Progression of Capillary Hypoperfusion in Advanced Stages of Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: 6-month Analysis of RICHARD Study.

Purpose: To evaluate the 6-month progression of retinal capillary perfusion in eyes with advanced stages of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Design: RICHARD (NCT05112445), 2-year prospective longitudinal study.

Participants: Sixty eyes with Diabetic Retinopathy Severity Scale (DRSS) levels 43, 47, and 53 from 60 patients with type 2 diabetes.

Peripheral immune profiling of soft tissue sarcoma: perspectives for disease monitoring.

Studying the tumor microenvironment and surrounding lymph nodes is the main focus of current immunological research on soft tissue sarcomas (STS). However, due to the restricted opportunity to examine tumor samples, alternative approaches are required to evaluate immune responses in non-surgical patients. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the peripheral immune profile of STS patients, characterize patients accordingly and explore the impact of peripheral immunotypes on patient survival.

Patterns of Progression of Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Using Non-Invasive Imaging.

Purpose: To identify progression of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in patients with type 2 diabetes by combining optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) metrics and color fundus photography (CFP) images.

Methods: This study was a post hoc analysis of a prospective longitudinal cohort study (CORDIS, NCT03696810) with 2-year duration. This study enrolled 122 eyes.

Characterization of central-involved diabetic macular edema using OCT and OCTA.

Purpose: To characterize the occurrence of diabetic macular edema and the presence of abnormal retinal fluid accumulation in nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Methods: In this two-year prospective study, a total of 122 eyes with diabetes type 2 underwent optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT-Angiography in association with OCT-Fluid imaging, a novel algorithm of OCT analysis allowing quantification of abnormal accumulation of fluid in the retina through low optical reflectivity ratios (LOR). Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) grading for diabetic retinopathy (DR) severity assessment was performed using 7-field color fundus photography.

Hereditary angioedema with normal C1-inhibitor: Clinical and genetic characterization of 15 Portuguese unrelated families.

Background: Hereditary angioedema with normal C1-inhibitor (HAE-nC1-INH) is a rare genetic disease with similar phenotype to HAE-C1-INH but different genetic background. Currently, 6 subtypes are recognized, based on the underlying mutations. Several aspects need further clarification.

HLA-A23/HLA-A24 serotypes and dementia interaction in the elderly: Association with increased soluble HLA class I molecules in plasma.

MHC class I molecules regulate brain development and plasticity in mice and HLA class I molecules are associated with brain disorders in humans. We investigated the relationship between plasma-derived soluble human HLA class I molecules (sHLA class I), HLA class I serotypes and dementia. A cohort of HLA class I serotyped elderly subjects with no dementia/pre-dementia (NpD, n = 28), or with dementia (D, n = 28) was studied.

Osteomyelitis caused by Aspergillus terreus complex in a dog: a case report.

Background: In dogs, the most frequently reported mycosis associated with Aspergillus spp. are respiratory infections. Systemic aspergillosis is uncommon, with reported cases been associated with several Aspergillus species.

Combined Neonatal Alloimmune Neutropenia and Thrombocytopenia in Dizygotic Twins Conceived After Oocyte Donation.

Neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) and neonatal alloimmune neutropenia (NAIN) may have severe consequences in the neonatal period. We report two dizygotic twins conceived after donated oocytes, suffering NAIT and NAIN in the context of alloantibodies to human platelet antigens (anti-HPA-5b) and human leukocyte antigens (anti-HLA class I). Genotyping demonstrated paternal homozygosity for HPA-5a, while the neonates were heterozygous for HPA-5b.

Challenges in the Management of the Patient with a Failing Kidney Graft: A Narrative Review.

Patients with a failed kidney allograft have steadily increase in recent years and returning to dialysis after graft loss is one of the most difficult transitions for chronic kidney disease patients and their assistant physicians. The management of these patients is complex and encompasses the treatment of chronic kidney disease complications, dialysis restart and access planning, immunosuppression withdrawal, graft nephrectomy, and evaluation for a potential retransplant. In recent years, several groups have focused on the management of the patient with a failing renal graft and expert recommendations are arising.

Strategies to Overcome HLA Sensitization and Improve Access to Retransplantation after Kidney Graft Loss.

An increasing number of patients waitlisted for kidney transplantation have a previously failed graft. Retransplantation provides a significant improvement in morbidity, mortality, and quality of life when compared to dialysis. However, HLA sensitization is a major barrier to kidney retransplantation and the majority of the highly sensitized patients are waiting for a subsequent kidney transplant.

Kidney Retransplantation Outcomes: A Paired Recipient Control Study.

Background: Despite progressive improvements in graft and patient survival after kidney transplantation over the last decades, an increasing number of patients are waitlisted for retransplantation. Identifying the risk factors for second graft failure can help us improve management for such patients. The aim of this study was to compare the outcomes of kidney retransplantation with those of first transplantation.

Multimorbidity Profile of COVID-19 Deaths in Portugal during 2020.

Background: COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2 infection and has reached pandemic proportions. Since then, several clinical characteristics have been associated with poor outcomes. This study aimed to describe the morbidity profile of COVID-19 deaths in Portugal.

Human Bone Marrow Mesenchymal Stromal/Stem Cells Regulate the Proinflammatory Response of Monocytes and Myeloid Dendritic Cells from Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disabling autoimmune disease whose treatment is ineffective for one-third of patients. Thus, the immunomodulatory potential of mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (MSCs) makes MSC-based therapy a promising approach to RA. This study aimed to explore the immunomodulatory action of human bone marrow (BM)-MSCs on myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) and monocytes, especially on cytokines/chemokines involved in RA physiopathology.

Improvement in the anti-inflammatory profile with lifelong physical exercise is related to clock genes expression in effector-memory CD4+ T cells in master athletes.

Purpose: Ageing is associated with alterations in the immune system as well as with alterations of the circadian rhythm. Immune cells show rhythmicity in execution of their tasks. Chronic inflammation (inflammaging), which is observed in the elderly, is mitigated by lifelong exercise.

Unexpected success in early post-transplantation renal vein thrombosis: A case report and literature review.

Background: Allograft renal vein thrombosis can cause graft loss during the early postoperative period. This diagnosis is sometimes elusive, requiring a strong suspicion. On the other hand, several authors have recognized risk factors for allograft renal vein thrombosis, but neither a preventive approach nor a treatment have been recommended for this complication.

Immunologic characterization of COVID-19 patients with hematological cancer.

Not available.

CD45RA, CD8β, and IFNγ Are Potential Immune Biomarkers of Human Cognitive Function.

There is increasing evidence that in humans the adaptive immunological system can influence cognitive functions of the brain. We have undertaken a comprehensive immunological analysis of lymphocyte and monocyte populations as well as of HLA molecules expression in a cohort of elderly volunteers (age range, 64-101) differing in their cognitive status. Hereby, we report on the identification of a novel signature in cognitively impaired elderly characterized by: (1) elevated percentages of CD8+ T effector-memory cells expressing high levels of the CD45RA phosphate receptor (Temra ); (2) high percentages of CD8+ T cells expressing high levels of the CD8β chain (CD8β); (3) augmented production of IFNγ by activated CD4+ T cells.

Different retinopathy phenotypes in type 2 diabetes predict retinopathy progression.

Purpose: To characterize the progression in retinopathy severity of different phenotypes of mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Design And Methods: Patients with type 2 diabetes and mild NPDR (ETDRS 20 or 35) were followed in a 5-year longitudinal study. Examinations, including color fundus photography (CFP) and optical coherence tomography (OCT and OCTA), were performed at baseline, 6 months and then annually.

Improving HLA matching in living donor kidney transplantation using kidney paired exchange program.

Background: The inclusion of compatible pairs within kidney paired exchange programs has been described as a way to enhance these programs. Improved immunological matching for the recipient in compatible pair has been described to be a possible benefit.

Methods: The main purpose of our study was to determine if the introduction of compatible pairs in the Portuguese kidney paired exchange program would result in a better match for these patients, but also to assess if this strategy would increase the number of incompatible pairs with a possible match.