Prospective validation of the EASL management algorithm for acute kidney injury in cirrhosis.

Background & Aims: The management of acute kidney injury (AKI) in cirrhosis is challenging. The EASL guidelines proposed an algorithm for the management of AKI, but this has never been validated. We aimed to prospectively evaluate this algorithm in clinical practice.

Risk of tuberculosis among pulmonary tuberculosis contacts: the importance of time of exposure to index cases.

Introduction: The intensity of exposure to index cases of tuberculosis [TB] may increase the risk of TB in their contacts. The aim was to determine TB risk factors among contacts of TB index cases.

Methods: A cohort study was carried out in the contacts of pulmonary TB cases registered by the epidemiological surveillance network from 01/01/2019 to 06/30/2021.

The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the incidence of acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in Catalonia (Spain).

We carried out a retrospective study of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) outbreaks reported between 1 January 2015 and 31 December 2021 in Catalonia (Spain) to compare the incidence from 2015 to 2019 with that observed from 2020 to 2021. We observed a higher incidence rate of outbreaks during the prepandemic period (16.89 outbreaks/1,000,000 person-years) than during the pandemic period (6.

Alcoholic Foamy Degeneration, an Entity Resembling Alcohol-Associated Hepatitis: Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Molecular Profiling.

Background & Aims: Alcoholic foamy degeneration (AFD) is a condition with similar clinical presentation to alcohol-associated hepatitis (AH), but with a specific histologic pattern. Information regarding the prevalence and prognosis of AFD is scarce and there are no tools for a noninvasive diagnosis.

Methods: A cohort of patients admitted to the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona for clinical suspicion of AH who underwent liver biopsy was included.

Nursing care for patients with cirrhosis.

Cirrhosis represents a major cause of morbidity and mortality, leading to a marked impairment in the quality of life of patients and their caregivers, and resulting in a major burden on healthcare systems. Currently, in most countries, nurses still play a limited role in the care of patients with cirrhosis, which is mainly restricted to the care of patients hospitalised for acute complications of the disease. The current manuscript reviews the established and potential new and innovative roles that nurses can play in the care of patients with cirrhosis.

LiverScreen project: study protocol for screening for liver fibrosis in the general population in European countries.

Background: The development of liver cirrhosis is usually an asymptomatic process until late stages when complications occur. The potential reversibility of the disease is dependent on early diagnosis of liver fibrosis and timely targeted treatment. Recently, the use of non-invasive tools has been suggested for screening of liver fibrosis, especially in subjects with risk factors for chronic liver disease.

Stigmatization is common in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and correlates with quality of life.

Background And Aims: Stigmatization is a well-documented problem of some diseases. Perceived stigma is common in alcohol-related liver disease and hepatitis C, but little information exists on stigma in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Aim of the study was to investigate frequency and characteristics of perceived stigma among patients with NAFLD.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on contact tracing of patients with pulmonary tuberculosis.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic could have negative effects on tuberculosis (TB) control. The objective was to assess the impact of the pandemic in contact tracing, TB and latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in contacts of patients with pulmonary TB in Catalonia (Spain).

Methods: Contact tracing was carried out in cases of pulmonary TB detected during 14 months in the pre-pandemic period (1 January 2019 to 28 February 2020) and 14 months in the pandemic period (1 March 2020 to 30 April 2021).

Treatment With Simvastatin and Rifaximin Restores the Plasma Metabolomic Profile in Patients With Decompensated Cirrhosis.

Patients with decompensated cirrhosis, particularly those with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF), show profound alterations in plasma metabolomics. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of treatment with simvastatin and rifaximin on plasma metabolites of patients with decompensated cirrhosis, specifically on compounds characteristic of the ACLF plasma metabolomic profile. Two cohorts of patients were investigated.

Impact of cocreation training capsules for preschool teachers on children's healthy habits: a pilot study conducted in Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Healthy habits are essential for preschoolers to have a healthy lifestyle. The promotion of these healthy habits from a holistic approach by preschool teachers guarantees a better quality of life and a healthier society. Using cocreation, we designed training for healthy habit promotion for preschool teachers (all@once).

A Waterborne Gastroenteritis Outbreak Caused by a GII Norovirus in a Holiday Camp in Catalonia (Spain), 2017.

On 2 February 2017, Epidemiological Surveillance Services were notified of an outbreak of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) among schoolchildren who had taken part of a school trip from 30 January to 3 February 2017 at a holiday camp in Catalonia. A retrospective cohort study was performed to identify the causative agent, estimate the magnitude of the outbreak and identify its source, as well as to determine the route of transmission. Data collected by standardised questionnaires identified 41 episodes of AGE among 174 individuals who attended the camp.

Sequential changes in urinary biomarker levels in patients with cirrhosis and severe hepatorenal syndrome.

Whether tubular injury develops in patients with acute kidney injury owing to hepatorenal syndrome (AKI-HRS) is controversial. We performed repeated measurements of biomarkers of tubular injury during a 14-day period in 60 patients with cirrhosis and AKI (34 with AKI-HRS meeting the classical definition of type 1 HRS and 26 with AKI owing to acute tubular necrosis, AKI-ATN). Nineteen of 34 patients had resolution of AKI-HRS, while the remainder had persistent AKI-HRS.

Quality of professional life of primary healthcare nurses: A systematic review.

Aims: To identify and critically appraise the available evidence on the overall quality of professional life of primary care nurses worldwide and its main influencing factors.

Background: Quality of professional life of healthcare workers is a keystone that influences the quality of healthcare services provided by healthcare organisations. Nurses have a key role as healthcare services providers given the growing shortage of doctors in primary care.

Effectiveness of maternal pertussis vaccination in protecting newborn: A matched case-control study.

Introduction: The objective was to estimate the effectiveness of maternal pertussis vaccination in protecting infants aged < 2 months.

Methods: We performed a case-control study. Laboratory-confirmed cases aged <8 weeks at disease onset were identified and 2-4 matched-controls born within ± 15 days of the case were included.

Hyperkalemia influences the outcome of patients with cirrhosis with acute decompensation (AD) and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

Introduction: The presence of hyperkalemia in different clinical scenarios has been described as a risk factor for mortality. Information about this electrolyte disorder in patients with cirrhosis is limited and there are no data in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF).

Aim: The aim of this study was to investigate whether hyperkalemia is a risk factor for mortality in patients with cirrhosis and acute decompensation (AD) with and without ACLF.

An Insight into the Role of Apoptosis and Autophagy in Nitric Oxide-Induced Articular Chondrocyte Cell Death.

Objective: To investigate the role and characterize the molecular mechanisms regulating apoptosis and autophagy in nitric oxide (NO)-induced chondrocyte cell death.

Design: Cell apoptosis and autophagy were evaluated in chondrocytes treated with sodium nitroprusside (SNP) combined with the presence or absence of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) and nutrient-deprived conditions. The concentration of nitrite was determined by Griess reaction.

Acute gastroenteritis outbreaks in closed and semi-closed facilities during 2017 in Catalonia, Spain.

Acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a leading cause of disease worldwide. The aim of this prospective observational study is to describe the epidemiology of AGE in closed and semi-closed institutions in Catalonia. In 2017, 151 outbreaks were reported; 30.

Azithromycin to Prevent Pertussis in Household Contacts, Catalonia and Navarre, Spain, 2012-2013.

We retrospectively assessed the effectiveness of azithromycin in preventing transmission of pertussis to a patient's household contacts. We also considered the duration between symptom onset in the primary patient and azithromycin administration. We categorized contacts into 4 groups: those treated within <7 days, 8-14 days, 15-21 days, and >21 days after illness onset in the primary patient.