Altitude and Endurance Performance in Altitude Natives versus Lowlanders: Insights from Professional Cycling.

Introduction: Acute altitude exposure influences exercise performance, although most research, especially regarding altitude natives, comes from laboratory data in nonathletes.

Purpose: We analyzed the influence of altitude on real-world cycling performance in top-level professional cyclists attending to whether they were altitude natives or not.

Methods: Thirty-three male cyclists (29 ± 5 yr) were studied and were classified as lowlanders (n = 19) or altitude natives (n = 14) attending to the altitude of their place of birth (431 ± 380 and 2583 ± 334 meters above sea level (m a.

Full efficacy and long-term immunogenicity induced by the SARS-CoV-2 vaccine candidate MVA-CoV2-S in mice.

Two doses of the MVA-CoV2-S vaccine candidate expressing the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein protected K18-hACE2 transgenic mice from a lethal dose of SARS-CoV-2. This vaccination regimen prevented virus replication in the lungs, reduced lung pathology, and diminished levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines. High titers of IgG antibodies against S and receptor-binding domain (RBD) proteins and of neutralizing antibodies were induced against parental virus and variants of concern, markers that correlated with protection.

An exploratory analysis of C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 as a new biomarker of asymptomatic Leishmania infantum infection in solid-organ transplant recipients.

Objective: Sensitive and less laborious assays are needed to detect asymptomatic Leishmania among solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients. Using SLA-stimulated plasma from SOT recipients living where an outbreak of Leishmania infantum occurred, we examined potential biomarkers to identify asymptomatic Leishmania infections.

Methods: Concentrations of cytokines/chemokines in plasma from whole blood stimulated with specific Leishmania antigen (SLA) were compared against infection status as determined by a currently used cell proliferation assay.

Efficacy of Antiviral Treatment in Hepatitis C Virus (HCV)-Driven Monoclonal Gammopathies Including Myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) remains an incurable plasma cell malignancy. While its origin is enigmatic, an association with infectious pathogens including hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been suggested. Here we report nine patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) or MM with previous HCV infection, six of whom received antiviral treatment.

Predictors of adverse perinatal outcome up to 34 weeks, a multivariable analysis study.

The objective was to evaluate the best predictors of adverse perinatal outcome (APO) in foetuses examined up to 34 weeks and delivered by spontaneous or induced labour. This was a retrospective study of 129 pregnancies that underwent an ultrasound Doppler examination at 23-34 weeks and entered into labour within 30 days. Cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) and mean uterine artery pulsatility index (mUtA PI) were converted into multiples of the median (MoM) and estimated foetal weight (EFW) into centiles to adjust for gestational age (GA).

Effectiveness of ceftazidime-avibactam for the treatment of infections due to Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Background: Clinical experience with ceftazidime-avibactam (CAZ-AVI) for treatment of infections due to multidrug or extremely resistant (MDR/XDR) Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) is limited.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients with MDR/XDR P.

Gut microbiota, innate immune pathways, and inflammatory control mechanisms in patients with major depressive disorder.

Although alterations in the gut microbiota have been linked to the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD), including through effects on the immune response, our understanding is deficient about the straight connection patterns among microbiota and MDD in patients. Male and female MDD patients were recruited: 46 patients with a current active MDD (a-MDD) and 22 in remission or with only mild symptoms (r-MDD). Forty-five healthy controls (HC) were also recruited.

Role of TLR4 in Neutrophil Dynamics and Functions: Contribution to Stroke Pathophysiology.

Background And Purpose: The immune response subsequent to an ischemic stroke is a crucial factor in its physiopathology and outcome. It is known that TLR4 is implicated in brain damage and inflammation after stroke and that TLR4 absence induces neutrophil reprogramming toward a protective phenotype in brain ischemia, but the mechanisms remain unknown. We therefore asked how the lack of TLR4 modifies neutrophil function and their contribution to the inflammatory process.

Update and latest advances in antiretroviral therapy.

Since the first cases of AIDS appeared in 1981, human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection has reached pandemic proportions. Forty years later, research has led to the approval of more than 30 antiretroviral drugs, while combination therapies have turned HIV-1 infection into a chronic, but manageable disease. Still, drug toxicity and acquired and transmitted drug resistance remain as major threats to therapy success.

Mortality Risk from Neurodegenerative Disease in Sports Associated with Repetitive Head Impacts: Preliminary Findings from a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Professional athletes seem to have a lower overall mortality risk than the general population, but controversy exists about whether athletes in sports associated with repetitive head impacts have a higher risk of mortality from neurodegenerative diseases.

Objective: We aimed to determine the risk of mortality from neurodegenerative diseases in sports associated with repeated head impacts compared with the general population or compared with athletes with no such exposure.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review with meta-analysis, systematically searching PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus (since inception to 14 May 2021) for studies comparing the risk of death from neurodegenerative disease in athletes participating in contact sports in which their heads recurrently receive blows from the bodies of other participants or from a ball versus a control group or dataset representing the general population.

Expanding the phenotypic spectrum of BCS1L-related mitochondrial disease.

Objective: To delineate the full phenotypic spectrum of BCS1L-related disease, provide better understanding of the genotype-phenotype correlations and identify reliable prognostic disease markers.

Methods: We performed a retrospective multinational cohort study of previously unpublished patients followed in 15 centres from 10 countries. Patients with confirmed biallelic pathogenic BCS1L variants were considered eligible.

Clinical and bacterial characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa affecting the outcome of patients with bacteraemic pneumonia.

Few studies have assessed the clinical and bacterial characteristics of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) bacteraemic pneumonia (BP) episodes. This study analysed all non-duplicate PA-BP episodes from a tertiary hospital in 2013-2017. Epidemiology, clinical data, antimicrobial therapy and outcomes were recorded.

Prime-Boost Vaccination With BNT162b2 Induces High Neutralizing Activity Against SARS-CoV-2 Variants in Naïve and COVID-19-Convalescent Individuals.

Background: The objective of this study was to investigate the neutralizing response against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VoC) during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) convalescence and after vaccination.

Methods: COVID-19-convalescent and -naïve individuals were tested for neutralizing activity against SARS-CoV-2 VoC Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta at 1 and 7 months postinfection and 4-6 weeks after BNT162b2 vaccination.

Results: Vaccination induced a high neutralizing response in naïve individuals.

Durability and repeatability of professional cyclists during a Grand Tour.

Durability and repeatability (i.e. the ability to sustain high power output values under fatigue and to endure repeated high-intensity efforts, respectively) are emerging as cycling performance determinants.

Low-Valent Calix[4]arene Glycoconjugates Based on Hydroxamic Acid Bearing Linkers as Potent Inhibitors in a Model of Ebola Virus Cis-Infection and HCMV-gB-Recombinant Glycoprotein Interaction with MDDC Cells by Blocking DC-SIGN.

In addition to a variety of viral-glycoprotein receptors (e.g., heparan sulfate, Niemann-Pick C1, etc.

Gene Deletion Delays Retinal Degeneration in Two Genetically Distinct Mouse Models of Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Although considered a rare retinal dystrophy, retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the primary cause of hereditary blindness. Given its diverse genetic etiology (>3000 mutations in >60 genes), there is an urgent need for novel treatments that target common features of the disease. TLR2 is a key activator of innate immune response.

Innate Lymphoid Cells in Intestinal Homeostasis and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a heterogeneous state of chronic intestinal inflammation of unknown cause encompassing Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). IBD has been linked to genetic and environmental factors, microbiota dysbiosis, exacerbated innate and adaptive immunity and epithelial intestinal barrier dysfunction. IBD is classically associated with gut accumulation of proinflammatory Th1 and Th17 cells accompanied by insufficient Treg numbers and Tr1 immune suppression.

Duration of antibiotic therapy in central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection due to Gram-negative bacilli.

Purpose Of Review: The aim of this study was to review recent data evaluating the duration of antibiotic therapy in central venous catheter-related bloodstream infection (CRBSI) due to Gram-negative bacilli (GNB).

Recent Findings: CRBSI is the most common complication associated with the use of intravascular catheters. CRBSI directly contributes to increase additional days of hospitalization, morbidity and therefore economic costs.

The Forgotten Antiproteinuric Properties of Diuretics.

Background: Although diuretics are one of the most widely used drugs by nephrologists, their antiproteinuric properties are not generally taken into consideration.

Summary: Thiazide diuretics have been shown to reduce proteinuria by >35% in several prospective controlled studies, and these values are markedly increased when combined with a low-salt diet. Thiazide-like diuretics (indapamide and chlorthalidone) have shown similar effectiveness.

Pathophysiological and pharmacological relevance of TLR4 in peripheral immune cells after stroke.

Stroke is a very common disease being the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. The immune response subsequent to an ischemic stroke is a crucial factor in its physiopathology and outcome. This response is not limited to the injury site.

Management of Chronic Hyperkalemia in Patients With Chronic Kidney Disease: An Old Problem With News Options.

Hyperkalemia is one of the main electrolyte disorders in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD). The prevalence of hyperkalemia increases as the Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) declines. Although chronic hyperkalemia is not a medical emergency, it can have negative consequences for the adequate cardio-renal management in the medium and long term.

Implementation of a program to improve influenza vaccination rates among medical students: a comparative study involving two university affiliated hospitals.

: Influenza vaccination rates among medical students (MSs) are below the standards recommended in hospitals where influenza vaccination is not mandatory. We carried out a comparative study in two Spanish university hospitals to reassert this fact and evaluated the impact on vaccination rates of a specific program aimed at promoting influenza vaccination among MSs.: A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed describing influenza vaccination rates and motivations for vaccination during the 2017/18 campaign among MSs in two hospitals affiliated to the same university.

DC/L-SIGN recognition of spike glycoprotein promotes SARS-CoV-2 trans-infection and can be inhibited by a glycomimetic antagonist.

The efficient spread of SARS-CoV-2 resulted in a unique pandemic in modern history. Despite early identification of ACE2 as the receptor for viral spike protein, much remains to be understood about the molecular events behind viral dissemination. We evaluated the contribution of C-type lectin receptors (CLRS) of antigen-presenting cells, widely present in respiratory mucosa and lung tissue.