Soluble ST2 as a New Oxidative Stress and Inflammation Marker in Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a complex and prevalent disorder. Oxidative stress and inflammation might contribute to the progression of MS. Soluble ST2 (sST2) is an attractive and druggable molecule that sits at the interface between inflammation, oxidative stress and fibrosis. This study aims to analyze the relationship among sST2, oxidative stress, inflammation and echocardiographic parameters in MS patients. METHODS: Fifty-eight patients with MS were recruited and underwent physical, laboratory and transthoracic echocardiography examinations. Commercial ELISA and appropriate colorimetric assays were used to quantify serum levels of oxidative stress and inflammation markers and sST2. RESULTS: Circulating sST2 was increased in MS patients and was significantly correlated with the oxidative stress markers nitrotyrosine and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine as well as with peroxide levels. The inflammatory parameters interleukin-6, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and myeloperoxidase were positively correlated with sST2. Noteworthy, sST2 was positively correlated with left ventricular mass, filling pressures and pulmonary arterial pressures. CONCLUSION: Circulating levels of sST2 are associated with oxidative stress and inflammation burden and may underlie the pathological remodeling and dysfunction of the heart in MS patients. Our results suggest that sST2 elevation precedes diastolic dysfunction, emerging as an attractive biotarget in MS.

Influence of past infection with SARS-CoV-2 on the response to the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in health care workers: Kinetics and durability of the humoral immune response.

BACKGROUND: SARS-CoV-2 vaccines are an invaluable resource against COVID-19. Current vaccine shortage makes it necessary to prioritize distribution to the most appropriate segments of the population. METHODS: This is a prospective cohort study of 63 health care workers (HCWs) from a General Hospital. We compared antibody responses to two doses of BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine between HCWs with previous SARS-CoV-2 infection (experienced HCWs) and HCWs without previous infection (naïve HCWs). FINDINGS: Seven days after the first vaccine dose, HCWs with previous infection experienced a 126-fold increase in antibody levels (p<0·001). However, in the HCW naïve group, response was much lower and only five showed positive antibody levels (>50 AU). After the second dose, no significant increase in antibody levels was found in experienced HCWs, whereas in naïve HCWs, levels increased by 16-fold (p<0·001). Approximately two months post-vaccination, antibody levels were much lower in naïve HCWs compared to experienced HCWs (p<0·001). INTERPRETATION: The study shows that at least ten months post-COVID-19 infection, the immune system is still capable of producing a rapid and powerful secondary antibody response following one single vaccine dose. Additionally, we found no further improvement in antibody response to the second dose in COVID-19 experienced HCWs. Nonetheless, two months later, antibody levels were still higher for experienced HCWs. These data suggest that immune memory persists in recovered individuals; therefore, the second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine in this group could be postponed until immunization of the remaining population is complete.

Culture, Work, and Subjective Well-Being: The Role of LMX and Resilience in Spanish and Chinese Cultures.

Globalization and interdependencies among nations require a better understanding of the influence of culture on organizational processes. In order to succeed in global business, leaders have to respond to practices that may be different in diverse cultures. This study was conducted within the framework of the leader member exchange approach and from a positive perspective of organizations linking successful businesses and workers' well-being. The aim of this study was to examine whether the quality of the relationship with the leader predicts engagement and life satisfaction, and whether resilience moderates this relationship in two different cultural contexts (Spanish and Chinese). The sample was composed of 277 workers (127 Chinese workers corresponding to a vertical-collectivistic culture and 150 Spanish workers representing a horizontal-individualistic culture). To test the hypotheses, a structural equations model (SEM) was conducted using the maximum likelihood (ML) estimation method. Results revealed that leader-member exchange (LMX) positively predicts engagement and life satisfaction and that the moderator role of resilience varies across cultures. Resilience moderated the relationship between LMX and engagement and life satisfaction only in the Spanish sample. In the Chinese sample, resilience only moderated the relation between LMX and life satisfaction. Finally, our study contributes to a better understanding of the relationship between leaders and subordinates operating in a global context.

Soluble ST2 Levels and Left Ventricular Structure and Function in Patients With Metabolic Syndrome.

BACKGROUND: A biomarker that is of great interest in relation to adverse cardiovascular events is soluble ST2 (sST2), a member of the interleukin family. Considering that metabolic syndrome (MetS) is accompanied by a proinflammatory state, we aimed to assess the relationship between sST2 and left ventricular (LV) structure and function in patients with MetS. METHODS: A multicentric, cross-sectional study was conducted on180 MetS subjects with normal LV ejection fraction as determined by echocardiography. LV hypertrophy (LVH) was defined as an LV mass index greater than the gender-specific upper limit of normal as determined by echocardiography. LV diastolic dysfunction (DD) was assessed by pulse-wave and tissue Doppler imaging. sST2 was measured by using a quantitative monoclonal ELISA assay. RESULTS: LV mass index (ß=0.337, P<0.001, linear regression) was independently associated with sST2 concentrations. Increased sST2 was associated with an increased likelihood of LVH [Exp (B)=2.20, P=0.048, logistic regression] and increased systolic blood pressure [Exp (B)=1.02, P=0.05, logistic regression]. Comparing mean sST2 concentrations (adjusted for age, body mass index, gender) between different LV remodeling patterns, we found the greatest sST2 level in the group with concentric hypertrophy. There were no differences in sST2 concentration between groups with and without LV DD. CONCLUSIONS: Increased sST2 concentration in patients with MetS was associated with a greater likelihood of exhibiting LVH. Our results suggest that inflammation could be one of the principal triggering mechanisms for LV remodeling in MetS.

Severe everolimus-associated pneumonitis in a renal transplant recipient.

Inhibitors of mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) are immunosuppressants with less nephrotoxic potential than calcineurin inhibitors and antiproliferative effects, which are advantageous in the case of malignancy. However, a series of adverse events has been reported with the first-generation mTOR inhibitor sirolimus that includes hypersensitivity-like interstitial pneumonitis. To our knowledge, only one case of a pneumonitis associated with everolimus in a heart transplant patient has been reported, and it was related to elevated trough blood levels. We report herein the first case of a kidney graft recipient who developed everolimus-associated pneumonitis with normal trough blood levels that was completely reversed after drug withdrawal.

Meningitis aguda por Streptococcus suis en una carnicera / Acute Streptococcus suis meningitis in a woman working in a meat market

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Neuropatías trigeminales tumorales: presentación de 7 casos / Neoplastic trigeminal neuropathy: presentation of 7 cases

Las neuropatías del trigémino de origen tumoral suponen un bajo porcentaje de las neuropatías trigeminales, pero pueden tener muy mal pronóstico. Es importante descartar una neoplasia en los pacientes con adormecimiento en el territorio del trigémino. Presentamos 7 casos de neuropatías trigeminales secundarias a tumores; en 4 existían antecedentes de neoplasias sistémicas previas y en 3 la neuropatía fue el primer signo de la enfermedad tumoral. En tres ocasiones la lesión se localizó en mandíbula, una en base de cráneo, una en troncoencéfalo, una a nivel cerebral y en una no se encontróel nivel lesional. La evolución fue muy mala en 5 pacientes; sólo se recuperó un caso en el que tras la resección de un neurinoma del acústico desaparecieron los síntomas. Las lesiones que producen neuropatías trigeminales tumorales pueden localizarse a lo largo de todo el trayecto trigeminal y las neoplásicas tienen un pronóstico ominoso

Trigeminal neuropathy of neoplastic origin accounts for a small percentage of trigeminal neuropathies, though the prognosis may be very poor. It is important to discard neoplastic processes in patients with numbness of the trigeminal territory. We present 7 cases of trigeminal neuropathy secondary to tumors: in four cases there were antecedents of systemic neoplastic disease, while in the remaining three cases neuropathy was the first manifestation of the tumor. The lesion was located in the mandible in three cases, in the region of the skull base in one patient, and in the brainstem and brain in one case each. In one case the lesion level could not be identified. The course was very poor in 5 cases. Recoverywas only recorded in one patient in whom the symptoms were seen to disappear after acoustic nerve neurinoma resection. The lesions underlying neoplastic trigeminal neuropathy can be located at any point along the trajectory of the trigeminal nerve, and their prognosis is very poor

Neoplastic trigeminal neuropathy: presentation of 7 cases.

Trigeminal neuropathy of neoplastic origin accounts for a small percentage of trigeminal neuropathies, though the prognosis may be very poor. It is important to discard neoplastic processes in patients with numbness of the trigeminal territory. We present 7 cases of trigeminal neuropathy secondary to tumors: in four cases there were antecedents of systemic neoplastic disease, while in the remaining three cases neuropathy was the first manifestation of the tumor. The lesion was located in the mandible in three cases, in the region of the skull base in one patient, and in the brainstem and brain in one case each. In one case the lesion level could not be identified. The course was very poor in 5 cases. Recovery was only recorded in one patient in whom the symptoms were seen to disappear after acoustic nerve neurinoma resection. The lesions underlying neoplastic trigeminal neuropathy can be located at any point along the trajectory of the trigeminal nerve, and their prognosis is very poor.

Neuropatías trigemiales postraumáticas. Estudio de 34 casos clínicos / Post-traumatic trigemial neuropathies. Report of 34 clinical cases

Las neuropatías trigeminales están originadas por diversas causas, las más frecuentes son las postraumáticas. El propósito de este trabajo fue conocer las causas que las originaron y determinar los factores que influyen en la recuperación de las neuropatías trigeminales postraumáticas. Estudiamos 34 pacientes con neuropatías trigeminales de origen traumático. El 62 por ciento de los casos fueron producidos por exodoncias de terceros molares mandibulares. El 41 por ciento se localizó en territorio de inervación del mentoniano y el 32 por ciento en el lingual. El 50 por ciento del total tenían dolor asociado. Los pacientes de mayor edad tuvieron más dolor A los 12 meses mejoraron parcial o totalmente el 59 por ciento de los casos. Se recuperaron antes los que no tenían dolor (AU)