scholarly journals Dynamic Changes in Central and Peripheral Neuro-Injury vs. Neuroprotective Serum Markers in COVID-19 Are Modulated by Different Types of Anti-Viral Treatments but Do Not Affect the Incidence of Late and Early Strokes

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 1791
Author(s):  
Krzysztof Laudanski ◽  
Jihane Hajj ◽  
Mariana Restrepo ◽  
Kumal Siddiq ◽  
Tony Okeke ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Serum Markers ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Neurological Outcomes ◽  
Total Tau ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Baseline Levels ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Over Time

The balance between neurodegeneration, neuroinflammation, neuroprotection, and COVID-19-directed therapy may underly the heterogeneity of SARS-CoV-2′s neurological outcomes. A total of 105 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of COVID-19 had serum collected over a 6 month period to assess neuroinflammatory (MIF, CCL23, MCP-1), neuro-injury (NFL, NCAM-1), neurodegenerative (KLK6, τ, phospho τ, amyloids, TDP43, YKL40), and neuroprotective (clusterin, fetuin, TREM-2) proteins. These were compared to markers of nonspecific inflammatory responses (IL-6, D-dimer, CRP) and of the overall viral burden (spike protein). Data regarding treatment (steroids, convalescent plasma, remdasavir), pre-existing conditions, and incidences of strokes were collected. Amyloid β42, TDP43, NF-L, and KLK6 serum levels declined 2–3 days post-admission, yet recovered to admission baseline levels by 7 days. YKL-40 and NCAM-1 levels remained elevated over time, with clusters of differential responses identified among TREM-2, TDP43, and YKL40. Fetuin was elevated after the onset of COVID-19 while TREM-2 initially declined before significantly increasing over time. MIF serum level was increased 3–7 days after admission. Ferritin correlated with TDP-43 and KLK6. No treatment with remdesivir coincided with elevations in Amyloid-β40. A lack of convalescent plasma resulted in increased NCAM-1 and total tau, and steroidal treatments did not significantly affect any markers. A total of 11 incidences of stroke were registered up to six months after initial admission for COVID-19. Elevated D-dimer, platelet counts, IL-6, and leukopenia were observed. Variable MIF serum levels differentiated patients with CVA from those who did not have a stroke during the acute phase of COVID-19. This study demonstrated concomitant and opposite changes in neurodegenerative and neuroprotective markers persisting well into recovery.

Measuring Agency Change Across the Domain of Hypnosis

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Vince Polito ◽  
Amanda Barnier ◽  
Erik Woody
Keyword(s):  
Rating Scale ◽  
Sense Of Agency ◽  
Pass Rates ◽  
Current Experiment ◽  
Multidimensional Construct ◽  
Time Points ◽  
Hypnotic Induction ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Postexperimental Inquiry

Building on Hilgard’s (1965) classic work, the domain of hypnosis has been conceptualised by Barnier, Dienes, and Mitchell (2008) as comprising three levels: (1) classic hypnotic items, (2) responding between and within items, and (3) state and trait. The current experiment investigates sense of agency across each of these three levels. Forty-six high hypnotisable participants completed an ideomotor (arm levitation), a challenge (arm rigidity) and a cognitive (anosmia) item either following a hypnotic induction (hypnosis condition) or without a hypnotic induction (wake condition). In a postexperimental inquiry, participants rated their feelings of control at three time points for each item: during the suggestion, test and cancellation phases. They also completed the Sense of Agency Rating Scale (Polito, Barnier, & Woody, 2013) for each item. Pass rates, control ratings, and agency scores fluctuated across the different types of items and for the three phases of each item; also, control ratings and agency scores often differed across participants who passed versus failed each item. Interestingly, whereas a hypnotic induction influenced the likelihood of passing items, it had no direct effect on agentive experiences. These results suggest that altered sense of agency is not a unidimensional or static quality “switched on” by hypnotic induction, but a dynamic multidimensional construct that varies across items, over time and according to whether individuals pass or fail suggestions.

Imagery in the Book of Revelation

2020 ◽  
pp. 52-67
Author(s):  
Konrad Huber
Keyword(s):  
Reception History ◽  
Book Of Revelation ◽  
Imperial Cult ◽  
Emotional Effect ◽  
Greco Roman ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Figurative Speech ◽  
Theological Message ◽  
Over Time ◽  
The Way

The chapter first surveys different types of figurative speech in Revelation, including simile, metaphor, symbol, and narrative image. Second, it considers the way images are interrelated in the narrative world of the book. Third, it notes how the images draw associations from various backgrounds, including biblical and later Jewish sources, Greco-Roman myths, and the imperial cult, and how this enriches the understanding of the text. Fourth, the chapter looks at the rhetorical impact of the imagery on readers and stresses in particular its evocative, persuasive, and parenetic function together with its emotional effect. And fifth, it looks briefly at the way reception history shows how the imagery has engaged readers over time. Thus, illustrated by numerous examples, it becomes clear how essentially the imagery of the book of Revelation constitutes and determines its theological message.

scholarly journals OP0313 PRELIMINARY CRITERIA FOR MACROPHAGE ACTIVATION SYNDROME ASSOCIATED WITH CORONAVIRUS DISEASE-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 191.1-192
Author(s):  
S. Amikishiyev ◽  
M. G. Gunver ◽  
M. Bektas ◽  
S. Aghamuradov ◽  
B. Ince ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Macrophage Activation Syndrome ◽  
Macrophage Activation ◽  
Laboratory Data ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Ferritin Concentration ◽  
Neutrophil Lymphocyte Ratio ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
D Dimer ◽  
Activation Syndrome

Background:COVID-19 runs a severe disease associated with acute respiratory distress syndrome in a subset of patients, and a hyperinflammatory response developing in the second week contributes to the worse outcome. Inflammatory features are mostly compatible with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) observed in other viral infections despite resulting in milder changes. Early detection and treatment of MAS may be associated with a better outcome. However, available criteria for MAS associated with other causes have not been helpful.Objectives:To identify distinct features of MAS associated with COVID-19 using a large database enabling to assess of dynamic changes.Methods:PCR-confirmed hospitalized COVID-19 patients followed between March and September 2020 constituted the discovery set. Patients considered to have findings of MAS by experienced physicians and given anakinra or tocilizumab were classified as the MAS group and the remaining patients as the non-MAS group. The MAS group was then re-grouped as the cases with exact-MAS and borderline-MAS cases by the study group. Clinical and laboratory data including the Ct values of the PCR test were obtained from the database, and dynamic changes were evaluated especially for the first 14 days of the hospitalization. The second set of 162 patients followed between September-December 2020 were used as the replication group to test the preliminary criteria. In the second set, hospitalization rules were changed, and all patients required oxygen support and received dexamethasone 6mg/day or equivalent glucocorticoids. Daily changes were calculated for the laboratory items in MAS, borderline, and non-MAS groups to see the days differentiating the groups, and ROC curves and lower and upper limits (10-90%) of the selected parameters were calculated to determine the cutoff values.Results:A total of 769 PCR-confirmed hospitalized patients were analysed, and 77 of them were classified as MAS and 83 as borderline MAS patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline viral loads of MAS patients compared to the non-MAS group according to the Ct values. Daily dynamic changes in the MAS group differed from the non-MAS group especially around the 6th day of hospitalization, and more than a twofold increase in ferritin and a 1.5-fold increase in D-dimer levels compared to the baseline values help to define the MAS group. Twelve items selected for the criteria are given in Table 1 below. The total score of 45 provided 79.6% sensitivity for the MAS (including borderline cases) and 81.3% specificity around days 5 and 6 in the discovery set, and a score of 60 increased the specificity to 94.9% despite a decrease in sensitivity to 40.8%. The same set provided a similar sensitivity (80.3%) in the replication, but a lower specificity (47.4-66% on days 6 to 9) due to a group of control patients with findings of MAS possibly masked by glucocorticoids.Table 1.Preliminary Criteria for Macrophage Activation Syndrome Associated with Coronavirus Disease-191.Fever (>37.0 °C)2.Ferritin concentration > 550 ng/mL3.More than 2 times increase of ferritin concentration within 7 days of disease onset4.Neutrophil count > 6000 cell/mm35.Lymphopenia < 1000 cell/mm36.Neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio > 67.D-dimer concentration > 1000 ng/ml8.More than 50% increase of D-dimer concentration within 7 days of disease onset9.CRP concetration > 50 mg/L10.LDH concentration > 300 U/L11.ALT or AST concentration > 50 U/L12.Procalcitonin concentration < 1.21 point for each positive item assessed on Days 5-7Score calculation: Total points / 12 x 100Possible MAS ≥45 and Definite MAS ≥60Conclusion:This study defined a set of preliminary criteria using the most relevant items of MAS according to the dynamic changes in the parameters in a group of COVID-19 patients. A score of 45 would be helpful to define a possible MAS group with reasonable sensitivity and specificity to start necessary treatments as early as possible.Disclosure of Interests:None declared.

scholarly journals SAT0007 BLOCKING HISTAMINE-RELEASING FACTOR/TRANSLATIONALLY CONTROLLED TUMOR PROTEIN (HRF/TCTP) ATTENUATES AGGRESSIVENESS OF FIBROBLAST-LIKE SYNOVIOCYTES AND AMELIORATES COLLAGEN-INDUCED ARTHRITIS IN RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS

2020 ◽  
Vol 79 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 934.3-934
Author(s):  
M. Kim ◽  
Y. Choe ◽  
H. Lee ◽  
Y. H. Cheon ◽  
S. I. Lee
Keyword(s):  
Rheumatoid Arthritis ◽  
Cancer Progression ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Joint Destruction ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Collagen Induced Arthritis ◽  
Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein ◽  
Biochemical Analyses ◽  
Fibroblast Like Synoviocytes

Background:Histamine-releasing factor/translationally controlled tumor protein (HRF/TCTP) stimulates cancer progression and allergic responses. Increased expression of HRF/TCTP occurs in joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients, but the role of HRF/TCTP in RA remains undefinedObjectives:In this study, we explored the pathogenic significance of HRF/TCTP and evaluated therapeutic effects of HRF/TCTP blockade in RA.Methods:HRF/TCTP transgenic (TG) and knockdown (KD) mice with collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) were used to determine experimental phenotypes of RA. HRF/TCTP levels were measured in sera and joint fluids in patients with RA and compared to those with osteoarthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, Behcet disease, and healthy controls. HRF/TCTP expression was also assessed in synovium and fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) obtained from RA or OA patients. Finally, we assessed effects of HRF/TCTP and dimerized HRF/TCTP binding peptide-2 (dTBP2), an inhibitor of HRF/TCTP, in RA-FLS and CIA mice.Results:Our clinical, radiological, histological, and biochemical analyses indicate that inflammatory responses and joint destruction were increased in HRF/TCTP TG mice, and decreased in KD mice compared to wild-type littermates. HRF/TCTP levels were higher in sera, synovial fluid, synovium, and FLS of patients with RA than in control groups. Serum levels of HRF/TCTP correlated well with disease activity in RA. Tumor-like aggressiveness of RA-FLS was exacerbated by HRF/TCTP stimulation and ameliorated by dTBP2 treatment. dTBP2 exerted protective and therapeutic effects in CIA mice, and had no detrimental effect in a murine tuberculosis model.Conclusion:Our results indicate that HRF/TCTP represents a novel biomarker and therapeutic target for diagnosis and treatment of RA.References:N/AAcknowledgments :National Research Foundation of KoreaKorea Health Industry Development InstituteDisclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals Effect of scent on comfort of aircraft passengers

Work ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 68 (s1) ◽  
pp. S273-S280
Author(s):  
Xinhe Yao ◽  
Yu Song ◽  
Peter Vink
Keyword(s):  
Completion Time ◽  
Aircraft Cabin ◽  
Different Types ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Over Time

BACKGROUND: Scents may influence the perceived comfort of an environment. There are only a few studies conducted on the relationship between scent and comfort in aircraft cabin. OBJECTIVES: The goal of this research is to explore whether relationships between scents and perceived comfort can be found for passengers in an aircraft cabin. METHODS: 276 participants joined an experiment in a Boeing 737 fuselage. The participants were divided into nine groups and each joined a session for 60 minutes with the exposure to different scents. The effect of the odor was measured by a set of questionnaires at the beginning and at the end of the session. Results of questionnaires were analyzed regarding the effects on the completion time, of the type of scents, of the intensity of the scent and on gender. RESULTS: Significant differences were found at the beginning and at the end of the experiment regarding comfort and emotion, but sometimes no relations could be established. The influence of different scents on comfort/discomfort varied and changed over time. However, in all scenarios, participant’ scores on emotion decreased. Additionally, the added scents influenced the linearity between the changes in comfort and discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: Smell could influence the perceived comfort/discomfort of aircraft passengers over time, and different types of smells have different effects on passengers. The preferences on scents are diverse, which highlights the need for personalization in aircraft cabin design.

scholarly journals Peptide VSAK maintains tissue glucose uptake and attenuates pro-inflammatory responses caused by LPS in an experimental model of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome: a PET study

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ismael Luna-Reyes ◽  
Eréndira G. Pérez-Hernández ◽  
Blanca Delgado-Coello ◽  
Miguel Ángel Ávila-Rodríguez ◽  
Jaime Mas-Oliva
Keyword(s):  
Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ◽  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Glucose Uptake ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Systemic Inflammatory Response ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Inflammatory Molecules ◽  
Circulating Levels ◽  
Lps Treatment

AbstractThe present investigation using Positron Emission Tomography shows how peptide VSAK can reduce the detrimental effects produced by lipopolysaccharides in Dutch dwarf rabbits, used to develop the Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). Animals concomitantly treated with lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and peptide VSAK show important protection in the loss of radiolabeled-glucose uptake observed in diverse organs when animals are exclusively treated with LPS. Treatment with peptide VSAK prevented the onset of changes in serum levels of glucose and insulin associated with the establishment of SIRS and the insulin resistance-like syndrome. Treatment with peptide VSAK also allowed an important attenuation in the circulating levels of pro-inflammatory molecules in LPS-treated animals. As a whole, our data suggest that peptide VSAK might be considered as a candidate in the development of new therapeutic possibilities focused on mitigating the harmful effects produced by lipopolysaccharides during the course of SIRS.

scholarly journals In Vitro Evaluation of the Anti-Inflammatory Effect of KMUP-1 and in Vivo Analysis of Its Therapeutic Potential in Osteoarthritis

Biomedicines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 615
Author(s):  
Shang-En Huang ◽  
Erna Sulistyowati ◽  
Yu-Ying Chao ◽  
Bin-Nan Wu ◽  
Zen-Kong Dai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Articular Cartilage ◽  
Inflammatory Responses ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Antioxidant Properties ◽  
Serum Levels ◽  
Gene Expressions ◽  
Tnf Α ◽  
Anti Inflammatory

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative arthropathy that is mainly characterized by dysregulation of inflammatory responses. KMUP-1, a derived chemical synthetic of xanthine, has been shown to have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Here, we aimed to investigate the in vitro anti-inflammatory and in vivo anti-osteoarthritis effects of KMUP-1. Protein and gene expressions of inflammation markers were determined by ELISA, Western blotting and microarray, respectively. RAW264.7 mouse macrophages were cultured and pretreated with KMUP-1 (1, 5, 10 μM). The productions of TNF-α, IL-6, MMP-2 and MMP- 9 were reduced by KMUP-1 pretreatment in LPS-induced inflammation of RAW264.7 cells. The expressions of iNOS, TNF-α, COX-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were also inhibited by KMUP-1 pretreatment. The gene expression levels of TNF and COX families were also downregulated. In addition, KMUP-1 suppressed the activations of ERK, JNK and p38 as well as phosphorylation of IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathways. Furthermore, SIRT1 inhibitor attenuated the inhibitory effect of KMUP-1 in LPS-induced NF-κB activation. In vivo study showed that KMUP-1 reduced mechanical hyperalgesia in monoiodoacetic acid (MIA)-induced rats OA. Additionally, KMUP-1 pretreatment reduced the serum levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in MIA-injected rats. Moreover, macroscopic and histological observation showed that KMUP-1 reduced articular cartilage erosion in rats. Our results demonstrated that KMUP-1 inhibited the inflammatory responses and restored SIRT1 in vitro, alleviated joint-related pain and cartilage destruction in vivo. Taken together, KMUP-1 has the potential to improve MIA-induced articular cartilage degradation by inhibiting the levels and expression of inflammatory mediators suggesting that KMUP-1 might be a potential therapeutic agent for OA.

scholarly journals Dynamic changes in practical inflammation and immunity markers in cancer patients receiving immune-enhancing nutritional supplementation during concurrent chemoradiotherapy

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Nontiya Homkham ◽  
Pooriwat Muangwong ◽  
Veeradej Pisprasert ◽  
Patrinee Traisathit ◽  
Rungarun Jiratrachu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy ◽  
Absolute Lymphocyte Count ◽  
Diet Group ◽  
Cancer Therapies ◽  
Dynamic Changes ◽  
Regular Diet ◽  
Over Time

BACKGROUND: Immune-enhancing nutrition (IMN) strengthens the systematic inflammatory response and the immune system. Neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and absolute lymphocyte count (ALC) are affected during cancer therapies. OBJECTIVE: We carried out an analysis of the dynamic changes in NLR and ALC over time in cancer patients with or without IMN supplementation. METHODS: 88 cancer patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) were randomized into regular diet group, and regular diet and IMN group.Generalized estimation equation models were used to assess associations between patient’s characteristics, IMN, and dynamic changes in NLR and ALC over time. RESULTS: NLR and ALC at preCCRT were significantly associated with dynamic changes in NLR (adjusted β= 1.08, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64–1.52) and ALC (adjusted β= 0.41, 95% CI: 0.36–0.46). The magnitudes of the NLR and ALC changes through CCRT were lower in patients receiving IMN, although the differences were not statistically significant except ALC at the end of CCRT in head and neck cancer patients (P= 0.023). CONCLUSION: Dynamic negative changes in both markers were demonstrated throughout CCRT. There were non-significant trend in promising changes in both NLR and ALC values in the whole group in IMN supplementation.

Canadian Exceptionalism: Explaining Differences over Time in Provincial and Federal Voter Turnout

2001 ◽  
Vol 34 (2) ◽  
pp. 299-319 ◽  
Author(s):  
Donley T. Studlar
Keyword(s):  
Regression Analysis ◽  
Population Density ◽  
Multiple Regression Analysis ◽  
Voter Turnout ◽  
The Political ◽  
Federal Level ◽  
Industrial Democracies ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Over Time ◽  
Cross National

Canada is unusual among advanced industrial democracies in having some provinces which regularly have greater voter turnouts for provincial than for federal elections. Provincial and federal turnouts by province in Canada are analyzed for the 1945-1998 period using multiple regression analysis, both for each set of elections and by comparing differences between the two. Federal turnout has declined over the years but provincial turnout appears to have increased slightly. Although the effects found here largely confirm previous findings about the relative effects of different types of variables found for the Canadian federal level only, several of the political explanations previously supported in cross-national research find less support. Instead, region, population density, months since the last federal or provincial election, and season of the year generally have greater and sometimes more consistent effects. This suggests the need for more studies of turnout in democracies at sub-central levels.

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