Paraffin treasures: do they last forever?

Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissues stored in Departments of Pathology have become valuable sources of material for both diagnostic and research purposes. Obtaining nucleic acids from this material may be challenging, especially after storage for several years. The present study was aimed at evaluating DNA degradation over time by comparing the quality of DNA obtained in 2002 with the quality of DNA obtained in 2010 from the same paraffin blocks.

European Renal Best Practice Guideline on kidney donor and recipient evaluation and perioperative care.

The European Best Practice Guideline group (EBPG) issued guidelines on the evaluation and selection of kidney donor and kidney transplant candidates, as well as post-transplant recipient care, in the year 2000 and 2002. The new European Renal Best Practice board decided in 2009 that these guidelines needed updating. In order to avoid duplication of efforts with kidney disease improving global outcomes, which published in 2009 clinical practice guidelines on the post-transplant care of kidney transplant recipients, we did not address these issues in the present guidelines.

Alcohol consumption and in vitro fertilization: a review of the literature.

The aim of our study is to determine whether alcohol consumption affects the results of in vitro fertilization. A review of the literature was performed to find prospective cohort studies of couples undergoing in vitro fertilization in which alcohol intake was recorded. A primary search returned 389 studies, 2 of which were finally considered eligible.

BAES Scrotal flap: anatomical bases and usefulness in complex urethral reconstruction.

Objective: To describe the anatomical characteristics and vascularization of the biaxial hair free scrotal flap (BAES-flap) and to detail its surgical application to reconstruction of the more complex urethral strictures.

Methods: We performed macro and micro anatomical dissections of the scrotum in 15 cryopreserved cadavers for the study of the arterial microvascularization of the BAES flap, and this anatomical knowledge has been implemented with the aim to improve the anterior and posterior urethra reconstructive surgical technique. For scrotal skin conditioning we performed definitive hair removal with the alexandrite laser.

Chagas' disease and kidney donation.

Due to current trends in human population movements, there has been an increase in the number of individuals with Chagas’ disease (CD) living in non-endemic regions; as such, there is a high probability that we will face an increase in cases of CD, both in patients requiring renal replacement therapy and in potential donors. We present the case of an organ donor with positive serology for Trypanosoma cruzi, whose kidneys were implanted into two different recipients. Prophylaxis was administered with benznidazole for 3 weeks.

Alternative nuclear functions for NF-κB family members.

The NF-κB signalling pathway regulates many different biological processes from the cellular level to the whole organism. The majority of these functions are completely dependent on the activation of the cytoplasmic IKK kinase complex that leads to IκB degradation and results in the nuclear translocation of specific NF-κB dimers, which, in general, act as transcription factors. Although this is a well-established mechanism of action, several publications have now demonstrated that some members of this pathway display additional functions in the nucleus as regulators of NF-κB-dependent and independent gene expression.

Functional and quality-of-life results of displaced and nondisplaced proximal humeral fractures treated conservatively.

Objectives: Functional and quality-of-life outcomes of conservatively treated proximal humeral fractures.

Design: Prospective study.

Setting: University orthopedic department at a hospital.

Concurrent and construct validity of Mediterranean diet scores as assessed by an FFQ.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to assess the concurrent and construct validity of two diet-quality indices, a modified Mediterranean diet score (mMDS) and a Mediterranean-like diet score (MLDS) additionally incorporating unhealthy food choices, as determined by an FFQ.

Design: A validation study assessing FFQ intake estimates compared with ten or more unannounced 24 h recalls. Pearson's correlation coefficients, intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC), Bland-Altman plots and the limits of agreement method were used to assess the between-method agreement of scores.

[Metabolic syndrome and type-1 diabetes mellitus: prevalence and associated factors].

Introduction And Objectives: Numerous clinical and epidemiological studies have highlighted the fact that metabolic syndrome is an important precursor of cardiovascular disease. Metabolic syndrome is generally associated with type-2 diabetes, and few data exist on its occurrence in type-1 diabetes. The aims of this study were to determine the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in patients with type-1 diabetes and to identify associated factors.

[Novel predictors of progression of atrioventricular block in patients with chronic bifascicular block].

Introduction And Objectives: Patients with chronic bifascicular block (BFB) can progress to advanced atrioventricular block (AVB), especially when syncope or a prolonged HV interval is present. It is possible that other variables could help identify patients who would benefit from prophylactic pacemaker implantation.

Methods: The study involved 263 consecutive BFB patients seen at a single center between 1998 and 2006.

Adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with better mental and physical health.

The aim of the present study was to analyse the association between adherence to the Mediterranean diet and self-perceived mental and physical health function, controlled for confounding effects of age, smoking, BMI, alcohol consumption, educational level, leisure-time physical activity and the presence of chronic conditions. A random sample of the 35-74-year-old population (3910 men and 4285 women) of Gerona, Spain, was examined in 2000 and 2005 in two independent population-based cross-sectional surveys. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated FFQ.

Fatal liver failure: molecular evidence for chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection.

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection is a benign disease, which may occasionally be fatal, particularly in children and immunocompromised patients. Epstein-Barr virus infection is rare in elderly subjects and seems to have a self-limited course. A case of fatal liver failure due to chronic active EBV infection in a 75-year-old man is described.

[Safety of adalimumab].

The safety data for adalimumab in psoriasis are similar to those described for other indications authorized for this drug. Most of the adverse effects observed (mainly, reaction at the injection point and upper respiratory tract infections) are of mild intensity and do not make it necessary to discontinue the drug. Serious adverse effects have been described in a low proportion of patients and include infections (tuberculosis and other opportunistic infections), lymphoproliferative conditions, autoimmune diseases and demyelinizing processes.

[Interpretation of SF-36 and SF-12 questionnaires in Spain: physical and mental components].

Background And Objective: The SF-36 is one of the most widely evaluated and used quality of life questionnaires. Two summary components (physical and mental) have been developed from its 8 original dimensions. The objective of this study was to obtain the Spanish weights to calculate the summary components of the SF-36 and the SF-12, to evaluate their metric characteristics, and to obtain general population based reference norms.

[Analysis of cytogenetic abnormalities in squamous cell carcinoma by array comparative genomic hybridization].

Introduction: Few conventional cytogenetic studies of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) have been performed to date. The introduction of cytogenetic techniques such as comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) has resolved some of the problems associated with conventional cytogenetics. The aim of this study was to analyze the presence of genetic abnormalities in a series of patients with SCC using the technique of array CGH.

[The HERACLES Cardiovascular Network].

In 2002, a group of researchers in the fields of cell electrophysiology, cardiology, population genetics, epidemiology, proteomics, molecular biology, bioinformatics and statistics decided to take up the challenge of investigating the mechanisms and genetics of arterial hypertension (AH). Mechanisms related to ion channel regulation of arterial smooth muscle function were identified. The HERACLES (Hipertensión Esencial: Red de Análisis de Canales iónicos de la musculatura Lisa arterial y su Explotación terapéutica Sistemática) network was honored with a distinguished mention in the 2005 evaluation, and was strengthened by the incorporation of new research groups in 2007.

[Community bacteremia ambulatory treated or identified after discharge from the emergency department].

Background And Objective: The patients with bacteremia usually require hospital admission. In occasions they are remitted to their home, due to inappropriate diagnosis or rapid clinical improvement. The study describes the evolution and the interventions carried out in patients with community bacteremia that were remitted to their home.

[Treatment of severe chronic constipation through the antegrade continent enema procedure].

The antegrade continent enema procedure was first described in 1990 by Malone for the treatment of severe fecal neurogenic incontinence in children. Since then, this technique has been successfully carried out in adults, as well as in patients with refractory constipation. The procedure provides a continent and catheterizable channel, generally an appendicostomy, through which antegrade washouts are given to produce colonic emptying.

[Applicability, safety and efficacy of an ambulatory treatment protocol in patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis].

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the applicability, safety and efficacy of an ambulatory treatment protocol in patients with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis.

Patients And Methods: All patients diagnosed with uncomplicated acute diverticulitis based on abdominal computed tomography findings during a 2-year period were prospectively included. Patients with vomiting, severe comorbidities, or without an appropriate family environment were excluded.