Popecollins9815
Our results demonstrate that the VLPs containing antigenic peptides of F protein combined with a CTL epitope of M2 may represent a promising RSV subunit vaccine candidate.This study analyzes global health consequences of the new coronavirus disease by focusing on the roles of normative beliefs on social distancing and country-level factors, i.e., mobility estimate and globalization index. We fitted mixed effects models to examine the associations between two outcome measures, depression and self-rated health, and their multilevel determinants using a subset of Global Behaviors and Perceptions in the COVID-19 Pandemic, an online survey consisting of more than 100,000 participants from 67 nations. Results show that both personal beliefs and general beliefs significantly predict depression and poor health. There is also a contextual effect of globalization on depression. In addition, the relationship between general beliefs and depression is stronger in countries with lower rates of mobility. With respect to poor health, the effect of general beliefs similarly varies inversely with the level of globalization. Our study indicates that one's own beliefs and the perception of others' regarding social distancing, along with contextual factors (measures of mobility and globalization), critically shape mental and physical health. Subjective and objective factors should be considered, in other words, in properly understanding the differential impact of COVID-19 across the world.
To summarize the current body of evidence on the relationship between impaired male fertility and the risk of early death through a systematic review and meta-analysis of population-based retrospective cohort studies.
PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched from inception to August 2020 according to the Meta-analysis Of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (MOOSE) guidelines. Pooled Risk Ratio (RR), Risk Difference (Δr), Hazard Ratio (HR) and Standardized Mortality Ratio (SMR) differences among male factor infertility cohorts were compared to fertile/normospermic control populations or to national mortality data.
Six studies from 2006 to 2020 met inclusion criteria. Three studies examined male infertility and mortality (n
= 202,456; n
= 1396), while four studies examined survival in relation to semen parameters (n
= 59,291; n
= 643). Comparing infertile to fertile men, pooled HR for the risk of death was 1.26 (95%CI1.01-1.59). Pooled RR and Δr of deaortant.We present a clinical imaging question focusing on a newborn with known prenatal history of a multicystic dysplastic kidney, and an incidental ipsilateral retrovesical seminal vesical cysts, raising the diagnosis of a Zinner Syndrome. The diagnosis is challenging in this age group. Surgical management is generally proposed for symptomatic cases at older age.
Advance care planning (ACP) conversations represent an important physician skill, a need further highlighted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Most resident ACP training occurs in inpatient, settings, often featuring goals of care (GOC) conversations during a crisis. Outpatient clinics are valuable but underutilized settings to provide skills training for residents, yet little research has been done in these spaces.
We sought to 1) create an ACP curriculum harnessing the principles of a community of practice in a virtual format, and 2) obtain residents' perspectives regarding their skills and confidence in having early GOC conversations in the outpatient setting.
We interviewed 48 internal medicine residents using questionnaires, reflective narratives, and transcripts of debriefing conversations. We created a virtual curriculum during the ambulatory week which included didactics, virtual role plays, ACP phone conversations with five patients, and group debriefings. Quantitative data were analyzed for changes in for ACP curriculum. The virtual community of practice created space for a metacognitive unmasking of prior resident unconscious incompetence. Also, inpatient, crisis-oriented late GOC conversation skills may translate poorly to the outpatient setting requiring early and ongoing GOC skills. Residents need more training to navigate ACP conversations in ambulatory environments.
The French parliament passed a groundbreaking law in 2016, opening a right for patients to access continuous and deep sedation until death (CDS) at the end of life, under conditions. Parliamentarians' goal was to consolidate patients' rights whilst avoiding legislating on medical aid in dying.
To conduct a first national retrospective survey on CDS to evaluate the number of CDS requested, proposed and performed in 2017 and to elicit qualitative data from physicians on the practice and on the terms used by patients to refer to CDS.
Early 2018, an online survey was sent to all French hospitals, nursing homes, hospital at homes services and general practitioners (GPs). Descriptive statistics and qualitative inductive content analysis were used to analyze the data and comments of respondents.
The qualitative data show that respondents generally approve the law on CDS as it sets a legal framework; nonetheless, there is a persistent controversy about CDS vs. euthanasia for some physicians in all settings. Gdata presented here show the relevance of exploring physicians' reflexive stances on this practice in different settings and within the context of a patient-physician relationship marked by a new patient's right. The study highlights the wide range of elements of language used by patients at the end of life, as understood by respondent physicians to mean a request for CDS and underscores the polymorphous meaning of CDS.
Research on palliative care (PC) can be used as a direct measure to assess the level of PC development in a country or region.
To investigate the scientific production in the field of PC in South American countries over the last two decades.
The search was performed using the terms "palliative care," "hospice care," "hospices," and "terminal care" combined with the names of South American countries in several databases. The trend in publications over time was analyzed by linear equations (R
) and by calculating the annual percentage change (APC). The article citations were extracted from Web of Science (WOS), Scopus and Google Scholar, and the countries' impact factors (IFc) were calculated.
Of the 4259 identified articles, 641 were included in the analysis. There was a clear increase in the number of publications over the analyzed period (R
= 0.8794, APC = 14.42%). Brazil was the country with the highest number of publications (n = 389); however, after adjustments by population, GDP and number of researchers, Chile was the country with the greatest prominence, including the highest IF in WOS (4.409). Only 8.3% of publications were systematic review, clinical trial or cohort studies; only 15.4% were funded.
This bibliometric review identified an annual increase of 14% in the number of scientific publications by researchers from South America over the last 20 years. Although Brazil produced the most articles, Chile, had the most efficient scientific production. In general, the articles had low potential for scientific impact.
This bibliometric review identified an annual increase of 14% in the number of scientific publications by researchers from South America over the last 20 years. selleck Although Brazil produced the most articles, Chile, had the most efficient scientific production. In general, the articles had low potential for scientific impact.
Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is characterized by the triad of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), asthma, and intolerance to cyclooxygenase-1 enzyme inhibitors. The underlying mechanisms contributing to AERD pathogenesis are not fully understood, but AERD is characterized by an enhanced type 2 inflammatory phenotype. link2 Basophils are potent type 2 effector cells, but their involvement in AERD pathophysiology remains unclear.
We sought to characterize the systemic and local basophil responses in patients with AERD compared with patients with CRSwNP.
Sinonasal tissues including inferior turbinate and/or nasal polyps (NPs) and peripheral blood were collected from controls, patients with AERD, and patients with CRSwNP. Expression of cell surface (CD45, FcεRI, CD203c), activation (CD63), and intracellular (2D7) markers associated with basophils was characterized using flow cytometry. Clinical data including Lund-Mackay scores and pulmonary function were obtained.
The mean numbERD.
Increased basophil numbers and extent of ongoing degranulation in NPs of patients with AERD compared with patients with CRSwNP may contribute to the exaggerated disease pathogenesis and severity unique to AERD.
Bronchial remodeling is a key feature of asthma that is already present in preschoolers with wheezing. Moreover, bronchial smooth muscle (BSM) remodeling at preschool age is predictive of asthma at school age. However, the mechanism responsible for BSM remodeling in preschoolers with wheezing remains totally unknown. In contrast, in adult asthma, BSM remodeling has been associated with an increase in BSM cell proliferation related to increased mitochondrial mass and biogenesis triggered by an altered calcium homeostasis. Indeed, BSM cell proliferation was decreased invitro by the calcium channel blocker gallopamil.
Our aim was to investigate the mechanisms involved in BSM cell proliferation in preschoolers with severe wheezing, with special attention to the role of mitochondria and calcium signaling.
Bronchial tissue samples obtained from 12 preschool controls without wheezing and 10 preschoolers with severe wheezing were used to measure BSM mass and establish primary BSM cell cultures. BSM cell prolifeeling at an early stage of the disease.
Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a severe type of allergic conjunctivitis for which treatment strategies are still under debate.
This study sought to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of medical treatments for VKC.
The PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and ScienceDirect databases were searched to assess the efficacy of treatments for VKC. Random-effect meta-analyses on changes in clinical scores of symptoms and signs between baseline and after treatment, stratified on treatment classes, were computed. Meta-regressions were searched for potential influencing parameters.
Included were 45 studies (27 randomized controlled trials and 18 prospective cohort studies), 1749 patients (78% were men; mean age, 11.2 years), and 12 different treatment classes. Mast cell stabilizers (MCSs; usually considered as first-line therapy), cyclosporine, and tacrolimus were the most studied drugs (in three-quarters of studies). Overall, all clinical scores improved. Total symptom and sign score decreased for MCSs (effect size, -3.19; 95% CI, -4.26 to -2.13), cyclosporine (effect size, -2.06; 95% CI, -2.72 to -1.40), and tacrolimus (effect size, -2.39; 95% CI, -3.36 to -1.43). No significant differences were shown depending on treatment classes, concentration, age, sex, baseline activity scores, and atopy. Sensitivity analyses demonstrated similar results.
This study confirms the efficacy of MCSs in the treatment of VKC. Efficacy of cyclosporine and tacrolimus did not differ, suggesting that tacrolimus is a good alternative to cyclosporine for severe cases of VKC. Further studies are needed to compare other drugs and their precise place in treatment strategy.
This study confirms the efficacy of MCSs in the treatment of VKC. link3 Efficacy of cyclosporine and tacrolimus did not differ, suggesting that tacrolimus is a good alternative to cyclosporine for severe cases of VKC. Further studies are needed to compare other drugs and their precise place in treatment strategy.