Autoantibodies in hospitalised patients with COVID-19.

Objectives: CD209L and its homologous protein CD209 act as alternative entry receptors for the SARS-CoV-2 virus and are highly expressed in the virally targeted tissues. We tested for the presence and clinical features of autoantibodies targeting these receptors and compared these with autoantibodies known to be associated with COVID-19.

Methods: Using banked samples ( = 118) from Johns Hopkins patients hospitalised with COVID-19, we defined autoantibodies against CD209 and CD209L by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Evaluating the Use of Environmental and Polygenic Risk Scores to Inform Colorectal Cancer Risk-Based Surveillance Intervals.

Introduction: United States Multi-Society Task Force colonoscopy surveillance intervals are based solely on adenoma characteristics, without accounting for other risk factors. We investigated whether a risk model including demographic, environmental, and genetic risk factors could individualize surveillance intervals under an "equal management of equal risks" framework.

Methods: Using 14,069 individuals from the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian Cancer Screening Trial who had a diagnostic colonoscopy following an abnormal flexible sigmoidoscopy, we modeled the risk of colorectal cancer, considering the diagnostic colonoscopy finding, baseline risk factors (e.

Gene expression modulation in human aortic smooth muscle cells under induced physiological mechanical stretch.

In this study, we investigated gene expression in vitro of human primary Aortic smooth muscle cells (AoSMCs) in response to 9% physiological dynamic stretch over a 4 to 72-h timeframe using RT-qPCR. AoSMC were derived from primary culture and were exposed to continuous cycles of stretch and relaxation at 1 Hz by a computer-controlled Flex Jr.™ Tension System.

"It's Just Good Science": A Qualitative Study Exploring Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Canadian Arthritis Research.

Objective: Despite knowledge that health outcomes vary according to patient characteristics, identity, and geography, including underrepresented populations in arthritis research remains a challenge. We conducted interviews to explore how researchers in arthritis have used equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles to inform their research.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted with individuals who 1) have experience conducting arthritis research studies; 2) reside in and/or conduct their research in Canada; and 3) speak English or French.

Alcohol drinking is attenuated by PDE4 inhibition but partial microglia depletion is not sufficient to block stress-induced escalation of alcohol intake in female mice.

Stress is a major contributing factor to binge drinking and development of alcohol use disorders (AUD), particularly in women. Both stress and chronic ethanol can enhance neuroinflammatory processes, which may dysregulate limbic circuits involved in ethanol reinforcement. Clinical and preclinical studies have identified sex differences in alcohol intake in response to neuroinflammatory triggers.