Cobbphillips5606

To evaluate longitudinal quantitative ischaemic and vasculature parameters, including ischaemic index, vessel area, length and geodesic distance in sickle cell retinopathy (SCR) on ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography (UWFA).

Optimal UWFA images from two longitudinal timepoints of 74 eyes from 45 patients with SCR were aligned and a common region of interest was determined. A deep-learning augmented ischaemia and vascular segmentation platform was used for feature extraction. Geodesic distance maps demonstrating the shortest distance within the vascular masks from the centre of the optic disc were created. Ischaemic index, vessel area, vessel length and geodesic distance were measured. Paired t-test and linear mixed effect model analysis were performed.

Overall, 25 (44 eyes) patients with HbSS, 14 (19 eyes) with HbSC, 6 (11 eyes) with HbSthal and other genotypes were included. Mean age was 40.1±11.0years. Mean time interval between two UWFA studies was 23.0±15.1months (range 3-71.3). Mean panretinal ischaemic index increased from 10.0±7.2% to 10.9±7.3% (p<0.005). Mean rate of change in ischaemic index was 0.5±0.7% per year. Mean vessel area (p=0.020) and geodesic distance (p=0.048) decreased significantly. Multivariate analysis demonstrated baseline ischaemic index and Goldberg stage are correlated with progression.

Longitudinal ischaemic index and retinal vascular parameter measurements demonstrate statistically significant progression in SCR. The clinical significance of these relatively small magnitude changes remains unclear but may provide insights into the progression of retinal ischaemia in SCR.

Longitudinal ischaemic index and retinal vascular parameter measurements demonstrate statistically significant progression in SCR. The clinical significance of these relatively small magnitude changes remains unclear but may provide insights into the progression of retinal ischaemia in SCR.The aim of this work was to evaluate the contribution of real-world evidence (RWE) in changing anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy treatment practices and improving real-world treatment strategies for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD).A PubMed literature search was performed to review the large number of English-language studies conducted to investigate the real-world effectiveness of anti-VEGF (aflibercept and ranibizumab) treatment paradigms available for nAMD.The evidence for pro re nata (PRN), treat-and-extend (T&E) and fixed bimonthly dosing regimens for anti-VEGF treatment of nAMD were reviewed and findings are summarised. RWE demonstrated that T&E regimens optimise visual outcomes while reducing burden on patients, clinics and physicians, compared with both fixed-dose and PRN regimens.RWE has helped to develop and improve real-world treatment strategies in nAMD, with the aim of optimising visual outcomes and reducing treatment burden in clinical practice. Of the various regimens, a T&E regimen is most likely to adequately balance clinical outcomes and treatment burden for patients with nAMD.

Black Americans experience higher levels of psychological distress but similar or lower rates of psychiatric disorders than Whites. This study aimed to clarify discordant distress-disorder patterns by distinguishing the sociodemographic and psychosocial risks (e.g. socioeconomic status, stress exposure) associated with distress and disorder among Blacks and Whites and by evaluating the distress-disorder linkage within and across racial groups.

Secondary analysis of the Nashville Stress and Health Study (n=1,246), a cross-sectional community epidemiologic survey of Blacks and Whites in Nashville, Tennessee, was used to assess distress (CES-D depressive symptoms scale) and major depressive disorder (MDD; based on the CIDI). Race-stratified models assessed correlates of each outcome and the distress-disorder association among racial groups; interactions considered potential moderating effects of SES and stress exposure on this association within each group.

Distress and disorder were differentially shaped cans. This has implications for public health practice, as pinpointing the protective mechanisms underlying Blacks' low disorder rates despite elevated risk exposure may inform more effective avenues of intervention.

The COVID-19 pandemic hit all over the world, and cancer patients are more vulnerable for COVID-19. The mortality rate may increase up to 25% in solid malignancies. In parallel to increased mortality rates among cancer patients, safety concerns regarding cancer treatment has increased over time. However, there were contradictory results for the cancer treatment during pandemic. In this study, we assessed the effect of cancer treatment on the severity of COVID-19.

The MEDLINE database was searched on September 01, 2020. Primary end-points were severe disease and death in the cancer patients treated within the last 30 days before COVID-19 diagnosis. Quality of included studies was assessed by Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The generic inverse-variance method was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for each outcome.

Sixteen studies were included for this meta-analysis. Chemotherapy within the last thirty days before COVID-19 diagnosis increased the risk of death in cancer patients after adjusting for confounding variables (OR 1.85; 95% confidence interval 1.26-2.71). However, severe COVID-19 risk did not increase. Furthermore, targeted therapies, immunotherapy, surgeryand radiotherapy did not increase the severe disease and death risk in cancer patients with COVID-19.

Chemotherapy increased the risk of death from COVID-19 in cancer patients. However, there was no safety concern for immunotherapy, targeted therapies, surgeryand radiotherapy.

Chemotherapy increased the risk of death from COVID-19 in cancer patients. However, there was no safety concern for immunotherapy, targeted therapies, surgery and radiotherapy.

The growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1) endocrine axis has a key role in normal growth and development. Laron syndrome (LS) is a type of dwarfism that results from mutation of the GH receptor, leading to congenital IGF1 deficiency. Epidemiological studies have shown that LS patients are protected from cancer. Genome-wide profiling led to the identification of a series of metabolic genes whose differential expression in LS might be linked to cancer protection. Nephronectin (NPNT) is an intracellular and secreted extracellular matrix protein with important roles in kidney development. NPNT was identified as the top-downregulated gene in LS-derived cells in comparison with ethnic-, age- and gender-matched controls (p-value=0.0148; fold-change=-3.12 versus controls). NPNT has not been previously linked to the IGF1 signaling pathway. The present study was aimed at evaluating the hypothesis that NPNT is a new target for IGF1 action and that decreased expression of NPNT in LS is correlated with cancer protection.

Basal and IGF1-stimulated NPNT expression were assessed in LS lymphoblastoid cells as well as in human breast and prostate cancer cells. NPNT silencing experiments were conducted using siRNA methodology.

We provide evidence that IGF1 stimulates NPNT expression in LS-derived lymphoblastoids and various cancer cell lines. In addition, we demonstrate that NPNT silencing results in diminished activation of the AKT and ERK1/2 pathways, with ensuing decreases in cellular proliferation.

Our data identified the NPNT gene as a target for IGF1 action. The clinical implications of the functional and physical interactions between NPNT and the IGF1 pathway merit further investigation.

Our data identified the NPNT gene as a target for IGF1 action. The clinical implications of the functional and physical interactions between NPNT and the IGF1 pathway merit further investigation.

Steroids are commonly used in patients with solid tumours for supportive therapy. see more In other cases, they are an essential part of cancer treatment such as prostate cancer. Some preclinical observations lead to the notion that glucocorticoids may modulate growth factors' pathways and may induce the progression of cancers. Glucocorticoids are associated with several side-effects on many organ systems (e.g. serious infections, diabetes, sepsisand thrombosis). We have performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the outcome of cancer patients that assume or not steroids.

Published articles that evaluated survival associated with steroids use in cancer patients from inception to June 2020 were identified by searching the PubMed, EMBASEand Cochrane Library databases. The primary outcome of interest was the risk of death, and the secondary end-point was the risk of progression in steroid versus non-steroid users.

Seventy-six studies were in quantitative synthesis for a total of 83,614 patients. Use of steroids was associated with a reduced survival (hazard ratios (HR)=1.18, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.1-1.26; P<.01). Progression-free survival was also decreased in steroid versus non-steroid users (HR=1.13, 95% CI 1.01-1.26; P=.03). In patients with lung cancer, advanced disease and supportive care indications were settings where the use of steroids increased the risk of death.

In patients with advanced cancers, use of steroids should be reduced and, at best, avoided because it may reduce survival, in particular, for patients with lung cancer and for palliative/supportive care purposes.

In patients with advanced cancers, use of steroids should be reduced and, at best, avoided because it may reduce survival, in particular, for patients with lung cancer and for palliative/supportive care purposes.The study employs conventional techniques and quantitative image analysis tools to characterize alginate-capped nanosilver synthesized by green methods. Sodium Alginate (0.5 %, 1 % and 2 %) was used as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Presence of particles was confirmed by UV-vis Spectroscopy, with absorbance maxima of 412-413 nm for 0.5 %, 1 % and 2 % of polymer. Hydrodynamic sizes of particles recorded for 0.5 %, 1 % and 2 % polymer were 128.4 ± 1.5, 129.9 ± 3.6 and 148.6 ± 1.0 nm by DLS. TEM revealed roughly spherical to cuboidal particles ranging from 15-20 nm and clusters of 100 nm and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy confirmed the presence of silver in the particles. Analysis of the TEM images was done in MATLAB R2016b using histogram equalisation for image enhancement and entropy filtering for image segmentation. These techniques revealed the surface pores and polymer distribution around the particle. Statistical analysis (ANOVA) was performed for the measured fractal dimensions of nanoparticles with polymer coating, width of particle together with polymer coating, and thickness of only polymer coating around the particle for various study groups. Significant differences (p less then 0.05) were found both between and within the study groups for fractal dimensions of nanoparticles with polymer coating, width of nanoparticles and thickness of polymer coating alone. The analysis was successful in confirming presence and thickness of polymer layer on particles.The veins in the hind wings of the Asian ladybird beetle (Harmonia axyridis) play active roles in flight and in the folding/unfolding of the hind wing. Wrinkled vein structures are located within the bending zone and are used for folding the hind wing. This paper investigates the coupled effect of wrinkled vein structures within the hind wing of H. axyridis on its deformation. Based on the nanomechanical properties of the veins, morphology of the hind wing, surface structures of the veins, and microstructures of the cross sections (including the veins and wing membranes), four 3-D coupling models (Model I and Model II variably reduced-modulus veins with and without wrinkles, respectively; Model III and Model IV uniformly reduced-modulus veins with and without wrinkles, respectively) are established. Relative to the bending and twisting model shapes, Model I has much more flexibility during passive deformation to control wing deformations. The simulation results show that both the wrinkled structures in the bending zone and the variably reduced modulus of the veins contribute to the flight performance (the bending and twisting deformations) of the hind wings, which has important implications for the design of the deployable wings of micro air vehicles (MAVs).