Congenital malformations, chromosomal abnormalities and perinatal results in IVF/ICSI newborns resulting from very poor quality embryos: a case-control study.

Aims: To explore whether the transfer of very poor quality (VPQ) embryos is associated with an increase in congenital malformations or perinatal problems.

Methods: In this retrospective case-control study, 74 children conceived by in vitro fertilization (IVF) and/or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) resulting exclusively from the transfer of VPQ embryos were compared with 1,507 children born after the transfer of top morphological quality (TQ) embryos over the same period of time in the same centers.

Results: The prevalence of birth defects in children resulting from VPQ embryos was 1.

Is periodontitis a risk factor for cognitive impairment and dementia? A case-control study.

Background: Dementia is a multi-etiologic syndrome characterized by multiple cognitive deficits but not always by the presence of cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment is associated with multiple non-modifiable risk factors but few modifiable factors. Epidemiologic studies have shown an association between periodontitis, a potentially modifiable risk factor, and cognitive impairment.

Hypotonic swelling promotes nitric oxide release in cardiac ventricular myocytes: impact on swelling-induced negative inotropic effect.

Aims: Cardiomyocyte swelling occurs in multiple pathological situations and has been associated with contractile dysfunction, cell death, and enhanced propensity to arrhythmias. We investigate whether hypotonic swelling promotes nitric oxide (NO) release in cardiomyocytes, and whether it impacts on swelling-induced contractile dysfunction.

Methods And Results: Superfusing rat cardiomyocytes with a hypotonic solution (HS; 217 mOsm), increased cell volume, reduced myocyte contraction and Ca(2+) transient, and increased NO-sensitive 4-amino-5-methylamino-2',7'-difluorofluorescein diacetate (DAF-FM) fluorescence.

The role of visual markers in police victimization among structurally vulnerable persons in Tijuana, Mexico.

Background: Law enforcement can shape HIV risk behaviours and undermine strategies aimed at curbing HIV infection. Little is known about factors that increase vulnerability to police victimization in Mexico. This study identifies correlates of police or army victimization (i.

Liver stiffness and aspartate aminotransferase levels predict the risk for liver fibrosis progression in hepatitis C virus/HIV-coinfected patients.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate liver fibrosis outcome and the risk factors associated with liver fibrosis progression in hepatitis C virus (HCV)/HIV-coinfected patients.

Methods: We prospectively obtained liver stiffness measurements by transient elastography in a cohort of 154 HCV/HIV-coinfected patients, mostly Caucasian men on suppressive antiretroviral treatment, with the aim of determining the risk for liver stiffness measurement (LSM) increase and to identify the predictive factors for liver fibrosis progression. To evaluate LSM trends over time, a linear mixed regression model with LSM level as the outcome and duration of follow-up in years as the main covariate was fitted.

Impact of an adherence program to antiretroviral treatment on virologic response in a cohort of multitreated and poorly adherent HIV-infected patients in Spain.

Several studies have shown the importance of adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in achieving HIV-1 suppression. However, most have focused on naïve patients and do not assess the impact of HAART on viral load (VL). Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of an adherence program in a cohort of multitreated and poorly adherent patients.

Impact of influenza season and environmental factors on the clinical presentation and outcome of invasive pneumococcal disease.

Influenza and meteorological factors have been associated with increases in the incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD). However, scant data regarding the impact of influenza and the environment on the clinical presentation of IPD are available. An observational study of all adults hospitalized with IPD was performed between 1996 and 2012 in our hospital.

Engineering preferential adsorption of single-walled carbon nanotubes on functionalized ST-cut surfaces of quartz.

Horizontal alignment during synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes has been found experimentally along certain directions of well-defined quartz surfaces. The reasons for such alignment are here examined using first-principles computational analysis, as a function of structure and chemistry of the specific exposed facet, presence and location of OH and H functional groups, and degree of hydration of the surface. It is found that selective functionalization of low-coordinated surface sites may cause exposure of low-coordinated Si atoms that bond strongly to nanotube walls.

Effect of maternal intravenous fluid therapy on external cephalic version at term: a prospective cohort study.

Objective: We sought to analyze whether maternal intravenous fluid therapy prior to external cephalic version (ECV) increases the amount of amniotic fluid and the success rate of the procedure.

Study Design: This was a prospective single-center cohort study of 200 women with a consecutive cohort of 100 pregnant women with a breech presentation at term who were administered intravenous fluid therapy with 2 L of hypotonic saline before the version attempt, compared to a control cohort of 100 pregnant women not given hydration treatment.

Results: The mean increase in the amniotic fluid index (AFI) after intravenous maternal hydration was 3.

Individual and socio-environmental factors associated with unsafe injection practices among young adult injection drug users in San Diego.

Unsafe injection practices significantly increase the risk of hepatitis C virus (HCV) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection among injection drug users (IDUs). We examined individual and socio-environmental factors associated with unsafe injection practices in young adult IDUs in San Diego, California. Of 494 IDUs, 46.

Cervical and thoracic sagittal misalignment after surgery for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: a comparative study of all pedicle screws versus hybrid instrumentation.

Study Design: A comparative study of 2 cohort series of surgically treated patients with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) who were retrospectively analyzed, with level III evidence.

Objective: To compare the effect on the cervical sagittal balance of 2 AIS correction constructs, namely, all pedicle screws and hybrid instrumentation using hooks and pedicle screws.

Summary Of Background Data: An inverse relationship between cervical and thoracic kyphosis in AIS has been found in pediatric patients after concave derotation using hybrid constructs with pedicle screws and hooks.

Burden of Illness in Prostate Cancer Patients with a Low-to-Moderate Risk of Progression: A One-Year, Pan-European Observational Study.

Objective. To assess the impact of low-to-moderate risk prostate cancer on patients' quality of life (QoL) at diagnosis and within the first year of treatment. Subjects and Methods.

Clinical and biological changes under treatment with lithium carbonate and valproic acid in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ability of lithium carbonate and valproate cotreatment to modify the survival rate and functional score of patients with definite sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The clinical response of 18 enrolled patients was compared to the evolution of 31 ALS out-patients, carefully paired by age, gender, evolution rate and time of the disease, who never received treatment with lithium and/or valproate. The ALS functional rating scale, revised version (ALSFRS-R), was applied at baseline, 1 month, and every 4 months until the outcome (death or an adverse event).

Perceived risk of HIV infection among deported male injection drug users in Tijuana, Mexico.

Deported injection drug users (IDUs) in Mexico may be vulnerable to HIV infection following expulsion from the USA. We examined factors associated with HIV risk perception among a sample of deportees in Tijuana. From January to April 2010, 313 male IDUs who reported ever being deported from the USA completed a questionnaire.

A critical review of social and structural conditions that influence HIV risk among Mexican deportees.

Mexican migrants who are deported from the US may be at elevated risk for HIV infection. Deportations of Mexican migrants by the US have reached record numbers. We critically reviewed existing literature to assess how social and structural conditions in post-deportation settings can influence Mexican deported migrants' HIV risk.

Intraoperative Neurophysiological Changes Induced by Thoracic Pedicle Screws Intentionally Placed Within the Spinal Canal: An Experimental Study in Pigs.

Study Design: Experimental study, OBJECTIVES: To document and analyze the neurophysiological changes during spinal cord monitoring when thoracic pedicle screws are intentionally placed within the spinal canal.

Summary Of Background Data: Although the rate of misplaced screws is relatively high, few patients have neurological impairment. This suggests that a significant degree of medullary displacement and/or compression is necessary to produce neurophysiological changes.

Impact of the 2009 influenza A H1N1 pandemic on invasive pneumococcal disease in adults.

Background: The incidence of invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) appears to be associated with influenza. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the changes in IPD incidence and clinical data as well as the trends in Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype distribution in adults during the peak period of the 2009 influenza A H1N1 pandemic (IAP).

Methods: We performed a prospective multicentre study on IPD from week 42 to 48, 2009 in an area of Barcelona (Catalonia, Spain) covering 1,483,781 adult inhabitants.

Successful pharmacomechanical intervention with ultrasonic-accelerated thrombolytic catheter for massive pulmonary embolism.

An 86-year-old male with history of metastatic prostate carcinoma and hypertension was admitted due to acute onset dyspnea and lower extremity pain and swelling. Transthoracic echocardiography revealed a large right atrial thrombus extending in to the right ventricle. Within 12 h, the patient developed severe hypoxemia, tachypnea with sustained hypotension and cardiogenic shock due to presumed massive pulmonary embolism.

Influence of hypotension and nerve root section on the ability to mobilize the spinal cord during spine surgery. An experimental study in a pig model.

Background Context: The correction of severe spinal deformities by an isolated posterior approach often involves cord manipulation together with hypotensive anesthesia. To date, the efficiency of methods to increase the tolerance of the cord to displacement and the influence of hypotension on this tolerance is yet to be assessed.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to determine the limits of cord displacement before the disappearance of neurophysiologic signals.

Is external cephalic version at term contraindicated in previous caesarean section? A prospective comparative cohort study.

Objective: To determine if external cephalic version (ECV) can be performed with safety and efficacy in women with previous caesarean section.

Design: Prospective comparative cohort study.

Setting: Cruces University Hospital (Spain).

Effects of immunocompromise and comorbidities on pneumococcal serotypes causing invasive respiratory infection in adults: implications for vaccine strategies.

Background: The 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13) has recently been approved for use in immunocompromised adults. However, it is unclear whether there is an association between specific underlying conditions and infection by individual serotypes. The objective was to determine the prevalence of serotypes covered by PCV13 in a cohort of patients with invasive pneumococcal disease of respiratory origin and to determine whether there are specific risk factors for each serotype.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 6-38 blocks cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript Peptide-induced hypophagia in rats.

Cocaine- and amphetamine-regulated transcript peptides (CARTp) suppress nutritional intake after administration into the fourth intracerebral ventricle. Recent in vitro studies have shown that PACAP 6-38, a pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) fragment, could act as a competitive antagonist against CARTp 55-102 on a common CARTp-sensitive receptor structure. Here, we show for the first time in vivo that the reduction in solid food intake induced by exogenous CARTp 55-102 (0.

Benznidazole treatment of chagasic encephalitis in pregnant woman with AIDS.

We report a case of chagasic meningoencephalitis reactivation in a pregnant woman co-infected with Trypanosoma cruzi and HIV that was successfully managed with benznidazole and highly active antiretroviral therapy. Early diagnosis enabled rapid specific treatment that improved the health of the patient and her baby.

Nitrous oxide for analgesia in external cephalic version at term: prospective comparative study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of using inhaled nitrous oxide (N2O) for analgesia in external cephalic version (ECV) at term on the success rate of the procedure, on pain, and on obstetric and perinatal outcomes.

Methods: A prospective comparative cohort study among 300 women with singleton pregnancy in breech presentation at term undergoing an ECV with inhaled N2O in a 50:50 mix with oxygen for analgesia and 150 ECVs with no analgesia.

Results: The success rate was 52.