Search

INTRODUCTION: telemedicine can improve the standards of clinical care and use of resources. The COVID-19 pandemic has required its implementation in routine practice. For this reason, a group of endocrinologists from Valencia, Murcia and the Balearic Islands created a committee for its development.; OBJECTIVES: to establish recommendations in order to improve the quality of consultation in nutritional disorders, and to create indicators for its management.; METHODOLOGY: the Delphi methodology was followed with the participation of 13 professionals in order to reach the widest consensus. A 16-item questionnaire was distributed within 3 rounds: in the first round, the degree of consensus was established; in the second round, the participants responded to the posed questions after having access to the first-round results. Agreement was considered if = 75 % participants reached consensus, while strong agreement was considered if consensus was reached by = 90 %. In addition, quality indicators were established. In a third round, these indicators were developed.; RESULTS: after 3 rounds and a revision 5 recommendations with strong agreement were established based on organizational aspects. Regarding administrative aspects, 6 recommendations with strong agreement were established while 4 recommendations reached the level of agreement. Eight quality indicators were selected and developed.; CONCLUSIONS: this document compiles a list of recommendations about needs and requirements to be taken into account for a quality telematic consultation in patients with nutritional disorders. In addition, health care quality indicators have been created and developed.

The characterization of the expression profile of HLA questionable alleles (Q) is clinically relevant in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSTC) because an aberrant expression of these alleles could lead to transplantation-related complications. HLA-DQB1*03:01:01:21Q shows a substitution at the donor splice site of intron 3 that potentially could affect the expression of this allele. In order to determine their expression profile at RNA and protein level, we analyzed the presence of the HLA-DQ7 molecule by complement-dependent cytotoxicity test (CDC) and flow cytometry, and their RNA processing by cDNA analyses and sequencing by Sanger methods. Our results reveal that HLA-DQ7 is not detectable by serological methods, this is confirmed by cDNA methods demonstrating the absence of specific HLA-DQB1*03:01:01:21Q mRNA, probably due to an intron 3 retention that creates a premature TGA stop codon, leading to mRNA degradation via nonsense-mediated decay (NMD). These findings demonstrate that the HLA-DQB1*03:01:01:21Q allele is nonexpressed, thus it has been renamed as DQB1*03:01:01:21N.

GP García-García,1 M Martínez-Rubio,1 MA Moya-Moya,1 JJ Pérez-Santonja,1 J Escribano2,31Department of Ophthalmology, General University Hospital of Alicante, Alicante 03010, Spain; 2Cooperative Research Network on Ophthalmology (OftaRed), Visual and Life Quality, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain; 3Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, Medicine Faculty/Research Institute on Neurological Disabilities (IDINE), University of Castilla La-Mancha, Albacete 02006, SpainAbstract: Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) is a rare-inherited disease caused by mutations in the CYP4V2 gene and characterized by the presence of multiple shimmering yellow-white deposits in the posterior pole of the retina in association with atrophy of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and chorioretinal atrophy. The additional presence of glittering dots located at the corneal limbus is also a frequent finding. The CYP4V2 protein belongs to the cytochrome P450 subfamily 4 and is mainly expressed in the retina and the RPE and less expressed in the cornea. The disease has its metabolic origin in the diminished transformation of fatty acid substrates into n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids due to a dysregulation of the lipid metabolism. In this review, we provide updated insights on clinical and molecular characteristics of BCD including underlying mechanisms of BCD, genetic diagnosis, progress in the identification of causative genetic and epigenetic factors, available techniques of exploration and development of novel therapies. This information will help clinicians to improve accuracy of BCD diagnosis, providing the patient reliable information regarding prognosis and clinical prediction of the disease course.Keywords: Bietti crystalline dystrophy, CYP4V2 gene, corneal deposits, retinal deposits

Importance Rare transforming growth factor beta-induced (TGFBI) gene variants are involved in autosomal dominant corneal dystrophies (CDs) with heterogeneous clinical features. Background The purpose of this study was to analyse TGFBI gene variants and genotype-phenotype correlations in a cohort affected by atypical stromal CD. Design Retrospective cohort study (from May 2014 to September 2017). Participants Thirty-five individuals from 10 unrelated South European families presenting atypical lattice CD (LCD) were included. Methods Corneal phenotypes were assessed by slit-lamp examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Contrast sensitivity was measured under mesopic conditions. Genomic DNA was obtained from blood samples, and all 17 TGFBI exons were screened for variants by Sanger sequencing. Main Outcome Measures p.(L558P) variant of TGFBI gene. Results The p.(L558P) variant was identified in 22 members of the 10 families diagnosed with atypical LCD, characterized by late-onset and absence of recurrent erosion syndrome. OCT revealed punctiform deposits in the deep-mid stroma and normal anterior stroma. This variant was demonstrated to be transmitted with the disease according to autosomal dominant inheritance in most families. Conclusions and Relevance To the best of our knowledge, we describe a detailed clinical characterization of the largest CD cohort carrying the TGFBI p.(L558P) variant. We propose that the atypical phenotype of this recently reported alteration can be classified as a form of LCD type IV. The results show that OCT and anterior-posterior analysis of the stromal location of the opacities, along with a genetic analysis of TGFBI, are required to ensure accurate diagnosis and management of CDs.

BackgroundCurrent guidelines suggest treating cancer patients with incidental pulmonary embolism (PE) similarly to those with clinically suspected and confirmed PE. However, the natural history of these presentations has not been thoroughly compared.MethodsWe used the data from the RIETE (Registro Informatizado de Enfermedad TromboEmbólica) registry to compare the 3-month outcomes in patients with active cancer and incidental PE versus those with clinically suspected and confirmed PE. The primary outcome was 90-day all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were PE-related mortality, symptomatic PE recurrences and major bleeding.ResultsFrom July 2012 to January 2019, 946 cancer patients with incidental asymptomatic PE and 2274 with clinically suspected and confirmed PE were enrolled. Most patients (95% versus 90%) received low-molecular-weight heparin therapy. During the first 90 days, 598 patients died, including 42 from PE. Patients with incidental PE had a lower all-cause mortality rate than those with suspected and confirmed PE (11% versus 22%; OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.34–0.54). Results were consistent for PE-related mortality (0.3% versus 1.7%; OR 0.18, 95% CI 0.06–0.59). Multivariable analysis confirmed that patients with incidental PE were at lower risk of death (adjusted OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.34–0.56). Overall, 29 (0.9%) patients developed symptomatic PE recurrences, and 122 (3.8%) had major bleeding. There were no significant differences in PE recurrences (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.25–1.54) or major bleeding (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.51–1.18).ConclusionsCancer patients with incidental PE had a lower mortality rate than those with clinically suspected and confirmed PE. Further studies are required to validate these findings, and to explore optimal management strategies in these patients.

PURPOSE: To identify the spectrum of disease-causing CYP4V2 variants in Spanish patients with clinically diagnosed Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) over an 8-year period and to analyse the phenotype-genotype correlation of the identified variants. METHODS: Four unrelated Spanish probands with a clinical diagnosis of BCD were recruited. Ophthalmological examination included visual acuity (VA), slit lamp examination, in vivo corneal confocal microscopy, funduscopy and fluoresceinic angiography. Genomic DNA was obtained from blood samples, and the exons and flanking intron sequences of the CYP4V2 gene were screened by Sanger sequencing. Family members of the patients with mutations in CYP4V2 gene were subsequently studied. RESULTS: Clinical examination revealed retinal and corneal patterns compatible with BCD in all the participants. We identified a total of six CYP4V2 variants among the four carriers. As far as we know, the variant p.(Trp244Cysfs*33) has not previously been reported. This variant along with p.(Ala204Thr) and p.(Arg443Trp) were combined in three novel pathogenic phenotypes that share the presence of bilateral limbic glistening deposits, severe retinal damage and visual impairment and a fast rate of progression of the disease. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, this study represents the largest effort to determine the genetic alterations underlying BCD in Spain to date. Our results show that analysis of CYP4V2 variants is required for a reliable diagnosis of BCD. We report a high prevalence of anterior segment changes in this Spanish BCD cohort, which we consider representative of the Spanish patients.

Introduction: Real body weight and height are essential data to be obtained in all critically ill patients (CIP), due to their influence in the designing of therapies and monitoring. Visual estimation is a very inaccurate practice. No precise descriptions of anthropometric measurements among CIP are available in the clinical practice guides. Objective: To describe anthropometric quality in CIP, health professional perception of such quality, and its influencing factors. Design: Computer-assisted telephone or self-interviewing. Setting: Doctors and nurses of all Spanish Intensive Care Units (ICU) attending adults. Relevant variables: Anthropometric practices were described in detail, along with the proclivity to obtain real measurements, and the influence of professional experience, the number of ICU beds, and the health professional group involved. Results: A total of 481 questionnaires were collected from 176 hospitals (36.8% from physicians). The availability of measuring tools is limited (weight 68.7% - height 76.7%), with no relation to the number of ICU beds (weight P=.343, height P=.61). Visual estimation was the most frequent way of obtaining measurements (weight 65.9% - height 64.8%), even when measuring tools were available. Willingness to take real measurements was very low, especially among physicians, and professional experience was associated to increased rejection (P

DOI: 10.1186/s12889-017-4492-4 https://bmcpublichealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12889-017-4492-4 Filiació URV: SI Background: Physical activity (PA) and its health benefits are a continuous point of discussion. Recommendations for children's daily PA vary between guidelines. To better define the amount of PA necessary to prevent overweight and obesity in children, further research is needed. The present study investigates children's compliance to physical activity guidelines (PAGs) and the association between objectively measured PA and body mass index (BMI). Methods: Participating children were 11 years old (n = 419) and part of the European CHOP trial, which was conducted in Germany, Belgium, Poland, Spain, Italy. At least 2 days of PA measurements were collected from each child using a SenseWear™ armband. BMI was calculated from children's height and weight. Thresholds of min·day-1 in PA needed to differentiate between normal and excess weight (overweight/obesity) were determined with Receiver Operator Characteristics (ROC) analysis. Additionally, adjusted linear and logistic regressions models were calculated for group differences and effects of a 5, 15 and 60 min·day-1 increases in PA on BMI. Results: Median time spent in total PA was 462 min·day-1 (25th percentile; 75th percentile: 389; 534) and 75 min·day-1 (41; 115) in moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA). Girls spent 36 min·day-1 less in MVPA than boys and overweight/obese children 24 min·day-1 less than normal weight children (linear regression, p < 0.001). 63.2% of the children met PAGs of 60 min·day-1 in MVPA. The optimal threshold for min·day-1 in MVPA determined with ROC analysis was 46 min·day-1. Comparing 5, 15 and 60 min·day-1 increases in PA revealed that an additional 15 min·day-1 of vigorous PA

Background/Aims: Dietary factors can modify calciuria. We aim to investigate urinary calcium excretion in healthy infants according to their protein. Methods: Secondary data analysis from a randomized clinical trial where healthy term infants were randomized after birth to a higher (HP) or lower (LP) protein content formula that was consumed until age 1 year. A non-randomized group of breastfed (BF) infants was used for reference. Anthropometry, dietary intakes and calciuria (calcium/creatinine ratios) from spot urine samples were assessed at ages 3 and 6 months. At 6 months, the kidney volumes were assessed using ultrasonography, and the serum urea and creatinine levels were determined. Results: BF infants showed the highest calciuria levels, followed by the HP and the LP groups (p < 0.001 for all comparisons). Either protein intakes or formula types modulated the calciuria in linear regression models adjusted for other influencing dietary factors. The usual cut-off values classified 37.8% (BF), 16.8% (HP) and 4.9% (LP) of the infants as hypercalciuric. Conclusions: Feeding types during the first months of life affect calciuria, with BF infants presenting the highest levels. We propose new cut-off values, based on feeding types, to prevent the overestimation in hypercalciuria diagnoses among BF infants.

Background In patients of various ages undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV), it has been observed that positions other than the standard supine position, such as the prone position, may improve respiratory parameters. The benefits of these positions have not been clearly defined for critically ill newborns receiving MV. This is an update of a review first published in 2005 and last updated in 2013. Objectives Primary objective To assess the effects of different positioning of newborn infants receiving MV (supine vs prone, lateral decubitus or quarter turn from prone) in improving short-term respiratory outcomes. Secondary objective To assess the effects of different positioning of newborn infants receiving MV on mortality and neuromotor and developmental outcomes over the long term, and on other complications of prematurity. Search methods We used the standard search strategy of the Cochrane Neonatal Review Group to search the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL; 2016, Issue 8), MEDLINE via PubMed (1966 to 22 August 2016), Embase (1980 to 22 August 2016) and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL; 1982 to 22 August 2016). We also searched clinical trials databases, conference proceedings and reference lists of retrieved articles for randomised controlled trials and quasi-randomised trials. Selection criteria Randomised and quasi-randomised clinical trials comparing different positions in newborns receiving mechanical ventilation. Data collection and analysis Three unblinded review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion in the review and extracted study data. We used standard methodological procedures as expected by The Cochrane Collaboration and assessed the quality of the evidence using the GRADE approach. If the meta-analysis was not appropriate owing to substantial clinical heterogeneity between trials, we presented review findings in narrative format. Main results We included in this review 19 trials involving 516 participants. Seven of the included studies (N = 222) had not been evaluated in the previous review. Investigators compared several positions: prone versus supine, prone alternant versus supine, prone versus lateral right, lateral right versus supine, lateral left versus supine, lateral alternant versus supine, lateral right versus lateral left, quarter turn from prone versus supine, quarter turn from prone versus prone and good lung dependent versus good lung uppermost. Apart from two studies that compared lateral alternant versus supine, one comparing lateral right versus supine and two comparing prone or prone alternant versus the supine position, all included studies had a cross-over design. In five studies, infants were ventilated with continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP); in the other studies, infants were treated with conventional ventilation (CV). Risks of bias did not differ substantially for different comparisons and outcomes. This update detects a moderate to high grade of inconsistency, similar to previous versions. However, for the analysed outcomes, the direction of effect was the same in all studies. Therefore, we consider that this inconsistency had little effect on the conclusions of the meta-analysis. When comparing prone versus supine position, we observed an increase in arterial oxygen tension (PO2) in the prone position (mean difference (MD) 5.49 mmHg, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.92 to 8.05 mmHg; three trials; 116 participants; I-2 = 0). When percent haemoglobin oxygen saturation was measured with pulse oximetry (SpO(2)), improvement in the prone position was between 1.13% and 3.24% (typical effect based on nine trials with 154 participants; I-2 = 89%). The subgroup ventilated with CPAP (three trials; 59 participants) showed a trend towards improving SpO(2) in the prone position compared with the supine position, although the mean difference (1.91%) was not significant (95% CI -1.14 to 4.97) and heterogeneity was extreme (I-2 = 95%). Sensitivity analyses restricted to studies with low risk of selection bias showed homogeneous results and verified a small but significant effect (MD 0.64, 95% CI 0.26 to 1.02; four trials; 92 participants; I-2 = 0). We also noted a slight improvement in the number of episodes of desaturation; it was not possible to establish whether this effect continued once the intervention was stopped. Investigators studied few adverse effects from the interventions in sufficient detail. Two studies analysed tracheal cultures of neonates after five days on MV, reporting lower bacterial colonisation in the alternating lateral position than in the supine posture. Other effects - positive or negative - cannot be excluded in light of the relatively small numbers of neonates studied. Authors' conclusions This update of our last review in 2013 supports previous conclusions. Evidence of low to moderate quality favours the prone position for slightly improved oxygenation in neonates undergoing mechanical ventilation. However, we found no evidence to suggest that particular body positions during mechanical ventilation of the neonate are effective in producing sustained and clinically relevant improvement.

Background: Idiopathic hypercalciuria is an inherited metabolic abnormality that is characterised by excessive amounts of calcium excreted in the urine by people whose calcium serum levels are normal. Morbidity associated with idiopathic hypercalciuria is chiefly related to kidney stone disease and bone demineralisation leading to osteopenia and osteoporosis. Idiopathic hypercalciuria contributes to kidney stone disease at all life stages; people with the condition are prone to developing oxalate and calcium phosphate kidney stones. In some cases, crystallised calcium can be deposited in the renal interstitium, causing increased calcium levels in the kidneys. In children, idiopathic hypercalciuria can cause a range of comorbidities including recurrent macroscopic or microscopic haematuria, frequency dysuria syndrome, urinary tract infections and abdominal and lumbar pain. Various dietary interventions have been described that aim to decrease urinary calcium levels or urinary crystallisation. Objectives: Our objectives were to assess the efficacy, effectiveness and safety of dietary interventions for preventing complications in idiopathic hypercalciuria (urolithiasis and osteopenia) in adults and children, and to assess the benefits of dietary interventions in decreasing urological symptomatology in children with idiopathic hypercalciuria. Search methods: We searched the Cochrane Renal Group's Specialised Register (23 April 2013) through contact with the Trials' Search Co-ordinator using search terms relevant to this review. Studies contained in the Specialised Register are identified through search strategies specifically designed for CENTRAL, MEDLINE and EMBASE. Selection criteria: We included all randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs that investigated dietary interventions aimed at preventing complications of idiopathic hypercalciuria, compared with placebo, no intervention, or other dietary interventions regardless of route of administration, dose or amount. Data collection and analysis: Studies were assessed for inclusion and data extracted using a standardised data extraction form. We calculated risk ratios (RR) for dichotomous outcomes and mean differences (MD) for continuous outcomes, both with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Main results: We included five studies (379 adult participants) that investigated a range of interventions. Lack of similarity among interventions investigated meant that data could not be pooled. Overall, study methodology was not adequately reported in any of the included studies. There was a high risk of bias associated with blinding (although it seems unlikely that outcomes measures were unduly influenced by lack of intervention blinding), random sequence generation and allocation methodologies were unclear in most studies, but selective reporting bias was assessed as low. One study (120 participants) compared a low calcium diet with a normal calcium, low protein, low salt diet for five years. There was a significant decrease in numbers of new stone recurrences in those treated with the normal calcium, low protein, low salt diet (RR 0.77, 95% CI 0.61 to 0.98). This diet also led to a significant decrease in oxaluria (MD 78.00 mol/d, 95% CI 26.48 to 129.52) and the calcium oxalate relative supersaturation index (MD 1.20 95% CI 0.21 to 2.19). One study (210 participants) compared a low salt, normal calcium diet with a broad diet for three months. The low salt, normal calcium diet decreased urinary calcium (MD -45.00 mg/d, 95% CI -74.83 to -15.17) and oxalate excretion (MD -4.00 mg/d, 95% CI -6.44 to -1.56). A small study (17 participants) compared the effect of dietary fibre as part of a low calcium, low oxalate diet over three weeks, and found that although calciuria levels decreased, oxaluria increased. Phyllanthus niruri plant substrate intake was investigated in a small subgroup with hypercalciuria (20 participants); there was no significant effect on calciuria levels occurred after three months of treatment. A small cross-over study (12 participants) evaluating the changes in urinary supersaturation indices among patients who consumed calcium-fortified orange juice or milk for one month found no benefits for participants. None of the studies reported any significant adverse effects associated with the interventions. Authors' conclusions: Long-term adherence (five years) to diets that feature normal levels of calcium, low protein and low salt may reduce numbers of stone recurrences, decrease oxaluria and calcium oxalate relative supersaturation indexes in people with idiopathic hypercalciuria who experience recurrent kidney stones. Adherence to a low salt, normal calcium level diet for some months can reduce calciuria and oxaluria. However, the other dietary interventions examined did not demonstrate evidence of significant beneficial effects. No studies were found investigating the effect of dietary recommendations on other clinical complications or asymptomatic idiopathic hypercalciuria. © 2014 The Cochrane Collaboration.

10.1016/j.ghir.2013.05.002

Background: A variety of body positions other than the standard supine position have been used in patients undergoing intensive care with hopes of reducing the incidence of pressure ulcers of the skin, contractures or ankylosis and improving the patients' well being. In patients from different age groups undergoing mechanical ventilation (MV) it has been observed that particular positions, such as the prone position, may improve some respiratory parameters. Benefits from these positions have not been clearly defined in critically ill newborns who may require mechanical ventilation for extended periods of time. Objectives: To assess the effects of different positioning of newborn infants receiving MV on short-term respiratory outcomes and complications of prematurity. Search methods: Databases searched (up to December 2012) were the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2012, Issue 3), Oxford Database of Perinatal Trials, MEDLINE, CINAHL and EMBASE. Handsearches of proceedings of the Society for Pediatric Research from 1990 to July 2011 were used to identify unpublished studies. Clinicaltrials.gov was searched for any ongoing studies. Selection criteria: Randomised or quasi-randomised clinical trials comparing different positions in newborns receiving mechanical ventilation. Data collection and analysis: Three independent and unblinded review authors assessed the trials for inclusion in the review and extracted the data. Data were double-checked and entered into the Review Manager software (RevMan). Risks of bias of the included studies were assessed using methods of randomisation and allocation concealment, completeness of follow-up and blinding of outcome measurements. Main results: Twelve trials involving 285 participants were included in this review. One of the included studies (N = 79) was not evaluated in the previous review. Several positions were compared: prone versus supine, prone versus lateral right, lateral right versus supine, lateral left versus supine, lateral alternant versus supine, lateral right versus lateral left, and good lung dependent versus good lung uppermost. Apart from one of the two studies that compared lateral right versus lateral left positions, one comparing lateral alternant versus supine, and one comparing prone versus the supine position, all the included studies had a crossover design. Comparing prone versus supine position, an increase in arterial oxygen tension (PO2) in the prone position of between 2.75 and 9.72 mm Hg (95% confidence interval (CI)) was observed (one trial). When % haemoglobin oxygen saturation was measured with pulse oximetry, the improvement in the prone position was from 1.18% to 4.36% (typical effect based on four trials). In addition, there was a slight improvement in the number of episodes of desaturation. It was not possible to establish whether this effect remained once the intervention was stopped. Negative effects from the interventions were not described, although these were not studied in sufficient detail. Effects of position on other outcomes were barely investigated. Only one study analysed tracheal cultures of neonates after five days of mechanical ventilation, finding lower bacterial colonization in the alternating lateral position than in those neonates kept in the supine posture. Other effects, either positive or negative, cannot be excluded considering the small numbers of neonates that were studied. Authors' conclusions: The prone position was found to slightly improve the oxygenation in neonates undergoing mechanical ventilation. However, we found no evidence concerning whether particular body positions during the mechanical ventilation of the neonate are effective in producing sustained and clinically relevant improvements. © 2013 The Cochrane Collaboration.

Trabajo presentado en la XIX International Poxvirus, Asfarvirus & Iridovirus Conference, celebrada en Salamanca (España) del 24 al 28 de junio de 2012.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) causes local and systemic complications leading to high catabolic, hypermetabolic and hyperdynamic stress states with marked morbidity and mortality. In the last decade, nutritional support has become a key element in the treatment of SAP. Thus, specialized nutrition is indicated from admission, with enteral nutrition being preferred to parenteral nutrition. Enteral nutrition should be initiated early using infusion through the jejunum beyond the ligament of Treitz to minimize pancreatic stress. There are no specific studies that establish the type of diet to be used but experts recommend the use of polymeric diets. Parenteral nutrition, without a specific formula, is indicated in patients with SAP who are intolerant to enteral nutrition or when the clinical signs of pancreatitis are exacerbated or aggravated by enteral nutrition. Even so, a minimal level of enteral infusion should be maintained to preserve the trophic effect of the intestinal mucosa. In the last few years, several studies of the administration of immunomodulatory diets in patients with SAP have been carried out to demonstrate their effects on the course of the disease. However, there are few clear recommendations on the prognostic benefits of pharmaconutrient enriched diets in these patients. There is substantial scientific evidence suggesting that the only clear indication for pharmaconutrition in patients with SAP is parenteral glutamine administration, which is recommended by all clinical guidelines with distinct grades of evidence.

Neurocritical patients require specialized nutritional support due to their intense catabolism and prolonged fasting. The preferred route of nutrient administration is the gastrointestinal route, especially the gastric route. Alternatives are the transpyloric route or mixed enteralparenteral nutrition if an effective nutritional volume of more than 60% cannot be obtained. Total calore intake ranges from 20-30 kcal/kg/day, depending on the period of the clinical course, with protein intake higher than 20% of total calories (hyperproteic diet). Nutritional support should be initiated early. The incidence of gastrointestinal complications is generally higher to other critically-ill patients, the most frequent complication being an increase in gastric residual volume. As in other critically-ill patients, glycemia should be closely monitored and maintained below 150 mg/dL.

Background Idiopathic hypercalciuria is an inherited metabolic abnormality characterised by excessive amounts of calcium excreted into the urine in patients with normal serum levels of calcium. The morbidity of hypercalciuria is related to kidney stone disease and bone demineralization. In children, hypercalciuria can cause recurrent haematuria, frequency-dysuria syndrome, urinary tract infection and abdominal and lumbar pain. Several pharmacological treatments have been described that can decrease the levels of urinary calcium or its index of urinary crystallization. Objectives To assess the benefits and harms of pharmacological interventions for preventing complications and decreasing urological symptoms in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria. Search strategy We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, the Cochrane Renal Group's specialised register, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL, The Cochrane Library), handsearched relevant conference proceedings and reference lists of articles. Selection criteria All randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTS that compared any pharmacological intervention for preventing complications in idiopathic hypercalciuria, with placebo, other pharmacological intervention or a different administration mode or dose of the same treatment given for a minimum duration of four months and had a follow-up period of at least six months. Data collection and analysis Four authors assessed the studies for inclusion and extracted the data. Disagreements were resolved through discussion. Results were expressed as risk ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) or mean difference (MD). Main results Five studies (316 adult patients) were included. Four compared thiazides with standard treatment (periodic clinical follow-up and increased water intake) or specific dietary recommendations and one analysed the effect of thiazide plus a neutral potassium salt. There was a significant decrease in the number of new stone recurrences in those treated with thiazides (RR 1.61, 95% CI 1.33 to 1.96), although the follow-up periods varied. The stone formation rate also showed a statistically significant decrease in the patients treated with diuretics (MD -0.18, 95% CI -0.30 to -0.06). Thiazides plus potassium salts significantly decreased calciuria and vitamin D levels. Authors' conclusions There is some evidence that in patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria and recurrent stones, the addition of thiazides to a normal or modified diet for short to long periods (five months to three years) reduced the number of stone recurrences and decreased the stone formation rate. Thiazides and neutral potassium phosphate decreased calciuria in symptomatic patients with idiopathic hypercalciuria. There were no studies investigating the effect of pharmacological treatment on other clinical complications or asymptomatic idiopathic hypercalciuria.

El tracto gastrointestinal está colonizado por una inmensa cantidad de microorganismos, a los que denominamos flora intestinal. Aunque el intestino proporciona una barrera funcional entre estos organismos y el huésped, la traslocación bacteriana no es un evento infrecuente entre las personas sanas. Sin embrago, en los pacientes críticamente enfermos, que son portadores de diferentes entidades nosológicas, la translocación bacteriana puede condicionar infecciones e incrementos en la morbi-mortalidad. Varios son los mecanismos propuestos para explicar la etiología, génesis y vías de esta entidad y, frecuentemente, los resultados de las investigaciones realizadas tanto in vitro como en animales de experimentación son controvertidos y de difícil aplicación a los humanos. Muchas enfermedades se han relacionado o están implicadas en el fenómeno de translocación pero desgraciadamente el sumatorio de estudios metodológicamente insuficientes, poblaciones reducidas y resultados conflictivos dejan, hoy en día, muchas preguntas abiertas y otras sin respuesta lógica. Esta problemática también se refleja a la hora de estudiar y valorar las diferentes estrategias terapéuticas utilizadas así como los métodos empleados para detectar la traslocación.

Introducción y objetivos: Hay pocos trabajos de investigación que relacionen la isquemia mesentérica aguda y el peso corporal en la experimentación animal. Se pretende estudiar, si la pérdida de peso inicial, está relacionada con la magnitud de la agresión provocada por los clampajes de la arteria mesentérica superior durante 30 y 60 minutos, y si la isquemia reperfusión puede dificultar la recuperación ponderal del peso en los animales supervivientes, al final de las 11 semanas del trabajo experimental con conejos Nueva Zelanda, mediante un modelo experimental válido. Material y método: Se distribuyeron 80 animales (conejos) en cuatro series de 20: serie I (control), los animales fueron pesados durante 11 semanas; serie II (operación simulada), serie III (isquemia mesentérica 30 minutos) y serie IV (isquemia mesentérica 60 minutos). Provocamos la isquemia por pinzamiento de la arteria mesentérica superior. Los animales de las series II, III y IV fueron pesados 24 horas antes del procedimiento quirúrgico y semanalmente en el postoperatorio durante su supervivencia hasta completar 11 semanas. Para el análisis de los pesos, se aplicó un ANOVA enfrentando la variación del peso porcentual en función de la serie. Todos los animales fueron necropsiados para conocer la causa del fallecimiento y las lesiones histológicas de la mucosa intestinal Resultados: La serie control tuvo un incremento lineal del peso hasta el final del período de observación. Las series II, III y IV sufrieron un descenso proceinicial significativo del peso porcentual en la primera semana del postoperatorio, con una recuperación al final del estudio, pero significativamente menor con respecto a la serie control. También se han encontrado diferencias significativas en la recuperación del peso a las 11 semanas entre la serie II y las series III y IV, y entre las series isquémicas entre sí. Conclusiones: Los animales de las series II, III, y IV alcanzaron al final del estudio un peso porcentual significativamente inferior que el alcanzado por la serie I. En los procesos de isquemia reperfusión mesentérica experimental animal, la pérdida de peso porcentual inicial en el postoperatorio, está influenciada no sólo por el tiempo de isquemia, sino por las manipulaciones pre y postoperatorias; en cambio, la pérdida de peso al final del estudio es más acentuada, cuanto mayor es el tiempo de isquemia. Introduction and objectives: There are few investigation studies that relate acute mesenteric ischemia and body weight in animal experimentation. The aim is to studying whether initial weight loss is related to the magnitude of the aggression induced by clamps of the superior mesenteric artery for 30 and 60 minutes, and whether reperfusion ischemia may hinder weight recovery in surviving animals at the end of 11 weeks of experimental work with New Zealand rabbits through a valid experimental model. Materials and method: 80 animals (rabbits) were distributed in four series of 20 each one: series I (control), animals were weighed for 11 weeks; series II (simulated surgery); series III (mesenteric ischemia for 30 minutes); series IV (mesenteric ischemia for 60 minutes). We induced ischemia by clamping the superior mesenteric artery. Animals from series II, III, and IV were weighed 24 hours before the surgical procedure and weekly after surgery along their survival, until completing 11 weeks. For weight analysis, an ANOVA test was used by confronting the percentage weight variation according to the series. All animals were necropsied to know the cause of death and histological lesions of the intestinal mucosa. Results: Series I had a linear weight increase until the end of the observation period. Series II, III and IV had a significant initial decrease of the percentage weight during the first post-surgical week, with a recovery towards the end of the study, but significantly lower as compared to the control series. Significant differences have also been found in weight recovery at 11 weeks between series II and series III and IV, and between ischemic series. Conclusions: Animals in series II, III, and IV reached at the end of the study a percentage weight significantly lower to that obtained by series I. In the experimental animal mesenteric ischemia-reperfusion processes, the initial percentage weight loss in the postsurgical period is influenced not only by ischemia time but also by pre-and postsurgical manipulations; by contrast, the longer ischemia time is, the greater weight loss at the end of the study will be.

El politraumatismo suele presentarse en pacientes previamente sanos y con buen estado nutricional. A pesar de ello, los cambios metabólicos originados por la agresión traumática colocan a estos pacientes en situación de riesgo nutricional. El soporte nutricional especializado debería iniciarse si es previsible que los requerimientos nutricionales no puedan ser cubiertos por vía oral en un periodo de 5-10 días tras el ingreso. La nutrición enteral deberá ser la primera vía a considerar para el aporte de nutrientes. No obstante, la presencia de trauma craneoencefálico produce alteraciones en la motilidad gastrointestinal que dificultan la tolerancia a la nutrición enteral. Los pacientes con trauma abdominal presentan también dificultades para el inicio y la tolerancia a la dieta enteral. La inserción de sondas transpilóricas o catéteres de yeyunostomía permite el empleo precoz de nutrición enteral en estos pacientes.

Debido a las características de los pacientes críticos, la elaboración de recomendaciones sobre el soporte nutricional en estos pacientes es difícil. En muchas ocasiones no está claramente establecido el momento de inicio del soporte nutricional ni las características del mismo, por lo que su aplicación está basada en opiniones de expertos. En el presente documento se presentan las recomendaciones elaboradas por el Grupo de Trabajo de Metabolismo y Nutrición de la sociedad Española de Medicina Intensiva, Crítica y Unidades Coronarias (SEMICYUC). Las recomendaciones están basadas en el análisis de la literatura y en la posterior discusión entre los miembros del grupo de trabajo para definir, mediante consenso, los aspectos más relevantes del soporte metabólico y nutricional de los pacientes en situación crítica. Se han considerado diferentes situaciones clínicas, que se desarrollan en los artículos siguientes de esta publicación. Las presentes recomendaciones pretenden servir de guía para los clínicos con menor experiencia en la consideración de los aspectos metabólicos y nutricionales de los pacientes críticos.

13th World Conference on Earthquake Engineering Vancouver, B.C., Canada August 1-6, 2004, The EXPEL project is a research work financed by the Spanish Nuclear Security Council (CSN) and the National Enterprise of Radioactive Waste Disposal (ENRESA), aiming at developing Seismic Hazard studies in sites regarding with nuclear energy. In the frame of this project, the EXPEL code has been developed for carrying out Probabilistic Seismic Hazard Analysis (PSHA) and uncertainties evaluation. The code includes a Geographical Information System with different geophysical/geological data in the Iberian Peninsula (tectonics, seismicity, geology, etc.), databases with strong motion models and the software for developing the seismic hazard evaluation, following different approaches. The methodology of logic tree is also integrated in order to quantify the uncertainties. The results can be expressed through the mean or median values, together with their dispersion measurements. The deaggregation is also included in the code, giving results in terms of magnitude M, distance R, and epsilon ¿, associated with the control earthquakes. In a last stage, the previous results are either connected with a module for accelerogram simulation, or linked with a strong motion data bank, in order to obtain real accelerograms and response spectra in the same M, R conditions. The EXPEL code and an application showing the importance of considering the seismic hazard calculation method as another source of uncertainty, are presented in this paper., The EXPEL project is financed by the Spanish Nuclear Security Council (CSN) and the National Enterprise of Radioactive Waste Disposal (ENRESA). The authors thank the support of these institutions. We also thank Dr. Ordaz for providing CRISIS and Degtra programs and Dr. Sabetta for SIM-NOST.

Three-dimensional modeling that integrates fluvial sediment transport, crustal-scale tectonic deformation, and lithospheric flexural subsidence is carried out to simulate the landscape and drainage evolution of the Ebro sedimentary basin (NE Iberia). The Ebro Basin underwent a long period of closed intramountain drainage as a result of tectonic topography generation at the Pyrenees, the Iberian Range, and the Catalan Coastal Range. In the late Oligocene, the Catalan Coastal Range underwent extension leading to the formation of the Valencia Trough (NW Mediterranean), but the Ebro Basin remained closed for nearly 15 Myr more before the Ebro River cut through the remnants of the topographic barrier. This drainage opening caused widespread basin incision that shaped spectacular outcrops of the syntectonic and posttectonic infill. Here we investigate the processes controlling these major drainage changes. The modeling results, constrained by a large data set on the tectonic and transport evolution of the area, predict a closed phase characterized by a large lake in the central eastern Ebro Basin. Dry climatic conditions probably lowered the lake level and contributed, together with rift flank uplift, to prolong this endorheic basin stage. The age and amount of reworked sediment after the opening are consistent with an onset of basin incision between 13 and 8.5 Ma as a result of lake capture by escarpment erosion and lake level rise associated with sediment accumulation and wetter climatic conditions. Sea level changes in the Mediterranean had no major impact in the large-scale drainage evolution of the Ebro Basin., This work has been funded by the Netherlands Center for Integrated Solid Earth Science (ISES).

We describe two patients who developed multiple itching nodules following immunization with vaccines adsorbed on aluminium hydroxide. Both patients had been treated with vaccines for extrinsic asthma and rhinitis for 4 and 10 years respectively. The lesions were persistent and lasted for several years. Histopathological findings were those of a foreign body reaction. Aluminium was most probably involved in the pathogenesis of these lesions because its presence could be demonstrated in macrophages using energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. Although some symptomatic relief was achieved with topical corticosteroids and oral antihistamines, treatment was unsuccessful.

The complex [Au(C,H4N=hJPh-2)CI2] reacts with [HgR,] (R = C,H4N02-2 or c$,) and NMe4CI ( 2 1 :2) to give [Au(C6H4N=f'hPh-2)(R)CI] [R = C,H4N0,-2, (1); or c,F, (2)]. Similarly, [-N)CI,] (3) [C-N = C6H,( N=NC6H4Me-4')-2-Me-5], prepared by the reaction of [AuCl,(tht)] (tht = tetrahydrothiophene) with [Hg(C-N)CI] and NMe,CI (1 : 1 : l), reacts with Tl(acac) (Hacac =acetylacetone) (1 :1) to give [ w N ) ( a c a c - C ) C l ] (4). Reaction of (2) with PPh, (1 :1) leads to [Au(C,H4N=6JPh-2) (C,F,)CI(PPh,)] (5), which upon standing in dichloromethane solution decomposes to give a mixture of [AU(C,F,) (PPh,)], C,H,C,F,-l -N=NPh-2, and [Au(C,H4N=NPh-2)CI,( PPh,)] (6). Crystal structures were determined for complexes (4), (6), and [Au(C,H4CH2dlMe,-2)(C,F,)CI] (7) [(4), space group Pi, a = 9.475(4), b = 9.923(4), c = 10.91 3(4) A, a = 63.75(3), f3 = 84.92(3), y = 89.41 (3)", Z = 2, R = 0.020 for 3 057 reflections at -95 "C; (6), space group P2,/n, a = 10.361 (3), b = 28.1 94(8), c = 10.724(4) A, p = 11 6.26(2)", Z = 4, R = 0.038 for 3 734 reflections at 20 "C; (7), space group Pbca, a = 11.996(4), b = 14.484(4), c = 18.31 O(7) A, Z = 8, R = 0.045 for 1 909 reflections at 20 "C]. The three structures reveal neutral molecules with square-planar geometry around the gold atom. In complexes (4) and (7) the aryl groups act as chelating ligands, forming a five-membered ring [(4), Au-C 2.026(4), Au-N 2.1 58(3) A; (7), Au-C 2.022(10), Au-N 2.1 28(1 O), Au-C,F, 2.01 2(11) A] while in complex (6) the aryl group acts as a monodentate ligand [Au-C 2.033(5) A]. The chloro ligand in complex (4) is trans to the carbon atom of the aryl ligand [Au-CI 2.349(2) A], and the acac ligand is C-bonded to the gold atom [Au-C 2.083(4) A]. This is one of the few isolated acetylacetonatogold(iri) complexes and the first structurally characterized. In complex (6), chloro atoms are mutually cis [Au-CI (trans to C) 2.377(2), (trans to N) 2.325(2) A]. The chloro ligand in complex (7) is trans to the aryl group of the chelating ligand [Au-CI 2.347(3) 4. The isolation of complexes (1) and (2) and the observed geometry of (4) support the pathway suggested for the C-H activation of acetone with 2-phenylazophenylgold( 111) complexes.