Influence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease severity on carotid adventitial vasa vasorum.

Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) affects a quarter of the world's population and encompasses a spectrum of liver conditions, from non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) to inflammation and fibrosis. In addition, NAFLD also links to extrahepatic conditions like diabetes or obesity. However, it remains unclear if NAFLD independently correlates with the onset and progression of atherosclerosis. Material and methods: This cross-sectional study aimed to explore the relationship between NAFLD severity, assessed via liver biopsy, and early atherosclerosis using adventitial vasa vasorum (VV) density. It included 44 patients with obesity (33 with steatosis, 11 with NASH) undergoing bariatric surgery. Results: Results revealed no significant differences in adventitial VV density between steatosis and NASH groups, neither in the mean values [0.759 ± 0.104 vs. 0.780 ± 0.043, P=0.702] nor left-right sides. Similarly, carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) did not vary between these groups. Additionally, no linear correlation existed between VV density and cIMT. Only gender showed an association with VV density. Conclusion: These findings suggest that NASH severity doesn't independently drive early atherosclerosis or affects cIMT. Gender might play a role in early atherosclerotic disease in NAFLD, impacting VV density and cIMT. This highlights the need to consider other risk factors when evaluating cardiovascular risk in NAFLD patients.

Assessment of dyspneic sensation in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: Individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) should be considered a susceptible group for pulmonary dysfunction. So, we aimed to evaluate the sensation of breathlessness in this population by administering two well-validated questionnaires. Methods: This is a crosssectional study with 592 people without known respiratory disease (353 with T2D) who answered the modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) questionnaire. In addition, 47% also responded to the St George Respiratory Questionnaire, a specific instrument designed to be applied to patients with obstructive airway disease. Results: Patients with T2D showed a higher mMRC score in comparison to the control group [1.0 (0.0 - 4.0) vs. 0.0 (0.0 - 4.0), p<0.001]. A higher prevalence of subjects with mMRC ≥2 was observed in T2D that in the control group (20.2% vs. 11.6%, p=0.004). Participants with T2D and mMRC ≥2 showed a higher HbA1c (8.2 ± 1.6% vs. 7.8 ± 1.6%, p=0.048), longer T2D evolution and higher prevalence of nephropathy. In the multivariate analysis, the presence of T2D [OR=1.95 (1.19 to 3.22), p=0.008] in all the population, and HbA1c [OR=1.19 (1.01 to 1.41), p=0.034] and the presence of diabetic nephropathy [OR=2.00 (1.14 to 3.52), p=0.015] in patients with T2D, predicted a mMRC ≥2. Finally, no differences were observed regarding the SGRQ score among groups. Conclusions: Patients with T2D showed a greater sensation of dyspnea than subjects with normal carbohydrate metabolism. Risk factors included poor metabolic control and the presence of renal disease.

Dapagliflozin plus exenatide on patients with type 2 diabetes awaiting bariatric surgery in the DEXBASU study.

The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist family together with the renal sodium/glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors have garnered interest as potential therapeutic agents for subjects with type 2 diabetes and obesity. In these patients, bariatric surgery is indicated based in a BMI ≥ 35 kg/m2. A 24-week non-blinded, randomized pilot study to assess the efficacy of subcutaneous exenatide 2.0 mg once weekly plus oral dapagliflozin 10 mg once daily (Group A) compared to a control group (Group B) in 56 patients with type 2 diabetes awaiting bariatric surgery was conducted (EudraCTid.: 2017-001,454-33). Both groups received an energy-deficit low-fat diet. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients running off the criteria for bariatric surgery at the end of the follow-up period (BMI ≤ 35.0 kg/m2 or a BMI ≤ 40.0 kg/m2 plus an HbA1c ≤ 6.0%). Changes in the BMI were also of interest. The proportion of patients who ran off the criteria for bariatric surgery was larger in Group A than in the control group (45.8% vs. 12.0%, p = 0.010). Participants in Group A exhibited an absolute decrease in body weight and BMI of 8.1 kg (95%IC: - 11.0 to - 5.2) and 3.3 kg/m2 (95%IC: - 4.5 to - 2.2), respectively (p < 0.001 for both in comparison with Group B). A higher percentage of participants in Group A reached a BMI < 35 kg/m2 (45.8 vs 12.0%) and lost > 10% of their initial body weight (20.8 vs 0%) compared to Group B. The combination of exenatide plus dapagliflozin appears as a strategic option to reduce the waiting list for bariatric surgery, especially in those patients with type 2 diabetes.

Liraglutide Improves Forced Vital Capacity in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes: Data From the Randomized Crossover LIRALUNG Study.

To evaluate the effect of liraglutide, a glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonist, on pulmonary function and serum levels of surfactant protein D (SP-D) in type 2 diabetes. A double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled clinical trial comprising 76 patients with a baseline forced expiratory volume in 1 s <90% of that predicted. Liraglutide was administered for 7 weeks (2 weeks of titration plus 5 weeks at 1.8 mg daily). This short duration was intentional to minimize weight loss as a potential confounding factor. Serum level of SP-D was used as a biomarker of alveolar-capillary barrier integrity. Liraglutide exerted a positive impact on forced vital capacity (FVC) in comparison with placebo (ΔFVC 5.2% of predicted [from 0.8 to 9.6]; P = 0.009). No differences in the other pulmonary variables were observed. Participants under liraglutide treatment also experienced a decrease in serum SP-D (P = 0.038). The absolute change in FVC correlated with final serum SP-D in participants receiving liraglutide (r = -0.313, P = 0.036). Stepwise multivariate regression analysis showed that final serum SP-D independently predicted changes in FVC. In conclusion, liraglutide increased FVC in patients with type 2 diabetes. This effect was associated with a significant decrease of circulating SP-D, thus pointing to a beneficial effect in the alveolar-capillary function.

Metástasis cutánea como primera manifestación de un carcinoma papilar capsulado de mama / Cutaneous metastasis as the first manifestation of an encapsulated papillary carcinoma of the breast

Introducción La mama es el órgano interno que con más frecuencia produce metástasis en la piel en las mujeres. Puede ser un signo de enfermedad sistémica avanzada o ser la primera manifestación de un cáncer asintomático. No se han descrito hasta la fecha metástasis cutáneas por carcinomas papilares capsulados de mama. Caso clínico Mujer de 76 años, con elevada comorbilidad y mastectomía radical modificada izquierda 25 años antes por carcinoma ductal infiltrante. Acudió al servicio de Dermatología por una lesión tumoral vascularizada, sangrante y dolorosa de 0,8cm de diámetro localizada en zona retroauricular mastoidea izquierda. Se realizó biopsia escisional de la lesión que, tras estudio anatomopatológico, fue diagnosticada de metástasis cutánea de cáncer de mama. La mamografía derecha y la ultrasonografía demostraron la presencia de un nódulo de 38mm, bien delimitado. La pieza de tumorectomía demostró la presencia de un carcinoma papilar capsulado, antes conocido también como intraquístico. El estudio de extensión resultó negativo para otras metástasis. Conclusión La mama es el origen más frecuente de las metástasis cutáneas de neoplasias internas. Las formas de presentación son variadas y el clínico debe mantener un alto índice de sospecha para poder realizar un diagnóstico adecuado y precoz. (AU)

Introduction The breast is the internal organ that most often produces skin metastasis in women. Metastasis can be a sign of advanced systemic disease or the first manifestation of asymptomatic cancer. To date, there have been no descriptions of cutaneous metastases from papillary carcinomas encapsulated in the breast. Clinical case We report the case of a 76-year-old woman with high comorbidity and a modified radical mastectomy 25 years previously due to infiltrating ductal carcinoma. The patient attended the dermatology department due to a painful, vascularized, bleeding 0.8cm tumor located in the left mastoid retroauricular area. An excisional biopsy of the lesion was performed, which, after pathological study, was diagnosed as cutaneous metastasis from breast cancer. The presence of a well-defined 38mm nodule was confirmed by mammography and ultrasonography. The tumorectomy specimen demonstrated the presence of an encapsulated papillary carcinoma, previously also known as intracystic carcinoma. The extension study was negative for other metastases. Conclusion The breast is the most frequent origin of cutaneous metastases from internal neoplasms. The forms of presentation are varied and clinicians must maintain a high index of suspicion in order to make an accurate and early diagnosis. (AU)

Effect of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on the Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1-Alpha Expression. Is There a Relationship with the Clock Genes?

Limited reports exist on the relationships between regulation of oxygen homeostasis and circadian clock genes in type 2 diabetes. We examined whether the expression of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-1α (HIF-1α) and HIF-2α relates to changes in the expression of clock genes (Period homolog proteins (PER)1, PER2, PER3, Retinoid-related orphan receptor alpha (RORA), Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator-like protein 1 (ARNTL), Circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (CLOCK), and Cryptochrome proteins (CRY) 1 and CRY2) in patients with type 2 diabetes. A total of 129 subjects were evaluated in this cross-sectional study (48% with diabetes). The gene expression was measured by polymerase chain reaction. The lactate and pyruvate levels were used as surrogate of the hypoxia induced anaerobic glycolysis activity. Patients with diabetes showed an increased plasma concentration of both lactate (2102.1 ± 688.2 vs. 1730.4 ± 694.4 uM/L, p = 0.013) and pyruvate (61.9 ± 25.6 vs. 50.3 ± 23.1 uM/L, p = 0.026) in comparison to controls. However, this finding was accompanied by a blunted HIF-1α expression (1.1 (0.2 to 5.0) vs. 1.7 (0.4 to 9.2) arbitrary units (AU), p ≤ 0.001). Patients with diabetes also showed a significant reduction of all assessed clock genes' expression. Univariate analysis showed that HIF-1α and almost all clock genes were significantly and negatively correlated with HbA1c concentration. In addition, positive correlations between HIF-1α and the clock genes were observed. The stepwise multivariate regression analysis showed that HbA1c and clock genes independently predicted the expression of HIF-1α. Type 2 diabetes modifies the expression of HIF-1α and clock genes, which correlates with the degree of metabolic control.

Effect of Subcutaneous Insulin on Spirometric Maneuvers in Patients with Type 1 Diabetes: A Case-Control Study.

In order to compare spirometric maneuvers in adults according to the presence of type 1 diabetes, a case-control study including 75 patients with type 1 diabetes and 75 controls matched by sex, age, and body mass index were designed. In addition, 75 patients with type 1 diabetes were added to examine the potential the impact of subcutaneous insulin therapy on pulmonary function. Lung function measurements were assessed according to the global initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease guidelines. Basal insulin included long-acting insulin analogues and the delivered background insulin in patients with pump therapy. Bolus insulin included rapid-acting insulin analogues and the delivered insulin to cover postprandial hyperglycemias. Patients with type 1 diabetes showed lower spirometric values in comparison to the control group, together with a higher prevalence of forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) <80% (10.7% vs. 2.7%, p = 0.044) and restrictive ventilatory pattern (10.7% vs. 0%, p = 0.006) The dose of basal insulin (U/kg/day) showed a negative correlation with forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = -0.205, p = 0.012) and FEV1 (r = -0.182, p = 0.026). The optimal cut-off value for identifying patients with a restrictive spirometric pattern was 0.5 U/kg/day of basal insulin. Additionally, basal insulin (U/kg/day) independently predicted the presence of both a restrictive spirometric pattern (OR = 77.1 (3.2 to 1816.6), p = 0.007) and an abnormal FEV1 (OR = 29.9 (1.5 to 562.8), p = 0.023). In patients with type 1 diabetes, higher basal insulin dosage seems to be related with an impairment of pulmonary function.

Cáncer de mama en pacientes transgénero. Revisión de la literatura / Breast cancer in transgender patients. A review

El término «transgénero» hace referencia a las personas que experimentan su identidad de género de manera diferente del género asignado en el nacimiento. La glándula mamaria representa un claro signo de feminidad e identidad corporal, por lo que su tratamiento adquiere especial relevancia tanto en varones como en mujeres transgénero. Los tratamientos de reasignación de género (hormonales o quirúrgicos) afectarán directamente al tejido glandular mamario, lo que puede afectar al riesgo de presentar un cáncer de mama y modificar así los procesos diagnósticos y terapéuticos. Se realiza en este estudio una revisión y resumen de la literatura científica más relevante sobre este campo, abordando los aspectos clínicos referentes al diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la enfermedad mamaria en pacientes transgénero

The term "transgender" refers to people who experience their gender identity differently from the gender assigned at birth. The mammary gland represents a clear sign of femininity and body identity, so its treatment acquires special relevance in transgender men and women. Gender reassignment treatments (hormonal or surgical) will directly affect the mammary glandular tissue, which may affect the risk of presenting breast cancer and thus modify the diagnostic and therapeutic processes. A review and summary of the most relevant scientific literature on this field is carried out in this study, addressing the clinical aspects related to the diagnosis and treatment of mammary pathology in transgender patients

Sympathetic Hyperactivity and Sleep Disorders in Individuals With Type 2 Diabetes.

Introduction: Many studies on the impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) on sleep breathing have shown a higher prevalence and severity of sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (SAHS) in those with T2DM. Moreover, an increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system has been described in both pathologies. This cross-sectional study aimed to assess sympathetic activity in patients with T2DM, and to investigate the relationship between sympathetic activity and polysomnographic parameters. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six patients with T2DM without known clinical macrovascular nor pulmonary disease and 11 controls underwent respiratory polygraphy, and their cardiac variability and 24-h urine total metanephrines were measured. Results: SAHS was highly prevalent with a mean apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) in the range of moderate SAHS. In patients with T2DM, the nocturnal concentration of total metanephrines in urine were higher than diurnal levels [247.0 (120.0-1375.0) vs. 210.0 (92.0-670.0), p = 0.039]. The nocturnal total metanephrine concentration was positively and significantly associatedwith the percentage of sleeping time spent with oxygen saturation <90%(CT90). In the entire population and in subjects with T2DM, the multivariate regression analysis showed a direct interaction between the nocturnal concentration of urine metanephrines and the CT90. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the increase in sympathetic activity previously described in patients with T2DM could be mediated through nocturnal breathing disturbances. The diagnosis and treatment of SAHS may influence sympathetic activity disorders and may contribute to an improvement in T2DM and cardiovascular risk.

Mastitis granulomatosa idiopática. Análisis descriptivo de 10 casos en una unidad de referencia española / Idiopatic granulomatous mastitis. A descriptive analysis of 10 cases in a Spanish unit of reference

Introducción La mastitis granulomatosa es unaenfermedad infrecuente caracterizada por una inflamación granulomatosa crónica de los lobulillos mamarios. Las opciones de tratamiento siguen siendo controvertidas. Objetivo El objetivo del presente estudio fue analizar nuestra experiencia en el diagnóstico y tratamiento de las pacientes con mastitis granulomatosas, valorando la conveniencia de tratamientos quirúrgicos o tratamientos más conservadores. Material y método Se presenta un estudio retrospectivo y descriptivo de las pacientes diagnosticadas y tratadas en nuestro centro desde enero de 2010 hasta diciembre de 2018. Se analizaron las características clínicas y radiológicas de cada una, así como el tratamiento y su evolución. Resultados Los resultados del estudio fueron los siguientes: • El número de pacientes fue 10; el tiempo medio de seguimiento fue de 10,5 meses (rango 2-49 meses); la mediana de edad fue de 44,5 años (rango 31-81 años);ocho pacientes (80%)se manifestaron como tumoración palpable; el tiempo medio de duración de los síntomas fue de 6,8 meses (rango 2-24 meses); el tamaño medio de la lesión alcanzó los 23,6 mm (rango 12-40); una paciente se clasificó como bi-rads 2, 1 paciente como bi-rads 3, 1 paciente como bi-rads 4y 3 pacientes como bi-rads 5. • El tratamiento fue quirúrgico en 6 ocasiones (4 resecciones y 2 drenajes con biopsia) y médico en 4 ocasiones. Siete de las pacientes (70%) se curaron con el tratamiento efectuado (5 con cirugía y 2 con tratamiento conservador). Tres pacientes presentaron recurrencia o persistencia (1 con cirugía y 2 con tratamiento conservador). Conclusiones La mastitis granulomatosa es una enfermedad infrecuente y de causa desconocida, con tendencia a la recurrencia y cronicidad, cuyo tratamiento es todavía motivo de controversia

Introduction Granulomatous mastitis is an infrequent disease characterized by a chronic granulomatous inflammation of mammary lobules. Treatment options remain controversial. Objective The aim of the present study was to analyze our experience in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with granulomatous mastitis, assessing the convenience of surgical treatments or more conservative treatments. Materials and method This is a retrospective and descriptive study of the patients diagnosed and treated in our center from January 2010 to December 2018. We analyzed the clinical and radiological characteristics of each one, as well as the treatment and its evolution. Results • Number of patients 10; mean time of follow-up 10.5 months (range 2-49 months); median of age 44.5 years (range 31-81 years); eight patients (80%) manifested as a palpable tumor;mean duration of symptoms was 6.8 months (range 2-24 months); mean lesion size of 23.6mm (range 12-40); one patient was classified as bi-rads 2, 1 patient as bi-rads 3, 1 patient as bi-rads 4 and 3 patients as bi-rads 5. • The treatment was surgical 6 times (4 resections and 2 drainages with biopsy) and doctor on 4 occasions. Seven of the patients (70%) were cured with the treatment performed (5 with surgery and 2 with conservative treatment). Three patients presented recurrence or persistence (1 with surgery and 2 with conservative treatment). Conclusions Granulomatous mastitis is an infrequent disease of unknown cause, with a tendency to recurrence and chronicity, whose treatment is still controversial

[Linfoma anaplásico de células grandes asociado a implantes mamarios. Importancia para el cirujano]. / Anaplastic large cell lymphoma associated with breast implants. Importance for the surgeon.

El linfoma anaplásico de células grandes asociado a implantes mamarios (BIA-ALCL, breast implant associated-anaplastic large cell lymphoma) es una enfermedad infrecuente, pero el número de casos ha aumentado en los últimos años. Se puede presentar en la consulta del cirujano como un aumento del volumen mamario por derrame periprotésico o como masa capsular. El tratamiento de elección es la cirugía, con explante de las prótesis y exéresis de la cápsula periprotésica. El pronóstico, si el diagnóstico es precoz y el tratamiento es adecuado, es bueno. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue revisar la literatura científica existente hasta la fecha sobre el BIA-ALCL y poner de manifiesto la importancia que este tipo de neoplasia tiene para el cirujano.Breast implant-associated anaplastic large-cell lymphoma (BIA-ALCL) is an infrequent disease, although the number of cases has increased in the recent years. BIA-ALCL is revealed during medical screening as an increase in the mammary volume due to periprosthetic effusion or as a capsular mass. Preferred treatment for BIA-ALCL is surgery, with explantation of the prostheses and exeresis of the periprosthetic capsule. Prognosis, after early diagnosis and adequate treatment, is good. The objective of the present work was to review the existing scientific literature on BIA-ALCL and to show the importance of this type of neoplasia for a successful treatment.