Osteochondral transplantation using autografts from the upper tibio-fibular joint for the treatment of knee cartilage lesions

Purpose Treatment of large cartilage lesions of the knee in weight-bearing areas is still a controversy and challenging topic. Autologous osteochondral mosaicplasty has proven to be a valid option for treatment but donor site morbidity with most frequently used autografts remains a source of concern. This study aims to assess clinical results and safety profile of autologous osteochondral graft from the upper tibio-fibular joint applied to reconstruct symptomatic osteochondral lesions of the knee. Methods Thirty-one patients (22 men and 9 women) with grade 4 cartilage lesions in the knee were operated by mosaicplasty technique using autologous osteochondral graft from the upper tibio-fibular joint, between 1998 and 2006. Clinical assessment included visual analog scale (VAS) for pain and Lysholm score. All patients were evaluated by MRI pre- and post-operatively regarding joint congruency as good, fair (inferior to 1 mm incongruence), and poor (incongruence higher than 1 mm registered in any frame). Donor zone status was evaluated according to specific protocol considering upper tibio-fibular joint instability, pain, neurological complications, lateral collateral ligament insufficiency, or ankle complaints. Results Mean age at surgery was 30.1 years (SD 12.2). In respect to lesion sites, 22 were located in weight-bearing area of medial femoral condyle, 7 in lateral femoral condyle, 1 in trochlea, and 1 in patella. Mean follow-up was 110.1 months (SD 23.2). Mean area of lesion was 3.3 cm 2 (SD 1.7), and a variable number of cylinders were used, mean 2.5 (SD 1.3). Mean VAS score improved from 47.1 (SD 10.1) to 20.0 (SD 11.5); p = 0.00. Similarly, mean Lysholm score increased from 45.7 (SD 4.5) to 85.3 (SD 7.0); p = 0.00. The level of patient satisfaction was evaluated, and 28 patients declared to be satisfied/very satisfied and would do surgery again, while 3 declared as unsatisfied with the procedure and would not submit to surgery again. These three patients had lower clinical scores and kept complaints related to the original problem but unrelated to donor zone. MRI score significantly improved at 18–24 months comparing with pre-operative (p = 0.004). No radiographic or clinical complications related to donor zone with implication in activity were registered. Conclusions This work corroborates that mosaicplasty technique using autologous osteochondral graft from the upper tibio-fibular joint is effective to treat osteochondral defects in the knee joint. No relevant complications related to donor zone were registered

Geno-Clinical Model for the Diagnosis of Bone Marrow Myeloid Neoplasms

Background Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) and other myeloid neoplasms are mainly diagnosed based on morphological changes in the bone marrow. Diagnosis can be challenging in patients (pts) with pancytopenia with minimal dysplasia, and is subject to inter-observer variability, with up to 40% disagreement in diagnosis (Zhang, ASH 2018). Somatic mutations can be identified in all myeloid neoplasms, but no gene or set of genes are diagnostic for each disease phenotype. We developed a geno-clinical model that uses mutational data, peripheral blood values, and clinical variables to distinguish among several bone marrow disorders that include: MDS, idiopathic cytopenia of undetermined significance (ICUS), clonal cytopenia of undetermined significance (CCUS), MDS/myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN) overlaps including chronic myelomonocytic leukemia (CMML), and MPNs such as polycythemia vera (PV), essential thrombocythemia (ET), and myelofibrosis (PMF). Methods We combined genomic and clinical data from 2471 pts treated at our institution (684) and the Munich Leukemia Laboratory (1787). Pts were diagnosed with MDS, ICUS, CCUS, CMML, MDS/MPN, PV, ET, and PMF according to 2016 WHO criteria. Diagnoses were confirmed by independent hematopathologists not associated with the study. A panel of 60 genes commonly mutated in myeloid malignancies was included. The cohort was randomly divided into learner (80%) and validation (20%) cohorts. Machine learning algorithms were applied to predict the phenotype. Feature extraction algorithms were used to extract genomic/clinical variables that impacted the algorithm decision and to visualize the impact of each variable on phenotype. Prediction performance was evaluated according to the area under the curve of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC-AUC). Results Of 2471 pts, 1306 had MDS, 223 had ICUS, 107 had CCUS, 478 had CMML, 89 had MDS/MPN, 79 had PV, 90 had ET, and 99 had PMF. The median age for the entire cohort was 71 years (range, 9-102); 38% were female. The median white blood cell count (WBC) was 3.2x10^9/L (range, 0.00-179), absolute monocyte count (AMC) 0.21x10^9/L (range, 0-96), absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) 0.88x10^9/L (range, 0-357), absolute neutrophil count (ANC) 0.60x10^9/L (range, 0-170), and hemoglobin (Hgb) 10.50 g/dL (range, 3.9-24.0). The most commonly mutated genes in all pts were: TET2 (28%), ASXL1 (23%), SF3B1 (15%). In MDS, they were: TET2 (26%), SF3B1 (24%), ASXL1 (21%). In CCUS: TET2 (46%), SRSF2 (24%), ASXL1 (23%). In CMML, TET2 (51%), ASXL1 (43 %), SRSF2 (25%). In MDS/MPN: SF3B1 (39%), JAK2 (37%), TET2 (20%). In PV, JAK2 (94%), TET2 (22%), DNMT3A (8%). In ET: JAK2 (44%), TET2 (13%), DNMT3A (8%). In PMF: JAK2 (67%), ASXL1 (43%), SRSF2 (17%). 71 genomic/clinical variables were evaluated. Feature extraction algorithms were used to identify the variables with the most significant impacts on prediction. The top variables are shown in the Figure 1. Overall, the most important variables were: age, AMC, ANC, Hgb, Plt, ALC, total number of mutations, JAK2, ASXL1, TET2, U2AF1, SRSF2, SF3B1, BCOR, EZH2, and DNMT3A. The top variables for each disease were different, see Figure. When applying the model to the validation cohort, AUC performance was as follows (a perfect predictor has an AUC of 1, and AUC ≥ 0.90 are generally considered excellent): MDS: 0.95 +/- 0.04, ICUS: 0.96 +/- 0.05, CCUS: 0.95 +/- 0.05, CMML: 0.95 +/- 0.05, MDS/MPN: 0.95 +/- 0.05, PV: 0.95 +/- 0.05, ET: 0.96 +/- 0.05, PMF: 0.95 +/- 0.05. When the analysis was restricted to MDS, ICUS, and CCUS, the AUC remained high, 0.95 +/- 0.4. The model can also provide personalized explanations of the variables supporting the prediction and the impact of each variable on the outcome (Figure). Conclusions We propose a new approach using interpretable, individualized modeling to predict myeloid neoplasm phenotypes based on genomic and clinical data without bone marrow biopsy data. This approach can aid clinicians and hematopathologists when encountering pts with cytopenias and suspicion for these disorders. The model also provides feature attributions that allow for quantitative understanding of the complex interplay among genotypes, clinical variables, and phenotypes. A web application to facilitate the translation of this model into the clinic is under development and will be presented at the meeting. Figure 1 Disclosures Meggendorfer: MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Sekeres:Syros: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Celgene: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Millenium: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Walter:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Hutter:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment. Savona:Incyte Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Karyopharm Therapeutics: Consultancy, Equity Ownership, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Selvita: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Sunesis: Research Funding; TG Therapeutics: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; AbbVie: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees; Boehringer Ingelheim: Patents & Royalties; Celgene Corporation: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Gerds:Incyte: Consultancy, Research Funding; Roche: Research Funding; Imago Biosciences: Research Funding; CTI Biopharma: Consultancy, Research Funding; Pfizer: Consultancy; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Research Funding; Sierra Oncology: Research Funding. Mukherjee:Novartis: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Projects in Knowledge: Honoraria; Celgene Corporation: Consultancy, Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees, Research Funding; Partnership for Health Analytic Research, LLC (PHAR, LLC): Consultancy; McGraw Hill Hematology Oncology Board Review: Other: Editor; Pfizer: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Membership on an entity's Board of Directors or advisory committees. Komrokji:JAZZ: Speakers Bureau; Agios: Consultancy; Incyte: Consultancy; DSI: Consultancy; pfizer: Consultancy; celgene: Consultancy; JAZZ: Consultancy; Novartis: Speakers Bureau. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Maciejewski:Alexion: Consultancy; Novartis: Consultancy. Haferlach:MLL Munich Leukemia Laboratory: Employment, Equity Ownership. Nazha:Tolero, Karyopharma: Honoraria; MEI: Other: Data monitoring Committee; Novartis: Speakers Bureau; Jazz Pharmacutical: Research Funding; Incyte: Speakers Bureau; Daiichi Sankyo: Consultancy; Abbvie: Consultancy

Globalización, cambios en la estructura de poder y nuevas elites empresariales: una mirada comparada de Uruguay

El artículo tiene como objetivo principal abordar la problemática de los cambios en la composición de las elites empresariales en el último ciclo de globalización económica neoliberal desde la literatura teórica comparada reciente y luego un análisis específico a partir de los estudios existentes en la temática sobre Uruguay. El trabajo desarrolla un análisis comparativo de enfoques y estudios sobre elites económicas que señalan cinco tipos de procesos de cambios en las últimas décadas de hegemonía del ciclo de desarrollo neoliberal. En primer término, procesos de convergencia y divergencia entre las trayectorias de las elites políticas y económicas. En segundo lugar, procesos de especialización funcional y diversificación de grupos dirigentes en las distintas fuentes de poder económico. Tercero, la existencia de mecanismos de reclutamiento y reproducción de las elites económicas que se relacionan con las formas de dominación en la sociedad. Cuarto, la producción nuevos y viejos mecanismos de legitimación del poder económico, que combinan formas de capital económico y simbólico. Por último, la creciente centralidad de las redes globales y modos de transnacionalización del capital en la conformación de los grupos de elites empresariales. El análisis de la literatura y estudios sobre elites empresariales en el Uruguay en las últimas décadas muestra tendencias similares (a escala de una economía y país pequeño) donde se está asistiendo a cambios en las composición de las elites empresariales con una creciente importancia del capital transnacional, y de nuevos elencos ejecutivos que se apoyan más en una forma de control y gestión profesionalizada de las empresas, en redes globales y nuevas formas de capital social. Estas transformaciones contrastan con los perfiles clásicos de empresarios reclutados por medio del capital familiar y prestigio heredado y la pertenencia a gremiales tradicionales y círculos empresariales exclusivos, así como de una canalización colectiva más orgánica de las relaciones con el Estado y la política. El estudio de las elites económicas es una temática clásica que en las últimas dos décadas es una temática que ha regresado al debate académico y público debido a los impactos de los procesos de la globalización económica. En Uruguay la temática adquiere fuerte relevancia debido a que se trata de una economía de escala pequeña, alto desarrollo humano y que en los últimos años ha atravesado múltiples transformaciones en el modelo de desarrollo económico, la creciente presencia de capital y empresas trasnacionales, con la emergencia de nuevos actores empresariales en la escena nacional y en un contexto político de giro a la izquierda

Enhanced infection prophylaxis reduces mortality in severely immunosuppressed HIV-infected adults and older children initiating antiretroviral therapy in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda and Zimbabwe: the REALITY trial

Meeting abstract FRAB0101LB from 21st International AIDS Conference 18–22 July 2016, Durban, South Africa. Introduction: Mortality from infections is high in the first 6 months of antiretroviral therapy (ART) among HIV‐infected adults and children with advanced disease in sub‐Saharan Africa. Whether an enhanced package of infection prophylaxis at ART initiation would reduce mortality is unknown. Methods: The REALITY 2×2×2 factorial open‐label trial (ISRCTN43622374) randomized ART‐naïve HIV‐infected adults and children >5 years with CD4 <100 cells/mm3. This randomization compared initiating ART with enhanced prophylaxis (continuous cotrimoxazole plus 12 weeks isoniazid/pyridoxine (anti‐tuberculosis) and fluconazole (anti‐cryptococcal/candida), 5 days azithromycin (anti‐bacterial/protozoal) and single‐dose albendazole (anti‐helminth)), versus standard‐of‐care cotrimoxazole. Isoniazid/pyridoxine/cotrimoxazole was formulated as a scored fixed‐dose combination. Two other randomizations investigated 12‐week adjunctive raltegravir or supplementary food. The primary endpoint was 24‐week mortality. Results: 1805 eligible adults (n = 1733; 96.0%) and children/adolescents (n = 72; 4.0%) (median 36 years; 53.2% male) were randomized to enhanced (n = 906) or standard prophylaxis (n = 899) and followed for 48 weeks (3.8% loss‐to‐follow‐up). Median baseline CD4 was 36 cells/mm3 (IQR: 16–62) but 47.3% were WHO Stage 1/2. 80 (8.9%) enhanced versus 108(12.2%) standard prophylaxis died before 24 weeks (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) = 0.73 (95% CI: 0.54–0.97) p = 0.03; Figure 1) and 98(11.0%) versus 127(14.4%) respectively died before 48 weeks (aHR = 0.75 (0.58–0.98) p = 0.04), with no evidence of interaction with the two other randomizations (p > 0.8). Enhanced prophylaxis significantly reduced incidence of tuberculosis (p = 0.02), cryptococcal disease (p = 0.01), oral/oesophageal candidiasis (p = 0.02), deaths of unknown cause (p = 0.02) and (marginally) hospitalisations (p = 0.06) but not presumed severe bacterial infections (p = 0.38). Serious and grade 4 adverse events were marginally less common with enhanced prophylaxis (p = 0.06). CD4 increases and VL suppression were similar between groups (p > 0.2). Conclusions: Enhanced infection prophylaxis at ART initiation reduces early mortality by 25% among HIV‐infected adults and children with advanced disease. The pill burden did not adversely affect VL suppression. Policy makers should consider adopting and implementing this low‐cost broad infection prevention package which could save 3.3 lives for every 100 individuals treated