A simple multidimensional system for direct injection of large volumes has been developed for the determination of five beta-blockers (atenolol, nadolol, metoprolol, bisoprolol and betaxolol) in ...wastewater using fluorescence detection. A C18 50
mm
×
4.6
mm i.d. column coupled to a RP Amide C16 150
mm
×
4.6
mm i.d. column for analyte clean-up and determination were used, respectively. The capability of a first column for eliminating large, interfering molecules, combined with an optimised, coupled-column liquid chromatography separation procedure (LC–LC), large volume injection (LVI) and fluorescence detection (FD), gave excellent sensitivity and selectivity for the target analytes. The LVI-LC–LC-FD method combines analyte isolation, preconcentration and determination into a single step. Detection limits obtained in wastewater were lower than, or equal to, 0.0020
μg
L
−1. Limits of quantification (LOQs) obtained in the matrix according to IUPAC, ranged between 0.0052 and 0.0089
μg
L
−1, whereas LOQs calculated according to EURACHEM Guidance, varied between 0.4 and 0.6
μg
L
−1. Accuracy values ranged from 82 to 107% (
n
=
3) and relative standard deviation (RSD) values ranged from 0.8 to 9%. The LVI-LC–LC-FD method was applied for determining the target analytes in wastewater samples obtained in Almería (Spain).
Southeastern Spain is a cosmopolitan area where there is a growing British and Irish population. The objective is to analyze the attitude toward organ donation among British and Irish citizens living ...in southeastern Spain. A sample was taken stratified according to a respondent's country of origin (n = 1700) between November 2005 and April 2006. Attitude was evaluated using a validated questionnaire, which was self‐administered and completed anonymously. A sample of 2000 Spanish citizens was used as a control group. The survey completion rate was 95% (n = 1611). Attitude toward donation is favorable in 72% (n = 1155) of respondents with 8% (n = 122) against and 20% (n = 334) undecided. Attitude is more favorable than in the control group (72% vs. 63%; p < 0.0001). The following factors influence this attitude: (1) attitude toward the donation of a family member's organs (OR = 4.891); (2) having discussed the matter of organ donation within the family (OR = 2.513); (3) a willingness to accept an autopsy if it were necessary (OR = 1.706); (4) having no concern about the mutilation of the deceased donor (OR = 3.294); (5) having a partner who is in favor of donation (OR = 2.786) and (6) a respondent's belief that he or she might need a transplant in the future (OR = 2.243). The attitude of this population is more positive than in the native Spanish population and is determined by many psychosocial factors.
The attitude of emigrants from the British Isles to Southeastern Spain is more favorable than a local control group, and positive attitudes are associated with having discussed the donation in the family.
Making xenotransplantation socially acceptable is the first step in working toward the promotion of this potential therapy option for providing transplant organs. However, most of the questionnaires ...used for this task are not validated.
To analyze the psychometric characteristics of the questionnaire of attitud toward xenotransplantation PCID-XENOTx-Ríos (Questionnaire of Proyecto Colaborativo Internacional Donante about Xenotransplantation developed by Dr. Ríos) to validate the questionnaire in the Spanish speaking population.
The study population was the native Spanish population living in southeast Spain. A sample of the population was obtained randomly and stratified by age and sex (N = 600), using the following inclusion criteria: 1. being older than 18 years; 2. being Spanish; and 3. living in Spain. Instrument valuation. Attitude was assessed using the validated PCID-XENOTx-Ríos questionnaire to gauge attitudes toward organ and tissue xenotransplantation. The statistical analysis included an initial description of the data, an exploratory factor analysis, an items analysis, and an internal consistency analysis.
The questionnaire consists of a total of 30 items, distributed in 4 subscales: 1. Factor 1: consequences (11 items); 2. Factor 2: associated risks (7 items); 3. Factor 3: transmission of infections (6 items); and 4. Factor 4: origins of transplantation (6 items). This structure presents a total explained variance of 61.18%. The internal consistency of each factor was as follows: α1 = 0.91; α2 = 0.92; α3 = 0.89; and α4 = 0.72. The analysis of items and internal consistency supported the 4 factors' composition.
Dimensions analyzed in the PCID-XENOTx-Ríos questionnaire of attitudes toward organ and tissue xenotransplantation show a good fit in relation to their factorial validity and internal consistency values.
•The The PCID-XENOTx-Ríos questionnaire assesses attitudes toward xenotransplantation.•The PCID-XENOTx-Ríos demonstrates a good fit in relation to its factorial validity.•The PCID-XENOTx-Ríos has been used for several different population groups and its worth has been proven.•The PCID-XENOTx-Ríos has good and internally consistent values.
Introduction
Blood relatives of patients with familial papillary thyroid carcinoma (FPTC) have a higher rate of thyroid disease. This study analyzed the utility of a screening protocol for thyroid ...disease on blood relatives of patients with FPTC.
Methods
Study population: Members of families diagnosed with FPTC. Inclusion criteria: (1) first- and second-degree relatives; and (2) older than age 11 years. Screening: This includes the subject’s clinical history, a physical examination, blood tests, and an ultrasound examination. Control group: A nonrelated healthy population paired by age and sex with the study group.
Results
Sixty-eight percent of blood relatives (128/189) accepted having the screening. The results showed 44.5 % (
n
= 57) of the relatives did not have disease, 44 % (
n
= 56) had benign thyroid disease, and 11.5 % (
n
= 15) had a disease suggestive of malignancy. After the screening, surgery was indicated in 26 patients, and the final results of the study were: (1) 44.5 % (
n
= 57) were healthy subjects; (2) 50 % (
n
= 64) had benign thyroid disease (26 cases with a functional disease, and/or 56 with an organic disease); and (3) 5.5 % (
n
= 7) had malignant thyroid disease. The first-degree relatives had a higher tendency to have the disease than second degree ones (64 vs. 46 %;
p
= 0.0482). In the control group, the incidence of thyroid cancer was 1.3 % compared with 5.5 % in the study group (
p
= 0.0182).
Conclusions
Screening allows for the early detection of papillary carcinoma and benign thyroid disease and for this reason we recommend that it is performed periodically. However, more studies, with larger sample sizes, are needed to determine the benefit of screening.
Background
It is believed that loosing ileocecal valve is well tolerated in patients who do not have short bowel syndrome or Crohn disease. From the hypothesis of colonic peristalsis and transit is ...regulated by that ileocecal valvular mechanism, we try to find out if the creation of a new pseudo-valvular mechanism as antiperistaltic anastomosis could be considered after right hemicolectomy can cause any short- or long-term changes in gastrointestinal habits.
Purpose
The purpose of the study at primary endpoint is to compare early (occurring within 30 days of surgery) and late (occurring during the follow-up) postoperative complications between both groups
The purpose of the study at secondary endpoint is to compare intraoperative and postoperative events between experimental and control groups in terms of operating time, first oral tolerance day, first flatus and faeces, length of hospital stay and orocecal transit; comparing rates of gastrointestinal life quality and comparing mortality rates between both groups.
Methods
The ISOVANTI trial is a randomized controlled single-centre trial comparing isoperistaltic versus antiperistaltic side-to-side anastomosis after right laparoscopic hemicolectomy. It is designed as a parallel group superiority trial.
Conclusions
It is unknown if a pseudo-valvular mechanism as antiperistaltic anastomosis can be considered has short- or long-term consequences in gastrointestinal habit. Considering the impact that ileocolic anastomosis configuration could have on the restitution of bowel transit after right hemicolectomy, we think it is indicated and necessary a randomized trial comparing iso- and antiperistaltic modalities.
Trial registration
NCT02309931
The outcome of orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is excellent if it is performed within the Milan criteria (ie, single tumor less than 5 cm or 3 tumors less ...than 3 cm each one and no macrovascular invasion). However, after a few studies, it has become possible to have a similar survival expanding those criteria. The aim of this study is to evaluate the survival of patients with advanced HCC who, after downstaging, did not met the Milan criteria although they were within the “up to seven” benchmark, and were transplanted at our center in the last 5 years.
This is a retrospective study of patients who underwent OLT for HCC in the last 5 years in our center exceeding Milan criteria despite remaining within the “up to seven” benchmark. An observational study of associated factors with overall survival based on patient characteristics after OLT was performed. For the statistical study, the statistical program SPSS v. 17.0 (Chicago, Illinois, United States) was used.
We studied 95 patients who had been transplanted for HCC in this period, 11 of whom met the study requirements. There were 10 (91%) males and 1 female. The mean age of the patients was 54.73 ± 8.75 years, with an average waiting list time of 279 days. Nine patients had a Child A status, with a mean Model for End-stage Liver Disease score of 9.64 (range, 6 to 16). The most frequent etiology of cirrhosis was hepatitis C virus infection in 6 patients (50%) followed by hepatitis B virus infection and ethanolic and cryptogenic cirrhosis. Ten patients (91%) had at least one pretransplantation transarterial chemoembolization. The survival of patients after 1 year was 75%, whereas after 4 years that rate decreases to 25%. At this time, we do not have any patients with a 5-year survival rate. The longest survival rate is 55 months.
Although the expanded indication of transplantation in HCC raises controversies, especially after downstaging, it is possible to provide acceptable survival rates for patients within the expanded criteria of “up to seven” after locoregional therapies. The performance of a liver transplant in the patient profile shown in this article should also be evaluated from the perspective of the relative lack of organs for transplantation.
Introduction
In patients with peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC), the incidence of respiratory complications following cytoreductive surgery (CRS) and hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemotherapy (HIPEC) is ...not well established. We aimed to describe the center-specific incidence and patient characteristics associated with respiratory complications following CRS and HIPEC in patients receiving treatment for PC.
Materials and methods
We used the University Hospital of Arrixaca study database to identify patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC for PC. Patients who experienced a post-operative respiratory complication were categorized according to the National Cancer Institute-Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Multivariable regression methods were used to identify independent risk factors for developing a respiratory complication following CRS and HIPEC.
Results
Between 2008 and 2017, we identified 247 patients who underwent CRS and HIPEC for PC. A total of eight patients (3.2%) were categorized as having a post-operative respiratory complication. A diaphragmatic peritonectomy and a PC index of > 14 were identified as independent risk factors for developing a respiratory complication. Radiographic evidence of a pleural effusion was identified in 72 patients who had CRS of the diaphragmatic peritoneum; however, only 6 (8.3%) of these patients required pleural drainage.
Conclusions
Only 3.2% of patients developed a symptomatic respiratory complication following CRS and HIPEC. A pleural effusion was identified in almost all patients requiring a diaphragmatic peritonectomy as part of their CRS; however, less than one in ten of these patients required pleural drainage. Prophylactic insertion of a pleural drainage tube is, therefore, not indicated following CRS and HIPEC.
Living kidney donation (LKD) is one of the most used alternatives in the field of organ transplantation.
Analyze the attitude toward LKD among the population of Havana, Cuba.
Population under study. ...Population resident in Havana, Cuba. Inclusion criteria. Sample of population over 15 years stratified by age and sex. Instrument. Validated questionnaire of attitude toward donation and transplant “PCID-DVR-Ríos,” self-administered and anonymously filled out. Statistics. χ2, Student t test, and a logistic regression analysis.
A total of 920 respondents have been included in the study. A total of 85.5% (n = 787) are in favor of the related LKD. In our study, 26.5% (n = 244) would remain in favor of unrelated LKD. Regarding the related LKD, the following variables remain independent in the multivariate analysis: 1. having studies (odds ratio OR = 3.649; P = .018); 2. attitude toward cadaveric organ donation (OR = 8.547; P < .001); 3. religion (OR = 4.385; P = .001); 4. opinion of the couple (OR = 4.672; P = .028); and 5. risk with living donation (OR = 10.989; P = .003).
The population of Havana has a very favorable attitude toward related LKD. Only a quarter of respondents are in favor of unrelated LKD.
•The population of Havana is in favor of related living kidney donation.•To consider that the living donorsuffers risks is an influential factor in the favorable attitude towards LKD.•The campaigns that promote the acceptance of the donation encourage the awareness of the population of Havana towards living donation.
