Microbiome of Larvae and Potential Biomarkers Associated With High and Low Survival in Shrimp Hatchery Tanks Affected by Acute Hepatopancreatic Necrosis Disease.

Acute hepatopancreatic necrosis disease (AHPND) is an emerging bacterial disease of cultured shrimp caused mainly by , which harbors the lethal PirAB toxin genes. Although () postlarvae are susceptible to AHPND, the changes in the bacterial communities through the larval stages affected by the disease are unknown. We characterized, through high-throughput sequencing, the microbiome of larvae infected with AHPND-causing bacteria through the larval stages and compared the microbiome of larvae collected from high- and low-survival tanks.

Cost-effectiveness of early detection of breast cancer in Catalonia (Spain).

Background: Breast cancer (BC) causes more deaths than any other cancer among women in Catalonia. Early detection has contributed to the observed decline in BC mortality. However, there is debate on the optimal screening strategy.

Effect of start age of breast cancer screening mammography on the risk of false-positive results.

Objective: To estimate the false-positive (FP) risk according to the start age of mammography screening (45-46 or 50-51 years).

Method: Data from eight regions of the Spanish breast cancer screening programme from 1990 to 2006 were included (1,565,364 women). Discrete time-hazard models were used to ascertain the effect of age and time-related, programme-related and personal variables on FP leading to any further procedure and to invasive procedures (FPI).

Effect of false-positive results on reattendance at breast cancer screening programmes in Spain.

Background: Mammography is the only breast screening method, we are aware of today, which is able to reduce mortality from breast cancer. Nevertheless, this procedure carries an inherent risk of false-positive screening mammogram. The association between these results and reattendance at the next scheduled screening mammogram is controversial.

Reduction in false-positive results after introduction of digital mammography: analysis from four population-based breast cancer screening programs in Spain.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of the introduction of digital mammography on the recall rate, detection rate, false-positive rate, and rates of invasive procedures in a cohort of women from four population-based breast cancer screening programs in Spain.

Materials And Methods: The study was approved by the ethics committee; informed consent was not required. A total of 242,838 mammograms (171,191 screen film [screen-film mammography group] and 71,647 digital [digital mammography group]) obtained in 103,613 women aged 45-69 years were included.

Unmet needs and waiting list prioritization for knee arthroplasty.

Background: There is a high volume of unmet needs for knee arthroplasty in the population despite the increase in surgery rates. Given the long waiting times to have a knee arthroplasty, some governments have proposed prioritization systems for patients on waiting lists based on their level of need.

Questions/purposes: We therefore estimated the needs and demand of knee arthroplasty in four regions of Spain during a 5-year period.

[Impact of the distinct diagnostic criteria used in population-based studies on estimation of the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis].

Objective: To assess the impact of the distinct diagnostic criteria used in population-based studies on estimation of the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis.

Methods: We performed a search for population-based studies of the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis carried out in the general noninstitutionalized population in Europe or the USA.

Results: Eight articles were selected, six from Europe and two from the USA.

Glycine regulates the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in lean and monosodium glutamate-obese mice.

Fat tissue plays an important role in the regulation of inflammatory processes. Increased visceral fat has been associated with a higher production of cytokines that triggers a low-grade inflammatory response, which eventually may contribute to the development of insulin resistance. In the present study, we investigated whether glycine, an amino acid that represses the expression in vitro of pro-inflammatory cytokines in Kupffer and 3T3-L1 cells, can affect in vivo cytokine production in lean and monosodium glutamate-induced obese mice (MSG/Ob mice).

Discrete-event simulation applied to analysis of waiting lists. Evaluation of a prioritization system for cataract surgery.

Objectives: To outline the methods used to build a discrete-event simulation model for use in decision-making in the context of waiting list management strategies for cataract surgery by comparing a waiting list prioritization system with the routinely used first-in, first-out (FIFO) discipline.

Methods: The setting was the Spanish health system. The model reproduced the process of cataract, from incidence of need of surgery (meeting indication criteria), through demand, inclusion on a waiting list, and surgery.

Geographical variations in the benefit of applying a prioritization system for cataract surgery in different regions of Spain.

Background: In Spain, there are substantial variations in the utilization of health resources among regions. Because the need for surgery differs in patients with appropriate surgical indication, introducing a prioritization system might be beneficial. Our objective was to assess geographical variations in the impact of applying a prioritization system in patients on the waiting list for cataract surgery in different regions of Spain by using a discrete-event simulation model.

Determining the lifetime density function using a continuous approach.

Objective: To apply a continuous hazard function approach to calculate the lifetime density function (LDF) at any age, and to compare the life expectancies derived from the LDF with those obtained with standard life table (SLT) methods.

Methods: Age-specific mortality rates were modeled through a continuous hazard function. To construct the cumulative hazard function, appropriate integration limits were considered as continuous random variables.

Time-trend and variations in the proportion of second-eye cataract surgery.

Background: Despite recommendations for greater use of second-eye cataract surgery and the bilateral progression of the disease, there is a substantial proportion of unmet need for this treatment. Few studies have explored the factors associated with second-eye cataract surgery utilisation. The objective of our study was to estimate the proportion of second-eye cataract surgery, evaluate its time-trend, and explore differences in utilisation by patients' gender, age, and region of residence.

Hypoglycemic activity of a new carbohydrate isolated from the roots of Psacalium peltatum.

A new ulopyranose isolated from aqueous extract of roots and rhizomas of Psacalium peltatum has been determined to have hypoglycemic activity at doses of 100 mg/kg, comparable to that of tolbutamide and insulin in alloxan diabetic mice. The skeletal structure of the new compound was established by spectral analysis.

Application of biological dressings from radiosterilized amnios with cobalt 60 and serologic studies on the handling of burns in pediatric patients.

We present the use of biological dressing (amnios) as an alternative for skin replacement due to burn accidents. With the use of serologic tests, it is guaranteed to be free of the possibility of transmitting infectious diseases. The amnios is sterilized with 60Co gamma radiation.