Leukocytosis is a risk factor for thrombosis in essential thrombocythemia: interaction with treatment, standard risk factors, and Jak2 mutation status

Leukocytes contribute to the pathogenesis of thrombosis in essential thrombocythemia (ET) through recently discovered mechanisms of activation and interaction with platelets and endothelial cells. To evaluate whether an increased leukocyte count was associated with thrombosis and whether this effect can be modulated by therapy, we analyzed the clinical course of 439 patients with ET followed at the Ospedali Riuniti di Bergamo. The strength of the association was measured at diagnosis or before thrombotic events by multivariable analyses carried out using data at baseline as well as time-varying covariates. The results showed that (1) an increased leukocyte count at diagnosis was associated with thrombosis during follow-up ("baseline analysis," relative risk [RR] 2.3, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-3.9, P = .001); (2) hydroxyurea (HU) lowered leukocytosis and reduced the strength of the association between leukocytosis and thrombosis ("time-dependent analysis," RR 1.6, 95% CI 0.9-2.0, not significant [NS]); (3) the association of leukocytosis and thrombosis was more evident in untreated low-risk patients (RR 2.7, 95% CI 1.2-6.4, P = .01) compared with HU-treated high-risk patients (RR 1.6, 95% CI 0.8-3.2, NS); and (4) the presence of JAK2 V617F was not identified as a risk factor for thrombosis during follow-up despite a significant association between the mutation and leukocytosis. We suggest validation of these findings in prospective clinical studies.     

Dopamine D2 receptor signaling controls neuronal cell death induced by muscarinic and glutamatergic drugs

Dopamine (DA), through D1/D2 receptor-mediated signaling, plays a major role in the control of epileptic seizures arising in the limbic system. Excitotoxicity leading to neuronal cell death in the affected areas is a major consequence of seizures at the cellular level. In this respect, little is known about the role of DA receptors in the occurrence of epilepsy-induced neuronal cell death. Here we analyze the occurrence of seizures and neurotoxicity in D2R -/- mice treated with the cholinergic agonist pilocarpine. We compared these results with those previously obtained with kainic acid (KA), a potent glutamate agonist. Importantly, D2R -/- mice develop seizures at doses of both drugs that are not epileptogenic for WT littermates and show greater neurotoxicity. However, pilocarpine-induced seizures result in a more widespread neuronal death in both WT and D2R -/- brains in comparison to KA. Thus, the absence of D2R lowers the threshold for seizures induced by both glutamate and acetylcholine. Moreover, the dopaminergic control of epilepsy-induced neurodegeneration seems to be mediated by distinct interactions of D2R signaling with these two neurotransmitters.     

Biological and biomechanical effects of vancomycin and meropenem in acrylic bone cement

Antibiotic-loaded bone cement is extensively used in joint arthroplasty, but increasing bacteria resistance against common antibiotics has lead to a demand for alternative drugs. However, bone cement containing new additives must be characterized both biologically and mechanically. This study evaluated elution kinetics, antibacterial activity, and mechanical properties for cement loaded with vancomycin and/or meropenem. The presence of meropenem broadened the antibacterial spectrum and enhanced the elution of vancomycin. The mechanical properties were negatively affected by 1.0 g of vancomycin, but these detrimental effects were acceptable when only 0.5 g of vancomycin were added to a cement containing 0.5 g of meropenem. Further investigations on this formulation with adjusted antibiotic amounts are, however, necessary to reach the optimal compromise between the antibacterial and the mechanical properties of the bone cement.     

Behavioural and social oral health intervention research: Looking to the future

Behavioural and social oral health intervention has made great strides in intervention development and testing. Future research should focus on applying successful methods and interventions of disciplines outside oral health to oral health research and practice as well as focus on raising the visibility of oral health research by applying our established methods and interventions to outside domains. Behavioural and social oral health is strategically positioned to be a leader across several research domains, perhaps most prominently in digital health, disparities and developing and testing theories and frameworks, given the progress that has already been made, and significant investment in these areas from funders like the National Institute for Craniofacial Research.     

First report of Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis in common swifts (Apus apus)

Forty common swifts (Apus apus), synanthropic birds living in an urban environment closely with humans and other animals, were hospitalized in the public veterinary hospital of the Regional Reference Center of Urban Veterinary Hygiene located in Naples, Campania Region, Italy. Each bird was sampled for bacteriological analyses. Out of 40 common swifts examined, eight were found positive for Salmonella enterica serovar Infantis although no sign of salmonellosis (e.g. diarrhoea) was shown. This is believed to be the first report of Salmonella spp. infection in common swifts. Our results suggest this avian species as a novel potential reservoir for one of most important Salmonella serovars.     

Short-term outcomes of patients with neovascular exudative AMD: the effect of COVID-19 pandemic

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - To estimate the impact of delayed care during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the outcomes of patients with...     

Results of the Italian multicenter study on 239 super-obese patients treated by adjustable gastric banding

Background: Laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) is the most common bariatric operation. This study is a retrospective analysis of the multicenter Italian experience in patients with BMI >50 over the last 4 years. Methods: An electronic data sheet made for LAGBoperated patients since January 1996, was mailed and e-mailed to all surgeons involved in this kind of procedure in Italy. Items regarding patients with BMI >50 were selected. Analysis used Fisher's exact test and logarithmic regression analysis (P<0.05 significant). Data were expressed as mean ± SD. Results: 239 patients (13.3%), out of 1,797 LapBand^? operated patients entered the study (179F / 60M), with mean age 37.6±11.3 years (19-69) and mean BMI 54.6±4.8 (50.1-83.6). Laparotomic conversion rate was 5.4% (44/239). Postoperative complications occurred in 24 / 239 patients (9.0%). Follow-up was obtained in 218 / 218, 198 / 198, 121 / 147, 75 / 93, 30 / 38 LAGB patients at 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 months respectively. At these time periods, mean BMI was 46.7, 43.9, 42.2, 41.9, and 39.3 kg/m². At the same intervals, mean %EWL was 24.1, 34.1, 38.8, 38.9, and 52.9%.The number of patients with <25% EWL at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months follow-up were 34, 10, 4, and 0. Serious co-morbidities (189 in 124 of 239, 57%) had completely resolved 1 year postoperatively in 74 / 124 of the patients (59.6%). Conclusion: Although super-obese patients following the LAGB remain obese with BMI >35, in the short-term most lose their co-morbidities, with a very low morbidity and mortality rate.