Assessment of incidental cardiac uptake in bone scintigraphy across Spain - the ECCINGO STUDY.

AIM: Myocardial uptake on bone scintigraphy has become useful for the detection of transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA). This study aimed to assess the prevalence of myocardial uptake in patients over 18 years of age with no clinical suspicion of cardiac amyloidosis (CA) who had undergone bone scintigraphy. METHODS AND RESULTS: This was an observational, retrospective, multicenter study across 21 Spanish hospitals (September-November 2019). Of the 9864 scans analyzed (locally and centrally), incidental cardiac uptake was observed in 71 patients (0.72%), a prevalence that increased with age. A previous diagnosis of heart failure was found in 16.9% of patients with positive uptake, with >50% in NYHA II. ATTR-CA was diagnosed in 10 patients, with a mean delay of 10.4 months (95% CI: 5.1-15.7). All were >70 years old, primarily male, and had greater left ventricular hypertrophy than patients without a confirmed diagnosis (p < 0.0001). ATTR-CA patients had higher rates of orthostatic hypotension (30.0% vs. 3.8% in non-ATTR-CA; p=0.025). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first retrospective, national, multicenter study evaluating the prevalence of incidental cardiac uptake in bone scintigraphy performed for non-cardiac reasons, showing a prevalence of 0.72% in this population. Referral of these patients may facilitate early diagnosis of CA with a resulting benefit for patients.

Coordination of azol(in)ium dithiocarboxylate ligands to Au(III): unexpected formation of a novel family of cyclometallated Au(III) complexes, DFT calculations and catalytic studies.

A series of cyclometallated gold(III) complexes 21-27 of general formula [Au(dppta)(azdtc)Cl] (dppta = N,N-diisopropyl-P,P-diphenylphosphinothioic amide-κ2C,S; azdtc = azol(in)ium-2-dithiocarboxylate-κ1S) were prepared and characterized by spectroscopic and diffractometric techniques. Treatment of [Au(dppta)(azdtc)Cl] complexes with methanol led to their quantitative transformation into a novel family of (C^S, S^S)-cyclometallated gold(III) complexes of general formula [Au(dppta)(azmtd)] (azmdt = azol(in)ium-2-(methoxy)methanedithiol-κ2S,S) 28-34. All the [Au(dppta)(azdtc)Cl] complexes 21-27 catalyzed the alkylation of indoles, whereas [Au(dppta)(azmtd)] complexes 28-34 were inactive. Among the synthesized derivatives, complex 22 displayed the highest catalytic activity, leading to a series of functionalized indoles in excellent yields.

Rapid expansion of lymphogranuloma venereum infections with fast diversification and spread of Chlamydia trachomatis L genovariants.

IMPORTANCE: Numerous international organizations, including the World Health Organization, have been drawing attention to the global increase in sexually transmitted infections. Twenty years ago, lymphogranuloma venereum (LGV) was mainly considered a tropical disease; in recent decades, however, LGV has been increasingly present in high-income countries. This increase has been linked to men who have sex with men who participate in highly interconnected sexual networks, leading to a rapid spread of LGV. This study focuses on the spread of LGV, presenting the largest time series of LGV prevalence in Spain, which includes more than a thousand diagnosed cases in one large city. The number of LGV cases diagnosed was analyzed over time, and a selection of strains was subjected to molecular genotyping. The results indicate that the LGV epidemic is gradually evolving toward an increasingly complex diversification due to the selection of successful genovariants that have emerged by mutation and recombination events, suggesting that we are moving toward an unpredictable scenario.

End-of-life fishing gear in Spain: Quantity and recyclability.

European Commission has approached the challenge of End-Of-Life (EOL) fishing gear and Abandoned, Lost, or otherwise Discarded Fishing Gear (ALDFG) by focusing on circular economy. Current directives highlight the need to provide a proper management to EOL fishing gears, fostering their separate collection, transport, and treatment from a circular perspective. They also request Member States to set collection and treatment targets. However, this is far from being widely implemented in a coordinated manner. In the quest to explore the Spanish case, this contribution aims at providing insights on the amount and type of EOL fishing gear and management practices carried out in different Spanish ports, as well as recycling options for such gears. Data was collected through an online survey, interviews to stakeholders, and visits to ports. Composition, degradation and mechanical recyclability of EOL samples were assessed. Yearly, 1643 tonnes of EOL fishing gear (mainly nets) are discarded in Spanish ports from trawling (97.5%), gillnet/trammel nets (2.3%) and purse seine (0.2%) fisheries. High-density polyethylene (from trawling nets) is the most common discarded polymer, followed by polyamide 6 (from gillnets/trammel net and purse seine nets). EOL fishing gear management is diverse in Spain as it depends on the nature of the port (who governs it, either regional or national govern), special agreements between local fishers' guilds and waste managing companies, the waste managers in port, etc. Polyamide nets are degraded but in good condition to be recycled mechanically; for trawl nets chemical recycling is more suited due to their degraded state. Currently, few recycling companies exists in Spain that are engaged on mechanical recycling of EOL fishing gears, none in chemical recycling. Therefore, a more comprehensive analysis, coordination, and smart logistics are needed to make the collection and recycling of EOL fishing gear possible.

Tumor de células granulares de vulva: un raro tumor genital benigno / Granular cell tumor of vulva: a rare benign genital tumor

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: El tumor de células granulares de la vulva es poco común y de origen neurogénico. Afecta, principalmente, a mujeres entre 60 y 70 años y es más frecuente en la raza negra. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 63 años, con una lesión vulvar indolora y no pruriginosa, en crecimiento. En la exploración se observó una lesión excrecente de 2.5 cm en la región superior del labio mayor izquierdo, dura, vascularizada y con infiltración a 2 cm de profundidad. No se palparon adenopatías sospechosas. Luego del reporte de la biopsia, sugerente de tumor de células granulares, se practicó una escisión completa, con márgenes libres. El estudio inmunohistoquímico se reportó positivo para CD68, S100 y TFE3 lo que confirmó el diagnóstico. Puesto que el índice proliferativo (Ki67) fue inferior al 5% y los márgenes quirúrgicos estaban libres, no se requirió tratamiento adyuvante. La paciente permanece en seguimiento y sin signos de recidiva. CONCLUSIÓN: Si bien los tumores de células granulares de la vulva son poco comunes y casi siempre benignos, deben incluirse en el diagnóstico diferencial de una tumoración vulvar. La inmunohistoquímica es la herramienta más útil para el diagnóstico preciso y su tratamiento de elección es la escisión local amplia, por su tendencia a la recurrencia local.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Granular cell tumor of the vulva is rare and neurogenic in origin. It mainly affects women between 60 and 70 years of age and is more frequent in black women. CLINICAL CASE: A 63-year-old woman with a painless, non-pruritic, growing vulvar lesion. Examination revealed a 2.5 cm excrescent lesion in the upper region of the left labium majus, hard, vascularized and infiltrated to a depth of 2 cm. No suspicious lymph nodes were palpated. After the biopsy report, suggestive of granular cell tumor, complete excision was performed, with free margins. The immunohistochemical study was positive for CD68, S100 and TFE3 which confirming the diagnosis. Since the proliferative index (Ki67) was less than 5% and the surgical margins were clear, adjuvant treatment was not required. The patient remains in follow-up with no signs of recurrence. CONCLUSION: Although granular cell tumors of the vulva are rare and almost always benign, they should be included in the differential diagnosis of a vulvar tumor. Immunohistochemistry is the most useful tool for accurate diagnosis and their treatment of choice is wide local excision because of their tendency for local recurrence.

Síndrome de Frasier: ¿Cómo diagnosticar una enfermedad rara en la consulta de Ginecología? Reporte de caso / Frasier Syndrome: How to diagnose a rare disease in a Gynecology consultation? A case report

Resumen INTRODUCCIÓN: El síndrome de Frasier es una enfermedad de herencia autosómica dominante con una prevalencia inferior a 1 caso por cada millón de recién nacidos vivos. Hasta la fecha se han descrito unos 150 casos. Este síndrome se caracteriza por pseudohermafroditismo masculino, disgenesia gonadal 46, XY y enfermedad glomerular, todo ello producido por una mutación del gen WT1. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 16 años que consultó por amenorrea primaria y ausencia de caracteres sexuales secundarios. Antecedentes: glomerulonefritis focal segmentaria corticorresistente desde la infancia. En la exploración física se objetivó un estadio Tanner 1. Las pruebas complementarias pusieron de manifiesto la ausencia de útero y anejos y un hipogonadismo hipergonadotrópico con cariotipo 46, XY. Ante los hallazgos se decidió la laparoscopia exploradora y salpingooforectomía bilateral. El informe anatomopatológico fue de disgerminoma de ovario derecho. La sospecha clínica se confirmó en el estudio genético, que reportó una mutación del gen WT1, diagnóstica de síndrome de Frasier. En la actualidad, la paciente recibe tratamiento inmunosupresor y hormonal sustitutivo, con una evolución favorable. CONCLUSIÓN: El diagnóstico temprano del síndrome de Frasier es fundamental en virtud del riesgo asociado de malignidad. La baja frecuencia de la enfermedad y la asociación común con retraso puberal en pacientes con enfermedades crónicas puede favorecer el retraso del diagnóstico. El reporte de los casos diagnosticados de este síndrome, y el tratamiento multidisciplinario son decisivos para mejorar el conocimiento de esta rara enfermedad.

Abstract INTRODUCTION: Frasier Syndrome is an autosomal dominant inherited disease with a prevalence of less than 1 per million live births. To date, about 150 cases have been described. This syndrome is characterized by male pseudohermaphroditism, 46, XY gonadal dysgenesis, and glomerular disease, all caused by a mutation of the WT1 gene. It is essential to learn more about this disease, not only because of the high risk of ovarian neoplasia, but also because its early diagnosis will improve the prognosis. CLINICAL CASES: We report the case of a 16-year-old woman who consulted for primary amenorrhea and absence of secondary sexual characteristics. As medical history, she highlighted steroid-resistant focal segmental glomerulonephritis since childhood. The examination revealed Tanner stage 1. Complementary tests revealed the absence of the uterus and adnexa and hypergonadotropic hypogonadism with a 46, XY karyotype. Given the findings, it was decided to perform an exploratory laparoscopy and bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy. The anatomopathological result reported dysgerminoma of the right ovary. The clinical suspicion was confirmed by genetic study, which reported a mutation of the WT1 gene, diagnostic of Frasier Syndrome. Currently, the patient undergoes, along with immunosuppressive treatment, hormone replacement therapy, with a favorable evolution. CONCLUSION: Early diagnosis of Frasier Syndrome is essential given the associated risk of malignancy. The low frequency of the disease and the usual association of delayed puberty in patients with chronic diseases may lead to a diagnostic delay. Therefore, reporting the diagnosed cases of this syndrome, as well as its multidisciplinary management, is essential to improve knowledge about this rare disease.

Developing a mHealth intervention to redesign the current journey for people living with HIV: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE: People living with human immunodeficiency virus could particularly benefit from mobile health (mHealth). The objective of the study was to  contribute to the design and development of a new standard of care for people  living with human immunodeficiency virus and the mHealth app needed to  support it by 1) exploring the view of people living with human  immunodeficiency virus and healthcare professionals on the possibilities of  mHealth tools on HIV care, and 2) implementing their feedback into the new  app and into the new journey of people living with human immunodeficiency  virus. METHOD: The study was conducted in two different phases: phase one was to  apprise patients' and healthcare professionals' perspectives on mHealth using  the qualitative methodology of the focus groups, whereas phase two aimed to  implement their feedback into the application. RESULTS: A total of five people living with human immunodeficiency virus and  nine healthcare professionals (three clinical pharmacists, three nurses, two  physicians, and one pharmacy technician) participated in the focus groups. The  patients identified the following main aspects to be improved in the  current patients' journey: insufficient information (n = 5), lack of general  population disease awareness (n = 5), and medication dispensation model (n =  3). Moreover, healthcare professionals identified the next health outcomes  to be enhanced with mHealth tools: patients' quality of life (n = 7), control of  the disease (n = 5) and comorbidities (n = 3), and adherence to medication (n = 5). According to these needs, the new healthcare model was designed. The  mHealth was provided with different features, such as information about the  disease, health promotion and prevention, the possibility of two-way patient- healthcare professionals communication, or synchronization with other devices. The new human immunodeficiency virus care journey and the app are currently being tested in a group of people living with human immunodeficiency virus in real-world conditions in our hospital. CONCLUSIONS: Improving patients' quality of life, therapeutic adherence, or  disease control are key objectives for optimizing people living with human  immunodeficiency virus care. Our digital health tool and the new healthcare  model have been implemented based on end-users' feedback to achieve better  patients-healthcare professionals communication and patient engagement with their care.

OBJETIVO: Las personas que viven con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana podrían beneficiarse de nuevas estrategias de salud móvil (mSalud). El  objetivo del estudio fue contribuir al diseño y desarrollo de un nuevo modelo  asistencial en la población con virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y de la  aplicación móvil necesaria para apoyarlo mediante: 1) la exploración de la  visión de personas que viven con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana y  profesionales sanitarios sobre las herramientas digitales en la atención a este  colectivo, y 2) la implementación de sus perspectivas en la nueva aplicación y  en la nueva ruta asistencial.Método: El estudio se realizó en dos fases: la primera tenía como objetivo conocer las perspectivas de los participantes sobre la salud móvil mediante la metodología cualitativa de los grupos focales, y la segunda implementar estas valoraciones en la aplicación. RESULTADOS: Participaron cinco pacientes y nueve profesionales sanitarios (tres farmacéuticos clínicos, tres enfermeras, dos médicas y una  técnico de farmacia). Los pacientes consideraron que debían mejorarse los siguientes aspectos en su ruta asistencial: información insuficiente (n = 5),  falta de conocimiento de la enfermedad (n = 5) y modelo de dispensación de la medicación (n = 3). Los profesionales identificaron que debían mejorarse: la  calidad de vida de los pacientes (n = 7), el control de su enfermedad (n = 5) y de sus comorbilidades (n = 3), y la adherencia terapéutica (n = 5). De acuerdo con estas necesidades, se diseñó el nuevo modelo asistencial. Las siguientes  características se incorporaron a la mHealth: información sobre la enfermedad,  promoción y prevención de la salud, posibilidad de comunicación  bidireccional profesional-paciente o sincronización con otros dispositivos. La  nueva ruta asistencial y la aplicación están siendo estudiadas en un grupo de  personas que viven con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana en  condiciones de vida real y en seguimiento en nuestro hospital. CONCLUSIONES: La mejora de la calidad de vida, la adherencia terapéutica y el  control de la enfermedad son factores clave para la optimización de la atención de las personas que viven con el virus de la inmunodeficiencia humana.  Nuestra herramienta de salud digital y el modelo asistencial han sido diseñados en base a la opinión de pacientes para mejorar la comunicación profesional- paciente sanitario y conseguir un mayor compromiso de los pacientes con su  cuidado.

HyScreen: A Ground-Based Imaging System for High-Resolution Red and Far-Red Solar-Induced Chlorophyll Fluorescence.

Solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) is used as a proxy of photosynthetic efficiency. However, interpreting top-of-canopy (TOC) SIF in relation to photosynthesis remains challenging due to the distortion introduced by the canopy's structural effects (i.e., fluorescence re-absorption, sunlit-shaded leaves, etc.) and sun-canopy-sensor geometry (i.e., direct radiation infilling). Therefore, ground-based, high-spatial-resolution data sets are needed to characterize the described effects and to be able to downscale TOC SIF to the leafs where the photosynthetic processes are taking place. We herein introduce HyScreen, a ground-based push-broom hyperspectral imaging system designed to measure red (F687) and far-red (F760) SIF and vegetation indices from TOC with single-leaf spatial resolution. This paper presents measurement protocols, the data processing chain and a case study of SIF retrieval. Raw data from two imaging sensors were processed to top-of-canopy radiance by dark-current correction, radiometric calibration, and empirical line correction. In the next step, the improved Fraunhofer line descrimination (iFLD) and spectral-fitting method (SFM) were used for SIF retrieval, and vegetation indices were calculated. With the developed protocol and data processing chain, we estimated a signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) between 50 and 200 from reference panels with reflectance from 5% to 95% and noise equivalent radiance (NER) of 0.04 (5%) to 0.18 (95%) mW m-2 sr-1 nm-1. The results from the case study showed that non-vegetation targets had SIF values close to 0 mW m-2 sr-1 nm-1, whereas vegetation targets had a mean F687 of 1.13 and F760 of 1.96 mW m-2 sr-1 nm-1 from the SFM method. HyScreen showed good performance for SIF retrievals at both F687 and F760; nevertheless, we recommend further adaptations to correct for the effects of noise, varying illumination and sensor optics. In conclusion, due to its high spatial resolution, Hyscreen is a promising tool for investigating the relationship between leafs and TOC SIF as well as their relationship with plants' photosynthetic capacity.

Differential effects of dolutegravir, bictegravir and raltegravir in adipokines and inflammation markers on human adipocytes.

AIMS: To assess the potential direct effects of the integrase strand-transfer inhibitors (INsTIs) dolutegravir, bictegravir, and raltegravir, drugs used as treatment for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH), on human adipose cells. MAIN METHODS: Drugs were added to the differentiation medium of human Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome (SGBS) adipose cells and morphological adipogenesis was monitored for 10 days. Also, adipocytes were exposed to drugs following differentiation (day 14). The gene expression levels of selected adipogenesis markers, adipocyte metabolism markers, adipokines, and cytokines were determined by quantitative-reverse transcription polymerase-chain reaction. The release of adiponectin and leptin into the culture medium was measured using specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and release of interleukin-6 and chemokine (CC motif) ligand-2 using Multiplex assays. KEY FINDINGS: Overall morphological adipogenesis was unaltered by INsTIs. The expression of adipogenesis marker genes (peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-Ɣ and lipoprotein lipase) was slightly reduced in dolutegravir-treated differentiating adipocytes. Bictegravir repressed gene expression and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines in differentiating adipocytes. Dolutegravir and raltegravir increased interleukin-6 gene expression, but only dolutegravir increased interleukin-6 release. Dolutegravir repressed adiponectin expression and release in differentiating adipocytes and had a similar but milder effect on leptin. Drug treatment of mature adipocytes reduced adiponectin gene expression in response to dolutegravir. SIGNIFICANCE: The INsTIs studied do not have a significant effect on human adipose cell differentiation but exert distinct effects on gene expression and secretion of adipokines and cytokines. These findings will help understand and manage the effects of INsTI-containing treatments on body weight and metabolic dysregulation in PLWH.

The first synthesis of an isocyanide-functionalized imidazolium salt and transition metal complexes thereof.

An isocyanide-functionalized imidazole was obtained from 4-(1H-imidazol-1-yl)aniline by the Ugi method and subsequently transformed into the corresponding imidazolium salt by treatment with MeI. Coordination of the isocyanide residue allowed the synthesis of several transition metal complexes containing a peripheral imidazolium cation, which are suitable starting materials for the formation of mixed ligand isocyanide-NHC heterometallic complexes.

Double CD4/CD8-Positive, Nonpoikilodermic Mycosis Fungoides Expressing CD56 in a Young Man.

ABSTRACT: We report a case of mycosis fungoides (MF) in an 18-year-old man whose neoplastic T cells expressed CD4, CD8, and CD56, with no evidence of TCR-delta or Epstein-Barr virus (EBER) expression. Clinically, neither hypopigmentation nor hyperpigmentation nor poikilodermatous skin lesions were present, and the lesions subsided with oral corticoids and retinoids and environmental solar ultraviolet exposure. Our case represents the oldest patient reported so far with nonpoikilodermatous, CD8/CD56 MF and adds to the phenotypic diversity of MF in the pediatric population. This distinct phenotype does not seem to be linked to a more aggressive course than the classic CD-4 positive one.

Nosocomial COVID-19 Infection in a Long-Term Hospital in Spain: Retrospective Observational Study.

Background and Objectives. The aim of this study is to compare clinical and epidemiological characteristics and outcomes in patients with versus without nosocomial COVID-19 after exposure to SARS-CoV-2 and to analyze the risk factors for severe outcomes of COVID-19 in a long-term hospital in Spain. Materials and methods. This retrospective, single-center observational study included all inpatients in a long-term hospital during a COVID-19 outbreak from 21 January to 15 March 2021. Results. Of 108 admitted patients, 65 (60.2%) were diagnosed with nosocomial COVID-19 disease (n = 34 women (52.3%), median age 77 years). In the univariable analysis, risk factors associated with nosocomial COVID-19 were dementia (OR 4.98 95% CI 1.58-15.75), dyspnea (OR 5.34 95% CI 1.69-16.82), asthenia (OR 5.10, 95% CI 1.40-18.60) and NECesidades PALiativas (NECPAL) (OR 1.28 95% CI 1.10-1.48). In the multivariable analysis, risk factors independently associated with nosocomial COVID-19 infection were dyspnea (aOR 7.39; 95% CI 1.27-43.11) and NECPAL (aOR 1.25; 95% CI 1.03-1.52). Of the 65 patients diagnosed with nosocomial COVID-19, 29 (44.6%) died, compared to 7/43 (16.2%) non-infected patients (OR 4.14, 95% CI 1.61-10.67). Factors associated with mortality in nosocomial COVID-19 were confusion (aOR 3.83; 95% CI 1.03-14.27) and dyspnea (aOR 7.47; 95% CI 1.87-29.82). The NECPAL tool played an important predictive role in both nosocomial COVID-19 infection and mortality (aOR 1.19, 95% CI: 1.00-1.41). Conclusions. In a long-term hospital, nosocomial COVID-19 main clinical characteristics associated with infection were dyspnea and NECPAL. Mortality was higher in the group with nosocomial COVID-19; risk factors were confusion and dyspnea. The NECPAL tool may help to predict progression and death in COVID-19.

Adipose tissue aging partially accounts for fat alterations in HIV lipodystrophy.

Lipodystrophy is a major disturbance in people living with HIV-1 (PLWH). Several systemic alterations in PLWH are reminiscent of those that occur in ageing. It is unknown whether the lipodystrophy in PLWH is the consequence of accelerated ageing in adipose tissue. We compared systemic and adipose tissue disturbances in PLWH with those in healthy elderly individuals (~80 y old). We observed similarly enhanced expression of inflammation-related genes and decreased autophagy in adipose tissues from elderly individuals and PLWH. Indications of repressed adipogenesis and mitochondrial dysfunction were found specifically in PLWH, whereas reduced telomere length and signs of senesce were specific to elderly individuals. We conclude that ageing of adipose tissue accounts only partially for the alterations in adipose tissues of PLWH.

Increased Circulating Levels of Growth Differentiation Factor 15 in Association with Metabolic Disorders in People Living with HIV Receiving Combined Antiretroviral Therapy.

OBJECTIVE: People living with HIV (PLWH) have an increased cardiovascular risk (CVR) owing to dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and HIV/combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)-associated lipodystrophy (HALS). Atherosclerosis and inflammation are related to growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15). The relationship between metabolic disturbances, HALS, and CVR with GDF15 in PLWH is not known. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Circulating GDF15 levels in 152 PLWH (with HALS = 60, without HALS = 43, cART-naïve = 49) and 34 healthy controls were assessed in a cross-sectional study. Correlations with lipids, glucose homeostasis, fat distribution, and CVR were explored. RESULTS: PLWH had increased circulating GDF15 levels relative to controls. The increase was the largest in cART-treated PLWH. Age, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance 1 (HOMA1-IR), HALS, dyslipidemia, C-reactive protein, and CVR estimated with the Framingham score correlated with GDF15 levels. The GDF15-Framingham correlation was lost after age adjustment. No correlation was found between GDF15 and the D:A:D Data Collection on Adverse Effects of Anti-HIV Drugs (D:A:D) score estimated CVR. CVR independent predictors were patient group (naïve, HALS-, and HALS+) and cumulated protease inhibitor or nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor exposure. CONCLUSIONS: PLWH, especially when cART-treated, has increased GDF15 levels-this increase is associated with dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, HALS, and inflammation-related parameters. GDF15 is unassociated with CVR when age-adjusted.

Carcinoma de células basales en la región vulvar: revisión bibliográfica a propósito de un caso / Vulvar basal cell carcinoma: A case report and review of the literature

Resumen ANTECEDENTES: El carcinoma de células basales, o basocelular, es la neoplasia cutánea no melanocítica más frecuente en la raza caucásica. La mayor parte de estas neoplasias aparecen en la piel fotoexpuesta (casi el 85% en la cabeza y el cuello). La afectación vulvar tiene una frecuencia no mayor al 1 al 2% de todos los carcinomas basocelulares. OBJETIVO: Reportar un caso de carcinoma basocelular de localización vulvar y revisar la bibliografía de los últimos siete años. CASO CLÍNICO: Paciente de 74 años, sin antecedentes personales de interés, con una lesión vulvar asintomática, con varios meses de evolución. En la exploración genital se encontró, en el labio mayor izquierdo, una lesión de 3 cm, pálida, no ulcerada, sobreelevada y pétrea. La biopsia de la lesión reportó: tejido mamario accesorio. Ante este informe se decidió la exéresis de la lesión y dejar un margen quirúrgico aproximado de 1 cm. La intervención y el posoperatorio transcurrieron sin contratiempos. El estudio anatomopatológico de la pieza quirúrgica reportó que se trataba de un carcinoma ulcerado de células basales, nodular y superficial, con los bordes de resección libres. En el seguimiento posquirúrgico a los dos meses, la paciente se encontró en buenas condiciones, asintomática. CONCLUSIONES: Si bien el carcinoma basocelular es una neoplasia muy frecuente, la afectación vulvar es por demás rara. El diagnóstico y el tratamiento deben ser interdisciplinarios, de la mano de dermatólogos y gineco-oncólogos.

Abstract BACKGROUND: Basal cell carcinoma, or basal cell carcinoma, is the most common nonmelanocytic skin neoplasm in Caucasians. Most of these neoplasms occur on photo exposed skin (almost 85% on the head and neck). Vulvar involvement has a frequency of no more than 1% to 2% of all basal cell carcinomas. OBJECTIVE: To report a case of basal cell carcinoma of vulvar location and to review the literature of recent years. CLINICAL CASE: 74-year-old patient, with no personal history of interest, with an asymptomatic vulvar lesion, with several months of evolution. On genital examination, a 3 cm lesion was found on the left labium majus, pale, non-ulcerated, raised, and stony. The biopsy of the lesion reported: accessory breast tissue. In view of this report, it was decided to excise the lesion and leave a surgical margin of approximately 1 cm. The operation and postoperative period went smoothly. The anatomopathological study of the surgical specimen reported that it was an ulcerated basal cell carcinoma, nodular and superficial, with free resection margins. At two months post-surgical follow-up, the patient was found to be in good condition, asymptomatic. CONCLUSIONS: Although basal cell carcinoma is a very frequent neoplasm, vulvar involvement is very rare. Diagnosis and treatment should be interdisciplinary, with the collaboration of dermatologists and gyneco-oncologists.

Downscaling of far-red solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence of different crops from canopy to leaf level using a diurnal data set acquired by the airborne imaging spectrometer HyPlant.

Remote sensing-based measurements of solar-induced chlorophyll fluorescence (SIF) are useful for assessing plant functioning at different spatial and temporal scales. SIF is the most direct measure of photosynthesis and is therefore considered important to advance capacity for the monitoring of gross primary production (GPP) while it has also been suggested that its yield facilitates the early detection of vegetation stress. However, due to the influence of different confounding effects, the apparent SIF signal measured at canopy level differs from the fluorescence emitted at leaf level, which makes its physiological interpretation challenging. One of these effects is the scattering of SIF emitted from leaves on its way through the canopy. The escape fraction ( f esc ) describes the scattering of SIF within the canopy and corresponds to the ratio of apparent SIF at canopy level to SIF at leaf level. In the present study, the fluorescence correction vegetation index (FCVI) was used to determine f esc of far-red SIF for three structurally different crops (sugar beet, winter wheat, and fruit trees) from a diurnal data set recorded by the airborne imaging spectrometer HyPlant. This unique data set, for the first time, allowed a joint analysis of spatial and temporal dynamics of structural effects and thus the downscaling of far-red SIF from canopy ( SIF 760 canopy ) to leaf level ( SIF 760 leaf ). For a homogeneous crop such as winter wheat, it seems to be sufficient to determine f esc once a day to reliably scale SIF760 from canopy to leaf level. In contrast, for more complex canopies such as fruit trees, calculating f esc for each observation time throughout the day is strongly recommended. The compensation for structural effects, in combination with normalizing SIF760 to remove the effect of incoming radiation, further allowed the estimation of SIF emission efficiency ( ε SIF ) at leaf level, a parameter directly related to the diurnal variations of plant photosynthetic efficiency.

SFRP1 modulates astrocyte-to-microglia crosstalk in acute and chronic neuroinflammation.

Neuroinflammation is a common feature of many neurodegenerative diseases. It fosters a dysfunctional neuron-microglia-astrocyte crosstalk that, in turn, maintains microglial cells in a perniciously reactive state that often enhances neuronal damage. The molecular components that mediate this critical communication are not fully explored. Here, we show that secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1), a multifunctional regulator of cell-to-cell communication, is part of the cellular crosstalk underlying neuroinflammation. In mouse models of acute and chronic neuroinflammation, SFRP1, largely astrocyte-derived, promotes and sustains microglial activation, and thus a chronic inflammatory state. SFRP1 promotes the upregulation of components of the hypoxia-induced factor-dependent inflammatory pathway and, to a lower extent, of those downstream of the nuclear factor-kappa B. We thus propose that SFRP1 acts as an astrocyte-to-microglia amplifier of neuroinflammation, representing a potential valuable therapeutic target for counteracting the harmful effect of chronic inflammation in several neurodegenerative diseases.

Efficacy and safety of switching to dolutegravir plus lamivudine versus continuing triple antiretroviral therapy in virologically suppressed adults with HIV at 48 weeks (DOLAM): a randomised non-inferiority trial.

BACKGROUND: Simplified antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens are desirable for people with HIV. We investigated the efficacy and safety of switching from triple ART to dual dolutegravir plus lamivudine therapy. METHODS: DOLAM is a phase 4, randomised, open-label, non-inferiority trial, done at six HIV clinics in Catalonia, Spain. Adults with HIV-1 receiving a triple ART regimen, aged 18 years or older, with virological suppression, a CD4 nadir of at least 200 cells per µL, who were HBsAg-negative, and without previous viral failure or resistance mutations to study drugs were eligible. Participants underwent computer-generated randomisation, stratified by the class of the third drug, and were assigned (1:1) to switch to oral dolutegravir 50 mg and lamivudine 300 mg once daily or to continue triple ART for 48 weeks. The primary endpoint was the proportion of people with an HIV RNA value of at least 50 copies per mL at week 48 (US Food and Drug Administration snapshot algorithm, 8% non-inferiority margin). Both the primary and safety outcomes were evaluated in the intention-to-treat exposed population. The study is completed and was registered with EudraCT 201500027435. FINDINGS: Between July 7, 2015, and Oct 31, 2018, 265 participants were randomly assigned to switch to dolutegravir plus lamivudine (n=131) or to maintain triple ART (n=134) and all received at least one dose. Nine (7%) participants in the dual therapy group and ten (7%) in the triple therapy group were excluded before 48 weeks, mostly due to treatment discontinuations or virological failure. Participants were predominantly male (116 [87%] of 134 in the triple ART group and 111 [85%] of 131 in the dolutegravir plus lamivudine group). The difference in the proportion of participants with HIV RNA values of at least 50 copies per mL at 48 weeks between the dual therapy group (three [2%] of 131) and triple therapy group (two [1%] of 134) was 0·8 percentage points (95% CI -3·3 to 5·2), showing non-inferiority of dolutegravir plus lamivudine dual therapy compared with triple ART. 73 (56%) of 131 participants allocated to dual therapy had 150 adverse effects, compared with 78 (58%) of 134 participants allocated to triple therapy who also had 150 adverse events (p=0·68). Drug discontinuation due to adverse effects occurred in four people in the triple therapy group and three people in the dual therapy group. INTERPRETATION: Our findings show the efficacy and safety of dolutegravir plus lamivudine as a simplified therapy switch option for selected people with HIV with virological suppression on triple ART. FUNDING: Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Red de Investigación en Sida, and ViiV Healthcare.