Comparison of the effectiveness of four SARS-COV-2 v accines in Nuevo Leon, Mexico: A test-negative control study / Comparación de la eficacia de 4 vacunas contra SARS-CoV-2 en Nuevo León, México: estudio de casos y controles

Objective: The objective of the present study was to provide statewide estimates of real-world effectiveness in reducing the odds of one primary (symptomatic COVID-19 infection) and two secondary outcomes (hospitalization and severe COVID-19 infection) by four vaccines BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca), Ad5-nCoV (CanSinoBIO), and CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences), used in Northeast Mexico. Design: We conducted a test-negative case-control study and analyzed statewide surveillance data from December 2020 to August 2021. Site: Primary attention and hospitalization. Participants: Two inclusion criteria were applied, age≥18 years and having a real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction assay or a rapid test for antigen detection in postnasal samples (N=164,052). The vaccination was considered complete if at least 14 days had passed since the application of the single or second dose and the beginning of symptomatology. Interventions: Does not apply. Main measurements: Point and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of vaccine effectiveness were calculated per type of vaccine using the formula 1 – odds ratio, adjusted by sex and age. Results: Complete vaccination offered from none (CoronaVac – Sinovac) to 75% (95%CI 71, 77) (BNT162b2 – Pfizer) effectiveness in reducing symptomatic COVID-19 infection, regardless of sex and age. The fully ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca) scheme reached the maximum effectiveness in hospitalization (80%, 95%CI 69, 87) and the fully BNT162b2 (Pfizer) scheme the maximum effectiveness in severity (81%, 95%CI 64, 90). Conclusions: More studies are needed to compare benefits of different vaccines and guide policy makers select the best option for their population.(AU)

Objetivo: Proporcionar estimaciones en el ámbito estatal de la efectividad en el mundo real de reducir las probabilidades de un resultado primario (infección sintomática por COVID-19) y 2 resultados secundarios (hospitalización e infección grave por COVID-19) para 4 vacunas: BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca), Ad5-nCoV (CanSinoBIO) y CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences) utilizadas en el noreste de México. Diseño: Realizamos un estudio de casos y controles y analizamos los datos de vigilancia en todo el estado desde diciembre de 2020 hasta agosto de 2021. Emplazamiento: Atención primaria y hospitalización. Participantes: Se aplicaron 2 criterios de inclusión: edad ≥ 18 años y tener prueba de RT-PCR en tiempo real o una prueba rápida para la detección de antígeno en muestras posnasales (N=164.052). La vacunación se consideró completa si habían transcurrido al menos 14 días desde la aplicación de la dosis única o desde la segunda dosis hasta el inicio de la sintomatología. Intervenciones: No aplica. Mediciones principales: Se calcularon los puntos e intervalos de confianza (IC) del 95% de la efectividad de la vacuna por tipo de vacuna utilizando la fórmula 1: razón de probabilidades, ajustada por sexo y edad. Resultados: Vacunación completa que ofrece desde ninguna efectividad (CoronaVac-Sinovac) hasta el 75% de efectividad (IC95%: 71-77 de BNT162b2-Pfizer) en la reducción de la infección sintomática por COVID-19, independientemente del sexo y la edad. El esquema completo con ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca) alcanzó la máxima efectividad en hospitalización (80%; IC95%: 69-87) y el esquema completo con BNT162b2 (Pfizer) la máxima efectividad en gravedad (81%; IC95%: 64-90). Conclusiones: Se necesitan más estudios para comparar los beneficios de las diferentes vacunas y para guiar a los responsables en la formulación de políticas a seleccionar la mejor opción para su población.(AU)

Comparison of the effectiveness of four SARS-COV-2 v accines in Nuevo Leon, Mexico: A test-negative control study.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study was to provide statewide estimates of real-world effectiveness in reducing the odds of one primary (symptomatic COVID-19 infection) and two secondary outcomes (hospitalization and severe COVID-19 infection) by four vaccines BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech), ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca), Ad5-nCoV (CanSinoBIO), and CoronaVac (Sinovac Life Sciences), used in Northeast Mexico. DESIGN: We conducted a test-negative case-control study and analyzed statewide surveillance data from December 2020 to August 2021. SITE: Primary attention and hospitalization. PARTICIPANTS: Two inclusion criteria were applied, age≥18 years and having a real-time reverse-transcriptase-polymerase-chain-reaction assay or a rapid test for antigen detection in postnasal samples (N=164,052). The vaccination was considered complete if at least 14 days had passed since the application of the single or second dose and the beginning of symptomatology. INTERVENTIONS: Does not apply. MAIN MEASUREMENTS: Point and 95% confidence intervals (CI) of vaccine effectiveness were calculated per type of vaccine using the formula 1 - odds ratio, adjusted by sex and age. RESULTS: Complete vaccination offered from none (CoronaVac - Sinovac) to 75% (95%CI 71, 77) (BNT162b2 - Pfizer) effectiveness in reducing symptomatic COVID-19 infection, regardless of sex and age. The fully ChAdOx1 (AstraZeneca) scheme reached the maximum effectiveness in hospitalization (80%, 95%CI 69, 87) and the fully BNT162b2 (Pfizer) scheme the maximum effectiveness in severity (81%, 95%CI 64, 90). CONCLUSIONS: More studies are needed to compare benefits of different vaccines and guide policy makers select the best option for their population.

Implementation of an In-House 3D Manufacturing Unit in a Public Hospital's Radiology Department.

OBJECTIVE: Three-dimensional printing has become a leading manufacturing technique in healthcare in recent years. Doubts in published studies regarding the methodological rigor and cost-effectiveness and stricter regulations have stopped the transfer of this technology in many healthcare organizations. The aim of this study was the evaluation and implementation of a 3D printing technology service in a radiology department. METHODS: This work describes a methodology to implement a 3D printing service in a radiology department of a Spanish public hospital, considering leadership, training, workflow, clinical integration, quality processes and usability. RESULTS: The results correspond to a 6-year period, during which we performed up to 352 cases, requested by 85 different clinicians. The training, quality control and processes required for the scaled implementation of an in-house 3D printing service are also reported. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the maturity of the technology and its impact on the clinic, it is necessary to establish new workflows to correctly implement them into the strategy of the health organization, adjusting it to the needs of clinicians and to their specific resources. SIGNIFICANCE: This work allows hospitals to bridge the gap between research and 3D printing, setting up its transfer to clinical practice and using implementation methodology for decision support.

Severe COVID-19 patients have severe vitamin D deficiency in Northeast Mexico.

Introduction: Objective: the association between vitamin D and COVID-19 severity is not consistent. We compared prevalences and analyzed the association between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity in Northeast Mexico. Methods: this was a cross-sectional study with individuals consecutively included at a referral diagnostic center during March-September 2020 (n = 181). Concurrently, every patient admitted to intensive care was also consecutively included (n = 116). Serum 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL was considered vitamin D deficiency. Descriptive, ANOVA, and multivariate ordinal regression analyses were performed. Results: vitamin D deficiency prevalence was 63.8 % (95 % CI, 54.7, 72.0) in severe COVID-19; 25.6 % (95 % CI, 17.4, 36.0) in mild COVID-19; and 42.4 % (95 % CI, 33.2, 52.3) in non-diseased individuals. Vitamin D deficiency increased 5 times the odds of severe COVID-19 (95 % CI, 1.1, 24.3), independently of sex, age, body mass index, and inflammatory markers. Conclusions: this study is the first report of vitamin D deficiency in Northeast Mexico. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with COVID-19 severity.

Introducción: Objetivo: la asociación entre la vitamina D y la gravedad de la COVID-19 no es consistente. Se comparó la prevalencia y se analizó la asociación de la deficiencia de vitamina D con la gravedad de los pacientes con COVID-19 en el noreste de México. Métodos: este fue un estudio transversal. Se incluyó consecutivamente a individuos de un centro de diagnóstico de referencia durante marzo-septiembre de 2020 (n = 181). Paralelamente, se reclutó a todos los pacientes que ingresaron a cuidados intensivos en ese mismo periodo (n = 116). Se consideró que había deficiencia de vitamina D ante cifras de 25(OH)D sérica < 20 ng/ml. Se realizaron un análisis descriptivo, un ANOVA y una regresión ordinal multivariante. Resultados: la prevalencia de la deficiencia de vitamina D fue del 63,8 % (IC del 95 %: 54,7; 72,0) en la COVID-19 grave, del 25,6 % (IC del 95 %: 17,4; 36,0) en la COVID-19 leve y del 42,4 % (IC del 95 %: 33,2; 52,3) sin COVID-19. La deficiencia aumentó 5 veces las probabilidades de una COVID-19 grave (IC del 95 %: 1,1; 23,9) independientemente del sexo, la edad, el índice de masa corporal y los marcadores inflamatorios. Conclusiones: este estudio es el primer informe de la deficiencia de vitamina D en el noreste de México. La deficiencia de vitamina D se asoció con la gravedad de la COVID-19.

Prevalence of IgG antibodies induced by the SARS-COV-2 virus in asymptomatic adults in Nuevo Leon, Mexico.

Population-based immunoglobulin G (IgG) seroprevalence studies in asymptomatic individuals in Latin America are scarce. The objective of the study was to estimate the prevalence and geographic distribution of IgG antibodies induced by natural SARS-CoV-2 infection in asymptomatic adults, 5-8 months after the first case was reported in a northeastern state of Mexico. This was a population-based cross-sectional study carried out in Nuevo Leon during August-November 2020. Individuals ≥18 years with no previous diagnosis or symptoms suggestive of COVID-19 were consecutively screened in one of the busiest subway stations. Also, a search for eligible individuals was done from house-to-house, after selecting densely populated geographic sectors of each of the municipalities of the metropolitan area (n = 4495). The IgG antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 nucleocapsid protein were analyzed. The IgG antibody positivity rate was 27.1% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 25.8, 28.4); there were no differences by sex or age (p > 0.05). Analysis by month showed a gradual increase from 11.9% (August) to 31.9% (November); Week 39 had the highest positivity rate (42.2%, 95% CI: 34.2, 50.7). Most people did not have evidence of previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. Preventive measures and promotion of the COVID-19 vaccine should be strengthened.

Advances in gene therapy for hemophilia.

Hemophilia is a hereditary disorder that can be life-threatening in individuals who have severe spontaneous bleeding resulting from minor trauma or surgery. Although replacement therapy of the missing exogenous factor has improved patients' quality of life, it has not been possible to establish a long-term treatment. Due to the severity of the disease and the need for repetitive doses throughout the patient's life, replacement therapy has become a high-cost treatment option; therefore, the development of self-sustainable long-term therapies is critical. Hemophilia is a good candidate for gene therapy because it is a monogenic disease that can be counteracted by expression of the missing factor. In this article, we review some of the most relevant advances in gene therapy for this illness.

Antitumor effect of adenoviruses expressing mutant non-oncogenic E7 versions from HPV-16 fused to calreticulin.

PURPOSE: To compare the antitumor effect of adenoviruses that express mutant variants of the protein E7 from HPV-16 fused to calreticulin. METHODS: Recombinant adenoviruses were generated to express calreticulin fused to mutant versions of E7 (CRT/E7m and CRT/E7dm). Western blot and immunofluorescence assays were made to demonstrate protein expression. Antitumor assays were performed in C57BL6 mice injected with TC-1 cell line. RESULTS: When HEK293 cells were infected with these adenoviruses, we detected that all the recombinant proteins were expressed at endoplasmic reticulum, as expected. Next, the antitumor effect was tested on a murine tumor model established by inoculation of TC-1 cell line. We detected that both Ad CRT/E7m and Ad CRT/E7dm were capable of reducing the antitumor volume when compared to Ad LacZ, which was used as negative control. No significant difference was observed when compared to Ad CRT/E7, a positive control. CONCLUSIONS: Here we demonstrated that the mutant versions of E7 HPV-16 fused to calreticulin generate similar antitumor effect than the wild type version.

Desenlaces obstétricos en mujeres embarazadas con enfermedad renal crónica y factores asociados / Obstetric outcomes in pregnant women with chronic kidney disease and associated factors

Resumen OBJETIVO: Identificar los factores asociados con los desenlaces fetales, maternos y renales en embarazadas con enfermedad renal crónica. MATERIALES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional y prospectivo llevado a cabo en el Hospital de Ginecoobstetricia 4 del IMSS de 2016 a 2018 en pacientes embarazadas con enfermedad renal crónica, con parámetros bioquímicos (creatinina, urea) y desenlaces obstétricos; se excluyeron los casos incompletos. Por el tipo de población se usó estadística no paramétrica con mediana (tendencia central) y rango intercuartilar (dispersión). Para la comparación de medias se utilizó t de Student y Kruskal Wallis; los valores de p < 0.05 se consideraron estadísticamente significativos. Para establecer el riesgo se efectuó análisis bivariado. Se utilizó el programa estadístico SPSS 25. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 48 pacientes; de éstas 16 cursaron con preeclampsia. La cesárea fue la vía de finalización del embarazo más común en 32 de los 48 casos. En relación con los recién nacidos: 41 supervivieron, 22 de 41 fueron prematuros, 19 de 41 nacieron a término, 29 de 41 recién nacidos no experimentaron complicaciones. Se registró elevación de la creatinina de 0.28 mg/dL y descenso de la tasa de filtración glomerular de 9.67 mL/min. CONCLUSIONES: Se identificaron 4 factores. La maduración pulmonar y las enfermedades crónico-degenerativas representaron riesgo de prematurez. Los factores contibuyentes para el embarazo de término fueron: no cursar con preeclampsia y no tener eventos de hospitalización o infección. La enfermedad renal crónica influye de forma directa en desenlaces adversos para la madre y el feto; el embarazo influye en mayor deterioro renal.

Abstract OBJECTIVE: To know the factors associated with fetal, maternal and renal outcomes in known pregnant women with chronic kidney disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: An observational, prospective study at the IMSS Hospital of Gynecobstetrics No. 4 from 2016 to 2018 of pregnant women with chronic kidney disease with biochemical parameters (creatinine, urea) and obstetric outcomes; Incomplete cases were excluded. For the type of population, non-parametric statistics were used with median (central tendency), interquartile range (dispersion), for the comparison of means, a student's "t" was used, with a significance of p < 0.05 and Kruskal Wallis. To establish risk, a bivariate analysis is performed. SPSS 25 statistical program. RESULTS: The obstetric results obtained were: 16/48 of the women with preeclampsia, caesarean section was the most common resolution in 32/48 cases. In relation to newborns, 41 survived, 22/41 with prematurity, 19/41 were full term, 29/41 newborns without complications. There was an elevation of 0.28 mg/dL creatinine and a decrease in the glomerular filtration rate of 9.67 mL/min. CONCLUSIONS: 4 factors were identified. Pulmonary maturation and chronic-degenerative diseases represented a risk for prematurity; Two influential factors for the termination of pregnancy were: not taking preeclampsia and having no hospitalization and/or infection events. chronic kidney disease directly influences both maternal and fetal adverse outcomes, and pregnancy also has an influence on greater renal impairment.

Autologous dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells for inferior third molar post-extraction socket healing: A split-mouth randomised clinical trial

BACKGROUND: Since the discovery of adult mesenchymal stem cells extensive research has been conducted to determine their mechanisms of differentiation and effectiveness in cell therapy and regenerative medicine. MATERIAL AND METHODS: To assess the efficacy of autologous dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells delivered in a collagen matrix for post-extraction socket healing, a single-centre, double-blind, randomised, split-mouth, controlled clinical trial was performed. Both impacted mandibular third molars were extracted from 32 patients. Dental pulp was collected and dissociated; the resulting cell suspension, obtained by centrifugation, was incorporated into a resorbable collagen matrix and implanted in 32 experimental post-extraction sockets. Collagen matrices alone were implanted in 32 contralateral, control post-extraction sockets. Two neuroradiologists independently assessed the extent of bone repair at 6 months after the extractions. Computed tomography (CT, Philips Brilliance) and an advanced display platform (IntelliSpace Portal) was used to record extraction socket density, expressed as Hounsfield units (HU) and height (mm) of the distal interdental bone septum of the second molar. Measurements at 6 months post-extraction were compared with measurements obtained immediately after extraction. Data were analysed with the statistical program STATA 14. RESULTS: Two patients dropped out of the study. The final sample consisted of 22 women and 8 men (mean age, 23 years; range: 18-30 years). Clinical, radiological, and surgical characteristics of impacted third molars of the control and experimental groups were homogeneous. Measurements obtained by the two neuroradiologists showed agreement. No significant differences were found in the extent of bone repair during analyses of density (p = 0.4203 neuroradiologist 1; p = 0.2525 neuroradiologist 2) or interdental septum height (p = 0.2280 neuroradiologist 1; p = 0.4784 neuroradiologist 2). CONCLUSIONS: In our clinical trial, we were unable to demonstrate that autologous dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells reduce socket bone resorption after inferior third molar extraction

Antitumor Response by Endoplasmic Reticulum-Targeting DNA Vaccine Is Improved by Adding a KDEL Retention Signal.

Directing an antigen to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) improves the antigen-specific immune response, revealing a potentially useful strategy in cancer immunotherapy using tumor-associated antigens (TAAs). This can be achieved by fusing the antigen to an ER chaperone protein, such as calreticulin (CRT). We previously reported the antitumor response by fusing the CRT signal peptide (SP) and its ER retention sequence (KDEL) to full-length human papillomavirus type 16 (HPV-16) E6 and E7 antigens, obtaining a potent antitumoral effect. In this article, we compare the antitumor response due to the use of each signal (SP and/or KDEL) fused to HPV16 E6 and E7 antigens in a DNA vaccination model. Using both SP and KDEL signals promotes higher interferon (IFN)-γ production and a faster antitumor response than using only the SP, resulting in better tumor growth restraint and higher survival, indicating that the KDEL addition to an ER-directed antigen helps by shortening the time to response. Meanwhile, antigens without signals or only the KDEL signal showed no induction of antigen-specific IFN-γ or antitumor response. Our results indicate that directing the E6E7m antigen to the ER by the SP signal is sufficient to promote an efficient antitumor response. Importantly, this effect is stronger and faster when the antigen also has an ER retention sequence, such as the KDEL signal.

Prevalence of hypothyroidism during pregnancy in a highly specialised referral centre in Mexico.

In order to determine the prevalence of overt and subclinical hypothyroidism, and isolated hypothyroxinemia during pregnancy, thyroid hormone reference values established by UMAE HGO4, IMSS in Mexico City and those suggested by the American Thyroid Association (ATA) were used. All pregnant patients, whose thyroid function was measured and whose pregnancy was monitored and resolved in UMAE HGO4, IMSS from 1 January to 31 December 2013, were included. Significant differences (p = .00419) were observed in the frequency of subclinical hypothyroidism, being higher when using ATA criteria (18.21% vs. 9.66%). The prevalence rate (UMAE HGO4 vs. ATA) for overt hypothyroidism was 1.11 vs. 1.63, for subclinical hypothyroidism 0.84 vs. 1.41 and for isolated hypothyroxinemia 3.17 vs. 2.79 per 1000 consults during the study period. Independently of prevalence rate, it is essential to provide information on the possible risks involved in pregnancy to all women of childbearing age at the time of hypothyroidism diagnosis.

Long-term impact on quality of life of subthalamic nucleus stimulation in Parkinson's disease.

Long-term impact of bilateral subthalamic nucleus deep brain stimulation (STN-DBS) on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and associated factors in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are not clear. In this prospective study, we included 69 PD patients (64 % men, mean age 61.3 ± 7.4 and disease duration 13.2 ± 5.7 years) undergoing STN-DBS. They were evaluated preoperatively (baseline), 1 and 5 years postoperatively assessing 39-item Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ-39), Schwab and England Activities of Daily Living Scale (SEADL), Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) off- and on-medication, patient diaries, dopaminergic treatment, mortality and surgical complications. Five years postoperatively, off-medication, there were improvements from baseline in UPDRS-II and III total (27.2 and 26.7 %, respectively) and SEADL (18.6 % more completely independent patients) (p < 0.05) scores, while on-medication, there was a deterioration in UPDRS-III (37.8 %, mainly axial signs) (p < 0.05) and minor improvements in SEADL (3.7 %). While at 1 year PDQ-39, the summary index improved substantially (36.5 %) (p < 0.05), at 5 years patients regressed (only 8.8 %) (p < 0.05), though changes in PDQ-39 subscores remained significant, with improvements in ADL (18.8 %), emotional well-being (19.0 %), stigma (36.4 %) and discomfort (20.6 %), despite worsening in communication (47.8 %) (p < 0.05). Lower preoperative PDQ-39 summary index and greater 1-year UPDRS-III-off total score gain predicted better long-term HRQOL. STN-DBS produces long-term improvements in HRQOL in PD. Preoperative HRQOL and short-term postoperative changes in off-medication motor status may predict long-term HRQOL in PD following STN-DBS.

Influencia de la existencia de una dehiscencia en un canal semicircular en el espesor óseo de los canales contralaterales / Effect of semicircular canal dehiscence on contralateral canal bone thickness

Objetivos: Determinar si la existencia de un canal semicircular superior o posterior dehiscente se asocia con el adelgazamiento de la cubierta ósea en el resto de los canales verticales (superior o posterior). Métodos: Se estudia mediante tomografía computarizada y se compara estadísticamente el espesor de los canales semicirculares superiores y posteriores contralaterales a una dehiscencia. Resultados: Cuando un canal semicircular superior presentaba una dehiscencia, el canal contralateral mostraba un adelgazamiento significativo de su espesor con una media de 0,5mm (DE:0,3mm). No sucede lo mismo con los posteriores que no modifican su grosor de 2,1mm (DE: 1,2mm; p=0,49).Cuando un canal semicircular posterior presentaba dehiscencia no se observó adelgazamiento significativo en los canales semicirculares superiores 1mm (DE:0,4), ni en el posterior contralateral 1,3mm (DE:0,3). Conclusión: La existencia de una dehiscencia del canal semicircular superior se asocia al adelgazamiento del hueso del canal del lado contrario, pero no de los canales semicirculares posteriores. No ocurre lo mismo si la dehiscencia es del canal semicircular posterior, que no altera de manera significativa el espesor del canal del lado contralateral ni en los superiores (AU)

Objectives: Our objective was to determine if the existence of dehiscence in the superior or posterior semicircular canal was associated with the thinning of the bone roof in the rest of the vertical canals (superior or posterior). Methods: The thickness of the superior and posterior semicircular canals contralateral to a dehiscence was studied using computerized tomography and compared statistically. Results: When a superior semicircular canal had a dehiscence, the contralateral canal showed a significant mean decrease in its thickness of 0.5mm (SD: 0.3mm). This was not the case if the dehiscence was in the posterior semicircular canal, where the thickness of 2.1 mm remained unchanged (SD: 1.2mm; P=0.49).When a posterior semicircular canal showed dehiscence, no significant thinning was shown in the superior semicircular (1mm; SD: 0.4) or in the posterior contralateral (1.3mm; SD: 0.3) canals. Conclusion: The existence of a dehiscence in the superior semicircular canal is associated with bone thinning in the canal on the opposite side, but not with the posterior semicircular canal. In contrast, if the dehiscence is in the posterior semicircular canal, contralateral and superior canal thickness is not modified (AU)

Effect of semicircular canal dehiscence on contralateral canal bone thickness.

OBJECTIVES: Our objective was to determine if the existence of dehiscence in the superior or posterior semicircular canal was associated with the thinning of the bone roof in the rest of the vertical canals (superior or posterior). METHODS: The thickness of the superior and posterior semicircular canals contralateral to a dehiscence was studied using computerized tomography and compared statistically. RESULTS: When a superior semicircular canal had a dehiscence, the contralateral canal showed a significant mean decrease in its thickness of 0.5mm (SD: 0.3 mm). This was not the case if the dehiscence was in the posterior semicircular canal, where the thickness of 2.1 mm remained unchanged (SD: 1.2 mm; P=.49). When a posterior semicircular canal showed dehiscence, no significant thinning was shown in the superior semicircular (1 mm; SD: 0.4) or in the posterior contralateral (1.3 mm; SD: 0.3) canals. CONCLUSION: The existence of a dehiscence in the superior semicircular canal is associated with bone thinning in the canal on the opposite side, but not with the posterior semicircular canal. In contrast, if the dehiscence is in the posterior semicircular canal, contralateral and superior canal thickness is not modified.

Influence of aging and menopause in the origin of the superior semicircular canal dehiscence.

OBJECTIVE: Determine if aging and menopause, known to be associated with bone resortion, also are associated with superior semicircular canal dehiscence. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: Study conducted in 3 tertiary Spanish hospitals. PATIENTS: Nonselected consecutive patients of all ages. INTERVENTIONS: Thin-section multi-detector row computed tomographic scan of the temporal bones. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: The minimum thickness of the bone covering the roof of the superior semicircular canal (SSC) measured in each temporal bone. The outcome was studied both as a continuous and as a dichotomous variable: thin (<0.6 mm) and normal (≥ 0.6 mm). RESULTS: Five hundred eighty-two ears of 312 patients were included in the study. Fifty-five percent of the sample were women. Patient's age ranged from 2 to 88 years. A 40-year age difference between ears was associated with a decreased thickness of bone covering the SSC of 0.10 mm, which is 10% of the average thickness of such bone. The thickness of the bone overlying the SSC of subjects younger than 45 years was an average of 1.14 mm (SD, 0.52 mm), whereas that of the subjects older than 45 years was equal to 1.02 mm (SD, 0.45 mm; p = 0.006). The percentage of ears with thin bone coverage of SSC was 7.1% in subjects younger than 45 years and 13.8% in those older than 45 years (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Our data support the hypothesis that there is a slight osteopenia of the roof of the superior semicircular canal associated with aging, and this effect seems to be more pronounced in menopausal women.

Bosentan and oral anticoagulants in HIV patients: what we can learn of cases reported so far.

Pulmonary arterial hypertension is an infrequent but nevertheless serious life-threatening severe complication of HIV infection. It can be treated with bosentan and oral anticoagulants. Bosentan could induce the acenocoumarol metabolism and it increases the INR values. Until now, no study of interaction between bosentan and oral anticoagulants in HIV patients has reported. So we present a case of this interaction between these drugs and we reviewed MEDLINE to identify all the papers published so far. In our case, several weeks after increasing dose of bosentan acenocoumarol dose had to be progressively increased to 70 mg/week (+33%) without obtaining an adequate INR level (2.0-3.0). Forty-nine days later, we achieved a therapeutic INR with 90 mg/week of warfarin. The use of bosentan and oral anticoagulants together in these patients require a closer monitoring during first weeks of treatment, after increasing the bosentan dose and even during longer periods of time.

Phylogeny of the Pluteaceae (Agaricales, Basidiomycota): taxonomy and character evolution.

The phylogeny of the genera traditionally classified in the family Pluteaceae (Agaricales, Basidiomycota) was investigated using molecular data from nuclear ribosomal genes (nSSU, ITS, nLSU) and consequences for taxonomy and character evolution were evaluated. The genus Volvariella is polyphyletic, as most of its representatives fall outside the Pluteoid clade and shows affinities to some hygrophoroid genera (Camarophyllus, Cantharocybe). Volvariella gloiocephala and allies are placed in a different clade, which represents the sister group of Pluteus, and a new generic name, Volvopluteus, is proposed to accommodate these taxa. Characters such as basidiospore size and pileipellis structure can be used to separate Pluteus, Volvariella and Volvopluteus. The genus Pluteus is monophyletic and includes species with partial veil traditionally classified in the genus Chamaeota. The evolution of morphological features used in the infrageneric taxonomy of the genus, such as metuloid cystidia and pileipellis structure, was analyzed. Agreement between the molecular phylogeny and morphological subdivision of Pluteus is, generally speaking, good, though some rearrangements are necessary: (i) species with non-metuloid pleurocystidia and pileipellis as a cutis are placed either in sect. Celluloderma, together with the species characterized by a hymenidermal pipeipellis, or in sect. Pluteus, with the metuloid bearing species; (ii) subdivision of sect. Celluloderma according to the presence/absence of cystidioid elements in the pileipellis is not supported by molecular data.

Outcome of bilateral deep brain subthalamic stimulation in patients carrying the R1441G mutation in the LRRK2 dardarin gene.

OBJECTIVE: Deep brain subthalamic stimulation provides symptomatic relief to patients with Parkinson's disease. The present study analyzes the postoperative outcome of deep brain subthalamic stimulation in patients carrying the R1441G mutation in the leucine-rich repeat kinase-2 (LRRK2) (dardarin) gene. METHODS: Five of the 48 patients treated in our unit carried a mutation in the LRRK2 (dardarin) gene. All five met the Core Assessment Program for Surgical Interventional Therapies criteria for inclusion in the surgical program. Pre- and postoperative assessment (6 mo) was made using the Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale II, Unified Parkinson Disease Rating Scale III, and Parkinson's Disease Questionnaire-39 scores, as well as the type and dosage of drugs used. RESULTS: The response to L-dopa after 6 months was similar to the baseline in all four patients. One suffered a stroke four months after surgery and is not eligible for evaluation. The improvements in motor response, daily life activities, and quality of life were limited (18, 22, and 33%, respectively) and were lower than those of the control group (39, 45, and 41%, respectively). DISCUSSION: Carriers of the R1441G mutation were clinically analogous to the rest of similarly operated patients with idiopathic Parkinson's disease. However, the response to deep brain subthalamic stimulation was worse among the former. The explanation for this negative result is unclear because all patients maintained an excellent response to L-dopa. Further larger studies are needed to confirm these findings.