Robotic Repair of Ureteral Strictures After Kidney Transplantation.

Background: Approximately 5% to 10% of patients who undergo kidney transplantation develop ureteral stricture, which can be treated endoscopically or by open surgery, which is more effective but complications are common and potentially severe. Robotic surgery has begun to emerge as an alternative in reconstructive procedures. However, few studies have evaluated the role of robotic surgery in this clinical setting.

Sexually transmitted infections, the epidemic that persists after the COVID-19 pandemic: an analysis of the primary care electronic health records covering about 5 million people in Catalonia.

Background: The aim of our study is to analyse the trends in the diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: We conducted an observational retrospective population-based study using data from primary care electronic health records spanning from January 2016 to December 2022 (involving 5.1 million people older than 14 years).

Combined use of QRISK3 and SCORE2 increases identification of ankylosing spondylitis patients at high cardiovascular risk: Results from the CARMA Project cohort after 7.5 years of follow-up.

Objective: To establish the predictive value of the QRESEARCH risk estimator version 3 (QRISK3) algorithm in identifying Spanish patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) at high risk of cardiovascular (CV) events and CV mortality. We also sought to determine whether to combine QRISK3 with another CV risk algorithm: the traditional SCORE, the modified SCORE (mSCORE) EULAR 2015/2016 or the SCORE2 may increase the identification of AS patients with high-risk CV disease.

Methods: Information of 684 patients with AS from the Spanish prospective CARdiovascular in ReuMAtology (CARMA) project who at the time of the initial visit had no history of CV events and were followed in rheumatology outpatient clinics of tertiary centers for 7.

Takotsubo syndrome outcomes predicted by thyroid hormone signature: insights from cluster analysis of a multicentre registry.

Background: Recently, abnormal thyroid function was shown to be common in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS), being classified into "endocrine-type" and "stress-type" responses. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between thyroid homeostasis and TTS in a larger international registry.

Methods: In total 288 patients with TTS were enrolled through the GEIST multicentre registry from Germany, Italy and Spain.

"Decline and uneven recovery from 7 common long-term conditions managed in the Catalan primary care after two pandemic years: an observational retrospective population-based study using primary care electronic health records".

Background: The incidence of chronic diseases during the COVID-19 pandemic has drastically been reduced worldwide due to disruptions in healthcare systems. The aim of our study is to analyse the trends in the incidence of 7 commonly managed primary care chronic diseases during the last 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic in Catalonia.

Methods: We performed an observational retrospective population-based study using data from primary care electronic health records from January 2018 to August 2022 (5.

Cancer diagnosis in primary care after second pandemic year in Catalonia: a time-series analysis of primary care electronic health records covering about 5 million people.

Background: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the incidence of chronic disease had drastically been reduced due to health care interruptions. The aim of this study is to analyse cancer diagnosis during the last 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Time-series study of cancer diagnoses recorded in primary care settings, using data from the primary care electronic health records from January 2014 to December 2021.

[SARS-CoV-2 infection in occupational settings in Catalonia.].

Objective: The aim of this paper was to estimate the SARS-CoV-2 infection incidence regarding the occupation in Catalonia, globally and in the different waves of the pandemic.

Methods: We performed a retrospective cohort study. We included all people between 16 and 65 years old with an occupation identified from the sick leave recorded in the primary care electronic health records of the Institut Català de la Salut (ICS) (total n=2,199,745 people).

Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections in Young Children Presenting to Primary Care in Catalonia During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

We observed an unusual pattern of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in children under 5 years in Catalonia (Spain). We observed a near absence of RSV during winter months and a subsequent surge during the late spring. Primary care electronic health records combined with hospital RSV laboratory confirmation could be used to monitor trends of respiratory pathogens.

Association between the reduction of face-to-face appointments and the control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus during the Covid-19 pandemic in Catalonia.

Aim: To analyse the relation between face-to-face appointments and management of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) visited in primary care practices (PCP).

Methods: Retrospective study in 287 primary care practices (PCPs) attending>300,000 patients with T2DM. We analysed the results of 9 diabetes-related indicators of the Healthcare quality standard, comprising foot and retinopathy screening, blood pressure (BP) and glycemic control; and the incidence of T2DM.

Associations of BNT162b2 vaccination with SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospital admission and death with covid-19 in nursing homes and healthcare workers in Catalonia: prospective cohort study.

Objective: To determine associations of BNT162b2 vaccination with SARS-CoV-2 infection and hospital admission and death with covid-19 among nursing home residents, nursing home staff, and healthcare workers.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Setting: Nursing homes and linked electronic medical record, test, and mortality data in Catalonia on 27 December 2020.

Muscle tremors observed in white rhinoceroses immobilised with either etorphine-azaperone or etorphine-midazolam: An initial study.

Etorphine-azaperone is the most commonly used drug combination for chemical immobilisation of free-ranging white rhinoceroses, but causes several profound physiological disturbances, including muscle tremors. The addition of benzodiazepine sedatives, such as midazolam, has been proposed to reduce the muscular rigidity and tremors in immobilised rhinoceroses. Twenty-three free-ranging, sub-adult white rhinoceros bulls were darted and captured using a combination of etorphine plus either azaperone or midazolam.

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and related control measures on cancer diagnosis in Catalonia: a time-series analysis of primary care electronic health records covering about five million people.

Objective: Cancer care has been disrupted by the response of health systems to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during lockdowns. The objective of our study is to evaluate the impact of the pandemic on the incidence of cancer diagnoses in primary care.

Design: Time-series study of malignant neoplasms and diagnostic procedures, using data from the primary care electronic health records from January 2014 to September 2020.

Influence of organization and demographic characteristics of primary care practices on continuity of care: analysis of a retrospective cohort from 287 primary care practices covering about 6 million people in Catalonia.

Background: There is evidence that an ongoing patient-physician relationship is associated with improved health outcomes and more efficient health systems. The main objective of this study is to describe the continuity of care in primary healthcare in Catalonia (Spain) and to analyze whether the organization of primary care practices (PCP) or their patients' sociodemographic characteristics play a role in its continuity of care.

Methods: Four indices were used to measure continuity of care: Usual Provider Index (UPC), Modified Modified Continuity Index (MMCI), Continuity of Care Index (COC), and Sequential Continuity Index (SECON).

Divergences on expected pneumonia cases during the COVID-19 epidemic in Catalonia: a time-series analysis of primary care electronic health records covering about 6 million people.

Background: Pneumonia is one of the complications of COVID-19. Primary care electronic health records (EHR) have shown the utility as a surveillance system. We therefore analyse the trends of pneumonia during two waves of COVID-19 pandemic in order to use it as a clinical surveillance system and an early indicator of severity.

Filling the gaps in the characterization of the clinical management of COVID-19: 30-day hospital admission and fatality rates in a cohort of 118 150 cases diagnosed in outpatient settings in Spain.

Background: Currently, there is a missing link in the natural history of COVID-19, from first (usually milder) symptoms to hospitalization and/or death. To fill in this gap, we characterized COVID-19 patients at the time at which they were diagnosed in outpatient settings and estimated 30-day hospital admission and fatality rates.

Methods: This was a population-based cohort study.

Primary care in the time of COVID-19: monitoring the effect of the pandemic and the lockdown measures on 34 quality of care indicators calculated for 288 primary care practices covering about 6 million people in Catalonia.

Background: To analyse the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic and the lockdown measures on the follow-up and control of chronic diseases in primary care.

Methods: Retrospective study in 288 primary care practices (PCP) of the Catalan Institute of Health. We analysed the results of 34 indicators of the Healthcare quality standard (EQA), comprising different types: treatment (4), follow-up (5), control (10), screening (7), vaccinations (4) and quaternary prevention (4).

Substrate-controlled Michael additions of chiral ketones to enones.

Substrate-controlled Michael additions of the titanium(IV) enolate of lactate-derived ketone 1 to acyclic α,β-unsaturated ketones in the presence of a Lewis acid (TiCl4 or SnCl4) provide the corresponding 2,4-anti-4,5-anti dicarbonyl compounds in good yields and excellent diastereomeric ratios. Likely, the nucleophilic species involved in such additions are bimetallic enolates that may add to enones through cyclic transition states. Finally, further studies indicate that a structurally related β-benzyloxy chiral ketone can also participate in such stereocontrolled conjugate additions.

Effectiveness of an intervention designed to optimize statins use: a primary prevention randomized clinical trial.

Background: Although hypercholesterolemia is considered a cardiovascular risk factor, in isolation it is not necessarily sufficient cause for a cardiovascular event. To improve event prediction, cardiovascular risk calculators have been developed; the REGICOR calculator has been validated for use in our population. The objective of this project is to develop an intervention with general practitioners (GPs) and evaluate its impact on prescription adequacy of cholesterol-lowering drugs in primary prevention of cardiovascular disease and in controlling the costs associated with this disease.

A randomized controlled trial of nurses vs. doctors in the resolution of acute disease of low complexity in primary care.

Aims: To compare the effectiveness of care delivered by nurses to the usual care delivered by general practitioners, in adult patients requesting same day appointments in primary care practices in Catalonia (Spain).

Background: Same day appointments conducted by nurses are characterized by high patient satisfaction and a high resolution index. The profile of nursing and the organization of primary care services in our country differ from other countries.

Do naturalistic enclosures provide suitable environments for zoo animals?

Zoo visitors perceive naturalistic enclosures (i.e. those attempting to replicate identifiable parts of the landscape of the species' habitat) as those that best satisfy the biological needs of the animals, and ensure therefore their welfare.

A study of the effect of proinflammatory cytokines on the epithelial cells of smokers, with or without COPD.

Introduction: Cigarette smoke is the main cause of inflammation in COPD. The mechanisms that differentiate smokers who develop COPD are diverse. In this study, we analyzed the presence of cytokines in the respiratory secretions of smokers with or without COPD and the secretory properties of the differentiated bronchial epithelium obtained from the individuals themselves after exposure to tobacco smoke.

[The first Catalan Neurological Societies and their protagonists].

Introduction: Little is known about the first Catalan neurological societies. Our aim was to analyse them from the formation of the pioneering Society of Psychiatry and Neurology of Barcelona founded in 1911.

Development: We performed a literature search using MEDLINE using the key words: neurological societies, using the doctoral thesis of MG Fabregas: «History of Neurology in Catalonia: from 1882 to 1949» and original historical bibliographical sources of the Library of the Academy of Sciences Mèdiques de Catalunya i Balears.

Unraveling the complexity of the zoo community: identifying the variables related to conservation performance in zoological parks.

Zoological parks make up a highly heterogeneous community. Ranging from small collections at shopping malls to highly developed bioparks, their contribution to conservation is expected to vary enormously. Although several studies have focused on assessing such contribution, the parameters used frequently do not apply when considering more modest zoos.