Functionalization of Morin-Loaded PLGA Nanoparticles with Phenylalanine Dipeptide Targeting the Brain.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorder, with its incidence constantly increasing. To date, there is no cure for the disease, with a need for new and effective treatments. Morin hydrate (MH) is a naturally occurring flavonoid of the Moraceae family with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties; however, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) prevents this flavonoid from reaching the CNS when aiming to potentially treat AD. Seeking to use the LAT-1 transporter present in the BBB, a nanoparticle (NPs) formulation loaded with MH and functionalized with phenylalanine-phenylalanine dipeptide was developed (NPphe-MH) and compared to non-functionalized NPs (NP-MH). In addition, two formulations were prepared using rhodamine B (Rh-B) as a fluorescent dye (NPphe-Rh and NP-Rh) to study their biodistribution and ability to cross the BBB. Functionalization of PLGA NPs resulted in high encapsulation efficiencies for both MH and Rh-B. Studies conducted in Wistar rats showed that the presence of phenylalanine dipeptide in the NPs modified their biodistribution profiles, making them more attractive for both liver and lungs, whereas non-functionalized NPs were predominantly distributed to the spleen. Formulation NPphe-Rh remained in the brain for at least 2 h after administration.

Celecoxib Microparticles for Inhalation in COVID-19-Related Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.

Inhalation therapy is gaining increasing attention for the delivery of drugs destined to treat respiratory disorders associated with cytokine storms, such as COVID-19. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 includes an inflammatory storm with the release of cytokines from macrophages, which may be treated with anti-inflammatory drugs as celecoxib (CXB). For this, CXB-loaded PLGA microparticles (MPs) for inhaled therapy and that are able to be internalized by alveolar macrophages, were developed. MPs were prepared with 5% and 10% initial percentages of CXB (MP-C1 and MP-C2). For both systems, the mean particle size was around 5 µm, which was adequate for macrophage uptake, and the mean encapsulation efficiency was >89%. The in vitro release of CXB was prolonged for more than 40 and 70 days, respectively. The uptake of fluorescein-loaded PLGA MPs by the RAW 264.7 macrophage cell line was evidenced by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy and confocal microscopy. CXB-loaded PLGA MPs did not produce cytotoxicity at the concentrations assayed. The anti-inflammatory activity of CXB (encapsulated and in solution) was evaluated by determining the IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α levels at 24 h and 72 h in RAW 264.7 macrophages, resulting in a higher degree of reduction in the expression of inflammatory mediators for CXB in solution. A potent degree of gene expression reduction was obtained with the developed CXB-loaded MPs.

Temporal lobe epilepsy: Evaluation of central and systemic immune-inflammatory features associated with drug resistance.

Neuroinflammation is probably one of the factors involved in drug resistance in people with epilepsy. Finding peripheral markers reflecting the intensity of neuroinflammation could be of great help to decide for which patients anti-inflammatory treatment might be an option. In this context, peripheral cytokines levels and lymphocyte phenotypes were assessed by ELISA and flow cytometry in 3 groups of subjects: drug resistant patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (DR-TLE), non DR-TLE patients and healthy controls. The same parameters were assessed in brain tissue in the DR-TLE group. Differences in the peripheral immune-inflammatory status between the 3 groups of subjects, and correlations between the central and peripheral immune-inflammatory status in DR-TLE patients were evaluated. Forty-one patients with DR-TLE, ten with non-DR-TLE and twenty controls were included. In the periphery, decrease in regulatory cells were observed in DR-TLE patients compared to controls. In addition, significant increase of IL-6 and IL-5 was observed in patients with epilepsy (particularly DR-TLE patients). Two groups of DR-TLE patients with significant differences in several central inflammatory parameters were identified in a cluster analysis. The inflammatory cluster was associated with a peripheral increase of CD4+CD38+ cells and different significant correlations between central and systemic inflammatory parameters were observed. Although their interpretation is not immediate, they demonstrate a clear dialogue between central and peripheral inflammatory reactions. In conclusion, our results add new elements to better understand the interactions between the central and peripheral compartments in patients with DR-TLE, and to help better define treatment options in this group of patients.

Sulfasalazine Microparticles Targeting Macrophages for the Treatment of Inflammatory Diseases Affecting the Synovial Cavity.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease with sulfasalazine (SSZ) extensively used for long-term treatment of both juvenile and adult RA. Its use is associated with adverse effects and toxicity due to its non-selective biodistribution. Macrophages play an important role in inflammatory processes. In order to target SSZ to macrophages in this work two microparticulate systems (MPs) are developed: SSZ-loaded PLGA MPs without and with α-tocopherol, with particle sizes lower than 5 µm and encapsulation efficiencies of 81.07 ± 11% and 63.50 ± 6.62%, respectively. Release of SSZ from MPs prepared with α-tocopherol was prolonged for 20 days. In RAW 264.7 cell macrophages MPs prepared with α-tocopherol were captured faster. Cell viability studies confirmed that SSZ-loaded MPs prepared without and with α-tocopherol did not produce cytotoxicity at the concentrations assayed. The anti-inflammatory activity of SSZ-loaded MPs was studied by quantifying interleukins IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α in macrophages. All formulations produced a significant reduction of cytokine concentrations after 24 and 72 h, indicating that release of SSZ from the MPs was able to inhibit the inflammatory response induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Gene expression of IL-1, IL-6 and TNF-α was decreased by SSZ-loaded MPs. SSZ-loaded MPs prepared with α-tocopherol will potentially allow increasing the residence time of SSZ in the synovial cavity, prolonging its duration of action, and reducing the adverse effects associated with its non-selective biodistribution.

Síndrome de Alicia en el País de las Maravillas e infección por virus de Epstein-Barr / Alice in Wonderland syndrome and Epstein-Barr virus infection

La infección por el virus de Epstein-Barr (VEB) es habitual y generalmente ocurre en la infancia o en la adultez temprana. El VEB es la etiología de la mononucleosis infecciosa, generalmente asociada con fiebre, dolor de garganta, inflamación de los ganglios linfáticos en el cuello y en ocasiones esplenomegalia. El síndrome de Alicia en el País de las Maravillas (SAPM) o síndrome de Todd es una afección rara, que principalmente afecta la integración visual y somatoestética. El SAPM sigue siendo un síndrome poco conocido y probablemente mal diagnosticado, puede ocurrir a cualquier edad, pero sobre todo en los niños en los que se asocia principalmente con la migraña y la infección por VEB. Presentamos a una paciente de diez años que acudió al servicio de urgencias con distorsión visual de la forma corporal y comportamiento extraño, sospechado inicialmente como una patología psiquiátrica pero posteriormente diagnosticado con mononucleosis infecciosa e infección por VEB confirmada serológicamente. Este caso refleja la importancia de reconocer este síndrome por parte de los médicos de urgencias y evitar derivaciones inadecuadas al servicio psiquiátrico

Infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is common and usually occurs in childhood or early adulthood. EBV is the cause of infectious mononucleosis, usually associated with fever, sore throat, swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and sometimes an enlarged spleen. Alice in Wonderland Syndrome (AIWS), also called Todd's syndrome, is a rare condition, principally involving visual and somesthetic integration. AIWS remains a poorly known and probably misdiagnosed syndrome, can occur at any age but mostly in children is mostly associated with migraine and EBV infection. We present a 10-year-old patient who went to the emergency department with visual distortion of corporal form and bizarre behaviour, initially suspected as a psychiatric pathology but subsequently diagnosed with infectious mononucleosis and serologically confirmed Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection. This case reflects the importance of recognizing this syndrome by emergency physicians in order to avoid inadequate referrals to the psychiatric service

Evolución de los pacientes con estenosis aórtica grave tras la indicación de intervención / Prognosis of patients with severe aortic stenosis after the decision to perform an intervention

Introducción y objetivos: Los tratamientos actuales de la estenosis aórtica (EAo) grave incluyen el implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica (TAVI) y la cirugía de sustitución valvular aórtica (SVAo). El objetivo es describir la evolución de los pacientes con EAo grave tras la indicación de intervención, las variables que influyen en su pronóstico y los determinantes de un tiempo de espera superior a 2 meses. Métodos: Subanálisis del registro IDEAS (Influencia del Diagnóstico de Estenosis Aórtica Severa) en los pacientes a los que se indicó intervención. Resultados: De 726 pacientes con EAo grave diagnosticada en enero de 2014, se indicó intervención a 300 que son el foco del presente estudio. La media de edad era 74,0 +/- 9,7 años. Se intervino a 258 pacientes (86,0%): 59 con TAVI y 199 con SVAo. Al año, 42 (14,0%) continuaban sin intervención, ya sea por seguir en espera (34) o haber fallecido (8). La mitad de los pacientes que murieron antes del procedimiento fallecieron en los primeros 100 días. El tiempo hasta la intervención fue 2,9 +/- 1,6 meses para el TAVI y 3,5 +/- 0,2 meses para la SVAo (p = 0,03). Los predictores de mortalidad independientes fueron el sexo masculino (HR = 2,6; IC95%, 1,1-6,0), la insuficiencia mitral moderada-grave (HR = 2,6; IC95%, 1,5-4,5), la movilidad reducida (HR = 4,6; IC95%, 1,7-12,6) y la falta de intervención (HR = 2,3; IC95%, 1,02-5,03). Conclusiones: Los pacientes con EAo grave en espera de intervención tienen alto riesgo de mortalidad. Hay indicadores clínicos asociados con peor pronóstico que podrían indicar la necesidad de una intervención precoz

Introduction and objectives: Current therapeutic options for severe aortic stenosis (AS) include transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Our aim was to describe the prognosis of patients with severe AS after the decision to perform an intervention, to study the variables influencing their prognosis, and to describe the determinants of waiting time > 2 months. Methods: Subanalysis of the IDEAS (Influence of the Severe Aortic Stenosis Diagnosis) registry in patients indicated for TAVI or SAVR. Results: Of 726 patients with severe AS diagnosed in January 2014, the decision to perform an intervention was made in 300, who were included in the present study. The mean age was 74.0 +/- 9.7 years. A total of 258 (86.0%) underwent an intervention: 59 TAVI and 199 SAVR. At the end of the year, 42 patients (14.0%) with an indication for an intervention did not receive it, either because they remained on the waiting list (34 patients) or died while waiting for the procedure (8 patients). Of the patients who died while on the waiting list, half did so in the first 100 days. The mean waiting time was 2.9 +/- 1.6 for TAVI and 3.5 +/- 0.2 months for SAVR (P = .03). The independent predictors of mortality were male sex (HR, 2.6; 95%CI, 1.1-6.0), moderate-severe mitral regurgitation (HR, 2.6; 95%CI, 1.5-4.5), reduced mobility (HR, 4.6; 95%CI, 1.7-12.6), and non intervention (HR, 2.3; 95%CI, 1.02-5.03). Conclusions: Patients with severe aortic stenosis a waiting therapeutic procedures have a high mortality risk. Some clinical indicators predict a worse prognosis and suggest the need for early intervention

Prognosis of Patients With Severe Aortic Stenosis After the Decision to Perform an Intervention.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Current therapeutic options for severe aortic stenosis (AS) include transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and surgical aortic valve replacement (SAVR). Our aim was to describe the prognosis of patients with severe AS after the decision to perform an intervention, to study the variables influencing their prognosis, and to describe the determinants of waiting time > 2 months. METHODS: Subanalysis of the IDEAS (Influence of the Severe Aortic Stenosis Diagnosis) registry in patients indicated for TAVI or SAVR. RESULTS: Of 726 patients with severe AS diagnosed in January 2014, the decision to perform an intervention was made in 300, who were included in the present study. The mean age was 74.0 ± 9.7 years. A total of 258 (86.0%) underwent an intervention: 59 TAVI and 199 SAVR. At the end of the year, 42 patients (14.0%) with an indication for an intervention did not receive it, either because they remained on the waiting list (34 patients) or died while waiting for the procedure (8 patients). Of the patients who died while on the waiting list, half did so in the first 100 days. The mean waiting time was 2.9 ± 1.6 for TAVI and 3.5 ± 0.2 months for SAVR (P = .03). The independent predictors of mortality were male sex (HR, 2.6; 95%CI, 1.1-6.0), moderate-severe mitral regurgitation (HR, 2.6; 95%CI, 1.5-4.5), reduced mobility (HR, 4.6; 95%CI, 1.7-12.6), and nonintervention (HR, 2.3; 95%CI, 1.02-5.03). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with severe aortic stenosis awaiting therapeutic procedures have a high mortality risk. Some clinical indicators predict a worse prognosis and suggest the need for early intervention.

Evaluación de los indicadores de la calidad analítica en un laboratorio clínico / Evaluation of analytical quality indicators in a clinical laboratory

Introducción. Es necesario definir las especificaciones de la calidad utilizando indicadores que se adapten a las necesidades y tecnología disponible, así como, establecer los límites de aceptabilidad basándose en los consensos nacionales e internacionales. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar el cumplimiento de diversos indicadores de la calidad para diferentes magnitudes biológicas. Material y métodos. Se han calculado mensualmente para cada magnitud los valores estadísticos siguientes: ratio de coeficientes de variación, índice de desviación estándar, error total basado en la variación biológica, nivel sigma y error total analítico (%). Resultados. El porcentaje de cumplimiento en suero del indicador de la imprecisión (ratio de coeficientes de variación) fue del 97%, mientras que el indicador de error sistemático (índice de desviación estándar) fue del 98%. Para orina, el cumplimiento para imprecisión fue del 88%, y para error sistemático del 95%. Respecto al cumplimiento del error total basado en la variación biológica, en suero fue del 85%, en orina del 93%, y para la troponina I (TpI) del 75%. En cuanto al cumplimiento del valor sigma, fue del 72% para suero y del 85% para orina; en el caso de la TpI, fue del 57%. Para el error total analítico fue del 97% para suero y del 88% para orina. Conclusiones. Se pueden adoptar las especificaciones basadas en la variación biológica para la mayoría de las magnitudes biológicas, y en su defecto, las especificaciones mínimas de consenso. Los objetivos basados en el nivel sigma están lejos de cumplirse con la tecnología actual (AU)

Introduction. Quality specifications need to be defined using indicators that are adapted to needs and current technology, as well as to establish the limits of acceptability based on national and international consensus. The aim of this study is to evaluate compliance with various quality indicators for different analytes. Materials and methods. The following statistical values were calculated monthly for each analyte: coefficient of variation ratio, standard deviation index, total error based on biological variability, sigma level and total analytical error (%). Results. Percentage compliance of imprecision indicator (coefficient of variation ratio) in serum was 97%, while the systematic error indicator (standard deviation index) was 98%. For urine, compliance of imprecision was 88%, and for systematic error it was 95%. As regards to compliance with ET based on biological variability, serum was 85%, urine was 93%, and troponin I (TpI) was 75%. As for sigma quality specifications, it was 72% for serum and for urine was 85%, and in the case of TpI was 57%. For total analytical error, the compliance rate was 97% for serum and 88% for urine. Conclusions. Specifications based on biological variability should be adopted whenever possible, and if not, the minimum consensus specifications. Goals based on the sigma level are far from being met with current technology (AU)

Conjunctival leiomyosarcoma: A case report and review of literature.

Leiomyosarcoma is a malignant mesenchymal tumor that is very uncommon in the conjunctiva. Nevertheless, we describe here the clinical manifestations, management, and prognosis of a rare case of leiomyosarcoma in this location. An 81-year-old male presented at a tertiary hospital with a rapidly growing mass. After performing biopsy, histopathological examination revealed the existence of a conjunctival leiomyosarcoma. On this diagnosis, a thorough metastatic screening was performed showing no enlarged lymph nodes or metastatic deposits anywhere in the body. To treat the condition, we performed an evisceration with clear margins and subsequent radiotherapy.

A Probabilistic Model for Cushing's Syndrome Screening in At-Risk Populations: A Prospective Multicenter Study.

CONTEXT: Cushing's syndrome (CS) is challenging to diagnose. Increased prevalence of CS in specific patient populations has been reported, but routine screening for CS remains questionable. To decrease the diagnostic delay and improve disease outcomes, simple new screening methods for CS in at-risk populations are needed. OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate a simple scoring system to predict CS based on clinical signs and an easy-to-use biochemical test. DESIGN: Observational, prospective, multicenter. SETTING: Referral hospital. PATIENTS: A cohort of 353 patients attending endocrinology units for outpatient visits. INTERVENTIONS: All patients were evaluated with late-night salivary cortisol (LNSC) and a low-dose dexamethasone suppression test for CS. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Diagnosis or exclusion of CS. RESULTS: Twenty-six cases of CS were diagnosed in the cohort. A risk scoring system was developed by logistic regression analysis, and cutoff values were derived from a receiver operating characteristic curve. This risk score included clinical signs and symptoms (muscular atrophy, osteoporosis, and dorsocervical fat pad) and LNSC levels. The estimated area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was 0.93, with a sensitivity of 96.2% and specificity of 82.9%. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a risk score to predict CS in an at-risk population. This score may help to identify at-risk patients in non-endocrinological settings such as primary care, but external validation is warranted.

Comparison of 1-Year Outcome in Patients With Severe Aorta Stenosis Treated Conservatively or by Aortic Valve Replacement or by Percutaneous Transcatheter Aortic Valve Implantation (Data from a Multicenter Spanish Registry).

The factors that influence decision making in severe aortic stenosis (AS) are unknown. Our aim was to assess, in patients with severe AS, the determinants of management and prognosis in a multicenter registry that enrolled all consecutive adults with severe AS during a 1-month period. One-year follow-up was obtained in all patients and included vital status and aortic valve intervention (aortic valve replacement [AVR] and transcatheter aortic valve implantation [TAVI]). A total of 726 patients were included, mean age was 77.3 ± 10.6 years, and 377 were women (51.8%). The most common management was conservative therapy in 468 (64.5%) followed by AVR in 199 (27.4%) and TAVI in 59 (8.1%). The strongest association with aortic valve intervention was patient management in a tertiary hospital with cardiac surgery (odds ratio 2.7, 95% confidence interval 1.8 to 4.1, p <0.001). The 2 main reasons to choose conservative management were the absence of significant symptoms (136% to 29.1%) and the presence of co-morbidity (128% to 27.4%). During 1-year follow-up, 132 patients died (18.2%). The main causes of death were heart failure (60% to 45.5%) and noncardiac diseases (46% to 34.9%). One-year survival for patients treated conservatively, with TAVI, and with AVR was 76.3%, 94.9%, and 92.5%, respectively, p <0.001. One-year survival of patients treated conservatively in the absence of significant symptoms was 97.1%. In conclusion, most patients with severe AS are treated conservatively. The outcome in asymptomatic patients managed conservatively was acceptable. Management in tertiary hospitals is associated with valve intervention. One-year survival was similar with both interventional strategies.

Enfermedad de Whipple en un paciente en tratamiento con anti-TNF-Alfa / Whipple disease in a patient under anti-TNFAlpha therapy

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Acquired vulvar lymphangioma: a case series with emphasis on expanding clinical contexts.

Vulvar lymphangioma circumscriptum (LC) is an unusual benign condition, congenital or acquired, related to interference in the lymph drainage. Acquired cases are usually related to oncological surgical procedures. We report 6 cases of vulvar LC: 3 have been caused by surgery and radiotherapy for gynecologic cancer, whereas the other 3 have originated under benign conditions--Crohn disease, recurring episodes of cellulits, and lower limb lymphedema. In 3 of them, the initial clinical diagnosis was genital wart. Surgical exeresis was performed as the treatment of choice in 5 patients and there were 3 cases of recurrences. Diagnosis of this unusual condition is not always easy even after histopathologic examination. The possibility of vulvar LC should be taken into account as a possible diagnosis in patients with previous oncological surgery or genital warts refractory to the conventional treatment. In these cases, a biopsy of not only the epidermis but also the superficial dermis is recommendable to rule out inflammatory or tumoral processes. Knowledge on the features of this lesion can avoid unnecessary clinical and therapeutic procedures.

Perioperative complications and surgical oncology outcomes in an initial study from 84 patients submitted to laparoscopic radical cystectomy.

OBJECTIVES: The Gold Standard treatment for a non-metastatic, invasive bladder cancer is an open radical cystoprostatectomy (ORCP). Laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy (LRCP) is still an experimental technique in evaluation. We describe our perioperative results defined as surgical and safety oncology variables. METHODS: Every patient who underwent a LRCP between January 2007 and July 2011 in the urology department of the University Public Hospital was evaluated. We perform a descriptive retrospective analysis. RESULTS: We evaluated 84 patients, 72 males and 12 females, with a mean age of 68 (44-79). A Bricker diversion was performed in 80 patients, a Camey II bladder replacement was performed in 3 patients, and a Studer bladder replacement was performed in 1 patient. Seventeen patients (20.23%) presented with previous abdominal surgery, and 6 patients (7.14%) presented a medical history of urological surgery. The mean surgery time was 257.57 minutes (180-420). The mean hospital stay was 11.875 days (standard deviation (SD): 6.28). The onset of tolerance to surgery occurred after 3.7 days (SD: 2.21).The transfusion rate after surgical intervention was 20.2%. The mean number of nodes removed, by means of ilio-obturator lymphadenectomy, was 17 (13-19). There were no intraoperative complications. Early complications (less than 1 month after the intervention) occurred in 28 patients (33.3% ).There were no post-operative deaths. There were late complications (starting one month after the intervention) in 7 patients (8.3% ). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that LRCP is safe and reproducible and represents a minimally invasive option for patients with infiltrative bladder cancer.

Complicaciones perioperatorias y resultados oncológicos quirúrgicos en una serie inicial de 84 pacientes sometidos a cistectomía radical laparoscópica / Perioperative complications and surgical oncology outcomes in an initial study from 84 patients submitted to laparoscopic radical cystectomy

OBJETIVO: La cistectomía radical abierta es el estándar oro para el tratamiento del cáncer vesical infiltrante. La cistectomía radical laparoscópica (CPRL) continúa siendo una técnica experimental en evaluación. Describimos nuestros resultados perioperatorios definidos como complicaciones quirúrgicas y variables de seguridad oncológica. MÉTODOS: Revisión retrospectiva de una base de datos de cumplimentación retrospectiva de pacientes intervenidos con CRPL en el periodo comprendido entre enero del 2007 hasta julio del 2011 en un Hospital Universitario público. RESULTADOS: Fueron intervenidos 84 pacientes (72 varones y 12 mujeres), con una edad media de 68 años (44 –79). En 80 pacientes se realizó derivación tipo Bricker, en 3 sustitución vesical tipo Camey II, y en 1 sustitución vesical tipo Studer, de manera extracorpórea en todos ellos. 17 Pacientes (20,23%) presentaban cirugía abdominal previa y 6 (7,14%) presentaban antecedentes de cirugía urológica previa. El tiempo operatorio medio fue de 257,57 minutos (180-420 minutos). El tiempo medio de la estancia hospitalaria fue de 11,875 días (desviación estándar (DE): 6,28). El inicio de la tolerancia fue al 3,7 días (DE: 2,21). La tasa de transfusión posterior a la intervención quirúrgica fue del 20,2%. La mediana de ganglios extirpados, mediante linfadenectomía ilio-obturatriz bilateral, fue de 17 (13-19).No se registraron complicaciones intraoperatorias. 28 pacientes (33,3%) desarrollaron complicaciones en el postoperatorio temprano (primer mes), sin registrarse ningún fallecimiento. 7 Pacientes (8,3%) presentaron complicaciones tardías (a partir del mes de la cirugía). CONCLUSIONES: Nuestra serie pone de manifiesto que la técnica de CPRL es segura y reproducible, por lo que se trata de una alternativa mínimamente invasiva para los pacientes con cáncer vesical infiltrante (AU)

OBJECTIVES: The gold standard treatment for a non-metastatic, invasive bladder cancer is an open radical cystoprostatectomy (ORCP). Laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy (LRCP) continues being an experimental technique in evaluation. We describe our perioperative results defined as surgical complications and oncologic safety variables. METHODS: From January 2007 to July 2011, all patients undergoing laparoscopic radical cystoprostatectomy (LRCP) in the Urology Department of a public University Hospital were evaluated. We perform a descriptive retrospective analysis. RESULTS: We evaluated 84 patients, 72 males and 12 females, with a mean age of 68 years (44-79). A Bricker urinary diversion was performed in 80 patients, a Camey II bladder replacement was performed in 3 patients, and a Studer bladder replacement was performed in 1 patient. Seventeen patients (20.23%) presented with past medical history of abdominal surgery, and 6 patients (7.14%) history of urological surgery. The mean operative time was 257.57 minutes (180-420). Mean hospital stay was 11.875 days (standard deviation (SD): 6.28). The onset of oral tolerance occurred at 3.7 days (SD: 2.21). The transfusion rate after surgical intervention was 20.2%. The mean number of nodes removed, by means of iliac-obturator lymph node dissection, was 17 (13-19). There were no intraoperative complications. Complications occurred in 28 patients (33.3%) as early complications (less than 1 month after the intervention). There were no post-operative deaths. There were late complications (starting one month after the intervention) in 7 patients (8.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Our study demonstrated that LRCP is safe and reproducible and represents a minimally invasive option for patients with infiltrative bladder cancer (AU)

Implementación de la variabilidad biológica como objetivo de la calidad en un laboratorio clínico / Implementation of biological variation on analytical goals in the clinical laboratory

Introducción. Para establecer el nivel de la calidad que los laboratorios deben alcanzar se han desarrollado diversos criterios. En la Conferencia de Estocolmo se estableció un modelo jerárquico para las especificaciones de la calidad analítica. El objetivo de este trabajo ha sido evaluar durante un año para múltiples magnitudes bioquímicas, tanto en el área de rutina como urgencias, de las cinco propuestas de Estocolmo, la de la variabilidad biológica. Material y métodos. Se ha calculado mensualmente para cada magnitud la imprecisión, el error sistemático (ES) y el error total (ET), y por otra parte, se ha calculado el coeficiente de variación relativo (CVR). Resultados. Se han evaluado 29 magnitudes para rutina y 31 para urgencias. Para rutina los criterios de imprecisión, ES y ET fueron cumplidos en el 80%, 81% y 97%, respectivamente; y para urgencias en el 84%, 90% y 100%. El ión sodio fue la única magnitud que no cumplió ninguno de los tres criterios. Los peores resultados los registraron aquellas magnitudes con variabilidad biológica baja. Para el coeficiente de variación relativo (CVR), únicamente el ión sodio fue no conforme. No se han observado diferencias significativas al comparar las especificaciones de la calidad obtenidas para rutina y urgencias. Discusión. Aunque los resultados obtenidos son aceptables, la calidad analítica no está garantizada para algunas magnitudes y habría que revisarlas. Los mejores resultados se obtienen utilizando el ET. Por tanto, el modelo de Estocolmo de especificaciones de la calidad debe ser implementado tanto en el laboratorio de rutina como en el de urgencia (AU)

Introduction. Various criteria have been developed to establish the quality that laboratories must achieve. At the Stockholm Conference a hierarchical model was established for analytical quality specifications. Introduction. The aim of this study was to evaluate the biological variability in multiple biochemical parameters over one year. Materials and methods. Every month, each parameter, was calculated for imprecision, systematic error (SE) and total error (TE), as well as calculating the relative variation coefficient (RVC). Results. A total of 29 parameters were evaluated for routine and 31 for emergencies. For routine, the imprecision criteria, SE and TE were fulfilled in 80%, 81% and 97%, respectively; and for emergencies in 84%, 90% and 100% respectively. The sodium ion was the only parameter that did not fulfil any of the three criteria. The worst results were registered by those parameters with low biological variability. For the relative variation coefficient (RVC), only the sodium ion did not conform. There were no significant differences found between the results when comparing the quality specifications obtained between routine and emergency analyses. Discusion. Even though the results obtained are acceptable, the analytical quality cannot be guaranteed for some parameters and should be reviewed. The best results were obtained using TE. Therefore, the Stockholm model for quality specifications should be implemented in both routine and emergencies laboratories (AU)