Triatomines are hematophagous insects of great epidemiological importance, since they are vectors of the protozoan Trypanosoma cruzi, the etiological agent of Chagas disease. Triatoma brasiliensis ...complex is a monophyletic group formed by two subspecies and six species: T. b. brasiliensis, T. b. macromelasoma, T. bahiensis, T. juazeirensis, T. lenti, T. melanica, T. petrocchiae and T. sherlocki. The specific status of several species grouped in the T. brasiliensis complex was confirmed from experimental crossing and analysis of reproductive barriers. Thus, we perform interspecific experimental crosses between T. lenti and other species and subspecies of the T. brasiliensis complex and perform morphological analysis of the gonads and cytogenetic analysis in the homeologous chromosomes of the hybrids of first generation (F1). Besides that, we rescue all the literature data associated with the study of reproductive barriers in this monophyletic complex of species and subspecies. For all crosses performed between T. b. brasiliensis, T. b. macromelasoma, T. juazeirensis and T. melanica with T. lenti, interspecific copulas occurred (showing absence of mechanical isolation), hybrids were obtained, none of the male hybrids presented the phenomenon of gonadal dysgenesis and 100% pairing between the chromosomes homeologous of the hybrids was observed. Thus, we demonstrate that there are no pre-zygotic reproductive barriers installed between T. lenti and the species and subspecies of the T. brasiliensis complex. In addition, we demonstrate that the hybrids obtained between these crosses have high genomic compatibility and the absence of gonadal dysgenesis. These results point to reproductive compatibility between T. lenti and species and subspecies of the T. brasiliensis complex (confirming its inclusion in the complex) and lead us to suggest a possible recent diversification of the taxa of this monophyletic group.
•Among 58083 STEMIs from 2011 to 2018 in the SPARCS database of New York state, adults less than 50 years old displayed a differing risk factor panel than older adults, with higher prevalence of ...obesity, major psychiatric disorders, and tobacco, alcohol, cocaine, and cannabis use.•Across all ages, female sex was associated with a higher burden of risk factors and co-morbidities, decreased receipt of percutaneous coronary intervention, and increased one-year mortality.•There are important sex and age differences in risk factors for STEMI. Preventive efforts to reduce STEMI occurrence in younger patients will need to take into account these differences.
The incidence of acute myocardial infarction (MI) is increasing in younger age groups, with differences in treatment and outcomes based on sex. ST-elevation MI (STEMI) in young adults, however is incompletely understood as most of the current studies were performed in homogenous populations, did not focus on STEMI and lack direct comparisons to older adults. We performed a retrospective observational study using the Statewide Planning And Research Cooperative System (SPARCS) for all admissions in New York state with a principal diagnosis of STEMI from 2011 to 2018. There were 58083 STEMIs with the majority being male (68.2%), and non-Hispanic White (64.8%) with an average age of 63.9 ± 13.9 years. Of these, 8494 (14.6%) occurred in individuals < 50 years old. The proportion of female STEMIs increased with age, from 19.2% in the < 50 years old age group to 48.9% in the ≥ 70 years old age group. Young adults with STEMI had greater prevalence of obesity, current tobacco use, other substance use, and major psychiatric disorders, were more likely to receive revascularization and had lower one-year mortality than older age groups. Revascularization was associated with at least a three times lower odds ratio of 1-year mortality in all age groups. In conclusion, young adults with STEMI had a unique set of risk factors and co-morbidities and were more likely to undergo revascularization than older age groups. In all age groups, female sex was associated with a higher burden of co-morbidities, decreased use of revascularization, and increased one-year mortality.
Constipation is a common disease affecting humans. Bifidobacterium longum is reportedly effective in relieving constipation. Current studies generally focus on the dose-response relationship of oral ...doses; however, the dose-effect relationship of B. longum in the colon, which is the primary site where B. longum exerts constipation-relieving effects, to treat constipation has not been studied. Herein, three strains of B. longum (FGSZY6M4, FJSWXJ10M2, and FSDJN6M3) were packaged in colon-released capsules to explore the dose-effect relationship in the colon. For each strain, three groups of capsules (10sup.4, 10sup.6, and 10sup.8 CFU/capsule, respectively) and one group of free probiotics (10sup.8 CFU/mL) were used to explore the colonic dose effect of B. longum. The results showed that the three strains of B. longum improved fecal water content and promoted intestinal motility by regulating gastrointestinal peptide (MTL, GAS, and VIP), aquaporin-3, and 5-hydroxytryptamine levels while promoting gastrointestinal motility and relieving constipation by regulating the intestinal flora composition of constipated rats and changing their metabolite content (short-chain fatty acids). Among the three free bacterial solution groups (10sup.8 CFU/mL), FGSZY6M4 was the most effective in relieving constipation caused by loperamide hydrochloride in rats. The optimal effective dose of each strain was 6M4 (10sup.4 CFU/day), 10M2 (10sup.6 CFU/day), and S3 (10sup.8 CFU/day) of the colon-released capsules. Therefore, for some effective strains, the dose of oral probiotics can be reduced by colon-released capsules, and constipation can be relieved without administering a great number of bacterial solutions. Therefore, investigating the most effective dose of B. longum at the colon site can help to improve the efficiency of relieving constipation.
An epidemic of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) began in December 2019 and triggered a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC). We aimed to find risk factors for the progression ...of COVID-19 to help reducing the risk of critical illness and death for clinical help.
The data of COVID-19 patients until March 20, 2020 were retrieved from four databases. We statistically analyzed the risk factors of critical/mortal and non-critical COVID-19 patients with meta-analysis.
Thirteen studies were included in Meta-analysis, including a total number of 3027 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection. Male, older than 65, and smoking were risk factors for disease progression in patients with COVID-19 (male: OR = 1.76, 95% CI (1.41, 2.18), P < 0.00001; age over 65 years old: OR =6.06, 95% CI(3.98, 9.22), P < 0.00001; current smoking: OR =2.51, 95% CI(1.39, 3.32), P = 0.0006). The proportion of underlying diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory disease were statistically significant higher in critical/mortal patients compared to the non-critical patients (diabetes: OR=3.68, 95% CI (2.68, 5.03), P < 0.00001; hypertension: OR = 2.72, 95% CI (1.60,4.64), P = 0.0002; cardiovascular disease: OR = 5.19, 95% CI(3.25, 8.29), P < 0.00001; respiratory disease: OR = 5.15, 95% CI(2.51, 10.57), P < 0.00001). Clinical manifestations such as fever, shortness of breath or dyspnea were associated with the progression of disease fever: 0R = 0.56, 95% CI (0.38, 0.82), P = 0.003;shortness of breath or dyspnea: 0R=4.16, 95% CI (3.13, 5.53), P < 0.00001. Laboratory examination such as aspartate amino transferase(AST) > 40U/L, creatinine(Cr) ≥ 133mol/L, hypersensitive cardiac troponin I(hs-cTnI) > 28pg/mL, procalcitonin(PCT) > 0.5ng/mL, lactatede hydrogenase(LDH) > 245U/L, and D-dimer > 0.5mg/L predicted the deterioration of disease while white blood cells(WBC)<4 × 109/L meant a better clinical statusAST > 40U/L:OR=4.00, 95% CI (2.46, 6.52), P < 0.00001; Cr ≥ 133μmol/L: OR = 5.30, 95% CI (2.19, 12.83), P = 0.0002; hs-cTnI > 28 pg/mL: OR = 43.24, 95% CI (9.92, 188.49), P < 0.00001; PCT > 0.5 ng/mL: OR = 43.24, 95% CI (9.92, 188.49), P < 0.00001;LDH > 245U/L: OR = 43.24, 95% CI (9.92, 188.49), P < 0.00001; D-dimer > 0.5mg/L: OR = 43.24, 95% CI (9.92, 188.49), P < 0.00001; WBC < 4 × 109/L: OR = 0.30, 95% CI (0.17, 0.51), P < 0.00001.
Male, aged over 65, smoking patients might face a greater risk of developing into the critical or mortal condition and the comorbidities such as hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and respiratory diseases could also greatly affect the prognosis of the COVID-19. Clinical manifestation such as fever, shortness of breath or dyspnea and laboratory examination such as WBC, AST, Cr, PCT, LDH, hs-cTnI and D-dimer could imply the progression of COVID-19.
Individuals of South Asian ancestry represent 23% of the global population, corresponding to 1.8 billion people, and have substantially higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease compared ...with most other ethnicities. US practice guidelines now recognize South Asian ancestry as an important risk-enhancing factor. The magnitude of enhanced risk within the context of contemporary clinical care, the extent to which it is captured by existing risk estimators, and its potential mechanisms warrant additional study.
Within the UK Biobank prospective cohort study, 8124 middle-aged participants of South Asian ancestry and 449 349 participants of European ancestry who were free of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at the time of enrollment were examined. The relationship of ancestry to risk of incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease-defined as myocardial infarction, coronary revascularization, or ischemic stroke-was assessed with Cox proportional hazards regression, along with examination of a broad range of clinical, anthropometric, and lifestyle mediators.
The mean age at study enrollment was 57 years, and 202 405 (44%) were male. Over a median follow-up of 11 years, 554 of 8124 (6.8%) individuals of South Asian ancestry experienced an atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease event compared with 19 756 of 449 349 (4.4%) individuals of European ancestry, corresponding to an adjusted hazard ratio of 2.03 (95% CI, 1.86-2.22;
<0.001). This higher relative risk was largely consistent across a range of age, sex, and clinical subgroups. Despite the >2-fold higher observed risk, the predicted 10-year risk of cardiovascular disease according to the American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology Pooled Cohort equations and QRISK3 equations was nearly identical for individuals of South Asian and European ancestry. Adjustment for a broad range of clinical, anthropometric, and lifestyle risk factors led to only modest attenuation of the observed hazard ratio to 1.45 (95% CI, 1.28-1.65,
<0.001). Assessment of variance explained by 18 candidate risk factors suggested greater importance of hypertension, diabetes, and central adiposity in South Asian individuals.
Within a large prospective study, South Asian individuals had substantially higher risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease compared with individuals of European ancestry, and this risk was not captured by the Pooled Cohort Equations.
Carotid plaque is a specific sign of atherosclerosis and adults with carotid plaque are at increased risk for cardiovascular outcomes. Atherosclerosis has roots in childhood and pediatric guidelines ...provide cut-off values for cardiovascular risk factors. However, it is unknown whether these cut-offs predict adulthood advanced atherosclerosis.
The Cardiovascular Risk in Young Finns Study is a follow-up of children that begun in 1980 when 2653 participants with data for the present analyses were aged 3–18 years. In 2001 and 2007 follow-ups, in addition to adulthood cardiovascular risk factors, carotid ultrasound data was collected. Long-term burden, as the area under the curve, was evaluated for childhood (6–18 years) risk factors. To study the associations of guideline-based cut-offs with carotid plaque, both childhood and adult risk factors were classified according to clinical practice guidelines.
Carotid plaque, defined as a focal structure of the arterial wall protruding into lumen >50% compared to adjacent intima-media thickness, was present in 88 (3.3%) participants. Relative risk for carotid plaque, when adjusted for age and sex, was 3.03 (95% CI, 1.76–5.21) for childhood dyslipidemia, 1.51 (95% CI, 0.99–2.32) for childhood elevated systolic blood pressure, and 1.93 (95% CI, 1.26–2.94) for childhood smoking. Childhood dyslipidemia and smoking remained independent predictors of carotid plaque in models additionally adjusted for adult risk factors and family history of coronary heart disease. Carotid plaque was present in less than 1% of adults with no childhood risk factors.
Findings reinforce childhood prevention efforts and demonstrate the utility of guideline-based cut-offs in identifying children at increased risk for adulthood atherosclerosis.
Display omitted
•Cumulative child risk factors independently associate with adult carotid plaque.•Less than 1% of adults with no risk factors in childhood had carotid plaque.•Sustained cardiovascular health in childhood is needed to reduce future risk.
PDF
