Enhancing metabarcoding efficiency and ecological insights through integrated taxonomy and DNA reference barcoding: A case study on beach meiofauna.

Molecular techniques like metabarcoding, while promising for exploring diversity of communities, are often impeded by the lack of reference DNA sequences available for taxonomic annotation. Our study explores the benefits of combining targeted DNA barcoding and morphological taxonomy to improve metabarcoding efficiency, using beach meiofauna as a case study. Beaches are globally important ecosystems and are inhabited by meiofauna, microscopic animals living in the interstitial space between the sand grains, which play a key role in coastal biodiversity and ecosystem dynamics. However, research on meiofauna faces challenges due to limited taxonomic expertise and sparse sampling. We generated 775 new cytochrome c oxidase I DNA barcodes from meiofauna specimens collected along the Netherlands' west coast and combined them with the NCBI GenBank database. We analysed alpha and beta diversity in 561 metabarcoding samples from 24 North Sea beaches, a region extensively studied for meiofauna, using both the enriched reference database and the NCBI database without the additional reference barcodes. Our results show a 2.5-fold increase in sequence annotation and a doubling of species-level Operational Taxonomic Units (OTUs) identification when annotating the metabarcoding data with the enhanced database. Additionally, our analyses revealed a bell-shaped curve of OTU richness across the intertidal zone, aligning more closely with morphological analysis patterns, and more defined community dissimilarity patterns between supralittoral and intertidal sites. Our research highlights the importance of expanding molecular reference databases and combining morphological taxonomy with molecular techniques for biodiversity assessments, ultimately improving our understanding of coastal ecosystems.

Remote Dielectric Sensing Before and After Discharge in Patients With ADHF: The ReDS-SAFE HF Trial.

BACKGROUND: Incomplete treatment of congestion often leads to worsening heart failure (HF). The remote dielectric sensing (ReDS) system is an electromagnetic energy-based technology that accurately quantifies changes in lung fluid concentration noninvasively. OBJECTIVES: This study sought to assess whether an ReDS-guided strategy during acutely decompensated HF hospitalization is superior to routine care for improving outcomes at 1 month postdischarge. METHODS: ReDS-SAFE HF (Use of ReDS for a SAFE discharge in patients with acute Heart Failure) was an investigator-initiated, multicenter, single-blind, randomized, proof-of-concept trial in which 100 patients were randomized to a routine care strategy, with discharge criteria based on current clinical practice, or an ReDS-guided decongestion strategy, with discharge criteria requiring an ReDS value of ≤35%. ReDS measurements were performed daily and at a 7-day follow-up visit, with patients and treating physicians in the routine care arm blinded to the results. The primary outcome was a composite of unplanned visits for HF, HF rehospitalization, or death at 1 month after discharge. RESULTS: The mean age was 67 ± 14 years, and 74% were male. On admission, left ventricular ejection fraction was 37% ± 16%, and B-type natriuretic peptide was 940 pg/L (Q1-Q3: 529-1,665 pg/L). The primary endpoint occurred in 10 (20%) patients in the routine care group and 1 (2%) in the ReDS-guided strategy group (log-rank P = 0.005). The ReDS-guided strategy group experienced a lower event rate, with an HR of 0.094 (95% CI: 0.012-0.731; P = 0.003), and a number of patients needed to treat of 6 to avoid an event (95% CI: 3-17), mainly resulting from a decrease in HF readmissions. The median length of stay was 2 days longer in the ReDS-guided group vs the routine care group (8 vs 6; P = 0.203). CONCLUSIONS: A ReDS-guided strategy to treat congestion improved 1-month prognosis postdischarge in this proof-of-concept study, mainly because of a decrease of the number of HF readmissions. (Use of ReDS for a SAFE discharge in patients with acute Heart Failure [ReDS-SAFE HF]; NCT04305717).

Trends in epidemiology, surgical management, and prognosis of infective endocarditis during the XXI century in Spain: A population-based nationwide study.

BACKGROUND: Few population-based studies have evaluated the epidemiology of infective endocarditis (IE). Changes in population demographics and guidelines on IE may have affected both the incidence and outcomes of IE. Therefore, the aim of our study is to provide contemporary population-based epidemiological data of IE in Spain. METHODS: Retrospective nationwide observational study using data from the Spanish National Health System Discharge Database. We included all patients hospitalized with IE from January 2000 to December 2019. RESULTS: A total of 64,550 IE episodes were included. The incidence of IE rose from 5.25 cases/100,000 person-year in 2000 to 7.21 in 2019, with a 2% annual percentage change (95% CI 1.3-2.6). IE incidence was higher among those aged 85 or older (43.5 cases/100.000 person-years). Trends across the study period varied with sex and age. Patients with IE were progressively older (63.9 years in 2000-2004 to 70.0 in 2015-2019, p < 0.001) and had more frequent comorbidities and predispositions, including, previous valvular prosthesis (12.1% vs 20.9%, p < 0.001). After adjustment, a progressive reduction in mortality was noted including in 2015-2019 compared to 2010-2014 (adjusted odds ratio 0.93, 95% confident interval 0.88-0.99, p = 0.023)., which was associated with more frequent cardiac surgery in recent years (15.1% in 2010-2014 vs 19.9% in 2015-2019). CONCLUSIONS: In Spain, the incidence of IE has increased during the XXI century, with a more pronounced increase in elderly individuals. Adjusted-mortality decreased over the years, which could be related to a higher percentage of surgery. Our results highlight the changing epidemiology of IE.

Consensus on the approach to hydrosaline overload in acute heart failure. SEMI/SEC/S.E.N. recommendations.

Most of the signs and symptoms of heart failure can be explained by fluid overload, which is also related to disease progression. Fluid overload is a complex phenomenon that extends beyond increased intravascular pressures and poses challenges for accurate diagnosis and effective treatment. Current recommendations advise a multiparametric approach, including clinical data (symptoms/signs), imaging tests, and biomarkers. This article proposes a practical therapeutic approach to managing hydrosaline overload in heart failure in both inpatient and outpatient settings. This document is an initiative of the Spanish Society of Internal Medicine (SEMI) in collaboration with the Spanish Society of Cardiology (SEC) and the Spanish Society of Nephrology (S.E.N.).

Evaluación de las presiones de llenado y la sobrecarga de volumen en la insuficiencia cardiaca: una visión actualizada / Assessment of filling pressures and fluid overload in heart failure: an updated perspective

La congestión desempeña un papel fundamental en la patogénesis, la presentación y el pronóstico de la insuficiencia cardiaca y es un objetivo terapéutico importante. Sin embargo, su gravedad y su distribución por órganos y compartimentos varían mucho entre los pacientes, lo que ilustra la complejidad de este fenómeno. Aunque los síntomas y signos clínicos son útiles para evaluar la congestión y controlar el estado del volumen en un paciente individual, tienen poca sensibilidad y no permiten fenotipificar la congestión. Esto conduce a la incertidumbre diagnóstica y dificulta la toma de decisiones terapéuticas. En este artículo se ofrece una visión general actualizada de los biomarcadores circulantes, las modalidades de imagen (es decir, la ecografía cardiaca y extracardiaca) y las técnicas invasivas que podrían ayudar a los clínicos a identificar los diferentes perfiles de congestión y guiar la estrategia de tratamiento para esta población diversa de pacientes de alto riesgo con insuficiencia cardiaca.(AU)

Congestion plays a major role in the pathogenesis, presentation, and prognosis of heart failure and is an important therapeutic target. However, its severity and organ and compartment distribution vary widely among patients, illustrating the complexity of this phenomenon. Although clinical symptoms and signs are useful to assess congestion and manage volume status in individual patients, they have limited sensitivity and do not allow identification of congestion phenotype. This leads to diagnostic uncertainty and hampers therapeutic decision-making. The present article provides an updated overview of circulating biomarkers, imaging modalities (ie, cardiac and extracardiac ultrasound), and invasive techniques that might help clinicians to identify different congestion profiles and guide the management strategy in this diverse population of high-risk patients with heart failure.(AU)

Fragilidad y pronóstico de los pacientes mayores con insuficiencia cardiaca / Frailty and prognosis of older patients with chronic heart failure

Introducción y objetivos: La insuficiencia cardiaca (IC) es prevalente en edades avanzadas. Nuestro objetivo es conocer el impacto de la fragilidad en la mortalidad a 1 año en pacientes mayores con IC ambulatorios. Métodos: El estudio «Impacto de la fragilidad y otros síndromes geriátricos en el manejo clínico y pronóstico del paciente anciano ambulatorio con insuficiencia cardiaca» (FRAGIC) es un registro prospectivo multicéntrico, realizado en 16 centros españoles, que incluyó pacientes con IC ambulatorios de edad ≥ 75 años seguidos por cardiología en España. Resultados: Se incluyó a 499 pacientes (media de edad, 81,4±4,3 años; 193 [38%] mujeres); 268 (54%) tenían una fracción de eyección del ventrículo izquierdo <40% y el 84,6% estaba en clase funcional II de la NYHA. La escala FRAIL identificó a 244 pacientes prefrágiles (49%) y 111 frágiles (22%). Los pacientes frágiles tenían una media de edad significativamente mayor, eran más frecuentemente mujeres (ambos, p <0,001) y presentaban mayores comorbilidad según el índice de Charlson (p=0,017) y prevalencia de síndromes geriátricos (p <0,001). Tras una mediana de seguimiento de 371 [361-387] días, fallecieron 58 pacientes (11,6%). En el análisis multivariado (modelo de regresión de Cox), la fragilidad mediante la escala FRAIL se asoció marginalmente con la mortalidad (HR=2,35; IC95%, 0,96-5,71; p=0,059); la identificada mediante la escala visual de movilidad (HR=2,26; IC95%, 1,16-4,38; p=0,015) fue predictor independiente de mortalidad, cuya asociación se mantuvo tras ajustar por variables confusoras (HR=2,13; IC95%, 1,08-4,20; p=0,02). Conclusiones: En pacientes mayores ambulatorios con IC, la fragilidad es predictor independiente de mortalidad a 1 año de seguimiento. Debe identificarse como parte del abordaje integral de estos pacientes.(AU)

Introduction and objectives: Heart failure (HF) is prevalent in advanced ages. Our objective was to assess the impact of frailty on 1-year mortality in older patients with ambulatory HF. Methods: Our data come from the FRAGIC study (Spanish acronym for “Study of the impact of frailty and other geriatric syndromes on the clinical management and prognosis of elderly outpatients with heart failure”), a multicenter prospective registry conducted in 16 Spanish hospitals including outpatients ≥ 75 years with HF followed up by cardiology services in Spain. Results: We included 499 patients with a mean age of 81.4±4.3 years, of whom 193 (38%) were women. A total of 268 (54%) had left ventricular ejection fraction <40%, and 84.6% was in NYHA II functional class. The FRAIL scale identified 244 (49%) pre-frail and 111 (22%) frail patients. Frail patients were significantly older, were more frequently female (both, P <.001), and had higher comorbidity according to the Charlson index (P=.017) and a higher prevalence of geriatric syndromes (P <.001). During a median follow-up of 371 [361-387] days, 58 patients (11.6%) died. On multivariate analysis (Cox regression model), frailty detected with the FRAIL scale was marginally associated with mortality (HR=2.35; 95%CI, 0.96-5.71; P=.059), while frailty identified by the visual mobility scale was an independent predictor of mortality (HR=2.26; 95%CI, 1.16-4.38; P=.015); this association was maintained after adjustment for confounding variables (HR=2.13; 95%CI, 1.08-4.20; P=.02). Conclusions: In elderly outpatients with HF, frailty is independently associated with mortality at 1 year of follow-up. It is essential to identify frailty as part of the comprehensive approach to elderly patients with HF.(AU)

Colonoscopia y endocarditis: una relación comprometida / Colonoscopy and endocarditis: a compromised relationship

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