Prompt Predicting of Early Clinical Deterioration of Moderate-to-Severe COVID-19 Patients: Usefulness of a Combined Score Using IL-6 in a Preliminary Study.

Background: The early identification of patients at risk of clinical deterioration is of interest considering the timeline of COVID-19 after the onset of symptoms.

Objective: The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of testing serum IL-6 and other serological and clinical biomarkers, to predict a short-term negative clinical course of patients with noncritical COVID-19.

Methods: A total of 208 patients with noncritical COVID-19 pneumonia at admission were consecutively enrolled.

T Cell Delivery of Nanoparticles-Bound Anti-CD20 Monoclonal Antibody: Successful B Cell Depletion in the Spinal Cord during Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.

We developed a nanotechnology based-cell mediated drug delivery system by loading myelin antigen-specific T cells with nanoparticles bound to anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. Anti-CD20 antibody is a current treatment (ocrelizumab) for multiple sclerosis (MS), a chronic, inflammatory and autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS). CD20-depletion has been associated with efficacy in active relapsing and progressive MS, but may not efficiently target inflammatory cells compartmentalized in the CNS.

Impaired immune cell cytotoxicity in severe COVID-19 is IL-6 dependent.

BACKGROUNDCoronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is an emerging infectious disease caused by SARS-CoV-2. Antiviral immune response is crucial to achieve pathogen clearance; however, in some patients an excessive and aberrant host immune response can lead to an acute respiratory distress syndrome. The comprehension of the mechanisms that regulate pathogen elimination, immunity, and pathology is essential to better characterize disease progression and widen the spectrum of therapeutic options.

Effect of Chitosan as a Cross-Linker on Matrix Metalloproteinase Activity and Bond Stability with Different Adhesive Systems.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of 0.1% chitosan (Ch) solution as an additional primer on the mechanical durability and enzymatic activity on dentine using an etch-and-rinse (E&R) adhesive and a universal self-etch (SE) adhesive. Microtensile bond strength and interfacial nanoleakage expression of the bonded interfaces for all adhesives (with or without pretreatment with 0.

Human T cells interacting with HNSCC-derived mesenchymal stromal cells acquire tissue-resident memory like properties.

Tissue-resident memory (Trm) cells are specialized components of both CD4+ and CD8+ T cell subsets that persist in peripheral nonlymphoid tissues following infections and provide fast response in case of a secondary invasion by the same pathogen. Trm cells express the surface markers CD69, CD103, and the immune checkpoint molecule PD-1. Trm cells develop not only in the context of infections but also in tumors, where they can provide a line of defense as suggested by the positive correlation between the frequency of tumor-infiltrating Trm cells and patients' survival.

Risk factors for intra-abdominal abscess following laparoscopic appendectomy for acute appendicitis: a retrospective cohort study on 2076 patients.

Background: Intra-abdominal abscesses (IAA) may develop after laparoscopic appendectomies (LA) for acute appendicitis. The identification of risk factors for postoperative IAA could lead to a decrease in the readmission rate and surgery redoes after LA for acute appendicitis.

Materials And Methods: The present study retrospectively analyzed patients undergone LA for acute appendicitis during the period 2001-2017.

Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient post allo-HCT successfully treated with JC virus specific donor lymphocytes.

Background: Progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy is a demyelinating CNS disorder. Reactivation of John Cunningham virus leads to oligodendrocyte infection with lysis and consequent axonal loss due to demyelination. Patients usually present with confusion and seizures.

Chlorhexidine preserves the hybrid layer in vitro after 10-years aging.

Objective: The present study investigated the ability of a chlorhexidine (CHX)-containing primer (0.2% aqueous solution) to inhibit dentinal enzymes, preserve the hybrid layer (HL) and remain within the HL, after 10 years of aging in artificial saliva at 37°C.

Methods: Non-carious extracted molars were assigned to two groups, cut into slabs exposing middle/deep dentin, etched and bonded with Adper Scotchbond 1XT (SB1XT) with or without 0.

Decoding of grasping tasks from intraneural recordings in trans-radial amputee.

Objective: A major challenge in neuroprosthetics is the restoration of sensory-motor hand functions in upper-limb amputees. Neuroprostheses based on the direct re-connection of the peripheral nerves may be an interesting approach for re-establishing the natural and effective bidirectional control of hand prostheses. Recent results have shown that transverse intrafascicular multi-channel electrodes (TIMEs) can restore natural and sophisticated sensory feedback.

Hearing Preservation Outcomes and Prognostic Factors in Acoustic Neuroma Surgery: Predicting Cutoffs.

Objective: To investigate the outcomes of hearing preservation surgery (HPS) for acoustic neuroma and quantify tumor and patient characteristics predictive of hearing preservation after surgery.

Study Design: Retrospective study.

Setting: Tertiary referral center.

Ultrasound Stimulations Induce Prolonged Depolarization and Fast Action Potentials in Leech Neurons.

Ultrasound (US) stimulation carries the promise of a selective, reversible, and non-invasive modulation of neural activity without the need for genetic manipulation of neural structures. However, the mechanisms of US-induced generation of action potentials (APs) are still unclear. Here we address this issue by analyzing intracellularly recorded responses of leech nociceptive neurons to controlled delivery of US.

The Fence Technique: 100% Autogenous Bone Graft vs 50% Deproteinized Bovine Bone Matrix and 50% Autogenous Bone Graft. A Histologic Randomized Controlled Trial.

The aim of this histologic, single-blind, parallel, randomized clinical trial was to compare vertical bone augmentation grafting with 100% autogenous bone (group AB) vs 50% deproteinized bovine bone matrix (DBBM)/50% autogenous bone (group BOAB) using the Fence Technique in a two-stage implant placement. A biopsy was performed in the regenerated area at implant insertion 6 months after the augmentation surgery. The results reflect a sample size of four patients treated per group.

Morphological Neural Computation Restores Discrimination of Naturalistic Textures in Trans-radial Amputees.

Humans rely on their sense of touch to interact with the environment. Thus, restoring lost tactile sensory capabilities in amputees would advance their quality of life. In particular, texture discrimination is an important component for the interaction with the environment, but its restoration in amputees has been so far limited to simplified gratings.

Cuneate spiking neural network learning to classify naturalistic texture stimuli under varying sensing conditions.

We implemented a functional neuronal network that was able to learn and discriminate haptic features from biomimetic tactile sensor inputs using a two-layer spiking neuron model and homeostatic synaptic learning mechanism. The first order neuron model was used to emulate biological tactile afferents and the second order neuron model was used to emulate biological cuneate neurons. We have evaluated 10 naturalistic textures using a passive touch protocol, under varying sensing conditions.

In vitro human cord blood platelet lysate characterisation with potential application in wound healing.

Platelets contain abundant growth factors and cytokines that have a positive influence on the migration and proliferation of different cell types by modulating its physiopathological processes. As it is known that human umbilical cord blood platelet lysate (UCB-PL) contains a supraphysiological concentration of growth factors, in the present study, we investigated its effectiveness in wound-healing processes. Human UCB-PL was obtained by the freeze/thaw of platelet concentrate (1.

Guidelines for the use of flow cytometry and cell sorting in immunological studies (second edition).

These guidelines are a consensus work of a considerable number of members of the immunology and flow cytometry community. They provide the theory and key practical aspects of flow cytometry enabling immunologists to avoid the common errors that often undermine immunological data. Notably, there are comprehensive sections of all major immune cell types with helpful Tables detailing phenotypes in murine and human cells.

Comparison of International Consensus Conference guidelines and WIND classification for weaning from mechanical ventilation in Brazilian critically ill patients: A retrospective cohort study.

The knowledge of weaning ventilation period is fundamental to understand the causes and consequences of prolonged weaning. In 2007, an International Consensus Conference (ICC) defined a classification of weaning used worldwide. However, a new definition and classification of weaning (WIND) were suggested in 2017.

Endoglin-based assessment of neoangiogenesis in sporadic VIII cranial nerve schwannoma.

Although the diagnosis and treatment of sporadic vestibular schwannoma has improved in recent years, no factors capable of predicting its growth have been identified as yet. Endoglin (CD105) is a proliferation-associated protein expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells, and a potential prognostic indicator for several solid tumors. The aim of the present study was primarily to investigate the expression and role of CD105 in a series of sporadic vestibular nerve schwannomas.

Biological and clinical significance of T helper 17 cell plasticity.

Mature T helper (Th) effector cells originate following antigen recognition by naive T precursors. The maturation process is accompanied by the acquisition of specific effector functions that distinguish at least three different T helper subsets: Th1, Th2 and Th17. In general, maturation of somatic cells is accompanied by terminal differentiation.

Decoding Neural Metabolic Markers From the Carotid Sinus Nerve in a Type 2 Diabetes Model.

Recent studies showed that the carotid sinus nerve (CSN) and the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) are overactivated in type 2 diabetes and that restoring the correct CSN neural activity can re-establish the proper metabolism. However, a robust characterization of the relationship between CSN and SNS neural activities and metabolism in type 2 diabetes is still missing. Here, we investigated the relationship between neural activity of CSN and SNS in control rats and in rats with diet-induced type 2 diabetes and the animal condition during metabolic challenges.

"Finding my own motivation" - A Mixed Methods Study of Exercise and Behaviour Change Support During Oncological Treatment.

Background: Exercising during oncological treatment is beneficial but challenging for persons with cancer and may require strategies to increase motivation. Behaviour change support, including specific behaviour change techniques (BCTs), have been used to facilitate exercise in persons undergoing oncological treatment, but more detailed knowledge from an individual perspective is needed to inform clinical practice. The aims were to explore the motivational experiences of exercise combined with behaviour change support, and to describe how specific BCTs were valued among persons exercising during oncological treatment.

Effect of Er:YAG and Burs on Coronal Dentin Bond Strength Stability.

Purpose: To evaluate the immediate and aged bond strength and interfacial nanolaekage of different adhesives and protocols on dental elements prepared with diamond burs and Er:YAG laser.

Materials And Methods: Forty molar crowns were flattened and a standardized smear layer was created. Teeth were divided into two main groups according to the dentin cutting technique: 1.