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INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: BIA-ALCL is a non-Hodgkin lymphoma occurring primarily in women with textured breast implants, typically presenting as late seroma. Diagnosis involves ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration or core needle biopsy, followed by cytologic and immunohistochemical evaluation. Positive results show CD30 cell expression and lack ALK expression. Treatment includes removing breast implants and the periprosthetic capsule. If the lymphoma has spread, en bloc capsulectomy, immunotherapy, and chemotherapy are required. Reconstruction can be done with smooth implants or autologous tissue. PRESENTATION OF CASE: We present here the case of a woman with a 12-year history of microtextured breast implants, without any cancer family background, who presented with peri-implant effusion in the left breast, which tested positive for BIA-ALCL at stage IA. The patient underwent breast implant removal with total capsulectomy and posterior successful autologous tissue reconstruction, demonstrating that outcomes can be satisfactory when properly treated. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Paying attention to signs in women with breast implants, beyond imaging tests, can aid in the early diagnosis of BIA-ALCL and ensure a not aggressive treatment. This approach allows the reconstruction with autologous tissue without the need of further implants. CONCLUSION: BIA-ALCL is a rare disease, further studies about this lymphoma can help with early diagnosis and potential prevention.
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INTRODUCTION: The implementation of fall prevention programs in the community is complex. Although there is solid scientific evidence that supports the effectiveness of such programs, there are multiple barriers that should be addressed using multifaceted strategies. AIMS: The aim of this project was to increase compliance with evidence-based recommendations regarding fall risk screening and preventive interventions among older adults in a primary health care setting. METHODS: This project used a pre-/post-implementation clinical audit based on the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework. Eight audit criteria were derived from JBI evidence summaries. The sample size was 62 patients aged 70 years or older. Data collection methods included a review of medical records and a questionnaire. A baseline audit was conducted and five barriers to best practice were identified. Strategies were then developed to increase compliance with the evidence-based recommendations, guided by JBI's Getting Research into Practice (GRiP) analysis. A follow-up audit was conducted in July 2022 to evaluate changes in compliance with best practices. RESULTS: The baseline audit showed 0% compliance with best practice recommendations for seven out of eight audit criteria. Five barriers were identified: (1) absence of fall risk screening tools, (2) lack of fall prevention intervention protocols, (3) insufficient reporting of fall episodes in the records, (4) need for staff training, and (5) high staff turnover. Following the implementation of a fall risk assessment and intervention protocol, along with staff training, seven out of eight audit criteria increased from 0% to between 22.6% and 100%. CONCLUSIONS: This evidence-based implementation project improved nursing practice in relation to compliance with best practice interventions to prevent falls. SPANISH ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A229.
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INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Venous leg ulcers are the most common ulcerations of the lower extremities. Compression is the most important consideration and the gold standard treatment for venous leg ulcers. This implementation project aimed to promote best practices in the management of venous leg ulcers in a rural community-care setting. METHODS: This project was guided by the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework, which is grounded in audit and feedback processes, along with a structured approach to identifying and managing barriers to compliance with recommended best practices. RESULTS: Compliance with best practices increased for most audit criteria. The use of compression therapy increased from 16.7% to 60%, documentation increased from 6.7% to 50%, replacement of compression bandages from 6.7% to 60%, patient education from 0% to 46.7%, and holistic assessment from 0% to 13%. However, compliance for individualized interventions to promote adherence remained at 0%. CONCLUSIONS: This project succeeded in introducing compression therapy as a basic treatment for venous ulcers. However, continued improvement in the care for venous ulcers and guarantee of long-term implementation of evidence are necessary. SPANISH ABSTRACT: http://links.lww.com/IJEBH/A212.
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Acinetobacter spp. are often isolated from natural sources, but knowledge about their presence in wild animals is fragmented and uncomplete. The present study aimed to characterize a series of Acinetobacter radioresistens isolated from Humboldt penguins (Spheniscus humboldti). Fifteen Humboldt penguins from an inhabited northern Peruvian island were sampled. Microorganisms were identified by MALDI-TOF MS. Antibiotic susceptibility to 12 antimicrobial agents was established, and clonal relationships were determined. A representative isolate was selected for whole genome sequencing (WGS). A. radioresistens were isolated from the feces of 12 (80%) Humboldt penguins, being susceptible to all the antimicrobial agents tested, except eight cefotaxime-intermediate isolates. All A. radioresistens were clonally related. WGS showed that the isolate belonged to ST1972, the presence of two chromosomal encoded carbapenemases (blaOXA-23 and a putative subclass B3 metallo-ß-lactamase), and a series of point mutations in antibiotic-resistance related chromosomal genes, which were considered as polymorphisms. In addition, a few virulence factors, including a capsule-encoding operon, superoxide dismutases, catalases, phospholipases and a siderophore receptor were identified. The present results suggest that A. radioresistens may be a common member of the gut microbiota of Humboldt penguins, but further studies in other geographical areas are needed to establish this finding.
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We present the case of a patient with smoking, alcoholism, cirrhosis and HIV who was endoscopically diagnosed with esophageal candidiasis due to an episode of dysphagia. After treatment with antifungals and PPIs, the patient remained asymptomatic for almost 3 years. He presented an event of food impaction that was resolved by an upper endoscopy in which an esophageal stenosis and multiple esophageal pseudodiverticulosis were visualized. The biopsies only showed chronic nonspecific esophagitis. The stenosis was dilated with a balloon and PPIs were continued, with good response. Esophageal intramural pseudodiverticulosis is rare and can lead to motor disorders and strictures. It has a doubtful association with HIV and a clearer relationship with alcoholism, smoking, diabetes, reflux and candidiasis. The endoscopic diagnosis can be difficult so in order to make an accurate diagnosis is necessary an esophagram or CT. Treatment is based on controlling risk factors and dilating stenosis. The prognosis is usually favorable.
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BACKGROUND: Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a heterogeneous disease characterized by an expansion of KIT-mutated mast cells (MC). KIT-mutated MC display activated features and release MC mediators that might act on the tumour microenvironment and other immune cells. Here, we investigated the distribution of lymphocyte subsets in blood of patients with distinct subtypes of SM and determined its association with other disease features. METHODS: We studied the distribution of TCD4+ and TCD4- cytotoxic cells and their subsets, as well as total NK- and B cells, in blood of 115 SM patients-38 bone marrow mastocytosis (BMM), 67 indolent SM (ISM), 10 aggressive SM (ASM)- and 83 age-matched healthy donors (HD), using spectral flow cytometry and the EuroFlow Immunomonitoring panel, and correlated it with multilineage KITD816V, the alpha-tryptasemia genotype (HαT) and the clinical manifestations of the disease. RESULTS: SM patients showed decreased counts (vs. HD) of TCD4- cytotoxic cells, NK cells and several functional subsets of TCD4+ cells (total Th1, Th2-effector memory, Th22-terminal effector and Th1-like Tregs), together with increased T-follicular-helper and Th1/Th17-like Treg counts, associated with different immune profiles per diagnostic subtype of SM, in multilineal versus MC-restricted KITD816V and in cases with a HαT+ versus HαT- genotype. Unique immune profiles were found among BMM and ISM patients with MC-restricted KITD816V who displayed HαT, anaphylaxis, hymenoptera venom allergy, bone disease, pruritus, flushing and GI symptoms. CONCLUSION: Our results reveal altered T- and NK-cell immune profiles in blood of SM, which vary per disease subtype, the pattern of involvement of haematopoiesis by KITD816V, the HαT genotype and specific clinical manifestations of the disease.
Subject(s)
Mastocytosis, Systemic , Humans , Mastocytosis, Systemic/immunology , Mastocytosis, Systemic/diagnosis , Mastocytosis, Systemic/blood , Male , Middle Aged , Female , Adult , Aged , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/immunology , T-Lymphocyte Subsets/metabolism , Immunophenotyping , Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit/genetics , Young Adult , Mutation , Aged, 80 and over , Mast Cells/immunology , Killer Cells, Natural/immunologyABSTRACT
Objectives. Atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (aHUS) is a rare complement-mediated kidney disease with genetic predisposition and represents up to 10% of pediatric hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS) cases. Few studies have evaluated aHUS in Latin American population. We studied a Colombian pediatric cohort to delineate disease presentation and outcomes. Methods. A multicenter cohort of 27 Colombian children with aHUS were included. Patients were grouped by age at onset. Clinical features were compared using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Fisher exact tests. Renal biopsy was performed on 6 patients who were suspected of having other renal diseases before aHUS diagnosis. Results. Most patients were male (70%). The onset of aHUS occurred frequently before age 4 years (60%) and followed gastroenteritis as the main triggering event (52%). Age groups showed comparable clinical presentation, disease severity, treatment, and outcomes. Pulmonary involvement (67%) was the main extrarenal manifestation, particularly in the 1 to 7 age group (P = .01). Renal biopsies were as follows: 3 had membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (MPGN) type I, one MPGN type III, one C3-glomerulonephritis, and one rapidly progressive GN. Genetic screening was available in 6 patients and identified 2xCFHR5, 2xMCP, 1xADAMTS13/THBD, and 1xDGKE mutations. A total of 15 relapses were seen, of which 8 (72%) occurred in the 1 to 7 age group. The renal outcome was not significantly different regardless of age group. Conclusion. In our cohort, we observed a relatively high frequency of extrarenal involvement at first presentation represented by pulmonary manifestations. The renal prognosis at initial presentation was worse than in previous reports.
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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic and progressive neurodegenerative disease with the major symptoms comprising loss of movement coordination (motor dysfunction) and non-motor dysfunction, including gastrointestinal symptoms. Alterations in the gut microbiota composition have been reported in PD patients vs. controls. However, it is still unclear how these compositional changes contribute to disease etiology and progression. Furthermore, most of the available studies have focused on European, Asian, and North American cohorts, but the microbiomes of PD patients in Latin America have not been characterized. To address this problem, we obtained fecal samples from Colombian participants (n = 25 controls, n = 25 PD idiopathic cases) to characterize the taxonomical community changes during disease via 16S rRNA gene sequencing. An analysis of differential composition, diversity, and personalized computational modeling was carried out, given the fecal bacterial composition and diet of each participant. We found three metabolites that differed in dietary habits between PD patients and controls: carbohydrates, trans fatty acids, and potassium. We identified six genera that changed significantly in their relative abundance between PD patients and controls, belonging to the families Lachnospiraceae, Lactobacillaceae, Verrucomicrobioaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, and Streptococcaceae. Furthermore, personalized metabolic modeling of the gut microbiome revealed changes in the predicted production of seven metabolites (Indole, tryptophan, fructose, phenylacetic acid, myristic acid, 3-Methyl-2-oxovaleric acid, and N-Acetylneuraminic acid). These metabolites are associated with the metabolism of aromatic amino acids and their consumption in the diet. Therefore, this research suggests that each individual's diet and intestinal composition could affect host metabolism. Furthermore, these findings open the door to the study of microbiome-host interactions and allow us to contribute to personalized medicine.
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Measuring the distribution and dynamics of H2 in microbial electrochemical reactors is valuable to gain insights into the processes behind novel bioelectrochemical technologies, such as microbial electrosynthesis. Here, a microsensor method to measure and profile dissolved H2 concentrations in standard H-cell reactors is described. Graphite cathodes were oriented horizontally to enable the use of a motorized microprofiling system and a stereomicroscope was used to place the H2 microsensor precisely on the cathode surface. Profiling was performed towards the gas-liquid interface, while preserving the electric connections and flushing the headspace (to maintain anoxic conditions) and under strict temperature control (to overcome the temperature sensitivity of the microsensors). This method was tested by profiling six reactors, with and without inoculation of the acetogen Sporomusa ovata, at three different time points. H2 accumulated over time in the abiotic controls, while S. ovata maintained low H2 concentrations throughout the liquid phase (< 4 µM) during the whole experimental period. These results demonstrate that this setup generated insightful H2 profiles. However, various limitations of this microsensor method were identified, as headspace flushing lowered the dissolved H2 concentrations over time. Moreover, microsensors can likely not accurately measure H2 in the immediate vicinity of the solid cathode, because the solids cathode surface obstructs H2 diffusion into the microsensor. Finally, the reactors had to be discarded after microsensor profiling. Interested users should bear these considerations in mind when applying microsensors to characterize microbial electrochemical reactors.
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Carbon Dioxide , Carbon Dioxide/chemistry , ElectrodesABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Cultural norms shape expectations, care, and communication. Effective interpersonal communication is a prominent predictor of patient-partner cancer management, improving the overall quality of life for the dyad by increasing their ability to cope with cancer. However, couples-based cancer interventions often do not consider cultural factors. Additionally, although Latinas have a high incidence of breast cancer, few studies focus on Latino couples and the influence of culture in cancer care interventions. This study focuses on understanding how Latino culture's norms and expectations influence how couples communicate and cope post-breast cancer diagnosis. DESIGN: This study conducted interviews and focus groups with a purposive sample of Spanish-speaking Latina breast cancer survivors (N = 21) and intimate partners (N = 5). In the focus group and interviews, participants were asked about the influence cancer had on their relationship, with specific questions focusing on communication within the dyad. The study team used CARV: Community-Engaged Adaptation with Rapid Analysis and Visualization framework to identify cultural considerations and recurring themes. RESULTS: The cross-cutting cultural considerations and themes found were: the negative influence of gendered and social norms on managing emotions and coping; the silent struggle with physical intimacy; and the inability to discuss the topic - or even say the word 'cancer.' CONCLUSION: Understanding the role of Latino culture in how couples cope with and communicate about cancer post-diagnosis is essential. This understanding will help strengthen the dyad by assisting with positive interpersonal support, which contributes to a better quality of life. These findings will also help providers assist dyads in navigating the cancer diagnosis and journey, helping to lessen the interpersonal stress and tensions that can occur after diagnosis.
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Adaptation, Psychological , Breast Neoplasms , Interpersonal Relations , Female , Humans , Breast Neoplasms/psychology , Communication , Coping Skills , Hispanic or Latino/psychology , Motivation , Quality of Life , Cancer Survivors/psychologyABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: A close association between hereditary alpha-tryptasemia (HAT) and mast cell (MC) disorders has been previously reported. However, the relationship between HAT and the diagnostic subtypes and clinical features of MC disorders still remains to be established. OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of HAT in healthy donors (HD) vs patients with different diagnostic subtypes of MC activation syndromes (MCAS) and mastocytosis, and its relationship with the clinical behavior of the disease. METHODS: A total of 959 subjects were studied including 346 healthy donors (HD), 464 mastocytosis, and 149 non-clonal MCAS patients. Molecular studies to assess the TPSAB1 genotype were performed, and data on serum baseline tryptase (sBT) and basal MC-mediator release episodes and triggers of anaphylaxis were collected. RESULTS: HAT was detected in 15/346 (4%) HD versus 43/149 (29%) non-clonal MCAS and 84/464 (18%) mastocytosis cases. Among mastocytosis, HAT was more frequently found in patients with MC-restricted KITD816V (21% vs. 10% among multilineage KITD816V patients; p = .008). Overall, median sBT was higher in cases presenting with HAT (28.9 vs. 24.5 ng/mL; p = .008), while no significant differences in sBT were observed among HAT+ mastocytosis patients depending on the presence of 1 vs. ≥2 extra copies of the α-tryptase gene (44.1 vs. 35.2 ng/mL, p > .05). In turn, anaphylaxis was more frequently observed in HAT+ versus HAT- mastocytosis patients (76% vs. 65%; p = .018), while HAT+ and HAT- patients who did not refer anaphylaxis as the presenting symptom (n = 308) showed a similar prevalence of subsequent anaphylaxis (35% vs. 36%, respectively). CONCLUSION: The frequency of HAT in MC disorders varies according to the diagnostic subtype of the disease. HAT does not imply a higher risk (and severity) of anaphylaxis in mastocytosis patients in whom anaphylaxis is not part of the presenting symptoms of the disease.
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Anaphylaxis , Mast Cell Activation Syndrome , Mastocytosis , Humans , Anaphylaxis/epidemiology , Anaphylaxis/genetics , Anaphylaxis/diagnosis , Mast Cells , Mastocytosis/diagnosis , Mastocytosis/epidemiology , Mastocytosis/genetics , Tryptases/genetics , GenotypeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: This project aimed to improve compliance with evidence-based practice in pain assessment and management in a gynecology ward. INTRODUCTION: Effective pain control is important to prevent the negative consequences of pain that is poorly managed. However, it remains undervalued and inadequately treated. Applying evidence-based practices to correctly evaluate and manage pain is essential to improve pain relief. METHODS: This project followed the JBI Evidence Implementation Framework. A baseline audit of 41 women admitted to the gynecology ward was conducted and measured against 5 best practice criteria, along with a patient satisfaction questionnaire. Targeted strategies were then implemented and a follow-up audit was conducted using the same criteria, methods, and sample size as the baseline audit. RESULTS: The baseline audit revealed gaps between current and best practice. Barriers to implementation were identified and strategies to resolve the barriers were designed and implemented (nurse education, informative materials, electronic patient records system improvements). Comprehensive pain assessment, including dynamic and static pain assessment, use of a validated tool, and education provided to patients and carers, improved in the follow-up audit. There was no change in patient satisfaction levels; however, the discrepancy between pain measured by nurses and pain measured by patients was reduced. CONCLUSIONS: The JBI methodology was useful in improving compliance with evidence-based practice criteria. It also facilitated adaptation to new barriers, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Improving nurses' knowledge of pain assessment can lead to more accurate assessment. Inadequate records systems also made it difficult to record the care that was provided. Subsequent audits will assess sustainability and the project will be escalated to other wards.
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Gynecology , Humans , Adult , Female , Pain Measurement , Clinical Competence , Pandemics , PainABSTRACT
[Eu(3DPIQC)3] (where DPIQC = 3-(diphenyl phosphoryl)-1-isoquinolinecarboxylate), a luminescent europium complex with antenna ligands, has been carefully embedded within a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) matrix and the resulting material was used to prepare films used as luminescent down-shifting layers (LDSLs) for crystalline Si-based solar cells. The films were characterized using photoluminescence spectroscopy, atomic force spectroscopy (AFM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy. The AFM analysis shows films with low surface roughness, while fluorescence microscopy revealed that the Eu complex embedded in PVB assumed a spheroidal configuration, a morphology especially beneficial for optical applications. The so-obtained LDSLs were utilized as energy converters in c-Si solar cells to enhance the utilization of high-energy photons, thereby improving their overall efficiency. The determination of photovoltaic parameters carried out before and after the deposition of the LDSLs on the c-Si cells confirms a positive effect on the efficiency of the cell. The Jsc increases from 121.6 mA/cm2 to 124.9 mA/cm2, and the open circuit voltage (Voc) is found to be unrelated to the complex concentration in the films. The fill factor (FF) remains constant with the Eu concentration. The EQE curves indicate an enhancement in the performance of the photovoltaic cells within the UV region of the spectrum for all coated devices. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was also carried out in order to analyze the effect of the Eu complex in the charge transfer process of the devices.
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Objectives: Chronic liver disease and related complications, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, are associated with high mortality. Curative treatments, partial hepatectomy or liver transplantation, have limited applicability in patients with cirrhosis due to the poor liver regenerative capacity. Thus, we need to find new diagnostic and therapeutic alternatives, to block the disease progression and to improve the survival of patients. In this context, preclinical studies have demonstrated the key role of the protein kinase B (Akt) in liver dysfunction, but the status of Akt and its targets in patients with chronic hepatopathy remains unknown. Aims: To determine the activation status of the Akt pathway and their association with liver functionality in cirrhotic patients. Methods: This retrospective study includes liver tissue samples from 36 hepatectomized patients with (n=27) and without (n=9) cirrhosis. Multiplex analysis of proteins involved in the Akt/mTOR pathway was performed using a Luminex panel and Western blot. Conventional liver function tests were determined in serum before resection surgery. Results: Akt and forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) are overexpressed in the liver of cirrhotic patients: (2.1 vs. 1.0 densitometric relative units (DRU); p<0.01, and 9.5 vs. 4.4 DRU; p<0.01, respectively). FoxO1 showed the best correlation with markers of liver injury (aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT): r=0.51, p<0.05; alanine aminotransferase (ALAT): r=0.49, p<0.05), and was the only enzyme in the Akt pathway identified as an independent predictor of ASAT and ALAT levels. Conclusions: The intrahepatic expression of FoxO1 could have clinical utility as a potential prognostic marker for patients with advanced liver disease.
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Up until approximately 10 years ago, the treatment for acute refractory esophageal variceal bleeding was balloon tamponading. Esophageal fully covered self-expanding stents are considered as effective as balloons and also much safer. They are kept in situ for longer periods, what eases the access to more definitive treatments with a low complication rate. We present 6 cases of patients with cirrhosis and massive bleeding due to esophageal varices refractory to conventional treatment, successfully treated with an esophageal fully covered self-expanding stent. There were no major complications, achieving an effective bleeding control in all cases.(AU)
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Humans , Male , Female , Prostheses and Implants , Prosthesis Implantation/methods , Esophageal and Gastric Varices/surgery , Treatment Failure , Gastrointestinal HemorrhageABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this project was to improve compliance with evidence-based criteria regarding risk of delirium and the assessment of delirium among older patients in the general hospitalization wards and the emergency department. INTRODUCTION: More than 50% of older hospitalized patients experience delirium. Some studies have highlighted the need to implement an orientation protocol in the emergency department and to continue this in the general wards, with the aim of decreasing the delirium rate among older patients admitted to hospital. METHODS: The project followed the JBI evidence implementation framework. We conducted a baseline audit, a half-way audit, and final audit of 50 patients at risk of delirium admitted to the emergency department and the general wards, respectively. The audits measured compliance with eight criteria informed by the available evidence. RESULTS: In the final audit, three of the eight criteria achieved more than 50% compliance in the general wards: pressure injury screening (96%); monitoring changes (74%); and performing interventions (76%). In the emergency department, worse results were reported because of the service conditions. The exception was the criterion on the training of nurses on the topic, with 98%. The integration of a tool to screen for delirium in older patients in the hospital's electronic clinical history records increased the percentage of compliance with audit criteria regarding the use of the scale and delirium detection (rising from 0% to 32% in the final audit in the general wards). CONCLUSION: Through the implementation of this project, validated and evidence-based evaluation will ensure that nurses are supported through appropriate measures to reduce patient confusion and aggression resulting from delirium.
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Delirium , Patients' Rooms , Humans , Aged , Hospitals , Hospitalization , Delirium/diagnosis , Delirium/prevention & control , Emergency Service, HospitalABSTRACT
Introducción: Después de casi 20 años utilizando la elastografía de transición para el diagnóstico no invasivo de la fibrosis hepática, su uso se ha extendido al cribado poblacional, la evaluación de la esteatosis y las complicaciones de la cirrosis. Por ello, la «Societat Catalana de Digestologia» encargó a un grupo de expertos actualizar el primer Documento realizado en 2011. Material y métodos: El grupo de trabajo (8 médicos y 4 enfermeras) elaboró un panel de preguntas en base a la encuesta online «Elastografía Hepática en Cataluña 2022» siguiendo la estructura PICO y el método Delphi. Resultados: Las respuestas se presentan con el nivel de evidencia, el grado de recomendación y el consenso final tras ser evaluadas por 2 revisores externos. Conclusión: La elastografía de transición utiliza el método elastográfico más sencillo y fiable para cuantificar la fibrosis hepática, evaluar la esteatosis y conocer el riesgo de complicaciones en pacientes con cirrosis. El documento ha sido avalado por la «Societat Catalana de Digestologia» y el «Col legi Oficial dInfermeres i Infermers de Barcelona». (AU)
Introduction: After almost 20 years using transient elastography (TE) for the non-invasive diagnosis of liver fibrosis, its use has been extended to population screening, evaluation of steatosis and complications of cirrhosis. For this reason, the «Catalan Society of Gastroenterology» commissioned a group of experts to update the first document carried out in 2011. Material and methods: The working group (8 doctors and 4 nurses) prepared a panel of questions based on the online survey «Hepatic Elastography in Catalonia 2022» following the PICO structure and the Delphi method. Results: The answers are presented with the level of evidence, the degree of recommendation and the final consensus after being evaluated by two external reviewers. Conclusion: Transient elastography uses the simplest and most reliable elastographic method to quantify liver fibrosis, assess steatosis, and determine the risk of complications in patients with cirrhosis. The document has been endorsed by the Catalan Society of Gastroenterology and the Col·legi Oficial dInfermeres i Infermers de Barcelona. (AU)
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Humans , Elasticity Imaging Techniques/methods , Fatty Liver/pathology , Gastroenterology , Liver/pathology , Liver Cirrhosis/pathology , Fibrosis , SpainABSTRACT
A 41-year-old man was admitted to the Emergency Department with bilateral numbness in lower extremities and left femoral palsy. He also reported constitutional symptoms, vomiting and non-bloody diarrhoea for the last several months. He had a previous history of eosinophilic asthma with erratic follow-up. During admission, eosinophil count was 66% of white blood cells. Sural nerve biopsy revealed vasculitis with eosinophilic infiltration. Further evaluations consisted of colonoscopy and nasal endoscopy that confirmed eosinophil infiltrates on colonic ulcers and nasal polypi. The patient was started on systemic corticosteroids and cyclophosphamide. Among his personal records, he had been taking nandrolone decanoate without medical prescription, and had withdrawn a few years before the first asthma exacerbation.
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Cervical cancer (CC) is the most frequent cancer in the female population worldwide. Although there are treatments available, they are ineffective and cause adverse effects. 6-gingerol is an active component in ginger with anticancer activity. This research aims to discover the mechanism by which 6-gingerol act as an anticancer agent on CC through a pharmacological network using bioinformatics databases. From MalaCard, Swiss Target Prediction, Comparative Toxicogenomics Database, and Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform, we obtained the target genes for 6-gingerol and CC and matched them. We got 26 genes and analyzed them in ShinyGO-0.76.3 and DAVID-Bioinformatics Resources. Then, we generated a protein-protein interaction network in Cytoscape and obtained 12 hub genes. Hub genes were analyzed in Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis and TISIDB. In addition, molecular docking studies were performed between target proteins with 6-gingerol using SwissDock database. Finally, molecular dynamics studies for three proteins with the lowest interaction energy were implemented using Gromacs software. According to gene ontology results, 6-gingerol is involved in processes of apoptosis, cell cycle, and protein kinase complexes, affecting mitochondria and pathways related to HPV infection. CTNNB1 gene was negatively correlated with CD8+ infiltration but was not associated with a higher survival rate. Furthermore, the molecular docking study showed that 6-gingerol has a high binding to proteins, and the molecular dynamics showed a stable interaction of 6-gingerol to AKT1, CCNB1, and CTNNB1 proteins. Conclusion, our work helps to understand the anticancer activity of 6-gingerol in CC that should be studied experimentally.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.