Implementing Standard Diagnosis and Treatment for Locally Advanced Breast Cancer Through Global Research in Latin America: Results From a Multicountry Pragmatic Trial.

PURPOSE: Breast cancer mortality rates in Latin America (LA) are higher than those in the United States, possibly because of advanced disease presentation, health care disparities, or unfavorable molecular subtypes. The Latin American Cancer Research Network was established to address these challenges and to promote collaborative clinical research. The Molecular Profiling of Breast Cancer Study (MPBCS) aimed to evaluate the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of LA participants with locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The MPBCS enrolled 1,449 participants from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Mexico, and Uruguay. Through harmonized procedures and quality assurance measures, this study evaluated clinicopathologic characteristics, neoadjuvant chemotherapy response, and survival outcomes according to residual cancer burden (RCB) and the type of surgery. RESULTS: Overall, 711 and 480 participants in the primary surgery and neoadjuvant arms, respectively, completed the 5-year follow-up period. Overall survival was independently associated with RCB (worse survival for RCBIII-adjusted hazard ratio, 8.19, P < .001, and RCBII [adjusted hazard ratio, 3.69, P < .008] compared with RCB0 [pathologic complete response or pCR]) and type of surgery (worse survival in mastectomy than in breast-conserving surgery [BCS], adjusted hazard ratio, 2.97, P = .001). The hormone receptor-negative-human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive group had the highest proportion of pCR (48.9%). The analysis of the ASCO Quality Oncology Practice Initiative breast module revealed high compliance with pathologic standards but lower adherence to treatment administration standards. Notably, compliance with trastuzumab administration varied widely among countries (33.3%-88.7%). CONCLUSION: In LABC, we demonstrated the survival benefit of BCS and the prognostic effect of the response to available neoadjuvant treatments despite an important variability in access to key treatments. The MPBCS represents a significant step forward in understanding the real-world implementation of oncologic procedures in LA.

A Low Number of Baselines γδ T Cells Increases the Risk of SARS-CoV-2 Post-Vaccination Infection.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic is the biggest global health problem in the last hundred years. The efficacy of the vaccine to protect against severe disease is estimated to be 70-95% according to the studies carried out, although there are aspects of the immune response to the vaccine that remain unclear. Methods: Humoral and cellular immunity after the administration of three doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford AstraZeneca vaccines against SARS-CoV-2 over one year and the appearance of post-vaccination COVID-19 were studied. SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA antibodies, αß and γδ T-cell subsets, and their differentiation stages and apoptosis were analyzed. Results: Anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgG and IgA antibodies showed a progressive increase throughout the duration of the study. This increase was the greatest after the third dose. The highest levels were observed in subjects who had anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies prior to vaccination. There was an increase in CD4+ αß, CD8+ γδ and TEM CD8+ γδ T cells, and a decrease in apoptosis in CD4+ CD8+ and CD56+ αß and γδ T cells. Post-vaccination SARS-CoV-2 infection was greater than 60%. The symptoms of COVID-19 were very mild and were related to a γδ T cell deficit, specifically CD8+ TEMRA and CD56+ γδ TEM, as well as lower pre-vaccine apoptosis levels. Conclusions: The results unveil the important role of γδ T cells in SARS-CoV-2-vaccine-mediated protection from the disease.

Germline homozygosity and allelic imbalance of HLA-I are common in esophagogastric adenocarcinoma and impair the repertoire of immunogenic peptides.

BACKGROUND: The individual HLA-I genotype is associated with cancer, autoimmune diseases and infections. This study elucidates the role of germline homozygosity or allelic imbalance of HLA-I loci in esophago-gastric adenocarcinoma (EGA) and determines the resulting repertoires of potentially immunogenic peptides. METHODS: HLA genotypes and sequences of either (1) 10 relevant tumor-associated antigens (TAAs) or (2) patient-specific mutation-associated neoantigens (MANAs) were used to predict good-affinity binders using an in silico approach for MHC-binding (www.iedb.org). Imbalanced or lost expression of HLA-I-A/B/C alleles was analyzed by transcriptome sequencing. FluoroSpot assays and TCR sequencing were used to determine peptide-specific T-cell responses. RESULTS: We show that germline homozygosity of HLA-I genes is significantly enriched in EGA patients (n=80) compared with an HLA-matched reference cohort (n=7605). Whereas the overall mutational burden is similar, the repertoire of potentially immunogenic peptides derived from TAAs and MANAs was lower in homozygous patients. Promiscuity of peptides binding to different HLA-I molecules was low for most TAAs and MANAs and in silico modeling of the homozygous to a heterozygous HLA genotype revealed normalized peptide repertoires. Transcriptome sequencing showed imbalanced expression of HLA-I alleles in 75% of heterozygous patients. Out of these, 33% showed complete loss of heterozygosity, whereas 66% had altered expression of only one or two HLA-I molecules. In a FluoroSpot assay, we determined that peptide-specific T-cell responses against NY-ESO-1 are derived from multiple peptides, which often exclusively bind only one HLA-I allele. CONCLUSION: The high frequency of germline homozygosity in EGA patients suggests reduced cancer immunosurveillance leading to an increased cancer risk. Therapeutic targeting of allelic imbalance of HLA-I molecules should be considered in EGA.

Clinical Practice Guideline by the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA): 2023 Guideline on Diagnosis and Management of Acute Bacterial Arthritis in Pediatrics.

This clinical practice guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of acute bacterial arthritis (ABA) in children was developed by a multidisciplinary panel representing the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society (PIDS) and the Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA). This guideline is intended for use by healthcare professionals who care for children with ABA, including specialists in pediatric infectious diseases and orthopedics. The panel's recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of ABA are based upon evidence derived from topic-specific systematic literature reviews. Summarized below are the recommendations for the diagnosis and treatment of ABA in children. The panel followed a systematic process used in the development of other IDSA and PIDS clinical practice guidelines, which included a standardized methodology for rating the certainty of the evidence and strength of recommendation using the GRADE approach (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) (see Figure 1). A detailed description of background, methods, evidence summary and rationale that support each recommendation, and knowledge gaps can be found online in the full text.

Transfection of Unmodified MicroRNA Using Monolayer-Coated Au Nanoparticles as Gene-Delivery Vehicles.

This article describes a monolayer-coated gold nanoparticle-based transfection system for the delivery of microRNA (miRNA) into human osteosarcoma (HOS) cells. Two distinct ammonium-terminated adsorbates were used in this study, which provided a platform for ionic bonding of the miRNA onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The custom-designed monolayer-coated gold nanoparticles were characterized by dynamic light scattering, gel mobility shift assay, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectrometry, zeta potential, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The miRNA-loaded gold nanoparticles were transfected, and the level of intracellular miRNA delivered and taken up by cells was measured by Taqman qPCR. The overall analysis indicated a successful delivery of miRNA into the HOS cells at an ∼11,000-fold increase compared to nontreated cells.

Cognitive clinical intervention in a patient with schizoid personality disorder: Case report. / Intervención clínica cognitiva en paciente con trastorno esquizoide de personalidad: reporte de caso.

The present case report describes a 19-year-old male patient whose main symptoms were emotional coldness, absence of close relationships, difficulty experiencing pleasure with other people, and lack of motivation to work or to continue his studies. A schizoid personality disorder was diagnosed as a product of early maladaptive patterns such as inhibition, emotional deprivation, social isolation, and inadequacy. Likewise, a rigid and fragmented family context was evidenced, with an affective absence of parents and a focus on strict behavioral rules. The study aimed to intervene, from a cognitive clinical approach, the early maladaptive patterns and symptoms that maintained the features of schizoid personality disorder in the patient. For this purpose, cognitive behavioral therapy was carried out, with techniques such as debates, images to reparentalize, assignment of tasks, use of humor, and social skills training, among others. In conclusion, it can be stated that the early maladaptive patterns maintained the schizoid personality symptomatology. Finally, it was demonstrated through clinical and psychometric criteria that cognitive behavioral therapy decreased schizoid personality behaviors in the patient.

El presente reporte de caso describe a un paciente varón de 19 años, que presentaba como principales síntomas frialdad emocional, ausencia de relaciones cercanas, problemas para experimentar placer con otras personas y carencia de motivación para trabajar o retomar sus estudios. Se diagnosticó un trastorno de personalidad esquizoide, producto de esquemas maladaptativos tempranos como inhibición, privación emocional, aislamiento social e inadecuación. Asimismo, se evidenció un contexto familiar rígido y fragmentado, con ausencia afectiva de padres y direccionado hacia normas estrictas en la conducta. El objetivo del estudio fue intervenir desde un enfoque clínico cognitivo los esquemas maladaptativos tempranos y síntomas que mantenían los rasgos de trastorno esquizoide de la personalidad en el paciente. Para esto se realizó una terapia cognitiva conductual, con técnicas como debates, imágenes para reparentalizar, asignación de tareas, uso del humor, entrenamiento de habilidades sociales, entre otros. Como conclusión se puede manifestar que los esquemas maladaptativos tempranos mantenían la sintomatología de personalidad esquizoide. Por último, se demostró a través de un criterio clínico y psicométrico que la terapia cognitiva conductual disminuyo las conductas de personalidad esquizoide en el paciente.

Intervención clínica cognitiva en paciente con trastorno esquizoide de personalidad: reporte de caso / Cognitive clinical intervention in a patient with schizoid personality disorder: Case report

El presente reporte de caso describe a un paciente varón de 19 años, que presentaba como principales síntomas frialdad emocional, ausencia de relaciones cercanas, problemas para experimentar placer con otras personas y carencia de motivación para trabajar o retomar sus estudios. Se diagnosticó un trastorno de personalidad esquizoide, producto de esquemas maladaptativos tempranos como inhibición, privación emocional, aislamiento social e inadecuación. Asimismo, se evidenció un contexto familiar rígido y fragmentado, con ausencia afectiva de padres y direccionado hacia normas estrictas en la conducta. El objetivo del estudio fue intervenir desde un enfoque clínico cognitivo los esquemas maladaptativos tempranos y síntomas que mantenían los rasgos de trastorno esquizoide de la personalidad en el paciente. Para esto se realizó una terapia cognitiva conductual, con técnicas como debates, imágenes para reparentalizar, asignación de tareas, uso del humor, entrenamiento de habilidades sociales, entre otros. Como conclusión se puede manifestar que los esquemas maladaptativos tempranos mantenían la sintomatología de personalidad esquizoide. Por último, se demostró a través de un criterio clínico y psicométrico que la terapia cognitiva conductual disminuyo las conductas de personalidad esquizoide en el paciente.

The present case report describes a 19-year-old male patient whose main symptoms were emotional coldness, absence of close relationships, difficulty experiencing pleasure with other people, and lack of motivation to work or to continue his studies. A schizoid personality disorder was diagnosed as a product of early maladaptive patterns such as inhibition, emotional deprivation, social isolation, and inadequacy. Likewise, a rigid and fragmented family context was evidenced, with an affective absence of parents and a focus on strict behavioral rules. The study aimed to intervene, from a cognitive clinical approach, the early maladaptive patterns and symptoms that maintained the features of schizoid personality disorder in the patient. For this purpose, cognitive behavioral therapy was carried out, with techniques such as debates, images to reparentalize, assignment of tasks, use of humor, and social skills training, among others. In conclusion, it can be stated that the early maladaptive patterns maintained the schizoid personality symptomatology. Finally, it was demonstrated through clinical and psychometric criteria that cognitive behavioral therapy decreased schizoid personality behaviors in the patient.

Emotional intelligence, leadership, and work teams: A hybrid literature review.

Emotional intelligence (EI) has been widely researched in different fields of knowledge. This paper reviews the literature on emotional intelligence, leadership, and teams in 104 peer-reviewed articles and reviews provided by the Web of Science and Scopus databases from 1998 to 2022. It is a hybrid or mixed review as it uses both quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques. The aims of this study are a performance analysis of the selected documents (years of publication, country, sectors, techniques used, most cited authors, authors with more publications, journals, journal quartiles, and scope of publication), as well as a co-word analysis using Atlas. ti v8. The results of the quantitative analysis indicate that the majority are empirical works. The qualitative analysis is a co-word analysis providing the following results: (i) classification of authors by major themes-categories (EI, leadership, team), (ii) classification of themes within each major theme: three subcategories in EI, 17 subcategories in leadership, and 19 subcategories in team and, lastly, (iii) classification according to the chronological development of main objectives from the most cited authors' articles we analyzed. Leadership (transformational, emergence, virtual, effective, health, effectiveness) is the major theme we studied. Our in-depth review of the articles has shown that emotionally intelligent leaders improve both behaviors and business results and have an impact on work team performance. It also highlighted a positive relationship between emotional competence and team members' attitudes about work. The new trends focus on the impacts of COVID19, the global crisis due to the Ukraine War, working in VUCA and BANI environments, comparative studies between generations, the application of artificial intelligence and the influence of mindfulness on organizations.

Plasma miR-486-5p Expression Is Upregulated in Atrial Fibrillation Patients with Broader Low-Voltage Areas.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide, affecting 1% of the population over 60 years old. The incidence and prevalence of AF are increasing globally, representing a relevant health problem, suggesting that more advanced strategies for predicting risk stage are highly needed. miRNAs mediate several processes involved in AF. Our aim was to identify miRNAs with a prognostic value as biomarkers in patients referred for AF ablation and its association with LVA extent, based on low-voltage area (LVA) maps. In this study, we recruited 44 AF patients referred for catheter ablation. We measured the expression of 84 miRNAs in plasma from peripheral blood in 3 different groups based on LVA extent. Expression analysis showed that miR-486-5p was significantly increased in patients with broader LVA (4-fold, p = 0.0002; 5-fold, p = 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that miR-486-5p expression could predict atrium LVA (AUC, 0.8958; p = 0.0015). Also, miR-486-5p plasma levels were associated with AF-type (AUC, 0.7137; p = 0.0453). In addition, miR-486-5p expression was positively correlated with LVA percentage, left atrial (LA) area, and LA volume (r = 0.322, p = 0.037; r = 0.372, p = 0.015; r = 0.319, p = 0.045, respectively). These findings suggest that miR-486-5p expression might have prognostic significance in LVA extent in patients with AF.

Resultados intrahospitalarios tras tratamiento percutáneo frente a quirúrgico en pacientes con estenosis aórtica y enfermedad arterial coronaria concomitante / In-hospital outcomes following percutaneous versus surgical intervention in the treatment of aortic stenosis and concomitant coronary artery disease

Introducción y objetivos: La enfermedad coronaria (EC) es frecuente en pacientes con estenosis aórtica; sin embargo, la estrategia terapéutica óptima sigue siendo objeto de debate. Investigamos los resultados periprocedimiento en pacientes sometidos a implante percutáneo de válvula aórtica con intervención coronaria percutánea (TAVI/ICP) frente al recambio valvular aórtico con injerto de derivación de arteria coronaria (RVAo/CABG) en pacientes con estenosis aórtica con EC.Métodos: Con los datos de alta del Sistema Nacional de Salud Español, se identificaron 6.194 pacientes (5.217 RVAo/CABG y 977 TAVI/ICP) entre 2016 y 2019. Se realizó un análisis emparejado por puntuación de propensión ajustado por características basales. El objetivo primario fue la mortalidad hospitalaria, Los objetivos secundarios fueron las complicaciones hospitalarias y rehospitalización cardiovascular a 30 días.Resultados: Tras el emparejamiento, se seleccionaron 774 parejas de pacientes. La mortalidad total hospitalaria fue más frecuente en el grupo quirúrgico (3,4 frente a 9,4%, p <0,001), al igual que el ictus periprocedimiento (0,9 frente a 2,2%, p=0,004), fallo renal agudo (4,3 frente a 16,0%, p <0,002), transfusión (9,6 frente a 21,1%, p <0,001) y neumonía intrahospitalaria (0,1 frente a 1,7%, p=0,001). La implantación de marcapasos permanente fue más frecuente en el tratamiento percutáneo (12,0 frente a 5,7%, p <0,001). Los centros de menor volumen (< 130 procedimientos por año) tuvieron mayor mortalidad hospitalaria para ambos procedimientos: TAVI/ICP (3,6 frente a 2,9%, p <0,001) y RVAo/CABG (9,3 frente a 6,8%, p <0,001). La rehospitalización cardiovascular a 30 días no difirió entre los grupos.(AU)

Introduction and objectives: Concomitant coronary artery disease (CAD) is prevalent among aortic stenosis patients; however the optimal therapeutic strategy remains debated. We investigated periprocedural outcomes among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation with percutaneous coronary intervention (TAVI/PCI) vs surgical aortic valve replacement with coronary artery bypass grafting (SAVR/CABG) for aortic stenosis with CAD.Methods: Using discharge data from the Spanish National Health System, we identified 6194 patients (5217 SAVR/CABG and 977 TAVI/PCI) between 2016 and 2019. Propensity score matching was adjusted for baseline characteristics. The primary outcome was in-hospital all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were in-hospital complications and 30-day cardiovascular readmission.Results: Matching resulted in 774 pairs. In-hospital all-cause mortality was more common in the SAVR/CABG group (3.4% vs 9.4%, P <.001) as was periprocedural stroke (0.9% vs 2.2%; P=.004), acute kidney injury (4.3% vs 16.0%, P <.001), blood transfusion (9.6% vs 21.1%, P <.001), and hospital-acquired pneumonia (0.1% vs 1.7%, P=.001). Permanent pacemaker implantation was higher for matched TAVI/PCI (12.0% vs 5.7%, P <.001). Lower volume centers (< 130 procedures/y) had higher in-hospital all-cause mortality for both procedures: TAVI/PCI (3.6% vs 2.9%, P <.001) and SAVR/CABG (8.3 vs 6.8%, P <.001). Thirty-day cardiovascular readmission did not differ between groups.Conclusions: In this large contemporary nationwide study, percutaneous management of aortic stenosis and CAD with TAVI/PCI had lower in-hospital mortality and morbidity than surgical intervention. Higher volume centers had less in-hospital mortality in both groups. Dedicated national high-volume heart centers warrant further investigation.(AU)

Friends Not Foes: Optimizing Collaboration with Subspecialists.

Pediatric orthopedic patients can be complex to manage. As orthopedists plan for possible surgical interventions, consultation with pediatric subspecialists will be necessary. This article discusses the considerations an orthopedist should make when deciding on the timing and the appropriateness of consultation-both preoperatively and perioperatively. Consultation before surgical intervention will especially be useful if the subspecialist will be collaborating in the management of the condition postoperatively (whether inpatient or outpatient). Clear and early consultation in both written and verbal format will facilitate quality and expedite the patient's care.

Sum frequency generation spectroscopy of fluorinated organic material-based interfaces: a tutorial review.

Molecular interactions at interfaces have a significant effect on the wetting properties of surfaces on a macroscale. Sum frequency generation (SFG) spectroscopy, one of a few techniques capable of probing such interactions, generates a surface vibrational spectrum sensitive to molecular structures and has been used to determine the orientation of molecules at interfaces. The purpose of this review is to assess SFG spectroscopy's ability to determine the molecular orientations of interfaces composed of fluorinated organic molecules. We will explore three different types of fluorinated organic material-based interfaces, naming liquid-air, solid-air, and solid-liquid interfaces, to see how SFG spectroscopy can be used to gain valuable and unique information regarding the molecular orientation of each interface. We hope this review will help to broaden the understanding of how to employ SFG spectroscopy to obtain more complex structural information for various fluorinated organic material-based interfaces in the future.

Low B-cell content is associated with a CD73-low tumour microenvironment and unfavourable prognosis in classic Hodgkin lymphoma.

B-cell content in the tumour microenvironment (TME) of classic Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) is known to be associated with prognosis. Here we demonstrate that whole slide image analysis using routinely available slides predicts outcomes in patients treated with ABVD in a prospective trial with a high B-cell content being associated with a favourable prognosis. B cells in the TME did not correlate with B cells in peripheral blood. In the TME maturation, stages of B cells (naive and memory) were consistent. However, we detected down-regulation of CD73 in HL with low B cells suggestive of an antibody-independent function of B cells in the TME of HL.

Muerte materna asociada a una malformación arteriovenosa uterina / Maternal death associated with uterine arteriovenous malformation

La malformación arteriovenosa uterina (MAVU), para algunos autores considerada como fístula arteriovenosa, representa entre el 1 y 2% de la hemorragia genital e intraperitoneal como resultado de la rotura vascular espontánea o provocada posterior a una intervención quirúrgica.Exponemos un caso de muerte materna ocurrida durante una caminata sobre una pendiente, presentando metrorragia y desvanecimiento con desenlace letal. La autopsia médico legal demostró un útero gestante con hemorragia del miometrio y múltiples coágulos hemáticos, diagnosticada anatomopatológicamente como MAVU.La muerte materna es un problema de salud pública multifactorial en los países subdesarrollados, la MAVU es una causa poco frecuente, sin embargo, algunos autores la consideran subdiagnosticada; han aumentado el reporte de casos en los últimos años y en los países en desarrollo puede ser letal. (AU)

Uterine arteriovenous malformation (UAMM) for some authors, considered an arteriovenous fistula, represents between 1% and 2% of genital and intraperitoneal hemorrhage as a result of spontaneous or provoked vascular rupture after a surgical intervention.We present a case of maternal death that occurred during a walk on a slope, presenting metrorrhagia and fainting with a fatal outcome. The medico-legal autopsy showed a pregnancy uterus with myometrial hemorrhage and multiple blood clots, diagnosed pathologically as a uterine arteriovenous malformation.Maternal death is a multifactorial public health problem in underdeveloped countries. Uterine arteriovenous malformation is a rare cause, however some authors consider it underdiagnosed; reported cases have increased in recent years and in developing countries it can be lethal. (AU)

Importance of Social Support of Parents of Children with Cancer: A Multicomponent Model Using Partial Least Squares-Path Modelling.

The purpose of the present study is to build a model combining some variables that have been previously studied separately to improve our understanding on how they relate in parents of children with cancer. A total of 112 parents with an average age of 41 completed the self-assessment questionnaires containing the factors studied: social support received, social support provided, stress, adjustment of parents and life satisfaction. Two models were developed: one for social support received and one for social support provided. Structural equation models based on the variance estimated through partial least squares were used to analyze factors involved in quality of life based on an exploratory model of second order. The estimated model was robust in terms of quality of measurement (reliability and validity). According to results from the structural model, in the model of social support received, the impact of social support received on stress was considerable (ß = -0.26; p = 0.02) and it explained 16% of the variance. The impact of social support received by parents on their adjustment (ß = -0.56; p < 0.001) was also considerable, explaining 32% of the variance. Finally, adjustment of parents also showed an effect on life satisfaction (ß = -0.33; p < 0.001) and it explained 26% of the variance. However, the relation between social support received (ß = 0.15; p = 0.11) and life satisfaction, the relation between stress (ß = -0.15; p = 0.08) and life satisfaction, and the relation between adjustment of parents (ß = 0.20; p = 0.07) and stress were not significant. In the model of social support provided by parents, social support provided (ß = 0.35; p < 0.001), and adjustment of parents (ß = -0.31; p < 0.01) impacted life satisfaction, explaining 36% of the variance. Social support provided (ß = -0.34; p < 0.01) impacted adjustment of parents and it explained 12% of the variance. Adjustment of parents (ß = 0.28; p < 0.05) also impacted parents' perception of stress, explaining 14% of the variance. However, the relation between social support provided (ß = -0.17; p = 0.06) and stress, and the relation between stress (ß = -0.13; p = 0.08) and life satisfaction, were not significant. Social support received showed a strong connection with stress and parents' adjustment. Additionally, social support received showed a decrease in stress and parents' adjustment. Social support provided by parents and the adjustments they experience are linked to their life satisfaction. Additionally, social support provided showed a decrease in adjustment and an increase in parents' life satisfaction. The models can be used to improve parents' situations and it has strong practical implications.

Circulating miR-451a Expression May Predict Recurrence in Atrial Fibrillation Patients after Catheter Pulmonary Vein Ablation.

Atrial fibrillation is the most prevalent tachyarrhythmia in clinical practice, with very high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality with a high-cost impact in health systems. Currently, it is one of the main causes of stroke and subsequent heart failure and sudden death. miRNAs mediate in several processes involved in cardiovascular disease, including fibrosis and electrical and structural remodeling. Several studies suggest a key role of miRNAs in the course and maintenance of atrial fibrillation. In our study, we aimed to identify the differential expression of circulating miRNAs and their predictive value as biomarkers of recurrence in atrial fibrillation patients undergoing catheter pulmonary vein ablation. To this effect, 42 atrial fibrillation patients were recruited for catheter ablation. We measured the expression of 84 miRNAs in non-recurrent and recurrent groups (45.2%), both in plasma from peripheral and left atrium blood. Expression analysis showed that miRNA-451a is downregulated in recurrent patients. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that miR-451a in left atrium plasma could predict atrial fibrillation recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation. In addition, atrial fibrillation recurrence is positively associated with the increment of scar percentage. Our data suggest that miRNA-451a expression plays an important role in AF recurrence by controlling fibrosis and progression.

Study of Windlass Mechanism in the Lower Limb Using Inertial Sensors.

AIMS: This study aimed to quantify the degrees of movement that occur in the lower limb using a kinematic system after taking two measurements of 45° and 60° of extension at the first metatarsophalangeal joint (1st MTPJ) and to test the validity of this sensor system using radiography. METHODOLOGY: This was a quasi-experimental test-post-test study with a single intervention group (25 subjects). Four inertial sensors were placed on the proximal phalange of the first toe, dorsum of the foot, medial-lateral of the leg (level of tibia), and medial-lateral of the thigh (level of femur). The extension of the 1st MTPJ produced movements of supination in the foot and rotation at the level of leg and thigh. We studied this mechanism in three situations (relaxed, 45°, and 60°) both with the sensors and with X-rays. RESULTS: With the kinematic system, there was an increase in the range of movement in each of the variables, with a value of p < 0.05. The relationship between the kinematic system and the radiography was tested using Spearman's rho test, obtaining a correlation coefficient of 0.624 and a value of p < 0.05, and the Bland-Altman graph, with 90% of the cases within the tolerance limits. CONCLUSIONS: The extension of the 1st MTPJ generated kinematic changes associated with supination movement in the midfoot and external rotation on the tibia and femur level. Both measurement techniques were very similar in the way that they quantified the degrees of extension of the 1st MTPJ. If we extrapolate this result to the measurement technique used by the inertial sensors, we could affirm that the values recorded in the supination and external rotation movements were reliable.

Microdeleciones del gen AZF en varones azoospérmicos-oligozoospérmicos / AZF gene microdeletions in azoospermic–oligozoospermic males

Antecedentes y objetivo: La presencia de microdeleciones en las regiones del factor de azoospermia (AZF) del cromosoma Y (YCM) se considera la causa genética más frecuente de infertilidad masculina junto con el síndrome de Klinefelter. El objetivo del estudio fue investigar las frecuencias y tipo de YCM en hombres infértiles en Aragón y analizar la relación entre las hormonas sexuales, la concentración espermática y las microdeleciones en ellos.Pacientes y métodosEstudio descriptivo retrospectivo de 644 varones, durante el periodo 2006-2019, a los que se les realizo el cribado para YCM mediante YChromStrip (Operón, España) por PCR+hibridación reversa, espermiograma, cariotipo y medición de las hormonas sexuales.ResultadosLa frecuencia de YCM fue del 3,88% (25/644), no detectándose en ningún paciente con oligozoospermia leve ni normospérmico, es decir, en recuentos espermáticos superiores a 5×106/ml. El grupo de pacientes azoospérmicos fue el que presentó una frecuencia de YCM más elevada (14,58%, 14/96). Las deleciones en la región AZFc fueron las más frecuentes (68%). El 20% (5/25) de pacientes con YCM presentó además algún tipo de anomalía en el cariotipo que incluyeron aneuploidías, deleciones, duplicaciones o translocaciones. La concentración espermática fue significativamente menor y las concentraciones de FSH y LH significativamente mayores en el grupo de pacientes con YCM.ConclusionesEl cribado de YCM es una prueba clave en el abordaje diagnóstico de la infertilidad masculina. La obtención de un resultado genético adecuado permite elegir técnicas de reproducción asistida idóneas, prevenir tratamientos innecesarios y la transmisión de defectos genéticos a la descendencia. (AU)

Background and objective: The presence of microdeletions in the Y-chromosome azoospermia factor (AZF) region (YCMs) is considered the most frequent genetic cause of male infertility along with Klinefelter syndrome. The objective of this study was to investigate the frequencies and type of YCMs in infertile men in Aragon and to analyze the relationship between sex hormones, sperm count and microdeletions in them.Patients and methodsRetrospective descriptive study of 644 men who during 2006–2019 were screened for YCMs using YChromStrip (Operón, Spain) by PCR+reverse hybridization, spermiogram, karyotype and quantification of sex hormones.ResultsThe frequency of YCMs was 3.88% (25/644), not being detected in any patient with mild or normospermic oligozoospermia, that is, in sperm counts higher than 5×106/mL. The group of azoospermic patients was the one that presented a higher frequency of YCMs (14.58%, 14/96). Deletions in the AZFc region were the most frequent (68%). 20% (5/25) of patients with YCMs also presented some type of karyotype abnormality that included aneuploidies, deletions, duplications and/or translocations. Sperm count was significantly lower and FSH and LH concentrations significantly higher in the group of patients with YCMs.ConclusionsYCMs screening is a key test in the diagnostic approach to male infertility. Obtaining an adequate result allows choosing suitable assisted reproduction techniques, preventing unnecessary treatments and the transmission of genetic defects to offspring. (AU)