Clinicopathological findings, treatment, and outcome in 60 cats with gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia.

BACKGROUND: Gastrointestinal eosinophilic sclerosing fibroplasia (GESF) in cats presents as mass(es) associated with the gastrointestinal tract, mesentery, and abdominal lymph nodes. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: To report the clinicopathological findings, treatment, and outcome of cats with GESF. ANIMALS: Sixty client-owned cats diagnosed with GESF. METHODS: Retrospective review of medical records of cats with histopathologically confirmed GESF. RESULTS: The median age was 5.4 years (interquartile range [IQR], 3.3-8.9.); 30% were Domestic Shorthairs and 12% were Domestic Longhair cats, with the most prevalent pedigree breeds being Ragdolls (25%), Exotic Shorthair (10%) and Persian (8%) cats. The median duration of clinical signs was 90 days (IQR, 17.5-247.0); the most common clinical signs were weight loss (60%), hyporexia/anorexia (55%), chronic vomiting (37%), lethargy (35%) and chronic diarrhea (27%). Masses were located in the small intestine (32%), stomach (27%), ileocolic junction (15%), colon (10%), lymph node (8%) and mesentery (8%) and 15% of cats had >1 mass. Eosinophilia was present in 50% and hypoalbuminemia in 28% of cats. The mass was removed surgically in 37% of cases. Most cats (98%) were treated with corticosteroids. Survival was not statistically different between cats treated with surgical resection and cats treated with medical therapy alone, 88% of the cats were still alive at the time of writing. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: GESF is an important differential diagnosis for abdominal masses in cats, and has a much better prognosis than previously reported.

TRPV4 activation enhances compressive properties and glycosaminoglycan deposition of equine neocartilage sheets.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) cation channel modulation on mesenchymal stromal cell (MSC)-derived neocartilage. Methods: RT-PCR was performed to evaluate mRNA levels of chondrogenic, hypertrophic and candidate mechanoresponsive genes in equine neocartilage sheets exposed to pulses of the TRPV4 agonist (GSK101) at different concentrations (N â€‹= â€‹10). Biochemical assays and mechanical tests (double indentation and unconfined compression) evaluated neocartilage properties (N â€‹= â€‹5). Results: GSK101 treatment (1 â€‹nM) increased ACAN levels after treatment for 1-h per day for 3 days. No increase was detected for hypertrophic markers RUNX2, MMP13, MMP1, ALP or COL10A1 at this concentration. This treatment regimen also increased sGAG content and enhanced compressive properties compared to untreated controls. GSK101 showed no effect on candidate mechanoresponsive genes at the time-point of analysis. Conclusions: Chemical activation of TRPV4 signalling can be used as a strategy to enhance matrix synthesis and maturation of MSC-derived engineered neocartilage and augment its load-bearing capacity.

Canine anal sac gland carcinoma with regional lymph node metastases treated with sacculectomy and lymphadenectomy: Outcome and possible prognostic factors.

The staging system commonly used in canine anal sac gland carcinoma (ASGC) is a revised Tumour-Node-Metastasis (TNM) system published in 2007. This staging system consists in four stages and, for dogs with nodal metastases, the size of the metastatic lymph node (mLN) defines the N stage. However, we hypothesise that (1) the mLN size has no prognostic significance when the mLN can be excised, (2) a high number of mLNs is associated with poorer prognosis and (3) the measurement of the mLN on imaging is not reproducible. To investigate these hypotheses, medical records and diagnostic images of dogs with ASGC and mLN, treated with sacculectomy and lymphadenectomy, with or without chemotherapy, were reviewed. Interobserver variability for mLN measurement was assessed. Prognostic factors including mLN size and number were investigated. Time to documented progression (TDP) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were evaluated. Progression-free interval (PFI) was analysed with interval-censored data analysis. Fifty-seven dogs were included. The median PFI, TDP and DSS were 110 (95%CI 61.5-185.5), 196 (95%CI 162-283) and 340 days (95%CI 321-471), respectively. For measurement of the largest mLN, interobserver agreement was excellent but limits of agreement reached 39.7%. Neither the size of the largest mLN nor the use of adjuvant chemotherapy were associated with outcome. The number of mLNs was associated with outcome and having more than four mLNs was associated with shorter PFI (p < .001), TDP (p = .004) and DSS (p < .001). While mLN size measurement was not consistently reproducible and did not influence outcome in our cohort, number of mLNs did. Further studies are required for development of a revised staging system.

In Vitro and in Vivo Study of Poly(Lactic⁻co⁻Glycolic) (PLGA) Membranes Treated with Oxygen Plasma and Coated with Nanostructured Hydroxyapatite Ultrathin Films for Guided Bone Regeneration Processes.

The novelty of this study is the addition of an ultrathin layer of nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) on oxygen plasma modified poly(lactic⁻co⁻glycolic) (PLGA) membranes (PO2) in order to evaluate the efficiency of this novel material in bone regeneration. METHODS: Two groups of regenerative membranes were prepared: PLGA (control) and PLGA/PO2/HA (experimental). These membranes were subjected to cell cultures and then used to cover bone defects prepared on the skulls of eight experimental rabbits. RESULTS: Cell morphology and adhesion of the osteoblasts to the membranes showed that the osteoblasts bound to PLGA were smaller and with a lower number of adhered cells than the osteoblasts bound to the PLGA/PO2/HA membrane (p < 0.05). The PLGA/PO2/HA membrane had a higher percentage of viable cells bound than the control membrane (p < 0.05). Both micro-CT and histological evaluation confirmed that PLGA/PO2/HA membranes enhance bone regeneration. A statistically significant difference in the percentage of osteoid area in relation to the total area between both groups was found. CONCLUSIONS: The incorporation of nanometric layers of nanostructured HA into PLGA membranes modified with PO2 might be considered for the regeneration of bone defects. PLGA/PO2/HA membranes promote higher osteosynthetic activity, new bone formation, and mineralisation than the PLGA control group.

Enfermedades lisosomales / Lysosomal diseases

No disponible

Micropartículas circulantes de pacientes con enfermedad coronaria causan disfunción endotelial / Circulating microparticles from patients with coronary artery disease cause endothelial dysfunction

No disponible

Curva de aprendizaje de la cirugía mínimamente invasiva tipo subvasto limitado en la prótesis total de rodilla / Learning curve of the limited subvastus approach in minimally invasive surgery in total knee replacement

Objetivo. Distintos estudios demuestran que la prótesis total de rodilla por un abordaje mínimamente invasivo (CMI) tiene unos resultados funcionales y complicaciones semejantes a las series clásicas. Se pretende estudiar si esto es extrapolable al cirujano ortopédico general y describir la curva de aprendizaje. Material y método. Se incluyen 259 pacientes prospectivamente durante tres años. Se dividieron en 10 grupos de 26 prótesis cada uno, por orden cronológico. Se relacionaron las siguientes variables: días de ingreso, ángulos radiológicos, longitud de la incisión, tiempo de isquemia, complicaciones, puntuación de la escala HSS, niveles de hemoglobina y necesidad de transfusión sanguínea. Resultados. La media de días de ingreso hospitalario disminuyó de 7,9 días a 6,2 días. El tiempo medio de isquemia pasó de 120±15 a 95±20 minutos. Disminuyó la necesidad de transfusión. La longitud de la incisión aumentó de 8±0,5 a 9,5±1,1cm. El número de complicaciones descendió de 11,5% a 3,8%. No se encontraron diferencias en la colocación radiológica de los componentes ni en la escala HSS a los 6 meses ni al año. Conclusiones. La prótesis de rodilla por CMI tipo Quad Sparing realizada por un cirujano ortopédico general ofrece resultados a medio plazo equiparables a la cirugía convencional, con las ventajas de la CMI a corto plazo. La curva de aprendizaje para esta técnica es de 26 prótesis mejora el tiempo de isquemia, la necesidad de transfusión sanguínea y los días de ingreso hospitalario, no influye el resultado funcional final ni la colocación radiológica (AU)

Background. Minimally-invasive total knee arthroplasty performed by orthopaedic surgeons who are specialised in total knee arthroplasty leads to similar functional results and rates of complications as conventional procedures. The aim of this study is to find out whether this can be extrapolated to general orthopaedic surgeons, and also to describe the learning curve in this procedure. Material and methods. We included 259 patients over a three year period. The population was divided into 10 groups, 26 knee replacements in each group, allocated in chronological order. The following variables were recorded: hospitalisation in days, radiological angles, length of incision, tourniquet time, complications, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score, haemoglobin values and need for blood transfusion. Results. The mean number of hospitalisation days decreased from 7.9 to 6.2 days. Mean tourniquet time decreased from 120±15 to 95±20minutes. Packed red blood cells adminsitration decreased from a median of 2 packed cells to 0. Mean incision length increased from 8±0.5 to 9.5±1.1cm. Complications dropped from 11.5% to 3.8%. No differences were observed in the radiological angle of the prosthesis and HSS scores of patients in the different groups, 6 months and one year after surgery. Conclusions. Minimally-invasive total knee replacement surgery (MIS) can be performed by general orthopaedic surgeons with results that are comparable in the medium-term with conventional surgery, and with the short-term advantages afforded by MIS. The learning curve was 26 knee replacements. The variables that improve were tourniquet time, need for blood transfusion and length of hospitalisation. The final functional result and radiological positioning were not affected (AU)

Stress among Mansoura (Egypt) baccalaureate nursing students.

BACKGROUND: Over the last years, details regarding levels of stress and sources of stress have emerged in studies of nursing students in Western population To date, there only few similar reports on clinical stress, anxiety, depression among the Arab population .This study was conducted to examine the level of perceived stress among baccalaureate Mansoura nursing students and to highlight the possible predicting factors. METHODS: In this cross- sectional study, Data were obtained from 373 students using a self-administered questionnaire, including questions on sociodemographics, list of possible stressors, perceived stress, physical wellbeing factors, anxiety and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Prevalence of high stress level, anxiety and depression were 40.2%, 46.6% and 27.9%, respectively. On average each student reported a mean of 4.6 stressors and academic pressures were the most frequent stressors .In regression analysis the number of stressors and global sickness index score were predictors of high stress level. CONCLUSION: These findings call for introduction of stress management programs and psychiatric care into nursing health services of the University.

Schwannomatosis múltiple bilateral: a propósito de un caso / Multiple bilateral schwannomatosis: presentation of a case

La schwannomatosis múltiple es una rara entidad caracterizada por la aparición de tumoraciones de consistencia blanda afectando a la cubierta nerviosa. Es importante realizar el diagnóstico diferencial con otras tumoraciones de partes blandas como los gangliones. Presentamos el caso de un varón con schwannomas múltiples bilaterales a nivel de ambos miembros superiores, con una clínica muy florida y frecuentes recidivas, no descrito en la literatura revisada por nosotros. Es importante realizar un seguimiento periódico de estos pacientes para descartar nuevas recidivas tumorales. No se han descrito casos de transformación maligna hasta la fecha (AU)

Multiple schwannomatosis is a rare disease characterised by masses of soft consistency affecting the nerve sheaf. It is important make a differential diagnosis with other soft tissue tumours, such as ganglia. We present a rare case, not described in literature reviewed by us, of a man with bilateral multiple schwannomatosis affecting both upper limbs, with a very florid clinical appearance and frequent recurrences. It is important to carry out periodic reviews of these patients to rule out new recurrences. Up until now, there have been no reported cases of malignant transformation (AU)

Stress and health in novice and experienced nursing students.

AIM: This paper is a report of a study conducted to identify the differences in novice and experienced nursing students' reports of stress and health. BACKGROUND: Stress from clinical practice and its impact are international yet culturally mediated phenomena. Nursing students are under considerable stress during clinical practice periods, putting their education and health at risk. However, there is little or no empirical evidence about the stress suffered by nursing students and its impact on their health throughout clinical practice. METHODS: We performed cross-sectional research using standard information gathering tools. This study was carried out with 357 students from all 3 years of a nursing diploma programme at a Spanish nursing college (71% response rate). The data were collected over an 8-month period in 2004-2005. FINDINGS: We identified three types of stressors (clinical, academic and external) and two categories of symptoms (physiological and psychological) linked to clinical practice. Factor analysis identified six major sources of stress and six important symptoms. Students perceived clinical stressors more intensely than academic and external stressors, and showed psychological symptoms more frequently than physiological symptoms. Nursing students from all 3 years perceived moderate stress at similar levels. Experienced students perceived more academic stressors than novices. Although the students were healthy, second year students were the most vulnerable to somatic and psychic anxiety, and common symptoms. CONCLUSION: We suggest informing students about possible stressors associated with their profession, and introducing interventions to support development of professionalism, social skills and coping capacity for clinical practice.

Impacto psicosocial del Downsizing sobre los trabajadores / Psycho-social impact of Downsizing on workers

El presente trabajo intenta ahondar en lo expuesto en un trabajo anterior sobre el downsizing como fenómeno psicosociolaboral, analizando su impacto psicosocial. En primer lugar, se exponen los diferentes niveles de comprensión de este fenómeno, para pasar alanálisis de los efectos y consecuencias sobre las personas, diferenciando entre dos tipos de víctimas: a) los que se van de la organización (despedidos) y b) los que se quedan en la organización (supervivientes), prestando especial atención a lo que se conoce ya como el“síndrome del superviviente”, para lo que se aporta información sobre sus características, las variables moderadoras que intervienen y los modelos explicativos del mismo. Se termina con algunas consideraciones sobre la actualidad y relevancia de dicho síndrome sugiriendola idea de que el fenómeno del downsizing y sus consecuencias sobre las personas nos enfrenta a lo que podríamos ya considerar como un nuevo síndrome de la Psicopatología Laboral: el síndrome del superviviente

This article deepens into the issue addressed by a previous paper: downsizing. This is examined as a psycho-social work phenomenon, by analyzing its psycho-social impact. Firstly, we describe the different levels of understanding of this phenomenon, and then we analyze the effects and consequences on people. To kind of victims are distinguished: a) employees who leave the organization -who are made redundant; and b) employees who remain in the organization (survivors), paying particular attention to what is known as “survivor’ssyndrome”, and including information about the main features and moderating variables involved, and the explanatory models. Finally, some considerations are madeabout the current relevance of this syndrome and the idea that the phenomenon of downsizing and its impact on the people affected could now be considered a new syndrome of work-related psychopathology –the survivor’s syndrome