Psychometric properties of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life short form 36 (KDQOL-36) scale for the assessment of quality of life in Colombian patients with chronic kidney disease on dialysis.

PURPOSE: Considering the importance of incorporating quality of life (QoL) construct during the health care of patients with stage 5 chronic kidney disease (CKD) on dialysis, it is necessary to have evidence on the clinimetric properties of the instruments used for its measurement. This study aimed to establish the clinimetric properties of the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form 36 (KDQOL-36) scale in patients with stage 5 CKD on dialysis in Colombia. METHODS: A scale validation study was conducted using the classical test theory methodology. The statistical analysis included exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory (CFA) techniques performed on two independent subsamples; concurrent criterion validity assessments; internal consistency using four different coefficients; test-retest reliability; and sensitivity to change using mixed model for repeated measures. RESULTS: The KDQOL-36 scale was applied to 506 patients with a diagnosis of stage 5 CKD on dialysis, attended in five renal units in Colombia. The EFA endorsed the three-factor structure of the scale, and the CFA showed an adequate fit of both the original and empirical models. Spearman's correlation coefficient values ≥0.50 were found between the domains of the CKD-specific core of the KDQOL-36 scale and the KDQ. Cronbach's alpha, McDonald's omega, Greatest lower bound (GLB), and Guttman's lambda coefficients were ≥0.89, indicating a high degree of consistency. A high level of concordance correlation was found between the two moments of application of the instrument, with values for Lin's concordance correlation coefficient ≥0.7. The application of the instrument after experiencing an event that could modify the quality of life showed statistically significant differences in the scores obtained. CONCLUSION: The KDQOL-36 scale is an adequate instrument for measuring QoL in Colombian patients with stage 5 CKD on dialysis.

Efficacy and safety of preemptive therapy for cytomegalovirus end-organ disease in people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: Cytomegalovirus end-organ-disease (CMV EOD) is still a major cause of debilitating illness in people living with HIV, especially in developing countries. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of preemptive therapy against CMV EOD in HIV-positive adults with CMV viremia. METHODS: Systematic review of clinical trials by searching electronic databases and clinical trial registries, screening and selection of references, data extraction and assessment of risk of bias. The results were presented in a narrative synthesis. Aggregated analyzes for dichotomous outcomes were reported as odds ratios with 95 % Confidence Intervals. RESULTS: Four RTC were included. A reduction in the risk of CMV EOD with preemptive therapy was found OR=0.49 (95 % CI 0.31‒0.76). We did not identify significant differences for all-cause mortality, adverse events, and withdrawal of the therapy secondary to adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Preemptive therapy could be a potential option for preventing CMV EOD in people living with HIV.

Mortality Caused by Candida auris Bloodstream Infections in Comparison with Other Candida Species, a Multicentre Retrospective Cohort.

Candida auris is an emerging pathogen considered to be critical in the World Health Organization fungal organisms list. The study aims to determine the mortality and hospital stays attributed to Candida auris (C. auris) compared to other Candida species in adult patients with candidemia. A retrospective cohort of adults with candidemia was examined from seven centres in Colombia between 2016 and 2021. The primary outcome was 30-day mortality, and the secondary outcome was the length of hospital stay among survivors. Adjustment of the confounding variables was performed using inverse probability weights of exposure propensity score (candidemia by C. auris), survival regression models (Weibull distribution), and a counting model (negative binomial distribution). A value of 244 (47.6%) of the 512 patients with candidemia died within the first 30 days. The crude mortality in C. auris was 38.1% vs. 51.1% in Candida non-auris (CNA). In the Weibull model, mortality in the C. auris group was lower (adjusted HR: aHR- 0.69, 95% CI: 0.53-0.90). Antifungal treatment also decreased mortality, with an aHR of 0.36 (95% CI 0.27-0.47), while the presence of septic shock on patient progression increased it, with an aHR of 1.73 (95% CI 1.41-2.13). Among the patients who survived, no differences in the length of hospital stay were observed between the C. auris and the CNA groups, with an incidence rate ratio of 0.92 (95% CI: 0.68-1.22). Mortality in patients with C. auris bloodstream infections appears lower when adjusted for numerous confounding variables regarding treatment and the presence of septic shock in patient progression. We identified no significant effect of C. auris on the length of hospital stay in surviving patients.

Interventions to Improve Antibiotic Use in Hospitals with Different Levels of Complexity in Colombia: Findings from a Before-and-After Study and Suggestions for the Future.

BACKGROUND: In the collaborative efforts to control bacterial antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the challenge for many low- and middle-income countries currently lies in the adequate design and successful implementation and operation of different strategies aimed at improving antibiotic use during hospital care. This study aims to provide data on these different strategies in three hospitals with different levels of complexity and geographic locations in Colombia. METHODS: This before-and-after study describes and analyzes the development and implementation of clinical practice guidelines (CPGs), continuing education courses, quick consultation tools, and antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) with the use of telemedicine. This includes measuring indicators in the ASP framework such as adherence to CPGs and antibiotic consumption. RESULTS: We used five CPGs developed in the Colombian context. We designed and developed a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and a mobile application (app) as strategies for dissemination and implementation. The ASP was designed and implemented according to each institution's level of complexity. In the three hospitals, a progressive increase in adherence to the antibiotic recommendations proposed in the CPGs was observed, and there was a lower use of antibiotics with the ASPs, both in the general wards and ICUs. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that in medium-complexity hospitals located in small rural cities, successful development of ASPs is possible when they are well-planned, implemented, and supported by the organization. It is necessary that Colombia and other Latin American countries continue activities that reduce AMR by designing, implementing, and improving these interventions throughout the national territory.

Effect of bloodstream infection on survival in COVID-19 patients admitted to an intensive care unit in Colombia: a matched cohort analysis.

Aim: To determine the impact of bloodstream infection (BSI) and other risk factors for mortality in patients with COVID-19 admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU). Methods: A retrospective cohort was carried out at the Hospital Universitario Nacional (HUN) between March 29 and December 19, 2020. Patients with COVID-19 admitted to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) were paired 1:4 in two groups, one with BSI and the other without, according to hospital stay and the month of admission. The primary outcome was mortality at 28 days. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate differences in mortality risk. Results: 456 patients were identified and 320 were included in the final cohort, 18% (n = 59) in the BSI group and 82% (n = 261) in the control group. 125 (39%) patients died, 30 (51%) in the BSI group and 95 (36%) in the control group (P = 0.040). BSI was associated with an increased risk of in-hospital mortality at 28 days, [HR] 1.77 (95% CI: 1.03-3.02; P = 0.037). Invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and age were associated with increased mortality risk. Some months of the year of the hospital stay were associated with a reduced risk of mortality. There was no difference in mortality between inappropriate and appropriate empirical antimicrobial use. Conclusion: BSI in patients with COVID-19 in ICU increases in-hospital mortality to 28 days. Other risk factors for mortality were IMV and age.

Risk factors associated with acute kidney injury in a cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: Patients with COVID-19 have a high incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI), which is associated with mortality. The objective of the study was to determine the factors associated with AKI in patients with COVID-19. METHODOLOGY: A retrospective cohort was established in two university hospitals in Bogotá, Colombia. Adults hospitalized for more than 48 h from March 6, 2020, to March 31, 2021, with confirmed COVID-19 were included. The main outcome was to determine the factors associated with AKI in patients with COVID-19 and the secondary outcome was estimate the incidence of AKI during the 28 days following hospital admission. RESULTS: A total of 1584 patients were included: 60.4% were men, 738 (46.5%) developed AKI, 23.6% were classified as KDIGO 3, and 11.1% had renal replacement therapy. The risk factors for developing AKI during hospitalization were male sex (OR 2.28, 95% CI 1.73-2.99), age (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03), history of chronic kidney disease (CKD) (OR 3.61, 95% CI 2.03-6.42), High Blood Pressure (HBP) (OR 6.51, 95% CI 2.10-20.2), higher qSOFA score to the admission (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.14-1.71), the use of vancomycin (OR 1.57, 95% CI 1.05-2.37), piperacillin/tazobactam (OR 1.67, 95% CI 1.2-2.31), and vasopressor support (CI 2.39, 95% CI 1.53-3.74). The gross hospital mortality for AKI was 45.5% versus 11.7% without AKI. CONCLUSIONS: This cohort showed that male sex, age, history of HBP and CKD, presentation with elevated qSOFA, in-hospital use of nephrotoxic drugs and the requirement for vasopressor support were the main risk factors for developing AKI in patients hospitalized for COVID-19.

Traducción y adaptación transcultural del instrumento Kidney Disease Questionnaire (KDQ) para la evaluación de calidad de vida en pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica en Colombia

Contexto: dada la importancia de incorporar la calidad de vida durante la atención de los pacientes con enfermedad renal crónica (ERC), es necesario disponer de versiones traducidas y adaptadas transculturalmente de diferentes instrumentos diseñados para la medición de este constructo. Objetivo: traducir y adaptar transculturalmente al español hablado en Colombia el instrumento Kidney Disease Questionnaire (KDQ), para medir la calidad de vida en pacientes con ERC en insuficiencia renal. Metodología: el proceso se llevó a cabo siguiendo la metodología propuesta por la Eortc, que incluye traducciones directas, traducciones inversas y una prueba piloto llevada a cabo en un grupo de pacientes con diagnóstico de ERC en diálisis, atendidos en unidades renales de Baxter Renal Care Services®, en Bogotá, Colombia. Resultados: en el proceso se identificaron (I) casos que requirieron de consenso para seleccionar la traducción que mejor conservaba el significado y la equivalencia semántica del instrumento, (II) diferencias en la sintaxis o uso de paráfrasis, (III) se consideró pertinente realizar algunos cambios mínimos en el uso o la disposición de preposiciones o artículos, con el fin de que los ítems y las opciones de respuesta se leyeran de una manera más natural. Los cambios más notorios fueron en los ítems 18, 19 y 21, en los que para una mejor compresión de la pregunta, se identificó la necesidad de agregar determinadas expresiones o palabras. Conclusiones: se tiene disponible la versión traducida al español y adaptada culturalmente a la población colombiana del KDQ. El siguiente paso a fin de utilizar el instrumento en el país, es disponer de evidencia sobre sus propiedades clinimétricas.

Background: Considering the importance of incorporating quality of life during the care of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), it is necessary to have translated and cross-culturally adapted versions of different instruments designed to measure this construct. Purpose: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the Kidney Disease Questionnaire (KDQ) instrument for measuring quality of life in patients with CKD in renal failure to the Spanish spoken in Colombia. Methodology: The process was carried out following the methodology proposed by the EORTC, which includes direct translations, reverse translations and pilot test carried out in a group of patients with a diagnosis of CKD on dialysis, attended in renal units of Baxter Renal Care Services ®, in Bogota, Colombia. Results: In the process, cases were identified that required consensus to select the translation that best preserved the meaning and semantic equivalence of the instrument; differences in syntax or use of paraphrases; it was considered pertinent to make some minimal changes in the use or arrangement of prepositions or articles, so that the items and answer options would read in a more natural way; the most notorious changes were in items 18, 19 and 21, in which for a better understanding of the question, the need to add certain expressions or words was identified. Conclusions: The Spanish translated version and culturally adapted to the Colombian population of the KDQ is now available. The next step in order to use the instrument in the country is to have evidence on its clinimetric properties.

Efficacy and safety of preemptive therapy for cytomegalovirus end-organ disease in people living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT Introduction: Cytomegalovirus end-organ-disease (CMV EOD) is still a major cause of debilitating illness in people living with HIV, especially in developing countries. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of preemptive therapy against CMV EOD in HIV-positive adults with CMV viremia. Methods: Systematic review of clinical trials by searching electronic databases and clinical trial registries, screening and selection of references, data extraction and assessment of risk of bias. The results were presented in a narrative synthesis. Aggregated analyzes for dichotomous outcomes were reported as odds ratios with 95 % Confidence Intervals. Results: Four RTC were included. A reduction in the risk of CMV EOD with preemptive therapy was found OR=0.49 (95 % CI 0.31-0.76). We did not identify significant differences for all-cause mortality, adverse events, and withdrawal of the therapy secondary to adverse events. Conclusions: Preemptive therapy could be a potential option for preventing CMV EOD in people living with HIV.

First-generation cephalosporins for the treatment of complicated upper urinary tract infection in adults: A systematic literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Complicated upper urinary tract infection (UTI) is a significant cause of infectious morbidity and in-hospital antibiotic therapy. However, the use of first-generation cephalosporins in this scenario is not clearly defined. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of first-generation cephalosporins for community-acquired complicated upper UTI in adults requiring hospital care. METHODS: Systematic review by searching electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL) and trials registers. The articles were then screened and the references were selected, data was extracted, and risk of bias assessment was conducted. The results are presented in a narrative synthesis. RESULTS: Seven randomized clinical trials were included. We did not identify statistically significant differences when comparing first-generation cephalosporins with other antimicrobials for outcomes of clinical cure, length of hospital-stay, and reinfection. However, a lower probability of microbiological cure and a higher probability of relapse was identified in the first-generation cephalosporin group in 3 of 7 studies and in 2 of 5 studies, respectively. No serious adverse effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: First-generation cephalosporins could be a potential therapy in this setting, nevertheless the low quality of evidence for analyzed outcomes should be considered because of the limitations of the risk of bias assessment and its inaccuracy. It is essential to carry out comparative studies in which the benefits and harms of these antibiotics are evaluated.

Clinical practice guideline for screening of patients at risk of colonization by carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales and the treatment of infections caused by these bacteria / Guía de práctica clínica para la tamización de pacientes con riesgo de colonización por Enterobacterales productores de carbapenemasasy el manejo de infecciones causadas por estas bacterias

Abstract Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales (CPE) infections have increased in recent years. Colombia has become an endemic country for this group of microorganisms, and the infections they cause have a serious impact in terms of morbidity and mortality. The early identification of CPE carriers who are admitted to health care centers as patients is necessary to implement adequate isolation and infection control measures to limit the spread of this type of microorganisms in hospitals. Furthermore, treating these infections is a challenging task due to the limited therapeutic alternatives available and the fact that there are only a few studies proving their effectiveness in this setting. Therefore, the objective of the present work is to develop a clinical practice guideline (CPG) for the screening of patients at risk of CPE colonization and the treatment of inpatients with suspected or confirmed infections caused by this type of bacteria through a CPG adaptation process based on the ADAPTE methodology. With this purpose in mind, evidence-informed recommendations for the screening and timely identification of CPE carriers admitted to hospitals are made, as well as for the adequate pharmacological treatment of CPE infections in this context.

Resumen Las infecciones por Enterobacterales productores de carbapenemasas (EPC) han aumentado en los últimos años. Colombia se ha convertido en un país endémico para este grupo de microorganismos y las infecciones que causan tienen un impacto importante en términos de morbimortalidad. La identificación temprana de los portadores de EPC que ingresan como pacientes a las instituciones de salud es necesaria para implementar medidas de aislamiento y control de infecciones adecuadas que limiten la diseminación de este tipo de microorganismos en los hospitales. Además, el tratamiento de estas infecciones es difícil debido a las limitadas alternativas terapéuticas disponibles y la escasez de estudios que demuestren su efectividad en este escenario. Por lo anterior, el objetivo del presente trabajo es desarrollar una guía de práctica clínica (GPC) para la tamización de pacientes con riesgo de colonización por EPC y para el manejo de pacientes con infecciones, ya sea sospechadas o confirmadas, causadas por este tipo de bacterias, mediante un proceso de adaptación de GPC basado en la metodología ADAPTE. Con este propósito en mente, se hacen recomendaciones informadas en evidencia para realizar la tamización y oportuna identificación de portadores de EPC admitidos en instituciones hospitalarias, así como para el adecuado manejo farmacológico de las infecciones por CPE en este escenario.

Structural model of corporate social responsibility. An empirical study on Mexican SMEs.

Companies are increasingly aware of their role with regard to social responsibility in its three pillars: economic, social and environmental, with their different stakeholders. Facing the dilemma of choosing the model of social responsibility they should adopt, taking care of their organizational culture and their employees, with a global vision that the business world requires. However, it is not an easy task for small and medium enterprises, mainly because of their economic shortcomings in human resources and knowledge of how to be a socially responsible company. But they are aware that Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is an opportunity for development and differentiation in the market. Therefore, the objective of this research is to build, identify and validate a model of Social Responsibility in small and medium enterprises in Guanajuato, Mexico (CSRSMEs), on a sample of 226 SMEs, using as a basis the methodology of the international standard of Ethical and Socially Responsible Management System (SGE21). A quantitative approach was used and, a descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis and the structural equation modeling was applied. The results determine that the most relevant variables for being socially responsible are human capital, clients, supply chain, social environment and impact on the community, and organizational governance: Legality and Management System. It is drawn from this work that the flexibility of the so-called Ethical and Socially Responsible Management System has the empirical foundations needed. That is, from the perspective of the company's management to consider the CSRSMEs model an opportunity to adopt and evaluate the areas of social responsibility management of any business structure in the SMEs in Mexico.

Sequence optimization and glycosylation of vasoinhibin: Pitfalls of recombinant production.

Vasoinhibin belongs to a family of proteins with antiangiogenic properties derived by proteolytic cleavage from the hormone prolactin (PRL). Vasoinhibin isoforms range from the first 79 to the first 159 residues of PRL. In an attempt to increase the yield of recombinant vasoinhibin and avoid incorrect intra- and inter-disulfide bond formation, the cDNA sequence comprising the first 123 amino acids of human PRL, in which cysteine 58 was or not mutated to serine, was codon-optimized. The optimized constructs achieved a 6-fold increase in mRNA expression but showed no change in protein production and reduced protein secretion when expressed in human embryo kidney (HEK293T/17) cells. Limited vasoinhibin levels associated with the activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD) as revealed by the upregulation of UPR (Bip, Xbp-1, and Chop) and ERAD (Hrd1, Os9, and Sel1l) target genes. Mutation to serine introduced a new N-glycosylation site and associated with increased glycosylation and release of glycosylated vasoinhibin isoforms having reduced antiangiogenic properties. We conclude that overexpression and excessive glycosylation lead to protein degradation and reduced bioactivity, respectively, negatively affecting the production of recombinant vasoinhibin in mammalian cells.

Child labour and occupational health in Mexico: a challenge for medicine / Trabajo infantil y salud ocupacional en México: un desafío para la medicina

Occupational Health is a transdisciplinary activity relatively less known and under-developed in Mexico. Its objective is the well-being of workers: physical, mental and social spheres. Hygiene, safety, ergonomics, psychology, medicine, physiotherapy, rehabilitation, sociology, anthropology, law and economics, are some examples of the disciplines involved in the field of Occupational Health. Child labour is all productive activity carried out by persons under 18 years old, with or without compensation, which is harmful to their physical, mental and social development. In Mexico more than 2.5 million children and adolescents face this situation. Most of them work in the informal sector where hazardous work environment may exist and occupational health activities or at least, occupational medicine services are missing. Promoting the work of children is not a moral act but poverty and inequity that force them to work in some countries is happening every day. Without better alternatives, eradication of child labour in the short or medium term does not seem a realistic goal. This paper highlights the need for a new way of thinking about child labour: child work that is safe. Social and professional awareness about the reality of child labour and occupational health potential could represent the opportunity to at least make child labour into safe child work. Physicians may have a privileged position to lead that transformation, if provided with the right training and tools.

La salud ocupacional es un campo transdisciplinario poco conocido y subdesarrollado en México. Su objetivo es el bienestar físico, mental y social de los trabajadores para conservar su fuerza de trabajo. Higiene, seguridad, ergonomía, psicología, medicina, fisioterapia, rehabilitación, sociología, antropología, derecho, economía, son algunos ejemplos de las disciplinas involucradas. El trabajo infantil (TI) se refiere a toda actividad productiva realizada por personas menores de 18 años, con o sin remuneración, que es perjudicial para su desarrollo físico, mental y social. En México, más de 2.5 millones de niñas, niños y adolescentes son trabajadores. La mayoría labora en el sector informal, bajo condiciones de trabajo peligrosas, y las intervenciones de salud ocupacional, o al menos los servicios de medicina del trabajo, están ausentes. Promover el trabajo de los niños no es política ni moralmente correcto, pero la pobreza que los obliga a trabajar es una realidad en los países con alta inequidad. Sin mejores alternativas, la erradicación del TI en el corto o mediano plazo es una meta utópica. Este trabajo destaca la necesidad de abordar el TI desde una nueva perspectiva: ambientes de trabajo saludables. La conciencia social y profesional acerca del TI, así como del potencial de la salud ocupacional, podría representar la oportunidad de transformar el TI peligroso en TI seguro. Los médicos pueden liderar dicha transformación, si son provistos con el entrenamiento y las herramientas adecuadas.

Trastornos de ansiedad y depresión en relación con la calidad de vida de pacientes con cáncer de mama en estadio localmente avanzado o diseminado / Anxiety and Depression Disorders in Relation to the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients with Locally Advanced or Disseminated Stage

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar patrones de asociación entre ansiedad y depresión y los diferentes elementos del constructo de calidad de vida en pacientes con cáncer de mama en estadio localmente avanzado o diseminado. Métodos: Se aplicó una sola medición mediante las escalas FACIT-B y HADS a 107 mujeres con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama en estadios IIB, IIIA, IIIB, HIC y IV, confirmado histológicamente. Para analizar patrones de asociación, se utilizaron métodos de análisis factorial y escalamiento multidimensional. Resultados: Se encontró ansiedad clínica en el 84,1% (IC95%, 75,8-90,5%) de las pacientes y depresión clínica en el 25,2% (IC95%, 17,3-34,6%). El análisis factorial agrupa los ítems de los 2 instrumentos en 4 dominios, que dieron cuenta del 59% de la varianza total, donde 2 ítems (H11 y B8) presentaron valores de unicidad altos y cargas factoriales bajas. El escalamiento multidimensional señala 5 agrupaciones, que muestran proximidad entre síntomas depresivos y síntomas físicos, así como entre síntomas ansiosos y lo referente a funcionalidad y ambiente sociofamiliar. Conclusiones: En pacientes con enfermedad neoplásica, la HADS detecta una alta frecuencia de síntomas depresivos y especialmente ansiosos, lo que hace recomendable revaluar sus propiedades sicométricas para pacientes con cáncer. La asociación entre síntomas depresivos de la HADS y síntomas físicos del constructo de calidad de vida apunta a la dificultad para el diagnóstico de trastorno depresivo en pacientes con cáncer, por lo que puede ser necesario desarrollar instrumentos que permitan ubicar síntomas o características clínicas que faciliten este diagnóstico.

abstract Objective: To evaluate patterns of association between anxiety and depression and the different elements of the construct of quality of life, in patients with locally advanced breast cancer or disseminated stages. Methods: With a single measure over time, HADS and FACIT-B scales were applied in 107women histologically confirmed to have breast cancer, in stages IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IIIC and IV. Factor analysis and multidimensional scaling methods were used to analyze patterns of association. Results: In 84.1% of the patients clinical anxiety was found (95%CI, 75.8-90.5%) and clinical depression in 25.2% (95%CI, 17.3-34.6%). Factor analysis groups items of the two scales in 4 domains which accounted for 59% of the total variance, where 2 items (H11 and B8) showed high values of uniqueness and low factor loadings. Multidimensional scaling suggests five groups, showing proximity between depressive symptoms and physical symptoms, as well as between anxious symptoms and related to functionality and social and family environment. Conclusions: The HADS in patients with neoplastic disease detects a high frequency of depressive and especially anxious symptoms, which makes it advisable to reevaluate their psychometric properties in patients with cancer. The association between depressive symptoms of HADS and physical symptoms of quality of life construct is in favor of the difficulty of diagnosing depressive disorder in patients with cancer, so it may be necessary to develop instruments that allow locating symptoms or clinical characteristics that facilitate this diagnosis.

Anxiety and Depression Disorders in Relation to the Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Patients with Locally Advanced or Disseminated Stage. / Trastornos de ansiedad y depresión en relación con la calidad de vida de pacientes con cáncer de mama en estadio localmente avanzado o diseminado.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate patterns of association between anxiety and depression and the different elements of the construct of quality of life, in patients with locally advanced breast cancer or disseminated stages METHODS: With a single measure over time, HADS and FACIT-B scales were applied in 107 women histologically confirmed to have breast cancer, in stages IIB, IIIA, IIIB, IIIC and IV. Factor analysis and multidimensional scaling methods were used to analyze patterns of association RESULTS: In 84.1% of the patients clinical anxiety was found (95%CI, 75.8-90.5%) and clinical depression in 25.2% (95%CI, 17.3-34.6%). Factor analysis groups items of the two scales in 4 domains which accounted for 59% of the total variance, where 2 items (H11 and B8) showed high values of uniqueness and low factor loadings. Multidimensional scaling suggests five groups, showing proximity between depressive symptoms and physical symptoms, as well as between anxious symptoms and related to functionality and social and family environment CONCLUSIONS: The HADS in patients with neoplastic disease detects a high frequency of depressive and especially anxious symptoms, which makes it advisable to reevaluate their psychometric properties in patients with cancer. The association between depressive symptoms of HADS and physical symptoms of quality of life construct is in favor of the difficulty of diagnosing depressive disorder in patients with cancer, so it may be necessary to develop instruments that allow locating symptoms or clinical characteristics that facilitate this diagnosis.

Stereospecific (5) JHortho,OMe couplings in methoxyindoles, methoxycoumarins, and methoxyflavones.

Long-range coupling constants (5) JHortho,OMe were measured in series of methoxyindoles, methoxycoumarins, and methoxyflavones by the modified J doubling in the frequency domain method. The COSY and NOESY spectra revealed the coupling of the -OMe group with a specific proton at the ortho position and its preferred conformation. Homonuclear (1) H-(1) H couplings were confirmed by irradiation of the -OMe signal. Density functional theory calculations of (5) JHortho,OMe using the modified aug-cc-pVTZ basis set evidenced that the Fermi contact term shows good agreement with the experimental J values. Accurate chemical shift and coupling constant values followed after iterative quantum mechanical spectral analysis using the PERCH software.

Treatment of children with high grade glioma with nimotuzumab: a 5-year institutional experience.

Brain tumors are a major cause of cancer-related mortality in children. Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is detected in pediatric brain tumors and receptor density appears to increase with tumor grading. Nimotuzumab is an IgG1 antibody that targets EGFR. Twenty-three children with high-grade glioma (HGG) were enrolled in an expanded access program in which nimotuzumab was administered alone or with radio-chemotherapy. The mean number of doses was 39. Nimotuzumab was well-tolerated and treatment with the antibody yielded a survival benefit: median survival time was 32.66 mo and the 2-y survival rate was 54.2%. This study demonstrated the feasibility of prolonged administration of nimotuzumab and showed preliminary evidence of clinical benefit in HGG patients with poor prognosis.