The fatal contribution of serine protease-related genetic variants to COVID-19 outcomes.

Introduction: Serine proteases play a critical role during SARS-CoV-2 infection. Therefore, polymorphisms of transmembrane protease serine 2 (TMPRSS2) and serpine family E member 1 (SERPINE1) could help to elucidate the contribution of variability to COVID-19 outcomes. Methods: To evaluate the genetic variants of the genes previously associated with COVID-19 outcomes, we performed a cross-sectional study in which 1536 SARS-CoV-2-positive participants were enrolled. TMPRSS2 (rs2070788, rs75603675, rs12329760) and SERPINE1 (rs2227631, rs2227667, rs2070682, rs2227692) were genotyped using the Open Array Platform. The association of polymorphisms with disease outcomes was determined by logistic regression analysis adjusted for covariates (age, sex, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity). Results: According to our codominant model, the GA genotype of rs2227667 (OR=0.55; 95% CI = 0.36-0.84; p=0.006) and the AG genotype of rs2227667 (OR=0.59; 95% CI = 0.38-0.91; p=0.02) of SERPINE1 played a protective role against disease. However, the rs2227692 T allele and TT genotype SERPINE1 (OR=1.45; 95% CI = 1.11-1.91; p=0.006; OR=2.08; 95% CI = 1.22-3.57; p=0.007; respectively) were associated with a decreased risk of death. Similarly, the rs75603675 AA genotype TMPRSS2 had an OR of 1.97 (95% CI = 1.07-3.6; p=0.03) for deceased patients. Finally, the rs2227692 T allele SERPINE1 was associated with increased D-dimer levels (OR=1.24; 95% CI = 1.03-1.48; p=0.02). Discussion: Our data suggest that the rs75603675 TMPRSS2 and rs2227692 SERPINE1 polymorphisms are associated with a poor outcome. Additionally, rs2227692 SERPINE1 could participate in hypercoagulable conditions in critical COVID-19 patients, and this genetic variant could contribute to the identification of new pharmacological targets and treatment strategies to block the inhibition of TMPRSS2 entry into SARS-CoV-2.

Benefits, challenges, and usability evaluation of DeloreanJS: a back-in-time debugger for JavaScript.

JavaScript Web applications are a common product in industry. As with most applications, Web applications can acquire software flaws (known as bugs), whose symptoms are seen during the development stage and, even worse, in production. The use of debuggers is beneficial for detecting bugs. Unfortunately, most JavaScript debuggers (1) only support the "step into/through" feature in an execution program to detect a bug, and (2) do not allow developers to go back-in-time at the application execution to take actions to detect the bug accurately. For example, the second limitation does not allow developers to modify the value of a variable to fix a bug while the application is running or test if the same bug is triggered with other values of that variable. Using concepts such as continuations and static analysis, this article presents a usable debugger for JavaScript, named DeloreanJS, which enables developers to go back-in-time in different execution points and resume the execution of a Web application to improve the understanding of a bug, or even experiment with hypothetical scenarios around the bug. Using an online and available version, we illustrate the benefits of DeloreanJS through five examples of bugs in JavaScript. Although DeloreanJS is developed for JavaScript, a dynamic prototype-based object model with side effects (mutable variables), we discuss our proposal with the state-of-art/practice of debuggers in terms of features. For example, modern browsers like Mozilla Firefox include a debugger in their distribution that only support for the breakpoint feature. However DeloreanJS uses a graphical user interface that considers back-in-time features. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare the usability of DeloreanJS and Mozilla Firefox's debugger using the system usability scale approach. We requested 30 undergraduate students from two computer science programs to solve five tasks. Among the findings, we highlight two results. First, we found that 100% (15) of participants recommended DeloreanJS, and only 53% (eight) recommended Firefox's debugger to complete the tasks. Second, whereas the average score for DeloreanJS is 71.6 ("Good"), the average score for Firefox's debugger is 55.8 ("Acceptable").

Metabolic Reprogramming in SARS-CoV-2 Infection Impacts the Outcome of COVID-19 Patients.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection triggers inflammatory clinical stages that affect the outcome of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Disease severity may be associated with a metabolic imbalance related to amino acids, lipids, and energy-generating pathways. The aim of this study was to characterize the profile of amino acids and acylcarnitines in COVID-19 patients. A multicenter, cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 453 individuals were classified by disease severity. Levels of 11 amino acids, 31 acylcarnitines, and succinylacetone in serum samples were analyzed by electrospray ionization-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry. Different clusters were observed in partial least squares discriminant analysis, with phenylalanine, alanine, citrulline, proline, and succinylacetone providing the major contribution to the variability in each cluster (variable importance in the projection >1.5). In logistic models adjusted by age, sex, type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and nutritional status, phenylalanine was associated with critical outcomes (odds ratio=5.3 (95% CI 3.16-9.2) in the severe vs. critical model, with an area under the curve of 0.84 (95% CI 0.77-0.90). In conclusion the metabolic imbalance in COVID-19 patients might affect disease progression. This work shows an association of phenylalanine with critical outcomes in COVID-19 patients, highlighting phenylalanine as a potential metabolic biomarker of disease severity.

ACE and ACE2 Gene Variants Are Associated With Severe Outcomes of COVID-19 in Men.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is responsible for the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, affecting more than 219 countries and causing the death of more than 5 million people worldwide. The genetic background represents a factor that predisposes the way the host responds to SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this sense, genetic variants of ACE and ACE2 could explain the observed interindividual variability to COVID-19 outcomes. In order to improve the understanding of how genetic variants of ACE and ACE2 are involved in the severity of COVID-19, we included a total of 481 individuals who showed clinical manifestations of COVID-19 and were diagnosed by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood and saliva samples. ACE insertion/deletion polymorphism was evaluated by the high-resolution melting method; ACE single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs4344) and ACE2 SNPs (rs2285666 and rs2074192) were genotyped using TaqMan probes. We assessed the association of ACE and ACE2 polymorphisms with disease severity using logistic regression analysis adjusted by age, sex, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. The severity of the illness in our study population was divided as 31% mild, 26% severe, and 43% critical illness; additionally, 18% of individuals died, of whom 54% were male. Our results showed in the codominant model a contribution of ACE2 gene rs2285666 T/T genotype to critical outcome [odds ratio (OR) = 1.83; 95%CI = 1.01-3.29; p = 0.04] and to require oxygen supplementation (OR = 1.76; 95%CI = 1.01-3.04; p = 0.04), in addition to a strong association of the T allele of this variant to develop critical illness in male individuals (OR = 1.81; 95%CI = 1.10-2.98; p = 0.02). We suggest that the T allele of rs2285666 represents a risk factor for severe and critical outcomes of COVID-19, especially for men, regardless of age, hypertension, obesity, and type 2 diabetes.

Non-Surgical Management of Colo-Colonic Intussusception in Patients with Hereditary Angioedema.

BACKGROUND Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is an autosomal disease caused either by deficiency or presence of a non-functioning C1 inhibitor. The lack or non-functionality of said inhibitors leads to activation of an inflammatory cascade, which result in cutaneous and mucosal edema. Most patients with HAE present with either cutaneous, laryngeal/pharyngeal, or gastrointestinal exacerbations. An uncommon gastrointestinal manifestation of HAE is an intussusception, which in most cases require invasive/surgical management. CASE REPORT A 17-year-old Hispanic female patient with past medical history of HAE, presented with a 4-day history of episodic abdominal pain, worsening during the last 2 days with associated nausea, vomiting, and bright red blood per rectum. The abdominal ultrasound performed at our institution showed an elongated region of hypoechoic and hyperechoic concentric rings, raising suspicion of an intussusception. The patient was treated conservatively, with 30 mg of ecallantide and a unit of fresh frozen plasma (FFP). Follow-up abdominopelvic computed tomography scan was performed approximately 20 hours after the administration of fresh frozen plasma revealing complete interval resolution of the colo-colonic intussusception. Subsequently, the patient was kept under hospital care for the next 4 days with adequate progression of diet and without recurrence of intussusception. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, most cases of patient with HAE presenting with intussusception have been treated with invasive/surgical procedures. In our case, conservative management has proven successful to reduce edema with subsequent non-surgical reduction of the intussusception. By directly targeting the pathophysiologic aspects of HAE, an unnecessary invasive procedure, as well as its potential complications, were avoided.

Síndrome cerebeloso por mesalamina: reporte de un caso / Cerebellar syndrome for mesalamine: a case report

El cerebelo proviene del latín "pequeño cerebro", es aproximadamente una décima parte del cerebro en tamaño y peso, se encuentra en la fosa craneal posterior. está conectado directamente o indirectamente a una variedad de estructuras, incluyendo el tronco cerebral, la columna vertebral, las regiones corticales y subcorticales. El cerebelo contiene casi el 80 % del total de las neuronas del cerebro y se compone de formas diferenciadas de unidades neuronales, cada una compartiendo microcircuitos cerebelosos básicos. El cerebelo está formado por dos hemisferios laterales y una porción media o vermis . El cerebelo tiene varias funciones: coordinar los movimientos voluntarios especializados al influir en la actividad muscular y controlar el equilibrio, el tono muscular a través de conexiones con el sistema vestibular, la médula espinal y sus neuronas motoras alfa. Dentro de la corteza del cerebelo existe una organización somatotópica de las partes del cuerpo. El cerebelo es una pieza clave para el procesamiento de la información y participa en numerosas actividades motoras y no motoras, gracias a las características anatómicas de sus circuitos, las enormes capacidades de análisis y la alta conectividad con otras áreas del cerebro, puede verse afectado por diferentes factores como: anormalidades en el desarrollo embrionario, tóxicos, enfermedades autoinmunes, inflamatorias, vasculares y metabólicas, infecciones, tumores primarios y secundarios, traumas, iatrogénicos, enfermedades genéticas, esporádicas, dando origen a signos y síntomas que causan un síndrome cerebeloso de acuerdo al área anatómica comprometida. En la literatura científica no hay reportes de casos de síndrome cerebeloso por mesalamina (mesalazina). A continuación presentamos el primer caso.

Cerebellum is Latin for "little brain" is about a tenth of the brain in size and weight, is in the posterior cranial fossa. It connects directly or indirectly to a variety of structures, including brainstem, spinal cord, cortical and subcortical regions. The cerebellum contains almost 80% of all neurons in the brain and consists of different forms of neuronal units, each sharing basic cerebellar microcircuits. The cerebellum is formed by two lateral hemispheres and vermis or a middle portion . The cerebellum has several functions: coordinate movements specialized volunteers to influence muscle activity and control the balance, muscle tone through connections with the vestibular system, the spinal cord and alpha motor neurons. Within the cerebellar cortex somatotopic organization exists a body part. The cerebellum is a key to information processing and participates in numerous motor and non-motor activities, thanks to the anatomical characteristics of its routes, huge analysis capabilities and high connectivity with other brain areas, can be affected by different factors such as abnormalities in embryonic development, toxic, autoimmune, inflammatory, vascular and metabolic, infections, primary and secondary tumors, trauma, iatrogenic, genetic diseases, sporadic, giving rise to signs and symptoms that cause cerebellar syndrome according to compromised anatomical area. In the scientific literature no reported cases of cerebellar syndrome mesalamina (mesalazina), we report the first case.

[Pityriasis Lichenoides: Case report and review of the literature]. / Pitiriasis liquenoide: presentación de un caso clínico y revisión de la literatura.

INTRODUCTION: Pityriasis lichenoides is a benign inflammatory disease of unknown etiology. There are two types of this condition: an acute form (PLEVA = pityriasis lichenoides et varioliformis acuta) and a chronic one (PLC = pityriasis lichenoid chronica). Both are more common in children and young adults. OBJECTIVE: To describe a case of PLC, discuss its clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and present a review of the literature. CASE REPORT: A seven-year-old child who presented with recurrent oligosymptomatic episodes of bright erythematous papular lesions in centripetal distribution, which subsided and left behind hypopigmented macules. The biopsy of the lesions confirmed chronic pityriasis lichenoid. During the 3 years of follow-up, multiple treatment regimens were used to reduce exacerbations, resulting in a partial response. CONCLUSION: PLC is a rare disease that represents a diagnostic and therapeutic challenge to the physician. The diagnosis of this condition is suspected clinically and confirmed by histology. It does not have specific treatment, but it responds well to corticosteroids, antibiotics, immunosuppressants and phototherapy with UVB narrowband (UVBnb). The latter has given the best results. It is important to monitor patients for risk of developing lymphoproliferative disorders.

Vasculitis séptica por Listeria monocytogenes / Septic vasculitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes

Septic vasculitis is a medium and small-vessel vasculitis caused by direct action of pathogens, associated with bacteremia. It is an uncommon condition; clinical manifestations include purpura, ulcers and vesicles-pustules. Most cases of septic vasculitis are related to meningococcemia. There are no cases reported in medical literature associated to Listeria spp. We report a case of a 71 year-old man who presented sepsis by Listeria monocytogenes, and then evolved with purpuric skin lesions. Skin biopsy revealed a septic vasculitis.

La vasculitis séptica es una inflamación de los vasos sanguíneos de pequeño y mediano calibre causada por la acción directa de agentes patógenos en el contexto de una sepsis. Es una condición infrecuente y se manifiesta clínicamente por lesiones cutáneas como púrpura, vesículo-pústulas e incluso úlceras. La mayoría de los casos de vasculitis séptica se asocian a una meningococcemia. No se han reportado casos en la literatura médica de vasculitis séptica secundaria a Listeria spp. Se presenta el caso de un hombre de 71 años, con cuadro de sepsis por Listeria monocytogenes y que presentó lesiones purpúricas con una biopsia compatible con una vasculitis séptica.

[Septic vasculitis caused by Listeria monocytogenes]. / Vasculitis séptica por Listeria monocytogenes.

Septic vasculitis is a medium and small-vessel vasculitis caused by direct action of pathogens, associated with bacteremia. It is an uncommon condition; clinical manifestations include purpura, ulcers and vesicles-pustules. Most cases of septic vasculitis are related to meningococcemia. There are no cases reported in medical literature associated to Listeria spp. We report a case of a 71 year-old man who presented sepsis by Listeria monocytogenes, and then evolved with purpuric skin lesions. Skin biopsy revealed a septic vasculitis.

Comportamiento de la mortalidad materna en Argentina, Colombia, Brasil y Costa Rica / Behavior of mortality maternal in Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and Costa Rica

La Organización Mundial de la Salud (OMS) y UNICEF estiman que cerca de 585,000 mujeres mueren cada año debido a complicaciones en el embarazo o parto. Objetivo. Caracterizar el comportamiento de la mortalidad materna en Argentina, Colombia, Brasil y Costa Rica considerando sus Determinantes, Indicadores Epidemiológicos y Políticas Sanitarias Metodología. Estudio de revisión sistemática para conocer el comportamiento de la mortalidad materna a partir de los determinantes, prevalencia y políticas sanitarias en Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica y Brasil. Se realizo una revisión sistemática de literatura, que incluyo el periodo de 1990 – 2008. La búsqueda de los textos científicos fue realizada en las bases de datos bibliográficas de Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Literatura Latinoamericana y del Caribe en Ciencias de la Salud (LILACS) incluida dentro de la biblioteca virtual en Salud (BVS), páginas web oficiales de los Ministerios de Salud de los países incluidos en el estudio, Organización Panamericana de la Salud y Organización Mundial de la Salud.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF estimate that about 585.000 women die each year due to complications in pregnancy or childbirth. Aim. Characterizing the behaviour of maternal mortality in Argentina, Colombia, Brazil and Costa Rica considering their determinants, epidemiological indicators and Health Policy. Methodology. Study of systematic review to know the behaviour of maternal mortality based on the determinants, prevalence and health policies in Colombia, Argentina, Costa Rica and Brazil. A systematic review of literature was carried out, which included the period 1990-2008. The search for the scientific texts was carried out in the bibliographic databases of Medical Literature Analysis and Retrieval System Online (MEDLINE), Latin American and Caribbean Literature in Health Sciences (LILACS) included within the Virtual Health Library (VHL), official websites of the Ministries of Health of the countries included in the study, Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization.

Immunohistochemistry in diagnostic veterinary pathology: a critical review

A técnica de imuno-histoquímica é usada na rotina diagnóstica e na pesquisa em patologia humana desde 1970, porém seu uso na patologia veterinária é relativamente recente, principalmente com objetivo diagnóstico. A maior dificuldade no uso da imuno-histoquímica na patologia veterinária tem sido a falta de anticorpos específicos para os tecidos animais. Na falta de anticorpos específicos para as espécies domésticas, a patologia veterinária freqüentemente faz uso de anticorpos que apresentam reatividade cruzada entre antígenos humanos e animais. O objetivo deste trabalho foi testar a reatividade cruzada de diversos anticorpos feitos para uso humano em tecido parafinado de algumas espécies animais, utilizando-se dos novos métodos de recuperacão antigênica e amplificacão da reacão imuno-histoquímica. No presente estudo foi possível confirmar a aplicabilidade de que muitos anticorpos produzidos para diagnóstico imuno-histoquímico em patologia humana podem ser utilizados em patologia veterinária. Novos estudos são necessários a fim de se ampliar a lista de aplicabilidade desses anticorpos em diferentes espécies animais, levando sempre em consideracão as variacões de clones, diluicões, métodos de recuperacão antigênica e de revelacão.