The MIR 2018 Exam: Psychometric Study and Comparison with the Previous Nine Years.

: The aim of the present research is to study the questions used in the 2018 MIR exam (a test that allows access to specialized medical training in Spain), describe their psychometric properties, and evaluate their quality. : This analysis is performed with the help of classical test theory (CTT) and item response theory (IRT). The answers given to the test questions by a total of 3868 physicians are analyzed.

Neutrophil Count Percentage and Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio as Prognostic Markers in Patients Hospitalized for Community-Acquired Pneumonia.

Introduction: Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common serious infection. This study aimed to evaluate the prognostic utility of neutrophil count percentage (NCP) and neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) in patients with CAP.

Methods: Retrospective study of hospitalized patients with CAP.

Correction: Inflammation biomarkers in blood as mortality predictors in community-acquired pneumonia admitted patients: Importance of comparison with neutrophil count percentage or neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Comparison between inferior vena cava ultrasound, lung ultrasound, bioelectric impedance analysis, and natriuretic peptides in chronic heart failure.

Background: Heart failure (HF) is an important healthcare problem. Knowing volume status in outpatients with chronic HF to adjust treatment and to avoid decompensations is a challenge. The aim of this study is comparing the usefulness of inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasound, lung ultrasound, bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA), and natriuretic peptides in the follow-up of outpatients with chronic HF.

Usefulness of inferior vena cava ultrasonography in outpatients with chronic heart failure.

Background: Inferior vena cava (IVC) ultrasonography has been used for the diagnosis and prognosis of acute heart failure (HF). Its usefulness in chronic HF is less known.

Hypothesis: IVC ultrasonography is a useful tool in the care of patients with chronic HF.

Gastroenterology - Evolution of specialty choice in recent years.

Introduction: Gastroenterology is one of the medical specialties offered to residency training candidates each year. This project analyzes the data associated with the choice of a Gastroenterology residency program in recent years.

Material And Methods: Data related to specialty selection were obtained from official reports with regard to the allocation of residency places by the Spanish Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality.

Inflammation biomarkers in blood as mortality predictors in community-acquired pneumonia admitted patients: Importance of comparison with neutrophil count percentage or neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio.

Introduction: The increase and persistence of inflammation in community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) patients can lead to higher mortality. Biomarkers capable of measuring this inadequate inflammatory response are likely candidates to be related with a bad outcome. We investigated the association between concentrations of several inflammatory markers and mortality of CAP patients.

Updates on Aspergillus, Pneumocystis and other opportunistic pulmonary mycoses.

Mycoses are serious diseases with potentially fatal outcome. The introduction of immunosuppressive treatments and life support techniques has led to a growing prevalence of different degrees of immunosuppression. Compromised immune response is the primary risk factor for the development of opportunistic mycoses.

The incidence of cardiovascular events after hospitalization due to CAP and their association with different inflammatory markers.

Background: Late prognosis of Community-Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) patients is related to cardiovascular events. Persistence of inflammation-related markers, defined by high circulatory levels of interleukin 6 and 10 (IL-6/IL-10), is associated with a higher post-event mortality rate for CAP patients. However, association between these markers and other components of the immune response, and the risk of cardiovascular events, has not been adequately explored.