Evaluation of I-TAC as a potential early plasma marker to differentiate between critical and non-critical COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant global health and economic consequences. There is an unmet need to define a molecular fingerprint of severity of the disease that may guide an early, rational and directed intervention preventing severe illness. We collected plasma from patients with moderate (nine cases), severe (22 cases) and critical (five cases) COVID-19 within three days of hospitalization (approximately one week after symptom onset) and used a cytokine antibody array to screen the 105 cytokines included in the array. We found that I-TAC, IP-10, ST2 and IL-1ra were significantly upregulated in patients with critical disease as compared to the non-critical (moderate and severe combined). ELISA further quantified I-TAC levels as 590.24±410.89, 645.35±517.59 and 1613.53±1010.59 pg/ml in moderate, severe and critical groups, respectively. Statistical analysis showed that I-TAC levels were significantly higher in patients with critical disease when compared with moderate (p = 0.04), severe (p = 0.03) or the combined non-critical (p = 0.02) group. Although limited by the low sample numbers, this study may suggest a role of I-TAC as a potential early marker to discriminate between critical and non-critical COVID-19 cases. Such knowledge is urgently needed for appropriate allocation of resources and to serve as a platform for future research towards early interventions that could mitigate disease severity and save lives.

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THU0528 NAILFOLD VIDEOCAPILLAROSCOPY REPORTING IN CLINICAL RESEARCH: INTERNATIONAL DELPHI BASED CONSENSUS

Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases ◽

10.1136/annrheumdis-2020-eular.2415 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽

pp. 503.1-504

Author(s):

F. Ingegnoli ◽

T. Schioppo ◽

A. Herrick ◽

A. Sulli ◽

F. Bartoli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Clinical Research ◽

Rheumatic Diseases ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Future Research ◽

Invasive Technique ◽

Delphi Consensus ◽

Research Support ◽

The Impact ◽

Research Studies

Background:Nailfold capillaroscopy (NVC), a non-invasive technique to assess microcirculation, is increasingly being incorporated into rheumatology routine clinical practice. Currently, the degree of description of NVC methods varies amongst research studies, making interpretation and comparison between studies challenging. In this field, an unmet need is the standardization of items to be reported in research studies using NVC.Objectives:To perform a Delphi consensus on minimum reporting standards in methodology for clinical research, based on the items derived from a systematic review focused on this topic.Methods:The systematic review of the literature on NVC methodology relating to rheumatic diseases was performed according to PRISMA guidelines (PROSPERO CRD42018104660) to July 22nd2018 using MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus. Then, a three-step web-based Delphi consensus was performed in between members of the EULAR study group on microcirculation in rheumatic diseases and the Scleroderma Clinical Trials Consortium. Participants were asked to rate each item from 1 (not appropriate) to 9 (completely appropriate).Results:In total, 3491 references were retrieved in the initial search strategy, 2862 were excluded as duplicates or after title/abstract screening. 632 articles were retrieved for full paper review of which 319 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Regarding patient preparation before the exam, data were scarce: 38% reported acclimatization, 5% to avoid caffeine and smoking, 3% to wash hands and 2% to avoid manicure. Concerning the device description: 90% reported type of instrument, 77% brand/model, 72% magnification, 46% oil use, 40% room temperature and 35% software for image analysis. As regards to examination details: 76% which fingers examined, 75% number of fingers examined, 15% operator experience, 13% reason for finger exclusion, 9% number of images, 8% quality check of the images and 3% time spent for the exam. Then, a three-round Delphi consensus on the selected items was completed by 80 participants internationally, from 31 countries located in Australia, Asia, Europe, North and South America. Some items reached the agreement at the second round (85 participants), and other items were suggested as important to consider in a future research agenda (e.g. temperature for acclimatization, the impact of smoking, allergies at the application of the oil to the nailbed, significance of pericapillary edema, methods of reporting hemorrhages, ramified and giant capillaries). The final agreement results are reported below:Conclusion:On the basis of the available literature the description of NVC methods was highly heterogeneous and individual published studies differed markedly. These practical suggestions developed using a Delphi process among international participants provide a guidance to improve and to standardize the NVC methodology in future clinical research studies.Disclosure of Interests:Francesca Ingegnoli: None declared, Tommaso Schioppo: None declared, Ariane Herrick: None declared, Alberto Sulli Grant/research support from: Laboratori Baldacci, Francesca Bartoli: None declared, Nicola Ughi: None declared, John Pauling: None declared, Maurizio Cutolo Grant/research support from: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Actelion, Celgene, Consultant of: Bristol-Myers Squibb, Speakers bureau: Sigma-Alpha, Vanessa Smith Grant/research support from: The affiliated company received grants from Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO), Belgian Fund for Scientific Research in Rheumatic diseases (FWRO), Boehringer Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co and Janssen-Cilag NV, Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co, Speakers bureau: Actelion Pharmaceuticals Ltd, Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharma GmbH & Co and UCB Biopharma Sprl

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Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on utilisation of healthcare services: a systematic review

BMJ Open ◽

10.1136/bmjopen-2020-045343 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

pp. e045343

Author(s):

Ray Moynihan ◽

Sharon Sanders ◽

Zoe A Michaleff ◽

Anna Mae Scott ◽

Justin Clark ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systematic Review ◽

Primary Outcome ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Healthcare Utilisation ◽

Healthcare Services ◽

Risk Of Bias ◽

Secondary Outcome ◽

Severe Illness ◽

Service Utilisation ◽

Registration Number

ObjectivesTo determine the extent and nature of changes in utilisation of healthcare services during COVID-19 pandemic.DesignSystematic review.EligibilityEligible studies compared utilisation of services during COVID-19 pandemic to at least one comparable period in prior years. Services included visits, admissions, diagnostics and therapeutics. Studies were excluded if from single centres or studied only patients with COVID-19.Data sourcesPubMed, Embase, Cochrane COVID-19 Study Register and preprints were searched, without language restrictions, until 10 August, using detailed searches with key concepts including COVID-19, health services and impact.Data analysisRisk of bias was assessed by adapting the Risk of Bias in Non-randomised Studies of Interventions tool, and a Cochrane Effective Practice and Organization of Care tool. Results were analysed using descriptive statistics, graphical figures and narrative synthesis.Outcome measuresPrimary outcome was change in service utilisation between prepandemic and pandemic periods. Secondary outcome was the change in proportions of users of healthcare services with milder or more severe illness (eg, triage scores).Results3097 unique references were identified, and 81 studies across 20 countries included, reporting on >11 million services prepandemic and 6.9 million during pandemic. For the primary outcome, there were 143 estimates of changes, with a median 37% reduction in services overall (IQR −51% to −20%), comprising median reductions for visits of 42% (−53% to −32%), admissions 28% (−40% to −17%), diagnostics 31% (−53% to −24%) and for therapeutics 30% (−57% to −19%). Among 35 studies reporting secondary outcomes, there were 60 estimates, with 27 (45%) reporting larger reductions in utilisation among people with a milder spectrum of illness, and 33 (55%) reporting no difference.ConclusionsHealthcare utilisation decreased by about a third during the pandemic, with considerable variation, and with greater reductions among people with less severe illness. While addressing unmet need remains a priority, studies of health impacts of reductions may help health systems reduce unnecessary care in the postpandemic recovery.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42020203729.

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Mandatory CSR and sustainability reporting: economic analysis and literature review

Review of Accounting Studies ◽

10.1007/s11142-021-09609-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Hans B. Christensen ◽

Luzi Hail ◽

Christian Leuz

Keyword(s):

Firm Behavior ◽

Sustainability Reporting ◽

Economic Effects ◽

Economic Consequences ◽

Future Research ◽

Current Debate ◽

Reporting Standards ◽

Csr Reporting ◽

Key Features ◽

Corporate Social

AbstractThis study collates potential economic effects of mandated disclosure and reporting standards for corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability topics. We first outline key features of CSR reporting. Next, we draw on relevant academic literatures in accounting, finance, economics, and management to discuss and evaluate the potential economic consequences of a requirement for CSR and sustainability reporting for U.S. firms, including effects in capital markets, on stakeholders other than investors, and on firm behavior. We also discuss issues related to the implementation and enforcement of CSR and sustainability reporting standards as well as two approaches to sustainability reporting that differ in their overarching goals and materiality standards. Our analysis yields a number of insights that are relevant for the current debate on mandatory CSR and sustainability reporting. It also points scholars to avenues for future research.

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Alcohol and the Media: A Review and Critique of the ‘Effects’ Model

International Quarterly of Community Health Education ◽

10.2190/np5q-9tn8-9afj-w2rh ◽

1982 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 183-194 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Nicholas Dorn ◽

Nigel South

Keyword(s):

Point Of View ◽

Economic Consequences ◽

Future Research ◽

General Level ◽

Alcohol Advertising ◽

Social Drinking ◽

The Media ◽

Quantitative Changes ◽

And Shifts ◽

Qualitative Changes

A review of the available empirical material bearing upon the question of alcohol advertising having ‘effects’ on the general level of consumption suggests that this question is insufficiently precise as a basis for research. Studies suggesting some relationship between advertising for particular brands or products and shifts in brand or product use are potentially more interesting, if considered from a point of view that recognises that such shifts may involve shifts in milieux, comparisons, styles and meanings associated with consumption. Future research should be attentive to such qualitative changes in drinking practices attendant upon advertising or preventive campaigns (as well as to quantitative changes). The authors suggest that such quantitative and qualitative changes in drinking practices of individuals and social groups need to be considered within the context of more general, ideological and economic, consequences of alcohol advertising. These consequences-including reinforcement of images about ‘social drinking,’ and shifting of consumers onto more profitable products-consolidate the profitability of the alcohol industry (a consideration more important to the industry than levels of consumption per se). A framework broader than that of ‘effects’ on individuals' levels of consumption is required if health educators are to learn anything from advertising.

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Barriers and Facilitators to the Implementation of a Mobile Insulin Titration Intervention for Patients With Uncontrolled Diabetes: A Qualitative Analysis

JMIR mhealth and uhealth ◽

10.2196/13906 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (7) ◽

pp. e13906 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Erin Rogers ◽

Sneha R Aidasani ◽

Rebecca Friedes ◽

Lu Hu ◽

Aisha T Langford ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Text Messaging ◽

Diabetes Management ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Health Care Facilities ◽

Future Research ◽

Management Support ◽

Implementation Climate ◽

Time Saving ◽

Provider Perceptions

Background In 2016, a short message service text messaging intervention to titrate insulin in patients with uncontrolled type 2 diabetes was implemented at two health care facilities in New York City. Objective This study aimed to conduct a qualitative evaluation assessing barriers to and the facilitators of the implementation of the Mobile Insulin Titration Intervention (MITI) program into usual care. Methods We conducted in-depth interviews with 36 patients enrolled in the MITI program and the staff involved in MITI (n=19) in the two health care systems. Interviews were transcribed and iteratively coded by two study investigators, both inductively and deductively using a codebook guided by the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. Results Multiple facilitator themes emerged: (1) MITI had strong relative advantages to in-person titration, including its convenience and time-saving design, (2) the free cost of MITI was important to the patients, (3) MITI was easy to use and the patients were confident in their ability to use it, (4) MITI was compatible with the patients’ home routines and clinic workflow, (5) the patients and staff perceived MITI to have value beyond insulin titration by reminding and motivating the patients to engage in healthy behaviors and providing a source of patient support, and (6) implementation in clinics was made easy by having a strong implementation climate, communication networks to spread information about MITI, and a strong program champion. The barriers identified included the following: (1) language limitations, (2) initial nurse concerns about the scope of practice changes required to deliver MITI, (3) initial provider knowledge gaps about the program, and (4) provider perceptions that MITI might not be appropriate for some patients (eg, older or not tech-savvy). There was also a theme that emerged during the patient and staff interviews of an unmet need for long-term additional diabetes management support among this population, specifically diet, nutrition, and exercise support. Conclusions The patients and staff were overwhelmingly supportive of MITI and believed that it had many benefits and that it was compatible with the clinic workflow and patients’ lives. Initial implementation efforts should address staff training and nurse concerns. Future research should explore options for integrating additional diabetes support for patients.

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Profile of vascular and inflammatory aqueous humor cytokines in primary open angle glaucoma patients

10.21203/rs.2.164/v1 ◽

2019 ◽

Author(s):

Ruyi Zhai ◽

Huan Xu ◽

Xinghuai Sun ◽

Xiangmei Kong

Keyword(s):

Aqueous Humor ◽

Primary Open Angle Glaucoma ◽

Open Angle Glaucoma ◽

Antibody Array ◽

Open Angle ◽

Aqueous Samples ◽

Age Related ◽

Tnf Α ◽

Cytokine Antibody Array ◽

Angiopoietin 2

Abstract Purpose: This study was aimed to analyze the profile of vascular and inflammatory cytokines in aqueous humor of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients. Methods: Aqueous humor samples were acquired from 6 POAG patients and 7 age-related cataract patients that constituted the control group. A human cytokine antibody array was used to detect 37 proteins related to inflammation and vascular regulation. Characteristics including age, gender, and intraocular pressure (IOP) of POAG and age-related cataract patients were compared. Correlation analyses between aqueous humor cytokines and characteristics were performed. Results: The cytokine antibody array results showed that the signal intensities of soluble vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 1 (sVEGFR-1), von Willebrand factor (vWF), tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and angiopoietin-2 in POAG patients were significantly higher in aqueous samples compared to controls (p < 0.05, Student’s test or Mann-Whitney U-test). Among cytokines of all aqueous samples, preoperative IOP was positively associated with expression quantity of sVEGFR-1 (r = 0.647, p = 0.02) and VEGF-A (r = 0.602, p = 0.04) and negatively associated with plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 expression (r = -0.593, p = 0.04). Values for sVEGFR-1 were positively correlated with vWF (r = 0.646, p = 0.02) and TNF-α (r = 0.824, p < 0.001) with statistical significance. Conclusion: Pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma may be associated with both vascular dysfunction and inflammatory responses. The vascular factors may include endothelial dysfunction and damaged vascular permeability as indicated by abnormal expression of vWF, sVEGFR-1 and angiopoietin-2. Keywords: POAG, aqueous humor, cytokines, sVEGFR-1, vWF, angiopoietin-2

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Increased Angiogenin Expression Correlates With Radiation Resistance and Predicts Poor Survival for Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Frontiers in Pharmacology ◽

10.3389/fphar.2021.627935 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Shan-Shan Guo ◽

Yu-Jing Liang ◽

Li-Ting Liu ◽

Qiu-Yan Chen ◽

Yue-Feng Wen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Prognostic Significance ◽

Tumour Recurrence ◽

Antibody Array ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Elevated Expression ◽

Risk Patients ◽

Cytokine Antibody Array ◽

Patients Experience ◽

Radio Sensitivity ◽

Human Cytokine

Background: Despite the development of such multiple therapeutic approaches, approximately 20% patients experience recurrence. Identification of molecular markers for stratifying the different risks of tumour recurrence and progression is considered imperative.Methods: We used a RayBio Human Cytokine Antibody Array that simultaneously detected the levels of 297 proteins and profiled the conditioned medium of HONE1 cells and the radioresistant NPC cells HONE1-IR. We found Angiogenin(ANG) expression to be significantly increased in HONE1-IR and HONE1-IR cells exposed to 4-Gy X-ray radiation.Results: We investigated the expression of ANG in NPC tissues and explored its prognostic significance in patients with NPC. We found that ANG expression was increased in recurrent NPC tissues. Elevated expression of ANG induced radio-resistance in NPC cells, in addition to being significantly associated with shorter PFS, OS, and LRFS in patients with NPC. Multivariate analysis results revealed that ANG was an independent prognostic factor that predicted PFS, OS, and LRFS. Furthermore, a nomogram model was generated to predict OS in terms of ANG expression.Conclusion: Our results found the radioresistant function of ANG and proved the clinical prognostic significance of ANG, and the results could help predict radio-sensitivity and stratify high-risk patients or tumour recurrence.

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An Overview of Recent Development in Privacy Regulations and Future Research Opportunities

Research Anthology on Privatizing and Securing Data ◽

10.4018/978-1-7998-8954-0.ch001 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-14

Author(s):

Tawei Wang ◽

Yen-Yao Wang

Keyword(s):

Economic Consequences ◽

Future Research ◽

Research Opportunities ◽

General Data Protection Regulation ◽

Consumer Privacy ◽

Privacy Act ◽

General Data ◽

Security Compliance ◽

New Research ◽

Data Broker

This chapter provides an overview of several recently proposed or passed privacy-related regulations, including General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), Illinois Video Interview Act, Data Broker Regulations in Vermont, and Privacy Bill of Rights Act, and related but very limited studies. Toward the end, several research opportunities are discussed. These research opportunities include (1) economic consequences of these new regulations and (2) the new research framework to capture novel features of these regulations to explain security compliance. The authors further discuss possible research designs to address the proposed research opportunities. This chapter provides both professionals and researchers additional insights on the regulation of privacy issues.

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Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS CoV): An Emerging Pathogen

Journal of Medicine ◽

10.3329/jom.v14i2.19634 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 156-163

Author(s):

H A M Nazmul Ahasan ◽

Aparna Das ◽

Mostofa Kamal Chowdhury ◽

Baharul Minnat

Keyword(s):

Saudi Arabia ◽

Middle East ◽

Health And Safety ◽

The Elderly ◽

Economic Consequences ◽

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome ◽

Severe Illness ◽

Health Security ◽

Single Positive ◽

Novel Coronavirus

The Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a novel coronavirus (nCoV) first reported on 24 September 2012 on ProMED-mail by Egyptian virologist Dr. Ali Mohamed Zaki in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He isolated and identified a previously unknown coronavirus from the lungs of a 60-year-old male patient with acute pneumonia and acute renal failure. MERS-CoV is the sixth new type of coronavirus like SARS (but still distinct from it and from the common-cold coronavirus). Until 23 May 2013, MERS-CoV had frequently been referred to as a SARS-like virus, or simply the novel coronavirus, and colloquially on messageboards as Saudi SARS. These respiratory viruses are an emerging threat to global health security and have led to worldwide epidemics with substantial morbidity, mortality, and economic consequences. Currently confirmatory testing requires molecular diagnostics including either a positive PCR on at least two specific genomic targets or a single positive target with sequencing on a second. However, the interim recommendations for laboratory testing for MERS-CoV should be consulted for the most recent standard for laboratory confirmation. Hajj and Umrah draws some of the largest crowds in the world, and the large crowds bring some health and safety risks. The virus can spread from person to person when people are touching or very near each other, so pilgrims in crowds may be at risk. Symptoms of MERS include fever, cough, and shortness of breath. Most people infected with MERS have had severe illness and pneumonia, and about half of them have died. If anyone develops a fever and cough or difficulty in breathing within 14 days after returning from trip, must seek medical care. The Embassy of Saudi Arabia recommends that the following groups should postpone their plans for Hajj and Umrah in 2013: the elderly, the terminally ill, pregnant women, and children.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jom.v14i2.19634 J Medicine 2013, 14(2): 156-163

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