Scanning Electron Microscope Analysis of Stromal Surface Regularity in DSAEK Using Manual or Automated Microkeratomes or DMEK.

Purpose: To analyze differences in the stromal bed according to the method used to obtain the disc for endothelial transplant with 1) an automated microkeratome for Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK), 2) homogeneous dissection of Descemet membrane (Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty [DMEK]), or 3) a manual microkeratome used for DSAEK.

Methods: We analyzed the stromal bed of 25 consecutive corneas used for endothelial transplantation, divided into 3 groups: 1) 11 samples cut with an automated microkeratome, 2) 5 samples used for DMEK, 3) 9 samples cut with a manual microkeratome. A scanning electron microscope was used to obtain an image of the center of the stromal bed.

Reduced work/academic performance and quality of life in patients with allergic rhinitis and impact of allergen immunotherapy.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is characterised by burdensome nasal and/or ocular symptoms. This inflammatory disease can be debilitating and thus result in considerable health-related and economic consequences.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, adult subjects with AR (N = 683) completed three allergy-specific questionnaires that assessed the impact of AR on the work/academic performance, daily activities, health-related quality of life (HRQOL), and satisfaction with allergen immunotherapy (AIT).

Laboratory parameters provided by Advia 2120 analyser identify structural haemoglobinopathy carriers and discriminate between Hb S trait and Hb C trait.

Background: Haemoglobinopathies have spread owing to human migration, and the number of people needing diagnosis and management of these conditions is increasing. Clinicians need to accurately identify carriers and provide adequate genetic counselling in order to prevent the occurrence of homozygous or compound heterozygous offspring.

Objectives: To identify red blood cell (RBC) laboratory parameters that discriminate between structural haemoglobinopathy carriers and healthy subjects, and to compare RBC laboratory indices between HbAS and HbAC individuals.

Residual enzymatic activity as a prognostic factor in patients with Gaucher disease type 1: correlation with Zimran and GAUSS-I index and the severity of bone disease.

Background: Gaucher disease (GD) is an autosomal recessive disorder produced by mutations in the glucocerebrosidase gene (GBA), causing storage of glucosylceramide in reticuloendothelial cells in multiple organs. Traditionally, the prediction of the phenotype based on the genotype has been reported to be limited.

Subjects And Methods: We investigated the correlation between the enzymatic residual activity (ERA) and the phenotype at diagnosis of the disease in 45 GD Spanish patients (44 with type I and 1 with type III GD).

Effectiveness of motivational interviewing in patients with dyslipidemia: a randomized cluster trial.

Background: It is known that making people change their habits is challenging. It is crucial to identify the most effective approach that general practitioners (GPs) should use to help their patients change unhealthy habits. The objective this study was to assess the efficacy of a multifactorial intervention based on Motivational Interviewing performed by general practitioners to enhance lipid levels in patients with dyslipidemia, as compared to standard care.

Reticulocyte parameters of delta beta thalassaemia trait, beta thalassaemia trait and iron deficiency anaemia.

Aims: To analyse the differences in reticulocyte indices between delta beta thalassaemia trait (δβ-TT), beta thalassaemia trait (β-TT) and iron deficiency anaemia (IDA), and to correlate those differences with the physiopathological features of these three types of microcytoses.

Methods: We performed a descriptive study of 428 samples (43 δβ-TT, 179 β-TT and 206 IDA) that were run on Advia 2120 analyser (Siemens). The following reticulocyte indices were assessed: absolute reticulocyte count (ARC), percentage of reticulocytes, mean corpuscular volume of reticulocytes (MCVr), haemoglobin content of reticulocytes (CHr), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration of reticulocytes, red blood cell distribution width of reticulocytes (RDWr), haemoglobin distribution width of reticulocytes (HDWr) and reticulocyte subpopulations based on their fluorescence according to mRNA (low (L-R), medium (M-R) and high (H-R)), MCV ratio and MCHC ratio.

Label-free LC-MS/MS quantitative analysis of aqueous humor from keratoconic and normal eyes.

Purpose: The etiology of keratoconus (KC) and the factors governing its progression are not well understood. It has been suggested that this disease might be caused by biochemical alterations in the cornea; changes in the expression profiles of human aqueous humor (hAH) proteins have been observed in some diseases. To gain a new insight into the molecular mechanisms of KC pathology, we examined the hAH proteomes of those in the advanced stages of this disease.

Changes in water quality of treated sewage effluents by their receiving environments in Tablas de Daimiel National Park, Spain.

The Tablas de Daimiel National Park (TDNP), a floodplain wetland located in the Upper Guadiana Basin (central Spain), receives pollution from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) discharging their treated sewage effluents (TSEs) to tributary channels to the wetland. The TSEs suffer transformations on their way to the TDNP, but the water quality is controlled only at the point of discharge. In this work, we analyse the change in water quality of the TSE from four urban WWTPs in the surroundings of the TDNP (Alcázar de San Juan, Daimiel, Manzanares and Villarrubia de los Ojos towns).

Effectiveness of motivational interviewing to improve therapeutic adherence in patients over 65 years old with chronic diseases: A cluster randomized clinical trial in primary care.

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of motivational interviewing (MI) in improving medication adherence in older patients being treated by polypharmacy.

Methods: Cluster randomized clinical trial in 16 primary care centers with 27 health care providers and 154 patients. Thirty-two health care providers were assigned to an experimental (EG) or control group (CG).

Cost analysis of prophylaxis with activated prothrombin complex concentrate vs. on-demand therapy with activated factor VII in severe haemophilia A patients with inhibitors, in Spain.

Objective: A cost analysis model was developed to compare annual cost of prophylaxis with activated prothrombin complex concentrate (aPCC) vs. on-demand therapy with activated recombinant factor VII (rFVIIa) in severe haemophilia A patients with inhibitors for the Spanish National Health System (NHS).

Methods: Model inputs were drug cost for prophylaxis (aPCC) and for on-demand treatment (rFVIIa or aPCC); bleeding episodes management (excluding bypassing agent cost); surgical costs and disease management (excluding bleeding episodes).

Opinions and beliefs held by Spanish teenagers regarding tobacco and alcohol consumption: a descriptive study.

Background: Preventive strategies are the most effective approach for dealing with issues of substance abuse, particularly in teenagers. Such strategies adapt well to this target population. Our objective was to reveal the opinions and beliefs held by teenagers about tobacco and alcohol as types of drugs, and their effects on health.

The utility of multiparametric seven-color flow cytometry in the detection of double hit lymphoma in ascitic fluid samples.

Double-hit lymphoma (DHL) is a rare type of lymphoma with concurrent chromosomal translocations of C-MYC with BCL2 or BCL6, associated with unfavorable prognosis. We describe a case of DHL in a 79-year-old female patient previously diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with an early relapse in the ascitic fluid. A seven-color multiparametric flow cytometry immunophenotyping study of the ascitic fluid was carried out, and revealed 99.

Development of a nomogram to achieve ultrathin donor corneal disks for Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty.

Purpose: To report the predictability of a nomogram for ultrathin donor lamella creation for Descemet-stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) with an automated microkeratome.

Setting: Instituto de Oftalmología La Arruzafa, Córdoba, Spain.

Design: Prospective nonrandomized consecutive case series.

Interobserver variance in myelodysplastic syndromes with less than 5 % bone marrow blasts: unilineage vs. multilineage dysplasia and reproducibility of the threshold of 2 % blasts.

Previous studies have shown the reproducibility of the 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) classification in myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS), especially when multilineage dysplasia or excess of blasts are present. However, there are few data regarding the reproducibility of MDS with unilineage dysplasia. The revised International Prognostic Scoring System R-IPSS described two new morphological categories, distinguishing bone marrow (BM) blast cell count between 0-2 % and >2- < 5 %.

δβ-Thalassemia trait: how can we discriminate it from β-thalassemia trait and iron deficiency anemia?

Objectives: To analyze the differences not only in classic hematologic parameters but also in RBC subpopulations among δβ-thalassemia trait (δβ-TT), β-thalassemia trait (β-TT), and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and to evaluate the role of fetal hemoglobin (HbF) in elevated RBC distribution width (RDW).

Methods: Samples from 553 patients with microcytosis (74 δβ-TT, 272 β-TT, and 207 IDA) were run on an Advia 2120i analyzer (Siemens Medical Solutions Diagnostics, Tarrytown, NY). Classic hematologic parameters and RBC subpopulations were assessed.

Ambient agents: embedded agents for remote control and monitoring using the PANGEA platform.

Ambient intelligence has advanced significantly during the last few years. The incorporation of image processing and artificial intelligence techniques have opened the possibility for such aspects as pattern recognition, thus allowing for a better adaptation of these systems. This study presents a new model of an embedded agent especially designed to be implemented in sensing devices with resource constraints.

Deferasirox nephrotoxicity-the knowns and unknowns.

In 2005, the oral iron chelator deferasirox was approved by the FDA for clinical use as a first-line therapy for blood-transfusion-related iron overload. Nephrotoxicity is the most serious and frequent adverse effect of deferasirox treatment. This nephrotoxicity can present as an acute or chronic decrease in glomerular filtration rate (GFR).

Candida keratitis after Descemet stripping with automated endothelial keratoplasty.

Purpose: To report a case of Candida albicans keratitis after Descemet stripping with automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) due to fungal contamination of the donor cornea.

Methods: Case report.

Results: A 73-year-old woman underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and DSAEK with 1 week difference.

Monitoring and detection platform to prevent anomalous situations in home care.

Monitoring and tracking people at home usually requires high cost hardware installations, which implies they are not affordable in many situations. This study/paper proposes a monitoring and tracking system for people with medical problems. A virtual organization of agents based on the PANGEA platform, which allows the easy integration of different devices, was created for this study.