showing 36 of ~574560 from 574555 documents
Adaptive trends of sequence compositional complexity over pandemic time in the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus
2021
In the brief time since the outbreak of the COVID 19 pandemic, and despite its proofreading mechanism, the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus has accumulated a significant amount of genetic variability through recombination and mutation events. To test evolutionary trends that could inform us on the adaptive process of the virus to its human host, we summarize all this variability in the Sequence Compositional Complexity (SCC), a measure of genome heterogeneity that captures the mutational and recombinational changes accumulated by a nucleotide sequence along time. Despite the brief time elapsed, we detected many differences in the number and length of compositional domains, as well as in their nucleot…
Dissecting the packing forces in mixed perfluorocarbon/aromatic co-crystals
2021
We carried out a systematic evaluation of the packing forces in co-crystals featuring monoiodo- and diiodo-perfluoroalkanes and 1,2,4-oxadiazoles through single crystal X-ray diffraction and theoretical analysis. The molecules assemble via a combination of halogen bonding and specific dispersive interactions involving the perfluorinated units. We quantitatively elucidated the nature and strength of such interactions through solid-state calculations and Hirshfeld surface analysis. One of the co-crystals, formed by two monoiodoperfluorodecane molecules, the longest perfluorinated chain ever solved at the atomic level, allowed us to fully highlight the role of fluorous interactions.
The Effects of Low-frequency Vibration on Aligner Treatment Duration: A Clinical Trial
2021
Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of an orthodontic tooth movement acceleration device (AcceleDent, OrthoAccel Technologies, Houston, Texas) when used during an aligner treatment. Materials and Methods: Adult patients who began an aligner treatment (Lineo, Micerium Lab, Avegno, Italy) were allocated to two treatment groups. The first one (Group A), with a 7-day aligner change regimen, used the AcceleDent device for 20 min per day, whereas the second one (Group B) changed the aligners every 14 days and did not use any device. The registered outcomes were the possibility of completing the treatment, the number of aligners needed and treatment duration in t…
« Héritage de l’Indépendance et identité américaine dans Independence Day de Richard Ford : de l’historique au banal, de l’indépendance à la fragment…
2021
International audience
Ink depletion-free printing of phospholipids micropatches
2021
Effect of an orthodontic resin modified with silver-nanoparticles on enamel color change
2021
Background: To evaluate the effect of an orthodontic resin modified with various concentrations of silver-nanoparticles (AgNPs) on enamel color. Material and Methods: Twenty lower premolars were collected and divided into four groups (n = 5) according to the concentration of AgNPs (0.05%, 0.1%, 0.5%, and 1% wt/wt). Additionally, a group bonded with a conventional resin was used as control (n=5). Previous to the bracket bonding, enamel color was measuring with a spectrophotometer. Specimens were stored for 6 months in deionized water. Brackets were debonded and color changes of enamel were calculated with the CIEDE 2000 formula (ΔE00). One-way ANOVA and Tukey test were used to assess the col…
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2021
Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors predominate as first-line therapy options for renal cell carcinoma. When first-line TKI therapy fails due to resistance development, an optimal second-line therapy has not yet been established. The present investigation is directed towards comparing the anti-angiogenic properties of the TKIs, sorafenib and axitinib on human endothelial cells (HUVECs) with acquired resistance towards the TKI sunitinib. HUVECs were driven to resistance by continuously exposing them to sunitinib for six weeks. They were then switched to a 24 h or further six weeks treatment with sorafenib or axitinib. HUVEC growth, as well as angiogenesis (tube…
Gene therapy and editing in the treatment of hereditary blood disorders: Medical and ethical aspects
2021
Gene therapy and gene editing are revolutionising the treatment of genetic diseases, most notably haematological disorders. This paper evaluates the use of both techniques in hereditary blood disorders. Many studies have been conducted in this field, especially with gene therapy, with very promising results in diseases such as haemophilia, certain haemoglobinopathies and Fanconi anaemia. The application of these techniques in clinical practice and the foreseeable development of these approaches in the coming years suggest that it might be useful to evaluate the results achieved thus far. It is also essential to reflect on the possible bioethical concerns raised by the use of both technique…
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2021
« Nommer le capitaine Dreyfus général à titre posthume est malheureusement une fausse bonne idée »
2021
International audience
Zero-Achievers Non-Progressing Studies in Finnish Open University : Three Preventive Factors
2021
Current education policy responds to changes and needs in working life by guiding individuals at different stages of working careers to develop their skills in the spirit of lifelong learning. More and more are applying with hope and enthusiasm to the Open University to strengthen their competence but are unable to get their studies completed. The article explores factors related to the non-progression of studies by students at the Open University in Finland. We call non-progressing students zero-achievers who enroll in studies but do not complete a single credit during the period of course. This research is a descriptive mixed methods study. The research data was collected by an online sur…
Glyphosate residues alter the microbiota of a perennial weed with a minimal indirect impact on plant performance
2021
Abstract Purpose In cold climates, glyphosate residues may linger in soils, with effects on plant–microbe interactions and, consequently, plant performance. Here, we explore the influence of glyphosate residues on the endophytic microbiota (bacteria and fungi) and performance of the perennial nitrogen-fixing weed Lupinus polyphyllus. Methods In a common garden, we grew plants from six populations of L. polyphyllus in glyphosate-treated or untreated control soils, with or without additional phosphorus. We sampled plant microbiota (leaves, roots, nodules) and assessed plant performance based on six traits: height, retrogression probability (i.e. shrinkage), biomass, root:shoot ratio, nodule n…
Clinical Presentation of Patients with Adult Late-Onset Telomere Biology Disorders - Results from the Aachen Telomeropathy Registry
2021
Abstract Introduction: Telomere biology disorders (TBD) are caused by mutations affecting proper telomere maintenance resulting in premature telomere shortening. Telomere length (TL) assessment is currently being used for screening and diagnosis of TBD of which Dyskeratosis congenita (DKC) is the most prominent TBD subtype typically found in children and adolescents. In adults, TBDs are characterized by a broad spectrum of more "cryptic" diverging mono- or oligosymptomatic clinical manifestations such as bone marrow failure (BMF), hepatopathy or interstitial lung disease (ILD). However, despite growing general clinical awareness and exertion of improved TL screening strategies, insufficient…
Satisfacción con la vida, vitalidad y emociones positivas como factores de protección ante el duelo complicado
2021
Objetivo: Valorar la satisfacción con la vida, la vitalidad, el afecto positivo y la presencia de duelo complicado en dolientes de primer grado. Método: 26 dolientes de 19 a 73 años, hombres y mujeres, fueron evaluados mediante las Escalas de Satisfacción con la Vida, de Vitalidad y de Afecto Positivo y Negativo, y el Inventario de Duelo Complicado. Se efectuaron análisis descriptivos y se aplicaron las pruebas t de Pearson y d de Cohen para obtener correlaciones entre las variables. Resultados: Los participantes alcanzaron puntuaciones moderadas de satisfacción con la vida, vitalidad y afecto positivo, pero un gran porcentaje mostró duelo complicado, mayor en los hombres y cuando la pérdid…
Predictive Value for Increased Factor XIa and Plasma Kallikrein Activity in Acute Venous Thromboembolism
2021
Abstract Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is associated with increased coagulation activity, which in part can be attributed to the contact pathway of coagulation. Evidence from pre-clinical and epidemiological studies suggests that deficiency in factors of contact activation (e.g. coagulation factors (F) XI and FXII) protects against VTE. However, limited information exists regarding the activation of the contact system in the setting of acute VTE. In the current study, patients with confirmed VTE events (n=321) from the VTEval study and controls (n=300) from the population-based PREVENT-it pilot study were included. Plasma samples were collected from patients after confirmed VTE events or con…
Microwave Quantum Radar using a Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier
2021
Detection of low-reflectivity objects can be improved by the so-called Quantum Illumination (QI) procedure. However, quantum detection error probability exponentially decays with the source bandwidth. The Josephson Parametric Amplifiers (JPAs) technology utilized as a source, generating pairs of entangled signals called two-mode squeezed vacuum states, shows a very narrow bandwidth limiting the operation of the Microwave Quantum Illumination (MQI) systems. In this paper, for the first time, a microwave quantum radar setup based on quantum illumination protocol and using a Josephson Traveling Wave Parametric Amplifier (JTWPA) is proposed. We experimentally demonstrate the generation and cont…
TLT-1 Regulates Thrombus Growth Under Non-Inflammatory Conditions
2021
Abstract Background Thrombus formation is a complex, dynamic and multistep process, based on two crucial steps: platelet adhesion and platelet aggregation that both involve the large multimeric plasma glycoprotein Von Willebrand Factor (VWF). VWF binding to the GPIb/X/V complex initiates platelet adhesion to the vessel wall at high shear stress and triggers platelet activation resulting in the generation of thrombin and activation of integrin αIIbβ3 on the platelet surface. This activation of αIIbβ3 in turn leads to outside-in signalling and promotes binding of αIIbβ3 to fibrinogen and VWF, mediating thrombus growth. Trigging receptor expressed on myeloid cells like transcript-1 (TLT-1) is …
false
2021
Water-in-salt systems, i.e., super-concentrated aqueous electrolytes, such as lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (21 mol/kgwater), have been recently discovered to exhibit unexpectedly large electrochemical windows and high lithium transference numbers, thus paving the way to safe and sustainable charge storage devices. The peculiar transport features in these electrolytes are influenced by their intrinsically nanoseparated morphology, stemming from the anion hydrophobic nature and manifesting as nanosegregation between anions and water domains. The underlying mechanism behind this structure-dynamics correlation is, however, still a matter of strong debate. Here, we enhance the apol…
A Comparative Assessment of Listening Span and Self-Efficacy in Simultaneous Interpreting Training
2021
This study compares the results obtained from a group of interpreting trainees in an adapted listening span test (cognitive dimension), with those obtained from this same group in two self-efficacy tests (personality dimension). The objective is to assess the predictive value of these tests with respect to the scores obtained by the subjects in a simultaneous interpreting test. The analysis of data leads us to the conclusion that, at least in an initial training phase in simultaneous interpreting, only the cognitive factors (measured here in terms of listening span) show a significant and positive predictive capacity of the quality in simultaneous interpreting. In this regard, personality f…
Efficacy and Safety of Tinzaparin in CAT Patients with Hematological Malignancy
2021
Abstract Introduction In patients with hematological cancers, the high risk of bleeding raises serious concerns when anticoagulant therapy is initiated for treatment of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). In the CATCH trial, we showed that tinzaparin is associated with a significantly lower risk of clinically relevant bleeding (CRB) and clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB) compared with warfarin therapy in patients with a solid tumor or hematological cancer. Hence, we performed a post-hoc analysis to assess the risk of recurrent VTE (rVTE) and bleeding in the hematological cancer patient subgroup. Risk factors associated with rVTE and bleeding were also explored. Methods CATCH (Cl…
Proteinuria-Lowering Effects of Proprotein Convertase Subtilisin/Kexin Type 9 Inhibitors in Chronic Kidney Disease Patients: A Real-World Multicentri…
2021
Control of dyslipidemia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is not always guaranteed with statins and/or ezetimibe. Proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors (PCSK9i) have opened up a new era in lipid control, but their effect on renal function and proteinuria in real life have not yet been evaluated. The aim of the present study was to analyze the evolution of renal function and proteinuria in a cohort of CKD patients treated with PCSK9i. This retrospective multicentric cohort study included CKD patients treated with PCSK9i. Baseline epidemiological data, comorbidities and laboratory findings (including estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR], proteinuria and lipid profile) …
Crecimiento postraumático en hombres gays con VIH en Buenos Aires, Argentina
2021
Este estudio cualitativo tuvo como objetivo explorar los significados atribuidos al virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) y la experiencia de cambios positivos posteriores al diagnóstico (crecimiento postraumático) en hombres gays de Buenos Aires, Argentina. Se efectuaron catorce entrevistas individuales en profundidad. Se implementó un análisis temático asignando códigos a fragmentos de transcripciones y organizándolos en temas. La edad media de los participantes fue de 41.29 (D.E.=11.97) y una media de 8.42 (D.E.=7.08) años desde el diagnóstico, tres de los cuales lo habían recibido en el último año. La mayoría informó cambios positivos que atribuyeron al diagnóstico de VIH, los que se …
COVID-19 Vaccination in Pregnancy, Paediatrics, Immunocompromised Patients, and Persons with History of Allergy or Prior SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Overvi…
2021
To date, four vaccines have been authorised for emergency use and under conditional approval by the European Medicines Agency to prevent COVID-19: Comirnaty, COVID-19 Vaccine Janssen, Spikevax (previously COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna) and Vaxzevria (previously COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca). Although the benefit–risk profile of these vaccines was proven to be largely favourable in the general population, evidence in special cohorts initially excluded from the pivotal trials, such as pregnant and breastfeeding women, children/adolescents, immunocompromised people and persons with a history of allergy or previous SARS-CoV-2 infection, is still limited. In this narrative review, we critically overv…
Liquid Biopsy and Lymphoma Monitoring in Clinical Practice
2021
Abstract INTRODUCTION Lymphomas represent the fourth most frequent type of cancer, 90% of them arising from B cell lymphocytes. Despite their high prevalence, around 40% remain incurable because of refractoriness to current chemoimmunotherapy or disease relapse after obtaining response (Li et al., 2018; Meng et al., 2020). The cell of origin is a B lymphocyte with a unique B cell receptor (BCR). The BCR is an immunoglobulin composed of two heavy chains (IgH) and two light chains (IgL) whose genes have multiple coding segments that through rearrangement first and further somatic hypermutation in the germinal center, generate a unique sequence that could be used to monitor the treatment respo…
Long-Term Safety and Efficacy of Caplacizumab for Acquired Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (aTTP): The Post-HERCULES Study
2021
Abstract Background: The post-HERCULES trial (NCT02878603) evaluated long-term safety and efficacy of caplacizumab in patients with acquired thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (aTTP; also known as immune-mediated TTP), and efficacy of repeated use of caplacizumab for aTTP recurrence. Methods: Patients who completed the HERCULES trial were invited to participate in the post-HERCULES study and attend twice-yearly visits for 3 years. In case of aTTP recurrence, patients could receive open-label (OL) caplacizumab with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) and immunosuppression (IST). Safety was assessed during the overall study period (intention-to-observe [ITO] population) and during recurrences.…
Donor Genetic Determinant of Thymopoiesis rs2204985 Impacts Clinical Outcome after Single HLA Mismatched HSCT
2021
Abstract Introduction: A common genetic variant within the TCRA-TCRD locus has been recently identified as a predictive factor of thymic function and T cell repertoire diversity (Clave et al., 2018). Specifically it was shown in a mouse model that transplantation of rs2204985 AA human hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) into immunodeficient mice led to lower thymocyte counts and poorer TCR diversity. T cell mediated pathways are known to play a significant role in immunological processes affecting HSCT outcome like GvL, GvH and infection. Aim of this study was to investigate the potential impact of donor rs2204985 genotype on patient's outcome after unrelated HSCT. Methods: The study included 2,…
Pharmacological Treatment for Acute Traumatic Musculoskeletal Pain in Athletes
2021
Pain management is a crucial issue for athletes who train and compete at the highest performance levels. There are still evidence gaps for the use of analgesics for sports injuries despite the growing interest in training and competition settings. However, high-quality research is needed to determine the most appropriate and optimal timing and formulations in non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug and opioid management, particularly given the strictness of anti-doping regulations. Indeed, the role of pharmacological therapy in reducing acute traumatic pain in athletes should still be addressed to minimize the timing of return to sport. Therefore, the aim of this comprehensive review was to su…
Final Overall Survival Results from BELLINI, a Phase 3 Study of Venetoclax or Placebo in Combination with Bortezomib and Dexamethasone in Relapsed/Re…
2021
Abstract Background: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a heterogenous cancer of terminally differentiated plasma cells that typically express elevated levels of antiapoptotic proteins, such as BCL-2. Venetoclax (Ven), a highly selective, potent, oral BCL-2 inhibitor, induces apoptosis in MM cells, and when combined with bortezomib and dexamethasone showed promising efficacy in patients (pts) with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM; Moreau et al. Blood. 2017;130:2392-2400). The Phase 3 BELLINI study primary analysis showed significantly improved response rates and progression-free survival (PFS) in pts with RRMM treated with Ven added to bortezomib and dexamethasone versus placebo (Pbo); however, increased…
Assessment of Treatment Response By Ife, Next Generation Flow Cytometry and Mass Spectrometry Coupled with Liquid Chromatography in the GEM2012MENOS6…
2021
Abstract Introduction : In patients (pts) with multiple myeloma (MM), next generation flow cytometry (NGF) and next generation sequencing have shown an increased capacity to identify the presence of disease and to anticipate patient's prognosis as compared to serum protein immunofixation (IFE). However, both methods rely on bone marrow (BM) samples and it is important to explore alternative techniques applicable in more accessible samples such as peripheral blood. Patients and Methods: Newly diagnosed MM pts enrolled in the PETHEMA/GEM2012MENOS65 trial received six cycles of induction with bortezomib, lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRD), intensification with high-dose therapy (melphalan or…
Chronically Elevated Interleukin-6 Disturbs the Coagulation Cascade in Mice
2021
Abstract Introduction: Pro-inflammatory cytokines play an essential role as activators of the hemostatic system and in the regulation of physiological antithrombotic mechanisms. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) influences platelet production and platelet activation. It was associated with accelerated clotting and intravascular coagulation in tissue factor (TF)-driven murine thrombosis models. However, the precise role of myeloid cell-derived IL-6 on thrombosis formation and the hemostatic system is still unknown. Methods and Results: To better understand the role of IL-6 in thrombosis and the hemostatic system, we developed a new mouse strain with Cre-recombinase driven constitutive IL-6 expression spe…
Clinical utility and physician perceptions of a digital platform for electronic patient-reported outcomes monitoring in patients with hematologic mal…
2021
Abstract Background There is now great interest in using digital health tools to monitor patients' health status in real-world practice. Such tools often include electronic-patient-reported outcome (ePRO) systems in which symptoms questions are included into online interfaces for patient self-reporting, with real-time alerts triggered to the treating physician if severe symptoms or problems are reported. However, there is little information about the clinical utility and user perceptions of these systems, and this is particularly true in the area of hematology. Objectives This study investigates physicians' perceptions of usability and clinical utility of using remote ePROs in routine pract…
Life Satisfaction and Psychological Distress of African Immigrants in Italy and Spain: the protective role of social support and sense of community
2021
This article analyzes whether migrants’ distress factors are reduced, and life satisfaction increased by the sense of community and support from friendship or family networks, with age and length of residence serving as co-variables. Host country, gender, migration (economic/non-economic), employment (employed/unemployed) and legal status (regulated/unregulated) were all treated as moderating variables. We tested this theoretical model in two samples of African immigrants residing in Palermo (Italy) and Malaga (Spain), confirming the predictive capacity of the independent variables. Interesting results emerged relating to the effects of length of residence, employment status and support fro…
Anticoagulation in Cancer Patients with Atrial Fibrillation and Grade 3-4 Thrombocytopenia
2021
Abstract Introduction: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is not uncommon in cancer patients with grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia (platelets <50x10 9/L). The risk of bleeding appears to outweigh the risk of thrombosis in acute leukemia patients. There are no published data regarding management of anticoagulation (AC) and rates of bleeding and thrombosis in other cancer types. Aim: To assess AC management and incidence of bleeding and thrombosis in thrombocytopenic cancer patients with AF. Methods: Single-center retrospective cohort study. The study included adults with active cancer, grade 3-4 thrombocytopenia (platelets <50x10 9/L) and AF with CHA 2DS 2-VASc ≥1, irrespective of AC status pr…
First Interim Analysis of the Italian Dante Study: De-Escalation before Treatment-Free Remission in Patients with Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Treated wi…
2021
Abstract Introduction: Treatment-free remission (TFR) in chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) is demonstrated to be achievable and recommended for patients (pts) in sustained deep molecular response (sDMR) who can discontinue tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) treatment and maintain responses in ~50% of cases. While the feasibility and safety of TKI cessation have been largely demonstrated, the strategies of TFR optimization are yet to be clarified. Studies (eg. DESTINY) investigating de-escalation, mainly after imatinib, suggested that a stepwise approach may favor TFR outcome. We present the interim results of the phase 2, prospective, multicenter DANTE study (NCT03874858) evaluating de-escalation…
Inhibition of Fibroblast Growth Factor-23 (FGF-23) Rescues Bone and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Niche Defects in Beta-Thalassemia, Uncovering the Missing…
2021
Abstract The bone marrow (BM) niche regulation and interactions with hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) have been extensively studied in steady state conditions and malignancies, but are still underexplored in hematological inherited disorders. We provided the first demonstration of impaired HSC function caused by an altered BM niche in a non-malignant disease, beta-thalassemia (BT) (Aprile et al., Blood 2020). BT is a globally widespread congenital hemoglobin disorder, resulting in severe anemia, ineffective erythropoiesis and multi-organ secondary complications, including bone alterations. Correction of the genetic defect is achieved by transplantation of HSC from healthy donors or autologous…
Transformative Authorship Through Critical Dialogue : Concepts, Theory, and Practice
2021
This conceptual article deals with components and concepts of transformative learning, emphasizing the organization-level perspective on critical reflection. The discussion leans on the concept of transformative authorship and it is argued that it enables authoring processes through which professionals can recognize and recreate their routinized work practices. The aim of the research is to explore how professional experiences are integrated with reflexive, theoretical knowledge through critical dialogue. The authoring process of transformative authorship is illustrated with two complementary case studies from postgraduate health care education. In both cases, the learning tasks were desig…