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Introduction: Alexithymia is a neuropsychiatric symptom conceptualized as difficulty identifying and describing feelings. Although associated with other non-motor symptoms, mainly neuropsychiatric, alexithymia may present as an isolated symptom in persons with Parkinson's Disease (PwP). The objective of the study is to identify determinants of alexithymia and its association with quality of life (QoL) in Parkinson's disease., Methods: Subjects with Parkinson's disease were recruited. The following instruments were applied: Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20) and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8). Matched healthy controls were screened using TAS-20. Clinical and demographical variables were compared between alexithymic and non-alexithymic. Regression models were used to find determinants of alexithymia. Impact of alexithymia on QoL was estimated with a linear regression model., Results: 98 patients were included. 56.1% PwP and 28.8% controls were alexithymic (p<0.001). Education level (OR 0.86) and NMSS urinary score (OR 1.09) determined alexithymia as well as TAS-20 score. Alexithymia was an independent determinant of QoL., Conclusions: Alexithymia is a prevalent independent non-motor symptom in PwP with impact on QoL. Low education level and urinary symptoms are important determinants of alexithymia., (Copyright © 2020 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The incidence of infections caused by aerobic actinomycetes is increasing. Recent changes in taxonomy and the variability in susceptibility patterns among species make necessary a proper identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing., Material and Methods: Fifty-three strains of aerobic actinomycetes were identified by MALDI-TOF MS using the VITEK MS Mycobacterium/Nocardia kit (bioMérieux, France) in a tertiary hospital in Spain during a six-year period. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed using the Sensititre Rapmycoi microdilution panel (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Massachusetts, USA)., Results: Forty strains of Nocardia spp. were identified in the study, being N. farcinica and N. cyriacigeorgica the most prevalent ones. All isolates were susceptible to linezolid and the resistance to amikacin was only observed in one isolate of Gordonia sputi. Resistance to cotrimoxazole was only found in five isolates., Conclusions: Routine identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of aerobic actinomycetes is advisable for an efficient identification of species and effective treatment., (Copyright © 2021 Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: It has been reported that microbiological diagnosis of Cutibacterium spp. infection requires a prolonged incubation time (up to 14 days). We present our experience with regard to incubation time for detection of Cutibacterium spp. in orthopaedic samples over a 10-year period., Methods: One hundred and nineteen samples were included in this retrospective study. Fifty-three were implants (having previously undergone sonication), 64 were periprosthetic tissue biopsies and two were synovial fluids. Atkins's criteria were used for interpreting the isolates. Quantification and number of days until a culture became positive for Cutibacterium spp. were evaluated., Results: The median number of days to detection of a clinically significant isolate and a contaminant was 4 days. No clinically significant isolates grew after day eight., Conclusion: Most clinically significant isolates of Cutibacterium spp. are detected in the first 7 days of incubation, although a recommendation of prolonged incubation (up to 14 days) appears to be necessary for detecting other organisms., (Copyright © 2020 Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: The incidence of infections caused by aerobic actinomycetes is increasing. Recent changes in taxonomy and the variability in susceptibility patterns among species make necessary a proper identification and antibiotic susceptibility testing., Material and Methods: Fifty-three strains of aerobic actinomycetes were identified by MALDI-TOF MS using the VITEK MS Mycobacterium/Nocardia kit (bioMérieux, France) in a tertiary hospital in Spain during a six-year period. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing of the isolates was performed using the Sensititre Rapmycoi microdilution panel (Thermo Fisher Scientific, Massachusetts, USA)., Results: Forty strains of Nocardia spp. were identified in the study, being N. farcinica and N. cyriacigeorgica the most prevalent ones. All isolates were susceptible to linezolid and the resistance to amikacin was only observed in one isolate of Gordonia sputi. Resistance to cotrimoxazole was only found in five isolates., Conclusions: Routine identification and antimicrobial susceptibility testing of aerobic actinomycetes is advisable for an efficient identification of species and effective treatment., (Copyright © 2021 Sociedad Española de Enfermedades Infecciosas y Microbiología Clínica. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Alexithymia is a neuropsychiatric symptom conceptualized as difficulty identifying and describing feelings. Although associated with other non-motor symptoms, mainly neuropsychiatric, alexithymia may present as an isolated symptom in persons with Parkinson's Disease (PwP). The objective of the study is to identify determinants of alexithymia and its association with quality of life (QoL) in Parkinson's disease., Methods: Subjects with Parkinson's disease were recruited. The following instruments were applied: Movement Disorders Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS), Non-Motor Symptoms Scale (NMSS), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Toronto alexithymia scale (TAS-20) and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-8). Matched healthy controls were screened using TAS-20. Clinical and demographical variables were compared between alexithymic and non-alexithymic. Regression models were used to find determinants of alexithymia. Impact of alexithymia on QoL was estimated with a linear regression model., Results: 98 patients were included. 56.1% PwP and 28.8% controls were alexithymic (p<0.001). Education level (OR 0.86) and NMSS urinary score (OR 1.09) determined alexithymia as well as TAS-20 score. Alexithymia was an independent determinant of QoL., Conclusions: Alexithymia is a prevalent independent non-motor symptom in PwP with impact on QoL. Low education level and urinary symptoms are important determinants of alexithymia., (Copyright © 2020 Sociedad Española de Neurología. Publicado por Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Standardised uptake value (SUV) and volumetric parameters such as metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) from 18 F-FDG PET/CT are useful criteria for disease prognosis in pre-operative and post-treatment epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Ki67 is another prognostic biomarker in EOC, associated with tumour aggressiveness. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between 18 F-FDG PET/CT measurements and Ki67 in pre-treatment EOC to determine if PET/CT parameters could non-invasively predict tumour aggressiveness., Material and Methods: A pre-treatment PET/CT was performed on 18 patients with suspected or newly diagnosed EOC. Maximum SUV (SUVmax), mean SUV (SUVmean), whole-body MTV (wbMTV), and whole-body TLG (wbTLG) with a threshold of 30% and 40% of the SUVmax were obtained. Furthermore, Ki67 index (mean and hotspot) was estimated in tumour tissue specimens. Immunohistochemical findings were correlated with PET parameters., Results: The mean age was 57.0 years old (standard deviation 13.6 years). A moderate correlation was observed between mean Ki67 index and SUVmax (r=0.392), SUVmean 30% (r=0.437), and SUVmean 40% (r=0.443), and also between hotspot Ki67 index and SUVmax (r=0.360), SUVmean 30% (r=0.362) and SUVmean 40% (r=0.319). There was a weaker correlation, which was inversely negative, between mean and hotspot Ki67 and volumetric PET parameters. However, no statistical significant differences were found for any correlations., Conclusions: SUVmax and SUVmean were moderately correlated with Ki67 index, whereas volumetric PET parameters overall, showed a weaker correlation. Thus, SUVmax and SUVmean could be used to assess tumour aggressiveness in pre-treatment EOC., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier España, S.L.U. y SEMNIM. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To identify the ethical conflicts that may arise between the nursing codes of ethics and the Royal Decree-law 16/2012 modifying Spanish health regulations., Method: We conducted a review and critical analysis of the discourse of five nursing codes of ethics from Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, Europe and International, and of the discourse of the Spanish legislation in force in 2013. Language structures referring to five different concepts of the theoretical framework of care were identified in the texts: equity, human rights, right to healthcare, access to care, and continuity of care., Results: Codes of ethics define the function of nursing according to equity, acknowledgement of human rights, right to healthcare, access to care and continuity of care, while legal discourse hinges on the concept of beneficiary or being insured., Conclusions: The divergence between the code of ethics and the legal discourse may produce ethical conflicts that negatively affect nursing practice. The application of RDL 16/2012 promotes a framework of action that prevents nursing professionals from providing care to uninsured collectives, which violates human rights and the principles of care ethics., (Copyright © 2016 SESPAS. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Metabolic tumour volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG) from (18)F-FDG PET/CT are emerging prognostic biomarkers in various solid neoplasms. These volumetric parameters and the SUVmax have shown to be useful criteria for disease prognostication in preoperative and post-treatment epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utility of (18)F-FDG PET/CT measurements to predict survival in patients with recurrent EOC., Material and Methods: Twenty-six patients with EOC who underwent a total of 31 (18)F-FDG PET/CT studies for suspected recurrence were retrospectively included. SUVmax and volumetric parameters whole-body MTV (wbMTV) and whole-body TLG (wbTLG) with a threshold of 40% and 50% of the SUVmax were obtained. Correlation between PET parameters and progression-free survival (PFS) and the survival analysis of prognostic factors were calculated., Results: Serous cancer was the most common histological subtype (76.9%). The median PFS was 12.5 months (range 10.7-20.6 months). Volumetric parameters showed moderate inverse correlation with PFS but there was no significant correlation in the case of SUVmax. The correlation was stronger for first recurrences. By Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank test, wbMTV 40%, wbMTV 50% and wbTLG 50% correlated with PFS. However, SUVmax and wbTLG 40% were not statistically significant predictors for PFS., Conclusion: Volumetric parameters wbMTV and wbTLG 50% measured by (18)F-FDG PET/CT appear to be useful prognostic predictors of outcome and may provide valuable information to individualize treatment strategies in patients with recurrent EOC., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier España, S.L.U. and SEMNIM. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To evaluate the resources available in Catalan regional hospitals for the emergency care of upper gastrointestinal hemorrhage., Methods: We analyzed a survey sent to 32 hospitals on the availability, composition and resources of a duty endoscopy service for the year 2009., Results: Responses were obtained from 24 centers, covering 3,954,000 inhabitants. Duty endoscopists were available in 12 hospitals. A total of 1,483,000 inhabitants were unable to access a duty endoscopist in the referral center. Centers with duty endoscopists had more beds and had a larger catchment area. Duty services were composed of 4.5 endoscopists (range 2-11), covering 82.1 (33.2-182.5) duty shifts/year. Seventeen centers reported 1,571 episodes (51%, range: 3-280, 39.68/100,000 inhabitants). Centers with a duty service reported a greater number of cases (76 vs. 43, p=0.047). Centers without this service referred a greater number of patients (147 vs. 17, p=0.001). Patients in the emergency department were under the care of the internal medicine department in four centers, the surgery department in 14 centers and under the care of both departments in six. Admitted patients were under the care of the gastroenterology department in only six hospitals. The most widely used procedures were ligation of varicose bleeding and injection therapies in non-varicose bleeding. Twenty-one percent of centers did not perform combined treatment., Conclusions: A significant proportion of the population does not have access to a duty endoscopist in referral centers. Duty shifts represent significant workload in regional hospitals. Coordination among health professionals and centers would allow the efficient application of therapeutic resources and a duty endoscopy service to be established in centers lacking this resource., (Copyright © 2011 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To find out the perception of the risk of adquire a sexually transmitted disease (STD) in young people (15-21 years), and their attitudes and behaviour to adopt protective measures in sexual relationships., Design: Socioconstructive qualitative study performed between the years 2006 and 2008, Setting: Two Primary Care Centres in the city of Girona., Participants: A total of 34 young people selected from lists provided by doctors and key informers., Methods: Theoretical sample from different designed profiles. The data was obtained and saturated by performing 5 group interviews. A thematic content analysis of the narrative data was made of the categorical subject., Results: They had partial knowledge on AIDS and very little on other STD. The risk of pregnancy has the most influence on adopting protective measures. Despite easy access and knowledge of condoms, in some cases they are not used either in stable relationships or in sporadic ones, with different reasons for having this risk behaviour. They have limited contact with the health services, and when they do it is mainly to ask for emergency contraception., Conclusions: Health strategies should be directed towards adolescents, taking into account what they need from the health services as regards sexual health, in a different context from the health centre. Information should be focused on combating erroneous beliefs, such as AIDS is a disease of "others" and not "ours", and address these actions, not only to improve knowledge and attitudes but also changes in behaviour., (Copyright (c) 2009 Elsevier España, S.L. All rights reserved.)

There is evidence that Bartonella is an etiologic factor in human endocarditis. The objective of this article was to describe cases of endocarditis due to Bartonella observed at a tertiary-care hospital during 1995-2006. Overall, 140 cases of infective endocarditis were seen, of which 10 were blood culture-negative endocarditis, with five being due to Bartonella. In four cases, there had been contact with cats. Only two patients had pre-existing cardiac valvular disease. Three had extracardiac disease manifestations. In three cases, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests on cardiac valvular tissue gave positive results. Two patients had positive serology test results for Chlamydophila and another two, positive results for Coxiella burnetii. All five patients needed surgery, and the outcome was favorable in all five. The presence of Bartonella must be considered in patients with blood culture-negative endocarditis. Although serological testing is essential for the diagnosis, cross-reactions between Bartonella and C. burnetii or Chlamydophila are frequent, and PCR tests on cardiac valvular tissue, therefore, play an important diagnostic role.

Laryngeal adenocarcinomas are extremely unusual (only 0.35 %-0.5 % of all laryngeal malignancies). It usually behaves as a highly malignant tumour, with tendency for local lymph node and distant organ metastases. We report a case of a 64-year-old man with an adenocarcinoma of the larynx with cervical lymph node involvement at the moment of the diagnosis. The patient was treated with surgery (total laryngectomy and cervical lymph node dissection) and post-operative radiotherapy. Seven months later, the patient had a local recurrence.

Alterations in liver function tests have previously been reported in patients with ovarian disease. We report the case of a woman with prolonged hypertransaminasemia, significant hirsutism and android phenotype who was diagnosed with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis and ovarian stromal hyperplasia.

We present a case of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of B cells in a patient with cirrhosis by hepatitis C virus. Our patient presented scarce symptomatology related with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. A notable hyperbilirrubinaemia with hypoalbuminaemia were the only features that allowed us to suspect the diagnosis. The diagnostic was proved by necroscopic study. There are several factors involved in the etiology of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, including infectious agents. Recent Italian studies have suggested an association between C virus infection and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. We have carried out a bibliographical revision of this association to conclude that important geographical differencies must be pointed out.

Acute hemorrhage from pancreatic pseudoaneurysm is the most rapidly fatal complication of pancreatitis, with a reported mortality rate of > 90% in untreated patients. The diagnosis of pancreatic pseudoaneurysm requires a high index of suspicion and the abdominal angiography is the gold standard. Transcatheter embolization is an alternative to surgery for treatment in selected patients. Early diagnosis and treatment decrease the mortality dramatically. We describe a patient with a gastrointestinal bleeding from a ruptured pancreatic pseudoaneurysm, with an angiography diagnosis and transcatheter embolization. We treated the pseudocyst with an endoscopic drainage. A review of literature is presented.

Emergence of multiple bilateral renal cysts observed in patients undergoing periodic haemodialysis is 40%. The pathology, known as Acquired Cystic Renal Disease (A.C.R.D.) presents a high association to renal cancer. Two cases of A.C.R.D. and their association with hypernephroma, one resulting in secondary retroperitoneal haemorrhage and the other in intracystic haemorrhage, are presented. Forms and diagnosis are analyzed, insisting upon the need of monitoring the patients in haemodialysis from the point of view of tumour emergence.