Inflammatory Biomarkers in the Diagnosis and Prognosis of Rheumatoid Arthritis-Associated Interstitial Lung Disease.

This study aimed to identify inflammatory factors and soluble cytokines that act as biomarkers in the diagnosis and prognosis of rheumatoid arthritis-associated interstitial lung disease (RA-ILD). We performed a nested prospective observational case-control study of patients with RA-ILD matched by sex, age, and time since the diagnosis of RA. All participants underwent pulmonary function testing and high-resolution computed tomography.

Role of lipoprotein lipase activity measurement in the diagnosis of familial chylomicronemia syndrome.

Background: Activity assays for lipoprotein lipase (LPL) are not standardised for use in clinical settings.

Objective: This study sought to define and validate a cut-off points based on a ROC curve for the diagnosis of patients with familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). We also evaluated the role of LPL activity in a comprehensive FCS diagnostic workflow.

Adiposity is associated with expansion of the genus Dialister in rheumatoid arthritis patients.

Objective: To analyze the intestinal microbiota of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and obesity and a higher percentage of fatty tissue.

Methods: Nested case-control study of 80 RA patients and 80 age and sex-matched controls. Obesity was defined as a body mass index ≥ 30, and body composition using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Subclinical atherosclerosis burden in non-diabetic hypertensives treated in primary care center: the IMTABI study.

Background: Identifying patients at high risk of cardiovascular disease in primary prevention is a challenging task. This study aimed at detecting subclinical atherosclerosis burden in non-diabetic hypertensive patients in a primary care centre.

Methods: Clinical, anthropometric and analytical data were collected from patients with hypertension who were free from clinical vascular disease and diabetes.

Insulin-Related Biomarkers in Cerebrospinal Fluid in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic Review.

Background: Glucose metabolism and insulin signaling alterations play an important role in Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Researchers have extensively attempted to characterize the exact pathophysiological mechanisms in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), as evidence concerning this fluid biomarkers is expected to enhance AD diagnosis' specificity and accuracy and serve as an early disease detection tool. There is controversy about insulin levels in the CSF relationship with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and AD.

Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy in Endometrial Cancer: Dual Injection, Dual Tracer-A Multidisciplinary Exhaustive Approach to Nodal Staging.

Introduction: Sentinel lymph node (SLN) has recently been introduced as a standard staging technique in endometrial cancer (EC). There are some issues regarding team experience and para-aortic detection.

Objective: to report the accuracy of SLN detection in EC with a dual tracer (ICG and Tc99) and dual injection site (cervix and fundus) during the learning curve.

Postprandial Hyperlipidemia: Association with Inflammation and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To describe postprandial lipidemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to analyze its association with subclinical atherosclerosis and inflammatory activity.

Methods: Observational study of 80 cases of RA and 80 sex- and age-matched controls. We excluded individuals with dyslipidemia.

Cumulative inflammatory burden and obesity as determinants of insulin resistance in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis: cross-sectional study.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of insulin resistance (IR) in patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to analyse the contribution of cumulative inflammatory burden and other factors to its development.

Design: Observational cross-sectional study.

Participants: Patients with RA and controls matched for age, sex and Body Mass Index.

Postprandial Apolipoprotein B48 is Associated with Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: To describe postprandial lipemia in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and to analyze its association with subclinical atherosclerosis measured as carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT).

Methods: We performed an observational study of 40 patients with RA and 40 sex and age-matched controls. Patients with dyslipidemia were excluded.

Evaluation of the chylomicron-TG to VLDL-TG ratio for type I hyperlipoproteinemia diagnostic.

Background: The aim of this study is to confirm the diagnostic performance of the Chylomicron to very low-density lipoproteins triglycerides (CM/VLDL-TG) ratio, the triglycerides to cholesterol ratio (TG/TC) and a dichotomic rule including the tryglycerides to apolipoprotein B (TG/APOB) ratio for the presence of Type I hyperlipoproteinemia (HPLI) in patients with severe hypertriglyceridemia (sHTG) that were at high risk for familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS).

Methods: Two cohorts (derivation and validation) of patients with sHTG were included in the study. Anthropometric, clinical, biochemical and genetic data were obtained.

Sentinel lymph node biopsy procedure in squamous vulvar cancer. 10 years follow-up analysis.

Aim: Application of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) procedure in early-stage vulvar cancer and analysis of results, recurrences and complications.

Material And Methods: 40 patients with vulvar cancer and SLNB between 2008 and 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. During the surgical procedure the inguinofemoral lymph nodes were checked with a gamma probe to identify the sentinel nodes that were removed and referred for intraoperative pathological assessment.

Subclinical Arteriosclerosis is Associated With Common Vascular Risk Factors in Long-Term Survivors of Testicular Cancer.

Cardiovascular disease risk is increased in survivors of testicular cancer because of exposure to treatment (chemotherapy and radiotherapy), as well as modification in lifestyle. Our aim was to assess the presence of subclinical arteriosclerosis in survivors of testicular cancer in comparison with a control group. This was a cross-sectional, observational, case-control study including 50 survivors of Germ Cell Tumor (GCT) (14 years of follow-up) and 53 age-matched controls with no cancer.

Genetic variants in the LPL and GPIHBP1 genes, in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia, detected with high resolution melting analysis.

Introduction: Pathogenic variants in lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high-density lipoprotein-binding protein 1 (GPIHBP1) have been described in patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia. We aimed to optimise high resolution melting (HRM) assays to detect the presence of functional variants in these genes.

Methods: One hundred and sixteen patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia were studied.

Molecular basis of the familial chylomicronemia syndrome in patients from the National Dyslipidemia Registry of the Spanish Atherosclerosis Society.

Background: Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is an extremely rare lipoprotein disorder caused by mutations in at least 5 genes of the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) complex.

Objective: This work shows the molecular analysis of patients diagnosed with FCS, who attended the Spanish Arteriosclerosis Society lipid units and were included in the National Dyslipidemia Registry.

Methods: Among the 238 patients registered with severe hypertriglyceridemia (fasting triglycerides >1000 mg/dL), 26 were diagnosed with FCS as they had confirmed postheparin plasma LPL activity deficiency and/or homozygosity for loss-of-function mutations in LPL, GPIHBP1, APOC2, LMF1, or Apolipoprotein A5 (APOA5).

High risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in COPD exacerbator phenotype.

It is not known whether COPD exacerbations contribute to an increased vascular risk already associated with the disease. For this reason, we prospectively evaluated 127 patients referred for a monographic COPD consultation. We classify as exacerbators those who had experienced two or more moderate exacerbations in the previous year, or who had had a hospital admission.

The Effects of Parenteral K1 Administration in Pseudoxanthoma Elasticum Patients Versus Controls. A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Pseudoxanthoma elasticum (PXE) is a rare disease caused by mutations in the ABCC6 gene. Vitamin K1 is involved in the posttranslational carboxylation of some proteins related to inhibition of the calcification process. Our aim was to investigate, in patients affected by PXE, baseline levels of vitamin K-dependent proteins and -metabolites and whether parenteral administration of phytomenadione was effective in modulating their levels.

[Training program in endourological surgery. Future perspectives.].

Current training in urological endoscopy lacks a specific training program. However, there is a clear need for a specific and uniform program, which will ensure the training, regardless of the unit where it is carried out. So, the goal is to first evaluate the current model and then bring improvements for update.

[Antirreflux ureteral catheters.].

Double-J ureteral stents disposal is associated with the appearance of side effects in up to 90% of the patients. The main causes of these symptoms are related to stent's design and the materials they are manufactured from. Vesicoureteral reflux and bladder trigone irritation are the etiopathogenic causes of ureteral stents associated morbidity.

Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy With Potassium-titanyl-phosphate Laser Versus Conventional Laparoscopic Partial Nephrectomy: An Animal Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: To explore the feasibility, safety, and short-term results of potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (KTP-LPN) vs conventional laparoscopic partial nephrectomy (C-LPN).

Materials And Methods: Thirty large white female pigs were randomized to KTP-LPN or C-LPN. Laparoscopic radical right nephrectomy was performed, and an artificial renal tumor was placed in the left kidney in 3 locations.

Initial validation of a training program focused on laparoscopic radical nephrectomy.

Objective: To assess a training model focused on laparoscopic nephrectomy.

Material And Methods: 16 residents participated in the study, who attended a training program with a theoretical session (1hour) and a dry (7hours) and a wet lab (13hours). During animal training, the first and last nephrectomies were assessed through the completion time and the global rating scale "Objective and Structured Assessment of Technical Skills" (OSATS).

Alzheimer's like brain changes correlate with low adiponectin plasma levels in type 2 diabetic patients.

Aim: To study the association between adiponectin plasma levels, and gray matter brain volume and cerebral glucose metabolism in a group of type 2 diabetes patients.

Methods: We studied 25 type 2 diabetes patients and 25 age- and gender-matched healthy control participants. Biochemical analysis and structural cerebral magnetic resonance imaging, including voxel-based morphometry and (18)-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography, were performed.