Readaptación funcional basada en ejercicio físico terapéutico en pacientes con COVID persistente (RECOVER) / Functional rehabilitation based on therapeutic exercise training in patients with postacute COVID syndrome (RECOVER)

Introduction and objectives Postacute COVID syndrome (PACS) is common after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. One of the most frequent and disabling symptoms is exercise intolerance (EI). Recent evidence suggests that EI in PACS has a peripheral (metabolic-neuromuscular) origin, suggesting that exercise training may be an effective treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the role a therapeutic physical exercise program (TPEP) in PACS with EI. Method This single-center, open-label, randomized clinical trial compared an exercise training program (intervention group) with regular physical activity recommendations (control group) in patients with PACS and EI. The intervention group underwent an 8-week TPEP. The primary endpoint was improvement in functional capacity, assessed as the change in peak VO2. Results We included 50 participants with PACS (73% women, mean age 47±7.1 years). The intervention group showed a 15% improvement in peak VO2 (peak VO2 pre- and postintervention: 25.5±7.7mL/kg/min and 29.3±4.7 mL/kg/min; P <.001) and a 13.2% improvement in predicted values (92.1±14.3% and 108.4±13.4%; P <.001). No significant changes in VO2 values were observed in the control group. Unlike the control group, the intervention group also showed improvements in all secondary outcomes: quality of life scales, muscle power, maximum inspiratory power, metabolic flexibility, and body fat percentage. Conclusions The program improved functional capacity in patients with PACS and EI (AU)

Introducción y objetivos El síndrome de COVID persistente (SCP) es frecuente tras la infección aguda por SARS-CoV-2, y la intolerancia al ejercicio (IE) uno de los síntomas más frecuentes y limitantes. La evidencia reciente indica que el origen de los síntomas es periférico (muscular), por lo que el ejercicio físico podría ser un tratamiento eficaz. Este estudio evalúa la eficacia de un programa de ejercicio físico terapéutico (PEFT) en la mejora de la capacidad funcional de los pacientes con SCP e IE. Métodos Estudio aleatorizado, unicéntrico, controlado y abierto que compara un PEFT (grupo de intervención) con recomendaciones de actividad física estándar (grupo de control) en pacientes con SCP con IE. El grupo de intervención recibió 8 semanas de PEFT. El objetivo principal fue el cambio en la capacidad funcional medido mediante el consumo pico de oxígeno (VO2 pico). Resultados Se incluyó a un total de 50 pacientes con SCP (el 73% mujeres; media de edad, 47±7,1 años). El grupo de intervención presentó una mejora en el VO2 pico del 15% (VO2 pico inicial y final: 25,5±7,7 y 29,3±4,7ml/kg/min; p <0,001) y del 13,2% en valores del %VO2 máximo predicho (el 92,1±14,3% y el 108,4±13,4%; p <0,001), sin cambios significativos en el grupo de control. Todos los objetivos secundarios también mejoraron exclusivamente en el grupo de intervención: escalas de calidad de vida, potencia muscular desarrollada, potencia inspiratoria máxima, flexibilidad metabólica y porcentaje de grasa corporal. Conclusiones El PEFT mejora la capacidad funcional de los pacientes con SCP e IE (AU)

Silicon via fertigation with and without potassium application, improve physiological aspects of common beans cultivated under three water regimes in field.

Frequent droughts have led to an expansion of irrigated common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivation areas. An effective strategy to enhance water use efficiency and optimize crop growth is the application of silicon (Si) and potassium (K). However, the interaction between Si dosage, water regimes, and plant potassium status, as well as the underlying physiological mechanisms, remains unknown. This study aimed to assess the effects of Si doses applied via fertigation under various water regimes, in the presence and absence of potassium fertilization, on gas exchange, water use efficiency, and growth of Common beans in field conditions. Two experiments were conducted, one with and one without K supply, considering that the potassium content in the soil was 6.4 mmolc dm-3 in both experiments and a replacement dose of 50 kg ha was applied in the with K treatment, with the same treatments evaluated in both potassium conditions. The treatments comprised a 3 × 4 factorial design, encompassing three water regimes: 80% (no deficit), 60% (moderate water deficit), and 40% (severe water deficit) of soil water retention capacity, and four doses of Si supplied via fertigation: 0, 4, 8, and 12 kg ha-1. Where it was evaluated, content of photosynthetic pigments, fluorescence of photosynthesis, relative water content, leaf water potential and electrolyte extravasation, dry mass of leaves, stems and total. The optimal doses of Si for fertigation application, leading to increased Si absorption in plants, varied with decreasing soil water content. The respective values were 6.6, 7.0, and 7.1 kg ha-1 for the water regimes without deficit, with moderate water deficit, and with severe water deficit. Fertigation application of Si improved plant performance, particularly under severe water deficit, regardless of potassium status. This improvement was evident in relative water content, leaf water potential, and membrane resistance, directly impacting pigment content and gas exchange rates. The physiological effects resulted in enhanced photosynthesis in water-deficient plants, mitigating dry mass production losses. This research demonstrates, for the first time in common bean, the potential of Si to enhance irrigation efficiency in areas limited by low precipitation and water scarcity.

Functional rehabilitation based on therapeutic exercise training in patients with postacute COVID syndrome (RECOVER).

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Postacute COVID syndrome (PACS) is common after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection. One of the most frequent and disabling symptoms is exercise intolerance (EI). Recent evidence suggests that EI in PACS has a peripheral (metabolic-neuromuscular) origin, suggesting that exercise training may be an effective treatment. The aim of this study was to assess the role a therapeutic physical exercise program (TPEP) in PACS with EI. METHODS: This single-center, open-label, randomized clinical trial compared an exercise training program (intervention group) with regular physical activity recommendations (control group) in patients with PACS and EI. The intervention group underwent an 8-week TPEP. The primary endpoint was improvement in functional capacity, assessed as the change in peak VO2. RESULTS: We included 50 participants with PACS (73% women, mean age 47±7.1 years). The intervention group showed a 15% improvement in peak VO2 (peak VO2 pre- and postintervention: 25.5±7.7mL/kg/min and 29.3±4.7 mL/kg/min; P <.001) and a 13.2% improvement in predicted values (92.1±14.3% and 108.4±13.4%; P <.001). No significant changes in VO2 values were observed in the control group. Unlike the control group, the intervention group also showed improvements in all secondary outcomes: quality of life scales, muscle power, maximum inspiratory power, metabolic flexibility, and body fat percentage. CONCLUSIONS: The program improved functional capacity in patients with PACS and EI.

Quality of Life After Ministernotomy Versus Full Sternotomy Aortic Valve Replacement.

Quality of life and patient satisfaction after ministernotomy have never been compared to conventional full sternotomy in randomized trials. The QUALITY-AVR trial is a single-blind, single-center, independent, randomized clinical trial comparing ministernotomy to full sternotomy in patients with isolated severe aortic stenosis scheduled for elective aortic valve replacement. One hundred patients were randomized in a 1:1 computational fashion. The primary endpoint was a difference between intervention groups of ≥0.10 points in change from baseline quality of life Questionnaire EuroQOL-index, measured at 1, 6, or 12 months. Secondary endpoints were differences in change from other baseline EuroQOL-index utilities, cardiac surgery-specific satisfaction questionnaire (SATISCORE), a combined safety endpoint of 4 major adverse complications at 1 month (all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, neurologic events, and acute renal failure), bleeding through drains within the first 24 hours, intubation time, and other minor endpoints. Clinical follow-up was scheduled at baseline, 1, 6, and 12 months after randomization. Change from baseline mean difference EQ-5D-index was +0.20 points (95% confidence interval 0.10-0.30, P < 0.001) and median difference +0.14 (95% confidence interval 0.06-0.22, P < 0.001), favoring the ministernotomy group at 1 month. Patient satisfaction was also better at 1 month (Satiscore 83 ± 9 vs 77 ± 13 points; P = 0.010). The ministernotomy group had significantly less bleeding in the first 24 hours (299 ± 140 vs 509 ± 251 mL, P = 0.001). Ministernotomy provides a faster recovery with improved quality of life and satisfaction at 1 month compared to full sternotomy.

Aortitis as a Rare Cause of Aortic Aneurysm and Valve Regurgitation: Is Repair Precluded?

Aortitis is an infrequent cause of aortic root dilatation and aortic valve regurgitation. Valve-sparing procedures have been proposed, but there is not clear evidence of which is the treatment of choice. We report the case of a 38-year-old pregnant lady with a diagnosis of idiopathic aortitis associated with aortic root aneurysm and severe aortic valve regurgitation.

Quality of life, satisfaction and outcomes after ministernotomy versus full sternotomy isolated aortic valve replacement (QUALITY-AVR): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: During the last decade, the use of ministernotomy in cardiac surgery has increased. Quality of life and patient satisfaction after ministernotomy have never been compared to conventional full sternotomy in randomised trials. The aim of the study is to determine if this minimally invasive approach improves quality of life, satisfaction and clinical morbimortality outcomes. METHODS/DESIGN: The QUALITY-AVR trial is a single-blind, single-centre, independent, and pragmatic randomised clinical trial comparing ministernotomy ("J" shaped upper hemisternotomy toward right 4th intercostal space) to full sternotomy in patients with isolated severe aortic stenosis scheduled for elective aortic valve replacement. One hundred patients will be randomised in a 1:1 computational fashion. Sample size was determined for the primary end point with alpha error of 0.05 and with power of 90% in detecting differences between intervention groups of ≥ 0.10 points in change from baseline quality of life Questionnaire EuroQOL-index (EQ-5D-5 L®), measured at 1, 6 or 12 months. Secondary endpoints are: the differences in change from other baseline EQ-5D-5 L® utilities (visual analogue scale, Health Index and Severity Index), cardiac surgery specific satisfaction questionnaire (SATISCORE®), a combined safety endpoint of four major adverse complications at 1 month (all-cause mortality, acute myocardial infarction, neurologic events and acute renal failure), bleeding through drains within the first 24 h, intubation time, postoperative hospital and intensive care unit length of stay, transfusion needs during the first 72 h and 1-year survival rates. Clinical follow up is scheduled at baseline, 1, 6, and 12 months after randomization. All clinical outcomes are recorded following the Valve Academic Research Consortium 2 criteria. DISCUSSION: The QUALITY-AVR trial aims to test the hypothesis that ministernotomy improves quality of life, satisfaction and clinical outcomes in patients referred for isolated aortic valve replacement. Statistically significant differences favouring ministernotomy could modify the surgical "gold standard" for aortic stenosis surgery, and subsequently the need to change the control group in transcatheter aortic valve implantation trials. Recruitment started on 18 March 2016. In November 2017, 75 patients were enrolled. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT02726087 . Registered on 13 March 2016.

Increased blood levels of transforming growth factor ß in patients with aortic dilatation.

OBJECTIVES: Recent studies have shown that patients with syndromic thoracic aortic aneurysm, particularly patients with bicuspid aortic valve, have increased blood levels of transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1), indicating this molecule as a prognostic biomarker. However, it is not known whether TGF-ß1 is also elevated in the blood of patients with tricuspid aortic valve and aortic dilatation. METHODS: We analysed the plasma levels of TGF-ß1 in 52 patients with tricuspid or bicuspid aortic valve and with normal or dilated ascending aorta who underwent cardiac surgery in our hospital. RESULTS: TGF-ß1 blood level was significantly increased two-fold in patients with tricuspid aortic valve and dilated aorta compared to patients with tricuspid aortic valve and normal aorta. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that TGF-ß1 blood levels may serve as a prognostic biomarker for patients with syndromic and non-syndromic thoracic aortic aneurysm. Further studies with larger cohorts of patients should be performed to confirm these results.

Descripción e identificación microscópica de ejemplares del género Lactarius de las secciones Uvidus y Zonarii en Guatemala / Microscopic description and identification of specimens of the genus Lactarius of the sections Uvidus and Zonarii in Guatemala

El género Lactarius (Basidiomicetes) se encuentra distribuido a nivel mundial y se caracteriza por presentar basidiomas coloridos que exudan látex. En este trabajo se estudiaron, con la finalidad de identificar la especie a la que pertenecen, 28 ejemplares de Lactarius adscritos a las secciones Uvidi y Zonarii, recolectados en Guatemala y que están depositados en la Micoteca "Rubén Mayorga Peralta" MICG, de la Facultad de Ciencias Químicas y Farmacia, de la Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala. Se analizaron las esporas, crestas y el índice Q (relación largo/ancho), basidios, esterigmas, pleurocistidios, queilocistidios y estructura del pileipellis. También se analizaron características cualitativas como la reacción de las microestructuras al reactivo de Melzer y la presencia de incrustaciones en hifas. Se encontró que las microestructuras de 6 ejemplares analizados coincidieron en forma y dimensión con las especies Lactarius mexicanus, L. psammicola, L. argillaceofolius y L. chrysorheus, y 23 fueron afines a L. uvidus y L. montanus. Este trabajo confirmó la presencia en Guatemala de algunas especies reportadas en Norteamérica como L. montanus y L. mexicanus o L. psammicola informado sólo para Costa Rica

The genus Lactarius (Basidiomycetes) is distributed worldwide and is characterized by colorful basidiomata, which exude latex. On this study were analyzed, with the purpose of identifying the species where they belong. 28 dried mushroom samples of Lactarius, attached to Uvidus and Zonarii Sections, collected in Guatemala and placed at the Micoteca "Rubén Mayorga Perlata"-MICG- (herbarium) of the Faculty of Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of San Carlos of Guatemala. Spores, their crests and Q index were analyzed (length / width ratio). It also was analized the size of basidia, sterigmata, pleurocystidia, cheilocystidia, and pilleipelis structure; as well were analyzed qualitative characteristics such as microstructures reaction of Melzer's reagent and presence incrustations in hyphae. It was found that the microstructures of six samples match in shape and dimensions with Lactarius mexicanus, L. psammicola, L. chrysorheus. 23 are related to L. uvidus. This study confirms the presence of species In Guatemala which were only reported in North America such as L. montanus, L. mexicanus or separately reported in Costa Rica as L. psammicola

Abordaje mínimamente invasivo en cirugía valvular y del septo interauricular / Minimally invasive approach for valvular surgery and atrial septal defect

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Endocarditis in patients with ascending aortic prosthetic graft: a case series from a national multicentre registry.

OBJECTIVES: Endocarditis in patients with ascending aortic prosthetic graft (AAPG) is a life-threatening complication. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical presentation and prognosis of patients with AAPG endocarditis included in a large prospective infectious endocarditis multicentre study. METHODS: From January 2008 to April 2015, 3200 consecutive patients with infectious endocarditis according to the modified Duke criteria, were prospectively included in the 'Spanish Collaboration on Endocarditis Registry (GAMES)' registry. Twenty-seven definite episodes of endocarditis (0.8%) occurred in patients with AAPG. RESULTS: During the study period, 27 cases of endocarditis were detected in patients with AAPG. The median age of patients was 61 years [interquartile range (IQR) 51-68 years] and 23 (85.2%) patients were male. The median time from AAPG surgery to the episode of AAPG infection was 24 months (IQR 6-108 months). The most frequently isolated micro-organisms were coagulase-negative staphylococci and S. aureus (11 patients, 40.7%). Four patients (14.8%) underwent medical treatment, whereas surgery was performed in 21 (77.7%). Two patients (7.4%) died before surgery could be performed. The median hospital stay prior to surgery was 7 days (IQR 4-21 days). Surgery consisted of replacing previous grafts with a composite aortic graft (10 cases) or aortic homograft (2 patients), and removal of a large vegetation attached to the valve of a composite tube (1 case). Nine patients had an infected aortic valve prosthesis without evidence of involvement of the AAPG. Isolated redo-aortic valve replacement was performed in 8 (88.9%) of these patients. Reinfection occurring during 1 year of follow-up was not detected in any patient. Two patients (7.4%) died while awaiting surgery and 6 did so after surgery (22.2%). A New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class IV was associated with mortality in patients undergoing surgery (P < 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: Most cases of endocarditis in patients with AAPG occur late after initial surgery. Mortality rate of patients with AAPG endocarditis who undergo surgery is acceptable. NYHA Class IV before surgery is associated with an increased postoperative mortality.

Válvula aórtica bicúspide: resultados a largo plazo de la cirugía reparadora / Long-term Results with Reconstructiva Surgery of the Bicuspid Aortic Valve

Introducción: La válvula aórtica bicúspide es la anomalía congénita cardíaca más frecuente. En pacientes con requerimienro de cirugía, el tratamiento tradicional ha sido la sustitución valvular. La introducción del concepto de reparación de la válvula aórtica bicúspide ha llevado a nuestro grupo a reproducir las técnicas de reparación, las cuales se han estandarizado y aplicado de manera homogénea en nuestras instituciones. Objetivos: Revisar la experiencia conjunta de tres centros, con la presentación de los resultados a mediano y a largo plazos de la reparación valvular. Material y métodos: Entre octubre de 1995 y febrero de 2013 se intervinieron 666 pacientes con válvulas bicúspides e insuficiencia aórtica y/o aneurisma de la aorta. De ellos, 254 presentaban insuficiencia aórtica aislada y 412, aneurisma o disección. Se reconstruyó la válvula en todos los pacientes (en 254 como procedimiento aislado, en 281 "remodelación de la raíz", en 129 remodelación de la unión sinotubular y en 2 "reimplantación"). Resultados: La mortalidad fue de 3/666 (0,5%): 1/254 (0,4%) tras reparación valvular aislada y 2/410 (0,5%) tras reparación más reemplazo de la aorta. En pacientes con cirugía asociada (coronaria, reparación mitral/tricúspide) fue de 1/77 (1,3%). Durante el seguimiento murieron 12 pacientes (supervivencia a los 10 años: 95%). Las libertades de reoperación y de sustitución valvular a los 10 y 15 años fueron del 80% y 77% y del 86% y 83%, respectivamente. La libertad de reoperación a los 10 años fue superior en el reemplazo de la raíz (86%) o la aorta tubular (84%) en comparación con la reparación aislada (74%; p = 0,005). La libertad de cualquier complicación relacionada con la válvula fue del 80% y 77% a los 10 y 15 años, respectivamente, y fue mejor para reparación incluyendo "remodelación de la raíz" (87% y 82%) que para reparación aislada (77% y 77%; p = 0,04). Conclusiones: La reparación de la válvula aórtica bicúspide es un procedimiento seguro y duradero, con una incidencia baja de "complicaciones relacionadas con la válvula" a mediano y a largo plazos.

Introduction: Bicuspid aortic valve is the most common congenital heart disease. Traditionally, aortic valve replacement has been the approach for patients requiring surgery. After introduction of the bicuspid aortic valve repair concept, our group began reproducing these techniques, which have been standardized and homogeneously applied at our institutions. Objectives: The aim of this study was to review the conjoint experience of three centers and show the mid- and long-term results of bicuspid aortic valve repair. Methods: Between October 1995 and February 2013, 666 patients with bicuspid aortic valve underwent surgery for aortic regurgitation and/or aortic aneurysm. Isolated aortic regurgitation was present in 254 patients, and 412 had aortic aneurysm or dissection. The valve was reconstructed in all the patients (isolated valve repair in 254, "remodelling of the aortic root" in 281, remodelling of the sinotubular junction in 129 and "reimplantation" technique in 2). Results: Mortality was 3/666 (0.5%): 1/254 (0.4%) after isolated valve repair and 2/410 (0.5%) after valve repair plus aortic replacement. In patients with combined procedures (coronary revascularization or mitral/tricuspid valve repair), mortality was 1/77 (1.3%). During follow-up, 12 patients died (10-year survival: 95%). Freedom from reoperation and from aortic valve replacement at 10 and 15 years were 80% and 77%, and 86% and 83%, respectively Freedom from reoperation at 10 years was higher with aortic root (86%) or tubular aorta (84%) replacement, compared with isolated valve repair (74%; p = 0.005). Freedom from any valve-related complication was 80% and 77% at 10 and 15 years, respectively, and was better for valve repair including "remodelling of the aortic root" (87% and 82%) than for isolated repair (77% and 77%; p = 0.04). Conclusions: Bicuspid aortic valve repair is a safe, long-lasting procedure, with a low incidence of mid- and long-term "valve-related complications".

GATA5 and endothelial nitric oxide synthase expression in the ascending aorta is related to aortic size and valve morphology.

BACKGROUND: The pathogenesis of aortic dilatation in patients with congenital aortic valve anomalies is poorly understood. Recent studies suggest that alterations of gene expression may be related to ascending aortic aneurysm formation in these patients. Knockout of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and GATA5 is associated with bicuspid aortic valves in mice. To study the role of eNOS and GATA5 in human congenital aortic valve disease and aortic dilatation, we investigated their gene expression in aortic tissue from patients with unicuspid, bicuspid, and tricuspid aortic valves. METHODS: Samples from 84 patients (33 tricuspid, 32 bicuspid, and 19 unicuspid) were harvested intraoperatively from the ascending aorta. GATA5 and eNOS expression was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: GATA5 and eNOS expression in the aortic wall from patients with unicuspid aortic valves (GATA5: mean [M], 2.14; standard deviation [SD], 1.72; eNOS: M, 3.40; SD, 3.83) was significantly higher than in tricuspid aortic valves (GATA5: M, 1.12; SD, 0.80; eNOS: M, 1.00; SD, 0.74; each p < 0.05). Patients with bicuspid aortic valves (GATA5: M, 1.29, SD, 1.33; eNOS: M, 1.66; SD, 1.31) had a significantly higher eNOS expression than patients with tricuspid aortic valves (p < 0.05). The expression levels of eNOS and GATA5 correlated positively with each other and negatively with the ascending aortic diameter. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that GATA5, possibly through upregulation of eNOS, plays a role in the development of aortic dilatation in patients with unicuspid and bicuspid aortic valves. The differential gene expression in patients with unicuspid compared with bicuspid aortic valves suggests that the pathogenesis of both aortic valve anomalies may be different.