Persistent hypofibrinolysis in severe COVID-19 associated with elevated fibrinolysis inhibitors activity.

Hypercoagulability and reduced fibrinolysis are well-established complications associated with COVID-19. However, the timelines for the onset and resolution of these complications remain unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate, in a cohort of COVID-19 patients, changes in coagulation and fibrinolytic activity through ROTEM assay at different time points during the initial 30 days following the onset of symptoms in both mild and severe cases.

Extracellular vesicles are a late marker of inflammation, hypercoagulability and COVID-19 severity.

Exacerbated inflammation and coagulation are a hallmark of COVID-19 severity. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are intercellular transmitters involved in inflammatory conditions, which are capable of triggering prothrombotic mechanisms. Since the release of EVs is potentially associated with COVID-19-induced coagulopathy, the aim of this study was to evaluate changes in inflammation- and hypercoagulability-related EVs during the first month after symptom onset and to determine whether they are associated with disease severity.

Anticoagulant Activity of Nucleic Acid Nanoparticles (NANPs) Assessed by Thrombin Generation Dynamics on a Fully Automated System.

Rapidly reversible anticoagulant agents have great clinical potential. Oligonucleotide-based anticoagulant agents are uniquely positioned to fill this clinical niche, as they are able to be deactivated through the introduction of the reverse complement oligo. Once the therapeutic and the antidote oligos meet in solution, they are able to undergo isothermal reassociation to form short, inactive, duplexes that are rapidly secreted via filtration by the kidneys.

A 3D printed hydrogel to promote human keratinocytes' spheroid-based growth.

Tissue engineering uses cells and biomaterials to develop bioartificial tissue substitutes for different purposes. For example, although several skin models have been developed for pharmaceutical and cosmetic research and skin wound healing, there are few studies on 3D cultures of keratinocytes in 3D printed scaffolds. So, this work aimed to develop a 3D-printed hydrogel scaffold to promote human keratinocyte growth.

Endoscopic activity, tissue factor and Crohn's disease: findings in clinical remission patients.

Background: As Crohn's disease (CD) is associated with a high risk of thromboembolic events (TE), including patients with subclinical inflammation, we aim to evaluate the correlation between the impact of endoscopic activity (EA) in the coagulation profiling of CD patients while in clinical remission.

Methods: From 164 consecutive CD patients included in clinical remission [Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) < 150], 75 were in the EA group [Simplified Endoscopic Score for CD (SES-CD) ⩾ 7], 89 were in the endoscopic remission (ER) group (SES-CD ⩽ 2), and 50 were included as healthy controls in the study. Blood samples were analyzed for tissue factor (TF), factor VIII (FVIII), thrombomodulin (TM), ADAMTS-13, von Willebrand factor (VWF), and endogenous thrombin potential (ETP), as well as collecting data regarding risk factors for TE and CD profile.

Preservation of thrombin generation in cirrhosis despite abnormal results of international normalized ratio: implications for invasive procedures.

Thrombin generation is normal or elevated in patients with cirrhosis when tested in the presence of thrombomodulin, the activator of the main natural anticoagulant protein C. However, the relationship between thrombin generation with bleeding has been little explored in literature. 97 Consecutive patients with cirrhosis were prospectively included (58 men; 54 ± 10 years) and divided into two groups international normalized ratio (INR) less than 1.

Platelet function, coagulation and fibrinolysis in patients with previous coronary and cerebrovascular ischemic events.

Objectives: Ischemic stroke (IS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) history is present in 4-17% of patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). This subgroup of patients is at high risk for both ischemic and bleeding events. The aim of this study was to determine the role of platelet aggregability, coagulation and endogenous fibrinolysis in patients with CAD and previous IS or TIA.

Fresh frozen plasma transfusion in patients with cirrhosis and coagulopathy: Effect on conventional coagulation tests and thrombomodulin-modified thrombin generation.

Background & Aims: The efficacy of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) transfusion in enhancing thrombin generation in patients with cirrhosis and impaired conventional coagulation tests has not been sufficiently explored. Thus, we aimed to assess the effect of FFP transfusion on thrombin generation in these patients.

Methods: Fifty-three consecutive patients receiving a standard dose of FFP to treat bleeding and/or before invasive procedures - if international normalized ratio (INR)/prothrombin time (PT) ratio were ≥1.

Optimization of von Willebrand factor multimer analysis in vertical mini-gel electrophoresis systems: A rapid procedure.

Von Willebrand disease (VWD) is a common cause of bleeding worldwide. Analysis of von Willebrand factor (VWF) multimer distribution (VWF:MD) is essential to properly classify and treat different types of VWD, and it is performed using a SDS agarose gel electrophoresis followed by Western blotting, a handmade technique that demands days to be completed and requires skillful execution. Aiming both to facilitate gel production and to shorten the preparation time, we developed an uncomplicated technique to provide agility in the analysis of VWF:MD, so that it can be easily accomplished in the routine practice of hemostasis laboratories.

Drug Interaction Between Clopidogrel and Ranitidine or Omeprazole in Stable Coronary Artery Disease: A Double-Blind, Double Dummy, Randomized Study.

Background: Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are often prescribed to patients receiving dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). However, this class of medication, especially omeprazole, has been associated with a reduction in clopidogrel efficacy, leading many clinicians to substitute omeprazole with ranitidine.

Objectives: Our objective was to compare the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel before and after the addition of omeprazole or ranitidine.

Non-cultured melanocyte/keratinocyte transplantation for the treatment of stable vitiligo on the face: report of two cases.

There are many alternatives to treat vitiligo, including surgical procedures, which are recommended for patients resistant to other therapies. The melanocyte/keratinocyte transplantation consists in the separation of epidermal cells obtained from a donor site and spreading these cells on the depigmented and dermabraded recipient area. Two patients were submitted to transplantation, showing more than 70% repigmentation in the treated areas after four months, both with excellent degree of satisfaction.

The recognition of web pages' hyperlinks by people with intellectual disabilities: an evaluation study.

Background: One of the most mentioned problems of web accessibility, as recognized in several different studies, is related to the difficulty regarding the perception of what is or is not clickable in a web page. In particular, a key problem is the recognition of hyperlinks by a specific group of people, namely those with intellectual disabilities.

Materials And Methods: This experiment investigated a methodology based on the direct observation, video recording, interview and data obtained by an eye tracker device.

Study of pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory factors in Chagas cardiomyopathy.

Background: The relationship between inflammatory and prothrombotic activity in chagas cardiomyopathy and in other etiologies is unclear.

Objective: To study the profile of pro-thrombotic and pro-inflammatory markers in patients with Chagas' heart failure and compare them with patients of non-chagas etiology.

Methods: Cross-sectional cohort.

Does the evaluation of coagulation factors contribute to etiological diagnosis of pleural effusions?

Objective: The aim of this study was to identify the participation of the coagulation system in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusions.

Introduction: Imbalance between immunologic and metabolic factors triggers a sequence of events resulting in pleural reactions and accumulation of fluid. The coagulation system, which is fundamental for the maintenance of homeostasis, contributes to the inflammatory process responsible for pleural effusions, and participates in cellular proliferation and migration as well as in the synthesis of inflammatory mediators.

Estrogen treatment improves arterial distensibility, fibrinolysis, and metabolic profile in postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

The effects of isolated estrogen therapy on the hemostatic system and arterial distensibility were determined in postmenopausal females with type 2 diabetes mellitus. This was a prospective nonrandomized study of 19 subjects (age, 56.2 +/- 4.

Platelet activation status decreases after menopause.

Objective: The aim of the study was to investigate the impact of the climacterium (before and after menopause) on platelet activation.

Background: Platelet activation has been associated to the risk of cardiovascular disease. There is much speculation about the relationship between platelet function and sex steroids, due to peculiarities of platelet action between the genders, including concerns about the influence of low estradiol status in menopausal women.

Postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy increases plasmatic thromboxane beta 2.

Objective: This study shows the effect of hormone replacement therapy (HRT), using oral estrogen exclusively or in combination with progestin, on platelet activation in healthy menopaused women.

Background: Recent evidence from studies of postmenopausal HRT in healthy women demonstrated a short-time increased risk of coronary heart disease. Platelet activation, which generates vasoconstrictory thromboxane A(2) (TxA(2)), has been related to the risk of cardiovascular diseases.