Risk for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Healthcare Workers,Turin, Italy

We measured severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 spike protein subunits S1/S2 antibodies by using capillary electrophoresis and a chemiluminescence immunoassay for 5,444 active healthcare workers in Italy. Seroprevalence was 6.9% and higher among participants having contact with patients. Seroconversion was not observed in 37/213 previously infected participants.     

The beneficial effects of fractional CO2 laser treatment on perineal changes during puerperium and breastfeeding period: a multicentric study

Lasers in Medical Science - Childbirth is a great change in woman life because of hormonal, physical and psychological alterations that are associated with this process. Dyspareunia and perineal...     

Infection by CagA-Positive Helicobacter pylori Strains and Bone Fragility: A Prospective Cohort Study

Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection is a common and persistent disorder acting as a major cofactor for the development of upper gastrointestinal diseases and several extraintestinal disorders including osteoporosis. However, no prospective study assessed the effects of HP on bone health and fracture risk. We performed a HP screening in a population-based cohort of 1149 adults followed prospectively for up to 11 years. The presence of HP infection was assessed by serologic testing for serum antibodies to HP and the cytotoxin associated gene-A (CagA). The prevalence of HP infection did not differ among individuals with normal bone mineral density (BMD), osteoporosis, and osteopenia. However, HP infection by CagA-positive strains was significantly increased in osteoporotic (30%) and osteopenic (26%) patients respect to subjects with normal BMD (21%). Moreover, anti-CagA antibody levels were significantly and negatively associated with lumbar and femoral BMD. Consistent with these associations, patients affected by CagA-positive strains had a more than fivefold increased risk to sustain a clinical vertebral fracture (HR 5.27; 95% CI, 2.23–12.63; p < .0001) and a double risk to sustain a nonvertebral incident fracture (HR 2.09; 95% CI, 1.27–2.46; p < .005). Reduced estrogen and ghrelin levels, together with an impaired bone turnover balance after the meal were also observed in carriers of CagA-positive HP infection. HP infection by strains expressing CagA may be considered a risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures. Further studies are required to clarify in more detail the underlying pathogenetic mechanisms of this association. © 2020 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).     

Human liver stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles reduce injury in a model of normothermic machine perfusion of rat livers previously exposed to a prolonged warm ischemia

Livers from donors after circulatory death (DCD) are a promising option to increase the donor pool, but their use is associated with higher complication rate and inferior graft survival. Normothermic machine perfusion (NMP) keeps the graft at 37°C, providing nutrients and oxygen supply. Human liver stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles (HLSC-EVs) are able to reduce liver injury and promote regeneration. We investigated the efficacy of a reconditioning strategy with HLSC-EVs in an experimental model of NMP. Following total hepatectomy, rat livers were divided into 4 groups: (i) healthy livers, (ii) warm ischemic livers (60 min of warm ischemia), (iii) warm ischemic livers treated with 5 × 10⁸ HLSC-EVs/g-liver, and (iv) warm ischemic livers treated with a 25 × 10⁸ HLSC-EVs/g-liver. NMP lasted 6 h and HLSC-EVs (Unicyte AG, Germany) were administered within the first 15 min. Compared to controls, HLSC-EV treatment significantly reduced transaminases release. Moreover, HLSC-EVs enhanced liver metabolism by promoting phosphate utilization and pH self-regulation. As compared to controls, the higher dose of HLSC-EV was associated with significantly higher bile production and lower intrahepatic resistance. Histologically, this group showed reduced necrosis and enhanced proliferation. In conclusion, HLSC-EV treatment during NMP was feasible and effective in reducing injury in a DCD model with prolonged warm ischemia.     

Coloanal anastomosis after resection of low rectal cancer in the elderly

Twenty-two patients had coloanal anastomoses performed after resection of low rectal tumors (16 adenocarcinomas and 6 large degenerated villous adenomas). The patients had an average age of 72 years (range: 62–85). A hand-sewn anastomosis was performed between a J-shaped colonic reservoir and the anal sphincter, except in 3 patients who underwent a straight end-to-end coloanal suture without pouch. A defunctionalized stoma was made in 18 cases. Mortality within 30 days of operation was 9%. Specific complications occurred in 2 patients (9%). Mean follow-up in this series was 20.2±11.7 months (± standard deviation). Fifteen patients were alive and free of disease up to 54 months after surgery. One patient was found to have local recurrence at 19 months. The actuarial 3-year survival rate was 73% in the whole group (operative mortality included). Functional results were good in 16 of 19 patients, with an average 1.8–2.9 stools/24 hours and the continence rate was good. Three patients had complications requiring a permanent colostomy. From these preliminary results, coloanal anastomosis appears to be satisfying in regard to oncologic results and affords good anal function, even in the elderly patient (over 62 years of age).

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Resumen Veintidos pacientes fueron sometidos a anastomosis después de la resecciôn de tumores rectales bajos (16 adenocarcinomas y 6 grandes adenomas vellosos con degeneración carcinomatosa), con edad promedio de 72 años (rango: 62–85). Se practicó anastomosis manual entre un reservorio colónico construído en forma de J y el esfínter anal, excepto en 3 pacientes sometidos a sutura colo-anal términoterminal sin construcción de bolsa. Se practicó un estoma de funcionante en 18 casos. La mortalidad en los primeros 30 días después de la operación fue 9%. Se presentaron complicaciones específicas en 2 pacientes (9%). El seguimiento promedio en la serie fue de 20.2±11.7 meses (± de). Quince pacientes se encuentran vivos y libres de enfermedad hasta por 54 meses. Un paciente demostró recurrencia local a los 19 meses. La tasa actuarial de sobrevida a 3 anos es de 73% para el grupo total (incluyendo la mortalidad operatoria). Los resultados funcionales fueron buenos en 16 de 19 pacientes, con un promedio de 1.8 a 2.9 deposiciones/24 horas y buena continencia. Tres pacientes presentaron complicaciones que requirieron colostomía permanente. Según estos resultados preliminares, la anastomosis colo-anal aparece como un procedimiento satisfactorio en relación con los resultados oncológicos y provee buena función anal aun en el paciente anciano (mayor de 62 años).

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Résumé Vingt-deux patients ont eu une anastomose coloanale après résection d'une tumeur rectale basse (16 adénocarcinomes et 6 tumeurs villeuses larges dégénérées). L'âge moyen des patients était de 72 ans (extrêmes 62 et 85 ans). Dix-neuf patients ont eu une anastomose manuelle entre un réservoir colique en J et le canal anal, alors que 3 ont eu une anastomose manuelle termino-terminale coloanale sans réservoir. Une colostomie de décharge a été ajoutée dans 18 cas. La mortalité des 30 premiers jours postopératoires a été de 9%. Deux patients (9%) ont eu des complications spécifiques. La survie moyenne a été de 20.2±11.7 mois (± ET). A 54 mois, 15 patients sont en vie et sans maladie. Une récidive locale a été décelée chez un patient à 19 mois. La survie actuarielle à 3 ans est de 73% pour l'ensemble des patients (mortalité opératoire incluse). Les résultats fonctionnels étaient bons chez 16 des 19 patients. Ces patients avaient en moyenne 1.8 à 2.9 selles par 24 heures et la continence était bonne. Trois patients avaient des complications nécessitant une colostomie permanente. D'après ces premiers résultats, il semble que l'anastomose coloanale donne de bons résultats du point de vue oncologique avec conservation d'une fonction sphinctérienne satisfaisante, même chez le patient âgé (plus de 62 ans).

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Presented at the Société Internationale de Chirurgie in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, September, 1989.