Characteristics of Liver Transplantation in Argentina: A Multicenter Study

Introduction: There is a lack of information regarding outcomes after liver transplant in Latin America. Objectives: This study sought to describe outcomes after liver transplant in adult patients from Argentina. Methods: We performed an ambispective cohort study of adult patients transplanted between June 2010 and October 2012 in 6 centers from Argentina. Only patients who survived after the first 48 hours postransplantation were included. Pretransplantation and posttransplantation data were collected. Results: A total of 200 patients were included in the study. Median age at time of transplant was 50 (interquartile range [IQR] 26 to 54) years. In total, 173 (86%) patients had cirrhosis, and the most frequent etiology in these patients was hepatitis C (32%). A total of 35 (17%) patients were transplanted with hepatocellular carcinoma. In patients with cirrhosis, the median Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) score at time of liver transplant was 25 (IQR 19 to 30). Median time on the waiting list for elective patients was 101 (IQR 27 to 295) days, and 3 (IQR 2 to 4) days for urgent patients. Almost 40% of the patients were readmitted during the first 6 months after liver transplant. Acute rejection occurred in 27% of the patients. Biliary and vascular complications were reported in 39 (19%) and 19 (9%) patients, respectively. Renal failure, diabetes, and dyslipidemia were present in 40 (26%), 87 (57%), and 77 (50%) at 2 years, respectively. Conclusions: We believe the information contained in this article might be of value for reviewing current practices and developing local policies.Fil: Haddad, L.. Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Marciano, S.. Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires; ArgentinaFil: Cleres, M.. Fundación Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Zerega, A.. Sanatorio Allende; ArgentinaFil: Piñero, F.. Hospital Universitario Austral; ArgentinaFil: Orozco, F.. Hospital Aleman; ArgentinaFil: Braslavsky, G.. Hospital General de Agudos Cosme Argerich; ArgentinaFil: Mendizabal, M.. Hospital Universitario Austral; ArgentinaFil: Gondolesi, Gabriel Eduardo. Fundación Favaloro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Gil, O.. Sanatorio Allende; ArgentinaFil: Silva, M.. Hospital Universitario Austral; ArgentinaFil: Mastai, Ricardo. Hospital Aleman; ArgentinaFil: Imvertaza, O.. Hospital General de Agudos Cosme Argerich; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Houssay. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería. Fundación Favaloro. Instituto de Medicina Traslacional, Trasplante y Bioingeniería; ArgentinaFil: Descalzi, V.. Fundación Favaloro; ArgentinaFil: Gadano, A.. Instituto Universitario del Hospital Italiano de Buenos Aires; Argentin

Paralogs and off-target sequences improve phylogenetic resolution in a densely-sampled study of the breadfruit genus (Artocarpus, Moraceae)

We present a 517-gene phylogenetic framework for the breadfruit genus Artocarpus (ca. 70 spp., Moraceae), making use of silica-dried leaves from recent fieldwork and herbarium specimens (some up to 106 years old) to achieve 96% taxon sampling. We explore issues relating to assembly, paralogous loci, partitions, and analysis method to reconstruct a phylogeny that is robust to variation in data and available tools. Although codon partitioning did not result in any substantial topological differences, the inclusion of flanking noncoding sequence in analyses significantly increased the resolution of gene trees. We also found that increasing the size of data sets increased convergence between analysis methods but did not reduce gene-tree conflict. We optimized the HybPiper targeted-enrichment sequence assembly pipeline for short sequences derived from degraded DNA extracted from museum specimens. Although the subgenera of Artocarpus were monophyletic, revision is required at finer scales, particularly with respect to widespread species. We expect our results to provide a basis for further studies in Artocarpus and provide guidelines for future analyses of data sets based on target enrichment data, particularly those using sequences from both fresh and museum material, counseling careful attention to the potential of off-target sequences to improve resolution. [Artocarpus; Moraceae; noncoding sequences; phylogenomics; target enrichment.

A prospective, randomised, controlled, double-blind phase I-II clinical trial on the safety of A-Part® Gel as adhesion prophylaxis after major abdominal surgery versus non-treated group

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Postoperative adhesions occur when fibrous strands of internal scar tissue bind anatomical structures to one another. The most common cause of intra-abdominal adhesions is previous intra-abdominal surgical intervention. Up to 74% of intestinal obstructions are caused by post surgical adhesions. Although a variety of methods and agents have been investigated to prevent post surgical adhesions, the problem of peritoneal adhesions remains largely unsolved. Materials serving as an adhesion barrier are much needed.</p> <p>Methods/Design</p> <p>This is a prospective, randomised, controlled, patient blinded and observer blinded, single centre phase I-II trial, which evaluates the safety of A-Part^®Gel as an adhesion prophylaxis after major abdominal wall surgery, in comparison to an untreated control group. 60 patients undergoing an elective median laparotomy without prior abdominal surgery are randomly allocated into two groups of a 1:1- ratio. Safety parameter and primary endpoint of the study is the occurrence of wound healing impairment or peritonitis within 28 (+10) days after surgery. The frequency of anastomotic leakage within 28 days after operation, occurrence of adverse and serious adverse events during hospital stay up to 3 months and the rate of adhesions along the scar within 3 months are defined as secondary endpoints. After hospital discharge the investigator will examine the enrolled patients at 28 (+10) days and 3 months (±14 days) after surgery.</p> <p>Discussion</p> <p>This trial aims to assess, whether the intra-peritoneal application of A-Part^®Gel is safe and efficacious in the prevention of post-surgical adhesions after median laparotomy, in comparison to untreated controls.</p> <p>Trial registration</p> <p>NCT00646412</p

Travel Tales of a Worldwide Weed: Genomic Signatures of Plantago major L. Reveal Distinct Genotypic Groups With Links to Colonial Trade Routes

Retracing pathways of historical species introductions is fundamental to understanding the factors involved in the successful colonization and spread, centuries after a species’ establishment in an introduced range. Numerous plants have been introduced to regions outside their native ranges both intentionally and accidentally by European voyagers and early colonists making transoceanic journeys; however, records are scarce to document this. We use genotyping-by-sequencing and genotype-likelihood methods on the selfing, global weed, Plantago major, collected from 50 populations worldwide to investigate how patterns of genomic diversity are distributed among populations of this global weed. Although genomic differentiation among populations is found to be low, we identify six unique genotype groups showing very little sign of admixture and low degree of outcrossing among them. We show that genotype groups are latitudinally restricted, and that more than one successful genotype colonized and spread into the introduced ranges. With the exception of New Zealand, only one genotype group is present in the Southern Hemisphere. Three of the most prevalent genotypes present in the native Eurasian range gave rise to introduced populations in the Americas, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, which could lend support to the hypothesis that P. major was unknowlingly dispersed by early European colonists. Dispersal of multiple successful genotypes is a likely reason for success. Genomic signatures and phylogeographic methods can provide new perspectives on the drivers behind the historic introductions and the successful colonization of introduced species, contributing to our understanding of the role of genomic variation for successful establishment of introduced taxa.publishedVersio

Travel Tales of a Worldwide Weed: Genomic Signatures of Plantago major L. Reveal Distinct Genotypic Groups With Links to Colonial Trade Routes

Retracing pathways of historical species introductions is fundamental to understanding the factors involved in the successful colonization and spread, centuries after a species’ establishment in an introduced range. Numerous plants have been introduced to regions outside their native ranges both intentionally and accidentally by European voyagers and early colonists making transoceanic journeys; however, records are scarce to document this. We use genotyping-by-sequencing and genotype-likelihood methods on the selfing, global weed, Plantago major, collected from 50 populations worldwide to investigate how patterns of genomic diversity are distributed among populations of this global weed. Although genomic differentiation among populations is found to be low, we identify six unique genotype groups showing very little sign of admixture and low degree of outcrossing among them. We show that genotype groups are latitudinally restricted, and that more than one successful genotype colonized and spread into the introduced ranges. With the exception of New Zealand, only one genotype group is present in the Southern Hemisphere. Three of the most prevalent genotypes present in the native Eurasian range gave rise to introduced populations in the Americas, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, which could lend support to the hypothesis that P. major was unknowlingly dispersed by early European colonists. Dispersal of multiple successful genotypes is a likely reason for success. Genomic signatures and phylogeographic methods can provide new perspectives on the drivers behind the historic introductions and the successful colonization of introduced species, contributing to our understanding of the role of genomic variation for successful establishment of introduced taxa.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Measurement of Fission Products and Chemical Species released by Experimental Samples irradiated in the Jules Horowitz Reactor

International audienceExperiments on nuclear fuels and materials in MTRs are a mandatory step for supporting their characterization and qualification before introduction at industrial scale in power reactors. They are the most often carried out in irradiation loops and capsules embarking a lot of instrumentation, either on-line or by integration. Besides measurement of local irradiation conditions (fast and thermal neutron flux, coolant temperature and pressure, stress applied to experimental load etc.), behavior of sample is monitored thanks to specific sensors measuring on-line important parameters for models and codes. However it presents a lot of constraints such as miniaturization, robustness, adapted measurement range with requested accuracy, negligible drift, materials compatibility etc. which can cause technical issues for long duration experiments. Some of these issues can be overcome by equipping with lines either the sample (internal free volume…) or the surrounding connected volumes (coolant pipe, gas gap…). Their role is to collect and route the fluids to specific out-of-pile measurement means which monitor by on-line and delayed techniques specific chemical elements and isotopes released by the sample: fission products, fissile material, activation or corrosion isotopes or molecules, either in normal conditions (high demanding conditions, power transients, innovative coolant chemistry, first barrier loss…) or during safety tests with sample damage (loss of coolant, power injection…). This paper presents the interest of such measurements for supporting the development process of nuclear fuels and materials. Relevant design data for implementation on experimental samples are given. Analysis equipment recommended to be installed in the Fission Product Laboratory and the Chemistry Laboratory of the Jules Horowitz MTR, for activity and for atoms counting, are presented. Such laboratories are underlined as a key service offered by a modern multipurpose irradiation infrastructure

Création d'atomes d'argon excités dans des états de Rydberg en vue de l'étude de l'autodétachement électronique d'ions moléculaires SF6 -6 dans un piège quadrupolaire radiofréquence

In this work, we describe experimental conditions to obtain argon atoms excited in Rydberg states by an electron gun. Precisions are given about some of their properties it is necessary to know with a view to the study of electronic autodetachment of SF6- molecular ions in a radiofrequency quadrupole trap. These ions are created by nearly-zero energy interaction of SF6 molecules with excited atoms in Rydberg states. In our experimental conditions, the excitation of argon atoms by electronic bombardment in such states has led us to bring to light a deflection angle of the excited atoms, an evaluation of the energy of the electrons which lead to electronic attachment, the number of created excited atoms, and an estimation of their related mean lifetime.Nous décrivons dans ce travail les conditions expérimentales d'obtention d'atomes d'argon excités dans des états de Rydberg par bombardement électronique. Nous précisons certaines de leurs propriétés qu'il est nécessaire de connaître dans la perspective de l'étude de l'auto-détachement électronique d'ions moléculaires SF6-dans un piège quadrupolaire radiofréquence. Ces ions sont créés par interaction, à énergie quasi-nulle, de molécules SF6 avec des atomes excités dans des états de Rydberg. Dans nos conditions expérimentales, l'excitation d'atomes d'argon dans de tels états par bombardement électronique nous a conduits, en particulier, à la mise en évidence d'un angle de déflection des atomes excités, à l'évaluation de l'énergie de l'électron donnant lieu à l'attachement électronique, au nombre d'atomes excités créés, ainsi qu'à une estimation de leur durée de vie moyenne correspondante