Can maternofetal transfusion provoke adverse outcomes akin to TA-GVHD?

During pregnancy, a bidirectional transfer of molecules and cells takes place through the placenta, which can be considered a transfusion. For decades, we have wondered whether said transfusion can lead to a true TA-GVHD. We propose several factors that may influence production of TA-GVHD during pregnancy. In order to achieve this, we shall take into account possible destinations for transfused leukocytes, which represent extremely different scenarios and may include transfusion associated-graft versus host disease (TA-GVHD).

Fetal and neonatal allo-immune response.

The components of the immune system may be present in early stages of embryonic and then fetal, then they reach maturity at different stages of pregnancy. Just as the growth and development of the components of the embryonic and then fetal immune system progressively mature, functions are acquired sequentially during the course of pregnancy, both the ability to mount a cell-mediated or antibody-mediated immune response and the tolerance towards a certain group of antigens. The fetus is immunocompetent because during this development, it acquires the ability to generate an immune response. As development takes place, the fetus also generates specific tolerance as it is exposed to genetically foreign and non-inherited maternal antigens. Nonetheless, the fetal immune system does not attack nor harm maternal tissues. At birth, the immune system, although developed, is not mature enough yet. Furthermore, passive transfer of maternal antibodies creates a unique scenario of compatibility that cannot be seen in children or adults. Recent advances in knowledge of fetal and neonatal immunology make it possible to recognize the risks associated with transfusion and how to resolve them.

Diabetes tipo 1 e insulinorresistencia: tasa estimada de disposición de la glucosa y su correlación con complicaciones crónicas / Type 1 diabetes and insulin resistance: estimated glucose disposal rate and its correlation with chronic complications

Introducción: la insulinorresistencia (IR) en diabetes tipo 1 (DM1) se asocia a mayor riesgo de complicaciones. El gold standard para evaluar insulinosensibilidad (IS) es el clamp euglucémico-hiperinsulinémico, aunque no se utiliza en la práctica clínica. La tasa estimada de disposición de la glucosa (TeDG) ha sido validada para estimar IS en DM1. Objetivos: relacionar IR en DM1 (TeDG) con complicaciones macro y microvasculares en pacientes asistidos en un Servicio de Diabetología. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio transversal. La TeDG fue calculada utilizando HbA1c, perímetro de cintura y presencia de hipertensión. Resultados: se incluyeron 446 pacientes, 57% hombres, edad promedio 38 años y 15 años de evolución de la enfermedad. Los pacientes en el tercil más bajo de TeDG (>IR) tenían mayor edad, tiempo de evolución, IMC, dosis de insulina, mayores niveles de LDL y TGC y peor control metabólico. Eran más sedentarios y tenían mayor indicación de estatinas, aspirina, IECA/ARAII y metformina. Además registraban mayor prevalencia de complicaciones microvasculares y enfermedad cardiovascular (p<0,05). En el análisis multivariado, estos pacientes tuvieron mayor riesgo de nefropatía (OR 3,37 [95% CI 1,92-5,90]) y de cualquier complicación de la diabetes (OR 2,44 [95% CI 1,41-4,24]. Conclusiones: una menor TeDG se asoció a mayor presencia de complicaciones y comorbilidades. Esta herramienta podría resultar útil para identificar pacientes con mayor riesgo de complicaciones a fin de implementar estrategias más agresivas para el control de los factores de riesgo

Social vulnerability and hypoglycemia among patients with diabetes.

Lower-income populations are hit harder by the diabetes epidemic as regards both prevalence and the risk of complications. Food Insecurity is one of the mechanisms through which poverty may predispose people with low socio-economic status to poorer control and higher complication rates. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization defined food security as "the right to have access to sufficient nutritional and culturally acceptable food choices." Adults suffering from diabetes with limited income have a 40% greater chance of having food insecurity and an inadequate blood glucose control. Such patients have a two-fold greater risk of developing severe hypoglycemia. In addition, several studies have shown that social vulnerability resulting from food insecurity, low socioeconomic status, low educational levels, and poor health education is an independent risk factor for hypoglycemia, even after conventional predictors are controlled. This review analyzes the literature available on social vulnerability as a non-conventional risk factor for development of hypoglycemia in diabetic subjects.

Social vulnerability and hypoglycemia among patients with diabetes / Vulnerabilidad social e hipoglucemia en pacientes con diabetes

Lower-income populations are hit harder by the diabetes epidemic as regards both prevalence and the risk of complications. Food Insecurity is one of the mechanisms through which poverty may predispose people with low socio-economic status to poorer control and higher complication rates. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization defined food security as 'the right to have access to sufficient nutritional and culturally acceptable food choices.' Adults suffering from diabetes with limited income have a 40% greater chance of having food insecurity and an inadequate blood glucose control. Such patients have a two-fold greater risk of developing severe hypoglycemia. In addition, several studies have shown that social vulnerability resulting from food insecurity, low socioeconomic status, low educational levels, and poor health education is an independent risk factor for hypoglycemia, even after conventional predictors are controlled. This review analyzes the literature available on social vulnerability as a non-conventional risk factor for development of hypoglycemia in diabetic subjects (AU)

La epidemia de diabetes afecta de manera especial a las poblaciones de menores ingresos, aumentando no solo su prevalencia sino también el riesgo de complicaciones. Entre los mecanismos por los cuales la pobreza podría predisponer a las personas de bajo nivel socioeconómico a un mal control de su enfermedad, se encuentra la inseguridad alimentaria. La seguridad alimentaria es definida por la Organización de Naciones Unidas para la Alimentación y la Agricultura como 'el derecho de todas las personas a tener una alimentación cultural y nutricionalmente adecuada y suficiente'. Los adultos con diabetes que no cuentan con suficientes ingresos para llevar una dieta saludable tienen una probabilidad un 40% mayor de presentar un control glucémico inadecuado. Estos pacientes tienen además un riesgo al menos dos veces mayor de presentar hipoglucemias severas. Según los estudios publicados hasta la fecha, la vulnerabilidad social que representa la inseguridad alimentaria, el bajo nivel socioeconómico, el bajo nivel de instrucción y la pobre educación sanitaria, ha demostrado ser un factor de riesgo independiente para hipoglucemia, aun después de controlar los predictores convencionales. El objetivo de este artículo es analizar la literatura existente sobre vulnerabilidad social como factor de riesgo no convencional de hipoglucemia (AU)

Association between pelvic floor disorder symptoms and QoL scores with depressive symptoms among pelvic organ prolapse patients.

BACKGROUND: There is no consensus on the relationship between depressive symptoms (DS) and pelvic organ prolapse (POP) symptoms and quality of life (QoL). Our hypothesis was that women with DS and POP have worse symptoms and QoL than those without DS and POP. AIM: Our aim was to compare two groups of POP patients, those with depressive symptoms and those without, and evaluate the association of symptoms and QoL. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This planned report is part of a prospective study evaluating the impact of pessary use among symptomatic POP patients. Patients were evaluated by POP quantification (POP-Q), pelvic ultrasound (US), voiding diaries, stress test, pad test, Pelvic Floor Distress Inventory (PFDI-20), Prolapse QoL (P-QoL) and the Goldberg Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) (psychological health screening for DS when score ≥5). A sample size of 78 patients was required to demonstrate a 50-point difference in the global PFDI-20 score with 80% power and 95% probability. RESULTS: Ninety-one women with POP were included. GHQ-12 was positive in 47 (51.6%) patients. No differences were found in POP-Q, pad and stress test between those with a positive GHQ-12 and those without. However, GHQ-12 was associated with higher PFDI-20 scores and higher scores in seven of nine P-QoL domains. GHQ-12 persisted as an independent risk factor for worse P-QoL scores after multivariable analysis. CONCLUSION: A 'positive' screening for DS was associated with worse PFDI-20 and P-QoL scores despite no difference in objective measurements. It may be that depressed patients interpret their symptoms differently.

Labhardt's colpoperineocleisis: subjective results of an alternative treatment for genital prolapse in patients who are not sexually active--2-year follow-up.

INTRODUCTION AND HYPOTHESIS: Genital prolapse affects up to 50 % of multiparous women and has an impact on quality of life (QoL) for many. Vaginal obliterative techniques are relevant in older patients who are not sexually active. We performed Labhardt's colpoperineocleisis in such patients. The objective was the evaluation of subjective outcomes of this technique using PGI-I. METHODS: Retrospective cohort analysis of patients. We performed a bivariate, multivariate analysis, and survival curves for subjective improvement. RESULTS: Seventy-four cases were analyzed. Average age of the patients was 72 years, median parity 4, 95.9 % POP-Q stage III or IV, anterior leading edge defect in 61.1 %. Operating time: 54 min, estimated blood loss 70 ml, no intraoperative complications, 12 patients had protocol deviations with changes in the recommended type of suture. Median hospital stay was 2 days and average follow-up 24.9 months. There was 13.5 % anatomical recurrence, 3 of which (30 %) were in patients with protocol deviations. 1.9 % developed clinically significant de novo stress urinary incontinence (SUI). PGI-I: 64 (86 %) reported subjective improvement and 10 did not. In the subjective improvement group, 98.4 % reported being very much or much better. In the non-subjective improvement group 80 % reported that they were the same as before surgery and 20 % were worse. In bivariate analysis anatomical recurrence showed significance and persisted after multivariate analysis with an OR of 8322 for subjective failure. CONCLUSION: Labhardt's colpoperineocleisis is a safe technique with good subjective results. It has few complications, an acceptable recurrence rate, and a low rate of de novo SUI. It may be important to use the #0 or #1 polydioxanone sutures, as these are associated with better outcomes in this series. Comparative studies with other obliterative techniques are needed.

Identification and characterization of the Plasmodium vivax thrombospondin-related apical merozoite protein.

BACKGROUND: Malaria caused by Plasmodium vivax is a major public health problem worldwide that affects 70-80 million people in the Middle East, Asia, Western Pacific, South America and the Caribbean. Despite its epidemiological importance, few antigens from this parasite species have been characterized to date compared to Plasmodium falciparum, due in part to the difficulties of maintaining an in vitro culture of P. vivax. This study describes the identification of the P. falciparum thrombospondin-related apical merozoite protein homologue in P. vivax (PvTRAMP) and examines its potential to be further evaluated as vaccine candidate. METHODS: The gene encoding PvTRAMP was identified through an extensive search of the databases hosting the genome sequence of P. vivax. Genes adjacent to pvtramp were identified in silico to determine the degree of similarity between the protein sequences encoded by equivalent chromosomic fragments in P. falciparum and Plasmodium knowlesi. The pvtramp gene was amplified from cDNA of P. vivax schizont stages, cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. Anti-PvTRAMP antisera was obtained by inoculating rabbits with PvTRAMP B cell epitopes produced as synthetic peptides in order to assess its recognition in parasite lysates by Western blot and in intact parasites by indirect immunofluorescence. The recognition of recombinant PvTRAMP by sera from P. vivax-infected individuals living in endemic areas was also assessed by ELISA. RESULTS: The PfTRAMP homologue in P. vivax, here denoted as PvTRAMP, is a 340-amino-acid long antigen encoded by a single exon that could have a potential role in cytoadherence, as indicated by the presence of a thrombospondin structural homology repeat (TSR) domain. According to its transcription and expression profile, PvTRAMP is initially located at the parasite's apical end and later on the parasite surface. Recombinant PvTRAMP is recognized by sera from infected patients, therefore, indicating that it is targeted by the immune system during a natural infection with P. vivax. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this work support conducting further studies with PvTRAMP to evaluate its immunogenicity and protection-inducing ability in the Aotus animal model.

Reacciones adversas medicamentosas graves: síndrome de Stevens-Johnson y necrólisis epidérmica tóxica / Severe adverse reactions: Stevens-Johnson syndrome and toxic skin necrolysis

Las reacciones cutáneas son las reacciones adversas medicamentosas más frecuentes ocurriendo en el 2 por cientode todos los tratamientos. El objetivo de este trabajo es realizaar una revisión dee los medicamentos que con mayor frecuencia causan el síndrome de Stevens-Johnson, la necrólisis epidérmica tóxica y señalar sus manifestaciones clínicas basados en la literatura y en los reportes del sistema nacional de farmacovigilancia. Especialmente nos interesa señalar estos síndromes como un problema relacionado con medicamentos, ya que algunos fármacos, muchos de ellos de uso prevalente, so el agente tiológico en la mayoría de los casos. La suspensión de aquellos no dedstinados a sostener una función vital es prioritaria ante la sospecha de una reacción cutánea severa. existen síntomas y signos que permiten al médico identificar los casos potencialmente graves. Los compuestos asociados con este tipo de reacciones sólo pueden ser identificados si los clínicos sospechan que existe una relación causa-efecto y posteriormente la informan. Es difícil conocer todo acerca de todos los medicamentos que prescribimos. Podemos acercarnos a esa meta si seleccionamos unos pocos para nuestra práctica clínica habitual.

Modified nasal alveolar molding appliance for management of cleft lip defect.

Nasal alveolar molding is used effectively to reshape the nasal cartilage and mold the maxillary arch before cleft lip repair and primary rhinoplasty. It provides aesthetic and functional benefits of nasal tip and alar symmetry and improved dental arch form. At The Craniofacial Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, the authors have developed a modification of a nasal alveolar molding appliance previously described in the literature. The key modification is the use of an orthodontic wire from the palatal prosthesis with an acrylic bulb positioned inside the nose, underneath the apex of the alar cartilage, as the nasal stent. This modification allows easier adjustment of the position of the bulb during treatment to achieve a more symmetrical relationship between the nasal cartilages, columella, philtrum, and alveolar segments.