The phlebologist confronted with the neurologic foot. Phlebologic aspects of the neurologic foot

Vascular complications are frequent in paralyzing neurologic disorders, particularly in peripheral neurologic diseases: edema of the declive, cold feet, acrocyanosis, increased sudation. An enlarged leg in a paralyzed subject presenting frequently reduced sensitivity may indicate phlebitis, but also hematoma of an undetected fracture, or osteoarthropathy. Trophic disorders, such as edema, ulcerative hyperkeratosis and subcutaneous hematoma, are sometimes indicative of an unrecognized peripheral neuropathy, notably diabetic. Sclerous complications of venous impairment, or trophic disorders in algesic dystrophy, may result in incorrect diagnosis of a neurologic disorder. In practical therapeutic terms, it is necessary to emphasize the value of elastic retention, attentive pedicure and flexible and shock-absorbing footwear.     

Heparin-interacting sites of bovine lactoferrin are involved in anti-adenovirus activity

Lactoferrin, a member of the transferrin family of approximately 80 kDa, consists of a single polypeptide chain folded in two symmetric, globular lobes (N- and C-lobes), each able to bind one ferric ion. This glycoprotein, found in physiological fluids of mammals, plays an important role in immune regulation and in defense mechanisms against bacteria, fungi, parasites, and viruses. Although the antiviral activity of lactoferrin is one of the major biological functions of such protein, the mechanism of action is still under debate. We have investigated both the role of tryptic fragments of bovine lactoferrin and the mechanism of lactoferrin antiviral effect toward adenovirus infection in HEp-2 cells. The results obtained demonstrated that the anti-adenovirus activity of lactoferrin is mediated by the N-terminal half of the protein as the N-lobe was able to inhibit adenovirus infection, even if at lower extent than undigested lactoferrin, whereas C-lobe was ineffective. The results also showed that the anti-adenovirus action of lactoferrin and of its N-terminal peptide lactoferricin took place on virus attachment to cell membrane, mainly through competition for common glycosaminoglycan receptors. The data provide evidence that the anti-adenovirus activity of lactoferrin is mediated mainly by the cluster of positive charges at the N-terminus of whole molecule and that the N-terminal peptide lactoferricin alone is sufficient to prevent infection.     

Use of cangrelor in patients with acute coronary syndromes undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention: Study design and interim analysis of the ARCANGELO study

BackgroundThe itAlian pRospective Study on CANGrELOr (ARCANGELO) was aimed to assess the safety of using cangrelor during percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) in patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) in the daily practice.HypothesisThe safety of cangrelor after the transition to oral P2Y12 inhibitors was evaluated as the incidence of bleeding outcomes in the 30 days following PCI according to postauthorization safety study guidelines.MethodsAdults with ACS who were treated with cangrelor in one of the 28 centers involved in the study. Patients who consented to participate were followed in the 30 days following their PCI. Bleedings (Bleeding Academic Research Consortium [BARC] classification), major adverse cardiac events (MACEs), and adverse events were recorded. The interim results at two‐thirds of the enrollment period are presented.ResultsA total of 17 bleedings were observed in the 320 patients who completed the study at this stage. All bleedings were classified as BARC Type 1–2, except for one case of Type 3a (vessel puncture site hematoma). Four patients experienced MACEs (2 acute myocardial infarctions, 1 sudden cardiac death, 1 noncardiovascular death due to respiratory distress, and multiorgan failure). None of the bleedings was rated as related to cangrelor.ConclusionsThe interim results of the ARCANGELO study provide a preliminary confirmation that the use of cangrelor on patients with ACS undergoing PCI is not associated with severe bleedings.     

BOOST: a phase 3 trial of sorafenib vs. best supportive care in first line treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with deteriorated liver function

Aim: Only patients with good liver function {[Child-Pugh (CP)] A class} were eligible for trials testing sorafenib as first-line treatment of hepatocellular car...