Phospho-p38 MAPK expression in COPD bronchi and in oxidative and inflammatory challenged bronchial epithelium

The role of MAPK kinases in inducing the inflammatory response in the airways of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD) patients is incompletely studied. Objectives: To investigate the expression of activated MAPK kinases in bronchial biopsies of COPD patients and the MAPK kinase bronchial epithelial response to oxidative and inflammatory stimuli related to COPD. Expression of phospho(p)-p38, p-JNK1 and p-ERK1/2 was measured in the bronchial mucosa using immunohistochemistry in patients with mild/moderate (n=17), severe/very severe (n=16) stable COPD, control smokers (n=16), control non smokers (n=9) and in a group with mild asthma (n=9). 16HBE cells, challenged with oxidative and inflammatory stimuli, were also studied for IL-8 and MAPK kinases mRNA production. P-p38 was the most expressed MAPK kinase in the bronchial mucosa of all subjects. No significant differences were observed for immune-expression of p-p38, p-JNK and p-ERK1/2 between COPD and control subjects. 16HBE cells treated with H2O2, cytomix (TNFα+IL- 1β+IFNγ) and Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) up-regulated IL-8 mRNA production at 1h or 2h after treatments. P38α mRNA was significantly increased after H2O2 and LPS. JNK1 and ERK1 mRNA were not significantly increased after H2O2, cytomix or LPS treatments. Blocking p38α activity IL-8 mRNA production was not changed at 1h, 2h and 4h after H2O2 or LPS challenge. P-p38 immune-positivity is prevalent in the bronchial mucosa of COPD and asthmatic patients and p38 mRNA is increased after bronchial epithelial challenges suggesting a relevant role for this MAPK kinase in the induction of bronchial inflammation in COPD and asthma

Mercury distribution in key tissues of fish (Liza aurata) inhabiting a contaminated estuary-implications for human and ecosystem health risk assessment

This study brings a new viewpoint based on multiple-tissue analyses to form the basis for a predictive mode of mercury accumulation dynamics in fish body under field conditions. Total mercury (T–Hg) was determined in key tissues of Liza aurata captured along an estuarine contamination gradient, displaying the following hierarchy: kidney > liver > muscle > brain > gills > blood. Brain was the tissue that better reflected the mercury contamination extent, closely followed by liver and muscle. Organic mercury (O–Hg) measured in muscle and liver represented more than 85% and less than 30% of the T–Hg, respectively. The lowest O–Hg percentage was found in the most contaminated area, for both muscle and liver. Mercury distribution and accumulation patterns showed dependence on the specific tissue. The high mercury levels found in organs involved in vital physiological processes point out the risk to autochthonous fish fauna. Human risk associated to the ingestion of fish living in the surveyed areas cannot be excluded

Convergent Sets of Data from In Vivo and In Vitro Methods Point to an Active Role of Hsp60 in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Pathogenesis

BACKGROUND: It is increasingly clear that some heat shock proteins (Hsps) play a role in inflammation. Here, we report results showing participation of Hsp60 in the pathogenesis of chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), as indicated by data from both in vivo and in vitro analyses. METHODS AND RESULTS: Bronchial biopsies from patients with stable COPD, smoker controls with normal lung function, and non-smoker controls were studied. We quantified by immunohistochemistry levels of Hsp10, Hsp27, Hsp40, Hsp60, Hsp70, Hsp90, and HSF-1, along with levels of inflammatory markers. Hsp10, Hsp40, and Hsp60 were increased during progression of disease. We found also a positive correlation between the number of neutrophils and Hsp60 levels. Double-immunostaining showed that Hsp60-positive neutrophils were significantly increased in COPD patients. We then investigated in vitro the effect on Hsp60 expression in bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) caused by oxidative stress, a hallmark of COPD mucosa, which we induced with H\u2082O\u2082. This stressor determined increased levels of Hsp60 through a gene up-regulation mechanism involving NFkB-p65. Release of Hsp60 in the extracellular medium by the bronchial epithelial cells was also increased after H\u2082O\u2082 treatment in the absence of cell death. CONCLUSIONS: This is the first report clearly pointing to participation of Hsps, particularly Hsp60, in COPD pathogenesis. Hsp60 induction by NFkB-p65 and its release by epithelial cells after oxidative stress can have a role in maintaining inflammation, e.g., by stimulating neutrophils activity. The data open new scenarios that might help in designing efficacious anti-inflammatory therapies centered on Hsp60 and applicable to COP

Mortality and pulmonary complications in patients undergoing surgery with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international cohort study

Background: The impact of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) on postoperative recovery needs to be understood to inform clinical decision making during and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This study reports 30-day mortality and pulmonary complication rates in patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods: This international, multicentre, cohort study at 235 hospitals in 24 countries included all patients undergoing surgery who had SARS-CoV-2 infection confirmed within 7 days before or 30 days after surgery. The primary outcome measure was 30-day postoperative mortality and was assessed in all enrolled patients. The main secondary outcome measure was pulmonary complications, defined as pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, or unexpected postoperative ventilation. Findings: This analysis includes 1128 patients who had surgery between Jan 1 and March 31, 2020, of whom 835 (74·0%) had emergency surgery and 280 (24·8%) had elective surgery. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed preoperatively in 294 (26·1%) patients. 30-day mortality was 23·8% (268 of 1128). Pulmonary complications occurred in 577 (51·2%) of 1128 patients; 30-day mortality in these patients was 38·0% (219 of 577), accounting for 81·7% (219 of 268) of all deaths. In adjusted analyses, 30-day mortality was associated with male sex (odds ratio 1·75 [95% CI 1·28–2·40], p\textless0·0001), age 70 years or older versus younger than 70 years (2·30 [1·65–3·22], p\textless0·0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists grades 3–5 versus grades 1–2 (2·35 [1·57–3·53], p\textless0·0001), malignant versus benign or obstetric diagnosis (1·55 [1·01–2·39], p=0·046), emergency versus elective surgery (1·67 [1·06–2·63], p=0·026), and major versus minor surgery (1·52 [1·01–2·31], p=0·047). Interpretation: Postoperative pulmonary complications occur in half of patients with perioperative SARS-CoV-2 infection and are associated with high mortality. Thresholds for surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic should be higher than during normal practice, particularly in men aged 70 years and older. Consideration should be given for postponing non-urgent procedures and promoting non-operative treatment to delay or avoid the need for surgery. Funding: National Institute for Health Research (NIHR), Association of Coloproctology of Great Britain and Ireland, Bowel and Cancer Research, Bowel Disease Research Foundation, Association of Upper Gastrointestinal Surgeons, British Association of Surgical Oncology, British Gynaecological Cancer Society, European Society of Coloproctology, NIHR Academy, Sarcoma UK, Vascular Society for Great Britain and Ireland, and Yorkshire Cancer Research

The Coronavirus Footprint on Dual-Task Performance in Post-Acute Patients after Severe COVID-19: A Future Challenge for Rehabilitation

Recent studies suggest that also the non-critical form of COVID-19 infection may be associated with executive function impairments. However, it is not clear if they result from cognitive impairments or by COVID-19 infection per se. We aimed to investigate if patients in the post-acute stage of severe COVID-19 (PwCOVID), without manifest cognitive deficits, reveal impairments in performing dual-task (DT) activities compared to healthy controls (HS). We assessed balance in 31 PwCOVID vs. 30 age-matched HS by stabilometry and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test with/without a cognitive DT. The DT cost (DTC), TUG test time and sway oscillations were recorded; correct cognitive responses (CCR) were calculated to evaluate cognitive performance. Results show a significant difference in overall DT performance between PwCOVID and HS in both stabilometry (p < 0.01) and the TUG test (p < 0.0005), although with similar DTCs. The main difference in the DTs between groups emerged in the CCR (effect size > 0.8). Substantially, PwCOVID gave priority to the motor task, leaving out the cognitive one, while HS performed both tasks simultaneously. Our findings suggest that PwCOVID, even without a manifest cognitive impairment, may present a deficit in executive function during DTs. These results encourage the use of DTs and CCR in PwCOVID

Pancreatico-gastric fistula mimicking malignant infiltration following transgastric EUS-FNA of resectable pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

This paper describes a pancreatico-gastric fistula following EUS-guided biopsy mimicking cancer infiltratio

Anomalous scales of Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. (Bromeliaceae) exposed in the Metropolitan Region of Campinas, SP, Brazil as air pollution markers

Tillandsia usneoides is an epiphytic bromeliad that has been used as a universal bioindicator. The species accumulates metals and presents foliar scale variations when exposed to air pollutants. This study aimed to use the variations in foliar scales as microscopic markers of pollutant effects in the Metropolitan Region of Campinas (MRC), São Paulo State, Brazil. T. usneoides plants were exposed for 12 weeks during dry and wet seasons, totaling four exposures, at five sites in the MRC. Samples were selected before each exposure for initial evaluation of the plants (T0). Leaf fragments were fixed in glutaraldehyde and total scale density and anomalous scale percentage were evaluated. Plants exposed in the MRC showed anomalies and changes in number of subperipheral cells of leaf scales. When compared to T0, T. usneoides presented higher total scale density and anomalous scale percentage at disturbed sites, thus the species can be used as a pollution bioindicator for MRC

Beyond Pancreatic Cyst Epithelium: Evidence of Ovarian-Like Stroma in EUS-Guided Through-the-Needle Micro-Forceps Biopsy Specimens

No abstract availabl

Anomalous scales of Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. (Bromeliaceae) exposed in the Metropolitan Region of Campinas, SP, Brazil as air pollution markers

Tillandsia usneoides is an epiphytic bromeliad that has been used as a universal bioindicator. The species accumulates metals and presents foliar scale variations when exposed to air pollutants. This study aimed to use the variations in foliar scales as microscopic markers of pollutant effects in the Metropolitan Region of Campinas (MRC), São Paulo State, Brazil. T. usneoides plants were exposed for 12 weeks during dry and wet seasons, totaling four exposures, at five sites in the MRC. Samples were selected before each exposure for initial evaluation of the plants (T0). Leaf fragments were fixed in glutaraldehyde and total scale density and anomalous scale percentage were evaluated. Plants exposed in the MRC showed anomalies and changes in number of subperipheral cells of leaf scales. When compared to T0, T. usneoides presented higher total scale density and anomalous scale percentage at disturbed sites, thus the species can be used as a pollution bioindicator for MRC