Banff 2022 pancreas transplantation multidisciplinary report: Refinement of guidelines for T cell-mediated rejection, antibody-mediated rejection and islet pathology. Assessment of duodenal cuff biopsies and noninvasive diagnostic methods.

The Banff pancreas working schema for diagnosis and grading of rejection is widely used for treatment guidance and risk stratification in centers that perform pancreas allograft biopsies. Since the last update, various studies have provided additional insight regarding the application of the schema and enhanced our understanding of additional clinicopathologic entities. This update aims to clarify terminology and lesion description for T cell-mediated and antibody-mediated allograft rejections, in both active and chronic forms. In addition, morphologic and immunohistochemical tools are described to help distinguish rejection from nonrejection pathologies. For the first time, a clinicopathologic approach to islet pathology in the early and late posttransplant periods is discussed. This update also includes a discussion and recommendations on the utilization of endoscopic duodenal donor cuff biopsies as surrogates for pancreas biopsies in various clinical settings. Finally, an analysis and recommendations on the use of donor-derived cell-free DNA for monitoring pancreas graft recipients are provided. This multidisciplinary effort assesses the current role of pancreas allograft biopsies and offers practical guidelines that can be helpful to pancreas transplant practitioners as well as experienced pathologists and pathologists in training.

Appraising pancreatic fistula in pancreas transplantation: A comprehensive complication index based analysis of postoperative outcomes and predictors of graft survival.

BACKGROUND: A definition of pancreatic fistula specifically addressing pancreas transplantation (PT) is lacking. This study sought to characterize pancreatic fistula in this setting and to define its clinical relevance on the postoperative course and long-term graft survival (GS). METHODS: Consecutive simultaneous pancreas and kidney transplantations were analysed. The global postoperative course was assessed through the comprehensive complication index (CCI). PF was defined according to the original International Study Group for Pancreatic Surgery (ISGPS) definition. Predictors of poor postoperative course and GS were explored. RESULTS: Seventy-eight patients were analysed. Surgical morbidity was 48.7%, with severe complications occurring in 39.7%. Ninety-day mortality was 2.6%. PF occurred in 56.6% of patients, although its average clinical burden was low and did not correlate with either early or long-term outcomes. Peri-graft fluid collections, postoperative day (POD) 1 drain fluid amylase (DFA) ≥ 2200 U/L, and POD 5 DFA/serum amylase ratio ≥7.0 independently correlated with poor postoperative course. Perigraft fluid collections were associated with reduced GS. CONCLUSION: Conventionally defined pancreatic fistula is frequent following PT, although its clinical impact is negligible. To define clinically relevant PF, novel cut-offs for DFA might be pondered in a future series, while perigraft fluid collections should be strongly considered.

What do healthcare professionals need to turn risk models for type 2 diabetes into usable computerized clinical decision support systems? Lessons learned from the MOSAIC project.

BACKGROUND: To understand user needs, system requirements and organizational conditions towards successful design and adoption of Clinical Decision Support Systems for Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) care built on top of computerized risk models. METHODS: The holistic and evidence-based CEHRES Roadmap, used to create eHealth solutions through participatory development approach, persuasive design techniques and business modelling, was adopted in the MOSAIC project to define the sequence of multidisciplinary methods organized in three phases, user needs, implementation and evaluation. The research was qualitative, the total number of participants was ninety, about five-seventeen involved in each round of experiment. RESULTS: Prediction models for the onset of T2D are built on clinical studies, while for T2D care are derived from healthcare registries. Accordingly, two set of DSSs were defined: the first, T2D Screening, introduces a novel routine; in the second case, T2D Care, DSSs can support managers at population level, and daily practitioners at individual level. In the user needs phase, T2D Screening and solution T2D Care at population level share similar priorities, as both deal with risk-stratification. End-users of T2D Screening and solution T2D Care at individual level prioritize easiness of use and satisfaction, while managers prefer the tools to be available every time and everywhere. In the implementation phase, three Use Cases were defined for T2D Screening, adapting the tool to different settings and granularity of information. Two Use Cases were defined around solutions T2D Care at population and T2D Care at individual, to be used in primary or secondary care. Suitable filtering options were equipped with "attractive" visual analytics to focus the attention of end-users on specific parameters and events. In the evaluation phase, good levels of user experience versus bad level of usability suggest that end-users of T2D Screening perceived the potential, but they are worried about complexity. Usability and user experience were above acceptable thresholds for T2D Care at population and T2D Care at individual. CONCLUSIONS: By using a holistic approach, we have been able to understand user needs, behaviours and interactions and give new insights in the definition of effective Decision Support Systems to deal with the complexity of T2D care.

Cardiovascular risk reduction over time in patients with diabetes or pre-diabetes undergoing bariatric surgery: data from a single-center retrospective observational study.

BACKGROUND: Bariatric surgery is effective in remission of obesity comorbidities. This study was aimed at comparing CVD risk between morbidly obese patients with type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes before and after bariatric surgery as well as assessing comorbidities. METHODS: This is a retrospective observational study with 105 patients with type 2 diabetes (DMbaseline) and prediabetes (preDMbaseline) who underwent Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Data were collected preoperative and then at 3,6,12,18,24,36,48, and 60 months after surgery. Anthropometric, cardiovascular and glycemic parameters were assessed. CVD risk was calculated using the Framingham Risk Score. RESULTS: Prior to surgery, 48 patients had type 2 diabetes, while 57 had pre-diabetes. Mean age was 48 (9.2) and mean BMI was 52 (7.4). 26.1% of patients had a high CVD risk. CVD risk decreased in patients with type 2 diabetes and prediabetes at month 12 after surgery compared to the baseline risk (p < 0.001). BMI, body fat percentage, fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, c-peptide, HOMA-IR, LDL-c, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure decreased during the first year after surgery. From the 12th month until the 60th, they showed a flat trend, or a very mild increase in some cases. 3.2% of patients maintained high CVD risk at 60 months. Type 2 diabetes remission was 92%. No patient of the preDMbaseline group developed type 2 diabetes. CONCLUSION: Bariatric surgery reduces CVD risk in type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes. Given that patients with type 2 diabetes benefit the most, more studies are necessary to consider pre-diabetes as a criterion for metabolic surgery in patients with BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2.

Integration of Distributed Services and Hybrid Models Based on Process Choreography to Predict and Detect Type 2 Diabetes.

Life expectancy is increasing and, so, the years that patients have to live with chronic diseases and co-morbidities. Type 2 diabetes is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases, specifically linked to being overweight and ages over sixty. Recent studies have demonstrated the effectiveness of new strategies to delay and even prevent the onset of type 2 diabetes by a combination of active and healthy lifestyle on cohorts of mid to high risk subjects. Prospective research has been driven on large groups of the population to build risk scores that aim to obtain a rule for the classification of patients according to the odds for developing the disease. Currently, there are more than two hundred models and risk scores for doing this, but a few have been properly evaluated in external groups and integrated into a clinical application for decision support. In this paper, we present a novel system architecture based on service choreography and hybrid modeling, which enables a distributed integration of clinical databases, statistical and mathematical engines and web interfaces to be deployed in a clinical setting. The system was assessed during an eight-week continuous period with eight endocrinologists of a hospital who evaluated up to 8080 patients with seven different type 2 diabetes risk models implemented in two mathematical engines. Throughput was assessed as a matter of technical key performance indicators, confirming the reliability and efficiency of the proposed architecture to integrate hybrid artificial intelligence tools into daily clinical routine to identify high risk subjects.

Brain abscess as the initial presentation of a macroprolactinoma: Case report.

Macroprolactinomas may behave invasively and infiltrate the skull base, causing a subsequent thinning that can also lead to a bone defect and a direct route of entry for pathogens. We describe the case of a 34-year-old male admitted to hospital with fever (38°C), headache, stiffness in the neck, diplopia and neurological impairment. Brain magnetic resonance imaging showed two bilateral abscesses in the fronto-parietal areas with intracranial venous sinus thrombosis and a pituitary adenoma that extended from the suprasellar region, eroding the sellar floor into the sphenoid sinus. Laboratory hormone measurements showed increased levels of prolactin and low levels of FSH, LH and testosterone. The patient received antibiotic treatment and surgery was performed. The patient developed central deafness as a neurological deficit. It is advisable to include pituitary adenoma in the differential diagnosis of meningitis even though its onset as intracranial abscess and rectus sinus thrombosis is extremely rare.

Real-world safety and effectiveness of dapagliflozin in people living with type 1 diabetes in Spain: The Dapa-ON multicenter retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To assess real-world safety and effectiveness of dapagliflozin in people living with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). METHODS: We conducted a multicenter retrospective study in Spain including data from 250 people living with T1DM receiving dapagliflozin as add-on therapy to insulin (80.8 % on-label use). The number of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) events was calculated over a 12-month follow-up (primary outcome). Changes in body weight, HbA1c, total daily insulin dose, and continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) metrics from baseline (at dapagliflozin prescription) to 12 months were also evaluated. RESULTS: A total of five DKA events (2.4 % [95 % CI 0.3;4.5] were reported in patients with a 12-month follow-up, n = 207): two events related to insulin pump malfunction, two events related to concomitant illnesses, and one event related to insulin dose omission. DKA events were more frequent among insulin pump users than among participants on multiple daily injections (7.7 % versus 1.2 %). Four of the reported DKA events occurred within the first six months after initiation of dapagliflozin. No deaths or persistent sequelae due to DKA were reported. No severe hypoglycemia episodes were reported. Significant reductions in mean body weight (-3.3 kg), HbA1c (-0.6 %), and total daily insulin dose (-8.6 %), P < 0.001, were observed 12 months after dapagliflozin prescription. Significant improvements in TIR (+9.3 %), TAR (-7.2 %), TBR (-2.5 %), and coefficient of variation (-5.1 %), P < 0.001, were also observed in the subgroup of patients with available CGM data. Finally, an improvement in urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) was found among participants with UACR ≥ 30 mg/g at baseline (median decrease of 99 mg/g in UACR, P = 0.001). CONCLUSION: The use of dapagliflozin in people living with T1DM has an appropriate safety profile after careful selection of participants and implementation of strategies to reduce the risk of DKA (i.e., prescribed according to the recommendations of the European Medicines Agency), and also leads to clinical improvements in this population.

CXCR4: From Signaling to Clinical Applications in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms.

There are several well-described molecular mechanisms that influence cell growth and are related to the development of cancer. Chemokines constitute a fundamental element that is not only involved in local growth but also affects angiogenesis, tumor spread, and metastatic disease. Among them, the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12 (CXCL12) and its specific receptor the chemokine C-X-C motif receptor 4 (CXCR4) have been widely studied. The overexpression in cell membranes of CXCR4 has been shown to be associated with the development of different kinds of histological malignancies, such as adenocarcinomas, epidermoid carcinomas, mesenchymal tumors, or neuroendocrine neoplasms (NENs). The molecular synapsis between CXCL12 and CXCR4 leads to the interaction of G proteins and the activation of different intracellular signaling pathways in both gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) and bronchopulmonary (BP) NENs, conferring greater capacity for locoregional aggressiveness, the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the appearance of metastases. Therefore, it has been hypothesized as to how to design tools that target this receptor. The aim of this review is to focus on current knowledge of the relationship between CXCR4 and NENs, with a special emphasis on diagnostic and therapeutic molecular targets.

Differentiated thyroid carcinoma in a girl with resistance to thyroid hormone management with triiodothyroacetic acid.

Thyroid hormone resistance syndrome is characterized by a reduced target tissue response to the action of thyroid hormone, which leads to high levels of free thyroxine and free triiodothyronine with non-suppressed levels of thyrotropin (TSH). Recently, three cases of papillary thyroid carcinoma associated with thyroid hormone resistance syndrome were published. The main challenge in this situation is the difficulty of maintaining the suppression of TSH levels without producing symptoms of hyperthyroidism. We present another case of an association of thyroid hormone resistance syndrome and papillary thyroid carcinoma, and we share our experience with 3,5,3'-triiodothyroacetic acid, which made possible an easier management of the carcinoma after surgery, maintaining the TSH levels suppressed despite the resistance to thyroid hormones.

Same-day comparative protocol PET/CT-PET/MRI [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC in paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas: an approach to personalized medicine.

BACKGROUND: PET/MRI is an emerging imaging modality which enables the evaluation and quantification of biochemical processes in tissues, complemented with accurate anatomical information and low radiation exposure. In the framework of theragnosis, PET/MRI is of special interest due to its ability to delineate small lesions, adequately quantify them, and therefore to plan targeted therapies. The aim of this study was to validate the diagnostic performance of [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET/MRI compared to PET/CT in advanced disease paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas (PGGLs) to assess in which clinical settings, PET/MRI may have a greater diagnostic yield. METHODS: We performed a same-day protocol with consecutive acquisition of a PET/CT and a PET/MRI after a single [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC injection in 25 patients. Intermodality agreement, Krenning Score (KS), SUVmax (Standard Uptake Value), target-to-liver-ratio (TLR), clinical setting, location, and size were assessed. RESULTS: The diagnostic accuracy with PET/MRI increased by 14.6% compared to PET/CT especially in bone and liver locations (mean size of new lesions was 3.73 mm). PET/MRI revealed a higher overall lesion uptake than PET/CT (TLR 4.12 vs 2.44) and implied an upward elevation of the KS in up to 60% of patients. The KS changed in 30.4% of the evaluated lesions (mean size 11.89 mm), in 18.4% of the lesions it increased from KS 2 on PET/CT to a KS ≥ 3 on PET/MRI and 24.96% of the lesions per patient with multifocal disease displayed a KS ≥ 3 on PET/MR, that were not detected or showed lower KS on PET/CT. In 12% of patients, PET/MRI modified clinical management. CONCLUSIONS: PET/MRI showed minor advantages over conventional PET/CT in the detection of new lesions but increased the intensity of SSRs expression in a significant number of them, opening the door to select which patients and clinical settings can benefit from performing PET/MRI.

Influence of chronic kidney disease and its severity on the efficacy of semaglutide in type 2 diabetes patients: a multicenter real-world study.

Objectives: Semaglutide is a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist that improves glycemic control and achieves weight loss in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. Subcutaneous (s.c.) semaglutide at 1 mg once weekly (OW) is safe in T2D patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Whether or not CKD and its severity influence treatment response remains undetermined. Method: This is an observational, ambispective, multicenter, nationwide, real-world study designed to compare safety/efficacy of OW s.c. 1 mg semaglutide in T2D patients with or without CKD. The influence of CKD severity was also addressed. Patients were followed up for 12 months. Primary end-points were glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), weight, and renal outcomes. Secondary end-points included insulin resistance, atherogenic and hepatic steatosis indexes, and changes in antihyperglycemic medications. Results: A total of 296 and 190 T2D patients without or with CKD, respectively, were recruited. Baseline CKD risk was moderate, high, or very high in 82, 53, and 45 patients, respectively. Treatment reduced HbA1c by 0.90%-1.20%. Relevant differences were seen neither between non-CKD and CKD patients nor among CKD subgroups. Notable weight losses were achieved in both non-CKD and CKD patients. The median reduction was higher in the former at 6 months (5.90 kg vs. 4.50 kg, P = 0.008) and at end of study (6.90 kg vs. 5.00 kg, P = 0.087). A trend toward slightly lower weight losses as CKD severity increased was observed. CKD markers improved across all CKD subgroups. Relevant differences were not observed for other variables, either between non-CKD and CKD patients, or among CKD subgroups. Safety concerns were not reported. Conclusion: The safety/efficacy of OW s.c. semaglutide to improve glycemic control and weight in T2D patients with CKD is not notably lower than that in T2D patients without renal failure. CKD severity barely influences treatment response. OW s.c. semaglutide can be useful to manage T2D patients with CKD in daily clinical practice.

[Benefits of using a recommended testing algorithm for the diagnosis and dietary-nutritional management of patients with chronic gastrointestinal disorders]. / Beneficios del uso de un algoritmo de pruebas recomendadas para el diagnóstico y manejo dietético-nutricional del paciente con trastornos gastrointestinales crónicos.

Introduction: Introduction and objective: chronic gastrointestinal disorders such as celiac disease and lactose or fructose intolerance in adulthood are becoming more frequent and are usually accompanied by symptoms that affect daily activities and greatly limit diet. The spectrum of symptoms manifested by those affected is heterogeneous and not very specific; in addition, there is no standardized and agreed protocol for dietary management, which makes a correct diagnosis and effective treatment difficult. Disorders related to malabsorption/food intolerance can originate from primary (genetic) or secondary causes (parasites, allergies, inflammatory bowel disease, drugs, etc.). Using genetic data makes it possible to rule out or confirm primary causes, and when necessary, focus the search on secondary ones. The objective of this algorithmic approach is to guide the dietary-nutritional management of the patient with chronic gastrointestinal disease to optimize the diagnostic process and nutritional treatment. Material and methods: after a review of the literature on the pathologies most frequently associated with these disorders, a testing algorithm is proposed and the successive steps to be followed depending on the results obtained, in order to determine the diagnosis and treatment. Results: the proposed algorithm aims to be a tool for health personnel (gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, nutritionists, etc.) who care for these patients. The aim is to guide the flow of diagnostic tests based on the information provided by the patient and the clinic at the beginning, as well as to recommend the most appropriate treatment (dietary-nutritional and/or pharmacological). Conclusions: the benefit of using an algorithmic approach is that it allows optimising the diagnostic process of primary and secondary causes, and with this, to prescribe a personalised nutritional treatment considering the origin of the disorder, to alleviate the intensity and frequency of the symptoms with the least amount of dietary restrictions possible and minimise the impact on the quality of life of the patients.

Introducción: Introducción y objetivo: los trastornos gastrointestinales crónicos como la enfermedad celiaca y la intolerancia a la lactosa o fructosa en la edad adulta son cada vez más frecuentes y se suelen acompañar de sintomatología que repercute en las actividades diarias y limita en gran medida la dieta. El espectro de síntomas que manifiestan los afectados es heterogéneo y poco específico y, además, no existe un protocolo estandarizado y consensuado para el manejo dietético, lo que dificulta un correcto diagnóstico y un adecuado tratamiento. Los trastornos relacionados con malabsorción/intolerancia alimentaria pueden originarse por causas primarias (genéticas) o secundarias (parásitos, alergias, enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal, fármacos, etc.). El empleo de análisis genéticos permite descartar o confirmar causas primarias y, cuando sea necesario, centrar la búsqueda en las secundarias. El objetivo del enfoque algorítmico que proponemos es guiar el manejo dietético-nutricional del paciente con trastornos gastrointestinales crónicos para optimizar el proceso diagnóstico y el tratamiento nutricional. Material y métodos: tras realizar una revisión bibliográfica sobre las patologías más frecuentemente asociadas a estos trastornos, se proponen un algoritmo de pruebas y los sucesivos pasos a seguir en función de los resultados obtenidos, para concretar el diagnóstico y el tratamiento. Resultados: el algoritmo propuesto pretende ser una herramienta para el personal sanitario (gastroenterólogos, endocrinólogos, nutricionistas, etc.) que atiende a este tipo de paciente. Se busca guiar el flujo de pruebas diagnósticas en función de la información aportada por el paciente y la clínica al inicio, así como recomendar el tratamiento (dietético-nutricional y/o farmacológico) más adecuado. Conclusiones: el beneficio de utilizar un enfoque algorítmico es que este permite optimizar el proceso diagnóstico de causas primarias y secundarias y con ello, pautar un tratamiento nutricional personalizado considerando el origen del trastorno, a fin de paliar la intensidad y frecuencia de los síntomas con la menor cantidad de restricciones alimentarias posibles y minimizar la afección en la calidad de vida de los pacientes.

Clinical Practice Experiences Using a Professional Diabetes Management Ecosystem During COVID.

BACKGROUND: Challenges of patient care in diabetes were exacerbated by COVID, undermining the ability of patients to engage in-person with health care professionals (HCPs). To combat this, there has been accelerated adoption of telemedicine to support patient and provider connectivity. METHODS: We collated survey information regarding telemedicine from 21 European clinical institutions. Health care professionals joined virtual meetings focusing on the OneTouch Reveal (OTR) ecosystem and its utility for conducting telemedicine. Selected HCPs provided clinical case studies to explain how the OTR ecosystem supported patient care. RESULTS: Remote consultations increased by nearly 50% in 21 European clinics during the pandemic (Belgium [24%], Iberia [65%], Germany [34%], Italy [54%]). In all, 52% of people with diabetes using OTR app to connect remotely with HCPs had type 1 diabetes and 48% had type 2 diabetes. Remote connection methods included telephone (60%), email (19%), video chat (10%), text only (3%), or a mix of these methods (8%). Health care professionals usually reviewed patient data during consultations (45%) rather than before consultations (25%). Fifty-five percent of HCPs indicated digital ecosystems like OTR ecosystem would become their standard of care for diabetes management. In-depth conversations with HCPs provided a deeper understanding of how a digital ecosystem integrated into clinical practice and population management. In addition, five patient case studies using OTR ecosystem were provided by a selection of our HCPs. CONCLUSION: Diabetes management solutions, such as OTR ecosystem, supported telemedicine during the pandemic and will continue to play a valuable role in patient care beyond the pandemic.

Impact of Diabetes Mellitus in Patients with Pancreatic Neuro-Endocrine Tumors: Causes, Consequences, and Future Perspectives.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and pancreatic neuroendocrine tumors (pNETs) are two entities closely linked together. DM has been described as a risk factor for the development of pNETs and for the aggressiveness of the disease. On the other hand, DM due to pNETs is frequently undiagnosed or misclassified as type 2 DM when it is due to type 3 DM. In addition, metformin, a commonly prescribed drug for type 2 DM, has an antiproliferative property and is gaining increasing attention as an antitumor agent. This review article presents the findings published in the last few years on pNETs and DMs. Emphasis will be placed on DM as a risk factor, pNET as a risk factor for the development of type 3 DM, the management of type 3 DM on pNET, and DM as a prognostic factor in patients with pNET, as well as the future clinical implications of DM in these patients. The coexistence of DM and pNET is extensively presented. It is important to perform future clinical trials, which are necessary to establish the role of metformin on pNET disease. Increasing awareness among professionals managing pNET on the importance of a correct DM diagnosis and management of the disease must be a priority due to the implications on mortality and comorbidities it may have in these patients.

Response to targeted radionuclide therapy with [131I]MIBG AND [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE according to adrenal vs. extra-adrenal primary location in metastatic paragangliomas and pheochromocytomas: A systematic review.

Purpose: Targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) with [131I]MIBG and [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE is an alternative treatment to the classic schemes in slow progressive metastatic/inoperable paraganglioma (PGL) and pheochromocytoma (PHEO). There is no consensus on which treatment to administer and/or the best sequence in patients who are candidates for both therapies. To clarify these questions, this systematic review assesses the prognostic value of [131I]MIBG and [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE (PRRT-Lu) treatments in terms of progression-free survival (PFS) both globally and considering the primary location. Methods: This review was developed according to the PRISMA Statement with 27 final studies (608 patients). Patient characteristics, treatment procedure, and follow-up criteria were evaluated. In addition, a Bayesian linear regression model weighted according to its sample size and an alternative model, which also included an interaction between the treatment and the proportion of PHEOs, were carried out, adjusted by a Student's t distribution. Results: In linear regression models, [131I]MIBG overall PFS was, on average, 10 months lower when compared with PRRT-Lu. When considering the interaction between treatment responses and the proportion of PHEOs, PRRT-Lu showed remarkably better results in adrenal location. The PFS of PRRT-Lu was longer when the ratio of PHEOs increased, with a decrease in [131I]MIBG PFS by 1.9 months for each 10% increase in the proportion of PHEOs in the sample. Conclusion: Methodology, procedure, and PFS from the different studies are quite heterogeneous. PRRT-Lu showed better results globally and specifically in PHEOs. This fact opens the window to prospective trials comparing or sequencing [131I]MIBG and PRRT-Lu.

[177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE and [131I]MIBG Phenotypic Imaging-Based Therapy in Metastatic/Inoperable Pheochromocytomas and Paragangliomas: Comparative Results in a Single Center.

Purpose: The aim of the study is to assess phenotypic imaging patterns and the response to treatment with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE and/or [131I]MIBG in paragangliomas (PGLs) and pheochromocytomas (PHEOs), globally and according to the primary location. Methods: This is a 17-patient retrospective observational study, with 9 cases treated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE and 8 with [131I]MIBG (37 total treatments). Functional imaging scans and treatment responses were studied in order to choose the best therapeutic option and to define the progression-free survival (PFS) and disease control rate (DCR) according to treatment modality and primary location. Results: All patients were studied with phenotypic nuclear medicine images. Twelve of 17 patients were tested with both [123I]MIBG and somatostatin receptor images, and 6/12 showed appropriate expression of both targets to treatment in the phenotypic images. The rest of the patients were tested with one of the image modalities or only showed suitable uptake of a single radiotracer and were treated with the corresponding therapeutic option. [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE PFS was 29 months with a DCR of 88.8%. [131I]MIBG PFS was 18.5 months with a 62.5% DCR. According to the primary location, the best PFS was in PHEOs treated with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE. Although the series are small due to the low disease prevalence and do not allow to yield statistically significant differences, this first study comparing [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE and [131I]MIBG displays a trend to an overall longer PFS with [177Lu]Lu-DOTA-TATE, especially in the adrenal primary location. When both radionuclide targets are expressed, the patients' comorbidity and treatment effectiveness should be valued together with the intensity uptake in the phenotypic image in order to choose the best therapeutic option. These preliminary retrospective results reinforce the need for a prospective, multicentric trial to be confirmed.

[Executive Summary from Expert consensus on effectiveness and safety of iDPP-4 in the treatment of patients with diabetes and COVID-19]. / Resumen Ejecutivo del Consenso de expertos sobre la eficacia y seguridad de los iDPP-4 en el tratamiento de pacientes con diabetes y COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: This consensus aims to clarify the role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitors (iDPP-4) in managing patients with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PubMed bibliographic search was carried out (December 2019-February 2021). Oxford methodology was used for the evaluation of evidence and possible recommendations were established by consensus. RESULTS: Diabetes appears to be an independent factor in COVID-19 disease (evidence 2b). No increased risk of contagion with iDPP-4 is demonstrated (evidence 2b), and its use has been shown to be safe (evidence 2b). The use of this drug may present a specific benefit in reducing mortality, particularly in in-hospital use (evidence 2a), reducing admission to intensive care units (evidence 2b) and the need for mechanical ventilation (evidence 2b). CONCLUSIONS: The use of iDPP-4 appears to be safe in patients with COVID-19, and quality studies are needed to clarify their possible advantages further.

Executive Summary from Expert consensus on effectiveness and safety of iDPP-4 in the treatment of patients with diabetes and COVID-19.

BACKGROUND: This consensus aims to clarify the role of Dipeptidyl Peptidase-4 inhibitors (iDPP-4) in managing patients with diabetes during the COVID-19 pandemic. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A PubMed bibliographic search was carried out (December 2019-February 2021). Oxford methodology was used for the evaluation of evidence and possible recommendations were established by consensus. RESULTS: Diabetes appears to be an independent factor in COVID-19 disease (evidence 2b). No increased risk of contagion with iDPP-4 is demonstrated (evidence 2b), and its use has been shown to be safe (evidence 2b). The use of this drug may present a specific benefit in reducing mortality, particularly in in-hospital use (evidence 2a), reducing admission to intensive care units (evidence 2b) and the need for mechanical ventilation (evidence 2b). CONCLUSIONS: The use of iDPP-4 appears to be safe in patients with COVID-19, and quality studies are needed to clarify their possible advantages further.

Effectiveness and safety of dapagliflozin in real-life patients: data from the DAPA-RWE Spanish multicentre study.

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate dapagliflozin in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in clinical practice in Spain. METHODS: This is a retrospective study including adults with T2D under stable antidiabetic therapy, with either dapagliflozin or sitagliptin ≥6 months, before inclusion. Data about the effectiveness and safety of dapagliflozin are presented. RESULTS: A total of 594 patients (61.8±9.9 years, 21.7% cardiovascular disease) were included. After 6 months, HbA1c, weight, blood pressure, urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio and uric acid significantly decreased (1.63%, 2.88 kg, 4.82/2.70 mmHg, -17.38 mg/g and -0.30 mg/dL, respectively), whereas glomerular filtration rate and haematocrit significantly increased (3.72 mL/min/1.73 m2 and 1.8%, respectively). No cases of hypoglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis, Fournier gangrene, fractures or amputations were reported. CONCLUSION: Thus, dapagliflozin provides a comprehensive cardiometabolic protection in patients with T2D.

NUTRARET: Effect of 2-Year Nutraceutical Supplementation on Redox Status and Visual Function of Patients With Retinitis Pigmentosa: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Oxidative stress plays a major role in the pathogenesis of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). The main goal of this study was to evaluate the effect of 2-year nutritional intervention with antioxidant nutraceuticals on the visual function of RP patients. Secondly, we assessed how nutritional intervention affected ocular and systemic redox status. We carried out a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Thirty-one patients with RP participated in the study. RP patients randomly received either a mixture of nutraceuticals (NUT) containing folic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin A, zinc, copper, selenium, lutein, and zeaxanthin or placebo daily for 2 years. At baseline and after 2-year of the nutritional supplementation, visual function, dietetic-nutritional evaluations, serum concentration of nutraceuticals, plasma and aqueous humor concentration of several markers of redox status and inflammation were assessed. Retinal function and structure were assessed by multifocal electroretinogram (mfERG), spectral domain-optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and automated visual field (VF) tests. Nutritional status was estimated with validated questionnaires. Total antioxidant capacity, extracellular superoxide dismutase (SOD3), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities, protein carbonyl adducts (CAR) content, thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) formation (as indicator of lipid peroxidation), metabolites of the nitric oxide (NOX) and cytokine (interleukin 6 and tumor necrosis factor alpha) concentrations were assessed by biochemical and immunological techniques in aqueous humor or/and blood. Bayesian approach was performed to determine the probability of an effect. Region of practical equivalence (ROPE) was used. At baseline, Bayesian analysis revealed a high probability of an altered ocular redox status and to a lesser extent systemic redox status in RP patients compared to controls. Twenty-five patients (10 in the treated arm and 15 in the placebo arm) completed the nutritional intervention. After 2 years of supplementation, patients who received NUT presented better retinal responses (mfERG responses) compared to patients who received placebo. Besides, patients who received NUT showed better ocular antioxidant response (SOD3 activity) and lower oxidative damage (CAR) than those who received placebo. This study suggested that long-term NUT supplementation could slow down visual impairment and ameliorate ocular oxidative stress.