How effective has the Spanish lockdown been to battle COVID-19? A spatial analysis of the coronavirus propagation across provinces

This paper examines the propagation of COVID-19 across the Spanish provinces and assesses the effectiveness of the Spanish lockdown of the population implemented on March 14, 2020 in order to battle this pandemic. To achieve these objectives, a standard spatial econometric model used in economics is adapted to resemble the popular reproduction models employed in the epidemiological literature. In addition, we introduce a counterfactual exercise that allows us to examine the Gross domestic product (GDP) gains of bringing forward the date of the Spanish Lockdown. We find that the number of COVID-19 cases would have been reduced by 70.4% in the absence of spatial propagation between the Spanish provinces. We also determine that the lockdown prevented the propagation of the virus within and between provinces. As such, the Spanish lockdown reduced the number of potential COVID-19 cases by 82.8%. However, the number of coronavirus cases would have been reduced by an additional 11.6% if the lockdown had been brought forward to March 7, 2020. Finally, an earlier lockdown would have saved approximately 26,900,000,000 euros.     

Chronic acidosis rewires cancer cell metabolism through PPARα signaling

The mechanisms linking tumor microenvironment acidosis to disease progression are not understood. Here, we used mammary, pancreatic, and colon cancer cells to show that adaptation to growth at an extracellular pH (pH_e) mimicking acidic tumor niches is associated with upregulated net acid extrusion capacity and elevated intracellular pH at physiological pH_e, but not at acidic pH_e. Using metabolic profiling, shotgun lipidomics, imaging and biochemical analyses, we show that the acid adaptation-induced phenotype is characterized by a shift toward oxidative metabolism, increased lipid droplet-, triacylglycerol-, peroxisome content and mitochondrial hyperfusion. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPARA, PPARα) expression and activity are upregulated, at least in part by increased fatty acid uptake. PPARα upregulates genes driving increased mitochondrial and peroxisomal mass and β-oxidation capacity, including mitochondrial lipid import proteins CPT1A, CPT2 and SLC25A20, electron transport chain components, peroxisomal proteins PEX11A and ACOX1, and thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP), a negative regulator of glycolysis. This endows acid-adapted cancer cells with increased capacity for utilizing fatty acids for metabolic needs, while limiting glycolysis. As a consequence, the acid-adapted cells exhibit increased sensitivity to PPARα inhibition. We conclude that PPARα is a key upstream regulator of metabolic changes favoring cancer cell survival in acidic tumor niches.     

Real world outcomes with Bortezomib Thalidomide dexamethasone and Cyclophosphamide Bortezomib dexamethasone induction treatment for transplant eligible multiple myeloma patients in a Latin American country. A Retrospective Cohort Study from Grupo Argentino de Mieloma Múltiple

Data about treatment outcomes and toxicity in Latin America are scarce. There are differences with central countries based on access to healthcare system and socioeconomic status. Argentinean Society of Hematology recommends bortezomib-based triplets for induction treatment of transplant eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Most common options are CyBorD (cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone) and VTD (bortezomib, thalidomide and dexamethasone). Main goal of our retrospective, multicentric study was to compare very good partial response rate (VGPR) or better after induction treatment in a real-world setting in Argentina. Secondary objectives included comparison of complete response (CR) post-induction and after bone marrow transplantation, grade 3-4 adverse events (AEs), progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Three hundred twenty-two patients were included (median age at diagnosis: 57 years; 52% male; 28% had ISS3; 14% with high-risk cytogenetics; median follow up: 34 months). CyBorD was indicated in 74% and 26% received VTD. In VTD arm, 72.62% of patients achieved at least VGPR vs 53.36% receiving CyBorD (odds ratio, OR: 1.96 [95% confidence interval, CI: 1.08-3.57; P = .026] after adjusting by age, ISS [International Staging System], lactate dehydrogenase levels (LDH) and cytogenetic risk. Difference in VGPR was 19.26% (95% CI: 15-24). CR rate were 35.92% (VTD) vs 22.55% (CyBorD) (adjusted OR: 2.13 [95% CI: 1.12-4.05]). Difference in CR was 13.37% (95% CI: 9.6-17.53). Adverse events (AEs) were more common with VTD (69.05% vs 55.46% for CyBorD; P = .030), especially grade 3-4 neuropathy (P = .005) and thrombosis (P = .001). Thromboprophylaxis was inadequate in 20.24% of patients. Hematological AEs were more common with CyBorD, especially thrombocytopenia (P = .017). PFS and OS at 24 months were not different between treatments. In this real-world setting, VTD was associated with better CR and VGPR than CyBorD. Nevertheless, CyBorD continues to be the preferred induction regimen in Argentina, based on safety profile. Frontline autologous stem cell transplantation improves quality of responses, especially in countries with limited access to new drugs.     

Redefining synchronous colorectal cancers based on tumor clonality

To analyze the possible clonal origin of a part of Synchronous colorectal cancer (SCRC), we studied 104 paired-SCRCs from 52 consecutive patients without hereditary forms of CRC. We used a Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism array to characterize the genomic profiles, and subsequently used a statistical application to define them according to clonality within the same individual. We categorized the ensuing groups according to colonic location to identify differential phenotypes. The SCRC Monoclonal group (M) (19 cases) was divided into Monosegmental (MM) and Pancolonic (MP) groups. The SCRC Polyclonal group (P) (33 cases) was also divided into Monosegmental (PM) and Pancolonic (PP), the first exhibiting preference for left colon. The MM group showed a high rate of mucinous tumors, the lowest mean-number of tumors and associated-polyps, and the worst prognosis. The MP group included the largest mean-number of associated-polyps, best prognosis and familial cancer component. The PM group seemed to be a “frontier” group. Finally, the PP group also exhibited a mucin component, the highest mean-number of tumors (4.6) compared with the mean-number of polyps (7.7), poor prognosis and sporadic cases. Most relevant differential genomic regions within M groups were gains on 1q24 and 8q24, and deletions on 1p21 and 1p23 for MM, while within P were the gains on 7q36 and deletions on 1p36 for PM. The statistical application employed seems to define clonality more accurately in SCRC -more likely to be polyclonal in origin-, and together with the tumor locations, helped us to configure a classification with prognostic and clinical value.     

Effectiveness of High Power Ultrasound for Surimi-Based Preparation of Lionfish (Pterois volitans) Patties by Textural,Sensory and Shape Preference

Lionfish is an invasive and predatory species with low local consumption due to a lack of culinary knowledge of its preparation. A new way to prepare lionfish was proposed to increase variety and provide added value. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high power ultrasound application on the textural properties measured by the texture profile analysis, sensory attributes, and shape preference of surimi patties (rounded and square) made from lionfish. Patties were prepared using lionfish surimi processed with ultrasound (37 kHz; 150 W), sodium citrate (0.3%), sucrose (1%), and salt (2%). Ultrasound exposure increased the hardness of the patties by 35.1%, decreased cohesiveness by 89.7%, and decreased the chewiness by 49.1%. Results show that high power ultrasound showed potential as an environmentally friendly technology to create surimi as a base for patties with sensory and textural appropriateness, increasing the potential culinary applications of lionfish.     

Glucocorticoids Decrease Longitudinal Bone Growth in Pediatric Kidney Transplant Recipients by Stimulating the FGF23/FGFR3 Signaling Pathway

Renal transplantation (RTx) is an effective therapy to improve clinical outcomes in pediatric patients with terminal chronic kidney disease. However, chronic immunosuppression with glucocorticoids (GCs) reduces bone growth and BMD. The mechanisms causing GC-induced growth impairment have not been fully clarified. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a peptide hormone that regulates phosphate homeostasis and bone growth. In pathological conditions, FGF23 excess or abnormal FGF receptors (FGFR) activity leads to bone growth impairment. Experimental data indicate that FGF23 expression is induced by chronic GC exposure. Therefore, we hypothesize that GCs impair bone growth by increasing FGF23 expression, which has direct effects on bone growth plate. In a post hoc analysis of a multicentric randomized clinical trial of prepubertal RTx children treated with early GC withdrawal or chronic GC treatment, we observed that GC withdrawal was associated with improvement in longitudinal growth and BMD, and lower plasma FGF23 levels as compared with a chronic GC group. In prepubertal rats, GC-induced bone growth retardation correlated with increased plasma FGF23 and bone FGF23 expression. Additionally, GC treatment decreased FGFR1 expression whereas it increased FGFR3 expression in mouse tibia explants. The GC-induced bone growth impairment in tibiae explants was prevented by blockade of FGF23 receptors using either a pan-FGFR antagonist (PD173074), a C-terminal FGF23 peptide (FGF23180-205) which blocks the binding of FGF23 to the FGFR-Klotho complex or a specific FGFR3 antagonist (P3). Finally, local administration of PD173074 into the tibia growth plate ameliorated cartilage growth impairment in GC-treated rats. These results show that GC treatment partially reduces longitudinal bone growth via upregulation of FGF23 and FGFR3 expression, thus suggesting that the FGF23/Klotho/FGFR3 axis at the growth plate could be a potential therapeutic target for the management of GC-induced growth impairment in children.     

Pseudoquistes abdominales,una complicación rara de los sistemas de derivación ventrículo-peritoneal: revisión sistemática de la literatura

Since the first report in 1954, abdominal pseudocysts have been recognized as a particularly uncommon complication of ventriculoperitoneal shunts of CSF, so their etiology, diagnosis, and therapeutic management remain very controversial.Our objective is to offer a critical and updated systematic review of those controversial points, using a thorough search and review of the most relevant literature available.The clinical presentation of pseudocysts is normally through non-specific abdominal symptoms. The most validated etiology consists on the existence of a concomitant infection of the CSF shunt system, and so, treatment needs of antibiotherapy and total or partial substitution of the system. However, the pseudocyst itself doesn’t need an active treatment, except for some specific cases. This management, algorithmically presented in the present work, achieves a lower recurrence rate than other options, but this one is still important, and is also associated with other complications of those shunts related with several other factors which need to be taken in account.