Iron-dependent erythropoiesis in women with excessive menstrual blood losses and women with normal menses

In women of fertile age, iron loss consequent to excessive menstrual discharge is by far the most frequent cause of iron-deficient anemia. However, the relationship between menstrual discharge and iron loss is poorly understood. In this prospective study, total menstrual and iron losses were assayed in a large cohort of non-anemic women and women with excessive menstrual blood losses (menorrhagia) in order to provide data useful for intervention. One hundred and five Caucasian women aged 20–45 years were recruited. Blood cell count and serum ferritin (SF) levels were determined in each case before menses. Menstrual fluid losses (MFL) were determined using a standardized pads’ weight method. Hematin concentration was assayed by a variant of the Alkaline Hematin Method from which iron concentration was calculated. Mean SF levels were 36.2 (range 8.6–100) ng/ml in healthy women and 6.4 (range 5–14) ng/ml in patients with menorrhagia. Median values of iron lost/cycle were 0.87 mg in healthy women and 5.2 mg in patients with menorrhagia (ranges 0.102–2.569 and 1.634–8.665 mg, respectively, p?<?0.001). In women with menorrhagia, iron lost/cycle strongly correlated (0.789, p?<?0.001) with MFL. In conclusion, healthy women with normal menses lose, on average, 1 mg iron/cycle. Average iron losses in patients with menorrhagia are, at least in our cohort, on average, five-to-six times higher than normal. Most women with menorrhagia had totally depleted iron stores. Indirect, quantitative evaluation of iron lost with menses may be useful to assess the risk of developing iron-deficient anemia in individual patients.     

Probabilistic classification learning with corrective feedback is associated with in vivo striatal dopamine release in the ventral striatum,while learning without feedback is not

The basal ganglia (BG) mediate certain types of procedural learning, such as probabilistic classification learning on the ‘weather prediction task’ (WPT). Patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), who have BG dysfunction, are impaired at WPT‐learning, but it remains unclear what component of the WPT is important for learning to occur. We tested the hypothesis that learning through processing of corrective feedback is the essential component and is associated with release of striatal dopamine. We employed two WPT paradigms, either involving learning via processing of corrective feedback (FB) or in a paired associate manner (PA). To test the prediction that learning on the FB but not PA paradigm would be associated with dopamine release in the striatum, we used serial ¹¹C‐raclopride (RAC) positron emission tomography (PET), to investigate striatal dopamine release during FB and PA WPT‐learning in healthy individuals. Two groups, FB, (n = 7) and PA (n = 8), underwent RAC PET twice, once while performing the WPT and once during a control task. Based on a region‐of‐interest approach, striatal RAC‐binding potentials reduced by 13–17% in the right ventral striatum when performing the FB compared to control task, indicating release of synaptic dopamine. In contrast, right ventral striatal RAC binding non‐significantly increased by 9% during the PA task. While differences between the FB and PA versions of the WPT in effort and decision‐making is also relevant, we conclude striatal dopamine is released during FB‐based WPT‐learning, implicating the striatum and its dopamine connections in mediating learning with FB. Hum Brain Mapp 35:5106–5115, 2014. © 2014 The Authors. Human Brain Mapping Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Portal vein thrombosis and liver transplantation: Implications for waiting list period,surgical approach,early and late follow-up

Portal vein thrombosis (PVT) is a well-known and relatively common complication of liver cirrhosis. In the past, PVT was considered as a contraindication for liver transplantation (LT). To characterize prevalence, risk factors, perioperative management and outcome of PVT in the setting of LT, the English literature published between 1991 and 2011 was reviewed.Of 6807 articles, 280 were selected, and 39 experiences were analyzed in detail (methodology, type and duration of treatments, peri-operative management, strategy to avoid recurrence, strengths and weaknesses, Oxford evidence level, citations). 3/39 studies were prospective; 9/39 were based on prospectively recorded databases; no studies of 1, 2a, 3a level of evidence were present; 5/39 were recognized as level 2b, 23/39 as level 3b, and 8/39 as level 4.High complication rate has been reported with consequent effect on graft and patient survival. Overall, PVT presents today good results similar to those obtained in patients without PVT undergoing LT even if they require a higher transfusion number and a longer ICU/hospital stay.Reported cases were retrospectively stratified according to Yerdel classification. Grade 1–2 patients (76%) do well with eversion thromboendovenectomy, resection of damaged vein and porto-portal anastomosis. Results of patients with grade 3–4 (24%) are inferior, however data on outcome in this subsets are fragmented and do not allow a reliable analysis. Moreover, results obtained in grade 3–4 cases are better in transplant centers with large specific experience. The small number of reports suggests caution.The role of anticoagulant treatment is still debated. Although in cirrhotics with PVT LT remains a demanding procedure, PVT should not be considered a contraindication anymore.     

Sonography of the penis/erectile dysfunction

Abdominal Radiology - Erectile dysfunction (ED) is defined as the persistent inability to achieve and/or maintain an erection for a satisfactory sexual activity. It is secondary to several organic,...     

Disease Reactivation after Fingolimod Discontinuation in Pregnant Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Recent studies estimated an incidence of 4–25% of disease rebound after withdrawal of fingolimod (FTY) for any reason, but specific data on disease reactivation after FTY withdrawal due to pregnancy are limited. The aim of the study was to evaluate the frequency and predictors of disease reactivation in patients who stopped FTY for pregnancy. A multicentre retrospective cohort study was conducted in four Italian MS centres in 2013–2019. Both planned and unplanned pregnancies were included. The annualized relapse rate (ARR) was calculated before FTY treatment, during FTY treatment, during pregnancy and during the year after delivery. In total, 27 patients (mean age 29 years) were included. The ARR 1 year before FTY treatment was 1.3. Patients were exposed to FTY for a median of 2.9 years. The ARR was 0.04 during the last year before conception (p < 0.001 compared with the ARR before FTY treatment). Eleven patients became pregnant after a mean of 88 days following FTY discontinuation, whereas 16 patients stopped FTY after pregnancy confirmation. Relapses were observed in 22% of patients during pregnancy and in 44% in the postpartum period. ARR increased both during pregnancy (0.49; p = 0.027) and in the first year after delivery (0.67; p < 0.001) compared to the last year before pregnancy. Compared with radiological assessment before pregnancy, more patients showed new or enlarging T2 lesions (63% vs 30%; p = 0.02) and gadolinium-enhancing lesions (44% vs 0; p = 0.0001) on brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Relapses during pregnancy were the only significant predictor for postpartum relapses (OR 1.9, 95% CI 1.11–3.1). One case of spontaneous abortion and no cases of abnormal foetal development were observed. Despite adequate and prolonged control of disease activity, women who discontinue FTY because of pregnancy are at risk for disease reactivation. In patients who relapsed during pregnancy, the initiation of high-efficacy disease modifying drugs (DMDs) soon after delivery is advisable to prevent postpartum relapses.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s13311-021-01106-6.     

Mineralogical and Technological Characterization of Zeolites from Basin and Range as Pozzolanic Addition of Cement

The present paper assesses petrographic, mineralogical, chemical, and technological features of different zeolitic tuff samples from various western USA districts of the Basin and Range Province containing mainly erionite, mordenite, clinoptilolite/heulandite and phillipsite. The aim of this characterization is to evaluate the pozzolanic activity of these samples according to European normative UNI-EN 196/5 (Fratini test) to program a possible use as addition for blended cements. Petrographic and mineralogical results show that the two phillipsite-bearing tuffs have a higher theoretical Cation Exchange Capacity (CEC) than the other samples; technological characterization shows a pozzolanic behavior for all the samples but higher for the tuff samples containing phillipsite, which shows a higher reactivity with CaO. All the samples could be thus advantageously employed for the preparation of blended cements, potentially reducing CO₂ emissions by 70–90%.     

Bacterial translocation in patients with liver cirrhosis: physiology,clinical consequences,and practical implications

Introduction: The gut liver axis is an operative unit that works to protect the human body against potentially harmful substances and microorganisms, maintaining the homeostasis of the immune system. Liver cirrhosis profoundly alters this complex system. The intestine becomes more permeable allowing the translocation of bacteria, bacterial products and fragments into the portal circulation, triggering an abnormal local and systemic inflammatory response and a condition of perpetual immunologic alarm. This immune-inflammatory disorder related to dysbiosis is involved in the development of liver damage and liver cirrhosis complications and increases intestinal permeability in a vicious circle.

Areas covered: The most relevant studies on bacterial translocation, the mechanism of intestinal barrier dysfunction and its consequences in patients with liver cirrhosis have been revised through a PubMed search. Data have been discussed with particular regard to their significance in clinical practice.

Expert commentary: The assessment of bacterial translocation and intestinal permeability is not currently used in clinical practice but may be useful to stratify patients’ prognosis.