MMP-2 and sTNF-R1 variability in patients with essential hypertension: 1-year follow-up study

The aim of this study is to analyze MMP-2 and sTNF-R1 variability, potent predictors of cardiovascular events, in stable hypertensive patients during a 12-month followup. 234 asymptomatic patients (age 6 0 ± 1 3 , 136 male) out of 252 patients with essential hypertension were followed up. MMP-2 and sTNF-R1 were measured at baseline and after 12 months (stage I). To compare MMP-2 and sTNF-R1 levels over time interval, we used the statistical method of Bland-Altman. MMP-2 and sTNF-R1 reproducibility was good in our patients for the two intervals with a coefficient of reproducibility of 8.2% and 11.3%, respectively. The percentages of patients within 1.96 × standard deviation of the mean were 93.6% and 92.7%. An elevated coefficient of correlation was obtained for MMP-2, basal versus stage I

Embryogenic competence of microspores is associated to their ability to form a callosic, osmoprotective subintinal layer

[EN] Microspore embryogenesis is an experimental morphogenic pathway with important applications in basic research and applied plant breeding, but its genetic, cellular, and molecular bases are poorly understood. We applied a multi-disciplinary approach using confocal and electron microscopy, detection of Ca2+, callose, and cellulose, treatments with caffeine, digitonin, and endosidin7, morphometry, qPCR, osmometry, and viability assays in order to study the dynamics of cell wall formation during embryogenesis induction in a high-response rapeseed (Brassica napus) line and two recalcitrant rapeseed and eggplant (Solanum melongena) lines. Formation of a callose-rich subintinal layer (SL) was common to microspore embryogenesis in the different genotypes. However, this process was directly related to embryogenic response, being greater in high-response genotypes. A link could be established between Ca2+ influx, abnormal callose/cellulose deposition, and the genotype-specific embryogenic competence. Callose deposition in inner walls and SLs are independent processes, regulated by different callose synthases. Viability and control of internal osmolality are also related to SL formation. In summary, we identified one of the causes of recalcitrance to embryogenesis induction: a reduced or absent protective SL. In responding genotypes, SLs are markers for changes in cell fate and serve as osmoprotective barriers to increase viability in imbalanced in vitro environments. Genotype-specific differences relate to different responses against abiotic (heat/osmotic) stresses.Thanks are due to the Electron Microscopy Service of Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Marisol Gascon (IBMCP Microscopy Service), Dr Kim Boutilier (WUR, Wageningen) for hosting ARS at her lab, and Dr Samantha Vernhettes (INRA Versailles) for kindly providing us with S4B. This work supported by grants AGL2014-55177-R and AGL2017-88135-R to JMSS from MINECO jointly funded by FEDER.Rivas-Sendra, A.; Corral Martínez, P.; Porcel, R.; Camacho-Fernández, C.; Calabuig-Serna, A.; Seguí-Simarro, JM. (2019). Embryogenic competence of microspores is associated to their ability to form a callosic, osmoprotective subintinal layer. Journal of Experimental Botany. 70(4):1267-1281. https://doi.org/10.1093/jxb/ery458S12671281704Abramova, L. I. (2003). Russian Journal of Plant Physiology, 50(3), 324-329. doi:10.1023/a:1023866019102Adkar-Purushothama, C. R., Brosseau, C., Giguère, T., Sano, T., Moffett, P., & Perreault, J.-P. (2015). Small RNA Derived from the Virulence Modulating Region of the Potato spindle tuber viroid Silences callose synthase Genes of Tomato Plants. The Plant Cell, 27(8), 2178-2194. doi:10.1105/tpc.15.00523Cordewener, J., Bergervoet, J., & Liu, C.-M. (2000). 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Comparative effects of caffeine, its analogues and calcium deficiency on cytokinesis. Experimental Cell Research, 78(2), 399-413. doi:10.1016/0014-4827(73)90085-2Pauls, K. P., Chan, J., Woronuk, G., Schulze, D., & Brazolot, J. (2006). When microspores decide to become embryos — cellular and molecular changesThis review is one of a selection of papers published in the Special Issue on Plant Cell Biology. Canadian Journal of Botany, 84(4), 668-678. doi:10.1139/b06-064Reynolds, T. L. (1990). Interactions between calcium and auxin during pollen androgenesis in anther cultures of Solanum carolinense L. Plant Science, 72(1), 109-114. doi:10.1016/0168-9452(90)90192-qReynolds, T. L. (2000). Effects of calcium on embryogenic induction and the accumulation of abscisic acid, and an early cysteine-labeled metallothionein gene in androgenic microspores of Triticum aestivum. Plant Science, 150(2), 201-207. doi:10.1016/s0168-9452(99)00187-9Rivas-Sendra, A., Calabuig-Serna, A., & Seguí-Simarro, J. M. (2017). Dynamics of Calcium during In vitro Microspore Embryogenesis and In vivo Microspore Development in Brassica napus and Solanum melongena. Frontiers in Plant Science, 8. doi:10.3389/fpls.2017.01177Rivas-Sendra, A., Campos-Vega, M., Calabuig-Serna, A., & Seguí-Simarro, J. M. (2017). Development and characterization of an eggplant (Solanum melongena) doubled haploid population and a doubled haploid line with high androgenic response. Euphytica, 213(4). doi:10.1007/s10681-017-1879-3Rivas-Sendra, A., Corral-Martínez, P., Camacho-Fernández, C., & Seguí-Simarro, J. M. (2015). Improved regeneration of eggplant doubled haploids from microspore-derived calli through organogenesis. Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC), 122(3), 759-765. doi:10.1007/s11240-015-0791-6Saidi, Y., Finka, A., Muriset, M., Bromberg, Z., Weiss, Y. G., Maathuis, F. J. M., & Goloubinoff, P. (2009). 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Variability of NT-proBNP and Its Relationship with Inflammatory Status in Patients with Stable Essential Hypertension: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study

The variability of NT-proBNP levels has been studied in heart failure, yet no data exist on these changes over time in hypertensive patients. Furthermore, studies on the relationship between natriuretic peptides and inflammatory status are limited.220 clinically and functionally asymptomatic stable patients (age 59 ± 13, 120 male) out of 252 patients with essential hypertension were followed up, and NT-proBNP was measured at baseline, 12 and 24 months. No differences in NT-proBNP were found with respect to the basal stage in the hypertrophic group, but significant changes were found in non-hypertrophic subjects. The reproducibility of NT-proBNP measurements was better in patients with hypertrophy than in the non-hypertrophic group for the three intervals (stage I-basal; stage II-stage I; stage II-basal) with a reference change value of 34%, 35% and 41%, respectively, in the hypertrophic group. A more elevated coefficient of correlation was obtained in the hypertrophic group than in patients without hypertrophy: basal versus stage I (r = 0.79, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.59, p < 0.0001) and stage I versus stage II (r = 0.86, p < 0.0001 and r = 0.56, p < 0.0001). Finally, levels of NT-proBNP significantly correlated with sTNF-R1 (p < 0.0001) and IL-6 (p < 0.01) during follow-up. A multivariate linear regression analysis showed that sTNF-R1 is an independent factor of NT-proBNP.This work shows that there is good stability in NT-proBNP levels in a follow-up study of asymptomatic patients with stable hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. As a consequence, assessment of NT-proBNP concentrations may be a useful tool for monitoring the follow-up of hypertensive patients with hypertrophy. Measured variations in peptide levels, exceeding 35% in a 12-month follow-up and 41% in a 24-month follow-up, may indicate an increase in cardiovascular risk, and therefore implies adjustment in the medical treatment. In addition, this study shows a link between neurohormonal and inflammatory activation in these patients

La integración del conocimiento sobre la Cordillera Cantábrica: hacia un observatorio inter-autonómico del cambio global

La Cordillera Cantábrica (CC) presenta una serie de singularidades que le convierten en un excelente enclave para el seguimiento de los efectos del cambio global. Este estudio analiza la necesidad de generar un observatorio inter-autonómico del cambio global, que permitiría integrar el conocimiento actual sobre estas montañas y determinar las prioridades en la generación de nuevo conocimiento. Para cumplir este objetivo, se presentan dos aproximaciones complementarias. La primera consiste en la revisión de la literatura científica publicada sobre la CC y su comparación con otros enclaves geográficos de la Península Ibérica. La segunda consiste en la síntesis de información de un seminario titulado ?La CC como Centinela de los Efectos del Cambio Global?, celebrado en Santander en agosto de 2015. El análisis bibliográfico muestra que el número de publicaciones científicas sobre la CC es similar al de otros enclaves geográficos de la Península Ibérica, pero con menor riqueza de disciplinas. La producción científica está dominada por los centros de investigación más próximos y tiene una alta participación internacional. Las conclusiones del seminario evidencian que este sistema es un candidato ideal para el seguimiento de los efectos del cambio global sobre multitud de elementos biofísicos. Se considera que la generación de un seminario permanente, junto con la consolidación de las redes de seguimiento actuales, la coordinación de nuevos trabajos, y la mejora de la comunicación entre administraciones y comunidad científico-técnica son elementos esenciales en la futura generación de un observatorio del cambio global en la CC

Pearson's coefficient (<i>r</i>) between log-transformed serum NT-proBNP and inflammatory markers according to left ventricular hypertrophy over the entire study: basal, stage I = at 12 months, stage II = at 24 months.

<p>log NT-proBNP, log-transformed N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic; LVH, left ventricular hypertrophy; log IL-6, log-transformed interleukin-6; log sTNF-R1, log-transformed soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor 1.</p><p>*p<0.05;</p>†<p>p<0.01;</p>‡<p>p<0.0001.</p

Bland-Altman plots for changes in NT-proBNP serum levels in hypertensive patients without hypertrophy.

<p>Bland-Altman plot showing agreement between the logarithm of NT-proBNP levels percentage change against the average of the logarithm of NT-proBNP levels in basal + stage I (A), stage I + stage II (B) and basal + stage II (C). The solid line represents the mean of the percentage change. The dashed lines define the limits of agreement (standard deviation of percentage of change ×1.96 SD). NT-proBNP, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels; SD, standard deviation; stage I, 12-month follow-up; stage II, 24-month follow-up.</p

Clinical characteristics of patients with essential hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy over the entire study (n = 122): basal, stage I = at 12 months, stage II = at 24 months.

<p><a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0031189#s3" target="_blank">Results</a> are shown as mean (SD) or percentage of subjects. NT-proBNP levels are presented as the median and interquartile range.</p><p>BMI, body mass index; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; DT, deceleration time; E/A, flow velocity in early diastole and during atrial contraction ratio; EF, ejection fraction; GFR, glomerular filtration rate; LVMI, left ventricular mass index; NT-proBNP, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels; PP, pulse pressure; RVm, maximum longitudinal relaxation velocity of left ventricle; SBP, systolic blood pressure. Significant difference versus basal levels; Vp, mitral flow propagation velocity:</p><p>*p<0.05;</p>†<p>p<0.01;</p>‡<p>p<0.0001.</p

Serum logarithm of NT-proBNP levels during a 24-month follow-up.

<p>Measurements represent the median value at basal (1), stage I (2) and stage II (3). NT-proBNP, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels; stage I, 12-month follow-up; stage II, 24-month follow-up. **p<0.01 with respect to basal levels.</p

Bland-Altman plots for changes in NT-proBNP serum levels in hypertensive patients with hypertrophy.

<p>Bland-Altman plot showing agreement between the logarithm of NT-proBNP levels percentage change against the average of the logarithm of NT-proBNP levels in basal + stage I (A), stage I + stage II (B) and basal + stage II (C). The solid line represents the mean of the percentage change. The dashed lines define the limits of agreement (standard deviation of percentage of change ×1.96 SD). NT-proBNP, N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels; SD, standard deviation; stage I, 12-month follow-up; stage II, 24-month follow-up.</p

COVID-19 in hospitalized HIV-positive and HIV-negative patients : A matched study

CatedresObjectives: We compared the characteristics and clinical outcomes of hospitalized individuals with COVID-19 with [people with HIV (PWH)] and without (non-PWH) HIV co-infection in Spain during the first wave of the pandemic. Methods: This was a retrospective matched cohort study. People with HIV were identified by reviewing clinical records and laboratory registries of 10 922 patients in active-follow-up within the Spanish HIV Research Network (CoRIS) up to 30 June 2020. Each hospitalized PWH was matched with five non-PWH of the same age and sex randomly selected from COVID-19@Spain, a multicentre cohort of 4035 patients hospitalized with confirmed COVID-19. The main outcome was all-cause in-hospital mortality. Results: Forty-five PWH with PCR-confirmed COVID-19 were identified in CoRIS, 21 of whom were hospitalized. A total of 105 age/sex-matched controls were selected from the COVID-19@Spain cohort. The median age in both groups was 53 (Q1-Q3, 46-56) years, and 90.5% were men. In PWH, 19.1% were injecting drug users, 95.2% were on antiretroviral therapy, 94.4% had HIV-RNA < 50 copies/mL, and the median (Q1-Q3) CD4 count was 595 (349-798) cells/μL. No statistically significant differences were found between PWH and non-PWH in number of comorbidities, presenting signs and symptoms, laboratory parameters, radiology findings and severity scores on admission. Corticosteroids were administered to 33.3% and 27.4% of PWH and non-PWH, respectively (P = 0.580). Deaths during admission were documented in two (9.5%) PWH and 12 (11.4%) non-PWH (P = 0.800). Conclusions: Our findings suggest that well-controlled HIV infection does not modify the clinical presentation or worsen clinical outcomes of COVID-19 hospitalization