Genetic characterization of domestic pigs in the core zone of swine production of Argentina.

Argentina is a small player in the global pork market, contributing only 0.7% of the total production. With increasing global demand for meat, there is an opportunity for countries with an agricultural profile to grow their pork production. However, there is a need to understand the current state of the pork production sector in all aspects to inform decision-making. The aim of this study was to genetically characterize pig herds from different production strata in the primary region for pork production in the country. For this purpose, phylogenetic and genetic variability analyses were performed using the mitochondrial control region marker (n=95 pig samples). Moreover, genotyping of ryr1 and PRKAG3 genes (n=108 pig samples) were performed to evaluate the frequency of deleterious alleles for meat quality traits in the region. The results showed high levels of genetic variability in the pig herds (Hd= 0.840 ± 0.031 and π= 0.010 ± 0.001), with a creole sow and Iberian lineage standing out in the phylogeny. The genotyping of the ryr1 marker revealed the presence of the deleterious t allele in all analyzed strata. However, the RN-allele of the PRKAG3 gene was detected only in the two lower strata. This study represents the first analysis of the phylogenetic relationships among domestic pigs from Argentina and provides an initial assessment of genetic variability in the region. Additionally, the results present, for the first time, the frequency of deleterious alleles for pig production in the productive core area, demonstrating their prevalence.

Self-reported hypersensitivity and allergy to foods amongst Mexican adolescents: Prevalence and associated factors.

BACKGROUND: The prevalence of food allergy is on the rise on a global scale. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of food hypersensitivity (FHS) and probable food allergy (PFA), as well as the foods and factors associated with these occurrences. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1992 adolescents (aged 15-18 years). Each adolescent answered a structured questionnaire. A multivariate analysis was used to identify the association between the variables. RESULTS: The prevalence of FHS was 10.6% (the most commonly associated foods were shrimp, cow's milk and avocado) and the PFA was 7.8% (shrimp, cow's milk and pecan). The prevalences of oral allergy syndrome, food-associated urticaria and systemic reaction were 4.9%, 3.6% and 1.5%, respectively. The following factors were associated with FHS: personal history of asthma (OR 1.63; 95% CI: 1.11-2.41), allergic rhinitis (OR 2.60; 95% CI: 1.75-3.87), atopic dermatitis (OR 2.07; 95% CI: 1.25-3.43), maternal history of asthma (OR 1.80; 95% CI: 1.02-3.16), atopic dermatitis (OR 6.11; 95% CI: 2.45-15.29), and female sex (OR 1.89; 95% CI: 1.38-2.59). PFA was associated with a personal history of asthma (OR 1.65; 95% CI: 1.06-2.56), allergic rhinitis (OR 2.46; 95% CI: 1.56-3.88), atopic dermatitis (OR 2.02; 95% CI: 1.15-3.54), paternal allergic rhinitis (OR 2.52; 95% CI: 1.15-5.51), maternal atopic dermatitis (OR 7.46; 95% CI: 2.93-19.00), and female sex (OR 1.89; 95% CI: 1.31-2.72). CONCLUSION: The adverse reactions associated with foods among late adolescents are a frequent occurrence, and the most commonly associated factor is atopy.

Oral allergy syndrome amongst young Mexicans: prevalence and associated factors.

Summary: Background. Oral allergy syndrome (OAS) is the most common food allergy manifestation amongst adults. However, population studies aimed at estimating its prevalence and associated factors are scarce in Mexi-co. Objectives. To establish the prevalence of OAS in a sample of university students and to describe their clinical characteristics and its associated factors. Methods. From a sample group made up of 25,269 university students, the data corresponding to 1,200 students aged 18 to 25 was analyzed with a cross-sectional approach. A structured questionnaire was used to identify OAS, its symptoms and related foods, and the personal history of atopic diseases. The associations between variables were calculated through logistical regression analysis. Results. The prevalence of OAS was 3.4%, with a 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of 2.5 to 4.6. The main oral symptoms reported were lip pruritus, edema and the sensation of pharyngeal oppression. Among the extra-oral complaints were: reddish coloration of the skin, body pruritus, abdominal pain, and abdominal bloating. The foods that were most frequently associated with OAS were fruits (68.5%), vegetables (22.0%) and seafood (19.3%). Through multivariate analyses, allergy to pollen and latex were found to be associated with OAS, OR 3.29; 95%: CI 1.53 to 7.10 and OR 5.53; 95% CI: 1.08 to 28.2, respectively. Conclusions. Notably, the prevalence of OAS varies according to the geographic area. Personal histories of allergy to pollen or latex were the main factors linked to OAS.

Relapsing bullous amyloidosis of the oral mucosa and acquired cutis laxa in a patient with multiple myeloma: a rare triple association.

It is well known that primary systemic amyloidosis [light chain (AL) amyloidosis] is associated with hidden dyscrasia or multiple myeloma. Acquired cutis laxa (cutis laxa acquisita; CLA) has also been described in patients with plasma cell dyscrasias, including multiple myeloma. We report a case in which haemorrhagic oral bullae were the first sign of an undiagnosed primary systemic amyloidosis related to multiple myeloma IgG-λ and previously diagnosed CLA. There is only one report in literature of this rare triple association; however, in that case the patient did not have oral mucosal involvement or bullous amyloidosis.

Kaposi sarcoma secondary to endogenous adrenocorticotropic hormone-dependent Cushing syndrome.

Kaposi sarcoma (KS) is an angioproliferative tumour that develops as a result of an infection by human herpesvirus 8, which is considered a necessary cause but not sufficient. Other factors - genetic, immunological and environmental - might play a role in the development of the disease. We report a case of KS secondary to endogenous Cushing syndrome (ECS) due to a pituitary adenoma, an association that has been reported only once. We also conducted a search through the Medline and PubMed databases for cases involving KS and ECS, finding only three additional cases that shared common clinical and prognostic features with ours. ECS might favour the development of KS due to immunosuppression. Dermatologists and other clinicians should be aware of this association, as it might be an underdiagnosed condition. It also has an important impact on the management of KS, and based on this review it relies on a good prognosis when ECS is well controlled.

Influence of the number of daily pills and doses on adherence to antiretroviral treatment: a 7-year study.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: Antiretroviral treatment (ART) is hampered by complicated regimens, high pill burden, drug-drug interactions, and frequent short- and long-term adverse effects, leading to decreased adherence. Over recent years, considerable effort has been directed at developing regimens that are less burdening. We undertook a 7-year retrospective study of the records of 264 HIV-infected subjects enrolled in a pharmaceutical care programme to document the progress made and to study the influence of the number of ART pills and doses on the level of treatment adherence. METHODS: Antiretroviral dispensing records were analysed for the number of pills and doses administered and the ART adherence rate estimated. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: In 2005, the patients took a mean of 6·2 pills daily (CI 95%: 5·9-6·6), and 92·9% of them were on a twice-a-day (BID) dosage regimen. By 2012, the mean number of pills was reduced to 4·1 (CI 95%: 3·8-4·4), and only 50·9% were on a BID regimen. No statistically significant relation was observed between number of daily pills and doses and ART adherence reached by the patients in any of the analyses performed. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSIONS: There has been a continuous reduction in the number of pills and doses of antiretrovirals taken by individual patients over the last 7 years due largely to the introduction of improved treatments and regimens. More daily pills or doses was not associated with worse ART adherence in our pharmaceutical care programme.

[Peripherally inserted central catheters: Savings, comfort, many advantages]. / Catéteres centrales de inserción periférica: un ahorro, una comodidad, muchas ventajas.

INTRODUCTION: Peripherally inserted central catheters are indicated when an intravenous treatment is expected for more than 6 days or less if phlebotoxic medication is used. We report our recent experience. METHODS: Retrospective study from 2014 to 2015 including patients to whom a catheter was placed either, in the operating room after surgery and before awakening the patient, or in the Pediatric ICU by direct or ultrasound guidance venipuncture. We reviewed patient characteristics, underlying disease, line catheterization procedure, type and duration of venous line, intravenous treatment and complications. RESULTS: Sixty-nine catheters of 3, 4 and 5 Fr (1 or 2 lumens) were placed in 66 patients with a median age of 5.71 years (± 4.24). They were mainly Pediatric Surgery patients (n = 19) mostly complicated acute appendicitis (n = 12). Arm veins were catheterized without difficulties except for two accidental arterial punctures. There were no infectious complications but 7 patients presented extravasation (one chylothorax) that forced the removal of the catheters and 3 reported obstruction by parenteral nutrition resolved with heparin irrigation. Two patients died and one was referred to another center with the catheter in use. There were no clinical venous thromboses. The median line duration was 10.6 days (maximum of 62 days). CONCLUSIONS: Peripherally inserted central catheters facilitate the management of patients avoiding repeated peripheral venipunctures. Its placement in the operating room after surgery and before the patient awakes, facilitates line catheterization and reduces complications. That is why we have included it in the therapeutic protocol of selected patients, the use of this type of catheter.

INTRODUCCION: Los catéteres centrales de inserción periférica están indicados cuando se prevé un tratamiento endovenoso durante más de 6 días o menos si se utiliza medicación flebotóxica. Presentamos nuestra experiencia reciente. METODOS: Estudio descriptivo retrospectivo desde 2014 a 2015 incluyendo pacientes a los cuales se les colocó un catéter ya sea en quirófano, tras la cirugía y antes de despertar al enfermo, o en la UCI Pediátrica por venopunción directa o ecoguiada. Revisamos características del paciente, enfermedad de base, procedimiento de canalización, tipo y duración de la vía, tratamiento endovenoso y complicaciones. RESULTADOS: Colocamos 69 catéteres de 3, 4 y 5 Fr (1 o 2 luces) en 66 pacientes con edad media de 5,71 años (± 4,24). Eran mayoritariamente enfermos de Cirugía Pediátrica (n= 19) sobre todo apendicitis agudas complicadas (n=12). Se canalizaron venas del brazo sin dificultades salvo 2 punciones arteriales accidentales. No hubo complicaciones infecciosas, pero sí 7 extravasaciones (un quilotórax) que obligaron a retirar el catéter y 3 obstrucciones por nutrición parenteral resueltas con irrigación de heparina. Dos enfermos fallecieron y uno fue derivado a otro centro con el catéter en uso. No hubo trombosis venosas clínicas. La duración media del acceso fue de 10,6 días (máximo 62 días). CONCLUSIONES: Los catéteres centrales de inserción periférica facilitan el manejo de los pacientes evitando las punciones venosas periféricas repetidas y su colocación en quirófano, tras la cirugía y antes de despertar al enfermo, facilita la canalización y reduce las complicaciones. Es por eso que hemos incluido estos en el protocolo terapéutico de enfermos seleccionados.

Impact of HIV infection on sustained virological response to treatment against hepatitis C virus with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin.

It is commonly accepted that human immunodeficiency (HIV) coinfection negatively impacts on the rates of sustained virological response (SVR) to therapy with pegylated interferon plus ribavirin (PR). However, this hypothesis is derived from comparing different studies. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of HIV coinfection on SVR to PR in one single population. In a multicentric, prospective study conducted between 2000 and 2013, all previously naïve hepatitis C virus (HCV)-infected patients who started PR in five Spanish hospitals were analyzed. SVR was evaluated 24 weeks after the scheduled end of therapy. Of the 1046 patients included in this study, 413 (39%) were coinfected with HIV. Three hundred and forty-one (54%) HCV-monoinfected versus 174 (42%) HIV/HCV-coinfected patients achieved SVR (p < 0.001). The corresponding figures for undetectable HCV RNA at treatment week 4 were 86/181 (47%) versus 59/197 (30%), p < 0.001. SVR was observed in 149 (69%) HCV genotype 2/3-monoinfected subjects versus 91 (68%) HIV/HCV genotype 2/3-coinfected subjects (p = 0.785). In the HCV genotype 1/4-infected population, 188 (46%) monoinfected patients versus 82 (30%) with HIV coinfection (p < 0.001) achieved SVR. In this subgroup, absence of HIV coinfection was independently associated with higher SVR [adjusted odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 2.127 (1.135-3.988); p = 0.019] in a multivariate analysis adjusted for age, sex, baseline HCV RNA load, IL28B genotype, fibrosis stage, and type of pegylated interferon. HIV coinfection impacts on the rates of SVR to PR only in HCV genotype 1/4-infected patients, while it has no effect on SVR in the HCV genotype 2/3-infected subpopulation.

Normal "high" thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels and pregnancy rates in patients undergoing IVF with donor eggs.

OBJECTIVE: To determine if a relationship exists between pregnancy rates obtained in patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (lVF) with donor eggs and levels of thyroid stimulating hormone greater than 2.5 mlU/L but still within a range considered normal. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective comparative cohort study. With prior approval of the Ethics Committee, 233 patients undergoing IVF with donor eggs, in a two-year period, were included. Patients were grouped depending on the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) level. Pregnancy rates were compared. Statistical analysis was made with the Chi-square test. RESULTS: Pregnancy rates, depending on the TSH level, were 56.6% in patients with TSH levels below 2.49 mU/L vs. 21.6%, in patients with levels above 2.5 mU/L. This difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Mild abnormalities of thyroid function may adversely affect the pregnancy rates in patients un- dergoing in vitro fertilization with donor eggs. A possible alteration in endometrial function may be associated.

Stability of plasma electrolytic oxidation coating on titanium in artificial saliva.

Bioactive PEO coating on titanium with high Ca/P ratio was fabricated and characterized with respect to its morphology, composition and microstructure. Long-term electrochemical stability of the coating and Ti(4+) ion release was evaluated in artificial saliva. Influence of the lactic acid and fluoride ions on corrosion protection mechanism of the coated titanium was assessed using AC and DC electrochemical tests. The PEO-treated titanium maintained high passivity in the broad range of potentials up to 2.5 V (Ag/AgCl) for up to 8 weeks of immersion in unmodified saliva and exhibited Ti(4+) ion release <0.002 µg cm(-2) days(-1). The high corrosion resistance of the coating is determined by diffusion of reacting species through the coating and resistance of the inner dense part of the coating adjacent to the substrate. Acidification of saliva in the absence of fluoride ions does not affect the surface passivity, but the presence of 0.1 % of fluoride ions at pH ≤4.0 causes loss of adhesion of the coating due to inwards migration of fluoride ions and their adsorption at the substrate/coating interface in the presence of polarisation.

Use of the flavonoid taxifolin for sperm cryopreservation from the threatened Bermeya goat breed.

Taxifolin is a plant flavonoid effective as an antioxidant. This study aimed to assess the effect of adding taxifolin to the semen extender during the cooling period before freezing on the overall post-thawing sperm variables of Bermeya goats. In the first experiment, a dose-response experiment was performed with four experimental groups: Control, 10, 50, and 100 µg/ml of taxifolin using semen from 8 Bermeya males. In the second experiment, semen from 7 Bermeya bucks was collected and extended at 20 °C using a Tris-citric acid-glucose medium supplemented with different concentrations of taxifolin and glutathione (GSH): control, 5 µM taxifolin, 1 mM GSH, and both antioxidants. In both experiments, two straws per buck were thawed in a water bath (37 °C, 30 s), pooled, and incubated at 38 °C. Motility (CASA) was assessed at 0, 2, and 5 h, and sperm physiology was assessed at 0 and 5 h by flow cytometry (viability, intact acrosome membrane, mitochondria membrane potential, capacitation, intracellular reactive oxygen species -ROS-, mitochondrial superoxide, and chromatin status). In experiment 2, an artificial insemination trial (AI) was included with 29 goats for testing the taxifolin 5-µM treatment on fertility. Data were analyzed with the R statistical environment using linear mixed-effects models. In experiment 1 and compared to the control, T10 increased progressive motility (P < 0.001) but taxifolin decreased total and progressive motility at higher concentrations (P < 0.001), both post-thawing and after the incubation. Viability decreased post-thawing in the three concentrations (P < 0.001). Cytoplasmic ROS decreased at 0 and 5 h at T10 (P = 0.049), and all doses decreased mitochondrial superoxide post-thawing (P = 0.024). In experiment 2, 5 µM taxifolin or 1 mM GSH (alone or combined) increased total and progressive motility vs. the control (P < 0.01), and taxifolin increased kinematic parameters such as VCL, ALH, and DNC (P < 0.05). Viability was not affected by taxifolin in this experiment. Both antioxidants did not significantly affect other sperm physiology parameters. The incubation significantly affected all the parameters (P < 0.004), overall decreasing sperm quality. Fertility after artificial insemination with doses supplemented with 5 µM taxifolin was 76.9% (10/13), not significantly different from the control group (69.2%, 9/13). In conclusion, taxifolin showed a lack of toxicity in the low micromolar range and could benefit goat semen cryopreservation.

Community pharmacy is the key to improving vitamin D levels.

Introduction: Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient that participates in the body's fundamental physiological processes. The pharmacist should involve the patient in his medication adherence, leading to a change in the patient's attitude towards his medication and towards his health problem, in order to achieve the pharmacological objective set. Methods: Quasi-experimental multicenter study design with non-probabilistic convenience sampling. A pharmacist-led intervention in health education was carried out, divided in two groups, face-to-face interview and on-line survey, and the results were evaluated 3 months later to observe if there was any change in the patient's health status or in their vitamin D levels. Results: The study was conducted in four pharmacies through face-to-face interviews (n = 49 patients) and online surveys (n = 23). Pharmaceutical intervention improved habits of exercise (0.81 ± 1.44 days/week face-to-face interviews vs -0.09 ± 2.35 days/week online surveys (p = 0.048)). In face-to-face interviews, consumption of vitamin D-rich foods was increased (0.55 unit of tuna/week; p = 0.035 and 0.56 unit of avocado/week; p = 0.001) and was improved correct intake of vitamin D supplements (32.5% baseline to 69.8% at 3 months). The increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (11.5 ng/mL after 3 months (p = 0.021)) was correlated to salmon consumption (0.951; p = 0.013) and the improvement of quality of life was correlated to avocado consumption (1; p < 0.001). Conclusion: There are habits that improve vitamin D production such as increased physical activity, the correct use of vitamin D supplements and the consumption of foods with high vitamin D levels. The role of the pharmacist is crucial, involving the patient in the treatment making aware of the benefits for his/her health status of increasing vitamin D levels.

Breast MR imaging changes after neoadjuvant chemotherapy: correlation with molecular subtypes.

OBJECTIVE: MRI is the imaging technique that is best suited to evaluating the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced breast cancer. We aimed to a) quantify the response in the molecular subtypes, b) describe the morphological and dynamic variation, and c) determine whether the molecular phenotype changes after chemotherapy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 75 carcinomas in 69 patients who underwent MRI both before and after neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The response to treatment was classified as a) complete response, b) major partial response, c) minor partial response, or d) no response. We quantified the response in each molecular subtype (Luminal A, Luminal B, Her2+, and triple negative). The morphological changes were classified as a) concentric reduction, b) fragmentation, c) ductal enhancement, or d) necrosis. The dynamic changes affected the maximum intensity peak and the post-initial enhancement. RESULTS: In the 4 molecular subtypes, the 4 types of response were seen. The response was good in 84.6% of the triple negative subtype, in 76.9% of the Luminal B subtype, in 75.6% of the Luminal A subtype, and in 69.2% of the Her2+ subtype. The predominant morphological change was concentric reduction (75%). The predominant dynamic change was a decrease in the maximum intensity peak (<100% in 64.2%), and type I or II curves were seen in 85.7%. CONCLUSIONS: The triple negative subtype responded best to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. The most common changes were concentric reduction and a decrease in the maximum intensity peak, with fewer washout curves. We observed a change in the molecular phenotype between the specimen at diagnosis and the final study in 12.2% of cases.

Efficiency of the EmERGE Pathway to provide continuity of care for Spanish people living with medically stable HIV.

OBJECTIVE: Calculate the efficiency of the EmERGE Pathway of Care for medically stable people living with HIV at the Hospital Clínic-IDIBAPS, Barcelona, Spain. METHODS: 546 study participants were followed between 1st July 2016 and 30th October 2019 across three HIV outpatient clinics, but the virtual clinic was closed during the second year. Unit costs were calculated, linked to mean use outpatient services per patient year, one-year before and after the implementation of EmERGE. Costs were combined with primary and secondary outcomes. RESULTS: Annual costs across HIV-outpatient services increased by 8%: €1073 (95%CI €999-€1157) to €1158 (95%CI €1084-€1238). Annual cost of ARVs was €7,557; total annual costs increased by 1% from €8430 (95%CI €8356-8514) to €8515 (95%CI €8441-8595). Annual cost for 433 participants managed in face-to-face (F2F) clinics decreased by 5% from €958 (95%CI 905-1018) to €904 (95%CI 863-945); participants transferred from virtual to F2F outpatient clinics (V2F) increased their annual cost by a factor of 2.2, from €115 (95%CI 94-139) to €251 (95%CI 219-290). No substantive changes were observed in primary and secondary outcomes. CONCLUSION: EmERGE Pathway is an efficient and acceptable intervention. Increases in costs were caused by internal structural changes. The cost reduction observed in F2F clinics were off-set by the transfer of participants from the virtual to the F2F clinics due to the closure of the virtual clinic during the second year of the Study. Greater efficiencies are likely to be achieved by extending the use of the Pathway to other PLHIV.

Diffuse hepatocutaneous hemangiomatosis: an unusual presentation. / Hemangiomatosis hepatocutánea difusa: presentación inusual.

INTRODUCTION: Infantile hemangiomas with multi-organ involvement are rare, and presentation in the form of uncontrollable bleeding is exceptional. CLINICAL CASE: 4-day-old newborn with multiple hepatocutaneous hemangiomas and a purplish vascular lesion in the third finger of the right hand. In the third week of life, the lesion became ulcerated and caused uncontrollable bleeding. Therefore, urgent amputation was required, with a histopathological result of GLUT-1 positive infantile hemangioma, and an architecture compatible with arteriovenous malformation in the deep portion. Imaging tests revealed it was a high-flow lesion. Genetic tests (MAP2KI, RASA 1, EPHB4, GNAQ, and GNA 11) were negative. Patient progression was good, with hepatocutaneous lesions receding and eventually disappearing. DISCUSSION: No explanation has been given yet as to why the same vascular lesion may behave differently in different patients. New mutations may be accountable for this.

INTRODUCCION: Los hemangiomas infantiles con afectación multivisceral son escasos y su presentación en forma de hemorragia incontrolable es excepcional. CASO CLINICO: Recién nacido de 4 días de vida que presentaba múltiples hemangiomas hepatocutáneos y una lesión vascular púrpura-violácea, que abarcaba el tercer dedo de la mano derecha. En la tercera semana de vida, la lesión presentó ulceración y un sangrado incoercible requiriendo amputación urgente, con un resultado histopatológico de hemangioma infantil GLUT-1 positivo, con arquitectura compatible con malformación arteriovenosa en la parte profunda. Las pruebas de imagen mostraron que se trataba de una lesión de alto flujo. La genética (MAP2KI, RASA 1, EPHB4, GNAQ y GNA 11) fue negativa. La evolución del paciente fue buena, con la involución de las lesiones hepatocutáneas hasta su desaparición. COMENTARIOS: La divergencia en el comportamiento de las mismas lesiones vasculares en diferentes pacientes aún no ha encontrado explicación. Es posible que nuevas mutaciones puedan darnos una respuesta.

Development of Bioactive Glass-Collagen-Hyaluronic Acid-Polycaprolactone Scaffolds for Tissue Engineering Applications.

In this work, bioactive glass (BG) particles synthesized by a sol-gel method, hyaluronic acid (HYA) and collagen (COL) extracted from chicken eggshell membrane (ESM), and as-purchased polycaprolactone (PCL) were used to obtain a novel bioactive scaffold using the gel-pressing technique. Two composite mixtures in weight percent were obtained and identified as SCF-1 and SCF-2, and were characterized by using FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques. Subsequently, the composite materials applied as coatings were evaluated in simulated body fluid solutions using electrochemical techniques. The results of bioactivity and biodegradability evaluations, carried out by immersing in simulated body fluid and phosphate-buffered saline solution, showed that the SCF-1 sample presented the best biocompatibility. In accordance with the potentiodynamic results, the 316L-SS and the SCF-1-coated SS showed a very similar corrosion potential (E corr ), around -228 mV, and current density (i corr ) values in close proximity, while the SCF-2-coated SS showed more positive E corr around -68 mV and lower i corr value in one order of magnitude. These results agree with those obtained by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, which show a corrosion mechanism governed by activation and finite diffusion through the porous layer. In addition, results were complemented by dynamic compression testing under oscillating forces to identify the developed scaffolds' response under external forces, where the SCF-1 scaffold presented a maximum compression. The degradation resistance, bioactivity, and mechanically obtained measurements provided interesting results for potential further studies in tissue engineering.

Treatment with sotrovimab for SARS-CoV-2 infection in a cohort of high-risk kidney transplant recipients.

Background: Sotrovimab is a neutralizing monoclonal antibody (mAb) that seems to remain active against recent severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants. The evidence on its use in kidney transplant (KT) recipients, however, is limited. Methods: We performed a multicenter, retrospective cohort study of 82 KT patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection {coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID-19]} treated with sotrovimab. Results: Median age was 63 years. Diabetes was present in 43.9% of patients, and obesity in 32.9% of patients; 48.8% of patients had an estimated glomerular filtration rate under 30 mL/minute/1.73 m2. Additional anti-COVID-19 therapies were administered to 56 patients, especially intravenous steroids (65.9%). Sotrovimab was administered early (<5 days from the onset of the symptoms) in 46 patients (56%). Early-treated patients showed less likely progression to severe COVID-19 than those treated later, represented as a lower need for ventilator support (2.2% vs 36.1%; P < .001) or intensive care admission (2.2% vs 25%; P = .002) and COVID-19-related mortality (2.2% vs 16.7%; P = .020). In the multivariable analysis, controlling for baseline risk factors to severe COVID-19 in KT recipients, early use of sotrovimab remained as a protective factor for a composite outcome, including need for ventilator support, intensive care, and COVID-19-related mortality. No anaphylactic reactions, acute rejection episodes, impaired kidney function events, or non-kidney side effects related to sotrovimab were observed. Conclusions: Sotrovimab had an excellent safety profile, even in high-comorbidity patients and advanced chronic kidney disease stages. Earlier administration could prevent progression to severe disease, while clinical outcomes were poor in patients treated later. Larger controlled studies enrolling KT recipients are warranted to elucidate the true efficacy of monoclonal antibody therapies.

Echinococcus granulosus glycoconjugates induce peritoneal B cell differentiation into antibody-secreting cells and cytokine production.

Helminth parasite infections are associated with predominant Th2-type cytokine responses, and parasite glycoconjugates have been recognized as partially responsible for such immune bias. It has been proved that Echinococcus granulosus evokes a Th2-type cytokine pattern characterized by a high production of IL-4, IL-5, IL-6 and IL-10, and no or mild IFN-γ levels in animal models and in patients with cystic echinococcosis, respectively. Here, we show that E4(+) (a glycoconjugate-enriched fraction from E. granulosus protoscolex) stimulated the secretion of a high concentration of IL-6, followed by IL-10 and TNF-α by normal peritoneal B cells. We determined that E4(+) bound to the surface of peritoneal B cells and induced their activation and, also, triggered the differentiation of peritoneal B cells into IgM-, IgG2b- and IgG3-secreting cells in a T-independent way. Interestingly, the IgM released by E4(+) -stimulated peritoneal B cells from normal mice recognized protoscolex antigens. Results showed that, after the encounter with antigens from E. granulosus protoscolex, peritoneal B cells are a source of Th2-type cytokines and polyclonal antibodies, some of which recognize parasite antigens, suggesting that peritoneal B cells can condition the outcome of the infection.