Treatment and timing in invasive mould disease

Invasive mould disease is a growing threat for immunocompromised patients. The optimum time to use mould-active antifungal agents is much debated. Current approaches to antifungal prophylaxis, early treatment (empirical and pre-emptive therapy) and treatment of documented mould infections in onco-haematology patients are discusse

Definition of analytical cleaning procedures for archaeological pottery from underwater environments: The case study of samples from Baia (Naples, South Italy)

Abstract This work is focused on a multidisciplinary study of 13 pottery fragments collected in the submerged archaeological site of Baia (Naples, Italy). Founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C., this archaeological area represents one of the greatest evidences of Roman architecture and it includes ancient ruins whose structures range from maritime villas and imperial buildings. Several diagnostic tests were carried out in order to characterize the archaeological materials, their structure and properties, as well as the alteration and degradation products. Degradation forms in seawater imply not only a variation in the physico-mechanical and chemical properties of the material but also an aesthetic damage, due to superficial deposits, which can lead to the illegibility of the artefacts. In this context, it is crucial to determine to what extent these decay factors, mainly attributable to biological growth, could affect the durability of pottery and what are the effects of cleaning procedures. The work offers further elements to obtain new insights into the underwater cultural heritage field and in the function of ceramic matter, especially related to several applications in technology and in the adoption of strategies for suitable conservation procedures

El proceso de licenciamiento y música original en contenidos

Este documento busca generar recomendaciones para el proceso de licenciamiento y música original, pero no reemplaza la asesoría con un abogado especializado

Randomised multicentre clinical trial to evaluate voriconazole pre-emptive genotyping strategy in patients with risk of aspergillosis: vorigenipharm study protocol.

Introduction Invasive aspergillosis is the most important cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with haematological diseases. At present, voriconazole is the first-line treatment for invasive fungal disease. The pharmacokinetic interindividual variability of voriconazole depends on genetic factors. CYP450 is involved in 70%–75% of total metabolism of voriconazole, mainly CYP3A4 and CYP2C19, with the remaining 25%–30% of metabolism conducted by monooxygenase flavins. CYP2C19 single nucleotide polymorphisms could explain 50%–55% of variability in voriconazole metabolism. Materials and methods The main objective is to compare efficiency of pre-emptive voriconazole genotyping with routine practice. The primary outcome is serum voriconazole on the fifth day within the therapeutic range. The secondary outcome is the combined variables of therapeutic failure and adverse events within 90 days of first administration, associated with voriconazole. A total of 146 patients at risk of invasive aspergillosis who will potentially receive voriconazole will be recruited, and CYP2C19 will be genotyped. If the patient ultimately receives voriconazole, they will be randomised (1:1 experimental/control). In the experimental arm, patients will receive a dose according to a pharmacogenetic algorithm, including CYP2C19 genotype and clinical and demographic information. In the control arm, patients will receive a dose according to clinical practice guidelines. In addition, a Spanish National Healthcare System (NHS) point-of-view cost-effectiveness evaluation will be performed. Direct cost calculations for each arm will be performed. Conclusion This trial will provide information about the viability and cost-effectiveness of the mplementation of a pre-emptive voriconazole genotyping strategy in the Spanish NHS. Ethics and dissemination A Spanish version of this protocol has been evaluated and approved by the La Paz University Hospital Ethics Committee and the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices. Trial results will be submitted for publication in an open peer-reviewed medical speciality-specific publication. Trial registration number Eudra-CT: 2019-000376-41 and NCT04238884; Pre-results.post-print441 K

An Assessment of the Effect of Human Herpesvirus-6 Replication on Active Cytomegalovirus Infection after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

Human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) may enhance cytomegalovirus (CMV) replication in allogeneic stem cell transplant (allo-SCT) recipients either through direct or indirect mechanisms. Definitive evidence supporting this hypothesis are lacking. We investigated the effect of HHV-6 replication on active CMV infection in 68 allo-SCT recipients. Analysis of plasma HHV-6 and CMV DNAemia was performed by real-time PCR. Enumeration of pp65 and IE-1 CMV-specific IFNγ CD8+ and CD4+T cells was performed by intracellular cytokine staining. HHV-6 DNAemia occurred in 39.8% of patients, and was significantly associated with subsequent CMV DNAemia in univariate (P=.01), but not in multivariate analysis (P=.65). The peak of HHV-6 DNAemia was not predictive of the development of CMV DNAemia. Timing and kinetics of active CMV infection were comparable in patients either with or without a preceding episode of HHV-6 DNAemia. The occurrence of HHV-6 DNAemia had no impact on CMV-specific T cell immunity reconstitution early after transplant. The receipt of a graft from an HLA-mismatched donor was independently associated with HHV-6 (P=.009) and CMV reactivation (P=.04). The data favor the hypothesis that a state of severe immunosuppression leads to HHV-6 and CMV coactivation, but argue against a role of HHV-6 in predisposing to the development of CMV DNAemia or influencing the course of active CMV infection

Predicting Outcome and Therapy Response in mCRC Patients Using an Indirect Method for CTCs Detection by a Multigene Expression Panel: A Multicentric Prospective Validation Study

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths. Early detection of tumor relapse is crucial for determining the most appropriate therapeutic management. In clinical practice, computed tomography (CT) is routinely used, but small tumor changes are difficult to visualize, and reliable blood-based prognostic and monitoring biomarkers are urgently needed. The aim of this study was to prospectively validate a gene expression panel (composed of GAPDH, VIL1, CLU, TIMP1, TLN1, LOXL3 and ZEB2) for detecting circulating tumor cells (CTCs) as prognostic and predictive tool in blood samples from 94 metastatic CRC (mCRC) patients. Patients with higher gene panel expression before treatment had a reduced progression-free survival (PFS) and overall-survival (OS) rates compared with patients with low expression (p = 0.003 and p ≤ 0.001, respectively). Patients with increased expression of CTCs markers during treatment presented PFS and OS times of 8.95 and 11.74 months, respectively, compared with 14.41 and 24.7 for patients presenting decreased expression (PFS; p = 0.020; OS; p ≤ 0.001). Patients classified as non-responders by CTCs with treatment, but classified as responders by CT scan, showed significantly shorter survival times (PFS: 8.53 vs. 11.70; OS: 10.37 vs. 24.13; months). In conclusion, our CTCs detection panel demonstrated efficacy for early treatment response assessment in mCRC patients, and with increased reliability compared to CT scan.ACIS (Axencia de Coñecemento en Saude); SERGAS. Cofinanced ERDF Funds 2007–201

The Genotype of the Donor for the (GT)n Polymorphism in the Promoter/Enhancer of FOXP3 Is Associated with the Development of Severe Acute GVHD but Does Not Affect the GVL Effect after Myeloablative HLA-Identical Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation

The FOXP3 gene encodes for a protein (Foxp3) involved in the development and functional activity of regulatory T cells (CD4+/CD25+/Foxp3+), which exert regulatory and suppressive roles over the immune system. After allogeneic stem cell transplantation, regulatory T cells are known to mitigate graft versus host disease while probably maintaining a graft versus leukemia effect. Short alleles (≤(GT)15) for the (GT)n polymorphism in the promoter/enhancer of FOXP3 are associated with a higher expression of FOXP3, and hypothetically with an increase of regulatory T cell activity. This polymorphism has been related to the development of auto- or alloimmune conditions including type 1 diabetes or graft rejection in renal transplant recipients. However, its impact in the allo-transplant setting has not been analyzed. In the present study, which includes 252 myeloablative HLA-identical allo-transplants, multivariate analysis revealed a lower incidence of grade III-IV acute graft versus host disease (GVHD) in patients transplanted from donors harboring short alleles (OR = 0.26, CI 0.08-0.82, p = 0.021); without affecting chronic GVHD or graft versus leukemia effect, since cumulative incidence of relapse, event free survival and overall survival rates are similar in both groups of patients

Thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome following adenovirus vector-based vaccines to prevent COVID-19: epidemiology and clinical presentation in Spain

[Resumen] Introducción. Se describen las características epidemiológicas y clínicas de los casos de síndrome de trombosis con trombocitopenia (STT) notificados en España. Métodos. Se incluyeron los casos de trombosis venosa o arterial con trombocitopenia tras recibir vacuna con vectores de adenovirus no replicantes frente a la COVID-19 (AstraZeneca y Janssen) del 1 de febrero al 26 de septiembre de 2021. Se describe la tasa de notificación (número de casos notificados/número de dosis administradas), y el análisis de casos observados vs. esperados (O/E). Se evaluaron los predictores de mortalidad. Resultados. Se notificaron 61 casos, cumpliendo 45 los criterios de elegibilidad, 82% mujeres. La tasa de notificación global fue 4/1.000.000 dosis y 14-15/1.000.000 dosis entre los 30-49 años. El número de casos de trombosis de senos cerebrales observados fue 6-18 veces superior al esperado en menores de 49 años. Los síntomas comenzaron 10 (rango intercuartílico: 7-14) días tras la vacunación. El 80% (intervalo de confianza [IC] al 95%: 65-90%) tenía trombocitopenia en el momento de su visita a urgencias y el 65% (IC 95%: 49-78%) elevación del dímero D (> 2.000 ng/mL). La trombosis fue de múltiples localizaciones en 36% y fatal en 24% de los pacientes. Un valor nadir de trombocitopenia < 50.000 /μL (odds ratio [OR]: 7,4; IC 95%: 1,2-47,5) y la presencia de hemorragia cerebral (OR: 7,9; IC 95%: 1,3-47,0) se asociaron a un desenlace fatal. Conclusiones. Debe sospecharse el STT en pacientes que presenten síntomas unos 10 días tras la vacunación y presenten trombocitopenia y/o elevación de dímero D.[Abstract] Background: We describe the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS) cases reported in Spain. Methods: We included all venous or arterial thrombosis with thrombocytopenia following adenovirus vector-based vaccines (AstraZeneca or Janssen) to prevent COVID-19 disease between February 1st and September 26th, 2021. We describe the crude rate and the standardized morbidity ratio. We assessed the predictors of mortality. Results: Sixty-one cases were reported and 45 fulfilled eligibility criteria, 82% women. The crude TTS rate was 4/1,000,000 doses and 14-15/1,000,000 doses between 30-49 years. The number of observed cases of cerebral venous thrombosis was 6-18 higher than the expected in patients younger than 49 years. Symptoms started 10 (interquartile range (IQR): 7-14) days after vaccination. Eighty percent (95% confidence interval (CI): 65-90%) had thrombocytopenia at the time of the emergency department visit, and 65% (95% CI: 49-78%) had D-dimer >2000 ng/mL. Patients had multiple location thrombosis in 36% and fatal outcome in 24% cases. A platelet nadir <50,000 /μL (odds ratio (OR): 7.4; CI 95%: 1.2-47.5) and intracranial hemorrhage (OR: 7.9; IC95%: 1.3-47.0) were associated with fatal outcome. Conclusion: TTS must be suspected in patients with symptoms 10 days after vaccination and thrombocytopenia and/or D-dimer increase