Hypoalbuminemia is a long-term risk factor for incident of both myocardial infarction and heart failure. We assessed whether serum albumin levels at admission are associated with new-onset heart ...failure and in-hospital mortality in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The study included 7,192 patients with ACS with no previous history of heart failure. Patients were divided into quartiles according to serum albumin levels (Q1: ≤3.50 g/dl; Q2: 3.51 to 3.80 g/dl; Q3: 3.81 to 4.08 g/dl; and Q4: >4.08 g/dl). Logistic regressions were used to explore the relations among serum albumin quartiles, new-onset heart failure, and in-hospital mortality. Serum albumin levels were negatively correlated with both high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and white blood cell count at admission. The unadjusted rate for both new-onset heart failure (37.7%, 20.2%, 14.7%, and 11.4% for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively; p <0.0001) and in-hospital mortality (9.8%, 3.4%, 2.0%, and 1.7% for Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively; p <0.0001) were higher at lower serum albumin levels. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that serum albumin level ≤3.50 g/dl is an important and independent predictor of both the development of new-onset heart failure (odds ratio 2.31, 95% CI 1.87 to 2.84, p <0.0001) and in-hospital mortality (odds ratio 1.88, 95% CI 1.23 to 2.86, p = 0.003). In conclusion, albumin level ≤3.50 g/dl is an independent predictor of new-onset heart failure and in-hospital mortality in patients with ACS. The inflammatory state may be a mechanism underlying hypoalbuminemia in this clinical setting.
We analyze the transformation of a very broad class of metrics that can be expressed in terms of static coordinates. Starting from a general ansatz, we obtain a relation for the parameters in which ...one can impose further symmetries or restrictions. One of the simplest restrictions leads to FLRW cases, while transforming from the initial static to other static-type coordinates can lead to near horizon coordinates, Wheeler–Regge, and isotropic coordinates, among others. As less restrictive cases, we show an indirect route for obtaining Kruskal–Szekeres within this approach, as well as Lemaître coordinates. We use Schwarzschild spacetime as a prototype for testing the procedure in individual cases. However, application to other spacetimes, such as de-Sitter, Reissner–Nordström, and Schwarzschild de Sitter, can be readily generalized.
Starting from a general transformation for spherically symmetric metrics where g_11=-1/g_00, we analyze coordinates with the common property of conformal flatness at constant solid angle element. ...Three general possibilities arise: one where tortoise coordinate appears as the unique solution, other that includes Kruskal-Szekeres coordinates as a very specific case, but that also allows other similar transformations, and finally a new set of coordinates with very different properties than the other two. In particular, it represents any causal patch of the spherically symmetric metrics in a compactified form. We analyze general properties of the new proposed “pulsating coordinates”, and then proceed to apply the transformation for the Schwarzschild spacetime, as well as for several cosmological solutions, contrasting properties with the Kruskal case. In particular, Anti-de-Sitter solution presents interesting features.
Technological development offers new opportunities for people with disabilities, to improve their quality of life and increase their inclusion in society. Motor disability is an alteration that ...affects, at different levels, the movement or manipulation of a person. This paper presents the design and construction of the second version of an electronic device adaptable to a motorized wheelchair that serves as an intelligent navigation system. The first version of the electronic device only allowed for control of the wheelchair through head movements and voice commands. In this new version, the previous functions were improved and two new functions were incorporated. Muscle flexion and muscle contraction increase the options to control a motorized wheelchair by people with greater limitation of movement. The tests carried out demonstrate the viability of the prototype.
Colitis-associated colon cancer (CAC) is one of the most common malignant neoplasms and a leading cause of death. The immunologic factors associated with CAC development are not completely ...understood. Signal transducer and activator of transcription 6 (STAT6) is part of an important signaling pathway for modulating intestinal immune function and homeostasis. However, the role of STAT6 in colon cancer progression is unclear. Following CAC induction in wild-type (WT) and STAT6-deficient mice (STAT6
), we found that 70% of STAT6
mice were tumor-free after 8 weeks, whereas 100% of WT mice developed tumors. STAT6
mice displayed fewer and smaller colorectal tumors than WT mice; this reduced tumorigenicity was associated with decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis in the colonic mucosa in the early steps of tumor progression. STAT6
mice also exhibited reduced inflammation, diminished concentrations COX2 and nuclear β-catenin protein in the colon, and decreased mRNA expression of IL17A and TNFα, but increased IL10 expression when compared with WT mice. Impaired mucosal expression of CCL9, CCL25, and CXCR2 was also observed. In addition, the number of circulating CD11b
Ly6C
CCR2
monocytes and CD11b
Ly6C
Ly6G
granulocytes was both decreased in a STAT6-dependent manner. Finally, WT mice receiving a STAT6 inhibitor
confirmed a significant reduction in tumor load as well as less intense signs of CAC. Our results demonstrate that STAT6 is critical in the early steps of CAC development for modulating inflammatory responses and controlling cell recruitment and proliferation. Thus, STAT6 may represent a promising target for CAC treatment.
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Women with atypical hyperplasia (AH) or lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS) have a significantly increased risk of breast cancer, which can be substantially reduced with antiestrogen therapy for ...chemoprevention. However, antiestrogen therapy for breast cancer risk reduction remains underutilized. Improving knowledge about breast cancer risk and chemoprevention among high-risk patients and their healthcare providers may enhance informed decision-making about this critical breast cancer risk reduction strategy.
We are conducting a cluster randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness and implementation of patient and provider decision support tools to improve informed choice about chemoprevention among women with AH or LCIS. We have cluster randomized 26 sites across the U.S. through the SWOG Cancer Research Network. A total of 415 patients and 200 healthcare providers are being recruited. They are assigned to standard educational materials alone or combined with the web-based decision support tools. Patient-reported and clinical outcomes are assessed at baseline, after a follow-up visit at 6 months, and yearly for 5 years. The primary outcome is chemoprevention informed choice after the follow-up visit. Secondary endpoints include other patient-reported outcomes, such as chemoprevention knowledge, decision conflict and regret, and self-reported chemoprevention usage. Barriers and facilitators to implementing decision support into clinic workflow are assessed through patient and provider interviews at baseline and mid-implementation.
With this hybrid effectiveness/implementation study, we seek to evaluate if a multi-level intervention effectively promotes informed decision-making about chemoprevention and provide valuable insights on how the intervention is implemented in U.S. clinical settings.
NCT04496739
H. pylori infection shows an inverse relationship with allergies. Dendritic cells regulate mucosal immune responses including the induction of T regulatory cells which are fundamental in Helicobacter ...pylori-induced dampening of allergies. In this respect expression of high-affinity IgE receptor (FcεRI) has been associated with a regulatory dendritic cell profile. Therefore we aimed to evaluate possible mechanisms by which H. pylori infection might modify atopy in pediatric patients. Here we show that H. pylori-infected children exhibited both increased expression of FcεRI on peripheral myeloid and plasmacytoid dendritic cells and higher levels of Foxp3 and Latency Associated Peptide on T regulatory cells. Moreover, exposure to H. pylori drove increased FcεRI expression and IL-10 secretion by both pediatric H. pylori-exposed monocyte derived dendritic cells and T cells. Finally, we show a positive correlation between expression of FcεRI in circulating myeloid DCs and total Treg cells, suggesting that in children, H. pylori infection may have a modulating role in atopy, mediated by both altered surface expression of FcεRI on children's DC and an increased T regulatory cell profile.
Fragaria chiloensis (L.) Mill. is one of the parent of the commercial strawberry, and has emerged as a variety for breeding purposes. Botrytis cinerea infection is one of the most important ...infectious diseases for cultivated plant species, producing important losses in yield as well as fruit quality. Plants and fruits of Chilean strawberry have showed tolerance to this pathogen. The responses to fungus infection can be diverse, and the mechanisms that take place in strawberry during B. cinerea infection are unknown. The objective of this work was to further characterize two genes isolated from the Chilean strawberry species which were previously reported as over expressed after Botrytis infection. Leaves and ripe fruits of Chilean strawberry were inoculated with this fungus, comparing the biological response with F. x ananassa plants. Fruit and leaf samples were taken in a time course along nine days. The two characterized Protein Related (PR) genes were: pathogen related proteins from group five (FcPR5) and group ten (FcPR10). Comparative analysis indicated significant differences in the expression pattern of both genes. Higher transcript accumulation was recorded in F. chiloensis infected tissues compared to F. x ananassa. In F. chiloensis, FcPR5 showed high transcript level in infected leaves, while FcPR10 transcripts were high in infected fruits, suggesting that these genes could be implicated in the pathogen response in a tissue specific manner. The response in F. chiloensis was fast and consistent, showing high transcript levels until seven days after inoculation.
Two PR genes isolated from Fragaria chiloensis fruit were characterized. High accumulation of FcPR5 transcript in F. chiloensis infected leaves was determined. On the other hand, FcPR10 transcript was high in infected fruits. Display omitted
► FcPR5 and FcPR10 were characterized from white strawberry Fragaria chiloensis. ► Both genes showed differential expression pattern in response to Botritys infection. ► Transcript accumulation of FcPR5 was higher in strawberry leaves. ► FcPR10 transcript accumulation was higher in strawberry fruits.
The effect of nitrogen-doped multiwall carbon nanotubes (CN x) on the proliferation of NIH-3T3 murine fibroblasts is presented. CNTs were dispersed in distillated water and incubated with mammalian ...cells in order to evaluate their toxicity. Also, the influence of factors such as dosage (7 and 70 µg/mL), exposure time (24 to 96 h), and the exposure route (before and after cell liftoff) on the cell proliferation was evaluated. When the CN x were simultaneously incubated with the cells, the control culture reached a maximum cell concentration of 1.3 × 105 ± 3.4 × 104 cells per well at 96 h, whereas cultures with 7 µg/mL reached a concentration of 2.6 × 104 ± 5.3 × 103 cells. In the case of 70 µg/mL of CN x most of the cells were dead. The CN x that were added 24 h after cell dissociation showed that live cells decreased, with a cell concentration of 9.6 × 104 ± 9 × 103 for 7 µg/mL and 5.5 × 104 ± 9.5 × 103 for 70 µg/mL, in contrast to control cultures with 1.1 × 106 ± 1.5 × 104. The results showed that the CN x had cytotoxic effects depending on the concentration and exposure route.
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