bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sociodemographic factors associated with treatment-seeking and treatment receipt: cross-sectional analysis of UK Biobank participants with lifetime generalised anxiety or major depressive disorder
Authors: Rayner Christopher , Coleman Jonathan R. I. , Purves Kirstin L. , Carr Ewan , Cheesman Rosa , Davies Molly R. , Delgadillo Jaime , Hübel Christopher , Krebs Georgina , Peel Alicia J. , Skelton Megan , Breen Gerome , Eley Thalia C.
Published: November 2021

Background

Anxiety and depressive disorders can be chronic and disabling. Although there are effective treatments, only a fraction of those impaired receive treatment. Predictors of treatment-seeking and treatment receipt could be informative for initiatives aiming to tackle the burden of untreated anxiety and depression.

Aims

To investigate sociodemographic characteristics associated with treatment-seeking and treatment receipt.

Method

Two binary retrospective reports of lifetime treatment-seeking (n = 44 810) and treatment receipt (n = 37 346) were regressed on sociodemographic factors (age, gender, UK ethnic minority background, educational attainment, household income, neighbourhood deprivation and social isolation) and alternative coping strategies (self-medication with alcohol/drugs and self-help) in UK Biobank participants with lifetime generalised anxiety or major depressive disorder. Analyses were also stratified by gender.

Results

Treatment access was more likely in those who reported use of self-help strategies, with university-level education and those from less economically advantaged circumstances (household income <£30 000 and greater neighbourhood deprivation). Treatment access was less likely in those who were male, from a UK ethnic minority background and with high household incomes (>£100 000). Men who self-medicated and/or had a vocational qualification were also less likely to seek treatment.

Conclusions

This work on retrospective reports of treatment-seeking and treatment receipt at any time of life replicates known associations with treatment-seeking and treatment receipt during time of treatment need. More work is required to understand whether improving rates of treatment-seeking improves prognostic outcomes for individuals with anxiety or depression.
Ibrutinib With Rituximab in First-Line Treatment of Older Patients With Mantle Cell Lymphoma
Authors: Jain Preetesh , Zhao Shuangtao , Lee Hun Ju , Hill Holly A. , Ok Chi Young , Kanagal-Shamanna Rashmi , Hagemeister Fredrick B. , Fowler Nathan , Fayad Luis , Yao Yixin , Liu Yang , Moghrabi Omar B. , Navsaria Lucy , Feng Lei , Nogueras Gonzalez Graciela M. , Xu Guofan , Thirumurthi Selvi , Santos David , Iliescu Cezar , Tang Guilin , Medeiros L. Jeffrey , Vega Francisco , Avellaneda Michelle , Badillo Maria , Flowers Christopher R. , Wang Linghua , Wang Michael L.
Published: November 2021

PURPOSE

Most patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) are older. In this study, we investigated the efficacy and safety of a chemotherapy-free combination with ibrutinib and rituximab (IR) in previously untreated older patients with MCL (age ≥ 65 years).

METHODS

We enrolled 50 patients with MCL in this single-institution, single-arm, phase II clinical trial ( NCT01880567 ). Patients with Ki-67% ≥ 50% and blastoid morphology were excluded. Ibrutinib was administered with rituximab up to 2 years with continuation of ibrutinib alone. The primary objective was to assess the overall response rate and safety of IR. In evaluable samples, whole-exome sequencing and bulk RNA sequencing from baseline tissue samples were performed.

RESULTS

The median age was 71 years (interquartile range 69-76 years). Sixteen percent of patients had high-risk simplified MCL international prognostic index. The Ki-67% was low (< 30%) in 38 (76%) and moderately high (≥ 30%-50%) in 12 (24%) patients. The best overall response rate was 96% (71% complete response). After a median follow-up of 45 months (interquartile range 24-56 months), 28 (56%) patients came off study for various reasons (including four progression, 21 toxicities, and three miscellaneous reasons). The median progression-free survival and overall survival were not reached, and 3-year survival was 87% and 94%, respectively. None of the patients died on study therapy. Notably, 11 (22%) patients had grade 3 atrial fibrillation. Grade 3-4 myelosuppression was seen in < 5% of patients. Differential overexpression of CCND1, BIRC3, BANK1, SETBP1, AXIN2, and IL2RA was noted in partial responders compared with patients with complete response.

CONCLUSION

IR combination is effective in older patients with MCL. Baseline evaluation for cardiovascular risks is highly recommended. Randomized trial is needed for definitive conclusions.
Spectrum of High Resolution Computed tomography chest findings in PCR positive COVID-19 patients according to duration of infection and CT severity score assessment
Authors: Irshad Nadia , Hanif Nadia
Published: November 2021

Objective: To evaluate the spectrum of HRCT findings of COVID-19 in RT-PCR positive patients according to duration of infection and severity of disease.

Methods: This retrospective study was conducted at Radiology department of Lahore General Hospital, Lahore from May to July 2020. Total 40 COVID-19 patients were reviewed for clinical features, HRCT chest findings based on time from symptom onset and CT conduction. Chi-square and fissure exact test were used for measuring association with severity of COVID-19, p value ≤0.05 was reported significant. Mean CT scores were calculated. ROC curve analysis showed threshold values of CT-SS for severe disease.

Results: Of total 40 patients with age ranged from 22-83 years, 22(55%) were males and 18(45%) females. The hallmark of COVID-19 was combined GGO and consolidation, GGO alone and consolidation alone in bilateral, sub pleural and posterior distribution. Early stage had normal CT or GGO alone, intermediate and late stage had both GGO and consolidation. Septal lines/bands and crazy paving pattern were prevalent in late stage. Clinically, 24 (60%) were in severe group and 16(40%) in mild group. Severity of COVID-19 was associated with GGO alone (p=0.05), GGO and consolidation (p=0.01), crazy paving (p=0.01) and lung scores (p≤0.05). The threshold values of CT-SS for identifying severe disease by two radiologists were 18.50 and 20.50.

Conclusion: HRCT manifestations along with CT-SS aids in predicting disease severity. Staging according to duration of infection is effective in understanding variation in pattern of chest findings in coronavirus disease.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4204

How to cite this:Irshad N, Hanif N. Spectrum of High Resolution Computed tomography chest findings in PCR positive COVID-19 patients according to duration of infection and CT severity score assessment. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(1):106-112.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4204

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Comparison of Chest X-rays findings in COVID-19 suspected and confirmed cases at a university teaching hospital: A retrospective comparative study
Authors: Durrani Misbah , Shahid Afshan , Tahir Umme Kalsoom , Haq Inam-ul- , Yousaf Anum , Naveed Saqib
Published: November 2021

Objectives: To compare Chest X-rays findings in COVID-19 suspected and confirmed patients on RT-PCR, presented at corona filtration center, Benazir Bhutto hospital Rawalpindi.

Methods: In this study, Chest radiographs of 100 COVID-19 RT-PCR positive confirmed patients were compared with 100 RT-PCR negative suspected COVID-19 patients screened at corona filtration center, Benazir Bhutto Hospital Rawalpindi from November 2020 to December 2020. Data on demographics, presenting complaints, co-morbid, lesion characteristic, distribution and attenuation, lobar involvement, pleural effusion and lymphadenopathy were collected. Associations between imaging characteristics and COVID-19 pneumonia were analyzed with univariate and multivariate logistic regression modals.

Results: Chest X-rays findings revealed bilateral lung consolidation with peripheral and diffuse distribution, involving middle and lower lobe to be statistically significant (p<0.05) between RT-PCR positives and negative patients. Peripheral distribution was associated with an 11.08-fold risk in COVID-19 positive patients than diffuse distribution. Middle lobe involvement had four folds risk and lower lobe involvement had 11.04 folds risk in COVID-19 cases as compared to upper lobe involvement. Consolidation had 2.6 folds risk in COVID-19 positive cases.

Conclusions: Bilateral, peripheral distribution of middle and lower lobes ground glass haze or consolidation with no pleural effusion is significantly related to COVID-19 pneumonia. Overlapping imaging features of the infectious and non-infectious COVID mimickers can be further excluded by detailed clinical evaluation and further radiological workup.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4624

How to cite this:Durrani M, Shahid A, Kalsoom U, Inam-ul-Haq, Yousaf A, Naveed S. Comparison of Chest X-rays findings in COVID-19 suspected and confirmed cases at a university teaching hospital: A retrospective comparative study. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(1):76-83.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.1.4624

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Technical Note—A Permutation-Dependent Separability Approach for Capacitated Two-Echelon Inventory Systems
Authors: Shen Xiaobei , Yu Yimin , Huh Woonghee Tim
Published: November 2021

Analyzing Capacitated Two-Echelon Systems with Permutation-Dependent Separability

Capacitated multiechelon systems are common in practice due to the escalating costs of labor and advanced manufacturing technology. However, identifying the optimal replenishment policies for such systems is a largely open area of research due to the intrinsic complexity, especially when there is an upstream bottleneck. In “A Permutation-Dependent Separability Approach for Capacitated Two-Echelon Inventory Systems”, Shen, Yu, and Huh propose a new approach, that is, permutation-dependent separability, to tackle a capacitated two-echelon system in which the capacity of upstream stage can be the bottleneck. They show that the value function for the capacitated two-echelon system in each period is permutation-dependent separable, and that for each echelon, a permutation-dependent echelon base stock policy is optimal. The authors also develop efficient solution procedures on how to obtain the optimal policy.
(0,1)-matrices and Discrepancy
Authors: Beasley LeRoy
Published: November 2021

Let $m$ and $n$ be positive integers, and let $R =(r_1, \ldots, r_m)$ and $S =(s_1,\ldots, s_n)$ be nonnegative integral vectors. Let $A(R,S)$ be the set of all $m \times n$ $(0,1)$-matrices with row sum vector $R$ and column vector $S$. Let $R$ and $S$ be nonincreasing, and let $F(R)$ be the $m \times n$ $(0,1)$-matrix where for each $i$, the $i^{th}$ row of $F(R,S)$ consists of $r_i$ 1's followed by $n-r_i$ 0's. Let $A\in A(R,S)$. The discrepancy of A, $disc(A)$, is the number of positions in which $F(R)$ has a 1 and $A$ has a 0. In this paper, we investigate the possible discrepancy of $A^t$ versus the discrepancy of $A$. We show that if the discrepancy of $A$ is $\ell$, then the discrepancy of the transpose of $A$ is at least $\frac{\ell}{2}$ and at most $2\ell$. These bounds are tight.
Radiological changes, infections and neurological complications after reverse shoulder arthroplasty related to different design types and their rates: Part II
Authors: Nabergoj Marko , Denard Patrick J. , Collin Philippe , Trebše Rihard , Lädermann Alexandre
Published: November 2021

Early reported complication rates with the Grammont-type reverse shoulder arthroplasty (RSA) were very high, up to 24%. A ‘problem’ is defined as an intraoperative or postoperative event that is not likely to affect the patient’s final outcome, such as intraoperative cement extravasation and radiographic changes. A ‘complication’ is defined as an intraoperative or postoperative event that is likely to affect the patient’s final outcome, including infection, neurologic injury and intrathoracic central glenoid screw placement. Radiographic changes around the glenoid or humeral components of the RSA are very frequently observed and described in the literature. High complication rates related to the Grammont RSA design led to development of non-Grammont designs which led to a dramatic fall in the majority of complications. The percentage of radiological changes after RSA is not negligible and remains unsolved, despite a decrease in its occurrence in the last decade. However, such changes should be now considered as simple problems because they rarely have a negative influence on the patient’s final outcome, and their prevalence has dramatically decreased. With further changes in indications and designs for RSA, it is crucial to accurately track the rates and types of complications to justify its new designs and increased indications.

Cite this article: EFORT Open Rev 2021;6:1109-1121. DOI: 10.1302/2058-5241.6.210040
Chemical Concentration and Spatial Uniformity of a Premixing In-Line Injection System Attached to a Variable-Rate Orchard Sprayer
Authors: Zhang Zhihong , Zhu Heping , Wei Zhiming , Salcedo Ramon
Published: November 2021

Highlights

A newly developed premixing in-line injection system attached to a variable-rate orchard sprayer was evaluated.

Tests were conducted to verify the in-line injection system performance using a vertical spray patternator.

Concentration accuracy and spatial distribution uniformity were determined with a fluorescent tracer.

Uniform spray mixtures were obtained for different spray viscosities and duty cycle combinations.

Abstract. Pesticide spray application efficiency is highly dependent on the chemical concentration accuracy and spatial distribution uniformity. In this study, the performance of a newly developed premixing in-line injection system was evaluated when it was attached to a laser-guided, pulse width modulated (PWM), variable-rate orchard sprayer. The chemical concentration accuracy was determined with respect to spray deposition with a fluorescent tracer, and the spatial distribution uniformity was determined with spray deposits at different heights on a vertical spray patternator. Outdoor tests were conducted with 27 combinations of target chemical concentration (1.0%, 1.5%, and 2.0%), viscosity of the simulated pesticide (1.0, 12.0, and 24.0 mPa·s), and various spray outputs manipulated with PWM duty cycles. For each injection loop, the amounts of the chemical concentrate and water discharged into the mixing line were measured separately in response to preset target concentrations. The results showed that the measured concentrations were consistent across the patternator heights, spray viscosities, and duty cycle combinations. For all treatments, the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the measured concentration was 6.96%, indicating that the concentration accuracy of the system was acceptable. The mean coefficient of variation was 3.35%, indicating that the spatial distribution uniformity of the system was in the desirable range. In addition, there was little variation in chemical concentration for spray mixtures collected at different heights on the patternator. Thus, the premixing in-line injection system could adequately dispense chemical concentrate and water to produce accurate concentrations and uniform spray mixtures for variable-rate nozzles to discharge to targets. Keywords: Environment protection, Precision pesticide application, Laser-guided sprayer, Tank mixture disposal, Specialty crop.
Microring resonators with external optical feedback for time delay reservoir computing
Authors: Donati Giovanni , Mirasso Claudio R. , Mancinelli Mattia , Pavesi Lorenzo , Argyris Apostolos
Published: November 2021

Microring resonators (MRRs) are a key photonic component in integrated devices, due to their small size, low insertion losses, and passive operation. While the MRRs have been established for optical filtering in wavelength-multiplexed systems, the nonlinear properties that they can exhibit give rise to new perspectives on their use. For instance, they have been recently considered for introducing optical nonlinearity in photonic reservoir computing systems. In this work, we present a detailed numerical investigation of a silicon MRR operation, in the presence of external optical feedback, in a time delay reservoir computing scheme. We demonstrate the versatility of this compact, passive device, by exploiting different operating regimes and solving computing tasks with diverse memory requirements. We show that when large memory is required, as it occurs in the Narma 10 task, the MRR nonlinearity does not play a significant role when the photodetection nonlinearity is involved, while the contribution of the external feedback is significant. On the contrary, for computing tasks such as the Mackey-Glass and the Santa Fe chaotic timeseries prediction, the MRR and the photodetection nonlinearities contribute both to efficient computation. The presence of optical feedback improves the prediction of the Mackey-Glass timeseries while it plays a minor role in the Santa Fe timeseries case.
Aperture total internal reflection (A-TIR) for contact angle measurement
Authors: Kim Iltai Isaac , Lie Yang , Park Jae Sung
Published: November 2021

Recently, aperture total internal reflection (A-TIR) was proposed to characterize the microdroplet patterns, such as the coverage fraction of the droplet, by placing the aperture just in front of the detector in classical total internal reflection (TIR). However, the reflection from the curved liquid-air interface was simulated using simple two-dimensional modeling, causing inaccuracy in A-TIR measurement. In addition, the reflectance dependency on the aperture size and the working distance of the aperture was not investigated, hindering its applications. In this study, the simulation based on three-dimensional (3-D) ray tracing with Fresnel equation modeling was successfully developed and verified to explain the internal reflection from the curved droplet liquid-air interface. With this developed 3-D modeling, A-TIR characteristics were explored using the parameters of the aperture size and the working distance of the aperture as well as the droplet surface coverage fraction, which shows a good agreement between the experiment and the simulation. Furthermore, it was for the first time demonstrated that the droplet contact angle can be effectively determined by obtaining the droplet thickness from the analytic quadratic solution by subtracting the measured reflectance at the two different sized apertures and using the spherical profile relation. Low contact angles in the range of 1∼ 15° were determined experimentally for the micro- and macro-sized droplets with a droplet diameter of 70 ∼ 7000 µm by the measured thickness of 1 ∼ 450 µm using A-TIR and compared with Fizeau interferometry and side-view imaging to show a good agreement. The simulation shows that A-TIR can be a new optical diagnostic tool to measure the contact angles 0 ∼ 90° regardless of the droplet diameter by adjusting the aperture size and the working distance. In addition, A-TIR can effectively determine the small contact angles less than 5°, even ultrasmall contact angles less than 1° for the submicron thickness, not requiring the complicated microscope setup. Thus, we can observe a sessile droplet's drastic contact angle change during wetting phenomena from 90° to 0° on the same A-TIR setup. Additionally, A-TIR can be used for a single or an array of micro or nanodroplets with a microscope objective by reducing the laser beam size and scanning methodology.
Generation and manipulation of various hollow arrays by light wave scattering
Authors: Xie Zhongyuan , Dai Qihang , Wang Hange , Ji Xiaoling , Wang Tao
Published: November 2021

By constructing a linear combination of several special weight functions, some novel scattering medium was designed to generate far-field distribution with hollow arrays. The construction is divided into two cases, i.e., the linear combination of weight functions with the same types and the linear combination of weight functions with different types. It is shown that the far-field with periodic array distribution that is composed of circular hollow lobes or rectangular hollow lobes may be obtained. In addition, it is shown that the characteristics of the arrays, including the shape of the lobes, the hollow size of the lobes and the distance between the lobes, can be flexibly adjusted by changing the structural parameters of the scattering medium.
Discriminative feature of cells characterizes cell populations of interest by a small subset of genes
Authors: Fujii Takeru , Maehara Kazumitsu , Fujita Masatoshi , Ohkawa Yasuyuki
Published: November 2021

Organisms are composed of various cell types with specific states. To obtain a comprehensive understanding of the functions of organs and tissues, cell types have been classified and defined by identifying specific marker genes. Statistical tests are critical for identifying marker genes, which often involve evaluating differences in the mean expression levels of genes. Differentially expressed gene (DEG)-based analysis has been the most frequently used method of this kind. However, in association with increases in sample size such as in single-cell analysis, DEG-based analysis has faced difficulties associated with the inflation of P-values. Here, we propose the concept of discriminative feature of cells (DFC), an alternative to using DEG-based approaches. We implemented DFC using logistic regression with an adaptive LASSO penalty to perform binary classification for discriminating a population of interest and variable selection to obtain a small subset of defining genes. We demonstrated that DFC prioritized gene pairs with non-independent expression using artificial data and that DFC enabled characterization of the muscle satellite/progenitor cell population. The results revealed that DFC well captured cell-type-specific markers, specific gene expression patterns, and subcategories of this cell population. DFC may complement DEG-based methods for interpreting large data sets. DEG-based analysis uses lists of genes with differences in expression between groups, while DFC, which can be termed a discriminative approach, has potential applications in the task of cell characterization. Upon recent advances in the high-throughput analysis of single cells, methods of cell characterization such as scRNA-seq can be effectively subjected to the discriminative methods.
Hsa-mir-3163 and CCNB1 may be potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets for androgen receptor positive triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Qiu Pengjun , Guo Qiaonan , Yao Qingzhi , Chen Jianpeng , Lin Jianqing
Published: November 2021

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy in female, but the role of androgen receptor (AR) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is still unclear. This study aimed to exam the performance of innovative biomarkers for AR positive TNBC in diagnosis and therapies. Four datasets (GSE42568, GSE45827, GSE54002 and GSE76124) were analyzed by bioinformatic methods and the differential expression genes (DEGs) between the AR positive TNBC tissues and normal tissues were firstly identified by limma package and Venn diagrams. Next, Gene Ontologies (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis were performed to explore the relationship between these DEGs. Then, the Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed. CytoHubba and bioinformatic approaches including Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE), Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA), the Kaplan–Meier (KM) plotter and The Human Pro-tein Atlas (THPA) were used to identify the hub genes. Lastly, a miRNA-hub-gene regulatory axis was constructed by use of Target Scan database and ENCORI database. As a result, a total of 390 common DEGs were identified, including 250 up-regulated and 140 down-regulated. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the up-regulated DEGs were mostly enriched in the cell division, mitotic nuclear division, nucleosome, midbody, protein heterodimerization activity, cadherin binding involved in cell−cell adhesion, systemic lupus erythematosus and alcoholism, while the down-regulated DEGs were mainly enriched in carbohydrate metabolic process, extracellular space, extracellular region, zinc ion binding and microRNAs in cancer. Then, 13 hub genes (CCNB2, FOXM1, HMMR, MAD2L1, RRM2, TPX2, TYMS, CEP55, AURKA, CCNB1, CDK1, TOP2A, PBK) were selected. The survival analysis revealed that only CCNB1 was associated with significantly poor survival (P <0.05) in TNBC patients. Finally, we found that hsa-miR-3163 took part in the regulation of CCNB1 and constructed a potential hsa-miR-3163-CCNB1 regulatory axis. The results of current study suggest that CCNB1 and hsa-miR-3163 may serve as highly potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for AR positive TNBC. Our findings may make contributions to the diagnosis and therapies of AR positive TNBC.
Exploring the direct and indirect effects of elite influence on public opinion
Authors: Santoro Lauren Ratliff , Assaf Elias , Bond Robert M. , Cranmer Skyler J. , Kaizar Eloise E. , Sivakoff David J.
Published: November 2021

Political elites both respond to public opinion and influence it. Elite policy messages can shape individual policy attitudes, but the extent to which they do is difficult to measure in a dynamic information environment. Furthermore, policy messages are not absorbed in isolation, but spread through the social networks in which individuals are embedded, and their effects must be evaluated in light of how they spread across social environments. Using a sample of 358 participants across thirty student organizations at a large Midwestern research university, we experimentally investigate how real social groups consume and share elite information when evaluating a relatively unfamiliar policy area. We find a significant, direct effect of elite policy messages on individuals’ policy attitudes. However, we find no evidence that policy attitudes are impacted indirectly by elite messages filtered through individuals’ social networks. Results illustrate the power of elite influence over public opinion.
Neutrophil extracellular traps modulate inflammatory markers and uptake of oxidized LDL by human and murine macrophages
Authors: Conforti Andreas , Wahlers Thorsten , Paunel-Görgülü Adnana
Published: November 2021

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are web-like structures, which are released upon neutrophil activation. It has previously been demonstrated that NETs are present in atherosclerotic lesions of both humans and animal models thus playing a decisive role in atherosclerosis. Besides, macrophages have a crucial role in disease progression, whereby classically activated M1 macrophages sustain inflammation and alternatively activated M2 macrophages display anti-inflammatory effects. Although NETs and macrophages were found to colocalize in atherosclerotic lesions, the impact of NETs on macrophage function is not fully understood. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the effect of NETs on human and murine macrophages in respect to the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and uptake of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) in vitro. Human THP-1 and murine bone marrow-derived macrophages were cultured under M1 (LPS + IFN-γ)- and M2a (IL-4)-polarizing culture conditions and treated with NETs. To mimic intraplaque regions, cells were additionally cultured under hypoxic conditions. NETs significantly increased the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 in THP-M1 macrophages under normoxia but suppressed their expression in murine M1 macrophages under hypoxic conditions. Notably, NETs increased the number of oxLDL-positive M1 and M2 human and murine macrophages under normoxia, but did not influence formation of murine foam cells under hypoxia. However, oxLDL uptake did not strongly correlate with the expression of the LDL receptor CD36. Besides, upregulated MMP-9 expression and secretion by macrophages was detected in the presence of NETs. Again, hypoxic culture conditions dampened NETs effects. These results suggest that NETs may favor foam cell formation and plaque vulnerability, but exert opposite effects in respect to the inflammatory response of human and murine M1 macrophages. Moreover, effects of NETs on macrophages’ phenotype are altered under hypoxia.
Modelling COVID-19 transmission in a hemodialysis centre using simulation generated contacts matrices
Authors: Tofighi Mohammadali , Asgary Ali , Merchant Asad A. , Shafiee Mohammad Ali , Najafabadi Mahdi M. , Nadri Nazanin , Aarabi Mehdi , Heffernan Jane , Wu Jianhong
Published: November 2021

The COVID-19 pandemic has been particularly threatening to patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD) on intermittent hemodialysis and their care providers. Hemodialysis patients who receive life-sustaining medical therapy in healthcare settings, face unique challenges as they need to be at a dialysis unit three or more times a week, where they are confined to specific settings and tended to by dialysis nurses and staff with physical interaction and in close proximity. Despite the importance and critical situation of the dialysis units, modelling studies of the SARS-CoV-2 spread in these settings are very limited. In this paper, we have used a combination of discrete event and agent-based simulation models, to study the operations of a typical large dialysis unit and generate contact matrices to examine outbreak scenarios. We present the details of the contact matrix generation process and demonstrate how the simulation calculates a micro-scale contact matrix comprising the number and duration of contacts at a micro-scale time step. We have used the contacts matrix in an agent-based model to predict disease transmission under different scenarios. The results show that micro-simulation can be used to estimate contact matrices, which can be used effectively for disease modelling in dialysis and similar settings.
Impact of 12-week exercise program on biomarkers of gut barrier integrity in patients with coronary artery disease
Authors: Feng Vivian , Bawa Kritleen K. , Marzolini Susan , Kiss Alex , Oh Paul , Herrmann Nathan , Lanctôt Krista L. , Gallagher Damien
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Breakdown of gut barrier integrity has been associated with inflammatory activation and is implicated in the etiology of several chronic medical conditions. Acute exercise is known to increase gut barrier permeability but the impact of chronic exercise is not clear. Most studies to date have examined how acute exercise impacts gut barrier integrity in healthy adults, while few studies have examined the impact of chronic exercise in older adults with comorbidities. We aim to investigate the impact of a 12-week program of aerobic and resistance training on biomarkers of gut barrier integrity in a sample of older adults with coronary artery disease.

Methods

Participants were adults with coronary artery disease undergoing a moderate-intensity 12-week cardiac rehabilitation exercise program. Fasting blood samples were taken at baseline and study termination. Serum levels of biomarkers of gut barrier integrity (zonulin and fatty acid-binding protein 2 (FABP2)) were measured by ELISA. Cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) at study start & completion. Data analyses were performed using SPSS software version 24.0.

Results

Among study participants (n = 41, 70% male, age = 62.7± 9.35) we found a significant negative association between baseline FABP2 levels and baseline VO2peak in a multiple linear regression model adjusting for covariates (B = -0.3, p = 0.009). Over the course of the exercise program an increase in VO2peak (≥ 5 mL/kg/min) was independently associated with a relative decrease in FABP2 (B = -0.45, p = 0.018) after controlling for medical covariates.

Conclusion

Our findings indicate that an increase in cardiorespiratory fitness during a 12-week exercise program resulted in a relative improvement in a biomarker of gut barrier integrity. This indicates a potential mechanism by which longer term exercise may improve gut barrier integrity.
Attentional bias modification for chocolate: Sham-n training as a new control group
Authors: Kemps Eva , Tiggemann Marika
Published: November 2021

Although attentional bias modification has been shown effective in several appetitive domains, results have been mixed. A major contributor seems to be the choice of control condition. The aim of the present study was to compare attentional bias modification for chocolate against a new control condition, sham-n (neutral or no-contingency) training. Using a modified dot probe protocol, participants (N = 192; 17–30 years) were randomly trained to attend to chocolate pictures, avoid chocolate pictures, or received sham-n training. In the attend and avoid conditions, stimulus pairs consisted of one chocolate and one non-chocolate picture, and probes replaced most often (90/10) chocolate or non-chocolate pictures, respectively. In the sham-n training condition, stimulus pairs consisted of two chocolate or two non-chocolate pictures, and probes replaced pictures within pairs with equal frequency (50/50). Attentional bias for chocolate increased following attend training, decreased following avoidance training, and did not change following sham-n training. The findings clearly demonstrate that both attend and avoidance training alter (in opposite direction) attentional bias for chocolate, whereas sham-n training is inert. This makes sham-n training particularly promising for use in clinical samples who tend to show strong initial biases.
Phosphatidylserine receptors enhance SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Bohan Dana , Van Ert Hanora , Ruggio Natalie , Rogers Kai J. , Badreddine Mohammad , Aguilar Briseño José A. , Elliff Jonah M. , Rojas Chavez Roberth Anthony , Gao Boning , Stokowy Tomasz , Christakou Eleni , Kursula Petri , Micklem David , Gausdal Gro , Haim Hillel , Minna John , Lorens James B. , Maury Wendy
Published: November 2021

Phosphatidylserine (PS) receptors enhance infection of many enveloped viruses through virion-associated PS binding that is termed apoptotic mimicry. Here we show that this broadly shared uptake mechanism is utilized by SARS-CoV-2 in cells that express low surface levels of ACE2. Expression of members of the TIM (TIM-1 and TIM-4) and TAM (AXL) families of PS receptors enhance SARS-CoV-2 binding to cells, facilitate internalization of fluorescently-labeled virions and increase ACE2-dependent infection of SARS-CoV-2; however, PS receptors alone did not mediate infection. We were unable to detect direct interactions of the PS receptor AXL with purified SARS-CoV-2 spike, contrary to a previous report. Instead, our studies indicate that the PS receptors interact with PS on the surface of SARS-CoV-2 virions. In support of this, we demonstrate that: 1) significant quantities of PS are located on the outer leaflet of SARS-CoV-2 virions, 2) PS liposomes, but not phosphatidylcholine liposomes, reduced entry of VSV/Spike pseudovirions and 3) an established mutant of TIM-1 which does not bind to PS is unable to facilitate entry of SARS-CoV-2. As AXL is an abundant PS receptor on a number of airway lines, we evaluated small molecule inhibitors of AXL signaling such as bemcentinib for their ability to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 infection. Bemcentinib robustly inhibited virus infection of Vero E6 cells as well as multiple human lung cell lines that expressed AXL. This inhibition correlated well with inhibitors that block endosomal acidification and cathepsin activity, consistent with AXL-mediated uptake of SARS-CoV-2 into the endosomal compartment. We extended our observations to the related betacoronavirus mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), showing that inhibition or ablation of AXL reduces MHV infection of murine cells. In total, our findings provide evidence that PS receptors facilitate infection of the pandemic coronavirus SARS-CoV-2 and suggest that inhibition of the PS receptor AXL has therapeutic potential against SARS-CoV-2.
Cheikh Khaled Bentounès: l’ouverture, la solidarité, le partage – vers une culture de paix
Authors: Tissières Hélène
Published: November 2021

Since 1975 Cheikh Bentounès has been the spiritual guide of the Alawiyya tariqa, founded in 1909 in Mostaganem, Algeria, by Cheikh Ahmed Al-Alawi, whose values of tolerance, peace and interreligious dialogue are known internationally. Living in Europe, the Cheikh navigates complex spaces and borders (Morocco, Algeria and France), advocating for a more harmonious relation to our environment. This article examines the concepts and projects he puts forward through his writings and the International Day of Living Together in Peace that he obtained from the United Nations in 2017. It evokes as well the views of rapper and writer Abd Al Malik on the importance of his approach (he refers to his personal experience growing up in a disadvantaged neighbourhood in France), and draws a parallel to the concepts of Senghor, first president of Senegal, on the interweaving of cultures – explained by the work of Soulemane Bachir Diagne through the influences of Bergson and Iqbal. Khalid Zekri’s analyses shed light on the historical, social and cultural context. In a world where consumerism (excessive notion of commodification) and divisions play an important role, Cheikh Bentounès reminds us of the need to shift our rapport to the world to better face problems that have arisen, including ecological disasters, before it is too late. We are reminded through the clarity of his words (power of orality) that humanism is an urgent necessity for our survival.
Análise da variação da crosta terrestre devido às mudanças sazonais de massa d’água no estado de Minas Gerais
Authors: Guimarães Gabriel do Nascimento , Mendonça Leônidas Rodrigues
Published: November 2021

Este trabalho tem como objetivo verificar a potencialidade dos dados da missão GRACE para investigar a relação entre a carga d’água e as variações da crosta devido ao ciclo hidrológico. O estudo foi realizado no estado de Minas Gerais a partir da comparação e avaliação de uma quantidade fornecida pelos modelos GRACE, intitulada de equivalente à altura d’água (EWH), com dados in-situ derivados a partir de estações fluviométricas da ANA e estações GNSS de monitoramento contínuo pertencentes ao IBGE. O estudo foi conduzido a partir da análise séries temporais das estações, bem como do cálculo do coeficiente de correlação de Pearson entre as variáveis estudadas. Os resultados apontaram que a região de estudo mesmo não possuindo uma dinâmica hídrica tão intensa como a da região Amazônica, foi possível detectar em três estações uma correlação maior que 0,77 entre os dados das estações GNSS e as informações de EWH. Além disso, foi observado uma amplitude de até 4 cm em relação a movimentação vertical da crosta a partir das informações das estações GNSS. Por fim, conseguiu-se extrair uma relação entre os dados de EWH e das estações fluviométricas nos períodos de maior e menor carga d’água nas estações estudadas.
Método de resistividade capacitiva e reclassificação dos métodos geoelétricos para estudos hidrogeológicos e de contaminação subterrânea
Authors: Aquino Wagner França , Silva Márcio Corrêa da , Tonello Paulo Sérgio
Published: November 2021

Este artigo apresenta os fundamentos teóricos do método geofísico de Resistividade Capacitiva, aplicado, mais recentemente, em investigações geológicas e de diagnósticos ambientais, com o objetivo de inseri-lo dentro da classificação estabelecida para os métodos geoelétricos e que tem servido como referência aos diversos textos técnicos e artigos acadêmicos nos últimos anos. Em função desta inclusão, foi imprescindível a execução de readequações na classificação existente, bem como modificações necessárias à sua atualização. A partir dessas alterações, é proposta uma nova reclassificação dos métodos geoelétricos baseada na estrutura fundamental já estabelecida, porém mais aberta às possibilidades de surgimento de novas tecnologias e mais adequada aos métodos geofísicos aplicados à investigação da contaminação subterrânea e que trabalham com a propriedade física de resistividade ou condutividade elétrica. Além disso, no transcorrer das discussões apresentadas, são reportadas algumas sinonímias que já vem sendo empregadas em memoriais técnicos ou trabalhos acadêmicos, e que devem ser divulgadas para plena ciência daqueles que atuam na área de Geofísica Aplicada e Ambiental, bem como efetuadas traduções de alguns termos técnicos para a língua portuguesa na reclassificação aqui proposta.
Operação Acolhida: Entre a Militarização e a Assistência Social
Authors: Rego de Paiva Ariane , De Paiva Gonçalves Gabriela
Published: November 2021

O artigo se refere a resposta do governo brasileiro à imigração venezuelana através da Operação Acolhida. Foram utilizadas análises bibliográficas, instrumentos jurídicos-normativos internacionais e nacionais, além de entrevistas realizadas em 2018 com os representantes do poder público das três esferas de governo e de entidades da sociedade civil envolvidos nas ações em Boa Vista e Pacaraima no estado de Roraima. Os principais resultados apontam para o protagonismo das Forças Armadas na ação humanitária, com rebatimentos significativos na relação Estado e sociedade civil para a construção de uma política de proteção aos refugiados, com baixo controle social dos gastos públicos e dos processos decisórios, e subordinação da política pública de assistência social.
Quality of Care Program Reduces Unplanned Health Care Utilization in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Authors: Melmed Gil Y. , Oliver Brant , Hou Jason K. , Lum Donald , Singh Siddharth , Crate Damara , Almario Christopher , Bray Harry , Bresee Catherine , Gerich Mark , Gerner Donna , Heagy Erica , Holthoff Megan , Hudesman David , McCutcheon Adams Kelly , Mattar Mark C. , Metwally Mark , Nelson Eugene , Ostrov Arthur , Rubin David T. , Scott Frank , Samir Shah , van Deen Welmoed , Younes Ziad , Oberai Ridhima , Weaver Alandra , Siegel Corey A. ,   on behalf of IBD Qorus
Published: November 2021

INTRODUCTION:

There is significant variation in processes and outcomes of care for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), suggesting opportunities to improve quality of care. We aimed to determine whether a structured quality of care program can improve IBD outcomes, including the need for unplanned health care utilization.

METHODS:

We used a structured approach to improve adult IBD care in 27 community-based gastroenterology practices and academic medical centers. Patient-reported outcomes (PRO) and health care utilization were collected at clinical visits. Outcomes were monitored monthly using statistical process control charts; improvement was defined by special cause (nonrandom) variation over time. Multivariable logistic regression was applied to patient-level data. Nineteen process changes were offered to improve unplanned health care utilization. Ten outcomes were assessed, including disease activity, remission status, urgent care need, recent emergency department use, hospitalizations, computed tomography scans, health confidence, corticosteroid or opioid use, and clinic phone calls.

RESULTS:

We collected data prospectively from 20,382 discrete IBD visits. During the 15-month project period, improvement was noted across multiple measures, including need for urgent care, hospitalization, steroid use, and opioid utilization. Adjusted multivariable modeling showed significant improvements over time across multiple outcomes including urgent care need, health confidence, emergency department utilization, hospitalization, corticosteroid use, and opioid use. Attendance at monthly coached webinars was associated with improvement.

DISCUSSION:

Outcomes of IBD care were improved using a structured quality improvement program that facilitates small process changes, sharing of best practices, and ongoing feedback. Spread of these interventions may facilitate broad improvement in IBD care when applied to a large population.
Increasing Incidence of Cirrhosis Over the Past 2 Decades Among Children in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Kehar Mohit , Griffiths Rebecca , Flemming Jennifer A.
Published: November 2021

INTRODUCTION:

We describe the incidence of cirrhosis in the general pediatric population.

METHODS:

This is a population-based study using health-care data from Ontario, Canada, between 1997 and 2017. Age-adjusted and sex-adjusted standardized incidence rates were described, and age-period-cohort modeling approach was used to estimate the independent effect of birth cohort.

RESULTS:

In total, 2,966 new diagnoses of cirrhosis among children were identified at a median age of 9 years. The incidence rate increased almost 4-fold over the study period (2.7/100,000 person-years in 1997 vs 10.6/100,000 person-years in 2017) with the highest increase seen in children younger than 1 year.

DISCUSSION:

In this first population-based study in children, the incidence of cirrhosis has increased dramatically over the past 2 decades.
Humoral Immunogenicity of mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines Among Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Healthy Controls
Authors: Caldera Freddy , Knutson Keith L. , Saha Sumona , Wald Arnold , Phan Hiep S. , Chun Kelly , Grimes Ian , Lutz Megan , Hayney Mary S. , Farraye Francis A.
Published: November 2021

INTRODUCTION:

Patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) on immune-modifying therapies may have a lower vaccine response to certain vaccines. The aim of our study was to evaluate humoral immunogenicity of mRNA coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines among patients with IBD and healthy controls (HCs).

METHODS:

We performed a prospective study to evaluate humoral immunogenicity among patients with IBD and HCs after completion of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines.

RESULTS:

One hundred twenty-two patients with IBD and 60 HCs were enrolled. All HCs and 97% of patients with IBD developed antibodies. Antibody concentrations were lower in patients with IBD compared with those in HCs (median 31 vs 118 μg/mL; P < 0.001). Those who received the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) COVID-19 (median 38; interquartile range [IQR] 24–75 vs μg/mL) had higher antibody concentrations compared with those who received the Pfizer-BNT vaccine series (median 22; IQR 11–42 μg/mL; P < 0.001). Patients on immune-modifying therapy (median 26; IQR 13–50 μg/mL) had lower antibody concentrations compared with those who were on no treatment, aminosalicylates, or vedolizumab (median 59; IQR 31–75 μg/mL; P = 0.003).

DISCUSSION:

Almost all patients with IBD in our study mounted an antibody response. Future studies are needed in evaluating sustained humoral immunity and the impact of booster dosing in patients with IBD.
Multiple Myeloma Presenting as Chronic Diarrhea
Authors: Bajwa Arouj , Trieu Judy , Mirza Kamran , Ding Xianzhong , Liem Brian
Published: November 2021

Extramedullary gastrointestinal tract involvement in plasma cell dyscrasias is rare and represents a diagnostic challenge. We present a 66-year-old man with an unusual presentation of multiple myeloma. He presented with chronic diarrhea, and extensive biopsies in the jejunum allowed for the presumptive diagnosis of multiple myeloma to be made and the weighted decision to treat without a definitive diagnosis. Plasma cell dyscrasias can have highly varied presentations, unclear differentiation, and require a multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis and management. Adequate tissue sampling of the small bowel is critical in assessing patients with chronic diarrhea.