Acute Myocarditis After Black Widow Spider Bite: A Case Report

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Leg Ulcers: A Report in Patients with Hemoglobin E Beta Thalassemia and Review of the Literature in Severe Beta Thalassemia

BACKGROUND Leg ulcers are a frequent complication in patients with the inherited hemoglobin disorders. In thalassemia, the literature is limited, and factors associated with the development of leg ulcers in HbE beta thalassemia, the most common form of severe beta thalassemia worldwide, have not previously been reported. METHODS We reviewed all available medical records of patients with HbE beta thalassemia to document the onset of leg ulcers at the two largest treatment centres in Sri Lanka. We reviewed the literature to identify studies reporting outcomes of interventions for ulcers in severe thalassemia. RESULTS Of a total of 255 actively registered patients with HbE thalassemia in the two centres, 196 patient charts were evaluable. A leg ulcer with a documented date of onset was recorded in 45 (22%) of 196 evaluable patients, aged (mean ± SEM) 22.2 ± 1.4 years. Most had been irregularly transfused; steady state hemoglobin was 6.4 ± 0.2 g/dL. Treatment achieving healing in 17 patients included transfusions, antibiotics, oral zinc, wound toileting and skin grafting. DISCUSSION/CONCLUSION Leg ulcers may be more common in HbE beta thalassemia than in other forms of thalassemia. A systematic approach to treatment will be needed to document the prevalence and factors placing such patients at risk for leg ulcers. Controlled trials to evaluate the optimal treatment of this common complication are indicated

Serum biochemical determinants of peripheral congestion assessed by bioimpedance vector analysis in acute heart failure

Background: The pathophysiology of peripheral congestion is poorly investigated in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). Objectives: to evaluate the relative contribution of serum colloid osmotic pressure (COP), relative plasma volume status (PVS), biomarkers of renal function, electrolytes, haemoglobin, and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP)in peripheral fluid overload using bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA). Methods: We retrospectively analysed data from 485 patients with AHF. Hydration status was evaluated by semiquantitative and quantitative approach using BIVA (R/Xc graph)and Hydration Index (HI), respectively. COP was calculated from albumin and total protein concentration, while relative PVS was calculated from validated equations. Results: Congestion assessed by BIVA was observed in 304 (63%)patients and classified as mild (30%), moderate (42%), and severe (28%). On univariate analysis, HI was inversely correlated with COP (P < 0.01), glomerular filtration rate (P < 0.01), and haemoglobin (P < 0.01), while positive correlations were found for relative PVS (P < 0.05), BNP (P < 0.01), and blood urea nitrogen (BUN; P < 0.01). On stepwise multivariate analysis, COP explained 12% of the total variability, while BUN, PVS, haemoglobin, and BNP added a further 6%, 4%, 2%, and 1%, respectively, to the final explanatory model. Conclusions: COP was the major determinant of the presence and entity of peripheral congestion assessed by BIVA. BUN, PVS, haemoglobin, and BNP revealed reduced influence on congestion as compared with COP. Routine laboratory testing could be useful in peripheral fluid accumulation. Future studies should evaluate the relationship between COP and pharmacological target therapies for the fluid management of AHF patients

Bioinformatic and mutational analysis of channelrhodopsin-2 cation conducting pathway.

Channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) is a light-gated cation channel widely used as a biotechnological tool to control membrane depolarization in various cell types and tissues. Even though several ChR2 variants with modified properties have been generated, the structural determinants of the protein function are largely unresolved. We used bioinformatic modeling of ChR2 structure to identify the putative cationic pathway within the channel which is formed by a system of inner cavities that are uniquely present in this microbial rhodopsin. Site-directed mutagenesis combined with patch clamp analysis in HeLa cells was used to determine key residues involved in ChR2 conductance and selectivity. Among them, Q56 is important for ion conductance, whereas S63, T250 and N258 are previously unrecognized residues involved in ion selectivity and photocurrent kinetics. This study widens the current structural information on ChR2 and can assist in the design of new improved variants for specific biological applications

Multiparametric approach to congestion for predicting long-term survival in heart failure

Background: Congestion is a marker of adverse prognosis in patients with heart failure (HF). In addition to brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), estimated plasma volume status (ePVS), bioimpedance vector analysis (BIVA), and blood urea nitrogen/creatinine ratio (BUN/Cr) are emerging as new markers for congestion. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of BNP, ePVS, BIVA, and BUN/Cr in HF. Methods: We analyzed the data from 436 patients with acute or chronic heart failure (AHF, n = 184, and CHF, n = 252, respectively). BNP, ePVS, hydration index (HI%), and BUN/Cr were collected from all patients at admission. The endpoint was all-cause mortality. Results: Ninety-two patients died after a median follow-up of 463 days (IQR: 287–669). The cumulative mortality of all of the patients was 21% (31% and 13% in AHF and CHF, respectively, p < 0.0001). The optimal cut-offs for death occurrence were BNP: >441 pg/mL, ePVS: >5.3 dL/gr, HI: >73.8%, BUN/Cr: >25. Multivariate Cox regression analysis maintained an independent predictive value for mortality (HR 2. 1, HR 2.2, HR 2.1, and HR 1.7; C-index 0.756). AHF status was no longer associated with death. Together, these variables explained 40% of the risk of death (R2 adjusted = 0.40). Patients with all four parameters below or above their optimal cut-off had mortality rates of 4% and 59%, respectively. Conclusions: BNP, ePVS, BIVA, and BUN/Cr at admission provide independent and complementary prognostic information in patients with HF and, when combined, explain the 40% risk of death in these patients independent from the acute or chronic HF condition

An overview of cycling as active transportation and as benefit for health

Active transportation is defined as travelling on foot, by bicycle or other non-motorized means, sometimes in combination with other forms of public transportation, in contrast with the use of motor vehicles. The prevalence of sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity is a growing epidemic in most developed countries that spread over the last three decades; active transportation may be a promising approach to increase physical activity and reduce the risk of non-communicable diseases improving cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic health. The health benefits of physical activity in reducing mortality and morbidity have been proved by several publications. Cardiorespiratory fitness can be improved by regular physical activity with an amelioration of insulin sensitivity, blood lipid profile, body composition, inflammation, and blood pressure. Active transportation as a daily physical activity is less expensive compared to motor vehicle use. The advantages are remarkable in terms of contrasting obesity and sedentary lifestyle, decrease motor traffic congestion and mitigate climate change. Massive investments in policies and interventions aimed to increase active transportation are not generally promoted and there are differences in the prevalence of active transportation in the daily routine among different areas. As in the literature several studies as randomized trials or observational studies have been published, with different end-points, in order to investigate if active commuting may be the right answer to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic health, we aimed to review the available evidences of cycling as an active transportation and to consider its benefits on health