Alterations in Placental Gene Expression of Pregnant Women with Chronic Chagas Disease.

Trypanosoma cruzi infection in women of reproductive age is associated with congenital transmission and adverse pregnancy outcomes. The placenta is a key barrier to infection. Gene expression profiles of term placental environment from T. cruzi-seropositive (SP) and -seronegative (SN) mothers were characterized by RNA-Seq. Nine pools of placental RNA paired samples were used: three from SN and six from SP tissues. Each pool consisted of female/male newborns and vaginal/cesarean delivery binomials. No newborn was congenitally infected. T. cruzi satellite DNA quantitative PCR in placental tissues and maternal and neonatal blood, and parasite 18S quantitative RT-PCR from placental RNA were negative, except in three SP women's bloodstream. To identify pathways associated with maternal T. cruzi infection, a gene-set association analysis was implemented: SP placental samples showed overexpression of inflammatory response and lymphocytic activation, whereas numerous biosynthetic processes were down-regulated. About 42 genes showed a significant fold-change between SP and SN groups. KISS1 and CGB5 were down-regulated, whereas KIF12, HLA-G, PRG2, TAC3, FN1, and ATXN3L were up-regulated. Several expressed genes in SP placentas encode proteins associated with preeclampsia and miscarriage. This first transcriptomics study in human term placental environment shows a placental response that may affect the fetus while protecting it from parasite infection; this host response could be responsible for the low rate of congenital transmission in chronic Chagas disease.

Opinión de adolescentes y jóvenes argentinos sobre ser interrogados para la identificación del riesgo de suicidio / OPINION OF ADOLESCENTS AND YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ARGENTINA IN ORDER TO IDENTIFY THOSE AT RISK OF SUICIDE

En Argentina hay 17,4 casos de suicidios de niños y jóvenes por semana, y sobre 3.202 casos registrados en el año 2015, 905 fueron en niños, adolescentes y jóvenes. Un alto % de ellos tuvieron contacto con el sistema de salud en el año previo de su muerte, por ello la detección es un primer paso hacia su prevención. El objetivo general: analizar la opinión que tienen los adolescentes y jóvenes de cinco provincias argentinas acerca de ser interrogados en el marco de los sistemas de salud con el objeto de identificar los que presentan riesgo de suicidio. El estudio es observacional, descriptivo y de corte transversal. La población fue de 1.153 adolescentes y jóvenes (10-24 años) asistentes a establecimientos educativos públicos y privados, y usuarios servicios de salud pública o privada de las provincias argentinas de Buenos Aires (325), Santiago del Estero (322), La Rioja (301), Córdoba (128) y Salta (77). Se utilizó un muestreo intencional, y se aplicó un cuestionario semi-estructurado. Se utilizó un abordaje cuantitativo y tratamiento cualitativo de algunas variables. El promedio de edad fue 17.2 años, con respecto al sexo predominaron las mujeres, y al estrato social el medio. Un 68,7% nunca fueron consultados por su estado de ánimo, y a 8 de cada 10 tampoco se les preguntó por autolesiones. Les cuesta muchísimo expresarse sobre estos temas. Pero un 87% considera importante que los profesionales les preguntemos sobre estos temas, y lo perciben como un problema dentro de la sociedad, sobre todo en las provincias donde el suicidio es más alto. Nuestros adolescentes y jóvenes están de acuerdo en ser interrogados sobre la problemática de suicidio, por ello no debemos perder la oportunidad, más allá del motivo de consulta, considerando es parte de nuestro trabajo y responsabilidad

In Argentina there are 17.4 cases of suicides of children and young people per week, and of 3,202 cases registered in 2015, 905 were in children, adolescents and young people. A high percentage of them had contact with the health system in the year before their death, so detection is a first step towards prevention. The general objective is to analyze the opinion of adolescents and young people in five Argentine provinces about being questioned within the framework of health systems in order to identify those at risk of suicide. The study is observational, descriptive and cross-sectional. The population was 1,153 adolescents and young people (10- 24 years old) attending public and private educational institutions, and users of public or private health services in the Argentine provinces of Buenos Aires (325), Santiago del Estero (322), La Rioja (301), Córdoba (128) and Salta (77). Intentional sampling was used, and a semi-structured questionnaire was applied. We used a quantitative approach and qualitative treatment of some variables. The average age was 17.2 years, with respect to the sex predominated the women, and to the social layer the means. 68.7% were never consulted for their state of mind, and 8 out of 10 were also not asked about self-harm. They have a hard time expressing themselves on these issues. But 87% consider it important for professionals to ask about these issues, and perceive it as a problem within society, especially in the provinces where suicide is highest. Our adolescents and young people agree to be questioned about the problem of suicide, so we should not miss the opportunity, beyond the reason for consultation, considering it is part of our work and responsibility

Near Miss: un indicador de calidad en los servicios de obstetricia / NEAR MISS: INDICATOR OF HIGH QUALITY CARE AT OBSTETRICAL SERVICES

Introducción: Near Miss (NM) o complicación materna aguda grave (CMAG), ocurre en una mujer que durante el embarazo, el parto o dentro de los 42 días posteriores a la finalización del embarazo tiene una complicación grave que la lleva a estar cerca de la muerte, pero sobrevive. Representa un mejor indicador de salud a medida que la muerte materna (MM) disminuye. Objetivo: Estimar la incidencia de los casos con CMAG, según criterios de la OMS, en el Servicio de Obstetricia del Hospital Nacional Prof. Dr. Alejandro Posadas desde 1 de agosto de 2014 al 31de julio de 2015. Resultados: Hubieron 3293 nacimientos en el servicio de obstetricia en el periodo de estudio, 20 mujeres presentaron CMAG, con uno o más criterios de elegibilidad de la OMS. Las muertes maternas (MM) en el mismo periodo fueron 4. La incidencia de CMAG fue de 0,6%. El promedio de edad fue de 27 años +/- 7, el 30% (6) eran nulíparas, el 30%(6) fueron derivadas de otra institución. La complicación severa, se presentó en un 75% durante el embarazo. Sus causas fueron: Hemorragia 30% (6), HTA 20% (4), causas respiratorias 20% (4), neurológicas 10%(2), infecciosas 5% (1) y metabólicas 10% (2), HTA y hemorragia 5%(1). La OMS clasifica los criterios de NM para determinar la insuficiencia orgánica en: clínicos, de laboratorio y terapéuticos. El 55% presentó 2 criterios, 35% 1 criterio y 10% los tres criterios. Se finalizó el embarazo en 18 pacientes, por cesárea en el 83,3% (15) y cesárea + histerectomía en 16,6% (3). Dos mujeres continúan con su embarazo. Respecto a los resultados perinatales, hubieron 3 fetos muertos y 1 embarazo gemelar, la EG promedio de los recién nacidos fue de 32+/-5 y la media de peso fue de 1865 +/- 1073 y su mediana de 1620gr (25% 850 y 75% 2535). Se calcularon los siguientes indicadores: Mujeres con enfermedades potencialmente fatales (MEPF): CMAG+MM: 24; Razón de complicaciones maternas agudas graves= CMAG/NV(x 1000 Nacidos Vivos)= 6,1/00; Razón morbilidad materna severa: RMMS: CMAG / MM = 5:1; Índice Mortalidad Materna: IMM: MM / MM +CMAG X100= 16,7% Conclusiones: El análisis de las Complicaciones Maternas Agudas graves podría usarse como indicador de calidad del cuidado materno, mejorando el sistema de vigilancia, con la cual se podría reducir la tasa de Mortalidad Materna

"Near Miss" or severe acute life-threatening maternal complication (SAMC) occurs in woman that during the pregnancy, the delivery or within the 42 days following the end of their pregnancy, has a severe complication that situates her closely to death, but contrarily survives. It represents the best indicator of health according to the decreasement of maternal deaths. The objective of this study was to estimate the incidence of cases of SAMC according to the WHO,in the Service of Obstetrics from the National Hospital "A. Posadas" between August 1° to July 31st. 2015. Results : there were 3293 deliveries in the Obstetrical Service during the period studied, of whom 20 women presented SAMC, with one or more elegibility criteria of the WHO. Maternal deaths (MD) during the same period reached 4 cases. The incidence of SAMC was 0,6 %. The mean age was 27 years +/- 7, being 30 % nulliparous,and 30 % were derivated from other institution. The severe complication was presented in 75 % during the pregnancy. Their causes were: Hemorrhage 30 % (6), AHT 20% (4), respiratory causes 20% (4), neurological 10% (2), infectious 5% (1) and metabolic 10% (2), AHT and hemorrhagic 5% (1). The WHO classifies NM criteria to determine the organic insufficiency in: clinical, from laboratory and therapeutical. 55% presented 2 criteria, 35 % 1 criterion and 10 % all three criteria.The pregnancy ended in 18 patients, by cesarean section in 83.3% (15) and cesarean + hysterectomy in 16,6% (3). Two women continue with their pregnancy. In relation with the perinatal results, 3 produced a death fetus and in 1 case a twin pregnancy, the mean EG of the newborns was 32+/- and the mean weight was 1865 +/- 1073 and their median was 1620 gr (25% 850 and 75% 2535 ). The following indicators were calculated : Women with potentially fatal diseases 24; (SAMC + MD), Reason of severe acute maternal complications = SAMC/BA (x 1000 Born Alive) = 6,1/00; Reason of severe maternal morbidity RSMM: SAMC/ MM = 5:1; Rate of Maternal Mortality: RMM: MM/MM + SAMC x 100= 16,7%. Conclusions: analysis of the severe acute maternal complications could be used as an indicator of quality for the maternal care, improving the vigilance system, by which the rate of Maternal Mortality could be reduced.

Human Polymorphisms in Placentally Expressed Genes and Their Association With Susceptibility to Congenital Trypanosoma cruzi Infection.

BACKGROUND: It is currently unclear why only a proportion of children born to Trypanosoma cruzi-infected mothers acquire the infection. We have examined the association of 11 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located in genes coding for placental expression enzymes as genetic markers of susceptibility to congenital T. cruzi infection (hereafter, "congenital infection"): rs2014683 and rs1048988 in ALPP; rs11244787 and rs1871054 in ADAM12; rs243866, rs243865, rs17859821, rs243864, and rs2285053 in MMP2; and rs3918242 and rs2234681 in MMP9. METHODS: Two groups of children born to mothers seropositive for T. cruzi were compared: 101 had congenital infection, and 116 were uninfected. Novel high-resolution melting and capillary electrophoresis genotyping techniques were designed and used. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that mutations in rs11244787 and rs1871054 (in ADAM12) and rs243866, rs17859821, and rs2285053 (in MMP2) were associated with susceptibility to congenital infection. Multifactor dimensionality reduction revealed that genotyping results for rs11244787, rs1871054, rs243866, rs17859821 and rs243864 sites would be a good predictor of congenital infection. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest an important role of human polymorphisms in proteins involved in extracellular matrix remodeling and the immune response during congenital infection. To our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the association between mutations in placentally expressed genes and susceptibility to congenital infection.

Tratamiento del prurito de la colestasis intrahepática del embarazo con transmetilación / Treatments of pruritus in intrahepatic colesthasis of pregnancy with transmetilation

Se efectúa un estudio sobre la evolución del prurito en cinco embarazadas con colestasis intrahepática, tratadas con transmetilación. Los resultados se consideran muy buenos, mejores que los vistos con drogas usualmente empleadas en esta patología como son la colesteramina y la fenobarbital

Tratamiento del prurito de la colestasis intrahepática del embarazo con transmetilación / Treatments of pruritus in intrahepatic colesthasis of pregnancy with transmetilation

Se efectúa un estudio sobre la evolución del prurito en cinco embarazadas con colestasis intrahepática, tratadas con transmetilación. Los resultados se consideran muy buenos, mejores que los vistos con drogas usualmente empleadas en esta patología como son la colesteramina y la fenobarbital (AU)