Sofosbuvir-based regimens for HCV in stage 4-stage 5 chronic kidney disease. A systematic review with meta-analysis.

Background: Hepatitis C is an important agent of liver damage in patients with chronic kidney disease and the advent of DAAs has dramatically changed the management of HCV positive patients, including those with advanced CKD. Sofosbuvir is the backbone of many anti-HCV regimens based on DAAs but it remains unclear whether it is appropriate for HCV-infected patients with stage 4-5 CKD.

Study Aims And Design: We performed a systematic review of the literature with a meta-analysis of clinical studies in order to evaluate the efficacy and safety of SOF-based DAA regimens in patients with stage 4-5 CKD.

Insights into induction of the immune response by the hepatitis B vaccine.

After more than four decades of hepatitis B virus (HBV) vaccine implementation, its safety and efficacy in preventing HBV infection have been proven and several milestones have been achieved. Most countries have included HBV immunization schedules in their health policies and progress has been made regarding universalization of the first HBV vaccine dose at birth. All of these actions have significantly contributed to reducing both the incidence of HBV infection and its related complications.

Assessment of the humoral response to the homologous Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) or heterologous Sputnik V/mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccination against SARS-CoV-2 in dialysis patients.

Background And Aim: Dialysis patients are a high-risk population and have a reduced immune response to vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. The aim of this study was to assess the humoral response to homologous Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V) and heterologous Sputnik V/mRNA-1273 (Moderna) vaccination in dialysis patients. The vaccination scheme depended on dose availability and the prioritization of risk populations as established by the Argentine Ministry of Health.

Real-world data meta-analysis: procedural success and clinical outcomes after radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation in South America.

Objective: To profile patients' characteristics, in-hospital results, and recurrence rates after radiofrequency ablation of atrial fibrillation (RAAF) in South America.

Methods: We comprehensively searched for single-center studies from South America with ≥10 patients receiving RAAF, published or presented from January 1, 2010, through June 29, 2020, excluding those reports aimed to specific populations such as permanent atrial fibrillation, structural cardiopathies, or re-do procedures.

Results: Main pooled estimates from a random-effects meta-analysis that included 3909 patients from 27 cohorts (from 5 countries): a) Patients characteristics: age 57.

Atrial Fibrillation and Dapagliflozin Efficacy in Patients With Preserved or Mildly Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is common in heart failure (HF), is associated with worse outcomes compared with sinus rhythm, and may modify the effects of therapy.

Objectives: This study examined the effects of dapagliflozin according to the presence or not of AF in the DELIVER (Dapagliflozin Evaluation to Improve the LIVEs of Patients With PReserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure) trial.

Methods: A total of 6,263 patients with HF with New York Heart Association functional class II-IV, left ventricular ejection fraction >40%, evidence of structural heart disease, and elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide levels were randomized to dapagliflozin or placebo.

The MICA-NKG2D axis in clear cell renal cell carcinoma bolsters MICA as target in immuno-oncology.

NKG2D is a major natural killer (NK) cell-activating receptor that recognizes eight ligands (NKG2DLs), including MICA, and whose engagement triggers NK cell effector functions. As NKG2DLs are upregulated on tumor cells but tumors can subvert the NKG2D-NKG2DL axis, NKG2DLs constitute attractive targets for antibody (Ab)-based immuno-oncology therapies. However, such approaches require a deep characterization of NKG2DLs and NKG2D cell surface expression on primary tumor and immune cells.

Diagnostic performance of artificial intelligence algorithms for detection of pulmonary involvement by COVID-19 based on portable radiography.

Introduction And Objectives: To evaluate the diagnostic performance of different artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms for the identification of pulmonary involvement by SARS-CoV-2 based on portable chest radiography (RX).

Material And Methods: Prospective observational study that included patients admitted for suspected COVID-19 infection in a university hospital between July and November 2020. The reference standard of pulmonary involvement by SARS-CoV-2 comprised a positive PCR test and low-tract respiratory symptoms.

[Renal effects of GLP-1 agonists in type 2 diabetes].

The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) is increasing, generating a great impact both at individual and public health level. Nearly half of the patients with DM2 develop impaired renal function, so nephron-protection is highly important. The robust body of evidence that shifted the therapeutic focus from glycemic to cardio-renal metabolic therapy in DM2 led to the inclusion of new therapies with cardiovascular and renal benefits in international guidelines.

An Argentinean cohort of patients with rheumatic and immune-mediated diseases vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2: the SAR-CoVAC Registry-protocol and preliminary data.

Background/objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in patients with rheumatic and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMIDs) in Argentina: the SAR-CoVAC registry.

Methods: SAR-CoVAC is a national, multicenter, and observational registry. Adult patients with rheumatic or IMIDs vaccinated for SARS-CoV-2 were consecutively included between June 1 and September 17, 2021.

Heterologous gam-COVID-vac (sputnik V)/mRNA-1273 (moderna) vaccination induces a stronger humoral response than homologous sputnik V in a real-world data analysis.

Objectives: To compare the homologous prime-boost vaccination scheme of Gam-COVID-Vac (Sputnik V (SpV)) to its heterologous combination with mRNA-1273 (Moderna (Mod)) vaccine.

Methods: SARS-CoV-2 anti-spike (S)-receptor binding domain (RBD) IgG concentration was assessed three to seven weeks after complete vaccination. Reactogenicity was evaluated by declared side events and medical assistance required until day 7 post boost.

Proposal of new diagnostic criteria for fatal familial insomnia.

Background: The understanding of fatal familial insomnia (FFI), a rare neurodegenerative autosomal dominant prion disease, has improved in recent years as more cases were reported. This work aimed to propose new diagnostic criteria for FFI with optimal sensitivity, specificity, and likelihood ratio.

Methods: An international group of experts was established and 128 genetically confirmed FFI cases and 281 non-FFI prion disease controls are enrolled in the validation process.

Temporal Trends in Self-Expandable Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement in South America: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: This study aimed to estimate temporal trends in clinical presentation and short-term outcomes of transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with self-expandable prostheses in South America through a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational data.

Methods: We comprehensively searched for articles published in peer-reviewed medical journals and for abstracts presented in medical conferences of the region from September 1, 2008, to June 29, 2020. We included single-center studies on self-expandable TAVR populations with ≥ 10 patients from South America.

[MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS FOR DIRECT ORAL ANTICOAGULANTS (DOACs) ANTI Xa AND ANTI IIa].

Direct oral anticoagulants have emerged as the drugs that have changed the management of the antithrombotic treatment in the last 15 years. Their advantages, like a more friendly way of anticoagulation and their lower risk of bleeding, especially in the brain, have positioned these new anticoagulants as the first drug of choice in the two most frequent indications of anticoagulation, atrial fibrillation, and the venous thromboembolic disease. However, not all the patients can receive these agents, not all the direct oral anticoagulants have the same characteristics, and most importantly, not all the diseases with an indication of an anticoagulant drug can be treated with them.

Early impact on sleep and mental health during the mandatory social isolation of COVID-19 outbreak: an obser vational cross-sectional study carried out in Argentina.

Introduction: The mandatory social isolation (MSI) due to the pandemic caused by COVID-19 in the world produced many changes in sleep and different areas of mental health. Objectives: To evaluate the early effects of MSI on sleep, anxiety, and depression in Argentina.

Material And Methods: An anonymous observational cross-sectional web-based study was distributed throughout the country and was completed by 2,594 respondents to analyze demographic information, quality of sleep, REM sleep-related events, depressive, and anxiety symptoms.

Baseline Characteristics of Patients With HF With Mildly Reduced and Preserved Ejection Fraction: DELIVER Trial.

Objectives: This report describes the baseline clinical profiles and management of DELIVER (Dapagliflozin Evaluation to Improve the Lives of Patients With Preserved Ejection Fraction Heart Failure) trial participants and how these compare with those in other contemporary heart failure with preserved ejection fraction trials.

Background: The DELIVER trial was designed to evaluate the effects of the sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor dapagliflozin on cardiovascular death, heart failure (HF) hospitalization, or urgent HF visits in patients with HF with mildly reduced and preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods: Adults with symptomatic HF and LVEF >40%, with or without type 2 diabetes mellitus, elevated N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) levels, and evidence of structural heart disease were randomized to dapagliflozin 10 mg once daily or matching placebo.

Assessing Renal Function for Kidney Donation. How Low Is Too Low?

Kidney transplantation (KT) is the treatment of choice for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) with decreased morbi-mortality, improved life quality, and reduced cost. However, the shortage of organs from deceased donors led to an increase in KT from living donors. Some stipulate that living donors have a higher risk of ESKD after donation compared with healthy non-donors.

The peripartum period involvement in the development of post-partum depression. A prospective cohort study.

Purpose: This study explores postpartum depression (PPD) in women who screened negative in mid-pregnancy to assess the impact of the peripartum period on the development of depressive symptoms.

Methods: A prospective cohort study was carried out in two facilities in Argentina. The Edinburgh postnatal depression scale (EPDS) scale was applied to pregnant women between weeks 20-24 gestation, and those screening negative (<10) were included in the cohort.

Pragmatic Approach on Neuroimaging Techniques for the Differential Diagnosis of Parkinsonisms.

Background: Rapid advances in neuroimaging technologies in the exploration of the living human brain also apply to movement disorders. However, the accurate diagnosis of Parkinson's disease (PD) and atypical parkinsonian disorders (APDs) still remains a challenge in daily practice.

Methods: We review the literature and our own experience as the Movement Disorder Society-Neuroimaging Study Group in Movement Disorders with the aim of providing a practical approach to the use of imaging technologies in the clinical setting.

The Glomerular Filtration Rate: From the Diagnosis of Kidney Function to a Public Health Tool.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) continues to increase worldwide, as well as the associated morbidity and mortality and the consequences on the patients' quality of life and countries' economies. CKD often evolves without being recognized by patients and physicians, although the diagnosis is based on two simple laboratory data: the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) and urine analysis. To measure GFR, the knowledge about the physiologic processes at the nephron level, the concept of clearance, and the identification of creatinine as a suitable endogenous marker for measuring the creatinine clearance (CrCl) had to be previously developed.

The dilemma of identifying Peptoniphilus species by using two MALDI-TOF MS systems.

Two commercial MALDI-TOF MS systems were used to identify 18 isolates, belonging to the Peptoniphilus genus; also the 16S rRNA sequencing identity was compared against the MALDI-TOF MS system results. Bruker Biotyper system provided higher accuracy than Vitek MS system, however, adding spectra could allow a more reliable species level identification.

Chronic Kidney Disease and Arterial Stiffness: A Two-Way Path.

The kidney-heart relationship has raised interest for the medical population since its vast and complex interaction significantly impacts health. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) generates vascular structure and function changes, with significant hemodynamic effects. The early arterial stiffening in CKD patients is a consequence of the interaction between oxidative stress and chronic vascular inflammation, leading to an accelerated deterioration of left ventricular function and alteration in tissue perfusion.

A buccal mucosal graft subcoronal resurfacing technique to treat recurrent penile adhesions: the buccal belt.

Objective: To outline our step-by-step surgical technique using a subcoronal buccal mucosal graft (BMG) resurfacing technique for the treatment of recurrent penile adhesions.

Methods: To perform the 'buccal belt' procedure a subcoronal circumferential segment of diseased skin was excised. An appropriately sized BMG was circumferentially secured subcoronally with a proximal and distal anastomosis to the edges of the wound.