scholarly journals Predicting treatment response to IL6R blockers in rheumatoid arthritis

Rheumatology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 59 (12) ◽  
pp. 3603-3610 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bako Nouri ◽  
Nisha Nair ◽  
Anne Barton
Keyword(s):  
Treatment Response ◽  
Negative Impact ◽  
Lessons Learned ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Current State ◽  
Disease Modifying ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
Biologic Drug ◽  
Predict Treatment Response

Abstract Patients with severe, active RA who have not responded to conventional therapy may receive biological disease modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). However, 40% of cases do not achieve complete disease control, resulting in a negative impact on patient quality of life and representing a waste of healthcare resources. Ongoing research seeks to establish biomarkers, which can be used to predict treatment response to biologics in RA to enable more targeted approaches to treatment. However, much of the work has focused on one class of biologic drug, the TNF inhibitors (TNFi). Here, we will review the current state of research to identify biomarkers predictive of response to the class of bDMARDs targeting the IL6R. While success has been limited thus far, serum drug and low ICAM1 levels have shown promise, with associations reported in independent studies. The challenges faced by researchers and lessons learned from studies of TNFi will be discussed.

scholarly journals Design at the root of biophilia. Imitation. Nature.

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 047-058
Author(s):  
Marcin Marciniak ◽  
Dżoana Latała-Matysiak
Keyword(s):  
Negative Impact ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Positive Influence ◽  
Local Communities ◽  
Existing Buildings ◽  
Current State ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
Mental Well Being ◽  
Structural Solutions

According to the current state of research on the phenomenon of biophilia, the positive influence of nature's elements on humans has long been widely understood. Since the negative impact of urbanised areas on quality of life was noticed, human-friendly architecture has been redefined, where the physical and mental well-being of people using buildings, remains highly dependent on their contact with the environment. Selected examples of existing buildings analyzed two different approaches to contemporary biophilic architecture; one where nature is the pedestal of the whole building and one where the interpretation of nature translates into technological, engineering or structural solutions. The architectural examples modelled on nature, have gained recognition in local communities and worldwide renown, so it can be concluded that the flourishing of organic and bionic architecture is fully justified. Biophilia determines human well-being, while remaining closely related to the natural environment.

scholarly journals Olfaction and Aging: A Review of the Current State of Research and Future Directions

i-Perception ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 204166952110203
Author(s):  
Jonas K. Olofsson ◽  
Ingrid Ekström ◽  
Maria Larsson ◽  
Steven Nordin
Keyword(s):  
Warning Signs ◽  
Future Directions ◽  
Current State ◽  
Challenging Tasks ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
To Come ◽  
Health Cognition ◽  
Olfactory Abilities ◽  
And Training

Olfaction, the sense of smell, is characterized by a notable age-dependency such that aging individuals are more likely to have poor olfactory abilities. These impairments are considered to be mostly irreversible and as having potentially profound effects on quality of life and food behavior, as well as constituting warning signs of mortality, cognitive dysfunction, and dementia. Here, we review the current state of research on aging and olfaction, focusing on five topics which we regard to be of particular relevance for the field: nutrition and health, cognition and dementia, mortality, environment and genetics, and training-based enhancement. Under each of these headlines, we provide a state-of-the-art overview and discuss gaps in our knowledge which might be filled by further research. Understanding how olfactory abilities are diminished in aging, and how they may be alleviated or recovered, involves a set of challenging tasks for researchers in the years to come.

scholarly journals The Scarcity of Literature on the Psychological, Social, and Emotional Effects of Gastroparesis in Children

Children ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (9) ◽  
pp. 115
Author(s):  
Tiffany H. Taft ◽  
Bethany Doerfler ◽  
Emily Edlynn ◽  
Linda Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Pediatric Patients ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Current State ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Psychosocial Impacts ◽  
Future Research Directions ◽  
State Of Research

Gastroparesis (GP) is a chronic, gastric dysmotility disorder with significant morbidity and mortality. The hallmark of GP is the delayed emptying of the contents of the stomach in the absence of any mechanical obstruction. Patients most commonly report chronic symptoms of nausea, vomiting, feeling full quickly when eating, bloating, and abdominal pain. Treatments are limited with relatively poor efficacy. As such, children with GP are at significant risk for the development of psychological co-morbidities. In this paper, we provide a topical review of the scientific literature on the psychological, social, and emotional impacts of gastroparesis in pediatric patients. We aim to document the current state of research, identify gaps in our knowledge with appropriate recommendations for future research directions, and highlight the unique challenges pediatric patients with GP and their families may face as they manage this disease. Based on the current review, research into the psychosocial impacts in children with GP is essentially non-existent. However, when considering research in children with other chronic digestive diseases, children with GP are likely to face multiple psychosocial challenges, including increased risk for anxiety and depression, stigma, and reduced quality of life. These significant gaps in the current understanding of effects of GP across domains of childhood functioning allow for ample opportunities for future studies to address psychosocial outcomes.

scholarly journals Tumor Neoantigenicity Assessment with CSiN Score Incorporates Clonality and Immunogenicity to Predict Immunotherapy Outcomes

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tianshi Lu ◽  
Shidan Wang ◽  
Lin Xu ◽  
Qinbo Zhou ◽  
Nirmish Singla ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Overall Survival ◽  
Treatment Response ◽  
Treatment Efficacy ◽  
Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽  
Prediction Methods ◽  
Clinical Responses ◽  
Modern Era ◽  
Predict Treatment Response

AbstractLack of responsiveness to checkpoint inhibitors is a central problem in the modern era of cancer immunotherapy. Tumor neoantigens are critical mediators of host immune response and immunotherapy treatment efficacy. Current studies of neoantigens almost entirely focus on total neoantigen load, which simplistically treats all neoantigens equally. Besides, neoantigen loads have been linked with treatment response and prognosis only in some studies, but not others. We developed a Cauchy-Schwarz index of Neoantigens (CSiN) score to characterize the degree of concentration of immunogenic neoantigens in truncal mutations. Unlike simple neoantigen loads, CSiN incorporates the effect of both clonality and MHC-binding affinity of neoantigens when characterizing patient neoantigen profiles. By exploiting the clinical responses in 501 treated patients (mostly by checkpoint inhibitors) and the overall survival of 1,978 baseline patients, we showed that CSiN scores predict treatment response to checkpoint inhibitors and prognosis in melanoma, lung cancer, and kidney cancer patients. CSiN substantially outperforms prior genetics-based prediction methods of responsiveness. Overall, our work fulfilled an important gap in current research involving neoantigens.One Sentence SummaryThe quality of tumor neoantigens predicts response to immunotherapy

scholarly journals IMMERSION FOR MOBILIZATION: USE OF 360-DEGREE VIDEOS AND VIRTUAL REALITY IN PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 32-38
Author(s):  
Hélio Lemes Costa Júnior ◽  
Letícia Almeida Amaral
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
United Nations ◽  
Public Administration ◽  
Theoretical Basis ◽  
Technological Innovations ◽  
Refugee Camps ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Syrian Refugee ◽  
Current State ◽  
State Of Research

Purpose of the study: The article presents ongoing research that experiments the use of technological innovations in public administration. The hypothesis is that technologies can promote mobilization through immersion in virtual reality. Methodology: The technologies chosen were the videos produced in 360-degree cameras and virtual reality glasses, to bring public policymakers closer to the realities that such policies will address. Main Findings: This paper presents the theoretical basis, techniques and methodologies used to achieve the objectives and the current state of research, allowing new suggestions from academic and scientific peers to contribute to the improvement of this work. Implications: This study was based on UN (United Nations) experiences in trying to raise funds for Syrian refugee camps in Jordan.

scholarly journals Application of core X-ray microtomography in oilfield geology

Georesursy ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 34-43
Author(s):  
Andrey Ponomarev ◽  
Mikhail Zavatsky ◽  
Tatiana Nurullina ◽  
Marsel Kadyrov ◽  
Kirill Galinsky ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drilling Fluid ◽  
Source Rocks ◽  
Micro Ct ◽  
Practical Application ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Current State ◽  
Digital Core ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
Oil Source

The article presents studies devoted to the practical application of computer X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) in oilfield geology. In particular, the authors give results of using the method for sample defectoscopy before petrophysical studies in order to improve the quality of analyzes. The paper includes an example of assessing the depth of core plugging with drilling fluid; assessing the mineral composition by micro-CT; experimental core studies when modeling the thermal effect on the oil source rocks of the Bazhenov formation. The authors also examine the current state of research in the field of digital petrophysics or digital core. The study is aimed at introducing the micro-CT method into the oilfield process.

Towards a Holistic Approach to Validating Conceptual Models

2011 ◽  
pp. 229-251
Author(s):  
Jorg Becker
Keyword(s):  
Conceptual Models ◽  
Empirical Work ◽  
Holistic Approach ◽  
Evaluation Approach ◽  
Research Fields ◽  
Current State ◽  
Starting Point ◽  
State Of Research ◽  
Procedure Model

The chapter sketches a holistic approach to semantically validating conceptual models. The quality and thus the validation of conceptual models are of high economic importance. However, only little empirical work has focused on their evaluation so far. This raises the question whether a holistic approach to determining the quality of conceptual models is available yet. In order to describe the current state of research and to expose the so far neglected research fields we develop a two dimensional framework. With the help of this framework we can identify a notable shortcoming on conceptual model evaluation. We can show that there is actually no approach that covers all aspects of the framework. Hence, we describe a procedure model that integrates different evaluation techniques. This procedure model provides a starting point to further elaborate on a holistic evaluation approach.

Gaming Considerations for Educational Assessments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Dockterman ◽  
Yaacov Petscher ◽  
Ali McAfee ◽  
Eric Klopfer ◽  
Scot Osterweil ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Research And Development ◽  
Interdisciplinary Team ◽  
Accurate Data ◽  
Test Taker ◽  
Ongoing Research ◽  
Current State ◽  
Assessment Tasks ◽  
Educational Assessments ◽  
Guiding Principles

To inform instruction, assessments must collect accurate data about the current state of the learner. Unfortunately, students may find assessments unengaging, intimidating, or irrelevant, undermining the quality of their effort and the quality of the data. The application of gaming to assessments may provide a way to boost and sustain test-taker engagement, an integration that has thus far yielded mixed results, at best. Our interdisciplinary team reviewed and evaluated existing gamification research to consolidate a set of guiding principles for effectively merging validated assessment tasks and protocols with a motivating game-like context in ways that specifically foster high levels of test-taker effort. We share our work in this paper to help inform ongoing research and development leading to more efficient and effective assessments of children.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing the Popularity of Artificial Insemination of Mares in Europe

Animals ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 460 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicja Kowalczyk ◽  
Ewa Czerniawska-Piątkowska ◽  
Marian Kuczaj
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Insemination ◽  
Sperm Quality ◽  
World Market ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Current State ◽  
Horse Breeding ◽  
Frozen Semen ◽  
The Common ◽  
State Of Research

The purpose of this review was to analyze factors affecting the popularity of artificial insemination of mares in Europe in the context of sperm quality. Taking into account the prices of stallion semen on the world market, efficiency is important for the profitability of its use in artificial insemination programs in Europe. To increase the efficiency of a semen insemination facility, it is necessary to correctly and objectively assess the quality of semen. The available range of tools allows an effective evaluation of the potential fertility of a stallion. For several years, artificial insemination programs in Europe have been gaining popularity. However, the frequency of chilled or frozen semen use is still quite low. This is mainly due to the common, negative opinion about the effectiveness of the use of packaged insemination doses as opposed to natural insemination. Unfortunately, the quality of the semen offered often deviates from expectations, which results in unsatisfactory (and therefore unprofitable) pregnancy rates. This review presents the popularity structure of chilled and frozen semen use in European horse breeding as well as the current state of research on the effectiveness of semen production technology. It is shown that the popularity of using chilled semen in the artificial insemination of mares in Europe has been gradually increasing in the group of sport mares, while in the group of breeding mares, in recent years, frozen semen has been gaining popularity. In the remaining group of mares (not classified as sport or breeding), insemination with chilled semen has been dominant.

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