Proteomics identifies lipocalin-2 in neonatal inflammation associated with cerebrovascular alteration in mice and preterm infants

Staphylococcus (S.) epidermidis is the most common nosocomial coagulase-negative staphylococci infection in preterm infants. Clinical signs of infection are often unspecific and novel markers to complement diagnosis are needed. We investigated proteomic alterations in mouse brain after S. epidermidis infection and in preterm infant blood. We identified lipocalin-2 (LCN2) as a crucial protein associated with cerebrovascular changes and astrocyte reactivity in mice. We further proved that LCN2 protein expression was associated with endothelial cells but not astrocyte reactivity. By combining network analysis and differential expression approaches, we identified LCN2 linked to blood C-reactive protein levels in preterm infants born <28 weeks of gestation. Blood LCN2 levels were associated with similar alterations of cytokines and chemokines in both infected mice and human preterm infants with increased levels of C-reactive protein. This experimental and clinical study suggests that LCN2 may be a marker of preterm infection/inflammation associated with cerebrovascular changes and neuroinflammation.

Transcriptome network analysis links perinatal Staphylococcus epidermidis infection to microglia reprogramming in the immature hippocampus

Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) is the most common nosocomial pathogen in preterm infants and associated with increased risk of cognitive delay, however, underlying mechanisms are unknown. We employed morphological, transcriptomic and physiological methods to extensively characterize microglia in the immature hippocampus following S. epidermidis infection. 3D morphological analysis revealed activation of microglia after S. epidermidis. Differential expression combined with network analysis identified NOD-receptor signaling and trans-endothelial leukocyte trafficking as major mechanisms in microglia. In support, active caspase-1 was increased in the hippocampus and using the LysM-eGFP knock-in transgenic mouse, we demonstrate infiltration of leukocytes to the brain together with disruption of the blood-brain barrier. Our findings identify activation of microglia inflammasome as a major mechanism underlying neuroinflammation following infection. The results demonstrate that neonatal S. epidermidis infection share analogies with S. aureus and neurological diseases, suggesting a previously unrecognized important role in neurodevelopmental disorders in preterm born children.

Reelin cells and sex-dependent synaptopathology in autism following postnatal immune activation

Background and Purpose

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are heterogeneous neurodevelopmental disorders with considerably increased risk in male infants born preterm and with neonatal infection. Here, we investigated the role of postnatal immune activation on hippocampal synaptopathology by targeting Reelin+ cells in mice with ASD‐like behaviours.

Experimental Approach

C57/Bl6 mouse pups of both sexes received lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 1 mg·kg⁻¹) on postnatal day (P) 5. At P45, animal behaviour was examined by marble burying and sociability test, followed by ex vivo brain MRI diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI). Hippocampal synaptogenesis, number and morphology of Reelin+ cells, and mRNA expression of trans‐synaptic genes, including neurexin‐3, neuroligin‐1, and cell‐adhesion molecule nectin‐1, were analysed at P12 and P45.

Key Results

Social withdrawal and increased stereotypic activities in males were related to increased mean diffusivity on MRI‐DKI and overgrowth in hippocampus together with retention of long‐thin immature synapses on apical dendrites, decreased volume and number of Reelin+ cells as well as reduced expression of trans‐synaptic and cell‐adhesion molecules.

Conclusion and Implications

The study provides new insights into sex‐dependent mechanisms that may underlie ASD‐like behaviour in males following postnatal immune activation. We identify GABAergic interneurons as core components of dysmaturation of excitatory synapses in the hippocampus following postnatal infection and provide cellular and molecular substrates for the MRI findings with translational value.

[Management of coronary perforations during angioplasty]

Coronary perforation represents a terrible complication of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) which, if not promptly recognized and treated, can lead to catastrophic consequences for the patient. Hence, acquisition of the basic techniques for the treatment of coronary perforations is critical for the interventional cardiologist in order to safely perform PCIs. Although the incidence of coronary perforations remains low during PCI, it is possible to recognize some subgroups of patients and some types of coronary lesions, such as chronic coronary total occlusions, that are associated with increased risk. The treatments currently available depend on the type and site of coronary perforation, therefore timely recognition is of paramount importance in order to be able to quickly establish the most appropriate treatment.

Staphylococcus epidermidis Sensitizes Perinatal Hypoxic-Ischemic Brain Injury in Male but Not Female Mice

Background: Staphylococcus epidermidis is the most common nosocomial infection and the predominant pathogen in late-onset sepsis in preterm infants. Infection and inflammation are linked to neurological and developmental sequelae and bacterial infections increase the vulnerability of the brain to hypoxia-ischemia (HI). We thus tested the hypothesis that S. epidermidis exacerbates HI neuropathology in neonatal mice. Methods: Male and female C57Bl/6 mice were injected intraperitoneally with sterile saline or 3.5 × 10⁷ colony-forming units of S. epidermidis on postnatal day (PND) 4 and then subjected to HI on PND5 (24 h after injection) or PND9 (5 d after injection) by left carotid artery ligation and exposure to 10% O₂. White and gray matter injury was assessed on PND14-16. In an additional group of animals, the plasma, brain, and liver were collected on PND5 or PND9 after infection to evaluate cytokine and chemokine profiles, C5a levels and C5 signaling. Results: HI induced 24 h after injection of S. epidermidis resulted in greater gray and white matter injury compared to saline injected controls in males, but not in females. Specifically, males demonstrated increased gray matter injury in the cortex and striatum, and white matter loss in the subcortical region, hippocampal fimbria and striatum. In contrast, there was no potentiation of brain injury when HI occurred 5 d after infection in either sex. In the plasma, S. epidermidis-injected mice demonstrated increased levels of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines and a reduction of C5a at 24 h, but not 5 d after infection. Brain CCL2 levels were increased in both sexes 24 h after infection, but increased only in males at 5 d post infection. Conclusion: Ongoing S. epidermidis infection combined with neonatal HI increases the vulnerability of the developing brain in male but not in female mice. These sex-dependent effects were to a large extent independent of expression of systemic cytokines or brain CCL2 expression. Overall, we provide new insights into how systemic S. epidermidis infection affects the developing brain and show that the time interval between infection and HI is a critical sensitizing factor in males.

Sex Differences in Long-Term Outcomes in Patients With Deferred Revascularization Following Fractional Flow Reserve Assessment: International Collaboration Registry of Comprehensive Physiologic Evaluation

Background

Sex‐specific differences may influence prognosis after deferred revascularization following fractional flow reserve (FFR) measurement. This study sought to investigate the sex differences in long‐term prognosis of patients with deferred revascularization following FFR assessment.

Methods and Results

A total of 879 patients (879 vessels) with deferred revascularization with FFR >0.75 who underwent FFR and coronary flow reserve measurements were enrolled from 3 countries (Korea, Japan, and Spain). Long‐term outcomes were assessed in 649 men and 230 women by the patient‐oriented composite outcome (POCO, a composite of any death, any myocardial infarction, and any revascularization). We applied inverse‐probability weighting based on propensity scores to account for differences at baseline between women and men (age, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, diameter stenosis, lesion length, multivessel disease, FFR, coronary flow reserve. The median follow‐up duration was 1855 days (745–1855 days). Median FFR values were 0.88 (0.83–0.93) in men and 0.89 (0.85–0.94) in women, respectively. The occurrences of POCO were significantly high in men compared with that in women (10.5% versus 4.2%, P=0.007). Kaplan–Meier analysis revealed that women had a significantly lower risk of POCO (χ²=7.2, P=0.007). Multivariate COX proportional hazards regression analysis revealed that age, male, diabetes mellitus, diameter stenosis, lesion length, and coronary flow reserve were independent predictors of POCO. After applying IPW, the hazard ratio of males for POCO was 2.07 (95% CI, 1.07–4.04, P=0.032).

Conclusions

This large multinational study reveals that long‐term outcome differs between women and men in favor of women after FFR‐guided revascularization deferral.

Clinical Trial Registration

URL: http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT02186093.

Optical coherence tomography evaluation of the absorb bioresorbable scaffold performance for overlap versus non-overlap segments in patients with coronary chronic total occlusion: insight from the GHOST-CTO registry

The Absorb bioresorbable vascular scaffold (BVS) promised to avoid some of the disadvantages of its metal predecessors. Even though it has been taken off the market, limited data is available about its use in coronary chronic total occlusion (CTO) and its performance in overlap segments, which would be of special research interest due to its large thickness. This data is still pertinent since the platform of bioresorbable devices has not been abandoned, with several companies working on it. We aimed to compare healing and performance between overlap (OL) and non-overlap regions (NOL) of CTO lesions treated with BVS, using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Fourteen patients with overlapping BVS were included from the GHOST-CTO registry, resulting in 25 OL and 38 NOL regions. OCT based parameters were compared between OL and NOL groups at baseline (post-implantation) and 12-month follow-up. The mean age was 61.7 ± 7.2 years and 12 (86%) were males. Twelve (86%) patients underwent PCI for stable coronary artery disease and 2 (14%) had unstable angina. At 12-month follow-up, mean lumen area decreased in both NOL and OL regions, but the decrease was significantly larger in the OL region (NOL - 0.7 ± 1.33 vs. OL - 2.4 ± 1.54 mm²; p = 0.002). Mean scaffold area increased in both regions, but increased significantly more in NOL ( + 1.1 ± 1.54 vs. + 0.4 ± 1.16 mm²; p = 0.016). The percent of uncovered struts was lower in the OL group (5.0 ± 6.6% vs. 3.75 ± 8.7%, p = 0.043), whereas the percentage of malapposed struts was similar (0.3 ± 0.5% vs. 0.7 ± 2.3%, p = 0.441). Neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) was more pronounced in the OL region (0.13 ± 0.04 vs. 0.24 ± 0.10 mm², p = 0.001). The OL and NOL segments showed comparable healing in terms of coverage and malapposition. However, NIH was more prominent in OL region. The long-term clinical implications of these findings needs further evaluation. The present study provides important insights for future development of BVS technology.

Impact of Incomplete Revascularization on Long-Term Outcomes Following Chronic Total Occlusion Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

We aimed to evaluate the impact of incomplete revascularization (ICR) on long-term outcomes of patients undergoing chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Consecutive patients undergoing CTO PCI at 4 centers were included. Baseline SYNTAX score (bSS: low [≤ 22], intermediate [>22 and <33], high [≥33]), residual SYNTAX score (rSS: 0, >0 and ≤8, >8), and SYNTAX revascularization index (SRI: 100 × (bSS-rSS)/bSS: 100%, 50% to 99%, <50%) were calculated. The primary end point was major adverse cardiac events (MACEs; cardiac death, any myocardial infarction, any revascularization) on follow-up. Multivariable Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify predictors of MACEs. Overall, 686 patients were included (low bSS: n = 437; intermediate bSS: n = 187; high bSS: n = 62). Occlusion complexity, crossing strategies, and procedural success rates were similar across groups. The degree of ICR increased with higher bSS categories (rSS was 2.5 ± 4.7 in low vs 6.2 ± 9.3 in intermediate vs 9.1 ± 12.2 in high bSS, p <0.001). The SRI followed a similar pattern. Median follow-up was 781 (369 to 1,217) days. Three-year MACE rates increased with higher bSS and rSS, and decreasing SRI categories (bSS: low 19.4% vs intermediate 25.9% vs high 33.3%, p = 0.02), which was driven by a higher incidence of repeat revascularization. Compared with an rSS = 0, both an rSS >0 and ≤8 (hazard ratio 2.06, p = 0.004) and an rSS >8 (hazard ratio 3.19, p <0.001) were independent predictors of MACEs. Similar findings were observed when the SRI was entered in a separate model. In conclusion, even a mild degree of ICR is associated with a higher incidence of MACEs on long-term follow-up after CTO PCI.

Severe Kawasaki disease in a 3-month-old patient: a case report

Background

Kawasaki disease is a multi-system vasculitis which usually occurs in children under 5 years of age. In infants under three months of age, it is very rare and usually associated with a high incidence of incomplete or atypical forms, often unresponsive to treatment. This condition increases the risk of cardiovascular complications such as coronary artery aneurysms.

Case presentation

We describe a 3-month-old infant who developed early and severe aneurysms in three coronary arteries despite a timely administration of intravenous immunoglobulins, followed by three days of intravenous methylprednisolone.

Conclusion

This case report underlines that the development of coronary artery aneurysm correlates with a delayed diagnosis and treatment, incomplete or atypical forms of the disease, and additionally the severity of clinical presentation, especially in cases of very young infants below 3 months of age. Our case is notable because of the very young age of the patient, the severity of clinical presentation with an early development of coronary artery aneurysms and the unresponsiveness to the therapy.

Risk factors for type 2 diabetes in women attending menopause clinics in Italy: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze risk factors for type 2 diabetes among women attending menopause clinics in Italy for counselling about the menopause.

SUBJECTS

Women attending a network of first-level outpatient menopause clinics in Italy for general counselling about menopause or treatment of menopausal symptoms.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with no exclusion criteria. Type 2 diabetes was defined according to National Diabetes Data Groups Indications and the fasting blood glucose at an oral glucose tolerance test within the previous year.

RESULTS

Out of the 44 694 considered in this analysis, 808 had a diagnosis of diabetes type 2 (1.8%). In comparison with women aged < 50 years, the multivariate odds ratios (OR) of type 2 diabetes were 1.31 (95% confidence interval (CI), 0.99-1.74) for women aged 50-52 years, 1.66 (95% CI, 1.27-2.17) at 53-56 years and 2.84 (95% CI, 2.20-3.67) in women aged > or = 57 years. Type 2 diabetes was less frequently reported in more educated women (OR high school/university vs. primary school = 0.44 (95% CI, 0.36-0.55)). Being overweight was associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes. In comparison with women reporting a low level of physical activity, the multivariate OR of type 2 diabetes was 0.67 (95% CI, 0.54-0.84) for women reporting regular physical activity. In comparison with premenopausal women, the multivariate OR of type 2 diabetes was 1.38 (95% CI, 1.03-1.84) in women with natural menopause. This finding was present also after allowing for the potential confounding effect of age. The multivariate OR of diabetes for users of hormonal replacement therapy was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.46-0.73).

CONCLUSIONS

This large cross-sectional study suggests that postmenopausal women are at higher risk of type 2 diabetes after allowance for the effect of age. Other main determinants of risk of type 2 diabetes in women around menopause were low socioeconomic status and being overweight. Diabetes was found less frequently in those taking hormone replacement therapy.

Factors associated with climacteric symptoms in women around menopause attending menopause clinics in Italy

OBJECTIVE

To obtain data on correlates of climacteric symptoms in women around menopause attending menopause clinics in Italy.

METHODS

Since 1997 a large cross sectional study has been conducted on the characteristics of women around menopause attending a network of first level menopause outpatient's clinics in Italy. A total of 66,501 (mean age 54.4 years) women are considered in the present paper.

RESULTS

The odds ratios of moderate and severe hot flashes/night sweats were lower in more educated women and (for severe symptoms only) in women reporting regular physical activity. Depression, difficulty to sleep, forgetfulness and irritability tended to be less frequent in more educated women and (depression only) in women reporting regular physical activity. Parous women reported more frequently these symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

This large study confirms in Southern European population that low education, body mass index and low physical activity are associated with climacteric symptoms. Parous women are at greater risk of psychological symptoms.

Treatment of complicated benign prostatic hyperplasia with LHRH-analogues in aged patients

The effect of administration of an LHRH-analogue (LHRH-a) was evaluated in 11 patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in whom there were contraindications for surgery. These patients, who already had impaired potency due to age or serious illness, were given 1500 micrograms LHRH-a in the first week and 1200 micrograms from the eighth day onwards. They all improved significantly (P less than 0.001) with regard to their urological symptoms on day 60 of treatment. Our results demonstrate the influence of androgen in maintaining established BPH, the effectiveness of LHRH-a therapy in selected patients with BPH and the usefulness of a salivary testosterone assay for the follow-up of treatments expected to lower the bioavailability of androgen to target tissues.

Prolactin unresponsiveness to repeated sulpiride administration in man: recent findings

The mechanism of prolactin (PRL) unresponsiveness to repeated sulpiride (SUL) administration was investigated by means of two experimental protocols. The first one was carried on in seven male volunteers (age 24 to 34 yr) and consisted of two phases separated by a 5-day interval. In both phases 1 mg/kg of SUL was given im and repeated, 24 h later, together with either placebo (PL, 2 ml saline iv) or TRH (200 micrograms iv). 7-10 days later a standard TRH test (200 micrograms iv) was performed. In the second protocol the usual dose (1 mg/Kg im) of SUL was administered alone and, 24 h later, together with 0.1 U/Kg iv of insulin (insulin tolerance test: ITT) to six male volunteers (age 20 to 32 yr). A control standard ITT (0.1 U/Kg iv) was also performed 7-10 days later. Plasma samples for the evaluation of PRL were taken in basal conditions and at regular intervals after each drug administration. In the first protocol, PRL showed a significant increase (peak values at 30 min) after SUL administration in both phases (phase A: 54.8 +/- 5.6 ng/ml, mean +/- SE vs 6.4 +/- 0.3, p less than 0.001. Phase B: 77.5 +/- 3.9 vs 7.0 +/- 0.6, p less than 0.001). Twenty-four h later, PRL levels were still higher than basal and were not affected by the administration of SUL + PL or SUL + TRH. Also in the second protocol, SUL alone induced a significant PRL increase (peak values at 30 min: 47.1 +/- 7.2 vs 4.2 +/- 0.5, p less than 0.005).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)