Patients with isolated pulmonary embolism in comparison to those with deep venous thrombosis. Differences in characteristics and clinical evolution

Abstract Background Patients with acute pulmonary embolism (PE) often have leg deep vein thrombosis (DVT); sometimes, however, a DVT is not detected (isolated PE, I-PE). We aimed at assessing the proportion of patients with I-PE, and their characteristics and clinical evolution compared to those with DVT with/without PE (DVT/PE). Methods Among 3573 patients included in the START2-Register for a venous thromboembolic event, 2880 (80.6%) had DVT/PE, the remaining I-PE (19.4%). Results Patients with I-PE were older [(≥75 years, OR 1.4 (95%CI 1.13–1.69)], and more frequently females [OR 1.4 (1.19–1.67)]. Young females (aged ≤ 50 years) with an index event occurring during hormonal contraception (HC), were more prevalent in I-PE [OR 1.96 (1.26–3.03)]. At multivariate analysis, age > 75 years, female sex, heart failure, cancer and use of HC were risk factors significantly associated with I-PE, whereas thrombophilic alterations were associated with DVT/PE. During a follow-up of 4504 years (during anticoagulation), the rate of bleeding events was 1.1% patient/years and 1.0% patient/years in I-PE and DVT/PE, respectively. Venous thromboembolic events were equally prevalent in DVT/PE or I-PE (1.94% vs 0.86%, ns), whereas arterial complications were more prevalent in the latter group (1.01% vs 0.28%, p = 0.008). Conclusion I-PE and DVT/PE have important differences. Older age, female sex, heart failure and cancer, were risk factors for I-PE; thrombophilic alterations were associated with DVT/PE. HC use was more frequent in the I-PE group. The prevalence of arterial complications was higher in patients with I-PE. Further studies, specifically designed on this issue, are warranted

Soil selenium (Se) biofortification changes the physiological, biochemical and epigenetic responses to water stress in Zea mays L. by inducing a higher drought tolerance

Requiring water and minerals to grow and to develop its organs, Maize (Zea mays L.) production and distribution is highly rainfall-dependent. Current global climatic changes reveal irregular rainfall patterns and this could represent for maize a stressing condition resulting in yield and productivity loss around the world. It is well known that low water availability leads the plant to adopt a number of metabolic alterations to overcome stress or reduce its effects. In this regard, selenium (Se), a trace element, can help reduce water damage caused by the overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we report the effects of exogenous Se supply on physiological and biochemical processes that may influence yield and quality of maize under drought stress conditions. Plants were grown in soil fertilized by adding 150 mg of Se (sodium selenite). We verified the effects of drought stress and Se treatment. Selenium biofortification proved more beneficial for maize plants when supplied at higher Se concentrations. The increase in proline, K concentrations and nitrogen metabolism in aerial parts of plants grown in Se-rich substrates, seems to prove that Se-biofortification increased plant resistance to water shortage conditions. Moreover, the increase of SeMeSeCys and SeCys2 forms in roots and aerial parts of Se-treated plants suggest resistance strategies to Se similar to those existing in Se-hyperaccumulator species. In addition, epigenetic changes in DNA methylation due to water stress and Se treatment were also investigated using methylation sensitive amplified polymorphism (MSAP). Results suggest that Se may be an activator of particular classes of genes that are involved in tolerance to abiotic stresses. In particular, PSY (phytoene synthase) gene, essential for maintaining leaf carotenoid contents, SDH (sorbitol dehydrogenase), whose activity regulates the level of important osmolytes during drought stress and ADH (alcohol dehydrogenase), whose activity plays a central role in biochemical adaptation to environmental stress. In conclusion, Se-biofortification could help maize plants to cope with drought stress conditions, by inducing a higher drought tolerance

Vaccination with Trypanosoma rangeli modulates the profiles of immunoglobulins and IL-6 at local and systemic levels in the early phase of Trypanosoma cruzi experimental infection

In America, there are two species of Trypanosoma that can infect humans: Trypanosoma cruzi, which is responsible for Chagas disease and Trypanosoma rangeli, which is not pathogenic. We have developed a model of vaccination in mice with T. rangeli epimastigotes that protects against T. cruzi infection. The goal of this work was to study the pattern of specific immunoglobulins in the peritoneum (the site of infection) and in the sera of mice immunized with T. rangeli before and after challenge with T. cruzi. Additionally, we studied the effects triggered by antigen-antibodies binding and the levels of key cytokines involved in the humoral response, such as IL-4, IL-5 and IL-6. The immunization triggered the production of antibodies reactive with T. cruzi in peritoneal fluid (PF) and in serum, mainly IgG1 and, to a lesser magnitude, IgG2. Only immunized mice developed specific IgG3 antibodies in their peritoneal cavities. Antibodies were able to bind to the surface of the parasites and agglutinate them. Among the cytokines studied, IL-6 was elevated in PF during early infection, with higher levels in non-immunized-infected mice. The results indicate that T. rangeli vaccination against T. cruzi infection triggers a high production of specific IgG isotypes in PF and sera before infection and modulates the levels of IL-6 in PF in the early periods of infection

Eu virei homem!: a construção das masculinidades para adolescentes participantes de um projeto de promoção de saúde sexual e reprodutiva

Resumo Este estudo teve por objetivo discutir a construção sobre as masculinidades no discurso de adoles centes participantes de um projeto de promoção de saúde sexual e reprodutiva, realizado em uma escola pública em Recife (PE) com 24 adolescentes homens matriculados no 8° e 9° ano do ensino fundamental. Em uma abordagem qualitativa, os dados coletados por meio da gravação de áudio em equipamento digital e pela técnica da observação participante, com a utilização de registro em diário de campo, foram submetidos à análise de conteúdo temática. A análise dos dados resultou em três ca tegorias temáticas. Na categoria "Percepções sobre o corpo masculino", observou-se que os adolescen tes necessitavam de aspectos concretos e visíveis para assimilar a transformação do corpo, havendo dificuldade e resistência inicial para discutir sobre o próprio corpo. Na categoria "Gênero e masculini dades", observou-se a limitação dos adolescentes na compreensão das relações de gênero e na con cepção sobre a sexualidade, fundamentando-se nas experiências divergentes para homens e mulheres, permeadas pelas construções culturais. Na catego ria "Paternidade e masculinidades", os adolescentes apontaram que as concepções de paternidade têm se transformado, envolvendo diferentes modelos de paternidade. A partir do exposto, infere-se que as diferentes construções acerca das masculinidades estão relacionadas às experiência de vida dos adolescentes e que podem ter implicações significativas no modo de vivenciar a saúde sexual e reprodutiva, tornando relevante a desmistificação dessas cons truções, bem como a participação dos profissionais de saúde para contextualizar ações de promoção e educação em saúde

Copper binds the carboxy-terminus of trefoil protein 1 (TFF1), favoring its homodimerization and motogenic activity

Trefoil protein 1 (TFF1) is a small secreted protein belonging to the trefoil factor family of proteins, that are present mainly in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and play pivotal roles as motogenic factors in epithelial resti- tution, cell motility, and other incompletely characterized biological processes. We previously reported the up-regu- lation of TFF1 gene in copper deficient rats and the unexpected property of the peptide to selectively bind copper. Following the previous evidence, here we report the characterization of the copper binding site by fluorescence quenching spectroscopy and mass spectrometric analyses. We demonstrate that Cys58 and at least three Glu sur- rounding residues surrounding it, are essential to efficiently bind copper. Moreover, copper binding promotes the TFF1 homodimerization, thus increasing its motogenic activity in in vitro wound healing assays. Copper levels could then modulate the TFF1 functions in the GI tract, as well as its postulated role in cancer progression and invasion

Management and Outcomes of Isolated Distal Deep Vein Thromboses: A Questionable Trend toward Long-Lasting Anticoagulation Treatment. Results from the START-Register

: Background \u2003Isolated distal deep vein thromboses (IDDVT) are frequently diagnosed; however, their natural history and real risk of complications are still uncertain. Though treatment is still not well standardized, international guidelines recommend no more than 3 months of anticoagulation therapy. We investigated how Italian clinicians treat IDDVT patients in their real life in our country. Methods \u2003Baseline characteristics and clinical history of the patients enrolled in the prospective, observational, multicenter START-Register for a first IDDVT or proximal DVT (PDVT) were analyzed. Results \u2003Overall, 412 IDDVT patients were significantly younger, with better renal function, and more frequent major transient risk factors, when compared with 1,173 PDVT patients. The anticoagulation duration was >180 days in 52.7% of IDDVT patients (70.7% in PDVT). During treatment, bleeding occurred in 5.6 and 2.8% patient-years in IDDVT and PDVT, respectively ( p \u2009=\u20090082). Bleeding was more frequent in IDDVT than PDVT patients treated with warfarin (6.8 vs. 3.2 patient-years, p \u2009=\u20090.0228, respectively). Thrombotic complications occurred in 1.1 and 2.4% patient-years in IDDVT and PDVT patients, respectively. Analyzing together the two groups, 66.1% of bleeds and 86.1% thrombotic complications occurred after 90 days anticoagulation treatment. Conclusion \u2003The large majority of IDDVT patients received anticoagulation for more than 3 months. Most bleeding and thrombotic complications occurred after the first 90 days of anticoagulation therapy. These results indicate that an extended anticoagulation beyond 90 days in IDDVT patients is associated with increased risk of complications. Whether an extended treatment may lower recurrences after anticoagulation withdrawal should be assessed by specifically designed studies

Selenium speciation profiles in biofortified sangiovese wine

Biofortification is an agronomic-based strategy, utilized by farmers, to produce selenium (Se)-enriched food products that may help reduce dietary deficiencies of Se occurring throughout susceptible regions of the world. The foliar exposure route application ensures a high efficiency of Se assimilation by the plant since it does not depend on root-to-shoot translocation. In this study we treated grapevines of Sangiovese variety in the pre-flowering period with sodium selenate (100\ua0mg Se L 121). Se content was measured in leaves, fruit at harvest time and in wine respectively in treated and not treated samples with ICP-MS. At harvest, a higher amount of Se in the treated leaves compared to untreated ones was found, 16.0\ua0\ub1\ua03.1\ua0mg\ua0kg 121dry weight (dw) against 0.17\ua0\ub1\ua00.006\ua0mg\ua0kg 121dw in the untreated ones. The treated grapes had a content of Se of 0.800\ua0\ub1\ua00.08\ua0mg\ua0kg 121dw, while that untreated one 0.065\ua0\ub1\ua00.025\ua0mg\ua0kg 121dw. Immediately after the malolactic fermentation, the wine obtained from treated and untreated vines had a Se content of 0.620\ua0\ub1\ua00.09\ua0mg Se L 121and 0.024\ua0\ub1\ua00.010\ua0mg Se L 121respectively. In our case the percentage of inorganic Se is 26% of the total Se in the untreated wine, while in Se enriched wine this percentage increase to 47.5% of the total Se. The Se(VI) was the inorganic chemical form more present in enriched wine, probably due to foliar application with selenate. Distributions of Se species suggested being careful to the choice of the enrichment solutions to promote a balanced distribution of different chemical forms, perhaps favouring the accumulation of organic forms

Selenium Biofortification in Rice (Oryza sativa L.) Sprouting: Effects on Se Yield and Nutritional Traits with Focus on Phenolic Acid Profile

The contents of total Se and of inorganic and organic Se species, as well as the contents of proteins, chlorophylls, carotenoids, and phenolic acids, were measured in 10-day old sprouts of rice (Oryza sativa L.) obtained with increasing levels (15, 45, 135, and 405 mg Se L-1) of sodium selenite and sodium selenate and with distilled water as control. Increasing Se levels increased organic and inorganic Se contents of sprouts, as well as the content of phenolic acids, especially in their soluble conjugated forms. Moderate levels of sodium selenite (i.e., not higher that 45 mg L-1) appeared the best compromise to obtain high Se and phenolic acid yields together with high proportion of organic Se while limiting residual Se in the germination substrate waste. Se biofortification of rice sprouts appears a feasible and efficient way to promote Se and phenolic acid intake in human diet, with well-known health benefits