Humoral and cellular response to SARS-CoV-2 mRNA vaccine in paediatric heart transplant recipients.

Objective: The aim of this prospective cohort study is to analyse the humoral and cellular vaccine responses in paediatric heart transplant recipients (HTR, n = 12), and compare it with the response in healthy controls (HC, n = 14). All participants were 5-18 years old and vaccinated with mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 between December 2021 and May 2022.

Methods: The humoral response was measured by quantifying antibody titers against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (anti-S).

Safety of ceftobiprole in patients with impaired renal, hepatic or immune function: a multinational retrospective hospital chart review (RETRACE study).

Ceftobiprole, an advanced-generation cephalosporin with broad bactericidal activity, is approved for community-acquired and hospital-acquired pneumonia (excluding ventilator-associated pneumonia). We aimed to evaluate, in a real-world setting, the safety profile of ceftobiprole in patients with risk conditions (severe renal impairment, hepatic impairment, and immunocompromised status), groups excluded from clinical trials. In this retrospective study (NCT04170309), 396 consecutive charts of patients treated with ceftobiprole during 2016-2022 in 15 centers in France, Italy, and Spain were analyzed: 62 had severe renal impairment, 51 had hepatic impairment, 120 were immunocompromised, and 203 had no predefined risk condition (controls).

Sex-specific alterations in emotional behavior and neurotransmitter systems in LPA receptor-deficient mice.

Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) are critical lipid signaling pathways involved in emotional regulation and behavior. Despite their interconnected roles and shared metabolic pathways, the specific contributions of LPA signaling through the LPA receptor to stress-related disorders remain poorly understood. This study investigates the effects of LPA receptor deficiency on emotional behavior and neurotransmitter-related gene expression, with a focus on sex-specific differences, using maLPA-null mice of both sexes.

Effects of routine postural repositioning on the distribution of lung ventilation and perfusion in mechanically ventilated patients.

Objectives: To analyse the effects on respiratory function, lung volume and the regional distribution of ventilation and perfusion of routine postural repositioning in mechanically ventilated critically ill patients.

Methods: Prospective descriptive physiological study. We evaluated gas-exchange, lung mechanics, and Electrical Impedance Tomography (EIT) determined end-expiratory lung impedance and regional ventilation and perfusion distribution in five body positions: supine-baseline (S1); first lateralisation at 30° (L1); second supine position (S2), second contralateral lateralisation (L2) and third final supine position (S3).

Unraveling multimorbidity patterns of psoriasis using network analysis.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic disease with a prevalence of 3% in the general population. The high prevalence of psoriasis has prompted the study of its comorbidities in recent decades. However, no studies have ever analyzed comorbidity patterns including all chronic diseases in psoriatic patients.

Position statement on the use of point-of-care ultrasound in heart failure: Recommendations from the Heart Failure and Atrial Fibrillation, and Clinical Ultrasound Working Groups of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI).

This document provides a comprehensive analysis of the use of point-of-care ultrasound in heart failure (HF), offering detailed recommendations on echocardiography, lung ultrasound, and venous ultrasound. These advanced imaging techniques allow for an accurate, detailed, and non-invasive evaluation of heart failure, facilitating rapid and effective clinical decision-making. Echocardiography enables a rapid assessment of cardiac function at the point of care, enhancing traditional physical examination and being essential for the management of heart failure (HF).

Hospital discharges (MBDS) for Takotsubo syndrome in Spain. Regional differences (2008-2021).

Background And Objectives: Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is an infrequent cause of acute coronary syndrome much better diagnosed in recent years. This study sought to assess the clinical profile of patients admitted with TTS in Spain and to elucidate potential regional differences in admissions and in-hospital mortality between the years 2008 and 2021.

Methods: Retrospective observational study of patients admitted to acute general hospitals of the Spanish National Health System with a main or secondary diagnosis of STT, using the minimum basic data set.

Clinical presentation of pheochromocytoma and screening recommendations.

Pheochromocytomas are neuroendocrine tumors that derive from sympathetic adrenomedullary chromaffin tissue and produce catecholamines. Due to the excess release of catecholamines, they can produce arterial hypertension, tachycardia, sweating, headache and a large number of other clinical manifestations secondary to the stimulation of α and β adrenoreceptors. Screening for pheochromocytoma is recommended in patients with paroxysmal, resistant or early-onset arterial hypertension, in cases with symptoms suggestive of catecholamine hypersecretion, patients with hereditary syndromes associated with pheochromocytomas, diabetes mellitus of atypical presentation and in adrenal incidentalomas with radiological characteristics not typical of adenoma (with > 10 Hounsfield Units on non-contrast CT).

Effect of a Novel Food Rich in Miraculin on the Intestinal Microbiome of Malnourished Patients with Cancer and Dysgeusia.

Background/objectives: Dysgeusia contributes to malnutrition and worsens the quality of life of patients with cancer. Despite the different strategies, there is no effective treatment for patients suffering from taste disorders provided by the pharmaceutical industry. Therefore, we developed a novel strategy for reducing side effects in cancer patients by providing a novel food supplement with the taste-modifying glycoprotein miraculin, which is approved by the European Union, as an adjuvant to medical-nutritional therapy.

Vitamin D Supplementation Is Associated with Inflammation Amelioration and Cognitive Improvement in Decompensated Patients with Cirrhosis.

Decompensated cirrhosis is characterized by systemic inflammation and innate and adaptive immune dysfunction. Hepatic encephalopathy (HE) is a prevalent and debilitating condition characterized by cognitive disturbances in which ammonia and inflammation play a synergistic pathogenic role. Extraskeletal functions of vitamin D include immunomodulation, and its deficiency has been implicated in immune dysfunction and different forms of cognitive impairment.

Utility of Protein Markers in COVID-19 Patients.

COVID-19 has been a challenge at the healthcare level not only in the early stages of the pandemic, but also in the subsequent appearance of long-term COVID-19. Several investigations have attempted to identify proteomic biomarkers in an attempt to improve clinical care, guide treatment and predict possible patient outcomes. Proteins such as C-reactive protein (CRP) or interleukin 6 (IL-6) are clear markers of severe disease, but many others have been proposed that could help in risk stratification and in the prediction of specific complications.

Gene Expression Profiles Reveal Distinct Mechanisms Driving Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Exacerbations.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbations are major contributors to morbidity and mortality, highlighting the need to better understand their molecular mechanisms to improve prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This study investigated differential gene expression profiles and key biological processes in COPD exacerbations categorized based on sputum microbiome profiling. An observational study was performed on a cohort of 16 COPD patients, who provided blood and sputum samples during exacerbations, along with five stable-state samples as controls.

Proteomic Profiling of Extracellular Vesicles in Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.

The proteomic analysis of serum extracellular vesicles (EVs) could be a useful tool for studying the pathophysiology of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC), as well as for biomarker discovery. To characterize the proteomic composition of serum EVs in patients with CD and UC to identify biomarkers and molecular pathways associated with pathogenesis and activity. Methods: Serum EVs were enriched and analyzed in patients with quiescent CD, active CD (aCD), quiescent UC, active UC (aUC), and healthy controls (HCs) (n = 30 per group).

Cardiac Hemodynamics, Tissue Oxygenation, and Functional Capacity in Post-COVID-19 Patients.

: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the functional capacity of post-COVID-19 patients with a control group and analyze cardiac hemodynamics and muscle tissue oxygenation responses during assessment protocols in both groups. : A cross-sectional study was conducted involving patients with COVID-19 and a control group who were all aged ≥18 years. Participants underwent two functional capacity tests: the one-minute sit-stand test (1-STS) and the six-minute walk test (6MWT).

iNOS-Produced Nitric Oxide from Cancer Cells as an Intermediate of Stemness Regulation by PARP-1 in Colorectal Cancer.

PARP-1 has been linked to the progression of several types of cancer. We have recently reported that PARP-1 influences tumor progression in CRC through the regulation of CSCs in a p53-dependent manner. In this study, we propose that nitric oxide (NO) produced by inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) could act as a mediator.

A Novel Nomogram for Estimating a High-Risk Result in the EndoPredict Test for Estrogen Receptor-Positive/Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor 2 (HER2)-Negative Breast Carcinoma.

: The EndoPredict assay has been widely used in recent years to estimate the risk of distant recurrence and the absolute chemotherapy benefit for patients with estrogen (ER)-positive/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative breast cancer. However, there are no well-defined criteria for selecting patients who may benefit from the test. The aim of this study was to develop a novel nomogram to estimate the probability of obtaining a high-risk EndoPredict result in clinical practice.

Cross-Sectional Analysis of IL-6, TNF-α, Adiponectin, Leptin, and Klotho Serum Levels in Relation to BMI Among Overweight and Obese Children Aged 10-14 in La Rioja, Spain.

Background: Childhood obesity is a major public health concern, being linked to an increased risk of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular disease. Even in childhood, obesity is associated with systemic low-grade inflammation, which is a critical factor in the development of atherosclerosis and a predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Objectives: To describe the prevalence of obesity and examine the relationship between IL-6, TNF-α, adiponectin, leptin, the leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio, and Klotho levels with BMI in children.

Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL in Diabetes: Contributions to Endocrine Pancreas Viability and Function.

Diabetes is a chronic metabolic disorder whose prevalence increases every year, affecting more than 530 million adults worldwide. Type 1 (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D), the most common forms of diabetes, are characterized by the loss of functional pancreatic β-cells, mostly due to apoptosis. B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) and B-cell lymphoma-extra large (Bcl-xL), two anti-apoptotic proteins belonging to the Bcl-2 family, are crucial for regulating the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis.

The Interactive Effects of Fruit Intake Frequency and Serum miR-484 Levels as Biomarkers for Incident Type 2 Diabetes in a Prospective Cohort of the Spanish Adult Population: The Di@bet.es Study.

: Although evidence suggests that miR-484 and several fruit components are involved in glucose metabolism and insulin resistance metabolic pathways, the relationship between serum miR-484 levels and fruit consumption in relation to the risk of Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) remains elusive. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible association between serum miR-484 levels and fruit intake frequency with the risk of T2DM in the Spanish adult population. : 2234 subjects from the Di@bet.

Association of Corticosteroid Inhaler Type with Saliva Microbiome in Moderate-to-Severe Pediatric Asthma.

: Metered-dose inhalers (MDIs) and dry powder inhalers (DPIs) are common inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) inhaler devices. The difference in formulation and administration technique of these devices may influence oral cavity microbiota composition. We aimed to compare the saliva microbiome in children with moderate-to-severe asthma using ICS via MDIs versus DPIs.

Ten-Year Persistence of Biologic Drugs in Psoriasis and Its Relationship with Pharmacogenetic Biomarkers.

: Psoriasis is a skin disease characterized by the presence of erythematous, scaly plaques on the extensor surfaces of the body. Treatment varies according to the stage of the disease, with the most severe cases being treated with biologic treatments that differ in efficacy and persistence over time. This study aimed to evaluate the 10-year persistence of biologic drugs (adalimumab, etanercept, infliximab and ustekinumab) in the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis.

Characteristics of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and their association with treatment outcomes: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: There are few data on the treatment of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant (MDR) or rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis, especially with more recently available drugs and regimens. We aimed to describe the clinical and treatment characteristics and their associations with treatment outcomes in this susceptible population.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Comprehensive analysis of GDF15 as a biomarker in primary mitochondrial myopathies.

Background And Objectives: Mitochondrial diseases are caused by defects in oxidative phosphorylation, with primary mitochondrial myopathies (PMM) being a subset where muscle involvement is predominant. PMM presents symptoms ranging from exercise intolerance to progressive muscle weakness, often involving ocular muscles, leading to ptosis and progressive external ophthalmoplegia (PEO). PMM can be due to variants in mitochondrial or nuclear DNA.