Behavior of cryopreserved endothelial cells in different phases: Their application in the seeding of vascular prostheses

Various methods of cryopreservation of human endothelial cells (EC) were studied to determine their viability and behavior when seeded onto vascular prostheses made of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Three different protocols were used: (1) cyropreservation of whole umbilical vein, (2) cyropreservation of freshly extracted umbilical EC in suspension, and (3) cryopreservation of EC derived from a first subculture. Fresh EC and EC from a first subculture were used as controls. The viability and growth of these cells in culture media were studied, and basal prostacyclin levels were determined. The cells were assessed morphologically after they were seeded onto PTFE discs. Our results showed that the cryopreservation method that maintained the greatest viability was that in which previously cultured EC were used. Basal prostacyclin levels were significantly different following cyropreservation. However, when these cells were seeded onto PTFE discs their behavior was similar to that of fresh EC.We thank W. L. Gore & Associates for supplying the prostheses used in this study.Supported by a grant from the Comision Interministerial de Cieucia y Tecnologia SAF 92/0875.     

Prevalence of Parkinson's disease in Cantalejo, Spain: a door-to-door survey.

We assessed the prevalence of Parkinson's disease in Cantalejo, Spain. In 1994, we screened 1,579 persons (age > or = 40 years) using a high-sensitivity method. Cases fulfilling established clinical criteria were followed for a minimum of 3 years. Prevalences were compared with those from other door-to-door surveys. We detected 27 individuals with parkinsonism, 20 of whom had Parkinson's disease. The prevalence of Parkinson's disease increased with age and, when age-adjusted to European standards, was 9.01 per 1,000 (age 40 years and over; 10.78 in men and 5.23 in women). Of the 11 men, three were in Hoehn & Yahr grades III-IV, but six of the nine women were more severely affected. Overall, we found 18 newly diagnosed cases of parkinsonism, 13 of which were Parkinson's disease, and the majority of which were in men aged 80 years or older with a mean duration of illness of 5 years. Our prevalence figures are the highest reported, apparently because of the inclusion of several very elderly men. Parkinson's disease in Cantalejo is less severe in men than in women, particularly in those newly diagnosed. Despite the low numbers, the high prevalence and sex-related pattern are unexplained but they probably relate to the high sensitivity of the screening method.     

Soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 predicts pneumonia in patients with inhalation injury: Results of a pilot study

IntroductionSeveral mechanisms play a role in the development of pneumonia after inhalation injury. Our aim was to analyze whether higher concentrations of inflammatory markers or of biomarkers of epithelial injury are associated with a higher incidence of pneumonia in patients with inhalation injury.Material and methodsSecondary analysis of a single-center prospective observational cohort pilot study, performed over a two-year period (2015–2017) at the Burns Unit of the Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Department of Vall d’Hebron University Hospital. All patients aged 18 with suspected inhalation injury undergoing admission to the Burns Unit were included. Plasma biomarkers of the lung epithelium (RAGE and SP-D), inflammation markers (IL6, IL8), and IL33, as well as soluble suppression of tumorigenicity-2 (sST2) levels, were measured within the first 24 h of admission.ResultsTwenty-four patients with inhalation injury were included. Eight (33.3%) developed pneumonia after a median of 7 (4–8) days of hospital stay. Patients with pneumonia presented higher plasma concentrations of sST2 (2853 [2356–3351] ng/mL vs 1352 [865–1839] ng/mL; p < 0.001), IL33 (1.95 [1.31–2.59] pg/mL vs 1.26 [1.07–1.45] pg/mL; p = 0.002) and IL8 (325.7 [221.6–430.0] pg/mL vs 174.1 [95.2–253.0] pg/mL; p = 0.017) on day 1 of inclusion. Plasma sST2 concentration in the first 24 h demonstrated excellent diagnostic accuracy for predicting the occurrence of pneumonia in patients with smoke inhalation (AUROC 0.929 [95%CI 0.818–1.000]). A cutoff point of ≥2825 ng/mL for sST2 had a sensitivity of 75% and a specificity of 100%. The risk ratio of pneumonia in patients with sST2 ≥ 2825 ng/mL was 7.14 ([95% CI 1.56–32.61]; p = 0.016).ConclusionsPlasma sST2 in the first 24 h of admission predicts the occurrence of pneumonia in patients with inhalation injury.     

Correlation between symptoms and course duration of upper aerodigestive tract cancer at early and advanced stages

There still are many clinical and biological aspects of the natural history of cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract to be unveiled; which in Brazil is a direct consequence of the failure of systematic prevention and early diagnosis campaigns.ObjectiveTo analyze the signs and symptoms presented by patients with the disease at initial and advanced stages. Other variables such as disease duration, general and nutritional status were considered.MethodA historical cohort study with a cross-section involving 895 subjects with cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract.ResultsClinical findings were not statistically correlated with disease progression, nor with the disease in early stages, but it showed rapid disease development.ConclusionThe results suggest a disease of insidious onset in the early stages and fast course afterwards. The long disease duration - greater than three months, was associated with worsening in general and nutritional states of patients.     

SENSE OF COMMUNITY AND SATISFACTION WITH LIFE AMONG IMMIGRANTS AND THE NATIVE POPULATION

The aim of this study was to analyze the influence of the sense of community (SOC) on satisfaction with life (SWL) in native and immigrant populations in Spain. The main hypothesis was that SOC would moderate the negative effects associated with the immigrant adaptation process. It was further hypothesized that there would be no differences in SWL between immigrants with a high SOC and the native population. The study included 1,646 participants living in Malaga (Spain), comprising 946 natives and 700 immigrants. Data were collected using random route sampling and survey methodology. The results showed that people with higher SOC had significantly greater SWL. It was also found that SWL was greater in natives than in immigrants when the level of SOC was low or medium. However, when SOC was high there were no significant differences between the groups in SWL. The data support the hypothesis that SOC acts as a moderating variable that buffers the effect of the adaptation process experienced by immigrants.     

The influence of individual characteristics and non‐respiratory diseases on blood eosinophil count

BackgroundBlood eosinophil (B‐Eos) count is an emerging biomarker in the management of respiratory disease but determinants of B‐Eos count besides respiratory disease are poorly described. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate the influence of non‐respiratory diseases on B‐Eos count, in comparison to the effect on two other biomarkers: fraction of exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) and C‐reactive protein (CRP), and to identify individual characteristics associated with B‐Eos count in healthy controls.MethodsChildren/adolescents (<18 years) and adults with complete B‐Eos data from the US National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys 2005–2016 were included, and they were divided into having respiratory diseases (n = 3333 and n = 7,894, respectively) or not having respiratory disease (n = 8944 and n = 15,010, respectively). After excluding any respiratory disease, the association between B‐Eos count, FeNO or CRP, and non‐respiratory diseases was analyzed in multivariate models and multicollinearity was tested. After excluding also non‐respiratory diseases independently associated with B‐Eos count (giving healthy controls; 8944 children/adolescents and 5667 adults), the independent association between individual characteristics and B‐Eos count was analyzed.ResultsIn adults, metabolic syndrome, heart disease or stroke was independently associated with higher B‐Eos count (12%, 13%, and 15%, respectively), whereas no associations were found with FeNO or CRP. In healthy controls, male sex or being obese was associated with higher B‐Eos counts, both in children/adolescents (15% and 3% higher, respectively) and adults (14% and 19% higher, respectively) (p < 0.01 all). A significant influence of race/ethnicity was also noted, and current smokers had 17% higher B‐Eos count than never smokers (p < 0.001).ConclusionsNon‐respiratory diseases influence B‐Eos count but not FeNO or CRP. Male sex, obesity, certain races/ethnicities, and current smoking are individual characteristics or exposures that are associated with higher B‐Eos counts. All these factors should be considered when using B‐Eos count in the management of respiratory disease.