The effect of cycloplegia in the accuracy of autorefraction, keratometry and axial length using the Myopia Master.

Background: Assessing refractive errors under cycloplegia is recommended for paediatric patients; however, this may not always be feasible. In these situations, refraction has to rely on measurements made under active accommodation which may increase measurements variability and error. Therefore, evaluating the accuracy and precision of non-cycloplegic refraction and biometric measurements is clinically relevant.

Combining ranger records and biogeographical models to identify the current and potential distribution of an expanding mesocarnivore in southern Europe.

Human-wildlife conflicts (HWC) are increasing and are potentially harmful to both people and wildlife. Understanding the current and potential distribution of wildlife species involved in HWC, such as carnivores, is essential for implementing management and conservation measures for such species. In this study, we assessed both the current distribution and potential distribution (forecast) of the Egyptian mongoose (Herpestes ichneumon) in the central part of the Iberian Peninsula.

Early-life infection depletes preleukemic cells in a mouse model of hyperdiploid B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Epidemiological studies report opposing influences of infection on childhood B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL). Although infections in the first year of life appear to exert the largest impact on leukemia risk, the effect of early pathogen exposure on the fetal preleukemia cells (PLC) that lead to B-ALL has yet to be reported. Using cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection as a model early-life infection, we show that virus exposure within 1 week of birth induces profound depletion of transplanted E2A-PBX1 and hyperdiploid B-ALL cells in wild-type recipients and in situ-generated PLC in Eμ-ret mice.

Decoding CD4 T cell transcriptome in giant cell arteritis: Novel pathways and altered cross-talk with monocytes.

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is an immune-mediated large-vessels vasculitis with complex etiology. Although the pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood, a central role for CD4 T cells has been demonstrated. In this context, understanding the transcriptome dysregulation in GCA CD4 T cells will yield new insights into its pathogenesis.

Risk loci involved in giant cell arteritis susceptibility: a genome-wide association study.

Background: Giant cell arteritis is an age-related vasculitis that mainly affects the aorta and its branches in individuals aged 50 years and older. Current options for diagnosis and treatment are scarce, highlighting the need to better understand its underlying pathogenesis. Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have emerged as a powerful tool for unravelling the pathogenic mechanisms involved in complex diseases.

Single-cell transcriptomic profiling reveals a pathogenic role of cytotoxic CD4 T cells in giant cell arteritis.

Giant cell arteritis (GCA) is a systemic vasculitis mediated by an aberrant immunological response against the blood vessel wall. Although the pathogenic mechanisms that drive GCA have not yet been elucidated, there is strong evidence that CD4 T cells are key drivers of the inflammatory process occurring in this vasculitis. The aim of this study was to further delineate the role of CD4 T cells in GCA by applying single-cell RNA sequencing and T cell receptor (TCR) repertoire profiling to 114.

Uptake of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among structurally-marginalized people who use drugs in Vancouver, Canada.

We sought to evaluate the rates and predictors of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination among members of a structurally-marginalized population of people who use drugs (PWUD) during a targeted, community-wide, vaccination campaign in Vancouver, Canada. Interviewer-administered data were collected from study participants between June 2021 and March 2022. Generalized estimating equation analysis was used to identify factors associated with SARS-CoV-2 vaccine uptake, ascertained through a province-wide vaccine registry.

Mucosal Immune Defence Gene Polymorphisms as Relevant Players in the Pathogenesis of IgA Vasculitis?

(rs11150612, rs11574637), rs17019602, rs4077515, (rs2738048, rs10086568), and rs2412971 are mucosal immune defence polymorphisms, that have an impact on IgA production, described as risk for IgA nephropathy (IgAN). Since IgAN and Immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV) share molecular mechanisms, with the aberrant deposit of IgA1 being the main pathophysiologic feature of both entities, we assessed the potential influence of the seven abovementioned polymorphisms on IgAV pathogenesis. These seven variants were genotyped in 381 Caucasian IgAV patients and 997 matched healthy controls.

CTLA-4 Pathway Is Instrumental in Giant Cell Arteritis.

Background: Giant cell arteritis (GCA) causes severe inflammation of the aorta and its branches and is characterized by intense effector T-cell infiltration. The roles that immune checkpoints play in the pathogenesis of GCA are still unclear. Our aim was to study the immune checkpoint interplay in GCA.

Determining the Optimal SARS-CoV-2 mRNA Vaccine Dosing Interval for Maximum Immunogenicity.

Objective: Emerging evidence indicates that longer SARS-CoV-2 vaccine dosing intervals results in an enhanced immune response. However, the optimal vaccine dosing interval for achieving maximum immunogenicity is unclear.

Methods: This study included samples from adult paramedics in Canada who received two doses of either BNT162b2 or mRNA-1273 vaccines and provided blood samples six months (170 to 190 days) after the first vaccine dose.

Identification of new risk loci shared across systemic vasculitides points towards potential target genes for drug repurposing.

Objectives: The number of susceptibility loci currently associated with vasculitis is lower than in other immune-mediated diseases due in part to small cohort sizes, a consequence of the low prevalence of vasculitides. This study aimed to identify new genetic risk loci for the main systemic vasculitides through a comprehensive analysis of their genetic overlap.

Methods: Genome-wide data from 8467 patients with any of the main forms of vasculitis and 29 795 healthy controls were meta-analysed using ASSET.

Characterizing Longitudinal Antibody Responses in Recovered Individuals Following COVID-19 Infection and Single-Dose Vaccination: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Investigating antibody titers in individuals who have been both naturally infected with SARS-CoV-2 and vaccinated can provide insight into antibody dynamics and correlates of protection over time.

Methods: Human coronavirus (HCoV) IgG antibodies were measured longitudinally in a prospective cohort of qPCR-confirmed, COVID-19 recovered individuals (k = 57) in British Columbia pre- and post-vaccination. SARS-CoV-2 and endemic HCoV antibodies were measured in serum collected between Nov.

Ventilatory Parameters in Obstetric Patients With COVID-19 and Impact of Delivery: A Multicenter Prospective Cohort Study.

Background: Current evidence on obstetric patients requiring advanced ventilatory support and impact of delivery on ventilatory parameters is retrospective, scarce, and controversial.

Research Question: What are the ventilatory parameters for obstetric patients with COVID-19 and how does delivery impact them? What are the risk factors for invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV) and for maternal, fetal, and neonatal mortality?

Study Design And Methods: Prospective, multicenter, cohort study including pregnant and postpartum patients with COVID-19 requiring advanced ventilatory support in the ICU.

Results: Ninety-one patients were admitted to 21 ICUs at 29.

IgA Vasculitis: Influence of and Gene Polymorphisms.

and genes involved in the development and signaling of B-cells are identified as susceptibility loci for numerous inflammatory diseases. Accordingly, we assessed the potential influence of and on the pathogenesis of immunoglobulin-A vasculitis (IgAV), predominantly a B-lymphocyte inflammatory condition. Three genetic variants within (rs1883832, rs1535045, rs4813003) and (rs2254546, rs2736340, rs2618476) as well as two polymorphisms (rs10516487, rs3733197), previously associated with inflammatory diseases, were genotyped in 382 Caucasian patients with IgAV and 955 sex- and ethnically matched healthy controls.