Edad al momento del trasplante: ¿Quiénes tienen riesgo de mala evolución ? / Age at transplantation: who are at risk of a poor outcome ?

Introducción: Si bien la sobrevida de paciente e injerto en niños con trasplante renal (TxR) ha mejorado, algunos sugieren que la edad al TxR es predictora de malos resultados, y los mayores tendrían peor evolución. Objetivo: Definir sobrevida de paciente e injerto según edad al TxR, y factores pronósticos de fracaso en aquellos con peor evolución. Material y métodos: Cohorte retrospectivo de todos los pacientes con TxR en el Hospital Garrahan desde el 01-01-2002 hasta el 01-03-2016. Resultados: de 431 pacientes, 44, (10%) tenían < 6a, 179 (42%)> 6 y <12 y 208 (48%) ≥12 años. La sobrevida del paciente a 8 años fue 97%, 99% y 95% (p=0,2), y la del injerto de: 86%, 69% y 30% respectivamente (p=<0,001). En los ≥ de 12 años, con peor evolución, se incluyeron al análisis univariado como factores de riesgo de pérdida de injerto: GSFS como causa de IRC : HR: 9,4; (p<0,001), Rechazo Agudo (RA) temprano: HR: 8,1; (p<0,001), RA tardío: HR: 4,3; (p<0.001), DGF: HR: 4,1; (p<0,001), No adherencia: HR: 2,3; (p=0,02), Edad de DC > 35a: HR: 1,95 (p=0,1), Tiempo en diálisis: HR: 1,1 (p=0,1), Número de incompatibilidades HLAB y HLADR: HR: 0,8 (p=0,3), Tiempo de Isquemia : 0,9 (p=0,5), Sexo del receptor: HR:0,8 (p=0,6), Donante Cadavérico: HR: 1,2; (p=0,6), 2do TxR : HR: 1,2; (p=0,7). En análisis multivariado: RA tardío: HR: 12,9 (p<0,001), GSFS como causa de IRC: HR: 12,5 (p<0,001), RA temprano: HR: 9 (p<0,001), y DGF: HR: 4,9 (p<0,001). Conclusión: la sobrevida del injerto en adolescentes es inferior. Merecen atención, la prevención de la no adherencia asociada a rechazo, el paciente con GSFS y el retardo de la función pos TxR (AU)

Introduction: Although patient and graft survival of children with a kidney transplantation (KTx) has improved, it has been suggested that older age at KTx is a predictive factor of poor outcome. Aim: To evaluate patient and graft survival according to age at KTx and define predictive factors in those with a poor outcome. Material and methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in all patients who underwent KTx at Garrahan Hopital between 01-01-2002 and 01-03-2016. Results: Of 431 patients, 44 (10%) were <6yr, 179 (42%) >6yr, and <12yr, and 208 (48%) ≥12yr. Eight-year patient survival was 97%, 99%, and 95% (p=0.2) and graft survival was 86%, 69%, and 30% (p=<0.001), respectively. In children ≥12 yr, with a worse outcome, the following risk factors of graft loss were included in univariate analysis: FSGS-related CFR: HR: 9.4; (p<0.001), early acute rejection (AR): HR: 8.1; (p<0.001), late AR: HR: 4.3; (p<0.001), DGF: HR: 4.1; (p<0.001), non-adherence: HR: 2.3; (p=0.02), age of deceased donor >35yr: HR: 1.95 (p=0.1), time on dialysis: HR: 1.1 (p=0.1), number of HLA-B and HLA-DR mismatches: HR: 0.8 (p=0.3), cold ischemia time: 0.9 (p=0.5), recipient sex: HR:0.8 (p=0.6), deceased donor: HR: 1.2; (p=0.6), second KTx: HR: 1.2; (p=0.7; and in multivariate analysis: late AR: HR: 12.9 (p<0.001), FSGS-related CFR: HR: 12.5 (p<0.001), early AR: HR: 9 (p<0.001), and DGF: HR: 4.9 (p<0.001). Conclusion: Graft survival is lower in adolescents. Prevention of rejection associated with non-adherence, FSGS, and post-KTx DGF should be taken into account (AU)

Spontaneous resolution of acute rejection and tolerance induction with IL-2 fusion protein in vascularized composite allotransplantation.

Vascularized composite allotransplantation (VCA) has emerged as a treatment option for treating nonlife-threatening conditions. Therefore, in order to make VCA a safe reconstruction option, there is a need to minimize immunosuppression, develop tolerance-inducing strategies and elucidate the mechanisms of VCA rejection and tolerance. In this study we explored the effects of hIL-2/Fc (a long-lasting human IL-2 fusion protein), in combination with antilymphocyte serum (ALS) and short-term cyclosporine A (CsA), on graft survival, regulatory T cell (Treg) proliferation and tolerance induction in a rat hind-limb transplant model. We demonstrate that hIL-2/Fc therapy tips the immune balance, increasing Treg proliferation and suppressing effector T cells, and permits VCA tolerance as demonstrated by long-term allograft survival and donor-antigen acceptance. Moreover, we observe two distinct types of acute rejection (AR), progressive and reversible, within hIL-2/Fc plus ALS and CsA treated recipients. Our study shows differential gene expression profiles of FoxP3 versus GzmB, Prf1 or interferon-γ in these two types of AR, with reversible rejection demonstrating higher Treg to Teff gene expression. This correlation of gene expression profile at the first clinical sign of AR with VCA outcomes can provide the basis for further inquiry into the mechanistic aspects of VCA rejection and future drug targets.

The copia retrotransposon and horizontal transfer in Drosophila willistoni.

The copia element is a retrotransposon that is hypothesized to have been horizontally transferred from Drosophila melanogaster to some populations of Drosophila willistoni in Florida. Here we have used PCR and Southern blots to screen for sequences similar to copia element in South American populations of D. willistoni, as well as in strains previously shown to be carriers of the element. We have not found the canonical copia element in any of these populations. Unlike the P element, which invaded the D. melanogaster genome from D. willistoni and quickly spread worldwide, the canonical copia element appears to have transferred in the opposite direction and has not spread. This may be explained by differences in the requirements for transposition and in the host control of transposition.

[Clinical characteristics and endoscopic-histologic correlation in patients with chronic non-specific ulcerative colitis]. / Características clínicas y correlación endoscópico-histológica en pacientes con colitis ulcerosa crónica inespecífica.

UNLABELLED: Our objective was to evaluate prospectively, objectively and in a systematic way the evaluation of patients with Ulcerative Colitis (UC) with moderate activity. We studied 14 outpatients, who were evaluated for an experimental therapeutic protocol. The activity of the disease was established using clinical, endoscopic and histologic parameters. The Kappa Index (K) was used for statistical analysis. The average number of bowel movements was 4/day; rectal bleeding and urgency were found in 100%, diarrhea in 78% and abdominal pain in 64%. The severity of rectal bleeding and urgency was graded II or III in 92% and 78% respectively. The correlation between endoscopy and histology (K = 0.55), and between clinical and endoscopy (K = 0.45) was moderate. There was no correlation between clinical and histological parameters. IN CONCLUSION: the variability of symptoms impairs the clinical evaluation as the unique method to determine the activity of UC and to take therapeutical decisions is necessary to perform a endoscopic/histology correlation.

Phase II study of the safety and efficacy of a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor in patients with ulcerative colitis.

We examined the effects of an inhibitor of 5-lipoxygenase (A-64077) in 11 patients with mild to moderately active ulcerative colitis (UC). Treatment was a daily oral dose of 800 mg for 28 days. Physicians global rating (scale 1-50) included stool characteristics, rectal bleeding, abdominal and rectal pain, urgency, and general well being; sigmoidoscopic evaluation (scale 1-15) included mucosal vascular pattern, erythema, granularity/ulcerations, friability, and exudate. All of the patients experienced a decrease in discomfort of their disease, and the gross appearance in the sigmoidoscopy improved in eight of them, but were not accompanied by histologic improvement. No significant side effects occurred. A long-term controlled double-blind and dose-effect trial using 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors is needed which may lead to a new therapeutic approach in UC.

Elapsed treatment days--a critical item for radiotherapy quality control review in head and neck trials: RTOG report.

For all randomized trials since 1978, the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group has required the study chairman for radiation therapy to review the treatment given to each patient. The chairman scores the compliance of the treatment borders, total dose, fraction, and total elapsed time relative to the protocol prescription at the primary site, regional nodes, and any critical structure. The individual parameters are then considered together to derive an "overall" treatment score. For two RTOG head and neck studies in patients with moderately and very advanced carcinomas, the "overall" treatment was classified as unacceptable if the treatment at primary was scored unacceptable with respect to dose, fractionation, and field borders. However, prolonged elapsed treatment was not included. Analysis of these studies with 426 evaluable patients was performed to assess the relationship of unacceptable "overall" treatment compliance with outcome. Patients with prolonged treatment elapsed days (14 days beyond the protocol prescription) exhibited significantly poorer loco-regional control (13% vs. 27% at 3 years with p = .007) and absolute survival (13% vs. 26% at 3 years with p = .01). As a result, the criteria for unacceptable "overall" treatment were revised to include prolonged elapsed treatment days. Further multivariate analyses showed the revised criteria identified patients with significantly poorer loco-regional control and absolute survival even after adjusting for other prognostic factors.