Multiscale model for the effects of adaptive immunity suppression on the viral therapy of cancer.

Oncolytic virotherapy-the use of viruses that specifically kill tumor cells-is an innovative and highly promising route for treating cancer. However, its therapeutic outcomes are mainly impaired by the host immune response to the viral infection. In this paper, we propose a multiscale mathematical model to study how the immune response interferes with the viral oncolytic activity.

Atrial fibrillation in acute pulmonary embolism: prognostic considerations.

Aims: Although it is accepted that atrial fibrillation (AF) may be both the contributing factor and the consequence of pulmonary embolism (PE), data on the prognostic role of AF in patients with acute venous thromboembolism are scarce. Our aim was to study whether AF had a prognostic role in patients with acute PE.

Methods: Retrospective cohort study involving 270 patients admitted for acute PE.

Early repolarization patterns and the role of additional proarrhythmic triggers.

The majority of individuals with early repolarization (ER) patterns have a benign prognosis. However, recent case-control series and population studies have established a significant association between ER and an increased risk of arrhythmic death. There is a common agreement that J-waves, particularly of large amplitude, dynamic, and present in multiple leads, are more prevalent in patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation, but the distinction between benign and malignant electrocardiographic variants of ER is still a controversial subject.

Decreased glomerular filtration rate and markers of left atrial stasis in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: It is currently unknown if the increased risk of stroke in subjects with chronic kidney disease and atrial fibrillation (AF) is due to the presence of left atrial stasis or to any other vascular or systemic conditions.

Methods: This was a retrospective study of 372 subjects undergoing evaluation during an AF episode. The following markers of left atrial stasis were sought on transesophageal echocardiogram: left atrial or left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT), dense spontaneous echocardiographic contrast (DSEC), and low flow velocities (LFV) in the left atrial appendage.

Cardiovascular risk assessment of pulmonary embolism with the GRACE risk score.

Despite the existence of several risk scores, the accurate prediction of the prognosis in pulmonary embolism (PE) remains a challenge. The Global Registry of Acute Coronary Events (GRACE) risk score has a high diagnostic performance for adverse outcomes in acute coronary syndrome. We aimed to assess the applicability and extend the use of the GRACE risk score to PE.

The Role of Echocardiography as a Predictor of the Incidence and Progression of Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation is the most frequent sustained arrhythmia and is an independent risk factor for stroke and death. In recent years, major echocardiographic advances have been made with the development of new techniques and applications that can be extremely useful for the management of these patients. This paper describes the role of echocardiography as a predictor of the incidence and progression of atrial fibrillation.

Overview of resistant hypertension: A glimpse of the cardiologist's current standpoint.

Hypertension is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, resulting in increased incidence of cerebrovascular events, ischaemic heart disease, heart failure, and renal impairment. Thus, it is one of the most important preventable causes of premature morbidity and mortality. Despite current knowledge on the management of hypertension and the availability of several effective antihypertensive medications, uncontrolled hypertension remains a common and challenging clinical problem.

Maternal obesity in high-risk pregnancies and postpartum infectious complications.

Objective: To analyze the association between maternal obesity and postnatal infectious complications in high-risk pregnancies.

Methods: Prospective study from August 2009 through August 2010 with the following inclusion criteria: women up to the 5(th) postpartum day; age ≥ 18 years; high-risk pregnancy; singleton pregnancy with live fetus at labor onset; delivery at the institution; maternal weight measured on day of delivery. The nutritional status in late pregnancy was assessed by the body mass index (BMI), with the application of the Atalah et al.

Perforation of the right ventricle during cardiac resynchronisation therapy upgrade not related to a coexisting persistent left superior vena cava.

Right ventricle (RV) perforation is a complication that may arise during device implants. We present the case of a patient undergoing cardiac resynchronisation therapy upgrade that was complicated with an RV perforation. The lead was successfully repositioned with a good final outcome.

A review on advanced atrioventricular block in young or middle-aged adults.

Complete atrioventricular block is a relatively uncommon arrhythmia that is nonetheless increasingly seen in elderly people of developed countries, due to the increase in life expectancy. Congenital and degenerative etiologies are the most commonly seen among young and old patients, respectively. However, scientific literature is surprisingly scarce regarding the etiology of complete atrioventricular block in the asymptomatic otherwise healthy young and middle-aged adult population.

Richness of endophytic fungi isolated from Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. (Cactaceae) and preliminary screening for enzyme production.

Opuntia ficus-indica Mill. (forage cactus) is farmed with relative success in the semi-arid region of the Brazilian northeast for commercial purposes, particularly as forage and food. Endophytic microorganisms are those that can be isolated inside plant tissues and can be a new source to production of enzymes with different potentialities.

Transcriptome analysis of resistant soybean roots infected by Meloidogyne javanica.

Soybean is an important crop for Brazilian agribusiness. However, many factors can limit its production, especially root-knot nematode infection. Studies on the mechanisms employed by the resistant soybean genotypes to prevent infection by these nematodes are of great interest for breeders.

Risk stratification of patients with atrial fibrillation: Biomarkers and other future perspectives.

Risk stratification of atrial fibrillation (AF) and adequate thromboembolism prophylaxis is the cornerstone of treatment in patients with AF. Current risk stratification schemes such as the CHADS(2) and CHA(2)DS(2)-VASc scores are based on clinical risk factors and suboptimally weight the risk/benefit of anticoagulation. Recently, the potential of biomarkers (troponin and NT-proBNP) in the RE-LY biomarker sub-analysis has been demonstrated.

Cardioversion safety in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation: which patients can be spared transesophageal echocardiography?

The objective of this study was to derive and test a score that can accurately predict the presence of left atrial or left atrial appendage thrombus (LAAT) in order to identify patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation who can be spared transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) and safely cardioverted. This cross-sectional observational study including 180 individuals (37.2% women) undergoing clinical, echocardiographic and laboratory evaluation (including cardiac troponin I and C reactive protein; CRP) during an atrial fibrillation episode.

Autonomic nervous system modulation affects the inflammatory immune response in mice with acute Chagas disease.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of changes to the autonomic nervous system in mice during the acute phase of Chagas disease, which is an infection caused by the parasite Trypanosoma cruzi. The following types of mice were inoculated with T. cruzi (CHG): wild-type (WT) and vesicular acetylcholine transporter knockdown (KDVAChT) C57BL/6j mice; wild-type non-treated (NT) FVB mice; FVB mice treated with pyridostigmine bromide (PYR) or salbutamol (SALB); and β(2)-adrenergic receptor knockout (KOβ2) FVB mice.

[Influence of maternal nutritional status, weight gain and energy intake on fetal growth in high-risk pregnancies].

Purpose: To analyze the influence of maternal nutritional status, weight gain and energy consumption on fetal growth in high-risk pregnancies.

Methods: A prospective study from August 2009 to August 2010 with the following inclusion criteria: puerperae up to the 5th postpartum day; high-risk singleton pregnancies (characterized by medical or obstetrical complications during pregnancy); live fetus at labor onset; delivery at the institution; maternal weight measured on the day of delivery, and presence of medical and/or obstetrical complications characterizing pregnancy as high-risk. Nutritional status was assessed by pregestational body mass index and body mass index in late pregnancy, and the patients were classified as: underweight, adequate, overweight and obese.

LR-PED rule: low risk pulmonary embolism decision rule - a new decision score for low risk pulmonary embolism.

Introduction: When accurately diagnosed, non-massive Pulmonary embolism (PE) has a low mortality rate. However, some patients initially considered to be low risk show progressive deterioration. This research aims at developing a preliminary score that allows detection of low risk patients potentially eligible for outpatient treatment.

Portable miniaturized extracorporeal membrane oxygenation systems for H1N1-related severe acute respiratory distress syndrome: a case series.

Background: Technological advances improved the practice of "modern" extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO). In the present report, we describe the experience of a referral ECMO center using portable miniaturized ECMO systems for H1N1-related severe acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: An observational study of all patients with H1N1-associated ARDS treated with ECMO in Hospital S.

Cardiac troponin I: prothrombotic risk marker in non-valvular atrial fibrillation.

Background: Evidence of a link between small rises in cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and an increased risk of thromboembolic events (TE) in atrial fibrillation (AF) is currently scarce.

Objectives: We aimed to assess the relation between cTnI and findings of an increased thromboembolic risk in patients with non-valvular AF using transesophageal echocardiography.

Methods: We have included 245 patients performing transthoracic and transesophageal echocardiogram, alongside with laboratory assessment (including cTnI) in a cross-sectional survey.

Mitral regurgitation during a myocardial infarction--new predictors and prognostic significance at two years of follow-up.

Aims: Ischemic Mitral Regurgitation (MR) has early prognostic impact in Myocardial Infarction (MI). Its medium-term importance, especially of mild MR, has not been established.

Purpose: to determine new clinical/analytical predictors of MR in MI-patients and establish its prognostic value during two-year follow-up [endpoints: mortality, decompensated heart failure (dHF)].