Noninvasive Diagnostic Method to Objectively Measure Olfaction and Diagnose Smell Disorders by a Molecularly Targeted Fluorescence Imaging Agent.

Despite the recent advances in understanding the mechanisms of olfaction, no tools are currently available to noninvasively identify loss of smell. Because of the substantial increase in patients presenting with coronavirus disease 2019-related loss of smell, the pandemic has highlighted the urgent need to develop quantitative methods. Methods: Our group investigated the use of a novel fluorescent probe named Tsp1a-IR800P as a tool to diagnose loss of smell. Tsp1a-IR800P targets sodium channel 1.7, which plays a critical role in olfaction by aiding the signal propagation to the olfactory bulb. Results: Intuitively, we have identified that conditions leading to loss of smell, including chronic inflammation and coronavirus disease 2019, correlate with the downregulation of sodium channel 1.7 expression in the olfactory epithelium, both at the transcript and at the protein levels. We demonstrated that lower Tsp1a-IR800P fluorescence emissions significantly correlate with loss of smell in live animals-thus representing a potential tool for its semiquantitative assessment. Currently available methods rely on delayed subjective behavioral studies. Conclusion: This method could aid in significantly improving preclinical and clinical studies by providing a way to objectively diagnose loss of smell and therefore aid the development of therapeutic interventions.

Relación entre la presión de pulso y la enfermedad cerebrovascular aterotrombótica / Relation between pulse pressure and atherothrombotic cerebrovascular disease

Introducción: la presión de pulso es un importante marcador y/o predictor de riesgo de complicaciones ateroscleróticas agudas, donde está incluida la enfermedad cerebrovascular. Objetivos: determinar la relación entre la presión de pulso y la enfermedad cerebrovascular aterotrombótica en pacientes hipertensos y no hipertensos. Métodos: estudio explicativo, analítico, caso/control. El grupo de casos fue de 226 pacientes con diagnóstico de enfermedad cerebrovascular aterotrombótica, ingresados en la Sala de Ictus del Hospital General Docente Enrique Cabrera entre 2014-2016 y el grupo control de 226 sin enfermedad cerebrovascular. Se formaron dos grupos, uno con presión de pulso 60 mmhg y otro con presión de pulso < 60 mmHg en pacientes hipertensos y no hipertensos. Resultados: la media de la edad fue de 69,65 años y el 61,45 por ciento eran masculinos; la frecuencia de hipertensión arterial fue de 70,4 por ciento y la de fumadores, 35,4 por ciento y con PP≥ 60 mmHg, 62,0 por ciento. La asociación de la presión de pulso 60 mmHg con enfermedad cerebrovascular aterotrombótica en pacientes hipertensos resultó significativa con odds-ratio 4,72, Intervalo de Confianza 95 por ciento(2,79-7,98) y en pacientes no hipertensos también resultó significativa con odds-ratio 6,86 Intervalo de Confianza 95 por ciento (3,33-14,07). El riesgo atribuible en expuestos fue de 88,6 por ciento y el riesgo atribuible en la población de 50,4 por ciento. Conclusiones: la presión de pulso se asoció de forma significativa a la enfermedad cerebrovascular aterotrombótica en pacientes hipertensos y no hipertensos(AU)

Introduction: Pulse pressure is an important marker or predictor of risk for acute atherosclerotic complications, including cerebrovascular disease. Objectives: To determine the relationship between pulse pressure and atherothrombotic cerebrovascular disease in hypertensive and nonhypertensive patients. Methods: Explanatory, analytical, case control study. The case group consisted of 226 patients diagnosed with atherothrombotic cerebrovascular disease admitted to the Ictus Room at Enrique Cabrera General Teaching Hospital between 2014 and 2016, and the control group consisted of 226 patients without cerebrovascular disease. Two groups were formed, one with a pulse pressure higher than or equal to 60 mmHg and one with a pulse pressure under 60 mmHg in hypertensive and nonhypertensive patients. Results: Mean age was 69.65 years and 61.45 percent were male. The frequency of hypertension was 70.4 percent and that of smokers was 35.4 percent, and with PP≥60 mmHg, which represented 62.0 percent. The association of pulse pressure higher than or equal to 60 mmHg with atherothrombotic cerebrovascular disease in hypertensive patients was significant with odds ratio of 4.72, and confidence interval of 95 percent (2.79-7.98), while in nonhypertensive patients it was also significant with odd ratios of 6.86, and confidence interval of 95 percent CI (3.33-14.07). The attributable risk in exposed people was 88.6 percent and the attributable risk in the population was 50.4 percent. Conclusions: Pulse pressure was significantly associated with atherothrombotic cerebrovascular disease in both hypertensive and nonhypertensive patients(AU)