Prognostic factors in patients with vulvar cancer: the VULCAN study.

Objective: This study aimed to analyze the prognostic factors for overall and progression-free survival in patients with vulvar cancer.

Methods: This international, multicenter, retrospective study included 2453 patients diagnosed with vulvar cancer at 100 different institutions. Inclusion criteria were institutional review board approval from each collaborating center, pathologic diagnosis of invasive carcinoma of the vulva, and primary treatment performed at the participating center.

Adherence to synthetic disease-modifying Antirheumatic Drugs in Rheumatoid Arthritis: Results of the OBSERVAR Study.

Background: Treatment compliance with disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARD) is essential to achieve the therapeutic goals in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, despite the need for good compliance, there is evidence that patients with RA frequently fail to use DMARD for the control of RA. Thus, the main objective of the OBSERVAR study is to evaluate the reasons for the lack of therapeutic adherence to synthetic DMARD in these patients.

[Fingolimod: effectiveness and safety in routine clinical practice. An observational, retrospective, multi-centre study in Galicia].

Introduction: The effectiveness and safety of fingolimod in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) have been proven in clinical trials. Yet, due to their limitations, it is important to know how it behaves under everyday clinical practice conditions. Hence, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod after 12 months' usage in clinical practice in Galicia.

[Clinical experience with lacosamide in Galicia: the GALACO study].

Introduction: Lacosamide is a sodium channel blocker antiepileptic drug authorized as an adjunctive therapy for focal seizures in adolescents and adults.

Aim: To analyze the efficacy and safety of lacosamide in Galicia according to its use in daily clinical practice.

Patients And Methods: Retrospective observational study in patients who started treatment with lacosamide between January 2014 and June 2013 in 10 hospitals in Galicia, Spain.

Left-sided infective endocarditis in patients with liver cirrhosis.

Objective: To evaluate the course of left-sided infective endocarditis (LsIE) in patients with liver cirrhosis (LC) analyzing its influence on mortality and the impact of surgery.

Methods: Prospective cohort study, conducted from 1984 to 2013 in 26 Spanish hospitals.

Results: A total of 3.

National survey on thromboprophylaxis and anticoagulant or antiplatelet management in neurosurgical and neurocritical patients.

Objectives: To determine the protocols used by Spanish anaesthesiologists for thromboprophylaxis and anticoagulant or antiplatelet drugs management in neurosurgical or neurocritical care patients.

Material And Methods: An online survey with 22 questions, with one or multiple options, launched by the Neuroscience Subcommittee of the Spanish Anaesthesia Society and available between June and October 2012.

Results: Of the 73 hospitals included in the National Hospitals Catalogue, a valid response to the online questionnaire was received by 41 anaesthesiologists from 37 sites (response rate 50.

[Controversial issues in congenital nevi].

Congenital melanocytic nevi are very common lesions that nevertheless pose many controversial questions. A systematic review of the literature suggests that the risk of developing melanoma on giant congenital melanocytic nevi (GCMN) is lower than previously thought given that, in the most recent series of GCMN, only 2 % of patients developed melanoma and most did so before the age of 5 years. Therefore,prophylactic surgery should be considered on an individual basis according to the degree of clinical suspicion of melanoma and the esthetic and functional consequences.

In vitro activity and in vivo efficacy of clavulanic acid against Acinetobacter baumannii.

Clavulanic acid (CLA) exhibits low MICs against some Acinetobacter baumannii strains. The present study evaluates the efficacy of CLA in a murine model of A. baumannii pneumonia.

Rapid and simple determination of ciprofloxacin resistance in clinical strains of Escherichia coli.

We recently reported a simple new in situ diffusion assay, developed as a kit, to visualize DNA fragmentation in single bacterial cells. Use of this assay in a collection of 95 genetically unrelated Escherichia coli clinical strains resulted in correct identification of all of the isolates as resistant or susceptible to ciprofloxacin, consistent with the MIC results. This relevant information is obtained in 80 min.

[Allergic contact dermatitis to diethylthiourea in a neoprene wader].

Diethylthiourea, like other thioureas, is often used by the rubber industry and in the manufacture of neoprene. We present a patient who suffered allergic contact dermatitis to diethylthiourea in a neoprene wader and who required admission to hospital and systemic treatment. We review the literature on allergy to diethylthiourea.

Comparison of different methods of determining beta-lactam susceptibility in clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

One hundred and one randomly selected (2003-2005) clinical isolates of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were used to assess the quantitative (MIC) and qualitative (susceptibility category) agreement between the microdilution broth reference method (RM) and disc diffusion (DD), Etest and the VITEK 2 automated susceptibility test system for determination of the susceptibility of P. aeruginosa to piperacillin (PIP), PIP-tazobactam (TZP), ceftazidime (CAZ), aztreonam (ATM) cefepime (FEP) and imipenem (IMP). The results obtained by the RM were compared with those obtained by the other methods.

[Acute renal failure in a young male with cellulitis in the lower leg].

Necrotizing fascitiis due to Streptococcus Pyogenes has a high mortality rate. Detection of the infection before it developes to the streptococcal toxic shock syndrome is quite challenging and its one of the main goals of its management because at this final stage the treatment is in most of the cases ineffective. In a secuence of events of the progression of the infection to shock, renal failure occurs before hipotension very often.

[Mitral valve repair using polytetrafluoroethylene neochordae: short-term outcomes].

In recent years, mitral valve repair using polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) neochordae has been shown to be an effective technique for correcting valve prolapse due to chordal rupture or elongation. In this study, we evaluated our experience using this technique in a group of 21 patients. The median (range) follow-up period was 9 (1-26) months.

[Chronic graft-versus-host disease presenting as bullous lesions].

Graft-vs-host disease is still the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing bone marrow transplantation. It is important to start treatment early to reduce the severity and consequences of this complication. Cutaneous lesions are often the presenting compliant of graft-vs-host disease and presage visceral involvement.

[Indications for lumbar puncture in patients with early active syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus coinfection: experience in a tertiary level hospital in La Coruña, Spain, 2003-2006].

Introduction: In the last years, the incidence of syphilis has incremented in Spain and coinfection with HIV occurs in a high percentage. In HIV-infected patients with syphilis, neurological complications, treatment failure and relapse appear to be slightly raised. Therefore, careful follow-up must be carried out because of the risk of developing neurosyphilis.

Genetic variability among ampC genes from acinetobacter genomic species 3.

As a part of a nationwide study in Spain, 15 clinical isolates of Acinetobacter genomic species 3 (AG3) were analyzed. The main objective of the study was to characterize the ampC genes from these isolates and to determine their involvement in beta-lactam resistance in AG3. The 15 AG3 isolates showed different profiles of resistance to ampicillin (range of MICs, 12 to >256 microg/ml).

Development of neoplasms during lung transplantation follow-up.

Objective: Lung transplant patient survival has significantly improved over the last 2 decades, which has resulted in an increased incidence of malignant disease. We undertook a descriptive, retrospective study of our series of transplant patients.

Patients And Methods: The study included 129 transplantations from 1999 to 2006.

Efficiency and safety of inhaled amphotericin B lipid complex (Abelcet) in the prophylaxis of invasive fungal infections following lung transplantation.

Background: Invasive fungal infections (IFIs) in patients undergoing lung transplantation (LT) are associated with significant mortality. Previous studies have shown the efficacy of aerosolized amphotericin B deoxycholate and oral fluconazole for antifungal prophylaxis. Evolving data show a potential advantage of prophylaxis with lipid-based formulations of amphotericin B in the prevention of IFIs.

The efficacy and safety of ezetimibe for treatment of dyslipidemia after heart transplantation.

Introduction: Statins, although the treatment of choice for dyslipidemia after heart transplantation (HT), are not always well tolerated or effective. In such cases, administration of ezetimibe may be useful.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy and safety of ezetimibe, with or without statins, after HT.

[Relatives' opinions of the nursing discharge summary in infants who have undergone surgery].

Objectives: To determine the utility of the nursing discharge summary and the degree of satisfaction with the information received by the relatives of infants' after surgery.

Method: We conducted an observational, descriptive, cross-sectional study in the infants unit at the Juan Canalejo University Hospital Complex in La Coruña (Spain). A total of 110 patients were included, all aged between 1 month and 2 years, who were hospitalized between January and December 2006.

[The prophylaxis and treatment of c virus liver disease in the liver transplantation setting. Narrative review].

Objective: To review the use of antiviral therapy as prophylaxis or treatment of virus C liver disease in the liver transplantation setting.

Method: A search was made of the literature in PubMed with the strategy liver transplantation AND hepatitis C AND (interferon OR peginterferon OR ribavirin) from 1966 to June 2007 and a manual search of the journals Gastroenterología y Hepatología, Journal of Hepatology and Hepatology between 2001 and June 2007, to identify publications and communications to congresses relating to the subject. The studies identified were selected and evaluated.