The leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus is able to transmit 16SrV phytoplasmas agents of grapevine's flavescence dorée (FD) within 30–45 days, following an acquisition access period (AAP) of a few days ...feeding on infected plants as a nymph, a latency period (LP) of 3–5 weeks becoming meanwhile an adult, and an inoculation access period (IAP) of a few days on healthy plants. However, several aspects of FD epidemiology suggest how the whole transmission process may take less time, and may start directly with adults of the insect vector. Transmission experiments have been set up under lab condition. Phytoplasma‐free S. titanus adults were placed on broad bean (BB) plants (Vicia faba) infected by FD‐C (16SrV‐C) phytoplasmas for an AAP = 7 days. Afterwards, they were immediately moved onto healthy BB for IAP, which were changed every 7 days, obtaining three timings of inoculation: IAP 1, IAP 2 and IAP 3, lasting 7, 14 and 21 days from the end of AAP, respectively. DNA was extracted from plants and insects, and PCR tests were performed to identify FD phytoplasmas. Insects were dissected and fluorescence in situ hybridisation was made to detect the presence of phytoplasmas in midguts and salivary glands. The rate of infection in insects ranged 46–68% without significant differences among IAPs. Inoculation in plants succeeded in all IAPs, at a rate of 16–23% (no significant differences). Phytoplasma load was significantly higher in IAP 3 than IAP 1–2 for both plants and insects. Phytoplasmas were identified both in midgut and salivary glands of S. titanus at all IAP times. The possible implications of these results in the epidemiology of flavescence dorée are discussed.
The phytoplasmal agent of Flavescence dorée (FD) is transmitted to grapevine by the leafhopper Scaphoideus titanus. Even though 30‐45 days are reported to be required from acquisition (by nymphs) to inoculation (by adults), successful transmission could be achieved even after a shorter period, and it could start directly from adults. FD phytoplasma transmission experiments with S. titanus adults revealed that as soon as 14 days from acquisition the leafhoppers were able to transmit the pathogen to healthy broad beans. The results of this work open to new epidemiologic scenarios, which should be taken into account for FD management.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
The dispersion of Scaphoideus titanus Ball adults from wild to cultivated grapevines was studied using a novel mark–capture technique. The crowns of wild grapevines located at a distance from ...vineyards ranging from 5 to 330 m were sprayed with a water solution of either cow milk (marker: casein) or chicken egg whites (marker: albumin) and insects captured in yellow sticky traps placed on the canopy of grapes were analyzed via an indirect ELISA for markers’ identification. Data were subject to exponential regression as a function of distance from wild grapevine, and to spatial interpolation (Inverse Distance Weighted and Kernel interpolation with barriers) using ArcGIS Desktop 10.1 software. The influence of rainfall and time elapsed after marking on markers’ effectiveness, and the different dispersion of males and females were studied with regression analyses. Of a total of 5417 insects analyzed, 43% were positive to egg; whereas 18% of 536 tested resulted marked with milk. No influence of rainfall or time elapsed was observed for egg, whereas milk was affected by time. Males and females showed no difference in dispersal. Marked adults decreased exponentially along with distance from wild grapevine and up to 80% of them were captured within 30 m. However, there was evidence of long-range dispersal up to 330 m. The interpolation maps showed a clear clustering of marked S. titanus close to the treated wild grapevine, and the pathways to the vineyards did not always seem to go along straight lines but mainly along ecological corridors. S. titanus adults are therefore capable of dispersing from wild to cultivated grapevine, and this may affect pest management strategies.
Abstract
Introduction
Patients with post–thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension (CTEPH) achieve functional recovery after pulmonary endarterectomy (PEA). 40% of them are inoperable (1,2).
Clinical ...case
66–year–old man admitted in 2012 to our ward for dyspnea on exertion and high echocardiographic probability of pulmonary hypertension (PI). Medical history: smoking; thalassemia trait; COPD; splenectomy at 13; diagnosis of chronic myeloproliferative syndrome. BP: 120/70 mmHg. NYHA class III. Blood tests: Hb: 9.4 g/dl; MCV: 70; HCT: 30%; PLT: 511; WBC: 14.84 (Mo 13%).NT–pro BNP:933. Autoantibodies and tests –HIV: negative. EGA in AAPaO2: 53 mmHg, PaCO2: 32 mmHg, SO2: 87%. PFR: FEV1: 68% FVC:74%, FEV1/FVC:72.DLCO:75%.6MWT:450m,Borg:0/3;Baseline SO2: 86%,final SO2 74%. On ECG: sinus r. at 64 beats/min. Echocardiogram: left sections within limits; right ventricle:DTD:30mm; RV/LV< 1; right atrial area: 19cm2, PAPs: 70+5 mmHg (Vel: 4.1 m/s), AcT: 90 msec. TAPSE: 16mm. Performs pulmonary CT scan with contrast medium: negative for pulmonary embolism; some 1 cm bubbles of emphysema in the subpleural area of the right middle lobe; right heart catheterization: PAD: 13mm; PAPM: 50mm; IC: 4.1l /min/m2; RVPtot:11WU;RVP:art:5.2WU;WP:11mmHg.Haematological diagnosis of thalassemia intermedia and exclusion of myeloproliferative syndrome/P lung scintigraphy is positive for multiple bilateral perfusion defects. The possibility of PEA for peripheral lesions at the referral Centre, therapy with warfarin (TAO), riociguat and bronchodilators was started., discontinued therapy with TAO. Finding of recurrence of pulmonary micro embolism on scintigraphy. At the end of the intravitreal treatments with resumption of TAO, at control catheterization evidence of PAD:5mm PAPm19mmHg;WP:9mmHg;IC: 3.4l/min/m2; RVPart:2.9 WU;NYHA:II.
Discussion
Not all CTEPH from thalassemia intermedia can perform PEA (3). Hypercoagulability is an important pathogenetic mechanism in the genesis of PH (4) and comorbidities have a significant role in the prognosis and response to medical therapy. COPD is the comorbidity that favors hypercoagulability, worsens pulmonary ventilation and gaseous exchanges (5).
Conclusions
In thalassemia intermedia with inoperable CTEPH, hypercoagulability is the condition that most influences the prognosis and efficacy of vasodilator therapy.
Abstract
Background
A careful and integrated follow up after hospitalization for heart failure (HF) may represent a feasible strategy to optimize the adherence to ESC guidelines and reduce the ...occurrence of adverse events (mortality, re–hospitalizations).
Methods
A strict integration between hospital and local health district proximity office cardiologist through an integrated clinical data sharing software has been implemented in Apulia region, Italy, in order to optimize the management of the HF patient after an hospitalization: the PONTE (PDTA FOR INTEGRATED FOLLOW–UP TERRITORY HOSPITAL OF THE PATIENT WITH CARDIAC HEART FAILURE) (bridge) project. As until December 2021, 1200 patients with HF have been enrolled in the project, both with reduced (HFrEF) and preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Adherence to ESC HF guidelines in HFrEF patients before vs after December 2020 was compared.
Results
In the HFrEF population (56%) the mean age was 63 years, 38% were hypertensive, 15% diabetic, 40% had ischemic heart disease, 42% were previously treated with coronary angioplasty, 56% had an ICD/CRT, 22% had atrial fibrillation. Mean NYHA class was 2.2, mean LVEF 30%, mean NT–proBNP values 4027 pg/mL, mean serum creatinine 1 mg/dL, 91% were taking beta–blockers (BB), 86% mineral corticoid receptor antagonists (MRA), 98% ACE–inhibitors/angiotensin–receptor–antagonists/neprilysin and angiotensin receptor antagonists (ACE/ARB/ARNI), and 13% ARNI. Compared to patients enrolled before 2020, ARNI prescription increased in 2021 (60% vs 13%, p < 0.001); in 30% ARNI were prescribed in hospital before discharge. Furthermore, in 10% of the population (most diabetics), sodium glucose cotransporter type 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) have been prescribed as indicated by the latest ESC 2021 guidelines.
Conclusions
The implementation the PONTE project shows an improved adherence to ESC HF guidelines.
Macrophage receptor with collagenous structure (MARCO) is a scavenger receptor expressed in peritoneal macrophages and in a subpopulation of macrophages in the marginal zone of the spleen and in the ...medullary cord of lymph nodes. By global gene expression analysis, it has been found that the MARCO mRNA was one of the most up-regulated in splenic dendritic cells (DCs) following lipopolysaccharide or bacterial activation and in granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)–treated microglial cells. Here we show that MARCO is expressed on splenic DCs at late time points after activation and that its expression correlates with profound changes in actin cytoskeleton organization in DCs and microglia. During maturation, DCs undergo profound rearrangements of actin cytoskeleton. Immature DCs are adherent with visible actin cables, while fully mature, MARCO-expressing, splenic DCs are nonadherent, round in shape, and have an actin cytoskeleton with a punctate distribution. The simple expression of MARCO was sufficient to induce these cytoskeleton modifications in DCs. MARCO-transfected immature DCs acquired a typical morphology of mature DCs and did not rearrange the actin cytoskeleton following activation. Moreover, DCs in which MARCO was knocked down did not reach the mature phenotype and maintained the typical morphology of transitional DCs. MARCO expression in DCs and microglial cells was also associated with a decrease of antigen internalization capacity. Thus, the MARCO receptor is important for actin cytoskeleton rearrangements and the down-regulation of antigen uptake function during DC and microglial cell maturation.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
Suppressive activities involving T‐B and T‐T cell interactions are important to maintain immune system homeostasis. Negative control of IgG2ab + B cells by anti‐IgG2ab T cells derived from Igha mice ...has been well documented. Nevertheless the real contribution of anti‐IgG2ab T cells, endogenously matured in Ighb mice, in controlling IgG2ab + B cell function has never been investigated. We previously generated anti‐IgG2ab TCR‐transgenic mice and showed that transgenic T cells were not deleted in the thymus and that they were responsible for a complete and chronic IgG2ab suppression. Here we show that T cells expressing high density of anti‐IgG2ab TCR were positively selected in the thymus with a higher efficiency in animals expressing IgG2ab, reached peripheral lymphoid organs and negatively controlled IgG2ab serum levels. Moreover, anti‐IgG2ab T cells transgenic for the single TCR β chain, thus undergoing normal α rearrangements and normal processes of selection, also reached the periphery and suppressed IgG2ab. Interestingly, concentration of IgG2ab in serum inversely correlated with the peripheral frequency of Ig‐specific T cells. Finally, T cells able to suppress IgG2ab were obtained from Ighb non‐transgenic mice, indicating that anti‐γ2ab T cells are naturally present in the periphery of Ighb animals. We propose that IgG2ab‐specific T cells contribute to determine IgG2ab serum levels in Ighb mice.
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BFBNIB, FZAB, GIS, IJS, KILJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, SBCE, SBMB, UL, UM, UPUK
Risk stratification after uncomplicated acute myocardial infarction is mostly applied by either symptom-limited post discharge exercise electrocardiography or pre-discharge submaximal exercise test. ...Aim of the present study was to determine if early pharmacological stress echocardiography and discharge within 24 hours of the test in cases without induced myocardial ischemia leads to lower costs and similar clinical outcome during 1 year follow up when compared to clinical evaluation and exercise electrocardiography after discharge.
Four-hundred fifty-eight patients from 10 participating centers with a recent uncomplicated myocardial infarction were randomized to pharmacological stress echocardiography on day 3-5 followed by early discharge in the case of negative test result (early discharge strategy) (n=233) or clinical evaluation with hospital discharge on day 7-9 and symptom-limited post-discharge exercise electrocardiography at 2-4 weeks after myocardial infarction (usual care strategy) (n=225). At 1 year follow up there were 63 events (4 deaths, 9 non fatal reinfarctions, 50 chest pains requiring hospitalization) in patients randomized to early discharge, and 69 events (6 deaths, 13 reinfarctions, 50 chest pains requiring hospitalization) in usual care (p=ns). Total median individual costs calculated on the basis of hospitalizations, investigations and interventions during 1 year follow up were 3561 for early discharge strategy vs 3850 for usual care strategy (p<0.05).
Early pharmacological stress echocardiography followed by early discharge in case of negative test result gives similar clinical outcome and lower costs after uncomplicated myocardial infarction than clinical evaluation and delayed post-discharge symptom-limited exercise electrocardiography.
The aim of this study was to compare cardiac catheterization (CATH) with 2D echo-Doppler (ED) in clinically evaluating the stroke volumes (SV) needed to calculate aortic and mitral regurgitant ...fractions (aortic and mitral SV for the ED method, thermodilution and angiographic SV for the CATH). As there is no 'gold standard' for this kind of measurement, only subjects without valvular regurgitation were considered. In these subjects, though the two SV measurements needed to calculate the regurgitant volume should have been identical, there was, in fact a difference due to the systematic and random errors of the methods. We calculated the mean value and the standard deviation of this difference in a series of patients without valvular regurgitation in order to obtain an estimate of both systematic and random errors. In 20 patients studied by ED a difference of 11.9 +/- 16.7 ml was found. In 36 patients studied by cardiac catheterization the difference was 19.6 +/- 20.1 ml. A significant systematic error was found for both ED and the invasive method; The transmitral SV tended to be larger than the aortic and the angiographic SV larger than that obtained by thermodilution. To try to determine the extent to which the random errors could be attributed to the reproducibility of the measurements, we carried out computer simulations. The SVs of 50 000 hypothetical patients were randomly generated and then attributed a random error calculated on the basis of the variability of the CATH (thermodilution 4%, angiography 10%) and the ED measurements (aortic annulus 6%, mitral annulus 18%, mitral time velocity integral 10%, aortic time velocity integral 8%).
This collection of reviews will be of considerable interests to biologists and MDs working on any aspect of cardiovascular function. With state-of-the-art reviews written by competent experts in the ...field, the content is also of interest for MSc and PhD students in most fields of cardiovascular physiology.
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FIS, FZAB, GEOZS, GIS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, MFDPS, NUK, OBVAL, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, SBMB, SBNM, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK, VKSCE, ZAGLJ
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