, safety and ease of use, in different types of stimulation protocols.

Methods: Infertile women trying to conceive, and specialist nurses were recruited across 6 European countries. In total 18 patients and 19 nurses took part in the testing, which included both nurse-patient pairings and in-depth interviews.

Emerging treatment options for uterine fibroids.

Uterine fibroids (also known as leiomyomas or myomas) are the most common form of benign uterine tumors. Current management strategies involve mainly surgical interventions, but the choice of treatment is guided by patient age and desire to preserve fertility or avoid 'radical' surgery such as hysterectomy. Areas covered: There is growing evidence of the crucial role of progesterone pathways in the pathophysiology of uterine fibroids, leading to increasing use of selective progesterone receptor modulators (SPRMs) such as ulipristal acetate.

Poly(lactic acid) composites based on graphene oxide particles with antibacterial behavior enhanced by electrical stimulus and biocompatibility.

Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) is a biodegradable and biocompatible polyester widely used in biomedical applications. Unfortunately, this biomaterial suffers from some shortcomings related with the absence of both bioactivity and antibacterial capacity. In this work, composites of PLA with either graphene oxide (GO) or thermally reduced graphene oxide (TrGO) were prepared by melt mixing to overcome these limitations.

Repeated intermittent ulipristal acetate in the treatment of uterine fibroids: a cost-effectiveness analysis.

There are limited treatment options available for women with moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids (UFs) who wish to avoid surgery. For these women, treatment with standard pharmaceuticals such as contraceptives is often insufficient to relieve symptoms, and patients may require surgery despite their wish to avoid it. Clinical trials demonstrate that ulipristal acetate 5 mg (UPA) is an effective treatment for this patient group, but its cost-effectiveness has not been assessed in this population.

Safety after extended repeated use of ulipristal acetate for uterine fibroids.

Objective: To assess long term safety of extended repeated 3-month courses of ulipristal acetate (UPA) 10 mg/day, for up to 8 courses, with focus on endometrial and laboratory safety parameters.

Methods: This long-term, multi-center, open-label cohort, follow up study consisted of up to 8 consecutive 3-month courses of daily UPA 10 mg, each separated by a drug free period of 2 spontaneous menstrual bleeds. Sixty-four pre-menopausal women, with moderate to severe symptomatic uterine myoma(s) and heavy bleeding were enrolled and were studied for approximately 4 years.

Real world data of 1473 patients treated with ulipristal acetate for uterine fibroids: Premya study results.

Objectives: To characterize and describe treatment with Ulipristal acetate (UPA) in a pre-operative setting and to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) outcomes in a population treated according to standard clinical practice in the EU.

Study Design: Multi-centre, prospective, non-interventional study (PREMYA) of patients diagnosed with moderate to severe symptoms of uterine fibroids and undergoing a pre-operative treatment with UPA (Esmya) at 73 clinical practice sites within the EU. Patients were followed during UPA treatment and for 12 months after treatment discontinuation for a total of 15 months follow-up.

Current management of myomas: the place of medical therapy with the advent of selective progesterone receptor modulators.

Purpose Of Review: To review the current management of myomas with the advent of selective progesterone receptor modulators.

Recent Findings: Selective progesterone receptor modulators have proved effective and recent publications on the use of ulipristal acetate (UPA) have analyzed the performance of long-term intermittent utilization of 10 mg UPA given in repeated courses of 3 months. This long-term intermittent therapy maximizes the efficacy of UPA.

Randomized, controlled, open-label, non-inferiority study of the CONSORT algorithm for individualized dosing of follitropin alfa.

In this randomized, controlled, open-label, phase IV study, ovarian response after a follitropin alfa starting dose determined by the CONSORT calculator was compared with a standard dose (150 IU). Normo-ovulatory women (aged 18-34 years) eligible for assisted reproductive techniques were recruited (23 centres: nine European countries and Chile); 200 women were randomized (CONSORT [n = 96]; standard dosing [n = 104]). Significantly lower mean daily (121.

Recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) plus recombinant luteinizing hormone versus r-hFSH alone for ovarian stimulation during assisted reproductive technology: systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The potential benefit of adding recombinant human luteinizing hormone (r-hLH) to recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (r-hFSH) during ovarian stimulation is a subject of debate, although there is evidence that it may benefit certain subpopulations, e.g. poor responders.

The recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin prefilled pen: results of patient and nurse human factors usability testing.

Objectives: The first prefilled pen for administration of recombinant human chorionic gonadotropin (r-hCG) has been developed. Usability testing was undertaken to evaluate the risk of dosing errors versus the existing r-hCG prefilled syringe, and assess function and handling of the pen.

Methods: Infertile women who were trying to conceive, and specialist nurses, were recruited in Germany.

The redesigned follitropin alfa pen injector: results of the patient and nurse human factors usability testing.

Objectives: A redesigned pen injector for administration of follitropin alfa (follitropin α) has been developed for use in fertility treatment cycles. Pre-summative and summative usability testing was undertaken to assess the risk of dosing errors compared with the existing follitropin α pen. The study also assessed proper use of and dose selection with the redesigned pen.

The redesigned follitropin α pen injector for infertility treatment.

Introduction: Treatment for infertility may require multiple drugs and complex dosing schedules. Available injection devices for patients who require regular injections during treatment are reviewed in this article, focusing on pen injectors used to self-administer recombinant human follicle-stimulating hormone (follitropin α). Following the introduction of the first and second follitropin α pen injectors in the last decade, a third pen injector with improved design for the administration of follitropin α has been developed for use in fertility treatment cycles.

Endometrial effect of progesterone delivered by vaginal rings in estrogen-treated postmenopausal women.

Aim: The type of estrogen and progestin as well as their doses, route and regimens of administration may each affect the benefit-risk profile of postmenopausal hormone therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the endometrial effect of progesterone released continuously from a vaginal ring, combined with transdermal estradiol in postmenopausal women.

Method: Forty-four postmenopausal women participated in a randomized, double-blind, dose-finding study evaluating two hormonal treatments, combining 50 microg/day of estradiol delivered by transdermal patches and either 0.

Surgical treatment and follow-up of women with intermenstrual bleeding due to cesarean section scar defect.

Study Objective: Previous cesarean delivery scar (PCDS) defect has been described as a cause of intermenstrual bleeding in women with no other uterine pathology except for a pouch on the anterior uterine segment at the site of the cesarean scar. The objective of this study was to assess the effectiveness of hysteroscopic surgery to correct this anatomic defect and eliminate the bleeding disturbance in a group of women with this symptom.

Design: Retrospective study (Canadian Task Force classification XX).

Spanish validation of the Syndrom Kurztest (SKT).

There is an urgent need in multinational studies for efficient and sensitive tests for the evaluation of dementias. These tests are used to investigate the regional characteristics of dementias, providing possible insight into the different etiologies of the disorders. These tests are also utilized to assess the outcome of treatment interventions at multinational levels.

(AC)23 [Z-2] polymorphism of the aldose reductase gene and fast progression of retinopathy in Chilean type 2 diabetics.

A recent case-control study suggests that the allele (AC)23 of a variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) associated to the aldose reductase (ALR2) gene could be related to early retinopathy in Type 2 diabetics. By means of a longitudinal-retrospective study, we aimed to seek for a relationship between the rate of progression of retinopathy and the (AC)23 allele of the VNTR associated to the ALR2 gene. A random sample was obtained of 27 Type 2 diabetics (aged 68.

[Aldose reductase gene polymorphism and rate of appearance of retinopathy in non insulin dependent diabetics].

Background: Recent studies suggest that polymorphisms associated to the aldose reductase gene could be related to early retinopathy in noninsulin dependent diabetics (NIDDM). There is also new interest on the genetic modulation of coagulation factors in relation to this complication.

Aim: To look for a possible relationship between the rate of appearance of retinopathy and the genotype of (AC)n polymorphic marker associated to aldose reductase gene.

[Diabetic neuropathy: thermal sensation and metabolic control in non-insulin-dependent diabetics].

Background: The early detection of peripheral neuropathy in diabetics is important since it is the main risk factor for lower limb trophic lesions in diabetics.

Aim: To assess the relationship between feet thermal sensation threshold and metabolic control in ambulatory non-insulin-dependent diabetics.

Patients And Methods: A random sample of 34 non-insulin-dependent diabetics followed for more than five years in a special clinic, out of 368 patients, was selected.