Short-Chain Fatty Acid Production by Gut Microbiota Predicts Treatment Response in Multiple Myeloma.

PURPOSE: The gut microbiota plays important roles in health and disease. We questioned whether the gut microbiota and related metabolites are altered in monoclonal gammopathies and evaluated their potential role in multiple myeloma and its response to treatment. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: We used 16S rRNA sequencing to characterize and compare the gut microbiota of patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (n = 11), smoldering multiple myeloma (n = 9), newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (n = 11), relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (n = 6), or with complete remission (n = 9). Short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were quantified in serum and tested in cell lines. Relevant metabolites were validated in a second cohort of 62 patients. RESULTS: Significant differences in alpha- and beta diversity were present across the groups and both were lower in patients with relapse/refractory disease and higher in patients with complete remission after treatment. Differences were found in the abundance of several microbiota taxa across disease progression and in response to treatment. Bacteria involved in SCFA production, including Prevotella, Blautia, Weissella, and Agathobacter, were more represented in the premalignant or complete remission samples, and patients with higher levels of Agathobacter showed better overall survival. Serum levels of butyrate and propionate decreased across disease progression and butyrate was positively associated with a better response. Both metabolites had antiproliferative effects in multiple myeloma cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate that SCFAs metabolites and the gut microbiota associated with their production might have beneficial effects in disease evolution and response to treatment, underscoring its therapeutic potential and value as a predictor.

Experience with the Nuss technique for the treatment of Pectus Excavatum in Spanish Thoracic Surgery Departments.

INTRODUCTION: Although the Nuss technique revolutionized the surgical treatment of pectus excavatum, its use has not become widespread in our country. The aim of this study was to analyze the current use of this technique in a sample of Thoracic Surgery Departments in Spain. METHODS: Observational rectrospective multicentric study analyzing the main epidemiological aspects and clinical results of ten years experience using the Nuss technique. RESULTS: Between 2001 and 2010 a total of 149 patients were operated on (mean age 21.2 years), 74% male. Initial aesthetic results were excellent or good in 93.2%, mild in 4.1% and bad in 2.7%. After initial surgery there were complications in 45 patients (30.6%). The most frequent were wound seroma, bar displacement, stabilizer break, pneumothorax, haemothorax, wound infection, pneumonia, pericarditis and cardiac tamponade that required urgent bar removal. Postoperative pain appeared in all patients. In 3 cases (2%) it was so intense that it required bar removal. After a mean follow-up of 39.2 months, bar removal had been performed in 72 patients (49%), being difficult in 5 cases (7%). After a 1.6 year follow-up period good results persisted in 145 patients (98.7%). CONCLUSION: Nuss technique in adults has had good results in Spanish Thoracic Surgery Departments, however its use has not been generalized. The risk of complications must be taken into account and its indication must be properly evaluated. The possibility of previous conservative treatment is being analyzed in several departments at present.

Estudio de las distrofias vitreorretinianas en población mexicana / Study of vitreoretinal dystrophies in a Mexican population

BACKGROUND: We undertook this study to demonstrate the incidence of vitreoretinal dystrophies in a Mexican population. METHODS: This was a retrospective, observational, descriptive, transverse study. We analyzed the files of patients treated at the Retina Department of a medical center for state employees (ISSSTE) from January 1991 to December 2006 to obtain the incidence of vitreoretinal dystrophies. RESULTS: We studied 36,300 patient files. We found an incidence of 0.008% for familial exudative vitreoretinal dystrophy, 0.008% for X-linked juvenile retinoschisis, 0.005% for Wagner disease and 0.005% for Goldmann-Favre disease. We present here a representative case of each type of dystrophy. CONCLUSIONS: Vitreoretinal dystrophies are uncommon diseases and are difficult to diagnose. Even though their incidence is low, the poor evolution to blindness requires identification of early signs in order to offer timely and opportune treatment.

Peripheral arterial embolism arising from pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

Bronchogenic carcinoma is a rare source of peripheral arterial embolism. We present the case of a 28-year-old female nonsmoker with an adenocarcinoma of the left main bronchus involving the pulmonary veins. While the patient was hospitalized awaiting operation, she presented embolization in her legs; embolectomy and fasciotomy were necessary to treat compartment syndrome. Echocardiography disclosed floating tumoral masses in the left atrium. Seven days later, an operation was performed with cardiopulmonary bypass to remove the tumor masses from the atrial lumen; pulmonary veins were sutured from within the atrium, and pneumonectomy was performed. Fulminant infection of the lower limbs developed that led to gangrene and multiple organ failure, and the patient died 8 days after the operation.

Pleural hibernoma. Treatment by videothoracoscopic surgery.

Hibernoma is a rare, benign tumor originating from fetal brown adipose tissue. Although it is usually found in the interscapular region, it has also been reported in sites where brown fat is less common. Diagnosis of hibernoma is based on histological examination of an excised specimen. Since it is difficult to differentiate preoperatively between hibernoma and other soft-tissue tumors, such as lipoma or, more importantly, liposarcoma, total surgical excision is the treatment of choice. This paper offers what would appear to be the first reported case of pleural hibernoma treated by videothoracoscopic surgery.

Epiteliopatía retiniana pigmentaria difusa (Epiteliopatía en reguero) / Difuse retinal pigment epitheliopathy

Objetivo: Presentar la secuencia angiofluoresceinográfica retinal de pacientes con epiteliopatía pigmentaria retiniana difusa (EPRD). Material y métodos: Se analizaron cinco pacientes en quienes su estudio angio-fluoresceinográfic retinal mostraron las características propias de esa entidad. Resultados: Los casos que se presentan coinciden con las características clínicas y fluorangiográficas de la EPRD que surge como consecuencia de un desprendimiento seroso de la retina neurosensorial condicionando cambios en el epitelio pigmentado de la retina, dando la imagen de "escurrimiento" o "reguero" del material de contraste durante el estudio. Conclusiones: El diagnóstico de esta entidad se realiza con estudio angio-fluoresceinográfico retinal en el que la toma de imágenes de la periferia de la retina son importantes para delimitar el escurrimiento.

Utilidad del tratamiento con radioterapia externa en pacientes con degeneración macular relacionada con la edad / Utility of external radiotherapy treatment in patients with agerelated macular degeneration

Objetivos: Determinar si dosis bajas de radiación alteran el curso natural de la neovascularización subfoveal en pacientes con degeneración macular relacionada con la edad (DMRE). Material y métodos: Se estudiaron pacientes con DMRE tipo húmeda determinándose edad, sexo, agudeza visual, transparencia del cristalino, campimetría computadorizada, extensión de la membrana por angiofloresceinografía y ultrasonido modo A y B. Se trataron con acelerador lineal de rayos X con dosis total de 1,500 cGy, fraccionada en 10 sesiones de 150 cGy, con haz de fotones de alta energía de 10 megaelectrón-volts. Seguimiento 18 meses. Resultados: Se trataron 34 pacientes con DMRE. La capacidad visual se mantuvo estable en 80 por ciento de los casos y 7 pacientes (20 por ciento) presentaron mejoría de una línea de visión, el campo visual se mantuvo estable en 82 por ciento, y el 18 por ciento mejoró; 6 pacientes mostraron un aumento en la opacidad del cristalino. El ultrasonido modo AB demostró reducción del grosor de la membrana neovascular subfoveal en un 34 por ciento (p<0,01). El área de extensión de la membrana también se redujo en 37.23 por ciento (p<0,05). Finalmente la respuesta global al tratamiento fue calificada como buena en el 55.8 por ciento y moderada para el 44.11 por ciento de los casos. Conclusión: Demostramos la utilidad de la radioterapia externa como un tratamiento alternativo para detener el crecimiento de la membrana neovascular subretiniana, manteniendo campo periférico, en pacientes con DMRE de tipo húmedo, cambiando la evolución natural de la enfermedad.

Hemartoma retiniano en la enfermedad de Bourneville: reporte de un caso / Retinal hamartoma in Bourneville disease: case report

Se presenta el reporte de un caso de enfermedad de Bourneville con lesiones en piel, SNC y retina. Hacemos énfasis en la utilidad de la clasificación de Gómez para establecer el diagnóstico correcto de este tipo de facomatosis.