miRNA- and Cell Line-Specific Constraints on Precursor miRNA Processing of Stably Transfected Pancreatic Cancer and Other Mammalian Cells.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate approximately one-third of all human genes. The dysregulation of miRNAs has been implicated in the development of numerous human diseases, including cancers. In our investigation focusing on altering specific miRNA expression in human pancreatic cancer cells, we encountered an interesting finding.

Shorter Time to Discontinuation Due to Treatment Failure in People Living with HIV Switched to Dolutegravir Plus Either Rilpivirine or Lamivudine Compared with Integrase Inhibitor-Based Triple Therapy in a Large Spanish Cohort.

Introduction: Standard therapy for HIV treatment has consisted of two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) paired with a third agent. Use of two-drug regimens (2DR) has been considered for selected patients in part to avoid toxicities associated with the use of NRTIs. This study aimed to compare the real-world outcomes of integrase inhibitor (INSTI)-based three-drug regimens (3DR) versus 2DR of dolutegravir (DTG) + rilpivirine (RPV) or DTG + lamivudine (3TC).

Epidemiological and clinical characteristics of HIV infection in the Spanish VACH Cohort: a descriptive study.

Background: knowledge of the present features of the HIV epidemic is relevant, especially to develop management programmes directed to poorly controlled patients.

Objectives: to describe the epidemiological and clinical features of HIV infection in a large multicentre cohort.

Design: cross-sectional study.

Assessment of Drug Interactions with Online Electronic Checkers in Multi-Pathological Patients.

Introduction: Multi-pathological patients are at high risk of drug interactions and side effects. We aimed to assess the usefulness of 3 online drug interaction checkers.

Methods: In a cross-sectional study, carried out in the Medicine Department of Hospital General of Castellon, Spain, in February 2020, we assessed drug interaction detection with 3 online electronic checkers, Drugs.

eGFR-EPI changes among HIV patients who switch from F/TDF to F/TAF while maintaining the same third agent in the Spanish VACH cohort.

Evidence from clinical practice on the effects of switching from emtricitabine/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (F/TDF) to emtricitabine/tenofovir alafenamide (F/TAF)-based triple-therapy (TT) regimens on renal parameters is limited. This retrospective analysis evaluated the effects on renal function of switching from F/TDF to F/TAF-based TT regimens with no change in third agent among people living with HIV (PLWH). Data were from a multicenter Spanish PLWH cohort.

Real world effectiveness of standard of care triple therapy versus two-drug combinations for treatment of people living with HIV.

Background: Since 1996, the standard of care (SOC) therapy for HIV treatment has consisted of a backbone of two nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) paired with a third agent. Use of two-drug combinations (2DC) has been considered for selected patients to avoid toxicities associated with the use of NRTIs. This study aimed to compare the real-world outcomes of integrase strand transfer inhibitor (INSTI)-containing triple therapy (TT) to dolutegravir- (DTG) and/or boosted protease inhibitor (bPI)-based 2DC in a large Spanish cohort of HIV patients.

Disseminated sporotrichosis with immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome in an HIV patient: Case report and review of the literature.

Background: Sporotrichosis has been occurring as outbreaks in Brazil, reaching epidemic levels in some regions. Zoonotic transmission is the main route to acquire Sporothrix.

Case Report: We describe a case of disseminated sporotrichosis caused by Sporothrix brasiliensis in an HIV/AIDS patient, with the presentation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS).

Factors Associated with Nonsuppression of HIV Infection in the Spanish VACH Cohort.

We aim to determine the prevalence of HIV nonsuppression and factors associated with it. This is a cross-sectional multicenter study carried out in January 2016 with data of the VACH Cohort, a registry participated by 23 hospitals from most regions of Spain. The prevalence of HIV nonsuppression, defined as HIV RNA ≥200 copies/mL, is documented.

Palliative Sedation in Patients Hospitalized in Internal Medicine Departments.

Context: Palliative sedation is used to relieve end-of-life refractory symptoms.

Objective: The objective of this study was to describe the use of palliative sedation in patients who die in internal medicine departments.

Methods: An observational, cross-sectional, retrospective, and multicenter clinical audit study was conducted in 145 hospitals in Spain and Argentina.

Within subject variability of HDL-cholesterol in HIV-infected patients.

: Within-subject variability of cardiovascular risk factors may influence the development of cardiovascular disease. We aimed to improve knowledge on HDL-cholesterol variability and its clinical significance in HIV-infected patients, a population at high risk of cardiovascular disease.: This was a cohort study to quantify the variability of HDL-cholesterol between two consecutive visits and to determine factors associated with such variability, in a group of HIV-infected patients.

Cervical cancer risk in women living with HIV across four continents: A multicohort study.

We compared invasive cervical cancer (ICC) incidence rates in Europe, South Africa, Latin and North America among women living with HIV who initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) between 1996 and 2014. We analyzed cohort data from the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) and the Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research in Europe (COHERE) in EuroCoord. We used flexible parametric survival models to determine regional ICC rates and risk factors for incident ICC.

Typhlitis as a complication of influenza in a patient with advanced HIV infection.

The authors report the case of an HIV-infected patient who presented with typhlitis as a complication of typical influenza. To the best of their knowledge, this is the first case reported in the literature with such an association of clinical conditions.

Reference curves for CD4 T-cell count response to combination antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected treatment-naïve patients.

Objectives: The aim of this work was to provide a reference for the CD4 T-cell count response in the early months after the initiation of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in HIV-1-infected patients.

Methods: All patients in the Collaboration of Observational HIV Epidemiological Research Europe (COHERE) cohort who were aged ≥ 18 years and started cART for the first time between 1 January 2005 and 1 January 2010 and who had at least one available measurement of CD4 count and a viral load ≤ 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL at 6 months (± 3 months) after cART initiation were included in the study. Unadjusted and adjusted references curves and predictions were obtained using quantile regressions.

Increased homocysteine plasma level is associated with shortened prothrombin time in HIV-infected patients.

Objective: To find factors associated with increased homocysteine plasma level in HIV-infected patients.

Methods: Cross-sectional study, carried out as a supplementary task to the standard care of HIV-infected patients. The possible association of increased homocysteine plasma level with blood analyses results was assessed with a multiple linear regression analysis, using the automatic linear modeling available in SPSS version 22.

Punctate inner choroidopathy complicated with exudative neurosensory detachment: A favourable response to treatment with systemic corticosteroids and intravitreal ranibizumab.

Case Report: Punctate inner choroidopathy (PIC) is a variant of multifocal choroiditis that principally affects young and healthy women. A case of this condition is described in a woman who presented with a scotoma as the main complaint. Four months after the diagnosis of PIC, she developed an exudative neurosensory detachment associated with an active focus of juxtafoveal choroiditis.

Very low level viraemia and risk of virological failure in treated HIV-1-infected patients.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate whether very low level viraemia (VLLV) (20-50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) was associated with increased risk of virological failure (VF) as compared with persistent full suppression (< 20 copies/mL).

Methods: From the VACH Cohort database, we selected those patients who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) after January 1997 and who achieved effective viral suppression [two consecutive viral loads (VLs) < 50 copies/mL] followed by full suppression (at least one VL <20 copies/mL). We carried out survival analyses to investigate whether the occurrence of VLLV rather than maintaining full suppression at < 20 copies/mL was associated with virological failure (two consecutive VLs > 200 copies/mL or one VL > 200 copies/mL followed by a change of ART regimen, administrative censoring or loss to follow-up), adjusted for nadir CD4 cell count, sex, age, ethnicity, transmission group, type of ART and time on effective suppression at < 50 copies/mL.

Alkaptonuria Presenting with Impressive Osteoarticular Changes and Severe Aortic Stenosis.

Alkaptonuria, or ochronosis, a rare autosomal recessive metabolic disorder, causes an excess of homogentisic acid that results in dark pigmentation, calcification, and inflammation of cartilaginous and other tissues. Cardiovascular complications are also typical of the disease. We report the case of a 78-year-old male who presented with impressive osteoarticular changes and aortic stenosis associated with alkaptonuria.

Comparison of extracorporeal shock wave therapy with botulinum toxin type A in the treatment of plantar fasciitis.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) with botulinum toxin type A (BoNT-A) in the treatment of plantar fasciitis (PF).

Design: Open label, prospective, randomized study.

Results: A total of 72 patients were included.

Improved darunavir genotypic mutation score predicting treatment response for patients infected with HIV-1 subtype B and non-subtype B receiving a salvage regimen.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to improve the prediction of the impact of HIV-1 protease mutations in different viral subtypes on virological response to darunavir.

Methods: Darunavir-containing treatment change episodes (TCEs) in patients previously failing PIs were selected from large European databases. HIV-1 subtype B-infected patients were used as the derivation dataset and HIV-1 non-B-infected patients were used as the validation dataset.

The new oral anticoagulants: Reasonable alternatives to warfarin.

Dabigatran (a direct thrombin inhibitor) and rivaroxaban, apixaban, and edoxaban (direct activated factor X inhibitors) are increasingly being used in clinical practice. Compared with vitamin K antagonists, they are more convenient, do not require laboratory monitoring, have limited drug and food interactions, and have fixed dosages suitable for most patients. But the shortcomings of these agents can jeopardize their efficacy and increase the risk of bleeding.

Current practices in percutaneous nephrolithotomy in Mexico: results of a nation-wide electronic survey.

Practice patterns and choice of technological instruments in PCNL are not always standardized. There are no previous reports on the PCNL practice tendencies and patterns in Latin America. The aim of the study is to describe the current practice patterns of PCNL among the members of the Mexican Society of Urology ("Sociedad Mexicana de Urologia").