Placental Immune Responses to Viruses: Molecular and Histo-Pathologic Perspectives.

As most recently demonstrated by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, congenital and perinatal infections are of significant concern to the pregnant population as compared to the general population. These outcomes can range from no apparent impact all the way to spontaneous abortion or fetal infection with long term developmental consequences. While some pathogens have developed mechanisms to cross the placenta and directly infect the fetus, other pathogens lead to an upregulation in maternal or placental inflammation that can indirectly cause harm.

Validation of a Mitotic Index Cutoff as a Prognostic Marker in Undifferentiated Uterine Sarcomas.

Undifferentiated uterine sarcomas (UUS) are a heterogenous group of high-grade mesenchymal tumors. Although these tumors are highly aggressive, a subset of patients may experience long-term survival. These tumors have previously been divided morphologically into uniform and pleomorphic types.

Antihypertensive treatment decreases arterial stiffness at night but not during the day. Results from the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial.

The main Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET) demonstrated a very marked reduction in cardiovascular events by treating hypertensive participants 80 years or older with a low dose, sustained release prescription of indapamide (indapamide SR, 1.5 mg) to which was added a low dose of an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor in two-thirds of cases (perindopril 2-4 mg). This report from the ambulatory blood pressure sub-study investigates whether changes in arterial stiffness and ambulatory blood pressure (BP) could both explain the benefits observed in the main trial.

An observational study of comorbidity and healthcare utilisation among HIV-positive patients aged 50 years and over.

The number of HIV-positive people aged ≥50 years is rising each year. We measured the prevalence of non-infectious illnesses and their risk factors and described healthcare use in this UK population. A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted at an outpatient HIV specialist clinic in south east England.

A novel cytomegalovirus-induced regulatory-type T-cell subset increases in size during older life and links virus-specific immunity to vascular pathology.

Background:  Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection directly targets vascular endothelium and smooth muscle and at older ages is associated with accelerated vascular pathology and mortality. CMV-specific cellular immunity might directly contribute to this process.

Methods:  Conventional ex vivo activation-induced T-cell responses to 19 dominant CMV antigens, along with CMV-specific inducible regulatory-type CD4+ T cells (iTregs), were measured in healthy older people, using a novel protocol that included classic Treg markers alongside the activation marker CD134.

Characterisation of CD154+ T cells following ex vivo allergen stimulation illustrates distinct T cell responses to seasonal and perennial allergens in allergic and non-allergic individuals.

Background: Allergic sensitisation has been ascribed to a dysregulated relationship between allergen-specific Th1, Th2 and regulatory T cells. We sought to utilise our short-term CD154 detection method to further analyse the relationship between these T cell subsets and investigate differences between seasonal and perennial allergens. Using peripheral blood samples from grass-allergic, cat-allergic and healthy non-atopic subjects, we compared the frequencies and phenotype of CD154-positive T helper cells following stimulation with seasonal (grass) and perennial (cat dander) allergens.

Genome signature-based dissection of human gut metagenomes to extract subliminal viral sequences.

Bacterial viruses (bacteriophages) have a key role in shaping the development and functional outputs of host microbiomes. Although metagenomic approaches have greatly expanded our understanding of the prokaryotic virosphere, additional tools are required for the phage-oriented dissection of metagenomic data sets, and host-range affiliation of recovered sequences. Here we demonstrate the application of a genome signature-based approach to interrogate conventional whole-community metagenomes and access subliminal, phylogenetically targeted, phage sequences present within.

Identifying the patient at risk of acute kidney injury: a predictive scoring system for the development of acute kidney injury in acute medical patients.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) in hospitalized patients has significant implications in terms of morbidity and mortality, length of hospital stay and associated costs. To date, no interventions are proven to prevent the development of AKI but this is hampered in part by the lack of early recognition of patients at risk. We aimed to determine whether a simple system could be devised from both physiological and demographic data in order to identify individuals at increased risk from the development of inpatient AKI.

Characterisation of CD154+ T cells following ex vivo birch allergen stimulation defines a close relationship between T cell subsets in healthy volunteers.

Background: Allergic sensitisation has been ascribed to a dysregulated relationship between allergen-specific Th1, Th2 and regulatory T cells. We hypothesised that the relationship between these T cell subsets could be better defined using a short-term allergen stimulation system followed by direct analysis of CD154-positive T cells. Using peripheral blood samples from birch pollinosis patients and healthy non-atopic controls, we sought to explore the frequencies and phenotype of birch-stimulated CD154-positive T helper cells following ex vivo birch allergen stimulation.

Does white coat hypertension require treatment over age 80?: Results of the hypertension in the very elderly trial ambulatory blood pressure side project.

White coat hypertension is considered to be a benign condition that does not require antihypertensive treatment. Ambulatory blood pressure (ABP) was measured in 284 participants in the Hypertension in the Very Elderly Trial (HYVET), a double-blind randomized trial of indapamide sustained release 1.5 mg±perindopril 2 to 4 mg versus matching placebo in hypertensive subjects (systolic blood pressure 160-199 mm Hg) aged >80 years.

The phenotypic distribution and functional profile of tuberculin-specific CD4 T-cells characterizes different stages of TB infection.

Background: Recent publications have suggested that altered proportions of functional CD4 T-cell subsets correlate with active pulmonary TB. Also, CD27-expression on tuberculin-activated IFN-γ(+) CD4 T-cells is known to differ significantly between patients with active pulmonary TB and healthy TB-unexposed BCG vaccinees. Here, we explore links between CD4 T-cell phenotype, multiple functional subsets, and control of TB.

Comparative (meta)genomic analysis and ecological profiling of human gut-specific bacteriophage φB124-14.

Bacteriophage associated with the human gut microbiome are likely to have an important impact on community structure and function, and provide a wealth of biotechnological opportunities. Despite this, knowledge of the ecology and composition of bacteriophage in the gut bacterial community remains poor, with few well characterized gut-associated phage genomes currently available. Here we describe the identification and in-depth (meta)genomic, proteomic, and ecological analysis of a human gut-specific bacteriophage (designated φB124-14).

Polyfunctional T cells accumulate in large human cytomegalovirus-specific T cell responses.

Large cytomegalovirus (CMV)-specific CD8 T-cell responses are observed in both young and, somewhat more often, old people. Frequent CMV reactivation is thought to exhaust these cells and render them dysfunctional so that larger numbers of them are needed to control CMV. Expansions of CMV-specific CD4 T cells are also seen but are less well studied.

The role of physician reminders in faecal occult blood testing for colorectal cancer screening.

Background: Colorectal cancer screening in the form of faecal occult blood (FOB) testing can significantly reduce the burden of this disease and has been used as early as the 1970s. Effective involvement of GPs along with reminding physicians prior to seeing a patient may improve uptake.

Objective: This article is a systematic review of published literature examining the uptake of FOB testing after physician reminders as part of the colorectal cancer screening process.

Elective open versus laparoscopic sigmoid colectomy for diverticular disease: a meta-analysis with the Sigma trial.

Background: A meta-analysis of published literature comparing open versus laparoscopic elective sigmoid resections for diverticular disease was conducted.

Methods: Electronic databases were searched for data from January 1991 to March 2009. A systematic review was performed to obtain a summative outcome.

The effect of bangerter occlusion foils on blepharospasm and hemifacial spasm in occlusion-positive and occlusion-negative patients.

Objective: To test the hypothesis that occlusion-positive (OP) patients with blepharospasm (BEB) or hemifacial spasm (HFS) will benefit from a Bangerter occlusion foil (BOF), compared to occlusion-negative (ON) patients. OP/ON was based on immediate improvement in spasm with placement of a hand in front of either eye.

Design: Prospective non-randomised single-centre pilot study.

Electrophysiological characteristics associated with symptoms in pacemaker patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to identify the electrophysiological factors affecting symptoms in paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (PAF) using patients with paroxysmal atrial fibrillation and pacemakers with advanced atrial fibrillation (AF) diagnostics.

Methods: Seventy-nine patients (age 71.0 +/- 8.

Needlescopic versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a meta-analysis.

Background: To systematically analyse clinical trials on needlescopic (NC) versus laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) that evaluated the effectiveness of both procedures for the management of cholelithiasis.

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken. Clinical trials on NC versus LC were selected according to specific criteria and analyzed to generate summative data expressed in standardized mean difference.

Needlescopic versus laparoscopic appendectomy: a systematic review.

Background: Needlescopic appendectomies (NA) have been performed since the 1990s. We sought to systematically analyze trials comparing NA with laparoscopic appendectomies (LA) in the management of appendicitis.

Methods: We performed a systematic review of the literature.

Use of endo-GIA versus endo-loop for securing the appendicular stump in laparoscopic appendicectomy: a systematic review.

Objective: To systematically analyze the trials on laparoscopic appendicectomy (LA) that has evaluated the effectiveness of endo-loop and/or endo-GIA (a linear stapling device) to secure the stump of the appendix.

Methods: Clinical trials on LA were selected from the electronic database and analyzed to generate summative data.

Results: Five randomized trials on 622 patients were analyzed.

Effect of heated and humidified carbon dioxide on patients after laparoscopic procedures: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To systematically analyze the role of heated humidified carbon dioxide (CO2) in laparoscopy.

Methods: Clinical trials on laparoscopic procedures using standard dry CO2 versus heated humidified CO2 for pneumoperitoneum were analyzed.

Results: Ten randomized controlled trials on 565 patients were analyzed.

Laparoscopic versus open repair of incisional/ventral hernia: a meta-analysis.

Background: The aim of this article is to analyze laparoscopic versus open repair of incisional/ventral hernia (IVH).

Methods: A systematic review of the literature was undertaken to analyze clinical trials on IVH.

Results: Five randomized controlled trials involving a total of 366 patients were analyzed.

Day-night differences in oxygen saturation and the frequency of desaturations in the first 24 hours in patients with acute stroke.

Background: Hypoxia is common after acute stroke. Most studies of oxygenation after stroke were done at night. The objective of this study was to determine whether there are differences in oxygenation between day and night early after stroke.

Development of a conversion factor to facilitate comparison of National Institute of Health Stroke Scale scores with Scandinavian Stroke Scale scores.

Background: The National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) and the Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) are commonly used in clinical stroke trials. Use of different scales in trials makes comparison of outcomes difficult.

Methods: Adult patients with an acute stroke were recruited within 24 h of onset, and NIHSS, SSS and Glasgow Coma Scale scores were assessed at baseline and repeated at 1 week.