Symptomatic carotid atherosclerotic plaques are associated with increased infiltration of natural killer (NK) cells and higher serum levels of NK activating receptor ligands

A wide array of immune cells, including lymphocytes, is known to be present and to play a pathogenetic role in atherosclerotic lesions. However, limited information is currently available regarding the presence of Natural Killer (NF cell subsets within vessel plaque, and more in general, regarding their role in human atherosclerosis. We evaluated the distribution of NK cells in human carotid atherosclerotic plaques, dissecting asymptomatic and symptomatic patients (identified as affected by stroke, transient ischemic attack, or amaurosis fugax within 6 months) with the aim of shedding light on the putative contribution of NK cells to the pathogenic process that leads to plaque instability and subsequent clinical complications. We observed that carotid plaques were consistently infiltrated by NK cells and, among them, CD56(bright)perforin(low) NK cells were abundantly present and displayed different markers of tissue residency (i.e., CD103 CD69 and CD49a). Interestingly, carotid atherosclerotic plaques of symptomatic patients showed a higher content of NK cells and an increased ratio between CD56(bright)perforin(low) NK cells and their CD56(dim)perforin(high)counterpart. NK cells isolated from plaques of symptomatic patients were also stronger producers of IFN-gamma. Analysis of the expression of NK activating receptor ligands (including MICA/B, ULBP-3, and B7-H6) in atherosclerotic carotid plaques revealed that they were abundantly expressed by a HLA-DR(+)CD11c(+) myeloid cell population resident in the plaques. Remarkably, sera of symptomatic patients contained significant higher levels of soluble ligands for NK activating receptors. Our observations indicate that CD56(bright)( )NK cells accumulate within human atherosclerotic lesions and suggest a possible contribution of NK cells to the process determining plaque instability

Staphylococcus aureus and Coagulase-Negative Staphylococci from Bloodstream Infections: Frequency of Occurrence and Antimicrobial Resistance, 2018–2021

Background: The abuse of antibiotics during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic might have disrupted efforts to curb the further development and spread of the antimicrobial resistance of Staphylococcus aureus infection and Staphylococcus spp. coagulase-negative (CoNS) agents of nosocomial bloodstream infections (NBSIs). The purpose of our work was to study the resistance patterns of Staphylococcus aureus and CoNS through the analysis of blood cultures in hospitalized SARS-CoV-2-positive and SARS-CoV-2-negative patients (pts.). Materials and methods: During the period January 2018–June 2021, a retrospective case–control study was performed on blood cultures positive for Staphylococcus spp. detected in 177 adult pts. (≥18 years old) hospitalized for >48 hours at Sant’Elia Hospital, Caltanissetta. Results: Staphylococcus aureus was isolated in 33.9% of blood culture samples, and among CoNS, the most frequent strains were Staphylococcus capitis (18.6%) and Staphylococcus hominis (18.1%). Patients aged ≥ 65 years, with a greater number of males, comprised the SARS-CoV-2-negative pts. (71.8% vs. 52.2%, p = 0.0154). Among the SARS-CoV-2-positive patients, the significant resistance of Staphylococcus aureus was only observed for erythromycin (57.1%). The oxacillin resistance of Staphylococcus capitis was higher in SARS-CoV-2-positive than in negative pts. (90% and 78.3%, respectively). Comparing the two groups, we found an increase in resistance in SARS-CoV-2-negative patients for the following antibiotics: gentamicin for Staphylococcus aureus (p = 0.007), clindamycin and erythromycin (p = 0.012) for Staphylococcus hominis and oxacillin and rifampicin for Staphylococcus haemoliticus (p = 0.012). Conclusions: Our study confirms the relevance of oxacillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus in being responsible for bloodstream infection and draws attention to highly oxacillin-resistant CoNS such as Staphylococcus capitis. The presence of resistant strains of CoNS in hospitals can be worrying, as it limits treatment options and worsens outcomes. The Infection Control Committee (ICC) recommends new treatment strategies to decrease colonization and infections. As part of the implementation of a bloodstream infection prevention program, the authors encourage the introduction of a report on the antimicrobial resistance of hospital bacteremia due to CoNS

Midterm outcomes of carotid-to-carotid bypass for hybrid treatment of aortic arch disease

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to compare midterm results of carotid-to-carotid bypass (CCB) after hybrid repair of aortic arch disease. METHODS: Between October 2001 and April 2012, all patients undergoing hybrid aortic arch repair with CCB were enrolled. CCBs were positioned in the subcutaneous or in the retropharyngeal position. Hybrid aortic arch repair was performed in a single-stage intervention. RESULTS: We treated 19 (82.6%) men and 4 women; mean age was 74 \ub1 6 years (range, 58-83 years). Subcutaneous tunnelization was performed in 15 (65.5%) cases and the retropharyngeal route in 8 (34.5%). In-hospital mortality was 8.7% (n = 2); causes of death were major stroke (n = 1) and respiratory failure (n = 1). Cranial nerve injuries (transient or permanent), dysphagia, or local problems were not observed. Tracheostomy was never required. Early outcomes did not differ between the 2 types of bypass. Mean follow-up was 44 months (range, 1-118; median 24). Survival rate at 1, 3, and 5 years was 70% \ub1 9.6%, 55% \ub1 10.7%, and 50% \ub1 11.1%, respectively. At the time of the last follow-up control, all bypasses were patent: stenosis and thrombosis were not recorded. Bypass graft or endograft infection were not registered. Shrinkage of the aortic lesion was observed in 15 (71.4%) cases. CONCLUSIONS: CCBs are durable at midterm follow-up. No relevant superiority was identified between the 2 types of CCB; subcutaneous and retropharyngeal routes proved to be equally safe

Intake of Sugar-sweetened Beverages among Adults in Seattle, WA, 2017

This research brief presents information on the estimated number of teaspoons (tsp) of daily added-sugar intake from SSBs, added-sugar intake from SSBs as a percentage of daily total added-sugar intake from all sources including SSBs, and the frequency of SSB consumption among adults aged 18-64 living in Seattle, WA, in 2017

Added-sugar Intake from Sugar-sweetened Beverages among Adults in St. Louis City and County, MO

This research brief presents information on the estimated number of teaspoons of daily added-sugar intake from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and the contribution of added-sugar intake from SSBs as a percentage of total added-sugar intake among adults aged 18-64 living in St. Louis City & County, MO in 201

Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption among Adults in St. Louis City and County, MO, 2017

This research brief presents information on the frequency of SSB consumption among adults aged 18-64 living in St. Louis City & County, MO, in 2017, including by SSB type for soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and tea/coffee

Sugar-sweetened Beverage Consumption among Adults, Cook County IL, 2017

This research brief presents information on the frequency of SSB consumption among adults aged 18-64 living in Cook County, Illinois in 2017, including by SSB type for soda, fruit drinks, sports drinks, energy drinks, and tea/coffee

VAC therapy to promote wound healing after surgical revascularisation for critical lower limb ischaemia

Vacuum-assisted closure (VAC) therapy is a new emerging non-invasive system in wound care, which speeds up wound healing by causing vacuum, improving tissue perfusion and suctioning the exudates, and facilitating the removal of bacteria from the wound. The application of sub-atmospheric pressure on the lesions seems to alter the cytoskeleton of the cells on the wound bed, triggering a cascade of intracellular signals that increase the rate of cell division and subsequent formation of granulation tissue. The aim of this study is to analyse the results of VAC therapy used as an adjuvant therapy for the treatment of foot wounds in patients affected by critical limb ischaemia (CLI) (Rutherford 6 class) after distal surgical revascularisation, to promote and accelerate the healing of ulcers. Twenty-nine patients (20 males, 9 females; mean age 68·4) affected by CLI of Rutherford 6 class, after surgical revascularisation of the lower limb, underwent VAC therapy in order to speed up wound healing. Complete wound healing was achieved in 19 patients (65·51%), in an average period of 45·4±25·6days. VAC therapy is a valid aid, after surgical revascularisation, to achieve rapid healing of foot lesions in patients with CLI

Development and Reliability Testing of a Food Store Observation Form for Use in Beverage Tax Evaluations

To assess the reliability of the Beverage Tax Food Store Observation Form, we conducted an inter-rater reliability (IRR) study in the summer of 2017 in 56 food stores in Joliet, Illinois, a racially/ ethnically diverse, mid-sized city in the Chicago metropolitan area. The purpose of this brief is to report on the development and IRR results of the overall form and individual measures

Added-sugar Intake from Sugar-sweetened Beverages among Adults in Cook County, Illinois, 2017

This research brief presents information on the estimated number of teaspoons of daily added-sugar intake from sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and the contribution of added-sugar intake from SSBs as a percentage of total added-sugar intake among adults aged 18-64 living in Cook County, Illinois in 2017