Publications by authors named "Pumarola F"

HIV represents a persistent infection which negatively alters the immune system. New tools to reinvigorate different immune cell populations to impact HIV are needed. Herein, a novel nanotool for the specific enhancement of the natural killer (NK) immune response towards HIV-infected T-cells has been developed.

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Importance: Acute otitis media with tympanostomy tubes (AOMT) in children commonly presents with otorrhea and negatively affects their daily activities.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of topical ciprofloxacin, 0.3%, plus fluocinolone acetonide, 0.

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Background: Acute otitis media (AOM) is an important cause of childhood morbidity and antibiotic prescriptions. However, the relative importance of the well-known otopathogens, Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) and Haemophilus influenzae (Hflu), remains unclear because of a limited number of tympanocentesis-based studies that vary significantly in populations sampled, case definitions and heptavalent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine use.

Methods: We conducted a pooled analysis of results from 10 AOM etiology studies of similar design, the protocols of which were derived from a common protocol and conducted in children 3 months to 5 years of age in different countries.

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Introduction: Acute otitis media (AOM) is common in children aged <3 years. A pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) (PCV7; Prevenar, Pfizer/Wyeth, USA) has been available in Spain since 2001, which has a coverage rate of 50-60% in children aged <5 years.

Materials And Methods: Children aged ≥3 to 36 months with AOM confirmed by an ear-nose-throat specialist were enrolled at seven centers in Spain (February 2009-May 2012) (GSK study identifier: 111425).

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Introduction: Paediatric LTI is associated with significant morbid-mortality. Although historically first line treatment was surgical, conservative management is making headway. The purpose of this study was to analyze the management and surgical indications of LTI treated at our institution.

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Objectives: Non-typeable Haemophilus influenzae are a major cause of acute otitis media (AOM), including chronic and recurrent otitis in young children. The objective of this study was to determine whether non-typeable H. influenzae isolates causing these infections produce biofilms and carry resistance mechanisms to β-lactams.

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Objective: To prospectively identify the bacterial aetiology and antimicrobial susceptibility of problematic (recurrent and treatment failure) acute otitis media in Spanish children several years after the introduction of 7-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine.

Methods: Tympanocentesis or careful sampling of spontaneous otorrhoea was performed on children aged 3 to <36 months with recurrent acute otitis media, acute otitis media treatment failure or unresolved acute otitis media.

Results: 105 acute otitis media episodes (77 sampled by tympanocentesis, 28 otorrhoea samples) were evaluated: 46 recurrent, 35 treatment failures, 24 unresolved acute otitis media.

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Our study was carried out to examine the relationships of the sigmoid sinus, tympanic membrane and digastric ridge with the mastoid segment of the facial nerve. We studied 33 adult temporal bones. The distances among these structures were evaluated according specific landmarks that can be repeated in a simple manner.

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The ex-utero intrapartum treatment (EXIT) procedure is a technique designed to allow partial foetal delivery via caesarean section with establishment of a safe foetal airway by either intubation, bronchoscopy, or tracheostomy while foetal oxygenation is maintained through utero-placental circulation. The most common indication for the EXIT procedure is the presence of foetal airway obstruction, which is usually caused by a prenatal diagnosed neck mass. We report three cases of head and neck tumours with airway obstruction treated by means of EXIT and with different solutions in the management of the airway.

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Objective: Our study emphasizes the relationship between the temporal bone structures and the mastoid portion of the facial nerve.

Material And Methods: Thirty-two temporal bones taken from adult cadavers of both sexes subjected to tympanoplastic procedure were used to make reference measures of the mastoid portion of the facial nerve. Appropriate instruments were used for measurement and statistic analysis was subsequently performed.

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Background: Since abnormalities in prostanoid metabolism occur in the lower airway of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), it is likely that they could also be detected in the nose.

Methods: The degree of mRNA and protein expression of cyclo-oxygenase (COX) enzymes 1 (COX-1) and 2 (COX-2) was examined using quantitative reverse competitive polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot analysis in the nasal polyps from 10 patients with CF, nasal polyps from 10 non-CF patients and 11 nasal mucosa specimens. The results are presented as 10(6) cDNA molecules/mug total RNA and the densitometric ratio between protein and beta-actin.

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One of the greatest challenges in the treatment of inner ear disorders is to find a cure for the hearing loss caused by the loss of cochlear hair cells or spiral ganglion neurons. The recent discovery of stem cells in the adult inner ear that are capable of differentiating into hair cells, as well as the finding that embryonic stem cells can be converted into hair cells, raise hope for the future development of stem-cell-based treatments.

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Acute bacterial sinusitis is usually a clinical diagnosis. Orbital complications require emergent evaluation with computed tomography. Using the orbital septum as an anatomic landmark, such infections can be classified as pre- or postseptal and treated with the most adequate therapy, ie, oral or intravenous antibiotics or surgical endonasal drainage.

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Acute mastoiditis is a serious complication of acute otitis media in children. Suppurative disease in the mastoid region occasionally spreads to the adjacent dura mater of the posterior and middle cranial fossae and the sigmoid sinus by means of thrombophlebitis, osseous erosion, or anatomic pathways, producing intracranial complications. Computed tomography (CT) should be performed early in the course of the disease to classify the mastoiditis as incipient or coalescent and to detect intracranial complications.

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Topical treatment with 1% sterile sodium hyaluronate solution applied on the tympanic perforation membrane has been suggested as an alternative to surgical treatment in one study only. To further investigate the effects of such a treatment, we designed a double blind study comparing topical administration of 1% sodium hyaluronate with that of 2% methylcellulose solution (placebo). After treatment the degree of perforation healing was evaluated and expressed in percentage of reduction area.

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We considered over 500 cases of Perennial Rhinitis (PR). A radiologic study has been performed to determine mucosa alterations. The percentage of allergic PR is found to be of forty-eight percent.

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