Lack of effects of the TNF-alpha and IL-10 gene polymorphisms in Mexican patients with lepromatous leprosy

Several human genetic variants have been associated with susceptibility or resistance to leprosy. The aim of this study was to assess whether gene polymorphisms of -308 G/A TNF-alpha and -819 T/C IL-10 are associated with lepromatous leprosy in Mexican mestizos patients from northwest Mexico. We genotyped these polymorphisms by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and restriction fragment length polymorphisms (RFLPs) in 68 patients with lepromatous leprosy and 144 healthy Mexican Mestizos controls. We found that the -308G TNF-alpha allele was predominant in both cases (94.3%) and controls (92.3%) without statistical significance and the frequencies of -819C IL-10 allele were also similar for the cases (56.0%) and controls (59.0%). These negative findings suggest that other genes or polymorphisms may be important in the susceptibility to leprosy infection in the Mexican mestizos.     

Small-Volume,Fast-Emptying Gastric Pouch Leads to Better Long-Term Weight Loss and Food Tolerance After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Introduction

Anatomical and functional influences on gastric bypass (GBP) results are often poorly evaluated and not yet fully understood.

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the influence of the gastric pouch volume and its emptying rate on long-term weight loss and food tolerance after GBP.

Materials and Methods

Weight loss, food tolerance, pouch volumetry (V) by three-dimensional reconstruction, and pouch emptying rate by 4 h scintigraphy were evaluated in 67 patients. Cutoffs were identified for V and retention percentage (%Ret) at 1 h (%Ret1). From these parameters, the sample was categorized, looking for associations between V, %Ret, weight loss, and food tolerance, assessed by a questionnaire for quick assessment of food tolerance (SS).

Results

PO median follow-up time was 47 months; median V was 28 mL; %Ret at 1, 2, and 4 h were 8, 2, and 1%, respectively. There were associations between V ≤ 40 mL and higher emptying rates up to 2 h (V ≤ 40 mL: %Ret1 = 6, %Ret2 = 2, p = 0.009; V > 40 mL: %Ret1 = 44, %Ret2 = 13.5, p = 0.045). An association was found between higher emptying speed in 1 h and higher late weight loss (WL), represented by lower percentage of excess weight loss (%EWL) regain (p = 0.036) and higher %EWL (p = 0.033) in the group with %Ret1 ≤ 12%, compared to the group %Ret1 ≥ 25%. Better food tolerance (SS > 24), was associated with lower %Ret1 (p = 0.003).

Conclusion

Smaller pouch size is associated with a faster gastric emptying, greater WL maintenance, and better food tolerance. These data suggest that a small pouch with rapid emptying rate is an important technical parameter for good outcomes in GBP.

     

One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Versus Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass as Revisional Surgery After Sleeve Gastrectomy: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The demand for revisional bariatric surgery after sleeve gastrectomy (SG) has increased, but the ideal procedure remains unclear. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed to compare the outcomes of weight loss and safety of one-anastomosis gastric bypass (OAGB) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) as revisional procedures for failed SG. Four retrospective comparative studies were included, comprising 499 individuals. Patients submitted to OAGB had a more significant total weight loss (TWL) (MD =  − 5.89%; 95% CI − 6.80 to − 4.97) after revisional surgery. Overall early complication rate was similar between procedures (RD = 0.04; 95% CI: − 0.05 to 0.12). Limited and heterogeneous data prevent meaningful conclusions, but the present analysis suggests that OAGB has a better TWL after revisional surgery.

Graphical abstract

     

Visceral injury without hemoperitoneum: A limitation of screening abdominal sonography for trauma

Abdominal sonography for the detection of hemoperitoneum has become increasingly popular as a screening test for visceral injury after blunt trauma. The purpose of this study was to determine the frequency, severity, and clinical significance (outcome) of abdominal organ injuries that occur without hemoperitoneum on the initial evaluation of blunt abdominal trauma patients.During a 12-month period, 3392 blunt trauma patients were admitted to our center. Sonographic studies were performed as an initial screening evaluation to determine the presence of hemoperitoneum in 772 (22.7%) of these patients. Abdominal visceral injuries were verified by computed tomography (CT) or surgery in 196 (5.8%) of all blunt trauma admissions. Sonography, CT, and operative findings were reviewed to determine the presence or absence of hemoperitoneum in patients with abdominal injury. Patients with abdominal visceral injury without hemoperitoneum were further analyzed to identify the type of injury and the management required.A total of 246 abdominal injuries were identified in 196 patients. Fifty (26%) patients with abdominal visceral injuries diagnosed by admission CT scan had no evidence of hemoperitoneum. Admission sonography performed in 15 (30%) of these 50 patients also showed no evidence of hemoperitoneum. Visceral injuries detected by CT in the patients without hemoperitoneum included 22 of 100 splenic injuries (22%), 18 of 91 hepatic injuries (20%), 12 of 26 renal injuries (46%), and 1 of 9 mesenteric injuries (11%). Surgery was required to manage injuries in 10 of these patients.Up to 26% of blunt trauma patients with abdominal visceral injuries do not have associated hemoperitoneum identified on admission abdominal CT or sonography. Dependence on hemoperitoneum as the sole criterion of abdominal visceral injury after blunt trauma will result in falsely negative examinations and will miss potentially significant injuries.     

Tumefactive multiple sclerosis requiring emergency craniotomy: Case report and literature review

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease of the central nervous system, characterized by focal neurological dysfunction with a relapsing and remitting course. Tumor-like presentation of MS (or “tumefactive”/“pseudotumoral” presentation) has been described before with a certain frequency; it consists of a large single plaque (>2 cm) with presence of edema and mass effect and it is hard to distinguish from a brain tumor. However, we present a very rare case of a 53-year-old woman with a right temporal mass that turned out to be a MS plaque, who deteriorated within hours (brain herniation with loss of consciousness and unilateral mydriasis) and required an emergency craniotomy. We also present a review of the literature. It appears that only 4 cases of emergency craniotomy/craniectomy required in a patient with a tumor-like MS plaque have been reported before.     

Revista del a?o de la EPOC

There have been significant advances in the knowledge in the thoracic and extrathoracic aspects of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in the past few years. COPD is associated with numerous comorbidities, the prevalences of which have recently been evaluated. Dyspnea has been shown to be associated with neuropsychiatric disturbances, such as anxiety. Muscular dysfunction has been associated with inflammation and oxidative stress, in which respiratory muscle satellite cells play an important role in repair. Respiratory rehabilitation and physiotherapy must form an important part of individualised patient treatment analogous to the pharmacological treatment. As regards acute exacerbations, infection is the cause of 75% of them, sputum characteristics and the suspicion of Pseudomonad being key factors in the antibiotic treatment. Questions, such as markers which can detect the origin of the infection, prognostic factors, or the role of short stay pneumology units, are of particular importance. The variability in COPD treatments and the lack of suitable international clinical guidelines, continue to be subjects of debate. To the poor use of the treatment schemes in the guidelines, can be added the irregular uses of inhaled medication, the insufficient use of medical advice or the low intervention in cigarette smoking in all age groups.     

Sustained remission of CIDP associated with Evans syndrome

A patient with chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) developed Evans syndrome (hemolytic anemia/thrombocytopenia) 17 months after onset of symptoms despite different immunomodulatory treatments. A therapeutic approach with the chimeric monoclonal anti-CD20 antibody rituximab induced substantial improvement of CIDP and hematologic recovery. The patient remains in sustained remission 17 months after completion of therapy. Rituximab may represent a successful therapy in otherwise refractory CIDP.     

Pre-hospital antibiotic treatment and mortality caused by invasive meningococcal disease, adjusting for indication bias

Background  

Mortality from invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) has remained stable over the last thirty years and it is unclear whether pre-hospital antibiotherapy actually produces a decrease in this mortality. Our aim was to examine whether pre-hospital oral antibiotherapy reduces mortality from IMD, adjusting for indication bias.     

Plocamenols A-C, novel linear polyhalohydroxylated monoterpenes from Plocamium cartilagineum

Three new minor linear polyhalohydroxylated marine monoterpenes, plocamenols A-C (1-3), have been isolated from the red alga Plocamium cartilagineum. The structure and relative stereochemistry of these compounds were determined on the basis of spectroscopic evidence.