Microbiological assessment of arterial allografts processed in a tissue bank.

The transmission of microbial infection through tissue allografts is one of the main risks that must be controlled in tissue banks. Therefore, microbiological monitoring controls and validated protocols for the decontamination of tissues during processing have been implemented. This study is based on the evaluation of data from microbiological cultures of arteries (mainly long peripheral arteries) processed in the tissue bank of Valencia (Spain). Donors' profile, pre- and post-disinfection tissue samples were assessed. The presence of residual antibiotics in disinfected tissues was determined and the antimicrobial potential of these tissues was tested. Our overall contamination rate was 23.69%, with a disinfection rate (after antibiotic incubation) of 87.5%. Most (76.09%) of the microbial contaminants were identified as Gram positive. Arterial allografts collected from body sites affected by prior organ removal showed higher risk of contamination. Only vancomycin was detected as tissue release. The antimicrobial effect on Candida albicans was lower than that for bacterial species. Risk assessment for microbial contamination suggested the donor's skin and the environment during tissue collection as the main sources for allograft contamination. Antibiotic-disinfected arterial allografts showed antimicrobial potential.

Tratamiento de la artritis psoriásica con ustekinumab en diferentes escenarios clínicos. Casos reales y revisión de la literatura / Treatment of psoriatic arthritis with ustekinumab in different clinical scenarios. Real cases anda literature review

El tratamiento de la Artritis Psoriásica (APs) se basa en suprimir los signos y síntomas en todos los componentes de la enfermedad (articular, piel, entesis, compromiso axial). Dentro de las opciones terapéuticas contamos con los antinflamatorios no esteroideos (AI-NEs), corticoides, drogas modificadoras de la enfermedad (DMARs) entre ellas el metotrexato y leflunomida, y los anti-TNF. Estas últimas han demostrado actualmente amplia eficacia a largo plazo y buen perfil de seguridad. Fueron el único mecanismo de acción para el tratamiento de la APs; sin embargo en el último año fue aprobado en varios países, ustekinumab, un inhibidor de la subunidad p40 de la IL12 y 23. Esta revisión presenta una serie de 6 casos clínicos donde hemos utilizado esta opción terapéutica en diferentes escenarios

Tocilizumab en artritis psoriásica ante la falla a los bloqueantes del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa: experiencia en dos casos / Tocilizumab in psoriatic artritis in patients falling anti-tumor necrosis factor: experience in two cases

En artritis psoriásica (APs), los bloqueantes del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (anti-TNF) son la opción más adecuada ante la falla a drogas modificadoras. La eficacia y la seguridad de los anti-TNF están ampliamente fundamentadas en la literatura; sin embargo, en algunos casos, pueden presentarse eventos adversos o no se logra la eficacia deseada. Las alternativas terapéuticas en dichos pacientes son acotadas, la inhibición de la interleuquina 6 (IL-6) podría ser una opción. Presentamos dos casos clínicos de pacientes con APs resistentes a anti-TNF que recibieron tocilizumab, en los cuales podemos observar diferencias importantes en el perfil de eficacia de esta droga

In psoriatic arthritis, the blocking of tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF) is the most suitable option when modifying antirheumatic drugsfail. The efficacy and safety of anti-TNF are largely supported by theliterature; however, in some cases, adverse events may occur or thedesired efficiency is not achieved. Therapeutic alternatives in thesepatients are bounded; inhibition of interleukin 6 could be an option.We present two cases of patients with resistant anti-TNF receivingtocilizumab, in which we can observe significant differences in theefficacy profile of the drug.(AU)

Tocilizumab en artritis psoriásica ante la falla a los bloqueantes del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa: experiencia en dos casos / Tocilizumab in psoriatic artritis in patients falling anti-tumor necrosis factor: experience in two cases

En artritis psoriásica (APs), los bloqueantes del factor de necrosis tumoral alfa (anti-TNF) son la opción más adecuada ante la falla a drogas modificadoras. La eficacia y la seguridad de los anti-TNF están ampliamente fundamentadas en la literatura; sin embargo, en algunos casos, pueden presentarse eventos adversos o no se logra la eficacia deseada. Las alternativas terapéuticas en dichos pacientes son acotadas, la inhibición de la interleuquina 6 (IL-6) podría ser una opción. Presentamos dos casos clínicos de pacientes con APs resistentes a anti-TNF que recibieron tocilizumab, en los cuales podemos observar diferencias importantes en el perfil de eficacia de esta droga

In psoriatic arthritis, the blocking of tumor necrosis factor alpha (anti-TNF) is the most suitable option when modifying antirheumatic drugsfail. The efficacy and safety of anti-TNF are largely supported by theliterature; however, in some cases, adverse events may occur or thedesired efficiency is not achieved. Therapeutic alternatives in thesepatients are bounded; inhibition of interleukin 6 could be an option.We present two cases of patients with resistant anti-TNF receivingtocilizumab, in which we can observe significant differences in theefficacy profile of the drug.

Adverse reactions during transfusion of thawed haematopoietic progenitor cells from apheresis are closely related to the number of granulocyte cells in the leukapheresis product.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The infusion of thawed haematopoietic progenitor cells from apheresis (HPC-A) is associated with minor but frequent adverse reactions (ARs), which has been mainly attributed to dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO). Nevertheless, other factors may play a role in the pathogenesis of such toxicity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The ARs on a cohort of 423 cryopreserved HPC-A infusions for 398 patients in HPC transplantation program were analysed. RESULTS: ARs were reported in 105 graft infusions (24·8%) and most of them were graded as mild to moderate. The most frequently reported ARs were gastrointestinal and respiratory, and three patients presented epileptic seizure. The volume of DMSO/kg (P < 0·001), volume of red-blood-cells/kg (P = 0·02), number of nuclear cells (NCs)/kg (P <0·001) and number of granulocytes/kg (P<0·001) in the infused graft were significant in the univariate analysis for the occurrence of ARs. The amount of granulocytes/kg remained significant in the multivariate analysis (P<0·001). The grade of ARs also correlated with the amount of cryopreserved granulocytes. CONCLUSION: The incidence and grade of ARs during infusion of cryopreserved HPC-A are related to the amount of granulocytes in the graft.

A new, mild, and efficient synthesis of 2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxyacids through a selective haloform reaction.

[reaction: see text] Long-chain 2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxyacids have been synthesized in a new, straightforward manner by treatment of 4-hydroxy-1,1,1,3,3-pentafluoroalkyl ketones, easily obtained by reaction of pentafluoroenolate 2 with aldehydes and ketones, with base under mild conditions. The reaction sequence is marked by the selective cleavage of the CO-CF3 bond, as well as the absence of products arising from the alternative CO-CF2R bond cleavage. The process represents a convenient approach for the synthesis of 2,2-difluoro-3-hydroxyacids, as it is short, provides good to excellent yields under mild conditions, and uses hexafluoro-2-propanol, a very cheap reagent, as the fluorine source.

Difluoropalmitic acids as potential inhibitors of the biosynthesis of the sex pheromone of the Egyptian armyworm Spodoptera littoralis--IV.

2,2-, 3,3- and 4,4-Difluoropalmitic acids (1-3) have been synthesized and fully characterized. Acids 2 and 3 were prepared through fluorination of the corresponding dithioacetal-protected ketoesters followed by enzymatic saponification. The acids 1-3 were evaluated in vivo as inhibitors of the beta-oxidation step of the biosynthesis of (Z,E)-9,11-tetradecadienyl acetate, the major component of the sex pheromone of the Egyptian armyworm Spodoptera littoralis. Only, the 2,2- and 3,3-derivatives, i.e. those containing the two fluorine atoms at the positions involved in the chain-shortened step, have been found to be active, the activity being similar to or lower than that displayed by the corresponding monofluorinated acids.

Analysis of glycolipids by fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry.

The positive and negative ion fast atom bombardment (FAB) mass spectra of four glycolipids obtained from microbial cultures are reported. The spectra of the glycolipids in the positive ion mode are characterized by abundant [M + Na]+, [M + Na + matrix]+ and [M + 2Na - H]+ species. In negative FAB conditions the molecules yield [M - H]-. Our understanding of the FAB behaviour of glycolipids in both positive and negative modes has been considerably aided in the structure elucidation, without any derivatization or degradation reaction of the compounds studied. The technique allows unambiguous molecular weight determination of low-microgram amounts of these glycolipids purified from biological sources and provides useful fragmentation information.