La pandemia COVID-19 y su repercusión en la unidad de radiología intervencionista: nuestra experiencia

This paper aims to describe our experience in an interventional radiology unit in a hospital in Spain that was severely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. To this end, we did a prospective observational study of 20 consecutive patients with COVID-19 who underwent 21 interventional radiology procedures between March 13, 2020 and May 11, 2020. We describe the measures taken to reorganize the work and protective measures, as well as the repercussions of the situation on our unit's overall activity and activity in different phases. The COVID-19 pandemic has represented a challenge in our daily work, but learning from our own experience and the recommendations of the Spanish radiological societies (SERVEI and SERAM) has enabled us to adapt successfully. Our activity dropped only 22% compared to the same period in 2019.     

The Preventable Productivity Burden of Kidney Disease in Australia

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Ethnography in Nutrition and Dietetics Research: A Systematic Review

Ethnography is a qualitative research approach used to learn about people and their culture. There is a need to explore the application and use of ethnographic methodology in nutrition and dietetics research to inform future research and practice. Our aim was to examine the extent, range, nature, and contribution of ethnographic methodology in nutrition and dietetics research. Eight electronic databases were searched using a defined search strategy until November 2017. No restrictions were placed on language, date, or study design of original research. Two authors independently assessed titles and abstracts, then full-text records, against inclusion criteria. Hand-searching of reviews identified in the database search was undertaken. Quality assessment was conducted using the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist. Data were described narratively. A total of 2,185 records were identified, with 92 studies from public health nutrition (n=72), clinical nutrition (n=13), and foodservice (n=7) practice areas meeting inclusion criteria. Common research areas included infant/child feeding, food choice, diabetes, nutrition in schools and food insecurity. In addition to observation, frequently reported data collection techniques were interview (n=85), focus groups (n=17), and document analysis (n=10). Ethnographic research was most often reported from North America (n=31), Europe (n=16), and Australia/Oceania (n=13). This research approach was shown to inform dietetic research and practice by illuminating sociocultural factors that influence dietary beliefs and practices, practitioner training opportunities, evaluating nutrition education methods, informing programs and interventions, identifying nutrition policy and guideline focus areas, and the need for new approaches and communication strategies. Ethnography can increase understanding of complex food and nutrition–related health issues and their contributing factors across public health nutrition, foodservice, and clinical dietetic practice. It can be used to explain health inequalities, direct policy, and inform more effective intervention design and delivery. Wider uptake of this research approach as a stand-alone or complementary study design will advance efforts to improve health and wellbeing through food and nutrition.     

Tau Phosphorylation is Impacted by Rare <Emphasis Type="Italic">AKAP9</Emphasis> Mutations Associated with Alzheimer Disease in African Americans

We studied the effect of two rare mutations (rs144662445 and rs149979685) in the A-kinase anchoring protein 9 (AKAP9) gene, previously associated with Alzheimer disease (AD) in African Americans (AA), on post-translational modifications of AD-related pathogenic molecules, amyloid precursor protein (APP) and microtubule-associated protein Tau using lymphoblastoid cell lines (LCLs) from 11 AA subjects with at least one AKAP9 mutation and 17 AA subjects lacking these mutations. LCLs were transduced by viral vectors expressing causative AD mutations in APP or human full-length wild type Tau. Cell lysates were analyzed for total APP, Aβ₄₀, and total and T181 phospho-Tau (pTau). AKAP9 mutations had no effect on Aβ₄₀/APP, but significantly increased pTau/Tau ratio in LCLs treated with phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitor rolipram, which activates protein kinase A. Proteomic analysis of Tau interactome revealed enrichment of RNA binding proteins and decrease of proteasomal molecules in rolipram-treated cells with AKAP9 mutations. This study shows the impact of rare functional AKAP9 mutations on Tau, a central mechanism of AD pathogenesis, in LCLs derived from AD and control subjects.     

Listeria monocytogenes meningoencephalitis in adults: analysis of factors related to unfavourable outcome

Purpose

To analyse the short-term outcome in patients with Listeria monocytogenes meningoencephalitis (LMME) to improve management and outcome.

Methods

Observational study with adult patients with LMME between 1977 and 2009 at a tertiary hospital in Barcelona, Spain. Parameters that predicted outcome were assessed with univariate and logistic regression analysis.

Results

Of 59 cases of LMME, 28 occurred in the last decade. Since 1987, a new protocol has been used and 29/45 patients (64 %) treated since then received adjuvant dexamethasone. In patients who received this treatment there was a trend towards fewer neurological sequelae (5 vs 33 %; p = 0.052). Antiseizure prophylaxis with phenytoin was administered in 13/45 (28 %) patients. Seizures occurred in 7/45 (16 %) patients, all in the group who did not receive phenytoin. Hydrocephalus presented in 8/59 (14 %). It was never present at admission and five patients needed neurosurgical procedures. Sequelae after 3 months were present in 8/45 (18 %), mostly cranial nerve palsy. Rhombencephalitis (RE) was related to the presence of neurologic sequelae (OR: 20.4, 95 % CI: 1.76–236). Overall mortality was 14/59 (24 %), 9/59 (15 %) due to neurological causes related to hydrocephalus or seizures. Mortality was defined as early in 36 % and late in 64 %. In the multivariate analysis, independent risk factors for mortality were presence of hydrocephalus (OR: 17.8, 95 % CI: 2.753–114) and inappropriate empirical antibiotic therapy (OR: 6.5, 95 % CI: 1.201–35).

Conclusions

Outcome of LMME may be improved by appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy, suspicion and careful management of hydrocephalus. Use of adjuvant dexamethasone or phenytoin in a subgroup of these patients might have a benefit.