Impact of the Spanish smoke-free laws on cigarette sales by brands, 2000-2021: Evidence from a club convergence approach.

INTRODUCTION: In January 2006, the Spanish government enacted a tobacco control law that banned the advertising, promotion and sponsorship of tobacco. In January 2011, further legislation on this matter was adopted to provide a more restrictive specification of the ban. In this study, we analyze the effect produced on cigarette sales by these two prohibitions. We address this problem using a cluster time-series analysis to test whether the sales of cigarettes by brands have been homogenized with the prohibition of advertising, promotion, and sponsorship. METHODS: The data source used was the official data on legal sales of cigarettes by brands in Spain, from January 2005 to December 2021 (excluding the Canary Islands and the Autonomous Communities of the cities of Ceuta and Melilla). To achieve our objective, we used log(t) test statistics to check if there is global convergence in the three selected periods according to the regulatory changes that have occurred in Spain (2005-2021, 2005-2010 and 2011-2021). Second, once absolute convergence is rejected, we applied a clustering algorithm to test for the existence of subgroup convergence. RESULTS: The cigarette brands that have been marketed during the period 2005-2021 (n=40), can only be grouped into three groups according to the behavior of their sales. When we focus on the period 2005-2010 (n=74), cigarette brands are grouped into five groups according to their sales behavior. Finally, the cigarette brands marketed during the period 2011-2021 (n=67) are grouped into three groups according to the temporal evolution of their sales. These results suggest a greater homogenization of cigarette sales after the application of the law of January 2011. CONCLUSIONS: Act 42/2010 (total ban on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship actions) was associated with greater homogenization of cigarette sales than the application of Act 28/2005 (partial ban). This finding supports what is established in the previous literature that indicates that Act 42/2010 provided a more restrictive specification of the ban than Act 28/2005.

Prognostic impact of MYD88 and CXCR4 mutations assessed by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction in IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and smouldering Waldenström macroglobulinaemia.

Waldenström macroglobulinaemia (WM) is characterized by recurrent somatic mutations in MYD88 and CXCR4 genes. However, limitations arise when analysing these mutations in IgM monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or smouldering WM (SWM) given the lower tumour load. Here, we used droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) to analyse MYD88 L265P and CXCR4 S338* mutations (C1013G and C1013A) in unsorted bone marrow (BM) or cell-free DNA (cfDNA) samples from 101 IgM MGUS and 69 SWM patients. ddPCR was more sensitive to assess MYD88 L265P compared to allele-specific PCR, especially in IgM MGUS (64% vs 39%). MYD88 mutation burden correlated with other laboratory biomarkers, particularly BM infiltration (r = 0.8; p < 0.001). CXCR4 C1013G was analysed in MYD88-mutated samples with available genomic DNA and was detected in 19/54 (35%) and 18/42 (43%) IgM MGUS and SWM cases respectively, also showing correlation with BM involvement (r = 0.9; p < 0.001). ddPCR also detected 8 (38%) and 10 (63%) MYD88-mutated cfDNA samples in IgM MGUS and SWM respectively. Moreover, high BM mutation burden (≥8% MYD88 and ≥2% CXCR4) was associated with an increased risk of progression to symptomatic WM. We show the clinical applicability of ddPCR to assess MYD88 and CXCR4 in IgM MGUS and SWM and provide a molecular-based risk classification.

Mutational Landscape and Tumor Burden Assessed by Cell-free DNA in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in a Population-Based Study.

PURPOSE: We analyzed the utility of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in a prospective population-based cohort to determine the mutational profile, assess tumor burden, and estimate its impact in response rate and outcome in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: A total of 100 patients were diagnosed with DLBCL during the study period. Mutational status of 112 genes was studied in cfDNA by targeted next-generation sequencing. Paired formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples and volumetric PET/CT were assessed when available. RESULTS: Appropriate cfDNA to perform the analyses was obtained in 79 of 100 cases. At least one mutation could be detected in 69 of 79 cases (87%). The sensitivity of cfDNA to detect the mutations was 68% (95% confidence interval, 56.2-78.7). The mutational landscape found in cfDNA samples was highly consistent with that shown in the tissue and allowed genetic classification in 43% of the cases. A higher amount of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) significantly correlated with clinical parameters related to tumor burden (elevated lactate dehydrogenase and ß2-microglobulin serum levels, advanced stage, and high-risk International Prognostic Index) and total metabolic tumor volume assessed by PET/CT. In patients treated with curative intent, high ctDNA levels (>2.5 log hGE/mL) were associated with lower complete response (65% vs. 96%; P < 0.004), shorter progression-free survival (65% vs. 85%; P = 0.038), and overall survival (73% vs. 100%; P = 0.007) at 2 years, although it did not maintain prognostic value in multivariate analyses. CONCLUSIONS: In a population-based prospective DLBCL series, cfDNA resulted as an alternative source to estimate tumor burden and to determine the tumor mutational profile and genetic classification, which have prognostic implications and may contribute to a future tailored treatment.

Calidad, satisfacción y valor percibido de lós usuarios de un servicio deportivo público / uality, satisfaction and perceived value of users of public service sports

El objetivo del estudio fue evaluar y establecer modelos de predicción de la calidad percibida, satisfacción y valor percibido de los usuarios de un servicio deportivo. La muestra estuvo formada por 646 usuarios. Cada sujeto cumplimentó un cuestionario cuyas propiedades psicométricas le otorgaron validez. Los resultados obtenidos revelaron que la calidad del servicio deportivo recibido fue buena, resultando los factores técnicos y personal los mejor valorados y siendo la información proporcionada a los usuarios el punto más débil. También positiva fue la valoración de la satisfacción y del valor percibido y dependieron principalmente de un factor intangible como las actividades.

The objetive of this study was to evaluate the perceived quality, satisfaction and perceived value of the sports service users. The sample consisted of 646 users. Each user filled in a self-administered questionnaire, which gave their valid psychometric properties to assess the perceived quality, satisfaction and perceived value. The results obtained showed that the quality of service received was good sport, being the technical and service personnel the best values and the information being provided to the weakest users. Also positive was the assessment of satisfaction and perceived value to the user. Both satisfaction and perceived value of the service depends primarily on an intangible factor and activities.

O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar e desenvolver modelos para prever a qualidade, satisfação e valor percebido dos usuários do serviço desportivo. A amostra consistiu de 646 usuários. Cada sujeito preencheu um questionário cujas propriedades psicométricas deu validade. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a qualidade do serviço desportivo recebido foi boa, tendo os factores técnicos os melhores valores, e as informações que são fornecidas para os usuários o ponto mais fraco. Também positiva foi a avaliação de satisfação e do valor percebido, que dependiam principalmente de um fator intangível, como são as atividades.

Capacity-building efforts by the AFHSC-GEIS program.

Capacity-building initiatives related to public health are defined as developing laboratory infrastructure, strengthening host-country disease surveillance initiatives, transferring technical expertise and training personnel. These initiatives represented a major piece of the Armed Forces Health Surveillance Center, Division of Global Emerging Infections Surveillance and Response System (AFHSC-GEIS) contributions to worldwide emerging infectious disease (EID) surveillance and response. Capacity-building initiatives were undertaken with over 80 local and regional Ministries of Health, Agriculture and Defense, as well as other government entities and institutions worldwide. The efforts supported at least 52 national influenza centers and other country-specific influenza, regional and U.S.-based EID reference laboratories (44 civilian, eight military) in 46 countries worldwide. Equally important, reference testing, laboratory infrastructure and equipment support was provided to over 500 field sites in 74 countries worldwide from October 2008 to September 2009. These activities allowed countries to better meet the milestones of implementation of the 2005 International Health Regulations and complemented many initiatives undertaken by other U.S. government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State.

Rapid detection and molecular serotyping of adenovirus by use of PCR followed by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

We have developed a PCR/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (PCR/ESI-MS) assay for the rapid detection, identification, and serotyping of human adenoviruses. The assay employs a high-performance mass spectrometer to "weigh" the amplicons obtained from PCR using primers designed to amplify known human adenoviruses. Masses are converted to base compositions and, by comparison against a database of the genetic sequences, the serotype present in a sample is determined. The performance of the assay was demonstrated with quantified viral standards and environmental and human clinical samples collected from a military training facility. Over 500 samples per day can be analyzed with sensitivities greater than 100 genomes per reaction. This approach can be applied to many other families of infectious agents for rapid and sensitive analysis.

Abrupt emergence of diverse species B adenoviruses at US military recruit training centers.

BACKGROUND: Adenoviruses (Ads) cause continuous outbreaks of acute respiratory disease (ARD) in US military training facilities. In 1996, the loss of vaccines targeting the dominant recruit-associated serotypes precipitated the reemergence of Ads in these populations. Between 1999 and 2002, serotype 4 accounted for >95% of Ads isolated from recruits and for >50% of ARD cases in training facilities (15,000 cases/year). METHODS: Ads (n=1867) collected between 2002 and 2006 from recruits with ARD at 8 military training facilities in the United States were serotyped by serum neutralization and polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The dominance of Ad4 continued through 2005, followed by a simultaneous emergence of diverse species B serotypes at the majority of sites. This included the subspecies B1 serotypes 3, 7, and 21 and the subspecies B2 serotype 14. Ad14 was the most prevalent species B serotype, appearing in high numbers at 3 sites and becoming dominant at 1. CONCLUSIONS: Subspecies B2 Ads have rarely been associated with ARD, and only in Eurasia. This survey represents the first report of AdB2-associated ARD in the Western Hemisphere. The simultaneous emergence of several species B Ads suggests a common external source (the civilian population) and a decrease in preexisting immunity to species B Ads.

Transmission dynamics and prospective environmental sampling of adenovirus in a military recruit setting.

BACKGROUND: High levels of morbidity caused by adenovirus among US military recruits have returned since the loss of adenovirus vaccines in 1999. The transmission dynamics of adenovirus have never been well understood, which complicates prevention efforts. METHODS: Enrollment and end-of-study samples were obtained and active surveillance for febrile respiratory illnesses (FRIs) was performed for 341 recruits and support personnel. Environmental samples were collected simultaneously. Classic and advanced diagnostic techniques were used. RESULTS: Seventy-nine percent (213/271) of new recruits were seronegative for either adenovirus serotype 4 (Ad-4) or adenovirus serotype 7 (Ad-7). FRI caused by Ad-4 was observed in 25% (67/271) of enrolled recruits, with 100% of them occurring in individuals with enrollment titers <1 : 4. The percentage of recruits seropositive for Ad-4 increased from 34% at enrollment to 97% by the end of the study. Adenovirus was most commonly detected in the environment on pillows, lockers, and rifles. CONCLUSIONS: Potential sources of adenovirus transmission among US military recruits included the presence of adenovirus on surfaces in living quarters and extended pharyngeal viral shedding over the course of several days. The introduction of new recruits, who were still shedding adenovirus, into new training groups was documented. Serological screening could identify susceptible recruits for the optimal use of available vaccines. New high-throughput technologies show promise in providing valuable data for clinical and research applications.

PCR analysis of egyptian respiratory adenovirus isolates, including identification of species, serotypes, and coinfections.

Eighty-eight adenovirus (Ad) isolates and associated clinical data were collected from walk-in patients with influenza-like illness in Egypt during routine influenza surveillance from 1999 through 2002. Respiratory Ad distributions are geographically variable, and serotype prevalence has not been previously characterized in this region. Serotype identity is clinically relevant because it predicts vaccine efficacy and correlates strongly with both clinical presentation and epidemiological pattern. Species and serotype identities were determined using several well-validated multiplex PCR protocols culled from the literature and supplemented with a few novel primer sets designed to identify rare types. The isolates included common species B1 serotypes (Ad3 and Ad7), common species C serotypes (Ad1, Ad2, and Ad5), the less common species B2 serotype Ad11, and three isolates of the rare species B1 serotype Ad16. Two isolates that appear to be variant Ad16 were also identified. Fifteen coinfections of multiple adenoviral types, primarily AdB/AdC and Ad3/Ad7 dual infections, were detected. The majority of these were verified using redundant PCR tests targeted at multiple genes. PCR is able to resolve coinfections, in contrast to traditional serum neutralization tests. PCR is also comparatively rapid and requires very little equipment. Application of the method allowed an inclusive determination of the serotypes found in the Egyptian respiratory sample set and demonstrated that coinfections are common and may play a previously unrecognized role in adenovirus pathogenesis, evolution, and epidemiology. In particular, coinfections may influence adenoviral evolution, as interserotypic recombination has been identified as a source of emerging strains.

Hiperparatiroidismo primario por adenoma funcionante / Primary hyperparathyroidism by functionant adenoma

Presentamos un caso de hiperparatiroidismo primario, sin diagnostico en el lapso de cuatro años, en una paciente de sexo femenino de 60 años de edad. El procedimiento que se empleo para su diagnostico, fue la biopsia osea de una de las lesiones osteoliticas multiples en el hueso metacarpo del dedo pulgar izquierdo. Fue sometida a una intervencion quirurgica de exeresis de tumoracion de paratiroides que correspondia a un adenoma funcionante que desencadeno hiperparatiroidismo primario de larga data y una enfermedad de Von Recklinghausen osea (osteitis fibrosante quistica generalizada). Actualmente la paciente cursa asintomatica.