Conservation action should come before publication.

With regard to the recent discovery of the red imported fire ant in Sicily (Menchetti et al. 2023), Genovesi et al. highlight the delay in communicating the observation and call on the scientific communities, scientific journals, and local authorities to ensure that new invasive alien species records are immediately reported for enhancing action.

Organ damage is a major determinant of work productivity impairment in Behçet's Syndrome: a post-hoc analysis of the BODI validation study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence, magnitude, and potential determinants of work productivity impairment in patients with Behçet's Syndrome (BS), focusing on the role of irreversible organ damage. METHODS: A post-hoc analysis of the BS overall damage index (BODI) prospective validation study was performed. Demographics and clinical features were recorded in all patients. The Work Productivity and Activity Impairment: General Health (WPAI: GH) questionnaire was administered to assess the work limitation and the BODI to measure organ damage. The independent effect of BS features on WPAI: GH outcomes was evaluated by regression analysis. RESULTS: Out of 148 patients, 34.5% were unemployed, with age (OR 1.035) and BODI score (OR 1.313 for 1-unit increase) as the only factors significantly (p< 0.05) associated with the unemployment state. An overall work impairment was reported in about 64.2% of the employed patients. Indeed, 22.7% reported missing work h due to their health (absenteeism), with a mean time loss of 34.4%; whereas 60.2% declared a reduced performance at work because of their health (presenteeism), with a mean productivity impairment of 45.4%. Ocular damage was associated with absenteeism (ß 0.225); female sex (ß 0.260), physician global assessment of disease activity (ß 0.502) and an increased BODI score (ß 0.166 for 1-point increase) with presenteeism; fibromyalgia (ß 0.246), physician global assessment (ß 0.469), and musculoskeletal damage (ß 0.325) with overall work impairment. CONCLUSIONS: Disease activity and organ damage accrual remarkably affect work productivity in BS patients. Achieving remission and preventing damage accrual are crucial and complementary objectives.

Real life use of prostacyclin analog (iloprost), a multi-centric survey data from the Scleroderma study group Emilia Romagna (Sclero-RER) and review of the literature.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Iloprost is recommend worldwide for the treatment of RP and the healing of DUs. The aim of this study is to report the regimens of Iloprost administered in different rheumatological centers within the same regional Health System Methods: A questionnaire exploring different items related to the use of Iloprost was developed and reviewed by three expert rheumatologists. The questionnaire was distributed as an online survey to all local SSc referral centers in Emilia-Romagna (Italy). Data are reported as percentage or median with interquartile range (IQR), as appropriate. An updated review of world literature on this topic was also carried out. RESULTS: All the invited centers completed the survey. There were both local (8) and university hospitals (4). The majority (58%) had a rheumatologist as head physician. All centers used Iloprost: a single monthly administration was the most common treatment (75%). The cycle lasted 1 [IQR 1-2] days with a 0.5-2.0 ng/Kg/min dose according to the drug tolerance of the patients. There were overall 68 spots (beds, reclining armchair, or simple armchair); 2.0 [1.5-4.0] patients were able to receive Iloprost at the same time. University Hospitals had more physicians at their disposal than local hospitals but less paramedic personnel (respectively: 1.8 vs 1.2 physicians, 1.5 vs 2.1 nurses). CONCLUSIONS: These observations were in line with the majority of previous studies reporting different regimens, comparing similar (but not identical) dose and schedule administration, however, despite differences being at times substantial, no standard infusion method is yet available.

Case Report: Middle lobe syndrome: a rare presentation in eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis.

Background: Antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV) is a group of disorders characterized by necrotizing inflammation of small- and medium-sized blood vessels and the presence of circulating ANCA. Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic ANCA-associated vasculitis, characterized by peripheral eosinophilia, neuropathy, palpable purpuras or petechiae, renal and cardiac involvement, sinusitis, asthma, and transient pulmonary infiltrates. Middle lobe syndrome (MLS) is defined as recurrent or chronic atelectasis of the right middle lobe of the lung, and it is a potential complication of asthma. Case presentation: Herein, we describe a case of MLS in a 51-year-old woman, never-smoker, affected by EGPA, presenting exclusively with leukocytosis and elevated concentrations of acute-phase proteins, without any respiratory symptom, cough, or hemoptysis. Chest computed tomography (CT) imaging documented complete atelectasis of the middle lobe, together with complete obstruction of lobar bronchial branch origin. Fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB) revealed complete stenosis of the middle lobar bronchus origin, thus confirming the diagnosis of MLS, along with distal left main bronchus stenosis. Bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) did not detect any infection. Bronchial biopsies included plasma cells, neutrophil infiltrates, only isolated eosinophils, and no granulomas, providing the hypothesis of vasculitic acute involvement less likely. First-line agents directed towards optimizing pulmonary function (mucolytics, bronchodilators, and antibiotic course) were therefore employed. However, the patient did not respond to conservative treatment; hence, endoscopic management of airway obstruction was performed, with chest CT documenting resolution of middle lobe atelectasis. Conclusion: To the best of our knowledge, this is the first detailed description of MLS in EGPA completely resolved through FOB. Identification of MLS in EGPA appears essential as prognosis, longitudinal management, and treatment options may differ from other pulmonary involvement in AAV patients.

Accrual of organ damage in Behçet's syndrome: trajectory, associated factors, and impact on patients' quality of life over a 2-year prospective follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the trajectory of damage accrual, associated factors, and impact on health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) in a multicenter cohort of patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS) over 2 years of follow-up. METHODS: Patients recruited in the BS Overall Damage Index (BODI) validation study were prospectively monitored for 2 years and assessed for damage accrual, defined as an increase ≥1 in the BODI score, and HR-QoL was evaluated by the SF-36 questionnaire. Logistic and multiple linear regression models were built to determine factors associated with damage accrual and impairment in the different SF-36 domains. RESULTS: During follow-up, 36 out of 189 (19.0%) patients had an increase ≥1 in the BODI score with a mean (SD) difference of 1.7 (0.8) (p <0.001). The incidence rate of damage accrual was stable over time, regardless of the disease duration. Out of 61 new BODI items, 25 (41.0%) were considered related to glucocorticoid (GC) use. In multivariate analysis, duration of GC therapy (OR per 1-year 1.15, 95% CI 1.07-1.23; p <0.001) and occurrence of ≥1 disease relapse (OR 3.15, 95% CI 1.09-9.12; p 0.038) were identified as predictors of damage accrual, whereas the use of immunosuppressants showed a protective effect (OR 0.20, 95% CI 0.08-0.54, p<0.001). Damage accrual was independently associated with the impairment of different physical domains and, to a greater extent, in emotional domains of the SF-36 questionnaire. Female sex, higher disease activity, and fibromyalgia were also significantly associated with impairment in HR-QoL. CONCLUSION: In BS, organ damage accrues over time, also in long-standing disease, resulting in an impairment of the perceived physical and mental health. Adequate immunosuppressive treatment, preventing disease flares and minimizing exposure to GCs have a crucial role in lowering the risk of damage accrual.

A late Middle Pleistocene Middle Stone Age sequence identified at Wadi Lazalim in southern Tunisia.

The late Middle Pleistocene, starting at around 300 ka, witnessed large-scale biological and cultural dynamics in hominin evolution across Africa including the onset of the Middle Stone Age that is closely associated with the evolution of our species-Homo sapiens. However, archaeological and geochronological data of its earliest appearance are scarce. Here we report on the late Middle Pleistocene sequence of Wadi Lazalim, in the Sahara of Southern Tunisia, which has yielded evidence for human occupations bracketed between ca. 300-130 ka. Wadi Lazalim contributes valuable information on the spread of early MSA technocomplexes across North Africa, that likely were an expression of large-scale diffusion processes.

Preliminary Evaluation of a NitrAdine-Based Brushing Solution for Patients Suffering from Gingivitis: A Prospective Clinical Case-Control Study.

OBJECTIVES: This article aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of a nonantibiotic biofilm-removal formulation based on NitrAdine (PerioTabs), combined with a regular home oral hygiene regimen, in Caucasian patients with gingivitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A sample of 60 patients were included in this clinical prospective study. All selected subjects underwent regular prophylaxis and professional oral hygiene at baseline; 30 days later, they were recalled for the measurements of the reference parameters about bleeding on probing (full-mouth bleeding upon probing score [FMBS]) and plaque index (full-mouth plaque score [FMPS]); no other clinical procedure was performed. Consequently, half of the patients (n = 30) were instructed to use PerioTabs for 10 days. The remaining patients (n = 30) were used as the negative control, only instructed to continue with their usual oral hygiene regimen. Fifteen days after, the clinical parameters of FMBS and FMPS were re-evaluated in both groups. RESULTS: Changes in the scores of clinical indices FMBS and FMPS were calculated and compared. A significant difference between pre- and post-values, for both FMBS and FMPS, was noticed in the test group; in particular, the bleeding index value demonstrated the more significant changes: 22 participants showed a clinically meaningful improvement, and 5 had a small improvement. Only three patients had no evidence of change. In addition, 50% of patients had a reduction in plaque levels. No side effects were reported. CONCLUSIONS: The adjunctive use of 10-day PerioTabs treatment in the daily oral hygiene routine seemed to be efficient in reducing gingival bleeding and plaque accumulation, with absence of adverse effects. These results should be confirmed in studies with a larger number of participants following a controlled-blinded design.

From the Andes to the Apennines: Rise and Fall of a Free-Ranging Population of Feral Llamas.

Since 2016, a feral population of llama Lama glama has been present in Central Italy after escaping from a zoological garden and starting to reproduce. We updated demographic status and distribution of this population and investigated societal perception towards the llama presence and management in the area through a standard questionnaire. Field data were collected through direct (transects traveled by car and on foot) and indirect (newspapers, social networks and online platforms) research. The feral population appears to be declining. In July 2020, the population was represented by three individuals (one male and two females), identified also through photoidentification, most likely located within a 40-hectare area. The majority of citizens are aware of the presence of feral llamas and show a positive attitude toward them and a negative one toward management actions. The case of feral llamas in Italy is an evident example of unsafe management of a species which should have kept in a zoo and which, once set free, was able to catalyze the attention of the general public. The decline of this population limits the need of drastic management actions that, given the appreciation expressed by people and press toward these animals, would have been at risk of conflict with the public opinion. Removal action should be rapidly taken, i.e., before any demographic rebound and before the population becomes a stable feature of the local landscape.

Liver transplantation performed in a SARS-CoV-2 positive hospitalized recipient using a SARS-CoV-2 infected donor.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a novel infectious disease caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). COVID-19 currently affected more than 108 million people worldwide with a fatality rate of 2.2%. Herein, we report the first case of liver transplantation (LT) performed with a liver procured from a SARS-CoV-2 positive donor. The recipient was a 35-year-old SARS-CoV-2 positive female patient affected by severe end-stage HBV-HDV-related liver disease (model of end-stage liver disease = 32) who had neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies (titers 1:320) at time of LT. The LT was successful, and the graft is functioning two months after surgery. The recipient cleared the SARS-CoV-2 infection 1 month after LT. The current case shows that the prompt use of SARS-CoV-2 infected liver donors offers an invaluable life-saving opportunity for SARS-CoV-2 positive wait-listed patients who developed neutralizing SARS-CoV-2 antibodies.

Strategies to exiting the COVID-19 lockdown for workplace and school: A scoping review.

In an attempt to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, several countries have implemented various social restrictions, such as closing schools and asking people to work from home. Nevertheless, after months of strict quarantine, a reopening of society is required. Many countries are planning exit strategies to progressively lift the lockdown without leading to an increase in the number of COVID-19 cases. Identifying exit strategies for a safe reopening of schools and places of work is critical in informing decision-makers on the management of the COVID-19 health crisis. This scoping review describes multiple population-wide strategies, including social distancing, testing, and contact tracing. It highlights how each strategy needs to be based on both the epidemiological situation and contextualize at local circumstances to anticipate the possibility of COVID-19 resurgence. However, the retrieved evidence lacks operational solutions and are mainly based on mathematical models and derived from grey literature. There is a need to report the impact of the implementation of country-tailored strategies and assess their effectiveness through high-quality experimental studies.

Discordance between patient and physician global assessment of disease activity in Behçet's syndrome: a multicenter study cohort.

BACKGROUND: To compare the patients' and physician's global assessment of disease activity in Behçet's syndrome (BS) and investigate the frequency, magnitude, and determinants of potential discordance. METHODS: A total of 226 adult BS patients with a median (IQR) age of 46.9 (35.6-55.2) years were enrolled across Italy, Greece, Portugal, and Spain. Demographic, clinical, and therapeutic variables, as well as the patient reported outcomes, were collected at the recruitment visit. The physical (PCS) and mental (MCS) component summary scores of the Short Form Questionnaire 36 (SF-36) and the Behçet's syndrome Overall Damage Index (BODI) were calculated. Disease activity was assessed by the patients' (PtGA) and physician's global assessment (PGA) in a 10-cm visual analog scale, as well as the Behçet Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF). Discordance (∆) was calculated by subtracting the PGA from the PtGA and defined as positive (PtGA>PGA) and negative (PtGA 80%) of disagreements were due to patients rating higher their disease activity. Higher values of BDCAF were associated to increased rate of positive discordance. When BDCAF = 0, the median (IQR) values of PtGA and PGA were 0.2 (0-2) and 0 (0-1), respectively. PCS (adjusted odds ratio (adjOR) 0.96 per unit, 95% CI 0.93-0.98, p = 0.006) and MCS (adjOR 0.96 per unit, 95% CI 0.93-0.99, p = 0.003) were independently associated with positive discordance using both cutoffs. Active ocular involvement emerged as a potential determinant of negative discordance (adjOR 5.88, 95% CI 1.48-23.30, p = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: PtGA and PGA should be considered as complementary measures in BS, as patients and physicians may be influenced by different factors when assessing active disease manifestations. Particularly, PtGA may be a useful tool in the assessment of BS disease activity, as it carries a low risk to misclassify an inactive disease, and may allow to capture aspects of the patient's health that negatively affect his well-being and the treatment.

Awareness and Impact of Non-pharmaceutical Interventions During Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic in Renal Transplant Recipients.

The concerns generated by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic are having profound impact on solid organ transplantation (SOT). Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPI) are currently the only measures available to contain COVID-19 in the general population and in more vulnerable recipients of any organ transplant. In this cross-sectional case control study from a patient survey undertaken in 2 transplant centers (TxC) in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Italy, we aimed to appraise awareness of the NPI implemented by respective these governments. We have also evaluated the impact of COVID-19 on our kidney transplant (KT) recipients and a control group of kidney living donors (KLD). In our series, there were zero cases of COVID-19 among 111 KT recipients and 70 KLD of the control group. Demography, transplant type, immunosuppression regimes, and, importantly, the different COVID-19 prevalence in the 2 regions of the TxC did not appear to influence incidence of COVID-19 in our KT recipients. The absence of COVID-19 cases in our series was unexpected. Our findings suggest that awareness of NPI is associated with a successful containment of COVID-19 in vulnerable, immunosuppressed KT recipients.

Development and preliminary validation of the Behçet's syndrome Overall Damage Index (BODI).

OBJECTIVE: To develop and validate the evidence-based and consensus-based Behçet's Syndrome Overall Damage Index (BODI). METHODS: Starting from 120 literature-retrieved preliminary items, the BODI underwent multiple Delphi rounds with an international multidisciplinary panel consisting of rheumatologists, internists, ophthalmologists, neurologists, and patient delegates until consensus was reached on the final content. The BODI was validated in a cross-sectional multicentre cohort of 228 patients with Behçet's syndrome (BS) through the study of (a) correlation between BODI and Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) and (b) correlation between BODI and disease activity measures (ie, Behçet's Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF), Physician Global Assessment (PGA), Patient Global Assessment (PtGA)), c) content and face validity and (d) feasibility. RESULTS: The final BODI consists of 4 overarching principles and 46 unweighted-items grouped into 9 organ domains. It showed good to excellent reliability, with a mean Cohen's k of 0.84 (95% CI 0.78 to 0.90) and a mean intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.88 (95% CI 0.80 to 0.95). Overall, 128 (56.1%) patients had a BODI score ≥1, with a median score of 1.0 (range 0-14). The BODI significantly correlated with the VDI (r=0.693, p<0.001), demonstrating to effectively measure damage (construct validity), but had greater sensitivity in identifying major organ damage and did not correlate with disease activity measures (ie, BDCAF: p=0.807, PGA: p=0.820, PtGA: p=0.794) discriminating damage from the major confounding factor. The instrument was deemed credible (face validity), complete (content validity) and feasible by an independent group of clinicians. CONCLUSIONS: Pending further validation, the BODI may be used to assess organ damage in patients with BS in the context of observational and controlled trials.

Invasive non-native species likely to threaten biodiversity and ecosystems in the Antarctic Peninsula region.

The Antarctic is considered to be a pristine environment relative to other regions of the Earth, but it is increasingly vulnerable to invasions by marine, freshwater and terrestrial non-native species. The Antarctic Peninsula region (APR), which encompasses the Antarctic Peninsula, South Shetland Islands and South Orkney Islands, is by far the most invaded part of the Antarctica continent. The risk of introduction of invasive non-native species to the APR is likely to increase with predicted increases in the intensity, diversity and distribution of human activities. Parties that are signatories to the Antarctic Treaty have called for regional assessments of non-native species risk. In response, taxonomic and Antarctic experts undertook a horizon scanning exercise using expert opinion and consensus approaches to identify the species that are likely to present the highest risk to biodiversity and ecosystems within the APR over the next 10 years. One hundred and three species, currently absent in the APR, were identified as relevant for review, with 13 species identified as presenting a high risk of invading the APR. Marine invertebrates dominated the list of highest risk species, with flowering plants and terrestrial invertebrates also represented; however, vertebrate species were thought unlikely to establish in the APR within the 10 year timeframe. We recommend (a) the further development and application of biosecurity measures by all stakeholders active in the APR, including surveillance for species such as those identified during this horizon scanning exercise, and (b) use of this methodology across the other regions of Antarctica. Without the application of appropriate biosecurity measures, rates of introductions and invasions within the APR are likely to increase, resulting in negative consequences for the biodiversity of the whole continent, as introduced species establish and spread further due to climate change and increasing human activity.

Efficacy and retention rate of adalimumab in rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis patients after first-line etanercept failure: the FEARLESS cohort.

Few studies have compared the efficacy of switching from etanercept to adalimumab in the real-life setting in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA). This study evaluated the 2-year retention rate and 12-month efficacy of adalimumab in RA and PsA patients, previously treated with etanercept. RA and PsA patients from 11 Italian Rheumatology Units received adalimumab after first-line etanercept failure. Two-year adalimumab retention rate was calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox proportional hazard models were developed to examine predictors of drug persistence. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were developed to examine potential predictors of 12-month DAS-28 remission. The study population included 117 RA (disease duration of 10.1 ± 7.7 years and baseline DAS28-ESR of 4.97 ± 1.3) and 102 PsA (disease duration of 7.1 ± 5.1 years and baseline DAPSA of 24.6 ± 11.8). The 2-year retention rate was 48.2% in RA and 56.5% in PsA patients. Concomitant methotrexate treatment was not associated with increased drug survival in both groups. Similarly, cause of etanercept discontinuation or treatment duration was not associated with retention rate. 12-month remission and low disease activity were achieved, respectively, in 27.3% and 23.9% of RA patients and 27.4% and 23.5% PsA of patients. In multivariate models, etanercept discontinuation due to inefficacy (OR 0.27, 95% CI 1.03-0.73; p = 0.009) and baseline DAS-28 (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.29-0.69; p < 0.001) remained significant negative predictors of remission in RA patients. No variable was associated with remission in PsA patients. Adalimumab after etanercept failure was highly effective and safe in both RA and PsA patients.

Face Mask Use in the Community for Reducing the Spread of COVID-19: A Systematic Review.

Background: Evidence is needed on the effectiveness of wearing face masks in the community to prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission. Methods: Systematic review and meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy and effectiveness of face mask use in a community setting and to predict the effectiveness of wearing a mask. We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, SCISEARCH, The Cochrane Library, and pre-prints from inception to 22 April 2020 without restriction by language. We rated the certainty of evidence according to Cochrane and GRADE approach. Findings: Our search identified 35 studies, including three randomized controlled trials (RCTs) (4,017 patients), 10 comparative studies (18,984 patients), 13 predictive models, nine laboratory experimental studies. For reducing infection rates, the estimates of cluster-RCTs were in favor of wearing face masks vs. no mask, but not at statistically significant levels (adjusted OR 0.90, 95% CI 0.78-1.05). Similar findings were reported in observational studies. Mathematical models indicated an important decrease in mortality when the population mask coverage is near-universal, regardless of mask efficacy. In the best-case scenario, when the mask efficacy is at 95%, the R0 can fall to 0.99 from an initial value of 16.90. Levels of mask filtration efficiency were heterogeneous, depending on the materials used (surgical mask: 45-97%). One laboratory study suggested a viral load reduction of 0.25 (95% CI 0.09-0.67) in favor of mask vs. no mask. Interpretation: The findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis support the use of face masks in a community setting. Robust randomized trials on face mask effectiveness are needed to inform evidence-based policies. PROSPERO registration: CRD42020184963.

Incidence and outcome of colorectal cancer in liver transplant recipients: A national, multicentre analysis on 8115 patients.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: De novo malignancies after liver transplantation represent one of the leading causes of death in the long-term. It remains unclear whether liver transplant recipients have an increased risk of colorectal cancer and whether this negatively impacts on survival, particularly in those patients affected by primary sclerosing cholangitis and ulcerative colitis. METHODS: In this national multicentre cohort retrospective study, the incidence of colorectal cancer in 8115 evaluable adult patients undergoing a liver transplantation between 1 January 1990 and 31 December 2010 was compared to the incidence in the general population through standardised incidence ratios. RESULTS: Fifty-two (0.6%) cases of colorectal cancer were identified at a median of 5.6 years postliver transplantation, predominantly grade 2 (76.9%) and stage T3 (50%) at diagnosis. The incidence rate of colorectal cancer in the whole liver transplant population was similar to the general UK population (SIR: 0.92), but significantly higher (SIR: 7.0) in the group of patients affected by primary sclerosing cholangitis/ulcerative colitis. One-, five- and ten-year survival rates from colorectal cancer diagnosis were 71%, 48% and 31%, respectively, and the majority of colorectal cancer patients died of cancer-specific causes. CONCLUSIONS: Liver transplantation alone is not associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer development. The primary sclerosing cholangitis/ulcerative colitis liver transplant population showed a significantly higher risk of colorectal cancer development than the general population, with a high proportion of advanced stage at diagnosis and a reduced patient survival.

Inflammation and Atrial Electrical Remodelling in Patients With Embolic Strokes of Undetermined Source.

BACKGROUND: About one third of ischaemic strokes are classified as embolic strokes of undetermined source (ESUS). A silent atrial fibrillation (AF) may play a pathogenic role in these strokes and P wave dispersion (PWD), representing an electrocardiographic (ECG) predictor for paroxysmal AF, thereby a potential marker of covert cardioembolism, was found to be increased in cryptogenic stroke. Furthermore, current evidence links AF to inflammation: inflammatory markers, such as high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hsCRP), have been related to the development and persistence of AF, possibly by promoting atrial remodelling. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a relationship between PWD and hsCRP in patients with ESUS exists, in order to highlight a possible role for inflammation in the atrial electric remodelling, that predisposes to AF. METHODS: We enrolled 174 patients (91 males, 83 females; mean age 69±13years) with ESUS. All patients underwent neuroimaging examination, arterial ultrasound examination, echocardiography and ECG. P wave dispersion and hsCRP were measured in all subjects. RESULTS: A significant positive correlation was found between hsCRP and PWD (Spearman r: 0.35, p<0.0001). In patients with high PWD (>40 msec; n=102), hsCRP was three-fold higher than in patients with normal PWD (≤40 msec; n=72)(1.57±2.9 vs 0.42±0.4mg/dl, p=0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: Our results show increased hsCRP levels in cryptogenic stroke patients with high PWD. These findings provide support for the hypothesis that systemic inflammation plays a role in a fraction of patients with ESUS, by increasing AF risk via atrial electric remodelling.

Impact of Donor Age on Clinical Outcomes of Primary Single Kidney Transplantation From Maastricht Category-III Donors After Circulatory Death.

BACKGROUND: Standard-criteria donation after circulatory death (DCD) kidney transplants (KTx) have higher primary nonfunction, delayed graft function (DGF), and rejection rates than age-matched donation after brain death (DBD) but similar graft survival. Data on expanded-criteria DCD are conflicting and many centers remain concerned regarding their use. METHODS: In this single-center observational study with 5-year follow-up, we analyzed data from 112 primary DCD Maastricht category-III single KTx receiving similar organ preservation and maintenance immunosuppression. Patients were sorted as young DCD (donor <60 years, 72 recipients) or old DCD (donor ≥60 years, 40 recipients). Old DCD outcomes were compared with young DCD and to a DBD control group (old DBD, donor ≥60 years, 40 recipients). RESULTS: After 5 years, old DCD showed lower patient survival (66% vs 85%; P = 0.014), death-censored graft survival (63% vs 83%; P = 0.001), and Modification of Diet in Renal Disease estimated glomerular filtration rate (34, 27.0-42.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2 vs 45.0, 33.0-58.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2; P = 0.021) than young DCD with higher DGF (70% vs 47.2%; P = 0.029) and graft thrombosis (12.5% vs 1.4%; P = 0.021). Comparison between old DCD and old DBD showed similar 5-year patient survival (66% vs 67%; P = 0.394) and death-censored graft survival (63% vs 69%; P = 0.518) but higher DGF (70% vs 37.5%; P = 0.007) and lower estimated glomerular filtration rate (34, 27.0-42.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2 vs 41, 40.0-42.0 mL/min per 1.73 m2; P = 0.029). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that donor 60 years or older (hazard ratio, 3.135; 95% confidence interval, 1.716-5.729; P < 0.001) and induction with anti-IL2-receptor-α monoclonal antibody (hazard ratio, 0.503; 95% confidence interval, 0.269-0.940, P = 0.031 in favor of induction with rabbit antithymocyte globulin) are independent predictors of transplant loss. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, single KTx from DCD Maastricht category-III donors 60 years or older have inferior outcomes than KTx from donors younger than 60 years. Comparison with age-matched DBD showed similar patient and graft survivals. However, the discrepancy in graft function between DCD and DBD deserves further investigation.

[Shigella flexneri bacteremia in children: two case report and review of literature]. / Bacteriemia por Shigella flexneri en dos lactantes.

Shigella spp. is the most frequent micro-biological isolation in bacterial diarrhea in Argentina. It causes a watery diarrhea or dysenteric disease. It rarely causes extraintestinal problems. It has an incidence of bacteremia of 0,4-7,3%, and its appearance compels us to look for associated risk factors, as children under one year of age and immunodeficiency, among others. We describe two children with Shigella flexneri bacteremia. They presented with fever and diarrhea. One of them had primary immune deficiency.