79 research outputs found
Heart Rate Variability in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Association with Health-Related Parameters and Effects of Aerobic Exercise
Abnormal heart rate variability (HRV) has been observed in patients with systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE). In a combined cross-sectional and interventional study approach,
we investigated the association of HRV with inflammation and oxidative stress markers,
patient-reported outcomes, and the effect of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise in HRV. Fifty-five women
with SLE (mean age 43.5 ± 14.0 years) were assigned to either aerobic exercise (n = 26) or usual care
(n = 29) in a non-randomized trial. HRV was assessed using a heart rate monitor during 10 min,
inflammatory and oxidative stress markers were obtained, psychological stress (Perceived Stress
Scale), sleep quality (Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index), fatigue (Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory),
depressive symptoms (Beck Depression Inventory), and quality of life (36-item Short-Form Health
Survey) were also assessed. Low frequency to high frequency power (LFHF) ratio was associated with
physical fatigue (p = 0.019). Sample entropy was inversely associated with high-sensitivity C-reactive
protein (p = 0.014) and myeloperoxidase (p = 0.007). There were no significant between-group
differences in the changes in HRV derived parameters after the exercise intervention. High-sensitivity
C-reactive protein and myeloperoxidase were negatively related to sample entropy and physical
fatigue was positively related to LFHF ratio. However, an exercise intervention of 12 weeks of aerobic
training did not produce any changes in HRV derived parameters in women with SLE in comparison
to a control group.Fundacion para la Investigacion Biosanitaria de Andalucia Oriental
PI-0525-2016
PIER-0223-2019Spanish Ministry of Universities
FPU18/0110
A propos of a new case of shigellosis by a non-imported multiresistant strain
We present the case corresponding to a shigellosis produced by multiresistant S. flexneri in a patient with no recent history of tourism or travel to exotic countries. This case exposes the need to know the distribution of resistant strains, and their emergence not imported in our environment, in the face of choosing the most appropriate type of antibiotic, when appropriate
Relative Handgrip Strength as Marker of Cardiometabolic Risk in Women with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus
This study aimed to examine the association of relative handgrip strength (rHGS) with
cardiometabolic disease risk factors in women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods:
Seventy-seven women with SLE (mean age 43.2, SD 13.8) and clinical stability during the previous
six months were included. Handgrip strength was assessed with a digital dynamometer and rHGS
was defined as absolute handgrip strength (aHGS) divided by body mass index (BMI). We measured
blood pressure, markers of lipid and glucose metabolism, inflammation (high sensitivity C-reactive
protein [hs-CRP]), arterial stiffness (pulse wave velocity [PWV]), and renal function. A clustered
cardiometabolic risk index (z-score) was computed. Results: Pearson0
s bivariate correlations revealed
that higher rHGS was associated with lower systolic blood pressure (SBP), triglycerides, hs-CRP, PWV,
and lower clustered cardiometabolic risk (rrange = from −0.43 to −0.23; all p < 0.05). Multivariable
linear regression analyses adjusted for age, disease activity (SLEDAI), and accrual damage (SDI)
confirmed these results (all p < 0.05) except for triglycerides. Conclusions: The findings suggest that
higher rHGS is significantly associated with lower cardiometabolic risk in women with SLE.Consejería de Salud, Junta de Andalucía (grant numbers:
PI-0525-2016 and PIER-0223-2019)Spanish Ministry of Education
(FPU15/00002)Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities
(FPU18/01107)Gerty Cory pre-doctoral program for deficit areas at the University
of Almerí
Presence and Relevance of Emerging Microorganisms in Clinical Genitourinary Samples
The following supporting information can be downloaded at:
https://www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/microorganisms11040915/s1Abstract: Microorganisms responsible for genitourinary infections increasingly include species other
than conventional etiological agents that are of clinical and pathogenic relevance and therapeutic
interest. This cross-sectional descriptive study selected samples from clinical genitourinary episodes
between January 2016 and December 2019 in which emerging microbiological agents were detected.
The patients’ epidemiological characteristics, clinical presentation, antibiotic treatment, and outcome
were studied to identify their pathogenic role. The emerging microorganisms most frequently
detected in urinary tract infections were Streptococcus bovis (58.5%) and Gardnerella spp. (23.6%) in
females and S. bovis (32.3%), Aerococcus urinae (18.6%), and Corynebacterium spp. (16.9%) in males,
while the most frequently detected in genital infections were S. viridans (36.4%) in females and
C. glucuronolyticum (32.2%) and Gardnerella spp. (35.6%) in males. All cases in female children were
produced by S. bovis. Symptomatic episodes were more frequent with Aerococcus spp. and S. bovis and
the presence of leukocytosis more frequent with Aerococcus spp. Quinolones and doxycycline were
most often prescribed antibiotics for genital infections and quinolones and amoxicillin-clavulanic
acid for urinary infections. Urinary infection by Aerococcus spp. was more frequent in males of
advanced age, Corynebacterium spp. was more frequent in permanent vesical catheter carriers, and
episodes of asymptomatic bacteriuria by Gardnerella spp. were more frequent in patients with kidney
transplant and chronic consumers of corticosteroid therapy. Lactobacillus spp. should be considered in
urinary infections of patients of advanced age and with a previous antibiotic load. Genital infection
by Gardnerella spp. was significantly associated with a history of risky sexual relations
Microwave-induced water flow in a microchannel built on a coplanar waveguide
We present experimental and numerical investigations of water flow in a microsystem induced by
microwave electric fields. Microwave dielectric heating induces gradients of temperature which
produce spatial variations in mass density and dielectric permittivity that lead to buoyancy and
dielectric forces in the liquid, respectively. The experimental system consists of a microchannel, filled
with water, which is built on top of a coplanar waveguide operating in the fundamental transversal
electromagnetic (TEM) mode at frequencies in the range 1–4 GHz. The flow originated by standing
waves is studied. Maxima and minima of electric field amplitude lead to maxima and minima of fluid
flow. This observation allows us to measure the TEM wavelength and good agreement is found with
the theoretical results for the TEM mode inside the microchannel. We also present three dimensional
finite-element calculations of the electric, temperature and fluid velocity fields in the microchannel. In
a first approach, the calculations are performed using the equations in the limit of small temperature
variations, which allows us to decouple the electrical, mechanical and thermal equations. These
calculations show a good agreement with the velocity profiles. Subsequently, the effect of considering
finite increments of temperature is taken into account and the new numerical results improve the
quantitative comparison with experimental velocities.Ministerio de Gobierno español MEC-FIS2006-03645Junta de Andalucía-P09-FQM-458
Negative Clinical Evolution in COVID-19 Patients Is Frequently Accompanied With an Increased Proportion of Undifferentiated Th Cells and a Strong Underrepresentation of the Th1 Subset
The severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been related to uncontrolled inflammatory innate responses and impaired adaptive immune responses mostly due to exhausted T lymphocytes and lymphopenia. In this work we have characterized the nature of the lymphopenia and demonstrate a set of factors that hinder the effective control of virus infection and the activation and arming of effector cytotoxic T CD8 cells and showing signatures defining a high-risk population. We performed immune profiling of the T helper (Th) CD4+ and T CD8+ cell compartments in peripheral blood of 144 COVID-19 patients using multiparametric flow cytometry analysis. On the one hand, there was a consistent lymphopenia with an overrepresentation of non-functional T cells, with an increased percentage of naive Th cells (CD45RA+, CXCR3-, CCR4-, CCR6-, CCR10-) and persistently low frequency of markers associated with Th1, Th17, and Th1/Th17 memory-effector T cells compared to healthy donors. On the other hand, the most profound alteration affected the Th1 subset, which may explain the poor T cells responses and the persistent blood virus load. Finally, the decrease in Th1 cells may also explain the low frequency of CD4+ and CD8+ T cells that express the HLA-DR and CD38 activation markers observed in numerous patients who showed minimal or no lymphocyte activation response. We also identified the percentage of HLA-DR+CD4+ T cells, PD-1+CD+4/CD8+ T cells in blood, and the neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio as useful factors for predicting critical illness and fatal outcome in patients with confirmed COVID-1
Pregnancy Success in Bitches - Evaluation of Interactions between Artificial Insemination Method, Serum Progesterone Concentration and Vaginal Cytology Parameters
Background: The artificial insemination has become a well-established method in the breeding of bitches, and evaluation of the factors that may potentially affect pregnancy success is essential. For this reason, it is essential to evaluate the factors that may affect fertility of the bitch when artificial insemination is performed. Serum progesterone concentrations and vaginal cytology have been used to determine the time of ovulation and stage of the estrus cycle. This study aimed to evaluate the artificial insemination method, the serum progesterone concentration, the breed size, age, the whelping number, vaginal cytology parameters, and their interactions on pregnancy success in bitches.
Materials, Methods & Results: A total of 607 bitches that had undergone reproductive consultation with the Mexican Canine Federation from January to December 2016 were enrolled in the present study and assigned to one of 2 artificial insemination methods (intravaginal and transcervical) using fresh semen. Determination of the estrus cycle phase and the time of Artificial insemination was based on vaginal cytology and serum progesterone concentrations. Bitches inseminated by the transcervical technique had a higher pregnancy rate with respect to females inseminated by the intravaginal technique (P < 0.05). Moreover, females with a serum progesterone concentration of 5-10 ng/mL had a greater probability (> 4 times) of getting pregnant than animals with lower or higher progesterone concentrations (P < 0.05). Bitches inseminated by the intravaginal technique and with serum progesterone concentrations >10 ng/mL had a considerable reduction in pregnancy (P < 0.05) compared with females with < 10 ng/mL serum progesterone or with bitches inseminated by the transcervical technique.
Discusion: Serum progesterone concentration, the artificial insemination method, and superficial cells without a nucleus modified the pregnancy rate in bitches. Females inseminated by transcervical semen deposition had a higher pregnancy rate than females inseminated by the intravaginal technique. Using fresh or frozen-thawed semen produced a higher pregnancy rate in bitches inseminated by transcervical semen deposition than females inseminated by the intravaginal technique. Differences in the pregnancy rate between transcervical and intravaginal insemination could be associated with the correct semen disposition, the distance that the sperm must travel to reach the oocyte, as well as the number of sperm that reach the oviduct ampulla. Exist evidences that after ovulation, as progesterone rises, the cervix is closed, which may compromise the passage of the sperm deposited into the vagina. Therefore, it is likely that in females with a serum progesterone concentration > 10 ng/mL, the cervix was closed, compromising the ability of the sperm to access the oviduct. Thus, the use of intravaginal insemination should be done in bitches with a serum progesterone concentrations < 11 ng/mL to reduce the possibility of cervical closure and to increase the odds of pregnancy. It is well documented that the serum progesterone concentration and vaginal cytology parameters have a great influence on pregnancy success, and the results confirm these findings. In the present study, 96% of the bitches inseminated with a serum progesterone concentration of 5-10 ng/mL got pregnant and had higher odds of pregnancy than bitches with lower or higher serum progesterone concentrations.
Keywords: female dogs, reproductive performance, pregnancy rate, fertility, intravaginal, transcervical, fresh, semen
Emerging Presence of Culturable Microorganisms in Clinical Samples of the Genitourinary System: Systematic Review and Experience in Specialized Care of a Regional Hospital
The detection of emerging pathogens responsible for genitourinary infections has increased
with technological advances. We conducted a systematic review of publications on the involvement of
these microorganisms in genitourinary samples, and we also investigated their presence and antibiotic
susceptibility in samples from patients at our regional hospital (Granada, Spain). The MEDLINE
database was searched up to 31 December 2020, and a cross-sectional descriptive study was performed
of results obtained in urine samples and genital exudates from January 2016 through December
2019. The review highlighted the frequent involvement of Neisseria meningitidis in genital infections,
while the data on other microorganisms were consistent with findings in our patient series. The
emerging microorganisms most often responsible for urinary tract infections were Streptococcus bovis
(58.5%) and Gardnerella vaginalis (23.6%) in females, and S. bovis (32.3%), Aerococcus urinae (18.6%),
and Corynebacterium spp. (16.9%) in males; those most frequently reported in genital infections were
S. viridans (36.4%) in females and C. glucuronolyticum (32.2%) and G. vaginalis (35.6%) in males. In
general, emerging pathogens are resistant to conventional antibiotics such as penicillin. However,
there has also been an increase in beta-lactam resistance by the S. bovis group and Corynebacterium
spp. The systematic review showed that emerging microorganisms are responsible for only a small
percentage of genitourinary infections but are of major clinical interest, with a predominance of
the S. bovis group, G. vaginalis, Lactobacillus spp., Aerococcus spp., and Corynebacterium spp. in urine
samples and of G. vaginalis and C. glucuronolyticum in genital samples. Given the increasing resistance
to antibiotics empirically prescribed in patients with genitourinary infections, it is recommended to
create an antibiogram in all cases
Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I Chain-Related (MICA) STR Polymorphisms in COVID-19 Patients
The SARS-CoV-2 disease presents different phenotypes of severity. Comorbidities, age, and
being overweight are well established risk factors for severe disease. However, innate immunity plays
a key role in the early control of viral infections and may condition the gravity of COVID-19. Natural
Killer (NK) cells are part of innate immunity and are important in the control of virus infection by
killing infected cells and participating in the development of adaptive immunity. Therefore, we
studied the short tandem repeat (STR) transmembrane polymorphisms of the major histocompatibility
complex class I chain-related A (MICA), an NKG2D ligand that induces activation of NK cells, among
other cells. We compared the alleles and genotypes of MICA in COVID-19 patients versus healthy
controls and analyzed their relation to disease severity. Our results indicate that the MICA*A9 allele
is related to infection as well as to symptomatic disease but not to severe disease. The MICA*A9
allele may be a risk factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection and symptomatic disease.Instituto de Salud Carlos III - FEDER funds (European Union) PI 16/00752
B-CTS-410-UGR-20Junta de Andalucia CTS-143
C-0013-201
Effects of 12-week Aerobic Exercise on Arterial Stiffness, Inflammation, and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Women with Systemic LUPUS Erythematosus: Non-Randomized Controlled Trial
This study assessed the effect of 12-week aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness (primary
outcome), inflammation, oxidative stress, and cardiorespiratory fitness (secondary outcomes) in
women with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In a non-randomized clinical trial, 58 women with
SLE were assigned to either aerobic exercise (n = 26) or usual care (n = 32). The intervention comprised
12 weeks of aerobic exercise (2 sessions X 75 min/week) between 40–75% of the individual’s heart
rate reserve. At baseline and at week 12, arterial stiffness was assessed through pulse wave velocity
(PWV), inflammatory (i.e., high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hsCRP], tumor necrosis factor alpha
[TFN- α], and inteleukin 6 [IL-6]) and oxidative stress (i.e., myeloperoxidase [MPO]) markers were
obtained from blood samples, and cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed (Bruce test). There were no
between-group differences in the changes in arterial stiffness (median PWV difference -0.034, 95% CI
-0.42 to 0.36 m/s; p = 0.860) or hsCRP, TNF-α, IL-6, and MPO (all p > 0.05) at week 12. In comparison
to the control group, the exercise group significantly increased cardiorespiratory fitness (median
difference 2.26 minutes, 95% CI 0.98 to 3.55; p = 0.001). These results suggest that 12 weeks of
progressive treadmill aerobic exercise increases cardiorespiratory fitness without exacerbating arterial
stiffness, inflammation, or oxidative stress in women with SLE.This work was supported by Fundación para la Investigación Biosanitaria de Andalucía Oriental (grant
number: PI-0525-2016) and the Ilustre Colegio Oficial de Médicos de Granada (Premios de Investigación 2017).
BG-C was supported by the Spanish Ministry of Education (FPU15/00002)
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