Search

Mainly affecting poorer populations in remote (sub)tropical areas, paragonimiasis is considered one of the world's most neglected tropical diseases by the World Health Organization. It is usually acquired by consuming undercooked freshwater crustaceans and primarily affects the lungs, but may ectopically migrate to other organs to produce a multisystemic clinical presentation. This study details what appears to be the first documented case in South America and particularly in Colombia of cerebral paragonimiasis and infection by the crab Moreirocarcinus emarginatus. After consuming this crab, a 32-year-old Colombian male developed dyspnea and headache. A chest X-ray revealed tension pneumothorax (TPT) and a thoracoscopic lung biopsy bronchiolitis, eosinophilia, and granulomatous reaction due to Paragonimus parasites. Brain tomography and MRI also showed a configuration typical of Paragonimus parasites, namely a predominantly cystic area near the left cuneus with diffusion restriction, a hemosiderin halo, and linear enhancement characteristic of the tunnel sign, indicating an adult worm moving in the brain. Cerebral paragonimiasis can occur in the Colombian population and Moreirocarcinus emarginatus can be its cause. In rural areas, education about raw crab consumption would be beneficial, and physicians addressing lung-related complaints should bear paragonimiasis in mind and ask about raw crab consumption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background CDH is a major birth defect, characterized by high mortality. How the initial defective mesenchymal substructures affects muscle malformation is unclear. Defects of genes involved in diaphragmatic development, such as friend-of-GATA2 (Fog2), may play an important role in its pathogenesis. We investigated the expression of Fog2 and proteins of myogenesis in a series of CDH and in diaphragms at different fetal ages, in order to clarify the role of muscular components during diaphragmatic development in cases with CDH. Material and methods Specimen were obtained from seven diaphragms of CDH cases undergoing surgery, 3 entire diaphragms from non repaired CDH, 5 control diaphragms at different gestational ages (16, 17, 22, 32, and 40 g.w.), and 3 biopsy samples of normal voluntary muscle. The thickness of diaphragms at the edge of the defect in CDH and in developing diaphragms was measured. All samples were processed for HE staining and immunohistochemistry. Immunohistochemical expression of MyoD, Myf4, Pax7, Mib1 and Fog2 was evaluated. Results Mean thickness at the edge of the defect was 4.14 mm. Contralateral hemi-diaphragm in 3 autopsies and in controls at 32 and 40 weeks measured 2.25 mm; histology showed a higher density of desmin-positive muscular cells at the edge of defect. CDH displayed scattered Myf4-positive cells (range 0%–10%, mean 2.4%), numerous Pax7-positive cells (range 0%–24%, mean 12.1%) and less than 1% Mib1-positive cells. Controls showed a reduction of positive cell with the progression of gestational age for Myf4 (30% at 16 weeks, 20% at 17 weeks, 5% at 22 weeks, 1% at 32 and 40 weeks), Pax7 (85% at 16 weeks and 17 weeks, 35% at 22 weeks, 11% at 32 weeks) and Mib1 (20% at 16 weeks, 8% at 17 weeks, 7% at 22 weeks, 2% at 32 weeks). Fog-2 was diffusely positive in mesenchymal, mesothelial and muscular cells, in diaphragms from 16 to 22 weeks, decreasing to 20% of positive muscular cells in 32-week diaphragm. In CDH only mesothelial and mesenchymal cells were positive. Stem cell markers were negative in cases and controls. Comment CDH shows a thick muscular border, with high number of mature muscle cells and significant increase of quiescent satellite cells (PAX7 +, Mib1 −). Abnormal architecture may affect the normal process of myogenesis and thus signaling and cell-cell interactions of myocytes. The expression of Fog2 in mesothelial and mesenchymal cells in CDH demonstrates the absence of a genetic defect involving Fog2 in our cases. Being Fog2 expressed in muscle cells at early stage supports the hypothesis that the altered diaphragmatic genesis may undermine also the muscular component instead of the only mesenchymal one. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low intake of fish and PUFAand high dietary frans-and SFA are considered to be among the main preventable causes of death. Unfortunately, epidemiological and preclinical studies have yet to identify biomarkers that accurately predict the influence of fatty acid intake on risk of chronic diseases, including cancer. Changes in protein profile and post-translational modifications in tissue and biofluids may offer important clues about the impact of fatty acids on the etiology of chronic diseases. However, conventional protein methodologies are not adequate for assessing the impact of fatty acids on protein expression patterns and modifications and the discovery of protein biomarkers that predict changes in disease risk and progression in response to fatty acid intake. Although fluctuations in protein structure and abundance and inter-individual variability often mask subtle effects caused by dietary intervention, modern proteomic platforms offer tremendous opportunities to increase the sensitivity of protein analysis in tissues and biofluids (plasma, urine) and elucidate the effects of fatty acids on regulation of protein networks. Unfortunately, the number of studies that adopted proteomic tools to investigate the impact of fatty acids on disease risk and progression is quite small. The future success of proteomlcs in the discovery of biomarkers of fatty acid nutrition requires improved accessibility and standardization of proteomic methodologies, validation of quantitative and qualitative protein changes (e.g., expression levels, post-translational modifications) induced by fatty acids, and application of bioinformatic tools that can inform about the cause-effect relationships between fatty acid intake and health response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus spp could be responsible of nosocomial aspergillosis in immunocompromised patients. In 2018, it was decided to demolish a building of Careggi Hospital (Florence, Italy), the Chief Medical Officer ordered a 9-months-long air and surface microbiological sampling and extraordinary preventive measures. A 9-months-long prospective study. After mapping the at-risk areas, air and surface samples were collected in different locations: in corridors, in rooms (high efficiency particulate air filter (HEPA) filtered or not), and outdoors. The samples were collected during the critical phases of the demolition. Air temperature and weather conditions were determined and recorded at the beginning of each sampling. Seventy-eight air samples and 72 surface samples were collected. The results showed highest contamination at time zero (before extraordinary preventive measures) and in the wards without HEPA filtered air. No specific prophylaxis strategy was implemented at our hospital for immunocompromised patients, and no cases of aspergillosis were recorded. Our results showed that extraordinary protective measures, the use of air treatment systems, and a continuous monitoring could be associated with decreased Aspergillus air contamination during construction, renovation, or demolition works. • Extraordinary protective measures could ensure a lower air contamination by Aspergillus spp. • The human factor is essential for the best success of these measures. • Air treatment and a continuous monitoring decrease Aspergillus air contamination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vaccination is traditionally considered as a measure addressed to infants and children. Indeed, in natural conditions, vaccine-preventable infections are mainly spread at a young age. The implementation of routine and mass vaccination programmes has led to the eradication of smallpox and to the elimination of poliomyelitis in many regions of the world, together with the control of once life-threatening diseases like diphtheria and tetanus. In more recent times, the development of new generation vaccines and the changing epidemiological profile of many vaccine-preventable diseases have greatly changed the objectives and the target of today's immunization strategies. The objective of this article is to highlight and discuss the evolution of vaccination strategies from measures aimed at protecting children to a practice that is needed throughout life. Adolescents and adults need immunization for several reasons: they may not have received the vaccines usually administered in childhood; new vaccines tailored for adolescents and adults have become available; immunity acquired thanks to immunization in childhood can fade; and older adults or those who are chronically ill are more susceptible to vaccine-preventable diseases and to their complications. The changing demographic profile of both industrialized countries and of countries in transition towards an 'aging' population, and the shift of several infectious diseases towards adulthood make it imperative that new infrastructures to deliver vaccines and new investments in immunization are investigated. Such a change of perspective is needed both to preserve health and to guarantee the sustainability of health systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In 1979, the department of Psychology started its activity to provide psychological support to patients and their families during the course of treatment and during the follow-up period. Since 1986, a transplantation program was initiated in the cardiology and pediatric cardiac surgery departments, performing 179 cardiac, 3 heart-kidney, 18 heart-lung 14 both lung, 1 heart-lung-liver, and 1 single lung transplantation. From 1993, to September 2010 the kidney transplant program has performed. 218 cases. Since 2008, we performed (32 liver and 1 intestinal transplantations). We examined the quality of life and coping with transplantation attitudes because there is recent evidence of high levels of family anxiety and depression related to a child''s poor response to the disease and compliance. Our work associated post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) with anxiety and with these clinical variables: gender pathology, rejection, number of drugs frequency of hospital visits, number of hospitalizations, as well as age at and time from transplantation. We examined 56 parents (25 fathers and 31 mothers) of cardiac transplant recipients. Our most relevant data demonstrated the presence of PTSD among 52% of mothers and 40% of fathers. Significant correlations were observed within the trait of anxiety. No correlations were noted between PTSD and other variables. Testing anxiety levels of parents is considered to be basic to provide psychological support to parents, encourage personal skills, and avoid PTSD symptoms. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Annexins and S100 proteins constitute two multigenic families of Ca2+-modulated proteins that have been implicated in the regulation of both intracellular and extracellular activities. Some annexins can interact with certain S100 protein dimers thereby forming heterotetramers in which an S100 dimer crosslinks two copies of the partner annexin. It is suggested that S100 protein binding to an annexin might serve the function of regulating annexin function and annexin binding to an S100 protein might regulate S100 function. In the present study, annexin V, annexin VI (or ANXA5 and ANXA6, respectively, according to a novel nomenclature), S100A1 and S100B were analyzed for their subcellular localization in developing and adult avian skeletal muscles by confocal laser scanning microscopy, immunogold cytochemistry, and western blotting, and for their ability to form annexin–S100 heterocomplex in vivo by immunoprecipitation. These four proteins displayed distinct expression patterns, ANXA5 being the first to be expressed in myotubes (i.e. at embryonic day 8), followed by ANXA6 (at embryonic day 12) and S100A1 and S100B (between embryonic day 12 and embryonic day 15). The two annexins and the two S100 proteins were found associated to different extents with the sarcolemma, membranes of the sarcoplasmic reticulum, and putative transverse tubules where they appeared to be co-localized from embryonic day 18 onwards. No one of these proteins was found associated with the contractile apparatus of the sarcomeres. Immunoprecipitation studies indicated that ANXA6/S100A1 and ANXA6/S100B complexes formed in vivo. Whereas, ANXA5 was not recovered in S100A1 or S100B immunoprecipitates.From our data we suggest that: (i) ANXA5 and ANXA6, and S100A1 and S100B can be used as markers of skeletal muscle development; (ii) ANXA6 and S100A1 and S100B appear strategically located close to or on skeletal muscle membrane organelles that are critically involved in the regulation of Ca2+ fluxes, thus supporting previous in vitro observations implicating S100A1 and ANXA6 in the stimulation of Ca2+-induced Ca2+ release; and (iii) ANXA6/S100A1 and ANXA6/S100B complexes can form in vivo thereby regulating each other activities and/or acting in concert to regulate membrane-associated activities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Mitral annulus calcification may appear under different forms depending from its evolution stage: mitral annulus calcification; homogeneous calcified mass of the mitral valve; liquefaction necrosis of the mass; reduction or stability of the mass dimension. We report a large calcified mass located in between the posterior mitral valve leaflet and adjacent left ventricular myocardium suggesting the homogeneous calcified phase of the disease. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]