PITX2 gain-of-function mutation associated with atrial fibrillation alters mitochondrial activity in human iPSC atrial-like cardiomyocytes

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common cardiac arrhythmia worldwide; however, the underlying causes of AF initiation are still poorly understood, particularly because currently available models do not allow in distinguishing the initial causes from maladaptive remodeling that induces and perpetuates AF. Lately, the genetic background has been proven to be important in the AF onset. iPSC-derived cardiomyocytes, being patient- and mutation-specific, may help solve this diatribe by showing the initial cell-autonomous changes underlying the development of the disease. Transcription factor paired-like homeodomain 2 (PITX2) has been identified as a key regulator of atrial development/differentiation, and the PITX2 genomic locus has the highest association with paroxysmal AF. PITX2 influences mitochondrial activity, and alterations in either its expression or function have been widely associated with AF. In this work, we investigate the activity of mitochondria in iPSC-derived atrial cardiomyocytes (aCMs) obtained from a young patient (24 years old) with paroxysmal AF, carrying a gain-of-function mutation in PITX2 (rs138163892) and from its isogenic control (CTRL) in which the heterozygous point mutation has been reverted to WT. PITX2 aCMs show a higher mitochondrial content, increased mitochondrial activity, and superoxide production under basal conditions when compared to CTRL aCMs. However, increasing mitochondrial workload by FCCP or β-adrenergic stimulation allows us to unmask mitochondrial defects in PITX2 aCMs, which are incapable of responding efficiently to the higher energy demand, determining ATP deficiency

#Instaenvy The Role of Social Comparison Orientation in the Relationship Between Exposure to Instagram and the Emotion of Envy

Instagram is one of the fastest growing yet least researched social media platforms of today. The image-oriented nature of Instagram allows its users to literally construct and convey an image of themselves and their lifestyles. This can lead to the manipulation of reality and idealised self-presentation where individuals depict themselves in ways that meet the ideals of society. While Instagram is seen as a fun way of creating and interacting, these idealised self-presentational posts can possibly be harmful to individuals who have high Social Comparison Orientations (SCO) and are prone to compare themselves with others. This research aimed to further the understanding of the relationship between the frequency of exposure to Instagram and the emotion of envy while exploring if Social Comparison Orientation acts as a moderator or mediator of this relationship. Data was collected through an online survey distributed through social media and personal contacts. The survey questions were based on scales from previous studies on SCO and social media use. The collected data was analysed using Hayes’ PROCESS macro for SPSS in order to determine whether SCO was significant as a moderator or mediator. This research found that SCO was a statistically significant mediator rather than a moderator of the relationship between exposure to Instagram and the emotion of envy. The results showed that exposure to Instagram was positively related to SCO, which in turn was positively related to the emotion of envy

Il ruolo del laboratorio di microbiologia clinica nella prevenzione e controllo delle colonizzazioni/infezioni da KPC-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae

Le ICPA sono un insieme piuttosto eterogeneo di condizioni diverse sotto il profilo microbiologico, fisiologico,epidemiologico. In Europa si stima che ogni anno si verifichino circa 4 milioni di casi di infezione contratta in ambiente ospedaliero (tasso di prevalenza 5-10%). Nei reparti di chirurgia o in quelli di terapia intensiva la percentuale delle sepsi può salire fino all’11-12%.Il 20-30% delle infezioni nosocomiali sono prevenibili con l’adozione di corretti comportamenti professionali e di specifici programmi di intervento, con conseguente abbassamento dei costi e miglioramento del servizio sanitario. Tra i requisiti più importanti di un programma di controllo delle infezioni acquisite nelle organizzazioni sanitarie vi è la capacità di identificazione tempestiva e corretta gestione degli eventi epidemici. In questo studio è stata dimostrata la presenza e la diffusione di K. pneumoniae resistente ai carbapenemi in un ospedale di alta specializzazione, l’Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Pisana, nello specifico nell’U.O Anestesia, rianimazione e pronto soccorso. Al fine di migliorare i tempi di refertazione, potrebbe essere importante l’introduzione della metodica MALDI- TOF per l’identificazione di Klebsiella pneumoniae KPC. Questa, applicata a campioni monomicrobici, può notevolmente ridurre i tempi di refertazione sia per l’identificazione di specie che per la determinazione della sensibilità ai carbapenemi. In conclusione, la riduzione dei tempi di refertazione è utile per la messa in atto di tutti i sistemi di controllo della diffusione dell’infezione in tempi rapidi

Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among foreign students tested with QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus

<br><p>Data used in the article ‘Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among foreign students tested with QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus' </p

Prevalence of latent tuberculosis infection among foreign students in Lübeck, Germany tested with QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube and QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus

Abstract Background The tuberculosis (TB) incidence rate in foreign-born individuals has been increasing in Germany in recent years. Foreign students may be an important source of latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) in low-incidence countries. In Germany, there are no guidelines for LTBI screening of foreign students. The aim of the study was to estimate LTBI prevalence and evaluate associated risk factors among foreign students in Germany. The second purpose of our study was to compare the results of the new generation of QuantiFERON-TB Gold Plus (QFT-Plus) to those of its predecessor QuantiFERON-TB Gold In-Tube (QFT-GIT). Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted between February 2016 and March 2016. Foreign students and young professionals attending the university and higher education institutes in Lübeck, Germany were tested with QFT-Plus and QFT-GIT. Participants filled out a questionnaire for the purpose of LTBI risk assessment and analysis. Variables associated with a positive test result were analyzed using logistic regression. Results One hundred thirty four students participated in the study. The overall prevalence as regards positive results from both tests, QFT-Plus and QFT-GIT, was 9.7%, and the prevalence of positive QFT-Plus results was 8.2%. The main independent variables associated with a positive QFT-Plus result were a) being born in a high-incidence country (OR = 6.7, 95% CI: 1.3–34.3) and b) previous contact with a person with active TB (OR = 4.5, 95% CI: 1.1–18.3). Higher age (OR = 2.8, 95% CI: 0.7–11.3) and male gender (OR = 1.6, 95% CI: 0.4–6.7) showed a tendency toward positive QFT-Plus results but this was not statistically significant. Agreement between QFT-Plus and QFT-GIT results was κ = 0.85, p < 0.001. Conclusions The LTBI prevalence among foreign students was about 10%. We recommend implementing a policy whereby all foreign students are screened by means of a questionnaire about LTBI risk factors, so that only students with present risk factors are tested for LTBI. The agreement between the new QFT-Plus and the QFT-GIT (κ = 0.85) was good. QFT-Plus might be used in the same format as its predecessor

Dental Management of Patients Treated With Bisphosphonates: A Systematic Review

Los bifosfonatos son medicamentos comúnmente empleados en el tratamiento de enfermedades óseas como la osteoporosis y el cáncer óseo. Este documento se propone identificar precauciones odontológicas al tratar pacientes bajo tratamiento con bifosfonatos. La revisión sistemática siguió las directrices actualizadas de PRISMA 2009, analizando artículos de los últimos 10 años con fecha de búsqueda hasta 2013. Estos medicamentos preservan la densidad ósea y reducen la reabsorción ósea, pero su uso prolongado o en dosis elevadas puede ocasionar efectos secundarios, siendo la osteonecrosis de los maxilares (ONM) uno de los más graves. La ONM, caracterizada por la muerte del hueso de mandíbula o maxilar por falta de suministro sanguíneo, puede resultar en dolor, infección y pérdida dental. Por ello, es crucial que los dentistas ejerzan precaución al tratar a pacientes con bifosfonatos, quienes deben informar su uso. Se recomienda a los dentistas adoptar medidas preventivas, como procedimientos menos invasivos y la prescripción de antibióticos antes y después de intervenciones, para mitigar el riesgo de ONM.Bisphosphonates are commonly used medications in the treatment of bone diseases such as osteoporosis and bone cancer. This document aims to identify dental precautions when treating patients undergoing bisphosphonate therapy. The systematic review followed the updated guidelines of PRISMA 2009, analyzing articles from the last 10 years with a search date up to 2013. These medications preserve bone density and reduce bone resorption, but their prolonged use or in high doses can lead to side effects, with osteonecrosis of the jaws (ONJ) being one of the most severe. ONJ, characterized by the death of jaw or maxillary bone due to a lack of blood supply, can result in pain, infection, and tooth loss. Therefore, it is crucial for dentists to exercise caution when treating patients with bisphosphonates, who should disclose their usage. Dentists are advised to take preventive measures, such as less invasive procedures and prescribing antibiotics before and after interventions, to mitigate the risk of ONJ

MiR-143/145 deficiency attenuates the progression of atherosclerosis in Ldlr^-/- mice

© Schattauer 2014. The miR-143/145 cluster regulates VSMC specific gene expression, thus controlling differentiation, plasticity and contractile function, and promoting the VSMC phenotypic switch from a contractile/non-proliferative to a migrating/proliferative state. More recently increased miR-145 expression was observed in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques from symptomatic patients. The goal of this study was to investigate the contribution of miR-143/145 during atherogenesis by generating mice lacking miR-143/145 on an Ldlr-deficient background. Ldlr-/- and Ldlr-/--miR-143/145-/- (DKO) were fed a Western diet (WD) for 16 weeks. At the end of the treatment, the lipid profile and the atherosclerotic lesions were assessed in both groups of mice. Absence of miR-143/145 significantly reduced atherosclerotic plaque size and macrophage infiltration. Plasma total cholesterol levels were lower in DKO and FLPC analysis showed decreased cholesterol content in VLDL and LDL fractions. Interestingly miR-143/145 deficiency per se resulted in increased hepatic and vascular ABCA1 expression. We further confirmed the direct regulation of miR-145 on ABCA1 expression by qRT-PCR, Western blotting and 3’UTR-luciferase reporter assays. In summary, miR-143/145 deficiency significantly reduces atherosclerosis in mice. Therapeutic inhibition of miR-145 might be useful for treating atherosclerotic vascular disease