Vaginal neutrophils eliminate sperm by trogocytosis.

STUDY QUESTION: What is the vaginal polymorphonuclear (PMN) spermicidal mechanism to reduce the excess of sperm? SUMMARY ANSWER: We show that PMNs are very efficient at killing sperm by a trogocytosis-dependent spermicidal activity independent of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY: Trogocytosis has been described as an active membrane exchange between immune cells with a regulatory purpose. Recently, trogocytosis has been reported as a mechanism which PMNs use to kill tumour cells or Trichomonas vaginalis. STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION: We used in vivo murine models and human ex vivo sperm and PMNs to investigate the early PMN-sperm response. PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS: We set up a live/dead sperm detection system in the presence of PMNs to investigate in vivo and ex vivo PMN-spermicidal activity by confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and computer-assisted sperm analysis (SCA). MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE: We revealed that PMNs are highly efficient at killing sperm by way of a NETs-independent, contact-dependent and serine proteases-dependent engulfment mechanism. PMNs 'bite' sperm and quickly reduce sperm motility (within 5 min) and viability (within 20 min) after contact. LARGE SCALE DATA: N/A. LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION: This study was conducted using murine models and healthy human blood PMNs; whether it is relevant to human vaginal PMNs or to cases of infertility is unknown. WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS: Vaginal PMNs attack and immobilize excess sperm in the vagina by trogocytosis because sperm are exogenous and may carry pathogens. Furthermore, this mechanism of sperm regulation has low mucosal impact and avoids an exacerbated inflammatory response that could lead to mucosal damage or infertility. STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S): This work was partially supported by Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness ISCIII-FIS grants, PI16/00050, and PI19/00078, co-financed by ERDF (FEDER) Funds from the European Commission, 'A way of making Europe' and IiSGM intramural grant II-PI-MRC-2017. M.R. holds a Miguel Servet II contract (CPII14/00009). M.C.L. holds IiSGM intramural contract. There are no competing interests.

Impact of assisted reproduction treatments on Spanish newborns: report of 14,119 pregnancies.

PURPOSE: To investigate neonatal malformation, prematurity, and stillbirth in singleton and multiple pregnancies derived from different Assisted Reproductive Techniques (ART). METHODS: In this prospective cohort study data were collected, from private and public Spanish IVF units, during the years 2008 and 2009. During this period, 8,682 pregnancies were analysed from the initial 14,119 pregnancies reported. Pregnancies included in the study derived from IUI (n = 1,065), IVF (n = 838), ICSI (n = 5,080), FET (n = 1,404) and PGD (n = 295). This first analysis focuses primarily on neonatal malformation, prematurity, and stillbirth both in singleton and multiple pregnancies derived from different ART. Malformations were classified according to the WHO ICD 10 code. RESULTS: Malformations were found in 0.83 % of our newborns. No differences in malformations were observed between singletons or multiples independently of the ART used. There was a significant difference in prematurity rate among singletons depending on treatment but this association was not observed in multiple pregnancies. Stillbirth was significantly lower in singleton (0.72 %) than in multiple pregnancies (1.82 %). CONCLUSIONS: The percentage of malformations observed in ART newborns was similar to the rate observed in the normally-conceived Spanish population. Multiplicity seems to be the most important factor associated with an increased incidence of newborn complications such as prematurity or stillbirth.

Arteriolopatía urémica calcificante o calcifilaxia / Uremic calcific arteriolopathy orcalciphylaxis

La calcifilaxia constituye una entidad diferenciada de las calcificaciones metastásicas de los tejidos blandos en la insuficiencia renal crónica. Se trata de una calcificación de la capa media de las arterias de pequeño calibre que termina originando úlceras necróticas de predominio en miembros inferiores. El diagnóstico se realiza por biopsia profunda. El desbridamiento de estas heridas junto con la antibioterapia para prevenir la sobreinfección y la sepsis constituyen la base más eficaz en el manejo de estas lesiones. El pronóstico es desalentador pues la sepsis puede provocar la muerte hasta en un 80% de los pacientes en los 9 meses siguientes al diagnóstico

Calciphylaxis is a disease differentiated from metastatic calcifications of the soft tissues in chronic kidney failure. It is a small artery disease with medial calcification that finally causes necrotic ulcers, mainly on the lower limbs. Diagnosis is based on deep biopsy. Cleaning the cutaneous ulcers along with antibiotic treatment to prevent infection and secondary sepsis is the most effective management of these lesions. Its prognosis is discouraging because sepsis can cause death in up to 80% of the patients within nine months following the diagnosis

[Comparison of 4 anesthetic techniques for in vitro fertilization]. / Comparación de cuatro técnicas anestésicas para fecundación in vitro.

UNLABELLED: Little is known of the effect on oocytes of anesthesia administered during retrieval. The main objective of this study was to compare the prolactin and stress hormone responses to surgical stimulus under 4 anesthetic techniques and to determine whether there is an effect of technique on the number and quality of oocytes retrieved. METHODS: We designed a clinical trial to determine the plasma and follicular levels of prolactin and cortisol in patients in an assisted reproduction program. The patients were randomized to 3 anesthetic groups: general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, or sedation with alfentanil and midazolam plus paracervical block. Patients were consecutively assigned to the fourth group to receive sedation with remifentanil plus paracervical block. RESULTS: We studied 90 patients. The patients receiving general anesthesia had the greatest increase in prolactin by the end of the procedure. Follicular cortisol increased in the paracervical block group in which remifentanil was used for sedation. The only significant difference between groups was seen for the rate of gestation of 0% in the group receiving sedation with alfentanil and midazolam before a paracervical block. Adverse effects were few with all the techniques. All patients reported a high degree of satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma increases in prolactin and hormonal responses to follicular puncture were fully attenuated by spinal anesthesia and partially attenuated by the techniques requiring sedation. None of the anesthetic techniques proved harmful to oocytes or embryos. Nor was the effectiveness of the in vitro fertilization technique affected by any of the anesthetic techniques studied.

Comparación de cuatro técnicas anestésicas para fecundación in vitro / Comparison of 4 anesthetic techniques for in vitro fertilization

El posible efecto de la anestesia administrada para la recuperación de ovocitos, en su funcionalidad, no es bien conocido. El objetivo principal de este trabajo es comparar los efectos sobre la respuesta de la prolactina y de las hormonas de estrés al estímulo quirúrgico de cuatro técnicas anestésicas diferentes y determinar si estas variaciones influyen en el número y calidad de ovocitos METODOLOGÍA: Diseñamos un ensayo clínico para determinar los niveles plasmáticos y foliculares de prolactina (PRL) y cortisol en pacientes programadas para técnicas de reproducción asistida (TRA). Distribución aleatoria en tres de ellos, y consecutiva en el grupo III. Grupo I: Anestesia general; Grupo II: Anestesia espinal; Grupo III: Sedación (remifentanilo)+bloqueo paracervical; Grupo IV: Sedación (alfentanilo+midazolam)+bloqueo paracervical. RESULTADOS: Se estudiaron 90 pacientes. La elevación de PRL es máxima en el grupo I al final del procedimiento. Aumenta el cortisol folicular en el grupo III. No hemos encontrado diferencias entre los grupos en las tasas salvo la tasa de gestación en el grupo IV 0%. Los efectos indeseables fueron escasos con todas las técnicas. Todas las pacientes tienen un elevado grado de satisfacción. CONCLUSIONES: El aumento de prolactina plasmática, respuesta hormonal de las pacientes a la punción folicular, queda totalmente atenuado por la anestesia espinal y parcialmente por la sedación. Ninguna técnica anestésica ha demostrado ser deletérea para los ovocitos ni para los embriones ni ha disminuido la eficacia del procedimiento de fecundación in vitro

Little is known of the effect on oocytes of anesthesia administered during retrieval. The main objective of this study was to compare the prolactin and stress hormone responses to surgical stimulus under 4 anesthetic techniques and to determine whether there is an effect of technique on the number and quality of oocytes retrieved. METHODS: We designed a clinical trial to determine the plasma and follicular levels of prolactin and cortisol in patients in an assisted reproduction program. The patients were randomized to 3 anesthetic groups: general anesthesia, spinal anesthesia, or sedation with alfentanil and midazolam plus paracervical block. Patients were consecutively assigned to the fourth group to receive sedation with remifentanil plus paracervical block. RESULTS: We studied 90 patients. The patients receiving general anesthesia had the greatest increase in prolactin by the end of the procedure. Follicular cortisol increased in the paracervical block group in which remifentanil was used for sedation. The only significant difference between groups was seen for the rate of gestation of 0% in the group receiving sedation with alfentanil and midazolam before a paracervical block. Adverse effects were few with all the techniques. All patients reported a high degree of satisfaction. CONCLUSIONS: Plasma increases in prolactin and hormonal responses to follicular puncture were fully attenuated by spinal anesthesia and partially attenuated by the techniques requiring sedation. None of the anesthetic techniques proved harmful to oocytes or embryos. Nor was the effectiveness of the in vitro fertilization technique affected by any of the anesthetic techniques studied

[Olive oil: influence and benefits on some pathologies]. / Aceite de oliva: influencia y beneficios sobre algunas patologías.

The olive tree has been one of the agriculture bases in Mediterranean countries with a great economic and social significance. The oil derivative from it fruit can be classified in different kinds according with their quality, being the highest exponent the so-called pure olive oil that contribute in unquestionable benefits for the maintenance of health, illness prevention as well as a better evolution when the illness is present. There are some studies that prove these benefits in pathologies like cancer specially breast and stomach cancer (colon, endometrium and ovary cancer too). Gastrointestinal pathology like peptic ulcer, cholelithiasis and gastric mobility. Rheumatoid arthritis decreasing it development risk and improving it evolution. Diabetes mellitus increasing insulin sensibility and decreasing blood pressure and atherogenic lipoprotein.

Adecuación de las formas farmacéuticas de dosificación de la terapia antirretroviral / Adequation of pharmaceutical formulation dosage in antiretroviral therapy

No disponible

[Use of enteral nutrition products in a general hospital]. / Utilización de productos de nutrición enteral en un hospital general.

The present work aims to study the use of enteral nutrition (EN) products during the period between October 1996 and January 1997, in a general hospital with a nutrition unit. The EN expenditure ascended to 3,343,475 Pesetas, with the supplements representing the greatest cost percentage (39.1%). An indication-prescription study was carried out by reviewing 120 clinical histories of patients who had received EN during that period. The patients originated in different departments of the hospital, excluding the ICU, chronic patients, pediatrics, and palliative care. Data regarding sex, age, diagnosis, diet used, calories/day given, route of administration, and selection criterion for the diet were analysed. The average age of the patients was 64.59 years. The most common diagnoses were solid tumors (32.5% of the cases), followed by cerebrovascular accidents (16.7% of the cases). The most commonly used EN preparation was the Pentadrink hypercaloric diet (36.7% of the cases), followed by the standard diet (25.8%). The route of administration used most frequently was the oral route in 63.3% of the cases. The calories/day given varied per diet, with this being 886 cal for the hypercaloric diet, and 1,839 cal for the standard diet. Among the criteria for selecting an EN diet 50% of the patients had abnormal protein metabolism and a normal digestive capacity with slight or moderate stress, 12.5% were diabetic; and the remainder presented other criteria that influenced the choice for a specific type of EN diet. From the analysis of the results it is clear that Pentadrink is used as a supplement, and that there are patients with a sometimes insufficient caloric supply.