Clinical efficacy of a virtual reality tool for the treatment of obesity: study protocol of a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Previous research has shown that it is feasible to integrate motivational interviewing techniques with behavioural and psychological interventions for the treatment of obesity. Moreover, these combined interventions have the potential to improve health-related outcomes of people living with obesity (PLWO) and to afford maintenance of behavioural changes over time. In addition, the use of virtual reality (VR) embodiment techniques in the treatment of eating disorders and obesity has promising preliminary effectiveness.

Non-specific lipid-transfer proteins: Allergen structure and function, cross-reactivity, sensitization, and epidemiology.

Background: Discovered and described 40 years ago, non-specific lipid transfer proteins (nsLTP) are present in many plant species and play an important role protecting plants from stressors such as heat or drought. In the last 20 years, sensitization to nsLTP and consequent reactions to plant foods has become an increasing concern.

Aim: The aim of this paper is to review the evidence for the structure and function of nsLTP allergens, and cross-reactivity, sensitization, and epidemiology of nsLTP allergy.

Superior survival with pediatric-style chemotherapy compared to myeloablative allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation in older adolescents and young adults with Ph-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia in first complete remission: analysis from CALGB 10403 and the CIBMTR.

Optimal post-remission therapy for adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with Ph-negative acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in first complete remission (CR1) is not established. We compared overall survival (OS), disease-free survival (DFS), relapse, and non-relapse mortality (NRM) for patients receiving post-remission therapy on CALGB 10403 to a cohort undergoing myeloablative (MA) allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) in CR1. In univariate analysis, OS was superior with chemotherapy compared to MA allogeneic HCT (3-year OS 77% vs.

Quantification of parasite burden of Trypanosoma cruzi and identification of Discrete Typing Units (DTUs) in blood samples of Latin American immigrants residing in Barcelona, Spain.

Background: Trypanosoma cruzi has a high genetic and biological diversity and has been subdivided into seven genetic lineages, named TcI-TcVI and TcBat. DTUs TcI-TcII-TcV and TcVI are agents of ChD in different regions of Latin America. Due to population movements, the disease is an emergent global public health problem.

Maternal and Perinatal Outcomes Associated With Extremely High Values for the sFlt-1 (Soluble fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 1)/PlGF (Placental Growth Factor) Ratio.

Background There is little knowledge about the significance of extremely high values (>655) for the ratio of sFlt-1 (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1) to PlGF (placental growth factor). We aim to describe the time-to-delivery interval and maternal and perinatal outcomes when such values are demonstrated while assessing suspected or confirmed placental dysfunction based on clinical or sonographic criteria. Methods and Results A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed on 237 singleton gestations between 20+0 and 37+0 weeks included at the time of first demonstrating a sFlt-1/PlGF ratio >655.

Checkpoint inhibitors in AML: are we there yet?

Immunotherapy is distinct from traditional chemotherapy in that it acts on immune cells rather than cancer cells themselves. Monoclonal antibodies targeting immune checkpoints on T cells - CTLA-4 and PD-1 - and PD-L1 on the cells of immune microenvironment are now approved for clinical use in several solid tumors and hematological malignancies. This article provides a general overview of the use of checkpoint inhibitors in hematologic malignancies with a special focus in acute myeloid leukemia.

Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation with CD34+ Cell Selection.

The success of allogeneic stem cell transplant is hampered by the development of acute and chronic graft--host disease (GvHD) which has direct impact on treatment-related mortality and morbidity. As a result, T cell depletion through positive selection of CD34+ cells has emerged as a promising strategy to reduce acute and chronic GvHD in these patients. In this review, we summarize the main characteristics of allogeneic stem cell transplant with CD34+ cell selection including risks of graft failure, GvHD, infection, organ toxicity, and long-term survival.

Elbow flexion reconstruction with nerve transfer or grafting in patients with brachial plexus injuries: A systematic review and comparison study.

Introduction: Posttraumatic brachial plexus (BP) palsy was used to be treated by reconstruction with nerve grafts. For the last two decades, nerve transfers have gained popularity and believed to be more effective than nerve grafting. The aim of this systematic review was to compare elbow flexion restoration with nerve transfers or nerve grafting after traumatic BP injury.

Anemia and iron deficiency in heart failure: a review of echocardiographic features.

Anemia and iron deficiency are often associated with heart failure, influencing the symptoms and prognosis. Correction of anemia and iron deficiency improves functional capacity and decreases hospitalizations. Many studies have analyzed echocardiographic parameters in iron deficiency and anemia and their evolution after iron treatment; however, the heterogeneity of the results makes it difficult to draw conclusions.

Theory of Mind in Euthymic Bipolar Patients and First-Degree Relatives.

The present study analyzed the capacity for mentalization of patients with bipolar disorder (BD) and their first-degree relatives (FDR) and examined the implications of clinical variables and cognitive deficits. The study recruited 31 patients with type I BD, 18 FDR, and 31 paired healthy controls. Their capacity for mentalization was explored by means of first- and second-order false-belief tasks, the hinting task, and the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition (MASC).

Clinical and Emotional Factors Related to Erectile Dysfunction in HIV-Infected Men.

The prevalence and associated factors of erectile dysfunction (ED) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected men remain controversial. The authors evaluated ED, clinical, and emotional variables in a group of 501 HIV-infected men in a cross-sectional 4-month observational study. ED was assessed using the International Index of Erectile Function-5 and emotional status using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) questionnaire.

Immunotherapy for Gastric Cancer: A Focus on Immune Checkpoints.

Gastric cancer (GC) is a major world-wide health problem. It is the third leading cause of death from cancer. The treatment of advanced GC by chemotherapy has limited efficacy.

A new computerized cognitive and social cognition training specifically designed for patients with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder in early stages of illness: A pilot study.

People with schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorders at early stages of the illness present cognitive and social cognition deficits that have a great impact in functional outcomes. Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) has demonstrated consistent effect in cognitive performance, symptoms and psychosocial functioning. However, any CRT intervention or social cognition training have been specifically designed for patients in the early stages of psychosis.

The lipid-lowering effect of tenofovir/emtricitabine: a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: It is unknown if tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF), which is often coformulated with the lipid-neutral emtricitabine (FTC), has a lipid-lowering effect.

Methods: We performed a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial on human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected subjects with HIV-1 RNA < 50 copies/mL during ≥6 months on stable darunavir/ritonavir (800/100 mg once daily) or lopinavir/ritonavir (400/100 mg twice daily) monotherapy, fasting total cholesterol (TC) ≥200 mg/dL or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c) ≥130 mg/dL, and no lipid-lowering drugs. In arm 1, TDF/FTC was added for 12 weeks, followed by 12 weeks of placebo (washout) and 12 additional weeks of placebo (placebo period).

Selective effect of neurocognition on different theory of mind domains in first-episode psychosis.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of neurocognition on affective and cognitive theory of mind (ToM) tasks in early phases of psychosis. In a cross-sectional study of 60 first-episode schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder patients, the implication of neurocognition in first- and second-order ToM stories, Hinting Task, and Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test (RMET) was analyzed. Regression models were used, controlling for clinical symptoms and antipsychotic dose.

Transanal endoscopic microsurgery with 3-D (TEM) or high-definition 2-D transanal endoscopic operation (TEO) for rectal tumors. A prospective, randomized clinical trial.

Purpose: Transanal endoscopic microsurgery (TEM) is a three-dimensional viewing endoscopic system procedure which provides access to rectal tumors through a rectoscope. Two-dimensional transanal endoscopic operation (TEO), with the introduction of high-definition vision, achieves results that are comparable to those of the classical TEM. The main aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of TEO and TEM systems in a prospective, randomized clinical trial.