Arthroscopic bone block metal-free fixation for anterior shoulder instability. Short-term functional and radiological outcomes. / Fijación artroscópica sin metal del bloque óseo en la inestabilidad anterior del hombro. Resultados funcionales y radiológicos a corto plazo.

INTRODUCTION: Anterior glenohumeral bone loss reconstruction reduces failure rates after soft tissue surgery in patients with large glenoid bone defects. Multiple bone block techniques have been described, most with metal hardware fixation. The objective of this study is to evaluate the safety, as well as the short-term functional and radiological results of an arthroscopic bone block metal-free fixation or bone block cerclage. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective study of patients with glenohumeral instability and>15% glenoid bone loss operated during 2019 with follow-up of at least 12 months. Radiography and computerized tomography studies were performed. Functional outcomes were evaluated before and after surgery with the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index and Rowe score. RESULTS: A total of 21 patients with a median age of 30.6 (SD 7.1) were included. All showed radiographic consolidation at 3 months follow-up. A percentage of 90.4 of bone grafts presented osteolysis at peripherical areas and 95.2% revealed consolidation in the areas with contact to the glenoid. The median glenoid estimated surface went from 79.3% before surgery to 98.4% at 12 months. Functional scores were statically significant (P<.001) for Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (35.6-86.9) and Rowe score (25.2 to 96.4). No serious complications were reported. CONCLUSION: The bone block cerclage is a safe, metal-free technique that achieves total consolidation of the bone graft and favorable functional and radiological outcomes at 12 months follow-up.

Characterisation and expression of pbs25, a sexual and sporogonic stage specific protein of Plasmodium berghei.

Following gametogenesis and fertilisation in the bloodmeal within the mosquito midgut, the newly formed zygotes of the malaria parasite develop into motile invasive ookinetes. During this development, surface molecules are synthesised de novo including molecules of 21-28 kDa from the zygote-ookinete stages. An antiserum recognising a 26 kDa protein of Plasmodium berghei was used to clone the corresponding gene from a cDNA library, which was shown to be identical to the reported Pbs25 gene sequence. We show here that Pbs25 was detectable in preparations of gametes 30 min post-gametocyte activation, expression continued on zygotes, ookinetes and oocysts indicating there is a significant overlap of expression of the two immunogenic zygote-ookinete proteins belonging to the P25/28 protein family of sexual stage antigens. Biochemical analysis of Pbs25 demonstrates the presence of a malaria-specific glycosylphosphatidylinositol (GPI) anchor. Antibodies recognising Pbs25 impaired parasite development in the mosquito.

Novel type of BCR-ABL transcript in a chronic myelogenous leukaemia patient relapsed after bone marrow transplantation.

We identified a novel BCR-ABL transcript in a chronic myelogenous leukaemia (CML) patient who relapsed after bone marrow transplantation (BMT), containing a fusion between part of BCR exon 3, 44 nucleotides derived from ABL intron 1b and ABL exon 2. The breakpoints were located within BCR exon 3 on chromosome 22 and within the ABL intron 1b on chromosome 9, and the transcript derives from a splicing of ABL exon 2 to a putative splicing acceptor site 44 nucleotides downstream to the breakpoint on chromosome 9. The patient's clinical course strengthens the idea that short forms of BCR-ABL transcripts are associated with a more aggressive disease.

Hypermethylation of the calcitonin gene in acute lymphoblastic leukaemia is associated with unfavourable clinical outcome.

We analysed calcitonin (CALC1) gene hypermethylation using semiquantitative differential polymerase chain reaction in 105 patients with adult (n = 49) and childhood (n = 56) acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), and studied the association of CALC1 hypermethylation with clinical presentation features and disease outcome. We also investigated the possible relationship between CALC1 methylation status and expression of the cell cycle inhibitor gene p57KIP2. We observed CALC1 hypermethylation in bone marrow cells from 43% (45 out of 105) of ALL patients. Clinical, molecular and laboratory features did not differ significantly between hypermethylated and hypomethylated patients, only T-cell lineage was associated with hypermethylation (14% vs. 47%, P = 0025). Complete remission rate was similar in both groups although hypermethylated patients had a higher relapse rate (68% vs. 19%, P < 0.00001) and mortality rate (55% vs. 36%, P = 0.06) than hypomethylated patients. Estimated disease-free survival (DFS) at 6 years was 66.1% for hypomethylated patients and 5.3% for hypermethylated patients (P < 0,00001). Multivariate analysis from potential prognostic factors demonstrated that CALC1 methylation status was an independent prognostic factor in predicting DFS (P = 0.0001). Separate analysis of adult and childhood ALL patients showed similar results to the whole series. In addition, hypermethylated patients showed downregulation of p57KIP2 expression. Our results suggest that CALC1 gene hypermethylation is associated with an enhanced risk of relapse independently of known poor-prognostic factors and we describe, for the first time, a possible implication of the p57KIP2 gene in the genesis and prognosis of ALL.

Phenotypic confirmation of extended-spectrum B-lactamases (ESBL) in clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae at the San Juan Veterans Affairs Medical Center

Extended-spectrum Beta (beta)-lactamases (ESBLs) have emerged as an important mechanism of resistance to B-lactam antibiotics in gram-negative bacteria (GNB). They are enzymes that hydrolyze older B-lactam antibiotics as well as broad-spectrum cephalosporins and monobactams. ESBL producers have been reported in many bacteria but special attention has been paid to the ones in E.coli and Klebsiella spp. Detection of the ESBLs by the clinical laboratory is a special challenge. Surveillance to monitor resistance is important to decide when detection of ESBLs must be started. This study determined the prevalence of ESBL producers in the strains E.coli and K.pneumoniae at the San Juan VA Medical Center, and characterized their phenotypes to evaluate the importance to identify these bacteria as a standard routine procedure in the institution. All E.coli and K.pneumoniae isolated from Jan 1 to Mar 31, 2003 were evaluated according to National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards (NCCLS) screening criteria for suspected ESBL producers. Phenotypic confirmation of the ESBL production was performed using the Etest method. A total of 112/253 (44%) E.coli and 72/137 (53%) K.pneumoniae were identified as suspected ESBL producers. Etest was performed in 60% of the E.coli and 57% of the K.pneumoniae suspected to be ESBL producers. The overall ESBL prevalence for E.coli was 25% and in K.pneumoniae was 26%. Most E.coli ESBL-producers were from urine while the K.pneumoniae were from sputum. ESBL-producers were isolated from different sources including pleural and synovial fluids, blood, and skin besides urine and sputum. According to susceptibility results, the most reliable antibiotic in predicting a negative ESBL was cefpodoxime (CPD), and in the strains studied, the ESBL producers were consistently resistant to aztreonam (ATM). A large proportion (95%) of ESBL producing K.pneumoniae were susceptible to cefepime (CEP). Of the ESBL producing E.coli, 24% were susceptible. In the case of E.coli ESBLproducers, Cefepime can be considered as a therapeutic option if susceptibilities are available. Automated identification and sensitivity systems are valid alternatives for routine evaluation of B-lactam resistance but when increased resistance is documented in GNB and/or ESBL prevalence is high, ESBL detection should be performed. All confirmed ESBL producers should be reported resistant to all penicillins, cephalosporins, and aztreonam in spite of having susceptible ra