Variations in non-local interaction range lead to emergent chase-and-run in heterogeneous populations.

In a chase-and-run dynamic, the interaction between two individuals is such that one moves towards the other (the chaser), while the other moves away (the runner). Examples can be found in both interacting cells and animals. Here, we investigate the behaviours that can emerge at a population level, for a heterogeneous group that contains subpopulations of chasers and runners.

Hearing Loss in Children with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

Objectives: Hearing loss is considered common in children with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS), with a few prior studies reporting a 32%-78% prevalence; mild-moderate conductive hearing loss has been reported most commonly.

Neurocognitive profiles of 22q11.2 and 16p11.2 deletions and duplications.

Rare recurrent copy number variants (CNVs) at chromosomal loci 22q11.2 and 16p11.2 are genetic disorders with lifespan risk for neuropsychiatric disorders.

Neurocognitive Profiles of 22q11.2 and 16p11.2 Deletions and Duplications.

Rare recurrent copy number variants (CNVs) at chromosomal loci 22q11.2 and 16p11.2 are among the most common rare genetic disorders associated with significant risk for neuropsychiatric disorders across the lifespan.

Remote assessment of the Penn computerised neurocognitive battery in individuals with 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

Background: Neurocognitive functioning is an integral phenotype of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome relating to severity of psychopathology and outcomes. A neurocognitive battery that could be administered remotely to assess multiple cognitive domains would be especially beneficial to research on rare genetic variants, where in-person assessment can be unavailable or burdensome.

Coexisting Conditions Modifying Phenotypes of Patients with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome.

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) is the most common genomic disorder with an extremely broad phenotypic spectrum.

Language Profiles of School-Aged Children with 22q11.2 Copy Number Variants.

Although it is known that copy number variants (CNVs) on chromosome 22, such as 22q11.2 deletion (22q11.2DS) and 22q11.

Immunologic, Molecular, and Clinical Profile of Patients with Chromosome 22q11.2 Duplications.

Purpose: Duplication of chromosome 22q11.2 due to meiotic non-allelic homologous recombination results in a distinct syndrome, chromosome 22q11.2 duplication syndrome that has some overlapping phenotypic features with the corresponding 22q11.

Detecting minimum energy states and multi-stability in nonlocal advection-diffusion models for interacting species.

Deriving emergent patterns from models of biological processes is a core concern of mathematical biology. In the context of partial differential equations, these emergent patterns sometimes appear as local minimisers of a corresponding energy functional. Here we give methods for determining the qualitative structure of local minimum energy states of a broad class of multi-species nonlocal advection-diffusion models, recently proposed for modelling the spatial structure of ecosystems.

Allergen-specific immunoglobulin E and allergic rhinitis severity.

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a common disorder. The diagnosis is based on the concordance between allergy sensitization and history. Serum allergen specific immunoglobulin E (sIgE) assessment allows characterization of the relevant sensitizing allergens.

Impact of Candida spp. isolation in the respiratory tract in patients with intensive care unit-acquired pneumonia.

In immunocompetent patients with nosocomial pneumonia, the relationship between Candida spp. isolation in respiratory samples and outcomes or association with other pathogens is controversial. We therefore compared the characteristics and outcomes of patients with intensive care unit-acquired pneumonia (ICUAP), with or without Candida spp.

Efficacy of pirfenidone for idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis: An Italian real life study.

Background: In this retrospective Italian study, which involved all major national interstitial lung diseases centers, we evaluated the effect of pirfenidone on disease progression in patients with IPF.

Methods: We retrospectively studied 128 patients diagnosed with mild, moderate or severe IPF, and the decline in lung function monitored during the one-year treatment with pirfenidone was compared with the decline measured during the one-year pre-treatment period.

Results: At baseline (first pirfenidone prescription), the mean percentage forced vital capacity (FVC) was 75% (35-143%) of predicted, and the mean percentage diffuse lung capacity (DLCO) was 47% (17-120%) of predicted.

Endotracheal tube biofilm translocation in the lateral Trendelenburg position.

Introduction: Laboratory studies demonstrated that the lateral Trendelenburg position (LTP) is superior to the semirecumbent position (SRP) in the prevention of ventilator-associated pulmonary infections. We assessed whether the LTP could also prevent pulmonary colonization and infections caused by an endotracheal tube (ETT) biofilm.

Methods: Eighteen pigs were intubated with ETTs colonized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm.

Endotracheal tubes for critically ill patients: an in vivo analysis of associated tracheal injury, mucociliary clearance, and sealing efficacy.

Background: Improvements in the design of the endotracheal tube (ETT) have been achieved in recent years. We evaluated tracheal injury associated with ETTs with novel high-volume low-pressure (HVLP) cuffs and subglottic secretions aspiration (SSA) and the effects on mucociliary clearance (MCC).

Methods: Twenty-nine pigs were intubated with ETTs comprising cylindrical or tapered cuffs and made of polyvinylchloride (PVC) or polyurethane.

Gravity predominates over ventilatory pattern in the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia.

Objective: In the semirecumbent position, gravity-dependent dissemination of pathogens has been implicated in the pathogenesis of ventilator-associated pneumonia. We compared the preventive effects of a ventilatory strategy, aimed at decreasing pulmonary aspiration and enhancing mucus clearance versus the Trendelenburg position.

Design: Prospective randomized animal study.

A novel porcine model of ventilator-associated pneumonia caused by oropharyngeal challenge with Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Background: Animal models of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in primates, sheep, and pigs differ in the underlying pulmonary injury, etiology, bacterial inoculation methods, and time to onset. The most common ovine and porcine models do not reproduce the primary pathogenic mechanism of the disease, through the aspiration of oropharyngeal pathogens, or the most prevalent human etiology. Herein the authors characterize a novel porcine model of VAP due to aspiration of oropharyngeal secretions colonized by Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Assessment of severity of ICU-acquired pneumonia and association with etiology.

Objectives: We evaluated the association between severity of illness and microbial etiology of ICU-acquired pneumonia to define if severity should be used to guide empiric antibiotic choices.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Setting: ICUs of a university hospital.

ICU-acquired pneumonia with or without etiologic diagnosis: a comparison of outcomes.

Objectives: The impact of ICU-acquired pneumonia without etiologic diagnosis on patients' outcomes is largely unknown. We compared the clinical characteristics, inflammatory response, and outcomes between patients with and without microbiologically confirmed ICU-acquired pneumonia.

Design: Prospective observational study.

Validation of predictors of adverse outcomes in hospital-acquired pneumonia in the ICU.

Objective: To validate a set of predictors of adverse outcomes in patients with ICU-acquired pneumonia in relation to clinically relevant assessment at 28 days.

Design: Prospective, observational study.

Setting: Six medical and surgical ICUs of a university hospital.

An in vitro study to assess determinant features associated with fluid sealing in the design of endotracheal tube cuffs and exerted tracheal pressures.

Objective: To assess the structural characteristics involved in the design of high-volume low-pressure endotracheal tube cuffs that are associated with fluid sealing effectiveness and to determine the extent of transmitted tracheal pressures upon cuff inflation.

Design: In vitro study.

Settings: Pneumology laboratories.

Changes in circulating pro-angiogenic cytokines, other than VEGF, before progression to sunitinib therapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma patients.

Objectives: This study included a cohort of advanced renal cell carcinoma patients treated with sunitinib. Since resistance to sunitinib may be mediated through angiogenic cytokines other than VEGF, we measured the circulating levels of three pro-angiogenic cytokines: basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), and interleukin (IL)-6.

Methods: Cytokines were measured at baseline and on the first day of each treatment cycle until progression in 85 advanced kidney cancer patients treated with sunitinib using a quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay (ELISA) technique.

Association between systemic corticosteroids and outcomes of intensive care unit-acquired pneumonia.

Objective: The use of corticosteroids is frequent in critically-ill patients. However, little information is available on their effects in patients with intensive care unit-acquired pneumonia. We assessed patients' characteristics, microbial etiology, inflammatory response, and outcomes of previous corticosteroid use in patients with intensive care unit-acquired pneumonia.

Serum interleukin-9 levels are associated with clinical severity in children with atopic dermatitis.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is an inflammatory disorder of the skin characterized by impaired immune response. Th9 cells are a sub-population of T cells that release interleukin (IL)-9. No study has investigated the role of IL-9 in AD.

Thirty-year survey on airborne pollen concentrations in Genoa, Italy: relationship with sensitizations, meteorological data, and air pollution.

Background: Pollen allergy represents a relevant health issue. Betulaceae sensitization significantly increased in Genoa, Italy, in the last decades. This study investigated possible relationships among pollen count, meteorological changes, air pollution, and sensitizations in this city during a 30-year period.