Simeprevir in combination with sofosbuvir in treatment-naïve and -experienced patients with hepatitis C virus genotype 4 infection: a Phase III, open-label, single-arm study (PLUTO).

Background: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a leading cause of liver cirrhosis and subsequent hepatocellular carcinoma. HCV genotype 4 is found widely in the Middle East, Egypt and Africa, and has also spread into Europe. There are limited data available regarding the use of direct-acting antiviral agents in HCV genotype 4-infected patients with cirrhosis.

Incidence of arrhythmias in a large cohort of patients with current implantable cardioverter-defibrillators in Spain: results from the UMBRELLA Registry.

Aims: The benefit of implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICDs) in patients at risk of sudden death has been established in randomized clinical trials (RCTs) using the ICD models available at the time. However, observational large-scale data on the incidence of arrhythmias in up-to-date ICDs implanted according to the current guidelines are scarce. The aim was to assess the incidence of arrhythmias in a large, current ICD population based on a blinded peer review of the detected episodes.

WITHDRAWN: Response from original author: Reproducibility of first trimester three-dimensional placental measurements; a methodological issue.

The Publisher regrets that this article is an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published, DOI of original article: http://dx.doi.org/10.

Two-Dimensional Speckle Tracking Echocardiography in Heart Transplant Patients: Two-Year Follow-Up of Right and Left Ventricular Function.

Background: Evolution of left and right ventricular (LV and RV) function after heart transplantation (HT) has not been well described. Our objective was to evaluate the evolution of echocardiographic parameters of both ventricles along the first 2 years after HT.

Methods: We followed 31 HT recipients with serial echocardiograms for up to 2 years.

Molecular Genotyping of Giardia duodenalis Isolates from Symptomatic Individuals Attending Two Major Public Hospitals in Madrid, Spain.

Background: The flagellate protozoan Giardia duodenalis is an enteric parasite causing human giardiasis, a major gastrointestinal disease of global distribution affecting both developing and industrialised countries. In Spain, sporadic cases of giardiasis have been regularly identified, particularly in pediatric and immigrant populations. However, there is limited information on the genetic variability of circulating G.

Evaluation of two treatment strategies for the prevention of preterm birth in women identified as at risk by ultrasound (PESAPRO Trial): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Premature birth is considered one of the main problems in modern Obstetrics. It causes more than 50 % of neonatal mortality; it is responsible for a large proportion of infant morbidity and incurs very high economic costs. Cervical length, which can be accurately measured by ultrasound, has an inverse relationship with the risk of preterm birth.

Usefulness of Two-Dimensional Strain Parameters to Diagnose Acute Rejection after Heart Transplantation.

Background: Acute cellular rejection (ACR) is still a relevant complication after orthotopic heart transplantation. The diagnosis of ACR is based on endomyocardial biopsy (EMB). Recent advances in two-dimensional strain imaging may allow early noninvasive detection of ACR.

EuroEco (European Health Economic Trial on Home Monitoring in ICD Patients): a provider perspective in five European countries on costs and net financial impact of follow-up with or without remote monitoring.

Aim: Remote follow-up (FU) of implantable cardiac defibrillators (ICDs) allows for fewer in-office visits in combination with earlier detection of relevant findings. Its implementation requires investment and reorganization of care. Providers (physicians or hospitals) are unsure about the financial impact.

Safety and efficacy of triple therapy with peginterferon, ribavirin and boceprevir within an early access programme in Spanish patients with hepatitis C genotype 1 with severe fibrosis: SVRw12 analysis.

Background & Aims: The addition of protease inhibitors (PIs) changed the hepatitis C virus (HCV) treatment standards and improved sustained viral response (SVR) rates in patients with genotype 1 HCV infection.

Methods: Prospective, multicentre, national registry that includes naïve and treatment-experienced patients with HCV genotype 1 infection, who had bridging fibrosis or cirrhosis and were treated with triple therapy (peginterferon alfa-2a or alfa-2b, ribavirin and boceprevir) as compassionate use, and in accordance with the Summary of Product Characteristics.

Results: Most of the patients (68.

Detection of single umbilical artery in the first trimester ultrasound: its value as a marker of fetal malformation.

Introduction: The value of a single umbilical artery (SUA) in first trimester ultrasound is not well established. The aim of our study was to determinate the relevance of diagnosis of single umbilical artery in first trimester ultrasound as an early marker suggesting the presence of malformations or associated chromosomopathies.

Material And Methods: Retrospective study of clinical cases of SUA diagnosed at the University Hospital Puerta de Hierro in Madrid (Spain) during the first trimester ultrasound between September 2008 and September 2012.

Different exosome cargo from plasma/bronchoalveolar lavage in non-small-cell lung cancer.

Tumor-derived exosomes mediate tumorigenesis by facilitating tumor growth, metastasis, development of drug resistance, and immunosuppression. However, little is known about the exosomes isolated from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) in patients with lung neoplasm. Exosomes isolated in plasma and BAL from 30 and 75 patients with tumor and nontumor pathology were quantified by acetylcholinesterase activity and characterized by Western Blot, Electron Microscopy, and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis.

Effect of intratympanic dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) in an in vivo model of cisplatin-related ototoxicity.

Although dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is one of the most common solvents employed in otoprotection studies, its effect on the inner ear remains unknown. Only a few in vitro studies have addressed the effect of DMSO in cochlear cells. Up to the date, no in vivo functional studies have been reported.

Heterotopic tracheal transplantation animal model of bronchiolitis obliterans: a reproducible model.

Background: Chronic rejection or bronchiolitis obliterans (BO) is the main cause of morbidity and mortality 1 year after lung transplantation. The objective of this study was to develop a reproducible animal model that mimics the typical histological findings in human BO after lung transplantation.

Material And Methods: We used 2 rat strains - Lewis (L) and Wistar (W) - and transplanted a segment of donor trachea into each recipient.

Mechanisms of cannabidiol neuroprotection in hypoxic-ischemic newborn pigs: role of 5HT(1A) and CB2 receptors.

The mechanisms underlying the neuroprotective effects of cannabidiol (CBD) were studied in vivo using a hypoxic-ischemic (HI) brain injury model in newborn pigs. One- to two-day-old piglets were exposed to HI for 30 min by interrupting carotid blood flow and reducing the fraction of inspired oxygen to 10%. Thirty minutes after HI, the piglets were treated with vehicle (HV) or 1 mg/kg CBD, alone (HC) or in combination with 1 mg/kg of a CB₂ receptor antagonist (AM630) or a serotonin 5HT(1A) receptor antagonist (WAY100635).

Cannabinoids: well-suited candidates for the treatment of perinatal brain injury.

Perinatal brain injury can be induced by a number of different damaging events occurring during or shortly after birth, including neonatal asphyxia, neonatal hypoxia-ischemia and stroke-induced focal ischemia. Typical manifestations of these conditions are the presence of glutamate excitoxicity, neuroinflammation and oxidative stress, the combination of which can potentially result in apoptotic-necrotic cell death, generation of brain lesions and long-lasting functional impairment. In spite of the high incidence of perinatal brain injury, the number of clinical interventions available for the treatment of the affected newborn babies is extremely limited.

EPAS1 mRNA in plasma from colorectal cancer patients is associated with poor outcome in advanced stages.

The presence of free nucleic acids in plasma has been detected in cancer patients and is associated with poor prognosis. In the present study, the mRNA levels of three genes (EPAS1, KIAA0101 and UBE2D3) in plasma from colorectal cancer patients were analyzed. These genes were selected from a previous study of genomic profiles, discriminating between healthy controls and colorectal cancer patients.

Natural progression of embryonal carcinoma.

Objective: We report a rare case of advanced testicular cancer that describes the natural progression of testicular cancer without medical treatment. This study also describes the effectiveness of chemotherapy, which was the approach used for treatment.

Methods: 37 year old male with history of mental retardation, presented to the emergency room with an ulcer on his right scrotum that had been present for a few months.

Cerebellar involvement in Hodgkin's lymphoma: an atypical site of relapse.

The presentation of intracranial metastases from Hodgkin's lymphoma is an infrequent event that worsens clinical outcome. A case of Hodgkin's lymphoma relapse in the cerebellum is described in a 70-year-old woman with a previously treated stage IVA Hodgkin's lymphoma. Diagnostic workup and treatment strategies for central nervous system relapses are reviewed and discussed.

Chylothorax due to metastatic prostate carcinoma: an unusual complication.

Chylothorax, the abnormal accumulation of lymphatic fluid within the pleural space, is an infrequent complication of tumours affecting the mediastinum. The development of chylothorax is extraordinary in association with prostate cancer, although it has been described before. Adequate treatment of malignant chylothorax comprises both a conservative approach, including dietary and hormonal manipulations, and mechanic intercostal drainage that have been demonstrated to be effective in the management of chylothorax of malignant origin.