BIChromET: A Chromogenic Culture Medium for Detection of Piperacillin/Tazobactam and Cefepime Resistance in Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

OBJECTIVES: The BIChromET selective medium for detecting piperacillin-tazobactam (TZP) and cefepime (FEP) resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa was developed. METHODS: The performance of this medium was first evaluated using a collection of 100 P. aeruginosa clinical strains (70 TZP-susceptible, 30 TZP-resistant, 58 FEP-susceptible, and 42 FEP-resistant). Then, we performed clinical validation by testing 173 respiratory clinical samples. RESULTS: The BIChromET medium showed excellent sensitivity (TZP (avg. 96.7%); FEP (avg. 92.7%)) and specificity (TZP (avg. 98.9%); FEP (avg. 98%)) in distinguishing the detection limit ranging from 104 to 108 CFU/mL. Then, testing the bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and tracheobronchial aspirate (TBA) clinical specimens (N = 173) revealed the excellent performance of the medium with P. aeruginosa, showing 100% and 92.6% of categorical agreements with the results obtained via the broth microdilution methods (BMD) for TZP and FEP, respectively. CONCLUSION: This medium allows for easy and accurate detection of TZP/FEP-resistant isolates regardless of their resistance mechanisms.

[Brief Suicide Questionnaire. Inter-rater reliability]. / Protocolo breve de evaluación del suicidio: fiabilidad interexaminadores.

INTRODUCTION: Inter-rater agreement is a crucial aspect in the planning and performance of a clinical trial in which the main assessment tool is the clinical interview. The main objectives of this study are to study the inter-rater agreement of a tool for the assessment of suicidal behavior (Brief Suicide Questionnaire) and to examine whether the inter-examiner agreement when multiple ratings are made on a single subject is an efficient method to assess the reliability of an instrument. METHOD: In the context of designing a multicenter clinical trial, 32 psychiatrists assessed a videotaped clinical interview of a patient with suicidal behavior. In order to identify those items in which a greater level of discordance existed and detect the examiners whose ratings differed significantly from the average ratings, we used the DOMENIC method (Detecion of Multiple Examiners Not in Consensus). RESULTS: Inter-rater agreement was between poor (<70%) to excelent (90-100%. Inter-rater agreement in Brugha's list of threatening experiences ranged from 75.5 and 100%; in the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale was 82.58%; in the Beck's Suicidal Intent Scale, ranged from 67.5 and 97%; in the Beck's Scale for Suicide Ideation, ranged from 63.5 and 100%; and in the Lethality Rating Scale was 88.39%. On the whole, the level of agreement among raters, both in general scores and in particular items, was appropriate. CONCLUSION: The proposed design allows the assessment of the inter-rater agreement in an efficient way (only in one session). In addition, regarding the Brief Suicide Questionnaire, inter-raters agreement was appropriate.

Protocolo breve de evaluación del suicidio: fiabilidad interexaminadores / Brief Suicide Questionnaire. Inter-rater reliability

Introducción. El acuerdo entre-examinadores es un aspecto fundamental en la planificación de cualquier trabajo de investigación donde la principal herramienta diagnóstica es la entrevista clínica. El objetivo de este estudio es valorar el acuerdo entre-examinadores de un instrumento de evaluación de la conducta suicida (Protocolo breve de evaluación del suicidio) utilizando las valoraciones de múltiples observadores en una sola sesión. Método. Durante la fase piloto de un estudio clínico multicéntrico centrado en la monitorización de intentos de suicidio, 32 examinadores evaluaron el vídeo de la entrevista clínica a un paciente simulado con conducta suicida. Para identificar los ítems en los que existía una mayor discordancia y a los examinadores cuyo criterio se alejaba más del acuerdo general, se utilizó el método Detection Of Multiple Examiners Not In Consensus (DOMENIC). Resultado. El acuerdo interexaminadores osciló entre pobre (<70%) y excelente (90-100%). En la escala de acontecimientos vitales estresantes el nivel de acuerdo osciló entre 48,4 y 97%; en la escala problemas psicosociales del DSM-IV, entre 75,5 y 100%; en la escala de evaluación de la actividad global fue de 82,58%; en la escala de intencionalidad suicida, osciló entre 67,5 y 97%; en la escala de ideación suicida, entre 63,5 y 100% y en la escala de letalidad del intento de suicidio fue de 88,39%. En general, los examinadores mostraron un nivel de acuerdo adecuado tanto en las puntuaciones globales de cada escala como en cada ítem en particular. Conclusiones. El diseño propuesto permite evaluar el acuerdo entre-examinadores de una forma eficiente (en una única sesión). Además, con respecto al Protocolo breve de evaluación del suicidio, el acuerdo entre-examinadores fue apropiado(AU)

Introduction. Inter-rater agreement is a crucial aspect in the planning and performance of a clinical trial in which the main assessment tool is the clinical interview. The main objectives of this study are to study the inter-rater agreement of a tool for the assessment of suicidal behaviour (Brief Suicide Questionnaire) and to examine whether the inter-examiner agreement when multiple ratings are made on a single subject is an efficient method to assess the reliability of an instrument. Method. In the context of designing a multicenter clinical trial, 32 psychiatrists assessed a videotaped clinical interview of a patient with suicidal behaviour. In order to identify those items in which a greater level of discordance existed and detect the examiners whose ratings differed significantly from the average ratings, we used the DOMENIC method (Detecion of Multiple Examiners Not in Consensus). Results. Inter-rater agreement was between poor (<70%) to excellent (90-100%. Inter-rater agreement in Brugha's list of threatening experiences ranged from 75.5% to 100%; in the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF) Scale was 82.58%; in Beck's Suicidal Intent Scale, ranged from 67.5% to 97%; in Beck's Scale for Suicide Ideation, ranged from 63.5% to 100%; and in the Lethality Rating Scale was 88.39%. On the whole, the level of agreement among raters, both in general scores and in particular items, was appropriate. Conclusion. The proposed design allows the assessment of the inter-rater agreement in an efficient way (only in one session). In addition, regarding the Brief Suicide Questionnaire, inter-raters agreement was appropriate(AU)

[Our experience with the urolume intraurethral prosthesis]. / Nuestra experiencia en el uso de la prótesis intrauretral urolume.

OBJECTIVES: Urolume is a stent type, non magnetic, self expanding urethral endoprosthesis indicated to keep the urethral lumen in cases of infravesical obstruction. It has been approved by the food and drug administration. We present our experience with the use of this prosthesis in cases of obstruction secondary to BPH and urethral stenosis. METHODS: From April 1999 to July 2005 we implanted 18 Urolume endoprosthesis in seventeen male patients; 10 of them had symptoms of BPH and 7 bulbar urethral stenosis. We analyze the results of our series. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 61 years [30-79], being the mean age for patients with bulbar prosthesis significantly lower. Among patients with BPH (58.8%, n = 10), 80% (n = 8) had indwelling catheter (40% with ASA III surgical risk and 60% ASA IV). 4 patients have died with only one of them having indwelling catheter at the time of death. The implantation of the endoprosthesis was performed with xylocaine gel in 4 of these 10 patients (40%). The technique failed in two patients, one of them required indwelling catheter for urinary retention (to the time of his death), and the other one extraction of the prosthesis and prostatic adenomectomy for acute urinary retention. Among patients with urethral stenosis (4 1.2%, n = 7), we needed to implant a second prosthesis telescoped with the first one in one case (due to distal displacement), and to perform 2 transurethral resections of intraprosthesic hyperplastic tissue in the same patient. Subjectively, the mean value of the Madsen-Iversen score before surgery was 22.5 in comparison to 7.78 after surgery (p < 0.005; Wilcoxon test). There were also objectives improvements in mean maximal flow before and after surgery (5.7 to 20.9ml/sec.;p < 0.005; Wilcoxon test). CONCLUSIONS: This is a safe and simple technique, which may be performed under local anesthesia as outpatient surgery. It has a low complication rate, significantly improves the flowmetry parameters and symptom questionnaire results. It is a very good option to be taken into consideration in old patients, with chronic urinary retention, and high surgical risk. It may be a valid alternative to surgery in patients with short bulbar urethral stenosis, without previous skin flap urethroplasty and not having spongiofibrosis.

Nuestra experiencia en el uso de la prótesis intrauretral Urolume / Our experience with the Urolume intraurethral prosthesis

OBJETIVO: UroLume® es una endoprótesis uretral tipo stent, no magnética y autoexpandible indicada para el mantenimiento de la luz uretral en los casos de obstrucción infravesical. Ha sido aprobada por la Food and Drug Administration. Presentamos nuestra experiencia en el uso de esta prótesis en los casos de obstrucción por HBP y por estenosis uretral. MÉTODOS: Desde abril de 1999 a julio de 2005 hemos colocado 18 endoprótesis Urolume en 17 varones; presentando 10 de ellos síntomas de HBP y 7 estenosis de uretra bulbar. Analizamos acontinuación los resultados de nuestra serie. RESULTADOS: La edad media de los pacientes era de 61 años [30-79], siendo la media de edad de los pacientes con prótesis bulbar significativamente inferior. De los pacientes con HBP (58,8%, n=10), el 80% (n=8) eran portadores de sonda (el 40% con riesgo quirúrgico ASA III y el 60% ASA IV). Han fallecido 4 pacientes, llevando sólo 1 sonda permanente en el momento del éxitus. La colocación de la endoprótesis se realizó con gel de xilocaína en 4 de estos 10 pacientes (40%). La técnica ha fracasado en 2 pacientes, uno requiriendo de sonda permanente por retención urinaria (hasta que falleció), y otro de extracción de la misma y adenomectomía por RAO. De entre los pacientes con estenosis de uretra (41,2% n =7), en uno hemos tenido que colocar una segunda prótesis telescopada sobre la primera (por desplazamiento caudal de ésta), habiendo realizado además 2 RTU de tejido hiperplásico intraprotésico en el mismo paciente. Subjetivamente, la puntuación media en la escala de Madsen-Iversen precirugía era de 22,5 frente a 7,78 postcirugía (p<0,005; test de Wilconson). También hubo mejorías objetivas en las medias de los flujos máximos pre y postcirugía (5,7ml/s a 20,9; p<0,005; test de Wilconson). CONCLUSIONES: Se trata de una técnica segura y sencilla, pudiendo colocarse con anestesia local de forma ambulante. Presenta baja tasa de complicaciones, con mejoría significativa de los parámetros flujométricos y del cuestionario de síntomas. Constituyen una muy buena opción a tener en cuenta en pacientes ancianos, retencionistas crónicos y con alto riesgo quirúrgico. Pueden ser una alternativa válida a la cirugía en pacientes con estenosis bulbares cortas, en los que no se hayan realizado colgajos con piel y que no tengan espongiofibrosis profunda

OBJECTIVES: UrolumeTM is a stent type, non magnetic, self expanding urethral endoprosthesis indicated to keep the urethral lumen in cases of infravesical obstruction. It has been approved by the food and drug administration. We present our experience with the use of this prosthesis in cases of obstruction secondary to BPH and urethral stenosis. METHODS: From April 1999 to July 2005 we implanted 18 UrolumeTM endoprosthesis in seventeen male patients; 10 of them had symptoms of BPH and 7 bulbar urethral stenosis. We analyze the results of our series. RESULTS: Mean patient age was 61 years [30-79], being the mean age for patients with bulbar prosthesis significantly lower. Among patients with BPH (58.8%, n = 10), 80% (n = 8) had indwelling catheter (40% with ASA III surgical risk and 60% ASA IV). 4 patients have died with only one of them having indwelling catheter at the time of death. The implantation of the endoprosthesis was performed with xylocaine gel in 4 of these 10 patients (40%). The technique failed in two patients, one of them required indwelling catheter for urinary retention (to the time of his death), and the other one extraction of the prosthesis and prostatic adenomectomy for acute urinary retention. Among patients with urethral stenosis (41.2%, n = 7), we needed to implant a second prosthesis telescoped with the first one in one case (due to distal displacement), and to perform 2 transurethral resections of intraprosthesic hyperplastic tissue in the same patient. Subjectively, the mean value of the Madsen-Iversen score before surgery was 22.5 in comparison to 7.78 after surgery (p < 0.005; Wilcoxon test). There were also objectives improvements in mean maximal flow before and after surgery (5.7 to 20.9ml/sec.;p < 0.005; Wilcoxon test). CONCLUSIONS: This is a safe and simple technique, which may be performed under local anesthesia as outpatient surgery. It has a low complication rate, significantly improves the flowmetry parameters and symptom questionnaire results. It is a very good option to be taken into consideration in old patients, with chronic urinary retention, and high surgical risk. It may be a valid alternative to surgery in patients with short bulbar urethral stenosis, without previous skin flap urethroplasty and not having spongiofibrosis