Nlrp3 Inflammasome Genetic Variants Are Associated With Risk And/Or Protection To Hospitalization Among Covid-19 Patients From Rio De Janeiro, Brazil

Abstract Background COVID-19 has a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations, from asymptomatic to mild or moderate symptoms, reaching the most severe forms and death. The mechanisms underlying the SARS-CoV-2 infection and its clinical evolution are still unclear. Once SARS-CoV-2 infects individuals, host factors are activated by the presence of the virus inside the cells, such as the inflammasome system. The search of risk factors for COVID-19 is of relevance for clinical management. In this study, we investigated the impact of 11 single-base polymorphisms (SNPs) in the NLRP3, CARD8, AIM2, CASP-1, IFI16, and IL-1β inflammasome genes in SARS-CoV-2 infected individuals with distinct disease outcomes. Methods Patients were divided into two groups: (1) inpatients, with severe/critical disease (Hospitalized group, n=451), and (2) convalescent volunteers with prior SARS-CoV-2 infection and a history of asymptomatic to mild symptoms (Mild group, n=43). Patients hospitalized were followed up at a Hospital Center for COVID-19 Pandemic – National Institute of Infectology (INI)/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from June 2020 to March 2021. The Mild group was recruited at Oswaldo Cruz Institute (IOC)/FIOCRUZ, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2020. Genotyping of the SNPs was determined by Real-Time PCR. Protection and risk estimations were performed by unconditional logistic regression models. Results Among the genotyped SNPs, significant differences in the NLRP3 rs1539019 and rs10754558 frequencies were observed between the groups. The C/C genotype (ORadj=6.31; Padj=0.026) or allele C (ORadj=1.05; Padj=0.002) in rs1539019 polymorphism were associated with the risk for hospitalization, while the C/G genotype (ORadj=0.16; Padj=0.016) or carrier-G (ORadj=0.2; Padj=0.028) in rs10754558 polymorphism were associated with protection for hospitalization. Regarding the NLRP3 genetic variants, the A-C-G-C-G haplotype (ORadj=0.14; Padj= 0.030) was associated with protection for hospitalization. No significant association was observed for the other polymorphisms. Conclusions As of our knowledge, this is the first study demonstrating the association of inflammasome NLRP3 variants with risk and/or protection for hospitalization in COVID-19. Studies linking the NLRP3 inflammasome and SARS-CoV-2 infection are still scarce due to the recent emergence of this pathogen. Our results contribute to the discussion of the impact of inflammasomes in the clinical evolution of COVID-19.

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Psychological impact of Covid-19 lockdown in India: Different strokes for different folks

10.1101/2020.05.25.20111716 ◽

2020 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Anupam Joya Sharma ◽

Malavika A. Subramanyam

Keyword(s):

Social Stratification ◽

Sexual Minorities ◽

Online Survey ◽

Psychological Impact ◽

High Risk Group ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

History Of ◽

Qualitative And Quantitative Study ◽

Physical Access ◽

The Impact

AbstractThe psychological impact of the lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic are widely documented. In India, a family-centric society with a high population density and extreme social stratification, the impact of the lockdown might vary across diverse social groups. However, the patterning in the psychological impact of the lockdown among sexual minorities and persons known to be at higher risk of contracting Covid-19 is not known in the Indian context. We used mixed methods (online survey, n=282 and in-depth interviews, n=14) to investigate whether the psychological impact of the lockdown was different across these groups of Indian adults. We fitted linear and logistic regression models adjusted for sociodemographic covariates. Thematic analysis helped us identify emergent themes in our qualitative narratives. Anxiety was found to be higher among sexual minorities (β=2.44, CI: 0.58, 4.31), high-risk group (β=2.20, CI:0.36, 4.05), and those with history of depression/loneliness (β=3.89, CI:2.34, 5.44). Addiction to pornography was also found to be higher among sexual minorities (β=2.72, CI: 0.09, 5.36). Qualitative findings suggested that sexual minorities likely used pornography and masturbation to cope with the lockdown, given the limited physical access to sexual partners in a society that stigmatizes homosexuality. Moreover, both qualitative and quantitative study findings suggested that greater frequency of calling family members during lockdown could strengthen social relationships and increase social empathy. The study thereby urgently calls for the attention of policymakers to take sensitive and inclusive health decisions for the marginalized and the vulnerable, both during and after the crisis.

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Temporal complexity in clinical manifestations of lung disease

Journal of Applied Physiology ◽

10.1152/japplphysiol.01297.2010 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 110 (6) ◽

pp. 1723-1731 ◽

Cited By ~ 32

Author(s):

Urs Frey ◽

Geoffrey Maksym ◽

Béla Suki

Keyword(s):

Lung Function ◽

Statistical Physics ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Individual Risk ◽

Fluctuation Analysis ◽

Temporal Complexity ◽

History Of ◽

The Individual ◽

The Impact ◽

Insight Into

In this review, we summarize results of recent research on the temporal variability of lung function, symptoms, and inflammatory biomarkers. Specifically, we demonstrate how fluctuation analysis borrowed from statistical physics can be used to gain insight into neurorespiratory control and complex chronic dynamic diseases such as asthma viewed as a system of interacting components (e.g., inflammatory, immunological, and mechanical). Fluctuation analysis tools are based on quantifying the distribution and the short- and long-term temporal history of tidal breathing and lung function parameters to assess neurorespiratory control and monitor chronic disease. The latter includes the assessment of severity and disease control, the impact of treatment and environmental triggers, the temporal characterization of disease phenotypes, and the individual risk of exacerbation. While in many cases specific mechanistic insight into the fluctuations still awaits further research, appropriate analyses of the fluctuations already impact on clinical science and practice.

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Age Is the Only Predictor of Poor Bowel Preparation in the Hospitalized Patient

Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology and Hepatology ◽

10.1155/2016/2139264 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Julia McNabb-Baltar ◽

Alastair Dorreen ◽

Hisham Al Dhahab ◽

Michael Fein ◽

Xin Xiong ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Logistic Regression ◽

Bowel Preparation ◽

Independent Predictor ◽

Standard Dose ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Cecal Intubation ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

History Of ◽

Key Variables ◽

The Impact

We examine the impact of key variables on the likelihood of inpatient poor bowel preparation for colonoscopy. Records of inpatients that underwent colonoscopy at our institution between January 2010 and December 2011 were retrospectively extracted. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to assess the effect of clinical variables on the odds of poor preparation. Tested predictors included age; gender; use of narcotics; heavy medication burden; comorbidities; history of previous abdominal surgery; neurological disorder; product used for bowel preparation, whether or not the bowel regimen was given as split or standard dose; and time of endoscopy. Overall, 244 patients were assessed including 83 (34.0%, 95% CI: 28.1–39.9%) with poor bowel preparation. Cecal intubation was achieved in 81.1% of patients (95% CI: 76.2–86.0%). When stratified by quality of bowel preparation, cecal intubation was achieved in only 65.9% (95% CI: 60.0–71.9%) of patients with poor bowel preparation and 89.9% (95% CI: 86.1–93.7%) of patient with good bowel preparation. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, only advancing age was an independent predictor of poor bowel preparation (OR = 1.026, CI: 1.006 to 1.045, andp=0.008). Age is the only independent predictor of poor bowel preparation amongst hospitalized patients.

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Association between severe acute malnutrition during childhood and blood pressure during adulthood in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo: the Lwiro cohort study

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-021-10908-4 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Pacifique Mwene-Batu ◽

Daniel Lemogoum ◽

Laurène de le Hoye ◽

Ghislain Bisimwa ◽

Michel P. Hermans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Severe Acute Malnutrition ◽

Nutrition Transition ◽

Acute Malnutrition ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Republic Of The Congo ◽

History Of ◽

Dichotomous Variables ◽

Lowering Drug ◽

The Impact

Abstract Introduction Little is known about the long-term outcomes of Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) during childhood. As such, this study aims to explore the association between childhood SAM and blood pressure (BP) in adulthood in a context without nutrition transition. Methodology We identified 524 adults (Median age: 22 years) who were treated for SAM during childhood in Eastern DRC between 1988 and 2007. They were compared with 407 age-and-sex matched subjects with no history of SAM in the community. The variables examined for this study were the systolic (SBP), diastolic (DBP), mean (MBP) blood pressure (BP) and pulse pressure (PP), as well as high blood pressure (HBP) defined as BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg and/or use of BP-lowering drug(s) in adulthood. For comparison, linear and logistic regression models were used for analysing continuous and dichotomous variables, respectively. Results Of the 524 exposed located, 145 were selected according to age. A total of 97 unexposed were recruited. Compared to unexposed, exposed had slightly higher SBP and PP after adjusting for occupation, body mass index (BMI) and food consumption [SBP = 1.4 mmHg (− 2.2, 4.8) and PP = 2.6 mmHg (− 0.3, 6.0)]. However, their DBP was lower than that of the unexposed [− 1.6 mmHg (− 4.6, 1.5)]. MBP and creatinine levels were similar between the two groups. The prevalence of HBP adjusted for age was higher among exposed than unexposed (9.7% vs 5.3%). In addition, the odds of having HBP was higher among exposed than unexposed, however the observed difference was not statistically significant [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.9 (0.7, 5.6)]. Finally, using multiple regression analysis, although the effect was not significant, SAM was a major contributor to HBP [adjusted OR 3.1 (0.9,10.9), p = 0.064], while only male gender and higher BMI (overweight/obesity) emerged as independent predictors of HBP among this young study population. Conclusions This study suggests that an episode of SAM in childhood has a weak impact on BP variability in young Congolese adults (from DRC) living in an environment without nutrition transition. However, people who experienced a period of SAM tended to have a higher prevalence of HBP and a much higher risk of developing HBP than unexposed. Additional multicentre studies involving a larger cohort would provide greater understanding of the impact of SAM on the overall risk of BP disorders during adulthood.

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NOS SUBMUNDOS DA GLOBALIZAÇÃO ECONÔMICA: o processo de fragmentação do convívio e desterritorialização simbólica de uma aldeia de pescadores

InterEspaço Revista de Geografia e Interdisciplinaridade ◽

10.18764/2446-6549.2019.10087 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 5 (16) ◽

pp. 10087

Author(s):

Cezar Augusto Rufino de Santa Ana

Keyword(s):

Population Growth ◽

Rio De Janeiro ◽

Economic Globalization ◽

Community Life ◽

Urban Settlement ◽

Analysis Process ◽

Nature And Culture ◽

History Of ◽

The Impact ◽

The City

THE UNDERWORLDS OF ECONOMIC GLOBALIZATION: the process of fragmentation of community life and symbolic deterritorialization of a fishing villageEN LOS SUBMUNOS DE LA GLOBALIZACIÓN ECONÓMICA: el proceso de fragmentación de la convivencia y desterritorialización simbólica de una aldea de pescadoresO presente estudo apresenta conclusões obtidas no processo de investigação e análise da dissertação de mestrado intitulada “O lugar com aquarela de natureza e cultura”, na qual investigamos a topoafetividade dos pescadores da Boca da Barra, em Rio das Ostras, RJ. A partir das investigações feitas no “jogo” entre alterações x persistências, rodeado pelo grande crescimento populacional e recente ocupação urbana da cidade de Rio das Ostras, serão apontadas marcas de desterritorialização, associadas às experiências, valores e atitudes dos pescadores, decorrentes dessa urbanização. Apontaremos ainda, as rupturas e as similitudes desse processo que nos permitem enxergar o lugar dos pescadores como um microcosmo do processo de globalização econômica, a partir de eventos de um novo cenário de relações sobre a história em movimento do grupo social em tela.Palavras-chave: Desterritorialização Simbólica; Globalização Econômica; Topoafetividade.ABSTRACTThe study presents conclusions reached in the research and analysis process of the master's dissertation entitled “The place as a watercolor of nature and culture”, in which we researched affectivity in the fishermen of Boca da Barra, Rio das Ostras, RJ. Based on the research into the "play" between changes x continuity amidst significant population growth and recent urban settlement of the city of Rio das Ostras, we will review the impact of deterritorialization on the experiences, values and attitudes of the fishermen arising from urbanization. We will also examine the ruptures and similarities in this process, which allow us to see the fishermen's home as a microcosm of the economic globalization process in which a new pattern of relationships unfolds in the on-going history of a social group.Keywords: Symbolic Deterritorialization; Economic Globalization; Affectivity.RESUMENEl presente estudio presenta conclusiones obtenidas en el proceso de investigación y análisis de la disertación de máster titulada “El lugar como acuarela de naturaleza y cultura”, en la que investigamos la topoafectividad de los pescadores de Boca da Barra, en Rio das Ostras, Rio de Janeiro. A partir de las investigaciones realizadas en el "juego" entre alteraciones x persistencias, rodeado por el gran crecimiento poblacional y reciente ocupación urbana de la ciudad de Rio das Ostras, se registrarán marcas de desterritorialización, asociadas a las experiencias, valores y actitudes de los pescadores, a consecuencia de esa urbanización. Registraremos también, las rupturas y las similitudes de ese proceso que nos permiten ver el lugar de los pescadores como un microcosmos del proceso de globalización económica, a partir de eventos de un nuevo escenario de relaciones sobre la historia en movimiento del grupo social en cuestión.Palabras clave: Desterritorialización Simbólica; Globalización Económica; Topoafectividad.

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Abstract 15730: Ankle-Brachial Index and Physical Function in Community-Based Older Adults: The Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) Study

Circulation ◽

10.1161/circ.130.suppl_2.15730 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 130 (suppl_2) ◽

Author(s):

Kunihiro Matsushita ◽

Shoshana Ballew ◽

Yingying Sang ◽

Corey Kalbaugh ◽

Laura Loehr ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Older Adults ◽

Physical Function ◽

Independent Living ◽

Ankle Brachial Index ◽

Poor Performance ◽

Community Dwelling ◽

Atherosclerosis Risk In Communities ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

History Of ◽

The Impact

Background: Lower extremity peripheral artery disease (PAD), commonly defined by an ankle-brachial index (ABI) <0.9, increases mortality risk and also reduces physical function. All prior studies of the impact of PAD on objectively measured physical function have been in restricted populations with known PAD or physical inactivity, leaving uncertainty regarding its impact in the community. Methods: We studied 5,351 ARIC participants (age 71-90 years during 2011-2013) who underwent the assessment of ABI and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB, 0-12 scale), a summary measure of physical function based on three domains (4-meter walk velocity, timed chair stands, and standing balance). Logistic regression models examined the association of ABI with poor physical function (SPPB score <6), adjusting for potential confounders including a history of other cardiovascular diseases. Results: There were 463 participants (8.2%) with ABI <0.9 and 506 participants (9.0%) with ABI ≥1.3, a potential manifestation of PAD reflecting noncompressible pedal arteries. Both ABI <0.9 and ≥1.3 were significantly and independently associated with higher odds of having poor physical function compared to those with a normal ABI (1.1-1.2). The 469 participants (8.8%) with a “borderline” low ABI (0.9-1.0) also demonstrated significantly poor physical function. Low ABI was significantly associated with poor performance in every SPPB domain, whereas none were statistically significant for high ABI. The results were largely consistent among those without a history of stroke or heart failure. Conclusion: In our population of community-dwelling older adults, ~25% had low, borderline low, or high ABI suggestive of PAD and demonstrated poorer physical function compared to those with normal ABI. Since physical function is a key element for independent living in older adults and several therapeutic options for PAD exist, our findings may have broad and important implications.

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The Association between Residence Floor Level and Cardiovascular Disease: The Health and Environment in Oslo Study

Journal of Environmental and Public Health ◽

10.1155/2016/2951658 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 2016 ◽

pp. 1-12 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mads K. Rohde ◽

Geir Aamodt

Keyword(s):

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Regression Models ◽

Atmospheric Electricity ◽

Tall Buildings ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression ◽

Floor Level ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

History Of ◽

The Impact ◽

Residual Confounding

Background.Increasingly more people live in tall buildings and on higher floor levels. Factors relating to floor level may protect against or cause cardiovascular disease (CVD). Only one previous study has investigated the association between floor level and CVD.Methods.We studied associations between floor of bedroom and self-reported history of stroke, venous thromboembolism (VTE), and intermittent claudication (IC) among 12.525 inhabitants in Oslo, Norway. We fitted multivariate logistic regression models and adjusted for sociodemographic variables, socioeconomic status (SES), and health behaviors. Additionally, we investigated block apartment residents (N=5.374) separately.Results.Trend analyses showed that disease prevalence increased by floor level, for all three outcomes. When we investigated block apartment residents alone, the trends disappeared, but one association remained: higher odds of VTE history on 6th floor or higher, compared to basement and 1st floor (OR: 1.504; 95% CI: 1.007–2.247).Conclusion.Floor level is positively associated with CVD, in Oslo. The best-supported explanation may be residual confounding by building height and SES. Another explanation, about the impact of atmospheric electricity, is also presented. The results underline a need to better understand the associations between residence floor level and CVD and multistory housing and CVD.

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Familial Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy: Clinical Determinants of Phenotype Discordance and the Impact of Endurance Sports

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm9113781 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 9 (11) ◽

pp. 3781

Author(s):

Sarah Costa ◽

Alessio Gasperetti ◽

Argelia Medeiros-Domingo ◽

Deniz Akdis ◽

Corinna Brunckhorst ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variants ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Expression Profiles ◽

Phenotypic Expression ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Incomplete Penetrance ◽

Common Denominator ◽

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy ◽

Variable Expression ◽

The Impact

Arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is primarily a familial disease with autosomal dominant inheritance. Incomplete penetrance and variable expression are common, resulting in diverse clinical manifestations. Although recent studies on genotype–phenotype relationships have improved our understanding of the molecular mechanisms leading to the expression of the full-blown disease, the underlying genetic substrate and the clinical course of asymptomatic or oligo-symptomatic mutation carriers are still poorly understood. We aimed to analyze different phenotypic expression profiles of ACM in the context of the same familial genetic mutation by studying nine adult cases from four different families with four different familial variants (two plakophilin-2 and two desmoglein-2) from the Swiss Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC) Registry. The affected individuals with the same genetic variants presented with highly variable phenotypes ranging from no disease or a classical, right-sided disease, to ACM with biventricular presentation. Moreover, some patients developed early-onset, electrically unstable disease whereas others with the same genetic variants presented with late-onset electrically stable disease. Despite differences in age, gender, underlying genotype, and other clinical characteristics, physical exercise has been observed as the common denominator in provoking an arrhythmic phenotype in these families.

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Examining the Impact of Child Adversity on Use of Preventive Health Care among Children

Health & Social Work ◽

10.1093/hsw/hly033 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 44 (1) ◽

pp. 22-29

Author(s):

Héctor Ernesto Alcalá ◽

Elinam Dellor

Keyword(s):

Health Care ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Preventive Health Care ◽

Preventive Health ◽

Insurance Status ◽

Adult Health ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

History Of ◽

Uninsured Children ◽

The Impact

Abstract Child adversity has a negative impact on child and adult health. The present study aimed to determine whether adverse family experiences (AFEs) were associated with use of preventive health care (PHC) among children and whether insurance status affected this association. This study examined data from the 2011–2012 National Survey of Children’s Health (N = 88,849) and included responses for children ages zero to 17 years. Logistic regression models were used to estimate odds of using PHC from AFEs. Results were stratified by insurance status and confounders were accounted for. Among the entire sample and the insured, most AFEs were not associated with use of PHC. Among the uninsured, several AFEs—lived with parents or guardians who were separated, lived with parent or guardian who was incarcerated, witnessing or experiencing violence in the household, and living with anyone who had substance abuse problems—and the sum of AFEs were associated with increased use of PHC. Findings are consistent with newer research showing that some disadvantage or adversity is associated with more optimal use of PHC. In addition, uninsured children with a history of AFEs would benefit from insurance, given their increased use of PHC.

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The Role of Immunogenetics in COVID-19

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22052636 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 2636

Author(s):

Fanny Pojero ◽

Giuseppina Candore ◽

Calogero Caruso ◽

Danilo Di Bona ◽

David A. Groneberg ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Variants ◽

Viral Infections ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Drug Repurposing ◽

Future Research ◽

Life Threatening ◽

History Of ◽

Treatment Plans ◽

And Function

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is induced by SARS-CoV-2 and may arise as a variety of clinical manifestations, ranging from an asymptomatic condition to a life-threatening disease associated with cytokine storm, multiorgan and respiratory failure. The molecular mechanism behind such variability is still under investigation. Several pieces of experimental evidence suggest that genetic variants influencing the onset, maintenance and resolution of the immune response may be fundamental in predicting the evolution of the disease. The identification of genetic variants behind immune system reactivity and function in COVID-19 may help in the elaboration of personalized therapeutic strategies. In the frenetic look for universally shared treatment plans, those genetic variants that are common to other diseases/models may also help in addressing future research in terms of drug repurposing. In this paper, we discuss the most recent updates about the role of immunogenetics in determining the susceptibility to and the history of SARS-CoV-2 infection. We propose a narrative review of available data, speculating about lessons that we have learnt from other viral infections and immunosenescence, and discussing what kind of aspects of research should be deepened in order to improve our knowledge of how host genetic variability impacts the outcome for COVID-19 patients.

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