Polymorphisms in the MBL2 gene are associated with the plasma levels of MBL and the cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α in severe COVID-19

IntroductionMannose-binding lectin (MBL) promotes opsonization, favoring phagocytosis and activation of the complement system in response to different microorganisms, and may influence the synthesis of inflammatory cytokines. This study investigated the association of MBL2 gene polymorphisms with the plasma levels of MBL and inflammatory cytokines in COVID-19.MethodsBlood samples from 385 individuals (208 with acute COVID-19 and 117 post-COVID-19) were subjected to real-time PCR genotyping. Plasma measurements of MBL and cytokines were performed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and flow cytometry, respectively.ResultsThe frequencies of the polymorphic MBL2 genotype (OO) and allele (O) were higher in patients with severe COVID-19 (p< 0.05). The polymorphic genotypes (AO and OO) were associated with lower MBL levels (p< 0.05). IL-6 and TNF-α were higher in patients with low MBL and severe COVID-19 (p< 0.05). No association of polymorphisms, MBL levels, or cytokine levels with long COVID was observed.DiscussionThe results suggest that, besides MBL2 polymorphisms promoting a reduction in MBL levels and therefore in its function, they may also contribute to the development of a more intense inflammatory process responsible for the severity of COVID-19

Pacemaker-associated thrombosis in ongoing therapy with edoxaban tosylate

Thromboembolism is a known complication of pacemaker implantation. However, published literature describes only a few cases, in which the events occurred in absence of antithrombotic prophylaxis, not routinely employed for its prevention in current clinical practice. We report a case of pacemaker lead-associated thrombosis in a patient taking continuative oral anticoagulant therapy with edoxaban tosylate (edoxaban). No data in present literature supports the use of anticoagulant prophylaxis for pacemaker lead thrombosis. In our report ongoing treatment with edoxaban proved ineffective for thrombosis prevention. We also discuss the role of three-dimensional transthoracic echocardiography for diagnostic assessment of thrombosis in a fragile patient

Best- Practices in Marine Science Literacy: a Report of sample activities in a Long School-Training

“Blue Paths” is a Pilot Project of “Best Practices” in Marine Science Literacy, carried out by a Science Teacher of a Unified School District in La Spezia, ISA 2 “2 Giugno”, aimed for teaching the monitoring techniques of coastal flora and fauna in Ligurian and Tyrrhenian Sea. Thanks to a Partnership between Schools (ISA6) Marine Parks, local authorities (Life on the Sea ONLUS); Research Centers, the project promotes the scientific literacy in an incremental and continuous School-Training period, from the Kindergarten to the Secondary School, in order to enrich the students curricula and to create an innovative awareness in School Community for belonging to a Global Citizenship that involves the engagement of students, parents and volunteers to raise awareness for the safeguard of coastal environment. “Blue Paths” is a Vertical Curriculum in Marine Science and involves students with a key role as Educators for the peers groups and as Researchers in data collection Surveys. The project promotes a gradual scientific literacy through stimulating a conscious attitude towards environmental issues and the growth of scientific skills up to the Higher School and University levels, encouraging the creation of motivated “Team” of students . This paper highlights the results of a slow and vertical literacy scholar process reached through the gradual learning in recognition techniques of beached and submerged benthic species carried out with: hands-on activities on the beach with the support of a Child-friendly BIO-Guide (student of 5-6 years); International School Meetings (Erasmus+) or local events, Orienting activities in Robotic field (student of 13-17 years) ; “Young -Monitoring Campaigns” (students of 9-13 years) ; Direct and Indirect Visual Census activities in Snorkeling (student in age 11-13 years) or with a Remote Operated Vehicle .PublishedMalta2TM. Divulgazione Scientific

Insulin and body weight but not hyperandrogenism seem involved in seasonal serum 25-OH-vitamin D3 levels in subjects affected by PCOS

PCOS patients were frequently characterized by lower plasma vitamin D levels. The mechanisms involved in this dysfunction remains still debated, therefore we evaluated the role of androgen, insulin and body weight on the serum VitD levels in women with or without PCOS. Eighty one patients 18\u201342 yrs old were studied into \u201cSUMMER\u201d and \u201cWINTER\u201d seasonal period: thirty seven PCOS, seventeen no-ovarian hyperandrogenic (noPCOS), twelve functional hypothalamic amenorrhea (FHA) and finally fifteen healthy (Con). Patients were further divided into: lean (L), obese (O), normo- (nINS) and hyperinsulinemic (hINS). All hormonal and metabolic parameters were measured at 1-7 days of the menstrual cycle. Our results show that VitD levels were lower in PCOS and in noPCOS than in FHA and Con, in particular in (O) and (hINS) PCOSs. Both in summer and in winter, PCOSs had basal VitD levels significantly lower than FHA and Con, whereas they were similar to noPCOS. Yet, LhINS and OPCOS had VitD levels lower than Con and noPCOS. VitD levels were comparable in LnINS PCOS and Con. In conclusion, PCOSs had levels of VitD lower than controls. Weight and hyperinsulinemia had a significant influence on these values. Finally, over 70% of our healthy patients had VitD deficiency

Pharmacological Approaches to Controlling Cardiometabolic Risk in Women with PCOS

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is characterized by elevated androgen production and subclinical changes in cardiovascular and metabolic risk markers. Total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, fasting glucose, and fasting insulin appear to increase specifically in PCOS compared with fertile women. PCOS also confers an increased risk of cardiometabolic disease in later life. Novel biomarkers such as serum’s cholesterol efflux capacity and blood-derived macrophage activation profile may assist in more accurately defining the cardiometabolic risk profile in these women. Aldosterone antagonists, androgen receptor antagonists, 5α-reductase inhibitors, and synthetic progestogens are used to reduce hyperandrogenism. Because increased insulin secretion enhances ovarian androgen production, short-term treatment with metformin and other hypoglycemic agents results in significant weight loss, favorable metabolic changes, and testosterone reduction. The naturally occurring inositols display insulin-sensitizing effects and may be also used in this context because of their safety profile. Combined oral contraceptives represent the drug of choice for correction of androgen-related symptoms. Overall, PCOS management remains focused on specific targets including assessment and treatment of cardiometabolic risk, according to disease phenotypes. While new options are adding to established therapeutic approaches, a sometimes difficult balance between efficacy and safety of available medications has to be found in individual women

ERYTHROPOIETIN STIMULATES TESTOSTERONE PRODUCTION IN MAN.

Human recombinant erythropoietin (rHuEPO) treatment improves sexual function in end-stage renal failure patients with a still-debated mechanism. Experimental data suggested that rHuEPO was able to stimulate rat Leydig steroidogenesis; therefore, it has been suggested that rHuEPO may induce its effects in humans by acting on gonadal steroid production. Thirteen young adult males (age range, 16-28 yr) catheterized at peripheral and left internal spermatic venous levels during a contrast study for varicocele, were studied. In five subjects, rHuEPO (60 IU/kg, up to a maximum of 4000 IU total) was injected over 1 min in the cubital vein. Similarly, in other five patients, 50 \u3bcgs GnRH were infused. In three subjects, 2 mL saline were injected, as controls. Plasma LH, FSH, and testosterone (T) levels were then determined at -15, 0, 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min simultaneously in peripheral and spermatic venous blood. rHuEPO infusion did not have any effect on plasma LH and FSH levels in peripheral or spermatic veins. Similarly, rHuEPO infusion did not affect peripheral T concentration, but increased (approximately 400% vs. controls; P < 0.05) spermatic T levels. GnRH infusion induced an increase in plasma LH and FSH levels in both peripheral and spermatic veins. After GnRH infusion, an increase of approximately 12-fold (P = 0.05-0.001) in T was observed only at the spermatic venous level, without any peripheral T variation. These findings show that rHuEPO was able to influence testicular steroidogenesis by stimulating T production in man, whereas the absence of any effect on gonadotropin secretion suggests that rHuEPO might act directly on human Leydig cell function. \ua9 1994 by The Endocrine Society