Use and comparison of serologic assays to detect anti-Neospora caninum antibodies in farmed red deer (Cervus elaphus).

Neospora caninum is a protozoan parasite that cause abortion in different ruminant species, including red deer ( Cervus elaphus). There are no validated assays to be performed with sera from red deer. At the present work, we evaluated the agreement among indirect fluorescent antibody test (IFAT), competitive inhibition ELISA based on a recombinant protein (ciELISA tSAG1) and immunoblot (IB) to detect anti- N. caninum antibodies in a red deer herd that presented reproductive losses due to N. caninum. In addition, we analyzed the relationship between the serologic results and 15 hinds were analyzed by IFAT, ciELISA tSAG1 and IB to detect anti- N. caninum antibodies. In the three assays, the cut-off established for cattle was used. Besides, sera were analyzed by IFAT to detect anti- Toxoplasma gondii antibodies. The hinds were monitored by ultrasound scanning during the gestational period to detect abortions. Gwet's agreement coefficient (AC1) and the percentage of agreement were used to estimate the agreement between pairs of assays. Chi-square test and odds ratio (OR) were used for the statistical association between abortion and seropositivity to N. caninum or to T. gondii. The N. caninum seropositivity rate was 53.9% (62/115), 57.4% (66/115) and 55.7% (64/115) for IFAT, ciELISA tSAG1 and IB, respectively. The AC1 and percentage of agreement were 0.760% and 87.8% for the pair ciELISA tSAG1 /IFAT, 0.793% and 89.6% for the pair IFAT/IB, and 0.966% and 98.3% for the pair IB/ciELISA tSAG1. The T. gondii seropositivity rate was 53.0% (61/115). Seropositive hinds to N. caninum were more likely to abort than seronegative hinds by the 3 assays. The OR for the association between N. caninum seropositivity and abortion was 72.70, 22.96 and 83.24 when ciELISA tSAG1, IFAT or IB assays were used, respectively. between T. gondii seropositivity and abortion. The three serologic assays were useful to detect N. caninum infected hinds. The validation of the assays for use in red deer would be an improvement for diagnosis of neosporosis in this species.

Gastrointestinal colonization by OXA-48-producing Enterobacterales: risk factors for persistent carriage.

Carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE) infections are a major health problem. Intestinal colonization is a key factor in developing infection. However, factors associated with persistent colonization by CRE are unknown. The aim of the study was to identify factors associated with persistent CRE gut colonization. This is a retrospective, single-centre, observational study of adult patients with CRE gut colonization between January 2015 and January 2020. Epidemiologic characteristics, comorbidities, infectious events, duration of hospitalization and antimicrobial treatment received in the follow-up period were collected. Colonization was defined as isolation in at least 2 rectal swab culture samples of CRE. Decolonization was defined as 3 negative rectal swab cultures or 2 negative cultures and a negative molecular test. A cohort of 86 patients with CRE gut colonization was selected: 44 patients with spontaneous decolonization (DC) and 42 patients with persistent colonization (PC). The mean follow-up period was 24 months (IQR 14-33) in the DC group vs. 25 months (IQR 16-36) in the PC group (p = 0.478). Patient characteristics were similar between both groups. Colonization by other MDR microorganisms was high (44 patients, 51%) and slightly more common in the PC group (PC 60% vs. DC 43%, p = 0.139). The use of ceftazidime-avibactam was more common among the PC group (PC 33% vs. DC 14%, p = 0.041). We observed a higher percentage of antimicrobial therapy in the previous 30 days (PC 68% vs. DC 57%, p = 0.371) and 90 days (PC 81% vs. DC 82%, p = 0.353) in the PC group. Multivariable analysis showed that patients that have received ceftazidime-avibactam therapy (OR 4.9 95% CI [1.45-16.39], p = 0.010), and those colonized by other MDR microorganisms (OR 2.5, 95% CI [0.96-6.25], p = 0.060) presented a higher risk of PC. Ceftazidime-avibactam use and colonization by other MDR microorganisms might be associated with CRE persistent gut colonization.

Estudio de percepción de seguridad en pacientes aislados y no aislados en un hospital de agudos y análisis de concordancia con su identificación por los profesionales / Study of perception of security in isolated and non-isolated patients in an acute hospital and concordance analysis with their identification by the professionals

Objetivo: Evaluar la percepción del paciente sobre la ocurrencia de incidentes relacionados con la seguridad (IRS) y eventosadversos (EA) en pacientes sometidos a precauciones de transmisión (pacientes aislados) y pacientes no aislados durante suingreso hospitalario y compararlo con los identificados por los profesionales sanitarios en la revisión de las historias clínicas en unhospital público universitario de agudos de la provincia de Alicante.Metodología: Estudio transversal mediante encuesta telefónica a pacientes aislados y no aislados con cuestionario validado depercepción de seguridad sobre la ocurrencia de IRS y EA y posterior análisis de concordancia mediante coeficiente Kappa con losidentificados por el personal sanitario en la revisión de historias clínicas.Resultados: Los pacientes aislados respecto a los no aislados, manifestaron haber tenido menos complicaciones médicas poralguna medicación y estas eran poco graves. Por el contrario, manifestaron tener algo más de complicaciones médicas porintervenciones quirúrgicas y ser poco graves. Finalmente, opinaron haber padecido más eventos adversos, respecto a los noaislados. Las diferencias no fueron estadísticamente significativas. En los resultados del índice de concordancia (índice Kappa),de identificación de EA de los pacientes durante su ingreso, y los identificados por los profesionales sanitarios en la revisión de lashistorias clínicas, se observó una fuerza de concordancia leve (Kappa= 0,061).Discusión: Los resultados de nuestro estudio pueden estar influenciados por una escasa información a los pacientes sobre suproceso clínico (diagnóstico, tratamientos y efectos adversos, etc...), esto podría ser la causa del bajo nivel de detección porlos pacientes de los incidentes relacionados con la seguridad que hayan podido suceder durante su ingreso hospitalario...(AU)

Objective: To evaluate the perception of the patient about the occurrences of IRS and AE in patients subjected to transmissionprecautions (isolated patients) and non-isolated patients during their hospital admission and compare it with those identified bythe health professionals in the review of the medical records in a public university hospital for acute care in the province of Alicante.Methodology: Cross-sectional study using a telephone survey in isolated and non-isolated patients with a validated questionnaire in the perception of safety on the occurrence of IRS and AEs and subsequent concordance analysis using the Kappa coefficient withthe identifiers by the health personnel in the review of medical records.Results: The isolated patients compared to the non-isolated ones, stated that they had fewer medical complications due to anymedication and these were not serious. On the contrary, they stated that they had slightly more medical complications fromsurgical interventions and that they were not very serious. Finally, they thought they had suffered more adverse events, comparedto those not isolated. The differences were not statistically significant. In the results of the concordance index (Kappa index), forthe identification of AEs of the patients during their admission, and those identified by the health professionals in the review of themedical records, a slight strength of concordance was discovered (Kappa= 0.061).Discussion: The results of our study may be influenced by insufficient information given to patients about their clinical process(diagnosis, treatments and adverse effects, etc...), this could be the cause of the low level of detection by patients of incidentsrelated to the security that may have happened during their hospital admission...(AU)

[Symptomatic osteosynthesis in calcaneal fracture: implant colonization as a cause of pain]. / Osteosíntesis sintomática en fractura de calcáneo: colonización de implante como causa del dolor.

Calcaneal fracture is unusual and carries high costs at long term because its associated morbidity. Surgical treatment of this fracture by extended lateral approach has risks like wound healing up to 20%. One of the causes of chronic pain is subtalar arthropathy, but it is important to rule out other causes as implant associated infection. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the presence of germs in the implant through extraction, sonication and culture. Cases with evident infection, subtalar arthropathy, non union or subtalar fusion concomitant surgery were excluded. The data includes open fracture history, wound healing complication, time between surgeries, cause to implant extraction and cultures results. A positive culture rate of 33.3% was obtained. We consider it is important to have in mind the implant associated infection as a cause of pain in these patients, with the aim to study microbiologically each case and choose the right strategy of treatment.

La fractura de calcáneo es poco frecuente y tiene altos costos asociados a largo plazo por su morbilidad asociada. El tratamiento quirúrgico de estas fracturas mediante la vía de abordaje lateral extendido tiene riesgos de complicación de herida quirúrgica que pueden superar 20%. Dentro de las causas del dolor secuelar, la más frecuente es la artropatía subtalar, pero se deben descartar otras como la infección asociada al implante. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la presencia de gérmenes en el implante mediante su extracción, sonicación y cultivo. Se excluyeron los casos con clínica de infección, artropatía subtalar, seudoartrosis y cirugía de artrodesis subastragalina concomitante. Se registró antecedente de fractura expuesta, complicación de herida operatoria, tiempo entre cirugías, motivo de la ablación del implante y resultados de cultivos con los gérmenes identificados. Se obtuvo una tasa de cultivos positivos de 33.3%. Consideramos que es importante tener en cuenta la infección asociada al implante como causa del dolor en este tipo de pacientes, con el fin de estudiar microbiológicamente los casos y entregar el tratamiento adecuado cuando corresponda.

Puesta al día en electroestimulación vesical y vejiga neurógena en pediatría: una revisión sistemática / Update on vesical electrostimulation and neuropatic bladder in pediatrics: A sistematic review

Introducción y objetivo: La electroestimulación vesical ha surgido como nueva alternativa en el manejo de pacientes adultos con disfunciones vesicales de origen neuropático. A pesar de que numerosos trabajos han probado la eficacia y la seguridad de esta terapia en este grupo de edad, todavía son escasos los estudios que demuestran su éxito en la vejiga neuropática pediátrica. Material y métodos. Realizamos una revisión sistemática de los estudios que evalúan el impacto de la electroestimulación vesical en pacientes pediátricos (0-18 años) con vejiga de origen neurógeno. La búsqueda identificó 9.716 artículos potencialmente elegibles. Finalmente, 11 trabajos publicados entre 1992 y 2019 cumplieron los criterios necesarios para formar parte del estudio y fueron seleccionados para la presente revisión sistemática. Resultados: No encontramos una tendencia común entre los resultados obtenidos de los estudios incluidos en la presente revisión. A pesar de que la mayoría de ellos demostró individualmente una tasa de eficacia óptima y una alta seguridad, la superioridad de esta terapia frente a los fármacos anticolinérgicos no pudo establecerse. Por tanto, hasta la fecha, sus resultados continúan siendo controvertidos. Además, la metodología entre los diferentes estudios fue muy diversa, lo que dificultó la comparación entre los resultados obtenidos de cada uno de ellos. Conclusiones: Dado el potencial riesgo de insuficiencia renal que presentan los pacientes pediátricos con vejiga neurógena, las alternativas terapéuticas utilizadas en su manejo deben tener una eficacia demostrada. Así, ante la ausencia de evidencia con respecto a la electroestimulación vesical en este grupo de pacientes, por el momento su utilización debería ser limitada y excepcional.

Introduction and objective: Bladder neuromodulation has emerged as a new alternative in the management of adults with bladder dysfunctions from a neuropathic origin. Despite the fact that, numerous studies have proven the efficacy and safety of this therapy in adults’ patients, there are however, still few studies that demonstrate its success in paediatric neuropathic bladder. Materials and methods: We perform a systematic review of the studies which analysed the impact of bladder electrostimulation in paediatric patients (0 to 18 years) with a neurogenic origin. The search identified 9716 potentially articles. Finally, 11 papers published between 1992 and 2019 fulfilled the necessary criteria to be part of our study and were selected for the systematic review. Results: We did not find a common trend among the results obtained from the studies included in the present review. Most of the studies demonstrated an optimal efficacy rate and high safety, but however the superiority of this therapy over anticholinergic drugs could not be established due the presented results. For this fact, these results continue to be controversial. Furthermore, the methodology between the different studies was very huge, which made it difficult to compare the results obtained from each one of them. Conclusions: Given the potential risk of renal failure presented by paediatric patients with neurogenic bladder, the therapeutic alternatives used in the management of this disease must have a proven efficacy. For this reason, and after the review, due the absence of evidence regarding bladder electrotherapy in this group of patients, its use should be limited and exceptional. Bladder neuromodulation has emerged as a new alternative in the management of adult patients with bladder dysfunctions of neuropathic origin...(AU)

[Update on vesical electrostimulation and neuropatic bladder in pediatrics: A sistematic review]. / Puesta al día en electroestimulación vesical y vejiga neurógena en pediatría: una revisión sistemática.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Bladder neuromodulation has emerged as a new alternative in the management of adults with bladder dysfunctions from a neuropathic origin. Despite the fact that, numerous studies have proven the efficacy and safety of this therapy in adults' patients, there are however, still few studies that demonstrate its success in paediatric neuropathic bladder. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We perform a systematic review of the studies which analysed the impact of bladder electrostimulation in paediatric patients (0 to 18 years) with a neurogenic origin. The search identified 9716 potentially articles. Finally, 11 papers published between 1992 and 2019 fulfilled the necessary criteria to be part of our study and were selected for the systematic review. RESULTS: We did not find a common trend among the results obtained from the studies included in the present review. Most of the studies demonstrated an optimal efficacy rate and high safety, but however the superiority of this therapy over anticholinergic drugs could not be established due the presented results. For this fact, these results continue to be controversial. Furthermore, the methodology between the different studies was very huge, which made it difficult to compare the results obtained from each one of them. CONCLUSIONS: Given the potential risk of renal failure presented by paediatric patients with neurogenic bladder, the therapeutic alternatives used in the management of this disease must have a proven efficacy. For this reason, and after the review, due the absence of evidence regarding bladder electrotherapy in this group of patients, its use should be limited and exceptional. Bladder neuromodulation has emerged as a new alternative in the management of adult patients with bladder dysfunctions of neuropathic origin. Despite the fact that numerous studies have proven the efficacy and safety of this therapy in this age group, there are still few studies that show its success in paediatric neuropathic bladder.

TITLE: Puesta al día en electroestimulación vesical y vejiga neurógena en pediatría: una revisión sistemática.Introducción y objetivo. La electroestimulación vesical ha surgido como nueva alternativa en el manejo de pacientes adultos con disfunciones vesicales de origen neuropático. A pesar de que numerosos trabajos han probado la eficacia y la seguridad de esta terapia en este grupo de edad, todavía son escasos los estudios que demuestran su éxito en la vejiga neuropática pediátrica. Material y métodos. Realizamos una revisión sistemática de los estudios que evalúan el impacto de la electroestimulación vesical en pacientes pediátricos (0-18 años) con vejiga de origen neurógeno. La búsqueda identificó 9.716 artículos potencialmente elegibles. Finalmente, 11 trabajos publicados entre 1992 y 2019 cumplieron los criterios necesarios para formar parte del estudio y fueron seleccionados para la presente revisión sistemática. Resultados. No encontramos una tendencia común entre los resultados obtenidos de los estudios incluidos en la presente revisión. A pesar de que la mayoría de ellos demostró individualmente una tasa de eficacia óptima y una alta seguridad, la superioridad de esta terapia frente a los fármacos anticolinérgicos no pudo establecerse. Por tanto, hasta la fecha, sus resultados continúan siendo controvertidos. Además, la metodología entre los diferentes estudios fue muy diversa, lo que dificultó la comparación entre los resultados obtenidos de cada uno de ellos. Conclusiones. Dado el potencial riesgo de insuficiencia renal que presentan los pacientes pediátricos con vejiga neurógena, las alternativas terapéuticas utilizadas en su manejo deben tener una eficacia demostrada. Así, ante la ausencia de evidencia con respecto a la electroestimulación vesical en este grupo de pacientes, por el momento su utilización debería ser limitada y excepcional.

Osteosíntesis sintomática en fractura de calcáneo: colonización de implante como causa del dolor / Symptomatic osteosynthesis in calcaneal fracture: implant colonization as a cause of pain

Resumen: La fractura de calcáneo es poco frecuente y tiene altos costos asociados a largo plazo por su morbilidad asociada. El tratamiento quirúrgico de estas fracturas mediante la vía de abordaje lateral extendido tiene riesgos de complicación de herida quirúrgica que pueden superar 20%. Dentro de las causas del dolor secuelar, la más frecuente es la artropatía subtalar, pero se deben descartar otras como la infección asociada al implante. El objetivo de este estudio es determinar la presencia de gérmenes en el implante mediante su extracción, sonicación y cultivo. Se excluyeron los casos con clínica de infección, artropatía subtalar, seudoartrosis y cirugía de artrodesis subastragalina concomitante. Se registró antecedente de fractura expuesta, complicación de herida operatoria, tiempo entre cirugías, motivo de la ablación del implante y resultados de cultivos con los gérmenes identificados. Se obtuvo una tasa de cultivos positivos de 33.3%. Consideramos que es importante tener en cuenta la infección asociada al implante como causa del dolor en este tipo de pacientes, con el fin de estudiar microbiológicamente los casos y entregar el tratamiento adecuado cuando corresponda.

Abstract: Calcaneal fracture is unusual and carries high costs at long term because its associated morbidity. Surgical treatment of this fracture by extended lateral approach has risks like wound healing up to 20%. One of the causes of chronic pain is subtalar arthropathy, but it is important to rule out other causes as implant associated infection. The aim of this study is to demonstrate the presence of germs in the implant through extraction, sonication and culture. Cases with evident infection, subtalar arthropathy, non union or subtalar fusion concomitant surgery were excluded. The data includes open fracture history, wound healing complication, time between surgeries, cause to implant extraction and cultures results. A positive culture rate of 33.3% was obtained. We consider it is important to have in mind the implant associated infection as a cause of pain in these patients, with the aim to study microbiologically each case and choose the right strategy of treatment.

Biomechanical models of in vitro constructs for spinopelvic osteosynthesis.

Spinopelvic lesions are the result of high-energy vertical trauma with axial skeletal overload where the spine impacts onto the sacrum, dissociating the lumbar spine from the pelvis. Therefore, lumbopelvic instrumentations are aimed to counteract these vertical forces, although various biomechanical aspects of the combinations of different constructs (with or without iliosacral screws) or the number of lumbar fixation levels (L5 or the combination of L5 with L4) are subject to controversy. The number of patients in each published series is too short, and the nature of the fixation is very different from one article to another, making comparison very difficult. In this paper the methodology for laboratory studies is discussed. The design of the test bench fixture, biomechanical testing protocol and data analysis are very important when inference to the clinical setting is desired.

Skin manifestations of COVID-19 in children: Part 2.

The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The initial recognized symptoms were respiratory, sometimes culminating in severe respiratory distress requiring ventilation, and causing death in a percentage of those infected. As time has passed, other symptoms have been recognized. The initial reports of cutaneous manifestations were from Italian dermatologists, probably because Italy was the first European country to be heavily affected by the pandemic. The overall clinical presentation, course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children differ from those in adults, as do the cutaneous manifestations of childhood. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 in children after thorough and critical review of articles published in the literature and from the personal experience of a large panel of paediatric dermatologists in Europe. In Part 1, we discussed one of the first and most widespread cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19, chilblain-like lesions. In this part of the review, we describe other manifestations, including erythema multiforme, urticaria and Kawasaki disease-like inflammatory multisystemic syndrome. In Part 3, we discuss the histological findings of COVID-19 manifestations, and the testing and management of infected children for both COVID-19 and any other pre-existing conditions.

Skin manifestations of COVID-19 in children: Part 1.

The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The initial recognized symptoms were respiratory, sometimes culminating in severe respiratory distress requiring ventilation, and causing death in a percentage of those infected. As time has passed, other symptoms have been recognized. The initial reports of cutaneous manifestations were from Italian dermatologists, probably because Italy was the first European country to be heavily affected by the pandemic. The overall clinical presentation, course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children differ from those in adults as do the cutaneous manifestations of childhood. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 in children after thorough and critical review of articles published in the literature and from the personal experience of a large panel of paediatric dermatologists in Europe. In Part 1, we discuss one of the first and most widespread cutaneous manifestation of COVID-19, chilblain-like lesions. In Part 2, we review other manifestations, including erythema multiforme, urticaria and Kawasaki disease-like inflammatory multisystemic syndrome, while in Part 3, we discuss the histological findings of COVID-19 manifestations, and the testing and management of infected children, for both COVID-19 and any other pre-existing conditions.

Skin manifestations of COVID-19 in children: Part 3.

The current COVID-19 pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus. The initial recognized symptoms were respiratory, sometimes culminating in severe respiratory distress requiring ventilation, and causing death in a percentage of those infected. As time has passed, other symptoms have been recognized. The initial reports of cutaneous manifestations were from Italian dermatologists, probably because Italy was the first European country to be heavily affected by the pandemic. The overall clinical presentation, course and outcome of SARS-CoV-2 infection in children differ from those in adults as do the cutaneous manifestations of childhood. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on the cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19 in children after thorough and critical review of articles published in the literature and from the personal experience of a large panel of paediatric dermatologists in Europe. In Part 1, we discuss one of the first and most widespread cutaneous manifestations of COVID-19, chilblain-like lesions, and in Part 2 we expanded to other manifestations, including erythema multiforme, urticaria and Kawasaki disease-like inflammatory multisystemic syndrome. In this part of the review, we discuss the histological findings of COVID-19 manifestations, and the testing and management of infected children for both COVID-19 and any other pre-existing conditions.

[Sacral electrical neurostimulation in the refractory pediatric overactive bladder].

Urinary incontinence is one of the principal reasons for visiting the urologist amongst paediatric patients, and an overactive bladder is the vesical dysfunction that most frequently provokes this. Currently the only medicine approved for managing an overactive bladder is oxybutynin; however, many patients respond partially to this therapy or are refractory to it. Vesical electrotherapy has emerged as a new alternative in the algorithm for managing patients with an overactive bladder refractory to anticholinergic medicines, but the evidence on this issue has to date been scant. We present the case of a 12-year-old patient with an overactive bladder refractory to oxybutynin and solifenacin who presented a good response to treatment with sacral vesical electrotherapy, with complete disappearance of the symptoms (diurnal incontinence and urgency of micturition) without adverse effects.

[DRESS syndrome, a differencial diagnosis in late postoperative complications]. / Síndrome de DRESS en el diagnóstico diferencial de las complicaciones postquirúrgicas.

The DRESS syndrome (drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms) is a serious pharmacodermia which must be taken into account when establishing an optimal early treatment to prevent a systemic and potentially lethal evolution. Pharmacodermias are the third most frequent cause of adverse effects during surgical hospitalization, after nosocomial infections and intraoperative complications. In most cases, they pose a challenge to the surgeon, since their onset is nonspecific and, therefore, can be easily mistaken for a surgery complication. We present the case of a 54-year-old man, healthy and without relevant background, who was operated on two times due to spontaneous abdominal bleeding. Three weeks after the last surgery, and coinciding with the administration of oral metamizole, the patient developed a DRESS syndrome. The initial unspecific deterioration, characteristic of this syndrome, is the main cause of the delay in diagnosis and correct treatment, causing the resulting evolution to systemic affectation.

Interventions for infantile haemangiomas of the skin: abridged Cochrane systematic review and GRADE assessments.

BACKGROUND: Infantile haemangiomas (IH) are soft swellings of the skin that occur in 3-10% of infants. When haemangiomas occur in high-risk areas or when complications develop, active intervention is necessary. OBJECTIVE: To update a Cochrane Review assessing the interventions for the management of IH in children. METHODS: We searched for randomized controlled trials in CENTRAL, MEDLINE, Embase, LILACS, AMED, PsycINFO, CINAHL and six trials registers up to February 2017. We included 28 trials (1728 participants) assessing 12 interventions. RESULTS: We downgraded evidence from high to moderate/low for issues related to risk of bias and imprecision. Oral propranolol (3 mg kg-1 daily) probably improves clinician-assessed clearance vs placebo [risk ratio (RR) 16·61, 95% confidence interval (CI) 4·22-65·34; moderate quality of evidence (QoE)]; we found no evidence of a difference in terms of serious adverse events (RR 1·05, 95% CI 0·33-3·39; low QoE). We found the chance of reduction of redness may be improved with topical timolol maleate (0·5% gel applied twice daily) when compared with placebo (RR 8·11, 95% CI 1·09-60·09; low QoE). We found no instances of bradycardia or hypotension for this comparison. CONCLUSIONS: Our key results indicate that oral propranolol and topical timolol maleate are more beneficial than placebo in terms of clearance or other measures of resolution, or both, without an increase in harm.

[Appendicitis, an unusual cause of acute abdomen in neonatal patients. A case report]. / Apendicitis como causa de abdomen agudo en etapa neonatal. A propósito de un caso.

Appendicitis is the most frequent surgical disease in childhood, but it is very uncommon in the neonatal period. In this period of life, a delay in diagnosis (frequently due to the rareness of this pathology and lack of clinical suspicion) and consequently in therapeutic approach, frequently results in appendicular perforation and a subsequently poor evolution of this pathology. We present the case of a neonate with a history of Down's syndrome and Fallot's tetralogy. Due to her basal cardiopathy, she required surgical intervention to create a systemic-pulmonary fistula, as a temporary bridge until definitive cardiac surgery could be performed. In the postoperative period of this surgery she presented fever, acute abdomen and abdominal radiography compatible with pneumoperitoneum. An emergency laparotomy was performed, which revealed peritonitis secondary to a cecal gangrenous appendix with perforation in its middle third. Neonatal appendicitis is usually associated with diseases such as cystic fibrosis, necrotizing enterocolitis, or Hirschsprung's disease, as in the case of our patient. In neonates with acute abdomen and presence of pneumoperitoneum, appendicitis must be part of the differential diagnosis and requires urgent surgical intervention. Despite this, it presents a high rate of morbidity and mortality. Once the definitive diagnosis is made, any basal pathology that justifies its presence should be discarded.

Endoscopic balloon dilatation in primary obstructive megaureter: Long-term results.

BACKGROUND: Open neoureterocystostomy is the traditional surgical treatment for primary obstructive megaureter (POM). Endoscopic balloon dilation is a new minimally invasive alternative. It has been shown to be a safe and effective endoscopic procedure over short-term follow-up; however, few studies have shown its long-term efficacy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the long-term results and complications of balloon dilation for the treatment of primary obstructive megaureter in infants. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A retrospective review was performed of patients with primary obstructive megaureter treated with balloon dilation. The diagnosis was made through ultrasonography, diuretic isotopic renogram, and voiding cystourethrogram (VCUG). The indications for surgery were: worsening hydronephrosis, renal function impairment, and recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI). All patients were followed 3 months after the endoscopic procedure with ultrasonography and MAG-3 renogram, and 6 months after surgery with VCUG and ultrasonography. Annual ultrasound and clinical follow-up were performed until present time. RESULTS: Seven boys and six girls were treated (median age 9 months, range 2-24). Ten patients had a prenatal diagnosis of hydronephrosis, and the diagnoses was made after UTI in three patients. No intraoperative complications were observed. One double-J stent was replaced after endoscopic procedure for malpositioning, and four patients developed UTIs after surgery. All patients had non-obstructive MAG-3 diuretic renogram 6 months after surgery. The mean washout on the renogram and the ultrasound pelvic diameter showed pre-operative and postoperative statistical differences (Summary Table). All patients maintained their results without recurrence or any other complications in the long-term follow-up. The median follow-up was 10.3 years (range 4.7-12.2). DISCUSION: In 2014, Aparicio et al. first described balloon dilation being used as a definitive treatment for primary obstructive megaureter in infants. Bujons et al. also presented 20 cases with a mean follow-up of 6.9 years. The current study is the largest to date, with a median follow-up of 10.2 years. It demonstrated the value of balloon dilation as a definitive treatment for POM. Despite these results, it was difficult to establish endoscopic balloon dilation as a definitive treatment for POM, due to the absence of long-term studies like the current one. CONCLUSION: Balloon dilation can be a safe and effective endoscopic procedure for the treatment of primary obstructive megaureter in infants, and has shown good outcomes in long-term follow-up. More studies are needed to demonstrate these results.

Genetic relationships among American donkey populations: insights into the process of colonization.

This study presents the first insights into the genetic diversity and structure of the American donkey metapopulation. The primary objectives were to detect the main structural features underlying variability among American donkey populations, identify boundaries between differentiated gene pools, and draw the main colonization pathways since the introduction of donkeys into America in the 15th century. A panel of 14 microsatellite markers was applied for genotyping 350 American donkeys from 13 countries. The genetic structure of this metapopulation was analysed using descriptive statistics and Bayesian model-based methods. These populations were then compared to a database containing information on 476 individuals from 11 European breeds to identify the most likely ancestral donor populations. Results showed the presence of two distinct genetic pools, with confluence of the two in Colombia. The southern pool showed a unique genetic signature subsequent to an older founder event, but lacked any significant influence of modern gene flow from Europe. The northern pool, conversely, may have retained more ancestral polymorphisms and/or have experienced modern gene flow from Spanish breeds. The Andalusian and, to a lesser extent, the Catalan breeds have left a more pronounced footprint in some of the American donkey populations analysed.