Management of early gestations with low beta-human chorionic gonadotropin conceived by assisted reproductive technologies: performance of M4 predictive model.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the safety and performance of the M4 model for classifying as high risk or low risk for ectopic pregnancy (EP) pregnancies conceived by assisted reproductive technologies (ART) that present with low beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (ß-hCG) concentration in early gestation. METHODS: This was a prospective cohort study of 243 pregnancies conceived by ART with low ß-hCG levels (5-50 IU/L) at 4 + 0 to 4 + 2 weeks' gestation. After subsequent ß-hCG testing at 48 h, pregnancies were classified according to the M4 model into the following categories: (i) high risk, probable EP/persistent pregnancy of unknown location (PPUL), when the risk for EP was ≥ 5%; (ii) low risk, probable intrauterine pregnancy (IUP), when the risk of EP was < 5% and the likelihood of IUP was greater than that of a failed pregnancy of unknown location (FPUL); and (iii) low risk, probable FPUL, when the risk of EP was < 5% and the likelihood of a FPUL was greater than that of an IUP. The predictive performance of the M4 model for EP and its ability to discriminate between high- and low-risk pregnancies was assessed using the final pregnancy outcome at 11 to 13 weeks of gestation as reference, which was classified as EP/PPUL, FPUL or IUP. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity of the M4 model in detecting a high-risk pregnancy (EP/PPUL) were 60.0% (95% CI, 43.6-74.4%) and 79.8% (95% CI, 73.8-84.7%), respectively. The area under the receiver-operating-characteristics curve of the M4 model for discriminating between high-risk and low-risk (FPUL/IUI) pregnancies was 0.72 (95% CI, 0.62-0.81). The model had a positive likelihood ratio of 2.97 (95% CI, 2.03-4.36) and a negative likelihood ratio of 0.50 (95% CI, 0.33-0.76). The kappa index was 0.30 (95% CI, 0.16-0.43), indicating a low degree of agreement between the model classification and the final diagnosis. No serious adverse events related directly to the application of the M4 model were observed, although 14 pregnancies classified ultimately as high risk had been categorized initially as low risk by the M4 model. Of these, seven resolved with expectant management, five with methotrexate (MTX) and two required laparoscopic surgery (one after failure of medical treatment with MTX and one after deviation from the follow-up protocol). There were no cases of EP/PPUL with additional complications or need for blood or other blood product transfusion. Of the 243 ART pregnancies with low ß-hCG concentration in early gestation, only 47 (19.3%) had an IUP, half (24/47) of which had an early miscarriage, resulting in only 9.5% (23/243) cases having an ongoing pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: Application of the M4 model in pregnancies conceived by ART with low ß-hCG concentration in early gestation showed limited capacity in classifying them as being at low or high risk for EP, therefore, its use in pregnancies of this type is not recommended. No serious adverse events or complications related to the use of the model were observed. These pregnancies have a low probability of ending in an IUP as well as a high rate of early miscarriage. © 2021 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

The effect of paternal exposure to immunosuppressive drugs on sexual function, reproductive hormones, fertility, pregnancy and offspring outcomes: a systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Information regarding the possible influence of immunosuppressive drugs on male sexual function and reproductive outcomes is scarce. Men diagnosed with immune-mediated diseases and a wish to become a father represent an important neglected population since they lack vital information to make balanced decisions about their treatment. OBJECTIVE AND RATIONALE: The aim of this research was to systematically review the literature for the influence of paternal immunosuppressive drug use on many aspects of male sexual health, such as sexual function, fertility, pregnancy outcomes and offspring health outcomes. SEARCH METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed in the bibliographic databases: Embase (via Elsevier embase.com), MEDLINE ALL via Ovid, Cochrane Central Register of Trials (via Wiley) and Web of Science Core Collection. Additionally, Google Scholar and the Clinical trial registries of Europe and the USA were searched. The databases were searched from inception until 31 August 2019. The searches combined keywords regarding male sexual function and fertility, pregnancy outcomes and offspring health with a list of immunosuppressive drugs. Studies were included if they were published in English and if they included original data on male human exposure to immunosuppressive drugs. A meta-analysis was not possible to perform due to the heterogeneity of the data. OUTCOMES: A total of 5867 references were identified, amongst which we identified 161 articles fulfilling the eligibility criteria. Amongst these articles, 50 included pregnancy and offspring outcomes and 130 included sexual health outcomes. Except for large Scandinavian cohorts, most of the identified articles included a small number of participants. While a clear negative effect on sperm quality was evident for sulfasalazine and cyclophosphamide, a dubious effect was identified for colchicine, methotrexate and sirolimus. In three articles, exposure to tumour necrosis factor-α inhibitors in patients diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis resulted in improved sperm quality. The information regarding pregnancy and offspring outcomes was scant but no large negative effect associated with paternal immunosuppressive drug exposure was reported. WIDER IMPLICATIONS: Evidence regarding the safety of immunosuppressive drugs in men with a wish to become a father is inconclusive. The lack of standardisation on how to evaluate and report male sexual function, fertility and reproduction as study outcomes in men exposed to immunosuppressive drugs is an important contributor to this result. Future research on this topic is needed and should be preferably done using standardised methods.

Sexual function and reproduction can be impaired in men with rheumatic diseases: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Information about the possible effect of rheumatic diseases on male sexual function and reproduction (sexual health) is scarce and difficult to summarize. Factors known to impair sexual health, such as inflammation, medication use and hypogonadism can be present in a significant proportion of male patients with rheumatic diseases. OBJECTIVES: The objective of our study was to systematically review the literature for the influence of paternal rheumatic disease on sexual health, such as sexual function, reproductive hormones, male fertility, pregnancy and offspring outcomes. DATA SOURCES: English language articles identified through Embase, MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), Web of Science, Google Scholar and the Clinical trial registries of Europe and the USA published until February 2019. STUDY APPRAISAL AND SYNTHESIS METHODS: Literature was synthesized in narrative form and in summary tables. Outcomes were categorized as: sexual function, reproductive hormones, fertility and pregnancy and offspring outcomes. Results are presented per category and per disease. RESULTS: 9735 articles were identified with our search strategy. After removal of duplicates, excluding articles by screening titles and abstracts and assessing eligibility by reading 289 fulltext articles, 87 articles fulfilled the eligibility criteria. All included studies enrolled patients diagnosed with a rheumatic disease and had results at least on one of the outcome categories. Sexual function was the most common category, followed by reproductive hormones, fertility and pregnancy and offspring outcomes. Sexual function is impaired in a high proportion of patients with rheumatic diseases. This was statistically significant in most of the studies where a control group was available. Clinically relevant abnormalities in reproductive hormones were mainly identified in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and a positive correlation with disease activity were reported. Semen quality in men with rheumatic diseases can be impaired in patients with SLE, SpA, sarcoidosis, BD and MWS. Sperm count and motility were the most common semen quality parameters affected. No negative effect of paternal RA and vasculitis on pregnancy outcomes were reported in 3 studies. No studies reporting the effect of paternal disease on offspring outcomes were identified. LIMITATIONS: Most of the studies included in this review suffer from an inconsistent methodological quality, definitions of outcomes varied in several studies, a wide variety of screening questionnaires and/or diagnostic tools were used and results might only apply to the specific populations that were studied. CONCLUSIONS: This systematic review suggests that sexual health is impaired in men with rheumatic diseases. The degree and extent of sexual health impairment vary per disease. More research is needed to fully understand the link between rheumatic diseases and impaired male sexual health. Meanwhile, rheumatologists should be aware of this association and discuss it with their patients. IMPLICATIONS OF KEY FINDINGS: Sexual health of men with rheumatic diseases can be impaired by the disease itself. Especially in men trying to conceive, information on sexual function, reproductive hormones and sperm quality are needed to identify these problems. Treatment resulting in lower disease activity can improve overall sexual health in man with rheumatic diseases and facilitate their journey to fatherhood. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION NUMBER: PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018099845.

Creation of optical speckle by randomizing a vortex-lattice.

We investigate the number of vortices embedded in a carrier beam needed to produce a speckle pattern and the necessary conditions in terms of their initial distribution and topological charges. A spatial light modulator is used to imprint arrays of vortices in a Gaussian beam, which is propagated in free space for a given distance and then focused in order to induce interaction among the vortices in the focal region. The resulting optical field is analyzed after propagation up to a transverse plane where the carrier beam would recover its initial size in the absence of vortices. The role of different control parameters for obtaining ordered and disordered patterns is discussed. Our experimental study is complemented with a thorough numerical analysis, from which the statistical properties of the disordered patterns are characterized, and the conditions for obtaining well-developed speckle are determined. We also discuss the creation and annihilation of vortex pairs, depending on the initial conditions.

Cell Death Mechanisms in Tumoral and Non-Tumoral Human Cell Lines Triggered by Photodynamic Treatments: Apoptosis, Necrosis and Parthanatos.

Cell death triggered by photodynamic therapy can occur through different mechanisms: apoptosis, necrosis or autophagy. However, recent studies have demonstrated the existence of other mechanisms with characteristics of both necrosis and apoptosis. These new cell death pathways, collectively termed regulated necrosis, include a variety of processes triggered by different stimuli. In this study, we evaluated the cell death mechanism induced by photodynamic treatments with two photosensitizers, meso-tetrakis (4-carboxyphenyl) porphyrin sodium salt (Na-H2TCPP) and its zinc derivative Na-ZnTCPP, in two human breast epithelial cell lines, a non-tumoral (MCF-10A) and a tumoral one (SKBR-3). Viability assays showed that photodynamic treatments with both photosensitizers induced a reduction in cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner and no dark toxicity was observed. The cell death mechanisms triggered were evaluated by several assays and cell line-dependent results were found. Most SKBR-3 cells died by either necrosis or apoptosis. By contrast, in MCF-10A cells, necrotic cells and another cell population with characteristics of both necrosis and apoptosis were predominant. In this latter population, cell death was PARP-dependent and translocation of AIF to the nucleus was observed in some cells. These characteristics are related with parthanatos, being the first evidence of this type of regulated necrosis in the field of photodynamic therapy.

Placas alopécicas en una cocinera / Alopecic Plaques in a Cook

No disponible

Taponamiento cardíaco por neumopericardio debido a lesión de arma blanca / Cardiac tamponade by pneumopericardium due to stab injury

No disponible

Comparación del tratamiento con infusión subcutánea continua de insulina frente a la terapia con múltiples dosis de insulina con calculador de bolus en pacientes con diabetes tipo 1 / Comparison of treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion versus multiple daily insulin injections with bolus calculator in patients with type 1 diabetes

OBJETIVOS: Comparar el control glucémico, la calidad de vida, así como el miedo y percepción de las hipoglucemias en el grupo de infusión subcutánea continua de insulina (ISCI) frente a la terapia con múltiples dosis de insulina (MDI) con calculador de bolus. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Estudio de cohortes retrospectivo con seguimiento durante los 12 primeros meses desde que el grupo ISCI (n = 30) comienza a utilizar el «bolus ayuda» y el grupo MDI-calculador (n = 30), comienza a utilizar el calculador de bolus (Accu-Chek® Aviva Expert). Variable de desenlace primaria: HbA1c (3, 6 y 12 meses). Cuestionarios empleados: EsDQOL (calidad de vida), FH-15 (miedo a las hipoglucemias), Clarke (percepción de las hipoglucemias). Análisis estadístico: T de Student y pruebas no paramétricas. RESULTADOS: El descenso medio de HbA1c a lo largo del estudio fue significativamente mayor en el grupo ISCI (−0,56 ± 0,84%) que en el grupo MDI (0,097 ± 0,94%), p = 0,028. La dosis media de insulina basal fue significativamente mayor en el grupo MDI (al inicio, 6 y 12 meses). No se encontraron diferencias significativas entre ambos grupos de tratamiento en los cuestionarios EsDQOL, FH-15 y Clarke. La calidad de vida percibida por los pacientes, valorada mediante el cuestionario EsDQOL, en el grupo ISCI fue significativamente mejor al final del estudio que al inicio de la utilización de la bomba de insulina. CONCLUSIONES: El descenso medio de HbA1c fue significativamente mayor en el grupo ISCI. Se objetivó una mejor calidad de vida en el grupo ISCI al final del estudio que al inicio

OBJECTIVES: A study of the glycemic control, quality of life, and fear and perception of hypoglycemia by comparing continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) group with multiple daily inyections (MDI) with bolus calculator group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study with following up during the first 12 months that CSII group (n = 30) begins the use of "bolus wizard" and the MDI-calculator (n = 30) group begins the use of the bolus calculator (Accu-Chek® Aviva Expert). Primary outcome: HbA1c (3, 6 and 12 months). Questionnaires used: EsDQOL (quality of life), FH-15 (fear of hypoglycemia), and Clarke (perception of hypoglycemia). Statistical analysis: T Student and nonparametric tests. RESULTS: The average reduction in HbA1c during the study was significantly higher in CSII group (−0.56 ± 0.84%) compared with the MDI group (0.097 ± 0.94%), P = .028. The average basal insulin dose was significantly higher in the MDI group (at baseline, 6 and 12 months). No significant differences were found between the 2 treatment groups after analyzing the EsDQOL, FH-15 and Clarke questionnaires. In the CSII group, perceived quality of life assessed by the EsDQOL questionnaire was found to be better at the end of the study than at the beginning of using the insulin pump. CONCLUSIONS: The average reduction in HbA1c was significantly higher in the CSII group. In the CSII group, perceived quality of life was better at the end of the study than at the beginning

Comparison of treatment with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion versus multiple daily insulin injections with bolus calculator in patients with type 1 diabetes.

OBJECTIVES: A study of the glycemic control, quality of life, and fear and perception of hypoglycemia by comparing continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) group with multiple daily inyections (MDI) with bolus calculator group. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This is a retrospective cohort study with following up during the first 12 months that CSII group (n=30) begins the use of "bolus wizard" and the MDI-calculator (n=30) group begins the use of the bolus calculator (Accu-Chek(®) Aviva Expert). PRIMARY OUTCOME: HbA1c (3, 6 and 12 months). Questionnaires used: EsDQOL (quality of life), FH-15 (fear of hypoglycemia), and Clarke (perception of hypoglycemia). STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: T Student and nonparametric tests. RESULTS: The average reduction in HbA1c during the study was significantly higher in CSII group (-0.56±0.84%) compared with the MDI group (0.097±0.94%), P=.028. The average basal insulin dose was significantly higher in the MDI group (at baseline, 6 and 12 months). No significant differences were found between the 2 treatment groups after analyzing the EsDQOL, FH-15 and Clarke questionnaires. In the CSII group, perceived quality of life assessed by the EsDQOL questionnaire was found to be better at the end of the study than at the beginning of using the insulin pump. CONCLUSIONS: The average reduction in HbA1c was significantly higher in the CSII group. In the CSII group, perceived quality of life was better at the end of the study than at the beginning.

Acromegalia ectópica por carcinoide bronquial / Ectopic acromegaly due to a bronchial carcinoid

Los tumores que causan acromegalia ectópica pueden hacerlo a través de la secreción de GH o de GHRH. Se han descrito un centenar de casos de acromegalia ectópica por secreción de GHRH. Dado la rareza de esta patología presentamos un caso clínico con el objetivo de aportar nuestra experiencia diagnóstico-terapéutica y de seguimiento posterior. Se presenta el caso de una paciente con rasgos físicos acromegaloides de varios años de evolución. Deforma concomitante también presentaba otros síntomas acompañantes sugestivos de posible origen bronquial. Ante la sospecha clínica de acromegalia se optó por confirmarlo bioquímicamente y posteriormente mediante estudio de imagen. Se descartó el origen hipofisario por lo que se realizó el despistaje de un tumor neuroendocrino bronquial y/o gastrointestinal por serlas localizaciones más frecuentes. El tratamiento de elección fue la resección quirúrgica (AU)

Tumours that cause ectopic acromegaly can do so through the secretion of GH or GHRH. A hundred cases of ectopic acromegaly due to secretion of GHRH have been described. Given the rarity of this pathology, we present a clinical case with the aim of contributing our diagnostic-therapeutic experience and the subsequent follow-up. We present the case of a patient with acromegaloid physical features that had evolved over several years. Concomitantly, he also presented other accompanying symptoms that suggestive of a possible bronchial origin. Facing the clinical suspicion of acromegaly, we opted to confirm it biochemically and subsequently through image study. A hypophysary origin was ruled out, so we carried out screening for a bronchial neuroendocrine and/or gastrointestinal tumor as they are the most frequent localizations. The treatment of choice was surgical resection (AU)

Reacción granulomatosa a tatuaje permanente de las cejas / Foreign body granulomas after eyebrow tattoos

El tatuaje cosmético permanente de pestañas, cejas y labios, se ha convertido en una práctica habitual. Sin embargo, existen riesgos y complicaciones, adherentes a esta práctica. Presentamos el caso de una paciente, sin antecedentes personales de interés que a las 3 semanas de realizar un tatuaje permanente cosmético de sus cejas, comenzó con entumecimiento y quemazón, en el área tatuada. Tras la evaluación completa de la paciente, y las pruebas realizadas, hacemos el diagnóstico de reacción granulomatosa a cuerpo extraño (AU)

Cosmetic tattoing, including the eyebrows, eyelids, and gingiva, is increasingly popular in today’s society. Despite the wide popularity of tattoos, there are complications after the process of tattooing. The case report is a woman who had no drug allergies and was not taking any medication. The patient presented with a 3-week history of swelling and irritation at the sites accompanied by burning and itching, after receiving injections of permanent cosmetic inks to the eyesbrows. Histophatology and others laboratory test disclose foreign body granulomas (AU)

[Ectopic acromegaly due to a bronchial carcinoid]. / Acromegalia ectópica por carcinoide bronquial.

Tumours that cause ectopic acromegaly can do so through the secretion of GH or GHRH. One hundred cases of ectopic acromegaly due to secretion of GHRH have been described. Given the rarity of this pathology, we present a clinical case with the aim of contributing our diagnostic-therapeutic experience and the subsequent follow-up. We present the case of a patient with acromegaloid physical features that had evolved over several years. Concomitantly, he also presented other accompanying symptoms that were suggestive of a possible bronchial origin. Facing the clinical suspicion of acromegaly, we opted to confirm it biochemically and subsequently through image study. A hypophysary origin was ruled out, so we carried out screening for a bronchial neuroendocrine and/or gastrointestinal tumor as they are the most frequent localizations. The treatment of choice was surgical resection.