Delayed mortality among solid organ transplant recipients hospitalized for COVID-19.

INTRODUCTION: Most studies of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with COVID-19 focus on outcomes within one month of illness onset. Delayed mortality in SOT recipients hospitalized for COVID-19 has not been fully examined. METHODS: We used data from a multicenter registry to calculate mortality by 90 days following initial SARS-CoV-2 detection in SOT recipients hospitalized for COVID-19 and developed multivariable Cox proportional-hazards models to compare risk factors for death by days 28 and 90. RESULTS: Vital status at day 90 was available for 936 of 1117 (84%) SOT recipients hospitalized for COVID-19: 190 of 936 (20%) died by 28 days and an additional 56 of 246 deaths (23%) occurred between days 29 and 90. Factors associated with mortality by day 90 included: age > 65 years [aHR 1.8 (1.3-2.4), p =<0.001], lung transplant (vs. non-lung transplant) [aHR 1.5 (1.0-2.3), p=0.05], heart failure [aHR 1.9 (1.2-2.9), p=0.006], chronic lung disease [aHR 2.3 (1.5-3.6), p<0.001] and body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m 2 [aHR 1.5 (1.1-2.0), p=0.02]. These associations were similar for mortality by day 28. Compared to diagnosis during early 2020 (March 1-June 19, 2020), diagnosis during late 2020 (June 20-December 31, 2020) was associated with lower mortality by day 28 [aHR 0.7 (0.5-1.0, p=0.04] but not by day 90 [aHR 0.9 (0.7-1.3), p=0.61]. CONCLUSIONS: In SOT recipients hospitalized for COVID-19, >20% of deaths occurred between 28 and 90 days following SARS-CoV-2 diagnosis. Future investigations should consider extending follow-up duration to 90 days for more complete mortality assessment.

Carcinosarcoma of the gallbladder diagnosed in a cholecystectomy specimen.

We report the case of a patient with an incidental diagnosis of gallbladder adenocarcinoma with chondrosarcomatoid areas in a cholecystectomy specimen. Since it is associated with a worse prognosis when compared to usual carcinoma, we need to understand this entity to offer our patients a better treatment.

Changing trends in mortality among solid organ transplant recipients hospitalized for COVID-19 during the course of the pandemic.

Mortality among patients hospitalized for COVID-19 has declined over the course of the pandemic. Mortality trends specifically in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) are unknown. Using data from a multicenter registry of SOTR hospitalized for COVID-19, we compared 28-day mortality between early 2020 (March 1, 2020-June 19, 2020) and late 2020 (June 20, 2020-December 31, 2020). Multivariable logistic regression was used to assess comorbidity-adjusted mortality. Time period of diagnosis was available for 1435/1616 (88.8%) SOTR and 971/1435 (67.7%) were hospitalized: 571/753 (75.8%) in early 2020 and 402/682 (58.9%) in late 2020 (p < .001). Crude 28-day mortality decreased between the early and late periods (112/571 [19.6%] vs. 55/402 [13.7%]) and remained lower in the late period even after adjusting for baseline comorbidities (aOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.46-0.98, p = .016). Between the early and late periods, the use of corticosteroids (≥6 mg dexamethasone/day) and remdesivir increased (62/571 [10.9%] vs. 243/402 [61.5%], p < .001 and 50/571 [8.8%] vs. 213/402 [52.2%], p < .001, respectively), and the use of hydroxychloroquine and IL-6/IL-6 receptor inhibitor decreased (329/571 [60.0%] vs. 4/492 [1.0%], p < .001 and 73/571 [12.8%] vs. 5/402 [1.2%], p < .001, respectively). Mortality among SOTR hospitalized for COVID-19 declined between early and late 2020, consistent with trends reported in the general population. The mechanism(s) underlying improved survival require further study.

Clinicopathological and Molecular Prognostic Classifier for Intermediate/High-Risk Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma.

The probability of tumor progression in intermediate/high-risk clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is highly variable, underlining the lack of predictive accuracy of the current clinicopathological factors. To develop an accurate prognostic classifier for these patients, we analyzed global gene expression patterns in 13 tissue samples from progressive and non-progressive ccRCC using Illumina Hi-seq 4000. Expression levels of 22 selected differentially expressed genes (DEG) were assessed by nCounter analysis in an independent series of 71 ccRCCs. A clinicopathological-molecular model for predicting tumor progression was developed and in silico validated in a total of 202 ccRCC patients using the TCGA cohort. A total of 1202 DEGs were found between progressive and non-progressive intermediate/high-risk ccRCC in RNAseq analysis, and seven of the 22 DEGs selected were validated by nCounter. Expression of HS6ST2, pT stage, tumor size, and ISUP grade were found to be independent prognostic factors for tumor progression. A risk score generated using these variables was able to distinguish patients at higher risk of tumor progression (HR 7.27; p < 0.001), consistent with the results obtained from the TCGA cohort (HR 2.74; p < 0.002). In summary, a combined prognostic algorithm was successfully developed and validated. This model may aid physicians to select high-risk patients for adjuvant therapy.

Cuba's National Regulatory Authority & COVID-19: Olga Lidia Jacobo-Casanueva MS Director, Center for State Control of Medicines and Medical Devices (CECMED).

At the time of this writing, more than 10 million Cubans (nearly 90% of the country's population), had received at least their first dose of Soberana 02 or Abdala, two of five vaccine candidates for SARS-CoV-2 developed and produced on the island. Late-phase clinical trial data revealed that Abdala is 92.28% effective after the full, three-dose cycle and Soberana 02 is 91.2% effective after two doses, when followed by a booster of Soberana Plus.[1] Cuban health authorities have committed to vaccinating the entire population, including children aged 3-18 years old, using these vaccines by the end of 2021. The first pre-clinical, peer-reviewed data are available,[2] with clinical trial results already submitted to various international journals. Building on decades of biotechnology know-how developing, producing and administering 11 preventive vaccines for childhood diseases-used in the nation's universal health system and also marketed elsewhere-Cuba is the first, and to date only, country in Latin America and the Caribbean to develop its own vaccine candidates for COVID-19 (Soberana 01; Soberana 02; Soberana Plus; Abdala and Mambisa; see Box on following page). In a strategy designed to ensure comprehensive and importantly, independent solutions to the global health crisis, research institutes and manufacturing facilities coordinated by BioCubaFarma-the country's biopharmaceutical conglomerate-have also developed COVID-19 treatments and essential medical equipment. To gain a better understanding of the regulatory process involved, MEDICC Review turned to Olga Lidia Jacobo-Casanueva, Director of the Center for State Control of Medicines and Medical Devices (CECMED), Cuba's national regulatory authority (NRA). A clinical microbiologist, Jacobo-Casanueva served as interim director throughout 2020 before becoming director in January 2021. She has spent nearly her entire career at CECMED, working her way up the ranks in a unique trajectory: from her first position in 1992 in the Center's microbiology laboratories, she has since worked in all but one of the six areas required by WHO to qualify as a National Regulatory Authority of Reference (NRAr; CECMED was certified as a Level 4 NRAr in 2011, a qualification it maintains). In short, Jacobo-Casanueva is a regulatory polymath, with hands-on experience in nearly every facet of regulation. She is also an adjunct researcher in the Faculty of Biology at the University of Havana. Cuba's decision to confront the pandemic autonomously by developing preventive vaccines to control COVID-19 is deliberate and fraught with challenges. With dozens of ongoing clinical trials, coupled with the declining epidemiological and economic situation in Cuba-exacerbated by tightened US sanctions affecting all facets of COVID-19 prevention and response-we appreciate the time Jacobo-Casanueva took from her schedule to parse the complex regulatory mechanisms required to introduce Cuban and imported products into the national health system. Editor's note: Just days after this interview was conducted in Havana, CECMED granted Emergency Use Authorization for Abdala, one of five Cuban COVID-19 vaccine candidates undergoing clinical trials since 2020.

Microbiota intestinal y su relación con agentes oportunistas vinculados a las epidemias / Gut microbiota and its relationship with opportunistic agents linked to epidemics

Resumen Existen epidemias silenciosas asociadas al estrés y a los malos hábitos de alimentación, tan importantes como las epidemias tradicionales asociadas a la pobreza, a problemas geográficos y climáticos. Numerosos estudios se suman al importante papel de un patrón estable de la microbiota intestinal que favorece el estado saludable en los seres humanos y por lo tanto, su posible implicación en la incidencia y prevalencia de enfermedades que pueden convertirse en epidémicas. En esta revisión se analiza el estado actual de la relación entre los factores demográficos, geográficos, ambientales, patrones de consumo de alimentos con la microbiota intestinal y la aparición de epidemias de origen microbiano, metabólico e inmunológico. Se apoya la iniciativa promovida internacionalmente para la creación de plataformas metagenómicas que contribuyan al estudio del patrón de la microbiota intestinal, el seguimiento epidemiológico y la prevención de las enfermedades epidémicas asociadas con su alteración, así como el diseño de métodos rápidos y económicos para la complementación de estos estudios.

Abstract Silent epidemics associated with stress and unhealthy eating habits are as important as traditional epidemics related to poverty, geographical and climate problems. Many studies incorporate the important role of a stable pattern of gut microbiota that favours the human health status and therefore, its possible implication in incidence and prevalence of diseases that can become epidemics. In this review, the current state-of-art is analysed in terms of relationship between demographic, geographic, environmental factors, and habits with the gut microbiota pattern and the onset of epidemics of microbial, metabolic and immunological origin. The internationally promoted initiative for the creation of metagenomic platforms contributing to studies of the gut microbiota pattern for the epidemiological monitoring and prevention of epidemic diseases associated with its alteration is fostered, as well as the design of rapid and economic methods to complement these studies.

Resumo Existem epidemias silenciosas associadas ao estresse, maus hábitos alimentares, tão importantes quanto as epidemias tradicionais associadas à pobreza, problemas geográficos e climáticos. Numerosos estudos contribuem para o importante papel de um padrão estável de microbiota intestinal que favorece o estado saudável em seres humanos e, portanto, sua possível comprometimento na incidência e prevalência de doenças que podem se tornar epidêmicas. Esta revisão analisa o estado atual da relação entre fatores demográficos, geográficos, ambientais, padrões de consumo de alimentos com a microbiota intestinal e o aparecimento de epidemias de origem microbiana, metabólica e imunológica. É fornecido apoio à iniciativa promovida internacionalmente para a criação de plataformas metagenômicas que contribuam para o estudo do padrão da microbiota intestinal, monitoramento epidemiológico e prevenção de doenças epidêmicas associadas à sua alteração, bem como o desenho de métodos rápidos e baratos para a complementação desses estudos.

COVID-19 in hospitalized lung and non-lung solid organ transplant recipients: A comparative analysis from a multicenter study.

Lung transplant recipients (LTR) with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) may have higher mortality than non-lung solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR), but direct comparisons are limited. Risk factors for mortality specifically in LTR have not been explored. We performed a multicenter cohort study of adult SOTR with COVID-19 to compare mortality by 28 days between hospitalized LTR and non-lung SOTR. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to assess comorbidity-adjusted mortality among LTR vs. non-lung SOTR and to determine risk factors for death in LTR. Of 1,616 SOTR with COVID-19, 1,081 (66%) were hospitalized including 120/159 (75%) LTR and 961/1457 (66%) non-lung SOTR (p = .02). Mortality was higher among LTR compared to non-lung SOTR (24% vs. 16%, respectively, p = .032), and lung transplant was independently associated with death after adjusting for age and comorbidities (aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.0-2.6, p = .04). Among LTR, chronic lung allograft dysfunction (aOR 3.3, 95% CI 1.0-11.3, p = .05) was the only independent risk factor for mortality and age >65 years, heart failure and obesity were not independently associated with death. Among SOTR hospitalized for COVID-19, LTR had higher mortality than non-lung SOTR. In LTR, chronic allograft dysfunction was independently associated with mortality.

Theory of Mind in Borderline Personality Disorder: A Possible Endophenotypic Factor?

The purpose of this study is to examine whether theory of mind (ToM) is an endophenotypic marker of borderline personality disorder (BPD), thus constituting an etiopathogenic factor of the disease. This would suggest familial vulnerability to BPD. This was a case-control study involving 146 individuals with 57 BPD patients, 32 first-degree relatives, and 57 controls (median age of BPD and control = 33.4 years; relatives = 52.9 years; BPD females and controls = 91.2%; female relatives = 62.5%). All the participants completed the Spanish version of the Movie for the Assessment of Social Cognition test to evaluate the ToM subclassification: interpretation of emotions, thoughts and intentions. BPD patients and their healthy first-degree relatives exhibited significant deficits in the correct interpretation of emotions and intentions compared to healthy controls. Both patients with BPD and their healthy first-degree relatives exhibited significant deficits in ToM, which suggests that it may be an etiopathogenic factor of BPD, and ToM (interpretation of emotions, thoughts and intentions) is a possible endophenotypic marker of BPD, suggesting a genetic predisposition to the disorder. Therefore, ToM could be considered as an indicator for the early detection of the disorder of and intervention for BPD.

Factores cardiometabólicos asociados y prevalencia de concentraciones bajas de colesterol HDL y de dislipidemia aterogénica. Estudio SIMETAP-DA / Related cardiometabolic factors and prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol levels and atherogenic dyslipidemia. SIMETAP-AD study

OBJETIVO: Determinar las prevalencias ajustadas por edad y sexo de concentraciones bajas de colesterol HDL (cHDL-bajo) y de dislipidemia aterogénica (DA), y valorar sus asociaciones con factores de riesgo cardiovascular, enfermedad renal crónica, enfermedades cardiovasculares y cardiometabólicas. MÉTODOS: Estudio observacional transversal de base poblacional realizado en atención primaria, con sujetos adultos seleccionados aleatoriamente. Se consideró DA si los pacientes tenían hipertrigliceridemia (triglicéridos≥150mg/dL) y cHDL-bajo (<40mg/dL [hombres],<50mg/dL [mujeres]). Se determinaron las tasas de prevalencia crudas y ajustadas por edad y sexo, y se realizó análisis univariado y multivariante para evaluar los factores cardiometabólicos relacionados. RESULTADOS: Población de estudio con 6.588 adultos (55,9% mujeres) con edad media de 55,1 (±17,5) años. Las medias de cHDL fueron 49,2 (±12,6) mg/dL en hombres y 59,2 (±14,7) mg/dL en mujeres. Las prevalencias crudas de cHDL-bajo y de DA fueron 30,8% (IC95%: 29,7-31,9), y 14,3% (IC95%: 13,5-15,2), respectivamente. Las prevalencias ajustadas de cHDL-bajo fueron 28% en hombres y 31% en mujeres, y de DA fueron 16,4% en hombres y 10,6% en mujeres. El 73% de la población con DA tenía riesgo cardiovascular alto o muy alto. Los factores independientes asociados con cHDL-bajo o con DA fueron diabetes, tabaquismo, obesidad abdominal y obesidad. Los principales factores asociados con cHDL-bajo y con DA fueron hipertrigliceridemia y diabetes, respectivamente. CONCLUSIONES: Casi un tercio de la población adulta presentaba cHDL-bajo y la mitad de ellos cumplía criterios de DA. Los factores cardiometabólicos se asociaban con cHDL-bajo y DA, destacando la hipertrigliceridemia con el cHDL-bajo, y la DM con la DA

AIM: To determine the crude and sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates of atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD) and low HDL-cholesterol levels (low-HDLc), and to assess their associations with cardiovascular risk factors, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study conducted in Primary Care, with randomly selected adult subjects. The AD was considered if the patients had hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides≥150mg/dL) and low-HDLc (<40mg/dL [men];<50mg/dL [women]). Crude and sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates were determined, and univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to assess related cardiometabolic factors. RESULTS: Study population with 6,588 adults (55.9% women) with mean age 55.1 (±17.5) years. The mean HDLc levels were 49.2 (±12.6) mg/dL in men and 59.2 (±14.7) mg/dL in women. The crude prevalence rates of low-HDLc and AD were 30.8% (95%CI: 29.7-31.9), and 14.3% (95%CI: 13.5-15.2), respectively. The adjusted prevalence rates of low-HDLc were 28.0% in men and 31.0% in women, and AD were 16.4% in men and 10.6% in women. Seventy-three percent of the population with AD had high or very high cardiovascular risk. The independent factors associated with low HDLc or with AD were diabetes, smoking, abdominal obesity, and obesity. The major factors associated with low HDLc and AD were hypertriglyceridemia and diabetes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Almost a third of the adult population had low HDL-C and half of them met AD criteria. Cardiometabolic factors were associated with low HDL-C and AD, highlighting hypertriglyceridemia with low HDLc, and DM with AD

Primary Ewing's sarcoma of the small intestine.

17 year old female teenager with abdominal pain secondary to pelvic mass of 12 x 10 cm, which seems to depend on ovary. Surgery is scheduled for removal of the tumor, during which it is observed that the lesion originates in the ileum. The histopathological study shows a neoplasm of small round cells with nucleoli and scant cytoplasm. The tumor cells are immunoreactive to CD99 and ERG, being negative for cytokeratins, FLI1, WT1, DOG1 and lymphoid markers. By means of FISH, a rearrangement of the EWSR1 gene was demonstrated. By integrating these molecular and immunohistochemical findings with the morphology, it was diagnosed as Ewing's sarcoma. This aggressive and infrequent tumor originates from neuroectodermal cells and usually develops in the long bones of pediatric and young adult patients, although exceptionally it can occur in other locations. At the intestinal level, it mainly affects the ileum, with a non-specific pain and fatigue clinic. The treatment of choice is surgery for resection of the affected loop, followed by chemotherapy.

Related cardiometabolic factors and prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol levels and atherogenic dyslipidemia. SIMETAP-AD study. / Factores cardiometabólicos asociados y prevalencia de concentraciones bajas de colesterol HDL y de dislipidemia aterogénica. Estudio SIMETAP-DA.

AIM: To determine the crude and sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates of atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD) and low HDL-cholesterol levels (low-HDLc), and to assess their associations with cardiovascular risk factors, chronic kidney disease, cardiovascular and cardiometabolic diseases. METHODS: Population-based cross-sectional study conducted in Primary Care, with randomly selected adult subjects. The AD was considered if the patients had hypertriglyceridemia (triglycerides≥150mg/dL) and low-HDLc (<40mg/dL [men];<50mg/dL [women]). Crude and sex- and age-adjusted prevalence rates were determined, and univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to assess related cardiometabolic factors. RESULTS: Study population with 6,588 adults (55.9% women) with mean age 55.1 (±17.5) years. The mean HDLc levels were 49.2 (±12.6) mg/dL in men and 59.2 (±14.7) mg/dL in women. The crude prevalence rates of low-HDLc and AD were 30.8% (95%CI: 29.7-31.9), and 14.3% (95%CI: 13.5-15.2), respectively. The adjusted prevalence rates of low-HDLc were 28.0% in men and 31.0% in women, and AD were 16.4% in men and 10.6% in women. Seventy-three percent of the population with AD had high or very high cardiovascular risk. The independent factors associated with low HDLc or with AD were diabetes, smoking, abdominal obesity, and obesity. The major factors associated with low HDLc and AD were hypertriglyceridemia and diabetes, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Almost a third of the adult population had low HDL-C and half of them met AD criteria. Cardiometabolic factors were associated with low HDL-C and AD, highlighting hypertriglyceridemia with low HDLc, and DM with AD.

Social cognition and social functioning in people with borderline personality disorder and their first-degree relatives.

BACKGROUND: A few papers studying healthy, first-degree relatives of people with borderline personality disorder (BPD) have found that this group presents attention and memory problems. However, current research has not analyzed their social cognition. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We designed an age-, gender- and education-level matched case-control study involving 57 people with BPD, 32 of their first-degree relatives, and 57 healthy controls in Spain in 2018-2019. All were assessed for social cognition and functioning using the Movie for Assessment of Social Cognition and the Social Functioning Scale; other potential confounders were also collected (marital status, occupation and household variables). RESULTS: There were differences in the social cognition domain of overmentalizing errors, with the BPD group scoring significantly higher than controls; however, there was no significant difference with relatives; in the social functioning domain of family relationships, with the controls showing the highest scores. Social engagement/withdrawal, interpersonal behavior, independence-competence, prosocial activities, full scale and categorization domains showed the same pattern: the BPD group had lower scores than their relatives and the controls. Relatives were significantly different from BPD patients in family relationships, social engagement/withdrawal and interpersonal behavior, as well as on the full Social Functioning Scale (both as a linear and categorical variable). However, only controls showed differences with relatives in family relationships. CONCLUSIONS: All in all, relatives show similar levels of social cognition and functioning compared with controls, and people with BPD show some alterations in different domains of both social cognition and functioning.

Hemorragia alveolar como complicación de la fibrosis pulmonar idiopática / Alveolar Hemorrhage as a Complication of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

No disponible

Población y metodología del estudio SIMETAP: Prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular, enfermedades cardiovasculares y enfermedades metabólicas relacionadas / Population and methodology of the SIMETAP study: Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular diseases, and related metabolic diseases

La prevención de la enfermedad cardiovascular se fundamenta en la detección y control de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (FRCV). En España existen importantes diferencias territoriales tanto en la prevalencia como en el grado de control de los FRCV. En la última década ha habido una mejora del control de la hipertensión y la dislipidemia, pero un empeoramiento de los factores de riesgo cardiometabólicos relacionados con la obesidad y la diabetes. El estudio SIMETAP es un estudio observacional descriptivo transversal realizado en 64 centros de atención primaria de la Comunidad de Madrid. El objetivo principal es determinar las tasas de prevalencia de FRCV, de las enfermedades cardiovasculares y de las enfermedades metabólicas relacionadas con el riesgo cardiovascular. El presente artículo informa sobre las características basales de la población, la metodología del estudio, y las definiciones de los parámetros y enfermedades en estudio. Se seleccionaron 6.631 sujetos de estudio mediante una muestra aleatoria base poblacional. Se determinaron variables antropométricas, estilos de vida, presión arterial, parámetros bioquímicos, y tratamientos farmacológicos. Las prevalencias crudas más elevadas se detectaron en tabaquismo, inactividad física, obesidad, prediabetes, diabetes, hipertensión, dislipidemias y síndrome metabólico. Para valorar la verdadera dimensión epidemiológica de estas enfermedades y FRCV, es necesario realizar un análisis pormenorizado de tasas de prevalencia estratificadas por grupos etarios y de las tasas de prevalencia ajustadas por edad y sexo

The prevention of cardiovascular disease is based on the detection and control of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). In Spain there are important geographical differences both in the prevalence and in the level of control of the CVRF. In the last decade there has been an improvement in the control of hypertension and dyslipidaemia, but a worsening of cardio-metabolic risk factors related to obesity and diabetes. The SIMETAP study is a cross-sectional descriptive, observational study being conducted in 64 Primary Care Centres located at the Community of Madrid. The main objective is to determine the prevalence rates of CVRF, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic diseases related to cardiovascular risk. A report is presented on the baseline characteristics of the population, the study methodology, and the definitions of the parameters and diseases under study. A total of 6,631 study subjects were selected using a population-based random sample. The anthropometric variables, lifestyles, blood pressure, biochemical parameters, and pharmacological treatments were determined. The highest crude prevalences were detected in smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, prediabetes, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemias, and metabolic syndrome. A detailed analysis needs to be performed on the prevalence rates, stratified by age groups, and prevalence rates adjusted for age and sex to assess the true epidemiological dimension of these CVRF and diseases

Population and methodology of the SIMETAP study: Prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, cardiovascular diseases, and related metabolic diseases. / Población y metodología del estudio SIMETAP: Prevalencia de factores de riesgo cardiovascular, enfermedades cardiovasculares y enfermedades metabólicas relacionadas.

The prevention of cardiovascular disease is based on the detection and control of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF). In Spain there are important geographical differences both in the prevalence and in the level of control of the CVRF. In the last decade there has been an improvement in the control of hypertension and dyslipidaemia, but a worsening of cardio-metabolic risk factors related to obesity and diabetes. The SIMETAP study is a cross-sectional descriptive, observational study being conducted in 64 Primary Care Centres located at the Community of Madrid. The main objective is to determine the prevalence rates of CVRF, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic diseases related to cardiovascular risk. A report is presented on the baseline characteristics of the population, the study methodology, and the definitions of the parameters and diseases under study. A total of 6,631 study subjects were selected using a population-based random sample. The anthropometric variables, lifestyles, blood pressure, biochemical parameters, and pharmacological treatments were determined. The highest crude prevalences were detected in smoking, physical inactivity, obesity, prediabetes, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemias, and metabolic syndrome. A detailed analysis needs to be performed on the prevalence rates, stratified by age groups, and prevalence rates adjusted for age and sex to assess the true epidemiological dimension of these CVRF and diseases.

High-throughput 3-dimensional culture of epithelial ovarian cancer cells as preclinical model of disease.

BACKGROUND: Recent reports have identified distinct genomic patterns in ovarian carcinoma, including proliferative and mesenchymal-like groups, with worse outcome. The exact mechanisms driving the onset and progression of these tumors are still poorly understood. Additionally, researchers are concerned about the correct subtype stratification of the available cell line models, and the exploration of alternatives to monolayer culture. Identification of biomarkers to stratify cell lines, characterization of important processes as epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), and the use of three-dimensional (3D) cultures as alternative models could be useful for cell line classification. METHODS AND RESULTS: In this work, we present a descriptive analysis of 16 commonly used ovarian cancer cell lines. We have studied their morphology in 2- and 3D culture, and their response to cisplatin, observing in the majority of them an increased resistance in 3D. We have also performed an immunohistochemical analysis for proliferation marker Ki-67, and EMT related markers to establish phenotypes. Epithelial cells tend to show higher proliferative rates, and mesenchymal cells show an increase in EMT related markers, especially when cultured in 3D conditions. CONCLUSIONS: We have stated the complex heterogeneity of ovarian cancer models, resembling primary tumors, agreeing with the argument that the cell line model for in vitro experiments must be carefully chosen. Our results also support that tridimensional culture could be a very helpful alternative in ovarian cancer research. Regarding EMT, a very important process for the development of this disease, some related biomarkers might be further characterized for their role in this disease development.

CD5L is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes liver cancer cell proliferation and antiapoptotic responses by binding to HSPA5 (GRP78).

CD5-like (CD5L) is a soluble scavenger cysteine-rich protein that modulates inflammatory responses. We studied the involvement of CD5L in liver cancer. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) of CD5L in 60 hepatocellular carcinomas and 34 adjacent nontumor livers, showed that CD5L staining was higher in tumor than in nontumor tissue (Mann-Whitney test; P = 0.0039). High CD5L correlated with elevated proliferation (Ki67, linear regression; P < 0.0001) and lower patient event-free survival (log-rank; P = 0.0185). Accordingly, CD5L expression was detected in the liver cancer cell lines Huh7, HepG2, and SNU-398. In vitro technologies using these cell lines, including small interfering RNA (siRNA) and cDNA transfection, showed that CD5L promoted colony formation and cell proliferation and protected against cisplatin-induced apoptosis. To find a molecular explanation for these roles, novel CD5L-interacting protein ligands in liver cancer cells were identified by immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometry. Among these, the molecular chaperone of the unfolded protein response (UPR), heat shock protein (HSP)-A5, was selected for validation. The interaction was confirmed by confocal microscopy in the Huh7 and HepG2 cell lines. Furthermore, functional experiments revealed that CD5L activates the UPR and autophagy mechanisms in Huh7 cells, thereby providing a novel molecular link between the UPR and autophagy in liver cancer.-Aran, G., Sanjurjo, L., Bárcena, C., Simon-Coma, M., Téllez, É., Vázquez-Vitali, M., Garrido, M., Guerra, L., Díaz, E., Ojanguren, I., Elortza, F., Planas, R., Sala, M., Armengol, C., Sarrias, M.-R. CD5L is upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma and promotes liver cancer cell proliferation and antiapoptotic responses by binding to HSPA5 (GRP78).

Tratamiento neoayuvante en el cáncer de mama gestacional / Neoadjuvant therapy in gestational breast cancer

El cáncer de mama gestacional, o el cáncer de mama asociado al embarazo se define como aquel que se diagnostica durante el embarazo, el primer año postparto o en cualquier momento durante la lactancia, su incidencia está entre el 0,2% y el 2,6%, pero esta cifra va en aumento en la medida en que la mujer retrasa la maternidad. Predominantemente son tumores pobremente diferenciados y se diagnostican en estadíos avanzados, particularmente cuando esto ocurre durante la lactancia. El tratamiento debe de tener intención curativa, y no debe retrasarse con motivo de la gestación. Los estudios sugieren que es seguro administrar algunos agentes quimioterápicos, sobre todo cuando se inician después del primer trimestre de la gestación, y que en la mayoría de las ocasiones los embarazos acaban con un recién nacido vivo con bajas tasas de morbilidad y mortalidad (1). Estudios recientes han evaluado específicamente los resultados en mujeres diagnosticadas de cáncer de mama durante la gestación y han demostrado que esta no tiene un impacto negativo en la supervivencia (2,3) (AU)

Gestational or pregnancy-associated breast cancer is defined as breast cancer that is diagnosed during pregnancy, in the first postpartum year, or any time during lantation. The incidence of pregnancy-associated breast cancer is between 0.2% and 2.6% and is currently increasing due to delayed childbearing. It´s predominantly poorly differenciated and diagnosed at an advanced stage, particlarly those diagnosed in lactating women. The treatmen should be approached with curative intent, and it should not be unnecessarily delayed because of pregnancy. The data suggest it is safe to administer many agents used in the treatmen of breast cancer during pregnancy when initiated after the first trimester, and that the majority of pregnancies result in live births with low related morbidity in the newborns (1). Contemporrary studies that specifically evaluated the outcomes of women diagnosed with breast cancer during pregnancy have consistently shown that there is no negative impact on survival (2,3) (AU)