Non-pharmaceutical interventions and covid-19 burden in the United States: retrospective, observational cohort study.

Objective: To evaluate the adoption and discontinuation of four broadly used non-pharmaceutical interventions on shifts in the covid-19 burden among US states.

Design: Retrospective, observational cohort study.

Setting: US state data on covid-19 between 19 January 2020 and 7 March 2021.

Rare malignant glomus tumor of the esophagus with pulmonary metastasis: a case report.

Background: Glomus tumors are typically benign soft tissue neoplasms that arise in peripheral cutaneous structures. Visceral organ involvement is exceedingly rare.

Case Description: Here we present a case of malignant glomus tumor of the esophagus with pulmonary metastases in a 57-year-old woman presenting with three weeks of progressive dysphagia, epigastric pain, and 35-pound weight loss.

Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions and COVID-19 Burden in the United States.

Background: Non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) are mitigation strategies used to reduce the spread of transmissible diseases. The relative effectiveness of specific NPIs remains uncertain.

Methods: We used state-level Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) case and mortality data between January 19, 2020 and March 7, 2021 to model NPI policy effectiveness.

Heart Failure Risk Associated With Rheumatoid Arthritis-Related Chronic Inflammation.

Background Inflammation may contribute to incident heart failure (HF). Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), a prototypic inflammatory condition, may serve as a model for understanding inflammation-related HF risk. Methods and Results Using the Vanderbilt University Medical Center electronic health record, we retrospectively identified 9889 patients with RA and 9889 control patients without autoimmune disease matched for age, sex, and race.

Longitudinal changes of microbiome composition and microbial metabolomics after surgical weight loss in individuals with obesity.

Background: Some of the metabolic effects of bariatric surgery may be mediated by the gut microbiome.

Objectives: To study the effect of bariatric surgery on changes to gut microbiota composition and bacterial pathways, and their relation to metabolic parameters after bariatric surgery.

Settings: University hospitals in the United States and Spain.

Proinsulin associates with poor β-cell function, glucose-dependent insulinotropic peptide, and insulin resistance in persistent type 2 diabetes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in humans.

Background: The determinants of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remission and/or relapse after gastric bypass (RYGB) remain fully unknown. This study characterized β- and α-cell function, in cretin hormone release and insulin sensitivity in individuals with (remitters) or without (non-remitters) diabetes remission after RYGB.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study of two distinct cohorts of individuals with or without diabetes remission at least 2 years after RYGB.

Effect of sitagliptin on glucose control in type 2 diabetes mellitus after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.

The present study was a 4-week randomized trial to assess the efficacy and safety of sitagliptin, a dipeptidyl-peptidase-4 inhibitor, in persistent or recurring type 2 diabetes after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RYGB). Participants (n = 32) completed a mixed meal test (MMT) and self-monitoring of plasma glucose (SMPG) before and 4 weeks after randomization to either sitagliptin 100 mg daily or placebo daily. Questionnaires were administered to assess gastrointestinal discomfort.

Structure of collagen adsorbed on a model implant surface resolved by polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectroscopy.

The polarization modulation infrared reflection-absorption spectra of collagen adsorbed on a titania surface and quantum chemical calculations are used to describe components of the amide I mode to the protein structure at a sub-molecular level. In this study, imino acid rich and poor fragments, representing the entire collagen molecule, are taken into account. The amide I mode of the collagen triple helix is composed of three absorption bands which involve: (i) (∼1690cm(-1)) the CO stretching modes at unhydrated groups, (ii) (1655-1673cm(-1)) the CO stretching at carbonyl groups at imino acids and glycine forming intramolecular hydrogen bonds with H atoms at both NH2 and, unusual for proteins, CH2 groups at glycine at a neighbouring chain and (iii) (∼1640cm(-1)) the CO stretching at carbonyl groups forming hydrogen bonds between two, often charged, amino acids as well as hydrogen bonds to water along the entire helix.

Hypoxic conditions during expansion culture prime human mesenchymal stromal precursor cells for chondrogenic differentiation in three-dimensional cultures.

Cell-based approaches using mesenchymal stromal precursor cells (MSCs) for the regeneration of intervertebral discs are attracting increased interest, even though the intervertebral disc is a very demanding environment. Implanted cells eventually face acidic pH, hypoxia, and a lack of nutrients. While the regenerative potential of MSCs for skeletal tissues has been well described, it is still questionable whether human MSCs can be prepared for prolonged survival and proper functioning and whether they can differentiate under the adverse conditions encountered in the disc.

A novel gelatin sponge for accelerated hemostasis.

To more effectively manage the substantial bleeding encountered during surgical procedures in oto-rhino-laryngology, we developed a novel hemostatic sponge made of pharmaceutical grade, chemically cross-linked gelatin. The sponge is characterized by a high pore density, reduced ligaments, and a high nanoscale roughness of lamella surfaces in the matrix. In vitro blood uptake assays revealed a very rapid absorption of human blood, which was two to three times faster than that measured with comparative hemostyptic devices.

The pro-angiogenic characteristics of a cross-linked gelatin matrix.

To overcome limitations on regeneration in the nervous system and other organs caused by insufficient blood supply, we have developed a gelatin sponge material which stimulates blood vessel formation, i.e. angiogenesis.