The KAG motif of HLA-DRB1 (β71, β74, β86) predicts seroconversion and development of type 1 diabetes.

Background: HLA-DR4, a common antigen of HLA-DRB1, has multiple subtypes that are strongly associated with risk of type 1 diabetes (T1D); however, some are risk neutral or resistant. The pathobiological mechanism of HLA-DR4 subtypes remains to be elucidated.

Methods: We used a population-based case-control study of T1D (962 patients and 636 controls) to decipher genetic associations of HLA-DR4 subtypes and specific residues with susceptibility to T1D.

Can the exercise-based and occupational therapy improve the posture, strength, and mobility in elderly Greek subjects with hip fracture? A non-randomized control trial.

Objectives: The effects of a rehabilitation program on static balance, mobility, and strength of lower limbs in elderly fallers operated after a hip fracture and non-operated were studied.

Methods: Ninety-one elderly (>65 years) were divided in two groups, the Operated Group (OG, 43 fallers) and the Non-Operated Group (NOG, 48 fallers). Posture during bipedal stance (30s), mobility (Up-and-Go, Falls Efficacy Scale, Berg Balance Scale) and isokinetic strength of several muscular groups in both limbs were evaluated before and after a rehabilitation intervention, consisting in 20 sessions (3 sessions/week) including kinesiotherapy and occupational therapy.

PM Pollution Strongly Predicted COVID-19 Incidence in Four High-Polluted Urbanized Italian Cities during the Pre-Lockdown and Lockdown Periods.

Background: The coronavirus disease in 2019 (COVID-19) heavily hit Italy, one of Europe's most polluted countries. The extent to which PM pollution contributed to COVID-19 diffusion is needing further clarification. We aimed to investigate the particular matter (PM) pollution and its correlation with COVID-19 incidence across four Italian cities: Milan, Rome, Naples, and Salerno, during the pre-lockdown and lockdown periods.

The vicious circle between physical, psychological, and physiological characteristics of shift work in nurses: a multidimensional approach.

Purpose: To compare physical, psychological, and physiological adaptations between rotating and morning shift health workers using objective and subjective approaches.

Methods: Forty nurses [n = 20 morning shift (MS) group; n = 20 rotating shift (RS) group] were evaluated for anthropometry, body composition, and handgrip strength. Quality of life, depression, fatigue, daytime sleepiness, and sleep quality were assessed with SF-36, Zung Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively.

The diabetes quality of life brief clinical inventory in combination with the management strategies in type 1 diabetes mellitus with or without the use of insulin pump.

Aims: The aims of this study are to evaluate any differences in the Quality of life among Continuous Subcutaneous Insulin Infusion (CSII) and Multiple Dose Injection (MDI) insulin delivery, applying the Diabetes Quality of life Brief Clinical Inventory (DQoL-BCI) questionnaire, and assess the diabetes management strategies between the two groups.

Methods: One hundred and ten adult participants (male/female ratio 1:2.7) with type 1 diabetes were recruited in this online survey.

Thyroid cancer diagnosis with transdermal probe 22G U/S versus EBUS-convex probe TBNA-B 22G and 19G: pros and cons.

Introduction: Thyroid cancer is usually diagnosed both with imaging techniques and transdermal biopsy. Laboratory tests are also included in the initial work-up.

Patients And Methods: One hundred and thirty patients were included in our study with pathological imaging findings in the thyroid region.

Extended perfusion protocol for MS lesion quantification.

This study aims to examine a time-extended dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) protocol and report a comparative study with three different pharmacokinetic (PK) models, for accurate determination of subtle blood-brain barrier (BBB) disruption in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). This time-extended DCE-MRI perfusion protocol, called Snaps, was applied on 24 active demyelinating lesions of 12 MS patients. Statistical analysis was performed for both protocols through three different PK models.

Connection between PD-L1 expression and standardized uptake value in NSCLC: an early prognostic treatment combination.

: Lung cancer is still diagnosed at advanced stage and early treatment initiation is needed. Therefore, we need biomarkers or clusters of information that can provide early treatment prognosis.: Biopsies were acquired from 471 patients-lung masses with CT-guided biopsy, convex probe transthorasic biopsy, and EBUS-TBNA convex probe with 18 G needles and 19 G needles.

Effect of Graphene Nanoplatelets on the Structure, the Morphology, and the Dielectric Behavior of Low-Density Polyethylene Nanocomposites.

The incorporation of graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) within a polymer matrix can play an important role in the physical properties and the functionality of the composite material. Composites consisting of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and GnPs of different concentrations were developed by mixing GnPs with a molten form of the polymeric matrix. The effect of the GnPs content on the morphological, structural, and electrical properties of the composites were investigated.

Lung cancer biopsies: Comparison between simple 22G, 22G upgraded and 21G needle for EBUS-TBNA.

Novel technologies are currently used for lung cancer diagnosis. EBUS-TBNA 22G is considered one of the most important tools. However; there are still issues with the sample size.

Rheumatoid arthritis patients on persistent moderate disease activity on biologics have adverse 5-year outcome compared to persistent low-remission status and represent a heterogeneous group.

Background: The long-term outcome of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients who in clinical practice exhibit persistent moderate disease activity (pMDA) despite treatment with biologics has not been adequately studied. Herein, we analyzed the 5-year outcome of the pMDA group and assessed for within-group heterogeneity.

Methods: We included longitudinally monitored RA patients from the Hellenic Registry of Biologic Therapies with persistent (cumulative time ≥ 50% of a 5-year period) moderate (pMDA, 3.

Next-Generation HLA Sequence Analysis Uncovers Seven HLA-DQ Amino Acid Residues and Six Motifs Resistant to Childhood Type 1 Diabetes.

HLA-DQA1 and -DQB1 genes have significant and potentially causal associations with autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D). To follow up on the earlier analysis on high-risk HLA-DQ2.5 and DQ8.

Impact of organizational silence and favoritism on nurse's work outcomes and psychological well-being.

Objectives: The study aimed to assess the impacts of organizational silence and favoritism on work outcomes and psychological wellbeing among nurses working in hospitals.

Background: Literature on the organizational climate among nurses in hospital settings is limited, particularly on favoritism and organizational silence and their effect on nurses.

Methods: Purposive sampling was used to gather 549 registered nurses who participated in this cross-sectional study.

Relationship between nurse practice environment and work outcomes: A survey study in the Philippines.

Aims: Challenges in the nurse practice environment greatly affect nurse work outcomes. This study investigated the relationship between nurse practice environment and work outcomes in the Philippines.

Methods: This cross-sectional survey involved 549 hospital nurses in the Philippines in 2018.

Study about Food Choice Determinants According to Six Types of Conditioning Motivations in a Sample of 11,960 Participants.

Many aspects linked to personal characteristics, society and culture constitute some of the motivators that drive food choice. The aim of this work was to determine in what extent the eating behaviors of individuals are shaped by six different types of determinants, namely: health, emotions, price and availability, society and culture, environment and politics, and marketing and commercials. This is a descriptive cross-sectional study, involving a non-probabilistic sample of 11,960 participants from 16 countries.

Influence of toxic and transformational leadership practices on nurses' job satisfaction, job stress, absenteeism and turnover intention: A cross-sectional study.

Aim: This study examined the influence of toxic and transformational leadership practices on nurses' job satisfaction, psychological distress, absenteeism and intent to leave the organisation or the nursing profession.

Background: Transformational leadership is attributed to favourable nurse consequences; however, the nursing literature is silent regarding the causal association between toxic leadership and nurses' job outcomes.

Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 770 registered nurses from 15 hospitals in Central Philippines.

Short-term neurophysiological effects of sensory pathway neurorehabilitation strategies on chronic poststroke oropharyngeal dysphagia.

Background: Neurorehabilitation strategies for chronic poststroke (PS) oropharyngeal dysphagia (OD) have been mainly focused on the neurostimulation of the pharyngeal motor cortex with only marginal effects. In contrast, treatments targeting the PS oropharyngeal sensory pathway dysfunction offer very promising results, but there is little knowledge on the underlying mechanisms. We aimed to explore the neurophysiological mechanisms behind the effect of three sensory neurostimulation strategies.

Effects of lunch club attendance on the dietary intake of older adults in the UK: A pilot cross-sectional study.

Background: Lunch clubs are community-based projects where meals are offered with opportunities for social interaction, and a unique dining experience of dual commercial and communal nature.

Aim: The aim of the present cross-sectional study was to assess differences in the dietary intake between lunch club and non-lunch club days among community-dwelling elderly, living in Dorset, UK.

Methods: A total of 39 elderly individuals attending local lunch clubs were recruited.

The Formation of Chemical Degraders during the Conservation of a Wooden Tudor Shipwreck.

Determining the nature, evolution, and impact of acid-generating sulfur deposits in the Mary Rose wooden hull is crucial for protecting Henry VIII's famous warship for generations to come. Here, a comprehensive X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) study sheds vital light on the evolution of complex sulfur-based compounds lodged in Mary Rose timbers as a function of drying time. Combining insights from infrared spectroscopy correlates the presence of oxidized sulfur species with increased wood degradation via the loss of major wood components (holocellulose).

Apparent diffusion coefficient measurements on a novel diffusion weighted MRI phantom utilizing EPI and HASTE sequences.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to introduce a novel DWI-MRI phantom and to compare Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) measurements, utilizing EPI-DWI and HASTE-DWI sequences and two different fitting algorithms.

Materials And Methods: 23 test tubes with different sucrose concentrations and polyacrylamide gels were used as a phantom for ADC measurements. The phantom was scanned on a clinical MRI system (1.

Evaluation of physical performance in musculoskeletal and rheumatic diseases with jumping mechanography.

Objective: Low muscle function is a component of sarcopenia. Rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases are related to increased muscle loss and decreased muscle performance. Our purpose was to study muscle function among pre and postmenopausal women and women with rheumatic diseases.

Computational Comparison between the Altura Aortic Endograft Configuration and the Classic Bifurcated Idealized Designs.

Background: The Altura (Alt) endograft is a new design, lacking the classic main body with the flow divider. Instead, 2 proximal D-shaped endografts form a round circumference in the aortic neck for secure sealing and land in the iliac arteries in a cross-limb fashion. The aim of this computational study was to compare hemodynamically this model with the classic bifurcated (Bif) and cross-limb (Cx) endograft designs of equal total length.

Motifs of Three HLA-DQ Amino Acid Residues (α44, β57, β135) Capture Full Association With the Risk of Type 1 Diabetes in DQ2 and DQ8 Children.

HLA-DQA1 and -DQB1 are strongly associated with type 1 diabetes (T1D), and DQ8.1 and DQ2.5 are major risk haplotypes.