Suspected Cardiovascular Side Effects of two Covid-19 Vaccines

Fatalities or cardiovascular side effects of vaccines were rather uncommon in the past. So far, numerous reports of side effects and deaths associated with Covid-19 vaccination have been accepted behind the background of the pandemic situation. Cardiac and heart circulatory disturbances resp. cardiovascular side effects associated with the application of Covid-19 vaccines have not been recognized up to now with the exception of thrombotic/embolic side effects and cases of myocarditis. But the mechanism of action suggests that downregulation of ACE2 by non-neutralised spike proteins may have cardiovascular effects.The objective of this analysis was to determine the total number of reported adverse events and fatalities and to record suspected cardiovascular adverse events up to the cut-off date in European countries. Therefore, a current review/analysis of spontaneously reported fatalities as well as of adverse events after application of Covid-19 vaccines has been performed. Data were retrieved from the EudraVigilance web reports of the European Medicines Agency (EMA), partly also from the safety reports of the German PEI. Covid-19 vaccine-associated suspected side effects and related deaths are alarming. Surprisingly, numerous cardiovascular reactions were reported, many of which were life-threatening. Cardiac and heart circulatory caused fatalities alone accounted for about 33% of all ComirnatyR vaccine-related deaths. The second most important side effects were vascular thrombotic/embolic side effects, often also associated with serious consequences. Based on their quality and quantity, these side effects seem to be characteristic for spike-producing vaccines and do not appear to be substance-specific. Further investigations are needed to clarify the approximately 3.5 times more frequent cases of sinus vein thrombosis and the some different frequent cases of thrombotic/embolic events after VaxzevriaR. The hypothesis could be confirmed. Because of their importance and their sometimes life-threatening consequences, cardiovascular side effects need to be better communicated.Limitations of the investigation result from the individual reporting and recording procedure, the lack of detailed individual information and the lack of an appropriate comparison population.

Which Is More Toxic? Evaluation of the Short-Term Toxic Effects of Chlorpyrifos and Cypermethrin on Selected Biomarkers in Common Carp (Cyprinus carpio, Linnaeus 1758)

The general aim of this study was to investigate the negative short-term effects of different concentrations of chlorpyrifos (CPF) and cypermethrin (CYP), based on the EU legislation (MAC-EQS) in common carp (Cyprinus carpio Linnaeus, 1758) under laboratory conditions and to compare their toxicity. The fish were exposed to the pesticides for 96 h and then different histological and biochemical biomarkers were investigated in the gills and liver, and bioaccumulation analyses were conducted. The chemical studies showed increased pesticide concentrations in the gills as the first site for pollutants compared to the liver at the 96th hour. In addition, the histological analyses showed severe alterations in the gills and liver after exposure to both tested pesticides. In the gills, we found mainly intense proliferative and, to a lesser extent, degenerative changes and alterations in the circulatory system, such as necrosis and vasodilation. In the liver, regressive and progressive lesions, as well as circulatory disturbances and inflammation, were observed. The regressive lesions showed a higher degree of expression compared to the other changes. Furthermore, we found altered enzymatic activities—catalase, glutathione reductase, and glutathione peroxidase—in the liver, compared to the control. Overall, both tested pesticides impacted the studied biomarkers in common carp, even at concentrations lower than those permitted by law. However, the results of the comparative analysis showed a relatively higher toxicity of CYP compared to CPF in the fish. Still, questions persist as to whether the observed changes are adaptive or entirely destructive. To avoid any danger or risk, these pesticides must be applied cautiously, especially near water bodies.

Combinatorial Effects of Organophosphate (Temephos), Glyphosate (Roundup) and Sodium Dodecil Sulfate (Sds) on Zebrafish (Danio Rerio) Gills: A Morphometric and Histological Study

Pesticides, as Temephos and Roundup, and surfactants, like Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS), when dicharged into the environment, are harmful to non-target wildlife, especially fish. To evaluate the effects of those chemicals alone and their binary combinations, we assessed the histological alterations in Danio rerio gills after 15 days of exposure to Temephos (1ppm), Roundup (10ppm), SDS (2ppm), SDS plus Temephos (2ppm+1ppm), SDS plus Roundup (2ppm+10ppm) and Temephos plus Roundup (1ppm+10ppm). Hyperplasia, a regressive change, was significant in all exposed groups. The progressive change, complete fusion of lamellae, was significantly intensive in Roundup plus Temephos group. Regarding to circulatory disturbances, vascular congestion was significant intensive in SDS group, while severe aneurysm was observed in Roundup group. Although xenobiotics in the blend are biologically complex, mainly for long periods, combinatorial exposure incremented only complete lamellar fusion. Our results reinforce the rationalization of indiscriminate use of those compounds alone or in combination.

Two extremely rare cases of extrapleural hematoma

Background Extrapleural hematoma is uncommon. However, according to the size of hematoma and/or the progression of anemia, surgical treatment to control bleeding might be necessary because a huge hematoma can cause ventilator and circulatory disturbances to press heart and lung. We present two unusual cases of huge extrapleural hematoma in an anticoagulated patient with no apparent history of trauma or otherwise traumatic episodes. Case presentation Case 1: A 78-year-old man presented to our emergency department with pain in his right shoulder and disturbance of consciousness. He had no apparent history of trauma. Computed tomography (CT) of the chest revealed the presence of a huge lens-like encapsulated lesion measuring 220 × 90 mm in the right thoracic cavity. These findings all supported a diagnosis of extrapleural hematoma with hemothorax. Case 2: A 73-year-old man was brought to our hospital by ambulance after bruising his back in his house. CT of the chest revealed the presence of a huge lens-like encapsulated lesion measuring 230 × 70 mm in the left thoracic cavity. Hemorrhagic effusion was obtained by thoracocentesis, and the lesion was suspected of being a hematoma. In both two cases, we performed video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS), which was minimally invasive and effective. These two patients were cured and discharged smoothly after surgery. Conclusions We reported two rare cases of extrapleural hematoma. This disease requires close attention when it manifests in patients undergoing anticoagulation therapy. Regarding treatment, VATS was particularly effective in these cases.

The Influence of Short-Term Occlusion on Dynamics of Arterial Circulation in Calf Muscles

Research background and hypothesis. KAATSU training is a method based on workout in a local hypoxic environment. For the justifi cation of its a detailed vascular response to circulatory disturbances is required.Research aim. The aim of this study was to investigate the peculiarities of reactive hyperaemia depending on the duration of occlusion and preliminary fi lling with blood of the occluded limb.Research methods. Arterial blood-fl ow intensity was measured by vein-occlusion plethysmography after 1, 2, and 3 minutes of occlusions. When the occlusion cuff was quickly infl ated with air above 250 mmHg, the amount of blood in vessels was close to the conditions of physiological norm. While the leg was lifted above the heart level for 30 seconds, the amount of blood in the calf decreased. A slow blowing the air into the cuff created a situation when the amount of blood in vessels had increased before the blood-fl ow was arrested. Research results. The peak blood-fl ow in the reactive hyperaemia phase depends on the duration of the occlusion and on the degree of fi lling with blood of segment under occlusion. The peak blood-fl ow readings were registered after occlusions conducted when the amount of blood in the limb had decreased before the occlusion and the lowest blood-fl ow readings was registered after occlusion done with the increased fi lling of vessels. Discussion and conclusions. The initial fi lling of vessels with blood or the degree of tension of endothelial cells of vascular wall is the most signifi cant infl uence on blood fl ow activation after short-term occlusions.Keywords: blood flow arrest, reactive hyperaemia, occlusion plethysmography.

The liver in systemic disease

The liver may be involved in systemic diseases that primarily affect other organs. In most cases, the systemic disease should be treated effectively first. Circulatory disturbances can cause liver dysfunction by ischaemia (due to arterial hypoperfusion) and hepatic venous congestion. The liver is a key organ in sepsis, both as source of inflammatory mediators and as a victim of the inflammatory response. An oncological process may affect hepatic function in a number of ways. For example, tumours in and around the liver can affect function by directly reducing the volume of healthy, functioning tissue or by causing biliary obstruction, and portal venous infiltration or hypercoagulability may compromise the liver’s vascular supply. This chapter discusses the liver in systemic disease, including sections on etiology, symptoms, demographics, complications, diagnosis, and treatment.