Acute Antibody-Mediated Rejection in Kidney Transplant Based on the 2013 Banff Criteria: Single-Center Experience in Uruguay.

BACKGROUND: Acute antibody-mediated rejection (AMR) diagnosis criteria have changed in recent consensus of Banff, with current evidence of C4d-negative AMR. Our objective was to evaluate incidence of AMR in renal transplantation according to Banff 2013 criteria and to examine the histological features and outcome. METHODS: This retrospective study involved all kidney transplants with histological diagnosis of acute rejection (AR) at our center between 2000 and 2014. All the biopsies with AR were re-assessed by a nephro-pathologist and classified by use of the Banff 2013 criteria. RESULTS: Of 205 kidney transplants, biopsy-proven AR was diagnosed in 25 cases (12%). Re-assessing them according to Banff 2013 criteria, AMR was diagnosed in 17 (8.3%) and represented 68% of the confirmed rejections. AMR diagnosis was performed on day 23 ± 26, with median of 11 days. From the 17 cases, 7 had concomitant T-cell-mediated rejection. All cases presented endothelial edema and acute tubular necrosis. Glomerulitis was found in 12 cases and capillaritis in 14. In 3, associated thrombotic micro-angiopathy (TMA) was found. Intimal and transmural arteritis was evidenced in 5 and 1 patient. In 2, transplant glomerulopathy was present. Seven of the 10 biopsies with C4d staining in the peri-tubular capillaries were positive. Twelve cases received plasmapheresis, 6 received gamma-globulin, and 6 received rituximab. After administration of anti-AMR therapy, 16 cases recovered renal function, reaching a serum creatinine level of 1.5 ± 0.6 mg %. Graft survival at 1 year was lower in the AMR group versus patients without AMR (81.9% vs 98.9%, log-rank test, P < .001). Risk factors for AMR were re-transplant (30% vs 7%, P = .02), HLA-DR mismatch (1.06 ± 0.65 vs 0.7 ± 0.6, P = .03), panel-reactive antibody (28% ± 33 vs 6.2 ± 13, P = .00), and delayed graft function (82% vs 30%, P = .00). CONCLUSIONS: Adapting the new Banff 2013 criteria increased the sensitivity of the diagnosis of ARM. Regarding our data, despite an adequate response to the therapy, it resulted in a worse graft survival by the first year of renal transplant.

Ultrasound-assisted extraction of hemicelluloses from grape pomace using response surface methodology.

An ultrasound-assisted procedure was applied to the extraction of hemicelluloses from grape pomace at a mild temperature (20°C). A Central composite design (CCD) was employed to optimize the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) of hemicelluloses from grape pomace with the aim to maximize their extraction yield, and, also, the obtention of the main polymers forming this fraction: Xyloglucans (XLG), Mannans (MAN) and Xylans (XN). Extraction time (X1), solid:liquid ratio (X2) and KOH concentration (X3) were the variables used to optimize the process. The conditions that maximize (1) the extraction yield of hemicelluloses and the contents of (2) XLG, (3) MAN and (4) XN, were: (1) X1=2.6h; X2=1:48 (w/v); X3=0.4M, (2) X1=2.9h; X2=1:57 (w/v); X3=2.25M, (3) X1=2.7h; X2=1:58(w/v);X3=2.2M, and (4) X1=3h; X2=1:60 (w/v); X3=2.3M, respectively. Under these conditions, the maximum extraction yield of hemicelluloses, XLG, MAN and XN contents were: ∼7.9±0.2%, ∼3.6±0.02%, ∼1.1±0.04% and ∼1.2±0.02%, respectively. Close agreement between experimental and predicted values was found. The results suggest that the ultrasound-assisted extraction could be a good option for the extraction of hemicellulosic polysaccharides from grape pomace at industrial level.

Compliance to the prescribed overall treatment time (OTT) of curative radiotherapy in normal clinical practice and impact on treatment duration of counteracting short interruptions by treating patients on Saturdays.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To evaluate the compliance of the prescribed OTT in a normal clinical practice and to establish the incidence, duration and causes of unplanned interruptions of radiation therapy. To quantify the impact of an institutional policy to maintain the OTT counteracting some short interruptions by treating patients on Saturday morning. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The treatment charts of all new patients treated with curative intent in a period of one year were reviewed retrospectively. All treatments started on Monday or Tuesday and split-course was not used. The difference between the actual realized and the planned OTT was calculated as a measure of compliance. Recalculations of OTT were made to quantify the impact of compensating short gaps by treating patients on Saturday. The cause of interruption was also recorded and classified. RESULTS: The charts of 478 consecutive patients treated with curative intent were reviewed. The overall incidence of unplanned interruptions was 76.6%. Public holidays and machine maintenance caused most of interruptions, and machine breakdown caused 13%. 17.9% of the interruptions were greater than 5 days and 5.6% greater than 10 days. Only 23.4% of patients finished their radiotherapy in the planned OTT (12.6% if no compensation on Saturday). 48.9% of head and neck cancer patients finished their treatment in the planned OTT (19.5% if no compensation on Saturday). The time in excess ranged up to 44 days, and the average time in excess was 3.3 days for the entire group (4.2 days if no compensation on Saturday). For head and neck cancer patients, the time in excess was 1.9 days (3.9 days if no compensation on Saturday). CONCLUSIONS: This study has documented that the incidence and duration of unplanned interruptions of standard treatment schedules is a major problem in normal clinical practice. Most interruptions are short and due mainly to public holidays and machine maintenance and for these reasons they can be planned. In spite of the extra costs, counteracting some short interruptions by treating patients on Saturday is a good way to maintain the OTT without loss of local control.

On the overlap between apathy and depression in dementia.

BACKGROUND: Whereas apathy is increasingly recognised as a frequent abnormal behaviour in dementia, its overlap with depression remains poorly understood. AIMS: To assess the psychometric characteristics of a structured interview for apathy, and to examine the overlap between apathy and depression in dementia. METHODS: A total of 150 patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) underwent a comprehensive psychiatric and cognitive assessment. RESULTS: Twelve per cent of the sample met criteria for both apathy and depression, 7% met criteria for apathy only, and 31% met criteria for depression only. Apathy (but not depression) was significantly associated with more severe cognitive deficits. Apathy and anxiety scores accounted for 65% of the variance of depression scores in dementia, and the diagnosis of apathy had a minor impact on the rating of severity of depression. CONCLUSIONS: The Structured Interview for Apathy demonstrated adequate psychometric characteristics. Using a novel structured interview for apathy in AD we demonstrated that whereas the construct of depression primarily consists of symptom clusters of apathy and anxiety, apathy is a behavioural dimension independent of depression.

Cerebral tumor-like American trypanosomiasis in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Cerebral tumor-like American trypanosomiasis (CTLAT) is an uncommon complication of Chagas' disease, observed only in immunosuppressed patients. We assessed 10 human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients with Chagas' disease who presented with CTLAT. All patients had neurological involvement and 6 developed intracranial hypertension. Neuroimaging studies showed supratentorial lesions in 9 patients, being single in 8. One case had infratentorial and supratentorial lesions. Low CD4+ cell counts were observed in all the cases and in 6 of them CTLAT was the first manifestation of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Serological tests for Chagas' disease were positive in 6 of 8 patients. Trypanosoma cruzi was identified in all brain specimens and in three cerebrospinal fluid samples. CTLAT should be considered in the differential diagnosis of intracranial mass lesions in human immunodeficiency virus-positive patients and should be added to the list of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-defining illnesses.

Chagasic granulomatous encephalitis in immunosuppressed patients. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings.

American trypanosomiasis (Chagas' disease), a zoonosis caused by Trypanosoma cruzi with a high incidence in Latin America, may induce an uncommon form of localized encephalitis termed "chagoma", found in few immunocompromised patients. The computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of brain chagoma are reported for 3 males (ages 32, 32 and 9 yr), the first 2 infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the third with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Diagnosis was confirmed by biopsy. CT disclosed a single, supratentorial, nodular-shaped lesion that substantially enhanced with contrast material, localized in parietal or frontal lobes. T1-weighted MRI showed hypointense lesions that enhanced with gadolinium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid, corresponding to extensive hyperintense areas on T2-weighted images, producing mass effect. The imaging pattern of brain chagoma presented here is similar to that of cerebral toxoplasmosis and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of an intracerebral mass lesion in immunocompromised patients.

HIV-encephalopathy: should we await a catastrophe before screening?

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-encephalopathy (formerly AIDS Dementia Complex, or ADC) is characterized by global impairment of intellectual and cognitive functions, personality and behavioral disturbances, decreased memory, inability to concentrate, and apathy. Its motor dysfunction is manifested by impaired speech, gait, and coordination, and by psychomotor retardation. Several scientific reports indicate that ADC may be the earliest, and, at times, the only evidence of human immunodeficiency virus infection, and may present a diagnostic challenge, particularly in the aviation context. Several aviation medicine specialists have pointed out the safety questions raised by this condition when it presents in otherwise asymptomatic individuals. Since October 1985, U.S. military pilots have been tested for the presence of HIV antibody and grounded if found positive. In May 1991, the Executive Council of the Aerospace Medical Association approved a position statement that supports testing of pilots for infection by HIV, and maintains that "individuals confirmed to be infected should be found medically disqualified for flying duties." While bureaucrats delay in resolving HIV mandatory screening, HIV-encephalopathy may be precipitously brought to light, with symptoms involving ocular motor disorders such as dissociated nystagmus, gaze-evoked nystagmus, and impaired saccadic function and smooth pursuit, frequent signs of HIV cerebellar and pontomesencephalic dysfunction.

Complicaciones neurológicas del síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida / Neurological complications of AIDS

El compromiso del sistema nervioso en el SIDA puede producirse por dos mecanismos: a)como consecuencia de la inmunodepresión, por la que se genera la invasión de gérmenes oportunistas o neoplasias y b)por acción viral directa sobre las estructuras neurales. La acción viral directa sería el factor causal de la meningitis aséptica (observada durante el período de seroconversión) y de los trastornos cognitivos, motores y conductales (complejo SIDA-demencia) y la mielopatía observadas en el estadio lV del CDC. La agresión sobre la mielina de estructura subcorticales, tronco cerebral, cerebelo y médula constituirían el substrato anatomopatológico de estas manifestaciones tardías. Los cuadros más comunes vinculados a oportunistas son las encefalitis a citomegalovirus y herpéticas, la leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva, los cuadros focales secundarios o toxoplasmosis o tuberculomas y la meningitis criptocóccica. El tumor más común es el linfoma primario de cerebro, observándose con menos frecuencia la invasión por linfoma no Hodgkin o por el sarcoma de Kaposi. Las complicaciones neuromusculares son relativamente frecuentes tanto en el estadio asintomático como en el SIDA. El síndrome de Guillan Barré, observado especialmente durante la seroconversión, así como la polineuropatía inflamatoria desmielinizante crónica y la mononeuropatía múltiple observadas en el estadio asintomático son frecuentemente reportadas y no se diferencian esencialmente de cuadros similares en sujetos seronegativos. En el estadio lV del CDC es habitualmente observada la polineuropatía sensitiva distal, a la que puede asignársele valor de mercado evolutivo. La poliomiositis es el síndrome muscular más frecuente, siendo menos documentados la atrofia selectiva de fibras tipo ll y la miopatía nemalínica

Complicaciones neurológicas del síndrome de inmunodeficiencia adquirida / Neurological complications of AIDS

El compromiso del sistema nervioso en el SIDA puede producirse por dos mecanismos: a)como consecuencia de la inmunodepresión, por la que se genera la invasión de gérmenes oportunistas o neoplasias y b)por acción viral directa sobre las estructuras neurales. La acción viral directa sería el factor causal de la meningitis aséptica (observada durante el período de seroconversión) y de los trastornos cognitivos, motores y conductales (complejo SIDA-demencia) y la mielopatía observadas en el estadio lV del CDC. La agresión sobre la mielina de estructura subcorticales, tronco cerebral, cerebelo y médula constituirían el substrato anatomopatológico de estas manifestaciones tardías. Los cuadros más comunes vinculados a oportunistas son las encefalitis a citomegalovirus y herpéticas, la leucoencefalopatía multifocal progresiva, los cuadros focales secundarios o toxoplasmosis o tuberculomas y la meningitis criptocóccica. El tumor más común es el linfoma primario de cerebro, observándose con menos frecuencia la invasión por linfoma no Hodgkin o por el sarcoma de Kaposi. Las complicaciones neuromusculares son relativamente frecuentes tanto en el estadio asintomático como en el SIDA. El síndrome de Guillan Barré, observado especialmente durante la seroconversión, así como la polineuropatía inflamatoria desmielinizante crónica y la mononeuropatía múltiple observadas en el estadio asintomático son frecuentemente reportadas y no se diferencian esencialmente de cuadros similares en sujetos seronegativos. En el estadio lV del CDC es habitualmente observada la polineuropatía sensitiva distal, a la que puede asignársele valor de mercado evolutivo. La poliomiositis es el síndrome muscular más frecuente, siendo menos documentados la atrofia selectiva de fibras tipo ll y la miopatía nemalínica

Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials in human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive patients with and without acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Brain-stem auditory evoked potentials were recorded in 35 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-seropositive subjects from the Centers for Disease Control groups III and IV, 24 HIV-negative drug abusers, and 62 normal healthy controls. None of the patients had evidence of neurological complications. History of alcohol consumption was an exclusion criterion. The values of central conduction times I-V and III-V showed significant differences between the HIV-seropositive subjects and normal healthy controls, as well as between the HIV-seropositive subjects and HIV-negative drug abusers. Central conduction times I-III showed no differences between groups, except in the left ear of Centers for Disease Control group IV compared with controls. No statistical differences were found in the central conduction times between HIV-negative drug abusers and normal healthy controls. The results suggest a subclinical involvement of the upper brain stem in HIV infection. It could be produced by direct action of the virus on central nervous system structures.