Cell-derived microvesicles in infective endocarditis: Role in diagnosis and potential for risk stratification at hospital admission

Objectives: To characterize the plasmatic profile of cell-derived microvesicles (MVs) at diagnosis and during the treatment of patients with infective endocarditis (IE). Methods: Blood samples from 57 patients with IE were obtained on 3 consecutive moments: upon admission (T0), at 2 weeks (T1), and at the end of treatment (T2), and were compared with 22 patients with other bacterial infections. MPs were measured by flow cytometry and labeled for specific cell markers of CD45 (leukocytes), CD66b (neutrophils), CD14 (monocytes), CD41a (platelets), CD51 (endothelial cells), CD3 (T lymphocyte) and CD235a (erythrocytes). Results: MVs from platelets (pltMVs), leukocytes (leukMVs), neutrophils (neutMVs), monocytes (monoMVs) and lymphocytes (lymphMVs) were significantly more elevated in the patients with IE, compared to the patients with other bacterial infections, despite comparable age, sex, blood counts and C-reactive protein levels. MVs values revealed a relatively stable pattern over time in IE, except for a significant increase in leukMVs and neutMVs in T1. LeukMVs (p = 0.011), neutMVs (p = 0.010), monoMVs (p = 0.016) and lymphMVs (p = 0.020), measured at admission, were significantly higher in IE patients that died during hospitalization in comparison with those that survived. In a multivariable analyses, the levels of neutMVs remained as an independent factor associated with mortality (odds ratio 2.203; 95% confidence interval 1.217 - 3.988; p = 0.009), adjustment for heart failure during the treatment. Conclusions: Plasma levels of pltMVs, leukMVs, neutMVs, monoMVs and lymphMVs were significantly more elevated in patients with IE than in patients with other bacterial infections at hospital admission. Furthermore, neutMVs at admission have been identified as an independent predictor of mortality in patients with IE. Thus, cell derived MPs may become an important tool in the differential diagnosis and mortality risk assessment early in the course of IE suspected cases

Seeds of Amazonian Fabaceae as a source of new lectins

Seeds from fifty native Amazonian Fabaceae species (representing subfamilies Caesalpinioideae, Mimosoideae and Faboideae) were screened for the presence of new lectins. Their crude protein extracts were assayed for hemagglutinating activity (HA). The protein fractions of Anadenanthera peregrina, Dimorphandra caudata, Ormosia lignivalvis and Swartzia laevicarpa exhibited HA, and this activity was inhibited by galactose or lactose but not by glucose or mannose. The crude extract of S. laevicarpa exhibited HA activity only after ion exchange chromatography, and its lectin was further purified by affinity chromatography on immobilized lactose. Despite the large number of lectins that have been reported in leguminous plants, this is the first description of lectins in the genera Anadenanthera, Dimorphandra and Ormosia. The study of lectins from these genera and from Swartzia will contribute to the understanding of the evolutionary relationships of legume lectins in terms of their protein processing properties and structures

Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) and Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) Conceptual Design Report Volume 2: The Physics Program for DUNE at LBNF

The Physics Program for the Deep Underground Neutrino Experiment (DUNE) at the Fermilab Long-Baseline Neutrino Facility (LBNF) is described

Physical therapy evaluation in Potocki-Lupski syndrome: A case report [Avaliação Fisioterapêutica na Síndrome de Potocki-Lupski: Relato de Caso]

Made available in DSpace on 2019-09-12T16:26:12Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2013The Potocki-Lupski syndrome (17p11.2 p11.2 duplication), recognized in 2007, comprehends clinical characteristics such as congenital anomalies, intellectual deficit, infantile hypotonia and language disorder. Objective. to describe the case of a child clinically diagnosed with Potocki-Lupski syndrome considering the physical therapeutic evaluation aspects. Method. The physical therapeutic evaluation consisted on the anamnesis investigation, physical examination and postural evaluation. The anamnesis was gathered by means of a semi-open interview form and the physical examination included respiratory, neurologic and musculoskeletal aspects. To characterize the child's postural deviations the Postural Evaluation Software (Software de Avaliação Postural - SAPO) was used. Results. Male, 12 years old, white, Brazilian nationality, presented motor developmental and language acquisition delay. Besides, he presented bilateral quadriceps and triceps surae spasticity, patellar and Achilles tendon hyperreflexia, Babinski sign and clonus. The postural analysis indicated scoliosis, anteriorization of the head and thoracic hyperkyfosis. Final considerations. according to the scientific findings, the patient presented postural alterations, development delay and language disorder. Autistic spectrum and muscular hypotonia were not evidenced in the evaluation, though they are described in the clinical aspects of this syndrome. The neurological examination revealed signs of corticospinal tract impairment.de Aguiar, A., Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, UNIVAP-SP, Universidade de Taubaté, UNITAU-SP, Taubaté-SP, Brazilde Oliveira, J.C., Universidade Presbiteriana Mackenzie-SP, Universidade de Taubaté, UNITAU-SP, Taubaté-SP, Brazile Silva, M.D.L., Universidade do Vale do Paraíba, UNIVAP-SP, Universidade de Taubaté, UNITAU-SP, Taubaté-SP, Brazi

The evolving SARS-CoV-2 epidemic in Africa: Insights from rapidly expanding genomic surveillance

The past 2 years, during which waves of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants swept the globe, have starkly highlighted health disparities across nations. Tegally et al. show how the coordinated efforts of talented African scientists have in a short time made great contributions to pandemic surveillance and data gathering. Their efforts and initiatives have provided early warning that has likely benefited wealthier countries more than their own. Genomic surveillance identified the emergence of the highly transmissible Beta and Omicron variants and now the appearance of Omicron sublineages in Africa. However, it is imperative that technology transfer for diagnostics and vaccines, as well the logistic wherewithal to produce and deploy them, match the data-gathering effort