Executive summary of the guidelines for the use of interferon-γ release assays in the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection.

Interferon-gamma release assays are widely used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in Spain. However, there is no consensus on their application in specific clinical scenarios. To develop a guideline for their use, a panel of experts comprising specialists in infectious diseases, respiratory diseases, microbiology, pediatrics and preventive medicine, together with a methodologist, conducted a systematic literature search, summarized the findings, rated the quality of the evidence, and formulated recommendations following the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations of Assessment Development and Evaluations) methodology.

Guidelines for the use of interferon-γ release assays in the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection.

Introduction: Interferon-gamma release assays are widely used for the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection in low-prevalence countries. However, there is no consensus on their application. The objective of this study was to develop guidelines for the use of interferon-gamma release assays in specific clinical scenarios in Spain.

Spanish Compliance With Guidelines for Prescribing Four Drugs in the Intensive Phase of Standard Tuberculosis Treatment.

Introduction: International and Spanish guidelines recommend a 4-drug regimen in the intensive treatment of tuberculosis (TB). The aim of our study was to determine if these recommendations are followed in Spain, and the factors associated with the use of 3 drugs (standard regimen without ethambutol).

Methodology: Observational, multicenter, retrospective analysis of data from patients diagnosed with TB in practically all Spanish Autonomous Communities between 2007 and 2102.

[Total cholesterol levels predict in-hospital mortality in patients with acute heart failure aged 70 years or older].

Introduction And Purpose: Lower total cholesterol (TC) levels have been associated with increased mortality In both acute and chronic heart failure (HF) patients. The present study sought to evaluate the impact of TC levels on in-hospital mortality in patients with acute HF aged 70 years or older.

Methods: Patients were divided into 3 groups based on TC (mg/dL) quartiles (Q) as follow: Q1 (CT≤125), Q2-Q3 (CT 126-174), Q4 (CT≥175).

Mediterranean dietary pattern in pregnant women and offspring risk of overweight and abdominal obesity in early childhood: the INMA birth cohort study.

Background: Animal models have suggested that maternal diet quality may reduce offspring obesity risk regardless of maternal body weight; however, evidence from human studies is scarce.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MD) during pregnancy and childhood overweight and abdominal obesity risk at 4 years of age.

Methods: We analysed 1827 mother-child pairs from the Spanish 'Infancia y Medio Ambiente' cohort study, recruited between 2003 and 2008.

Role of Human Papillomavirus in Penile Carcinomas Worldwide.

Background: Invasive penile cancer is a rare disease with an approximately 22 000 cases per year. The incidence is higher in less developed countries, where penile cancer can account for up to 10% of cancers among men in some parts of Africa, South America, and Asia.

Objective: To describe the human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA prevalence, HPV type distribution, and detection of markers of viral activity (ie, E6*I mRNA and p16(INK4a)) in a series of invasive penile cancers and penile high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HGSILs) from 25 countries.

Use of high doses of folic acid supplements in pregnant women in Spain: an INMA cohort study.

Objectives: We examined the use of low (<400 μg/day, including no use) and high folic acid supplement (FAS) dosages (≥1000 μg/day) among pregnant women in Spain, and explored factors associated with the use of these non-recommended dosages.

Design: Population-based cohort study.

Setting: Spain.

[Serum S100β protein reference values in a paediatric population].

Introduction: S100β protein has been proposed as a potential biomarker for both chronic and acute neurological disorders. Reference values of this protein are well defined in adults but not in children, in whom serum levels appear to vary with age. Reference values for serum S100β in children from 0 to 14 years are presented.

Barber Pole Sign in CT Angiography, Adult Presentation of Midgut Malrotation: A Case Report.

Adult midgut volvulus is a challenging diagnosis because of its low incidence and nonspecific symptoms. Diagnostic delay and long-term complaints are frequent in this clinical scenario. We reported a patient referred to our diagnostic imaging unit with intermittent abdominal pain, bloating and episodic vomiting for several years.

Focal Dermal Hypoplasia Due to De Novo Mutation c.1061T>C(p.Leu354Pro) in the PORCN Gene: Importance of Early Diagnosis and Multidisciplinary Follow-Up.

Focal dermal hypoplasia (FDH) is a rare multisystem disorder characterized by abnormalities in tissues derived from the meso-ectoderm, mainly affecting the skin, eyes, teeth and skeleton. We present the case of a young girl with FDH due to de novo mutation c.1061T>C (p.

Response to chemoradiotherapy and lymph node involvement in locally advanced rectal cancer.

Aim: To establish the association between lymph node involvement and the response to neoadjuvant therapy in locally advanced rectal cancer.

Methods: Data of 130 patients with mid and low locally advanced rectal adenocarcinoma treated with neoadjuvant chemoradiation followed by radical surgery over a 5-year period were reviewed. Tumor staging was done by endorectal ultrasound and/or magnetic resonance imaging.

Drug-induced systemic lupus erythematosus in a child after 3 years of treatment with carbamazepine.

Drug-induced lupus erythematosus (DILE) is a less severe variant of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that generally resolves within weeks or months after the withdrawal of the implicated drug. DILE is unusual during childhood, with the most frequent age of presentation being at 50-70 years of age. Among different drugs, most commonly procainamide and hydralazine have been implicated as a cause of DILE.

Code stroke in Asturias.

Background: Intravenous thrombolysis with alteplase is an effective treatment for ischaemic stroke when applied during the first 4.5 hours, but less than 15% of patients have access to this technique. Mechanical thrombectomy is more frequently able to recanalise proximal occlusions in large vessels, but the infrastructure it requires makes it even less available.

Local excision by transanal endoscopic surgery.

Transanal endoscopic surgery (TES) consists of a series of anorectal surgical procedures using different devices that are introduced into the anal canal. TES has been developed significantly since it was first used in the 1980s. The key point for the success of these techniques is how accurately patients are selected.

Effectiveness of mycophenolate mofetil in C3 glomerulonephritis.

C3 glomerulonephritis is a clinicopathologic entity defined by the presence of isolated or dominant deposits of C3 on immunofluorescence. To explore the effect of immunosuppression on C3 glomerulonephritis, we studied a series of 60 patients in whom a complete registry of treatments was available over a median follow-up of 47 months. Twenty patients had not received immunosuppressive treatments.