St Bartholomew's Hospital

About: St Bartholomew's Hospital is a healthcare organization based out in London, United Kingdom. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Cancer. The organization has 11054 authors who have published 13229 publications receiving 501102 citations. The organization is also known as: St. Bartholomew's Hospital & The Royal Hospital of St Bartholomew.

Immediate release of a nitric oxide-like factor from bovine aortic endothelial cells by Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide

Abstract: Incubation of human washed platelets with bovine aortic endothelial cells (ECs) treated with indomethacin resulted in an inhibition of thrombin-induced platelet aggregation that was dependent on the number of ECs added. Preincubation of ECs with Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS; 0.5-2.0 micrograms/ml) for 1 min significantly enhanced their inhibitory activity. This effect was potentiated by superoxide dismutase (60 units/ml) and reversed by oxyhemoglobin (5-10 microM), indicating that the inhibition was due to the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor (nitric oxide). When the ECs were pretreated with NG-monomethyl-L-arginine (30-300 microM) before LPS, the antiaggregatory activity was strongly reduced. The reduction of activity by NG-monomethyl-L-arginine was reversed by L-arginine (100 microM) but not by D-arginine (100 microM). Under similar conditions, LPS also enhanced the antiaggregatory activity of ECs grown on beads. The immediate enhancement by LPS of the release of endothelium-derived relaxing factor from endothelial cells may contribute to the rapid fall in blood pressure associated with endotoxin shock in vivo.

Pre-existing polymerase-specific T cells expand in abortive seronegative SARS-CoV-2 infection

Abstract: Individuals with likely exposure to the highly infectious SARS-CoV-2 do not necessarily develop PCR or antibody positivity, suggesting some may clear sub-clinical infection before seroconversion. T cells can contribute to the rapid clearance of SARS-CoV-2 and other coronavirus infections1-5. We hypothesised that pre-existing memory T cell responses, with cross-protective potential against SARS-CoV-26-12, would expand in vivo to mediate rapid viral control, potentially aborting infection. We studied T cells against the replication transcription complex (RTC) of SARS-CoV-2 since this is transcribed first in the viral life cycle13-15 and should be highly conserved. We measured SARS-CoV-2-reactive T cells in a cohort of intensively monitored healthcare workers (HCW) who remained repeatedly negative by PCR, antibody binding, and neutralisation for SARS-CoV-2 (exposed seronegative, ES). 16-weeks post-recruitment, ES had memory T cells that were stronger and more multispecific than an unexposed pre-pandemic cohort, and more frequently directed against the RTC than the structural protein-dominated responses seen post-detectable infection (matched concurrent cohort). The postulate that HCW with the strongest RTC-specific T cells had an abortive infection was supported by a low-level increase in IFI27 transcript, a robust early innate signature of SARS-CoV-2 infection16. We showed that the RNA-polymerase within RTC was the largest region of high sequence conservation across human seasonal coronaviruses (HCoV) and was preferentially targeted by T cells from UK and Singapore pre-pandemic cohorts and from ES. RTC epitope-specific T cells capable of cross-recognising HCoV variants were identified in ES. Longitudinal samples from ES and an additional validation cohort, showed pre-existing RNA-polymerase-specific T cells expanded in vivo following SARS-CoV-2 exposure, becoming enriched in the memory response of those with abortive compared to overt infection. In summary, we provide evidence of abortive seronegative SARS-CoV-2 infection with expansion of cross-reactive RTC-specific T cells, highlighting these highly conserved proteins as targets for future vaccines against endemic and emerging Coronaviridae.

Development and feasibility of a scale to assess postoperative recovery: the post-operative quality recovery scale.

Abstract: Background: Good postoperative recovery is increasingly recognizedasanimportantoutcomeaftersurgery.Theauthorscreateda new Post-operative Quality Recovery Scale (PQRS) that tracks multiple domains of recovery from immediate to long-term time periods in patients of varying ages, languages, and cultures. Methods: The parameters of importance to both clinicians and patients were identified. After an initial pilot study of 133 patients, the PQRS was refined. It consists of six domains (physiologic, nociceptive, emotive, activities of daily living, cognitive, and overall patient perspective). An observational study of 701 patients was performed with the refined PQRS to assess its capacity to evaluate and track recovery and to discriminate between patients. It was conducted in eight countries and in five languages, involving patients more than or equal to 6 yr undergoing elective surgery with generalanesthesia.Recoverywasassessedbeforesurgeryandatmultipletimeperiodspostoperatively.Recoverywasdefinedasreturnto baseline values or better. Results:SevenhundredonepatientscompletedthePQRS.Mean

Increased activation of the haemostatic system in men at high risk of fatal coronary heart disease.

Abstract: The haemostatic system was examined in 2951 men aged 50 to 61 years, clinically free of cardiovascular disease, who were ranked according to a risk score for fatal coronary heart disease (CHD). Risk was judged from their serum cholesterol concentration, systolic blood pressure, body mass index and smoking habit. The status of the factor VII-tissue factor pathway was estimated from the plasma levels of factor VII coagulant activity, factor VII antigen and activated factor VII. Activation of factor IX was assessed from the plasma concentration of factor IX activation peptide. Activity within the common pathway was measured as the plasma concentrations of prothrombin fragment 1 + 2 and fibrinopeptide A. All 6 markers of haemostatic status were positively and statistically significantly associated with risk, providing further evidence for a hypercoagulable state in men at high risk for fatal CHD. Plasma fibrinogen and serum triglyceride concentrations were also graded positively with risk.