Nevin Manimala

Zhonghua Wei Zhong Bing Ji Jiu Yi Xue. 2021 Aug;33(8):933-937. doi: 10.3760/cma.j.cn121430-20201013-00669.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cell 2 (TREM2) in mice lung ischemia/reperfusion injury (LIRI).

METHODS: Thirty-six healthy male C57BL/6 mice were divided into six groups according to the random number method (n = 6): normal control group, and LIRI 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours group. Mice LIRI models were established by clamping the left hilum. The wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of left lung tissue was measured. Lung injury was observed and evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and electron microscopy. The levels of interleukins (IL-1β, IL-18) in lung tissue were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The mRNA expressions of TREM2 and caspase-1 were determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The protein expressions of TREM2, caspase-1, Gasdermin-D (GSDMD) were determined by Western blotting.

RESULTS: At 2 hours after LIRI, lung injury began to appear, the lung ultrastructure changed, and the lung injury score increased; at 6 hours, the degree of lung injury was the most serious; after 12 hours, the lung injury gradually reduced and the lung injury score gradually decreased. Compared with the normal control group, lung W/D ratio and lung injury score of LIRI 2, 6, 12, 24, 48 hours groups were significantly higher, the differences were statistically significant (lung W/D ratio: 7.06±0.52, 8.34±0.17, 6.42±0.35, 5.34±0.25, 5.59±0.45 vs. 4.69±0.23; lung injury score: 5.50±0.54, 9.75±0.89, 5.88±0.84, 3.63±0.74, 4.13±0.64 vs. 1.13±0.35, all P < 0.05). Compared with the normal control group, the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in lung tissue were significantly increased at 2 hours after LIRI, reached a peak at 6 hours [IL-1β (ng/L): 502.76±12.25 vs. 56.50±8.07, IL-18 (ng/L): 414.02±10.75 vs. 81.63±5.29, both P < 0.05], then decreased gradually, and were still significantly higher than the normal control group at 48 hours. The PCR and Western blotting showed that the expression of TREM2 was significantly lower than that in the normal control group at 2 hours after LIRI, and reached a valley at 6 hours [TREM2 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 0.47±0.05 vs. 1.02±0.05, TREM2/GAPDH: 0.23±0.13 vs. 0.48±0.17, both P < 0.05], then gradually increased, and reached the peak at 24 hours [TREM2 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 3.98±0.15 vs. 1.02±0.05, TREM2/GAPDH: 0.71±0.17 vs. 0.48±0.17, both P < 0.05]. The trend of expression of caspase-1 and GSDMD were opposite to that of TREM2, which increased at first and then decreased, and reached a peak at 6 hours after reperfusion [caspase-1 mRNA (2^-ΔΔCt): 2.20±0.13 vs. 1.01±0.02, caspase-1/GAPDH: 0.64±0.02 vs. 0.20±0.06, GSDMD/GAPDH: 1.23±0.01 vs. 0.87±0.02, all P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONS: TREM2 might be involved in LIRI in mice. The mechanism may be related to the effect of TREM2 on caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis.

PMID:34590559 | DOI:10.3760/cma.j.cn121430-20201013-00669

Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 29;11(1):19367. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-99009-1.

ABSTRACT

Revascularization surgery is considered a standard treatment for preventing additional stroke in symptomatic moyamoya disease (MMD). In hemodynamically stable, and asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic patients, however, the treatment strategy is controversial because of the obscure natural course of them. The authors analyzed the benefits and risks of antiplatelet medication in those patients. Medical data were retrospectively reviewed in 439 hemispheres of 243 patients with stable hemodynamic status. Overall, 121 patients (49.8%) with 222 studied hemispheres (50.6%) took antiplatelet medication. Symptomatic cerebral infarction and hemorrhage occurred in 10 (2.3%) and 30 (6.8%) hemispheres, over a mean follow-up of 62.0 ± 43.4 months (range 6-218 months). The use of antiplatelet agents was statistically insignificant in terms of symptomatic infarction, hemorrhage and improvement of ischemic symptoms. In subgroup analyses within the antiplatelet group according to drug potency and duration of medication, a longer duration of antiplatelet medication significantly improved ischemic symptoms (adjusted OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.03; p = 0.006). Antiplatelet medication failed to prevent symptomatic cerebral infarction or improve ischemic symptoms. However, antiplatelet therapy did not increase the risk of cerebral hemorrhage.

PMID:34588601 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-99009-1

Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 29;11(1):19347. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-98963-0.

ABSTRACT

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has revealed alarming shortages of personal protective equipment for frontline healthcare professionals and the general public. Therefore, a 3D-printable mask frame was developed, and its air seal performance was evaluated and compared. Personalized masks (PM) based on individual face scans (n = 8) and a statistically shaped mask (SSM) based on a standardized facial soft tissue shape computed from 190 face scans were designed. Subsequently, the masks were additively manufactured, and in a second step, the PM and SSM were compared to surgical masks (SM) and FFP2 masks (FFP2) in terms of air seal performance. 3D-printed face models allowed for air leakage evaluation by measuring the pressure inside the mask in sealed and unsealed conditions during a breathing simulation. The PM demonstrated the lowest leak flow (p < 0.01) of inspired or expired unfiltered air of approximately 10.4 ± 16.4%, whereas the SM showed the highest (p < 0.01) leakage with 84.9 ± 7.7%. The FFP2 and SSM had similar values of 34.9 ± 18.5% leakage (p > 0.68). The developed framework allows for the time- and resource-efficient, on-demand, and in-house production of masks. For the best seal performance, an individually personalized mask design might be recommended.

PMID:34588584 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-98963-0

Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 29;11(1):19395. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-98893-x.

ABSTRACT

The aim of this nationwide study was to analyze the impact of diabetes on post-operative mortality in patients undergoing AAA repair in France. This 10-year retrospective, multicenter study based on the French National electronic health data included patients undergoing AAA repair between 2010 and 2019. In-hospital post-operative mortality was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curve survival and Log-Rank tests. A multivariate regression analysis was performed to calculate Hazard Ratios. Over 79,935 patients who underwent AAA repair, 61,146 patients (76.5%) had at least one hospital-readmission after the AAA repair, for a mean follow-up of 3.5 ± 2.5 years. Total in-hospital mortality over the 10-year study was 16,986 (21.3%) and 4581 deaths (5.8%) occurred during the first hospital stay for AAA repair. Age over 64 years old, the presence of AAA rupture and hospital readmission at 30-day were predictors of post-operative mortality (AdjHR = 1.59 CI 95% 1.51-1.67; AdjHR = 1.49 CI 95% 1.36-1.62 and AdjHR = 1.92, CI 95% 1.84-2.00). The prevalence of diabetes was significantly lower in ruptured AAA compared to unruptured AAA (14.8% vs 20.9%, P < 0.001 for type 2 diabetes and 2.5% vs 4.0%, P < 0.001 for type 1 diabetes). Type 1 diabetes was significantly associated with post-operative mortality (AdjHR = 1.30 CI 95% 1.20-1.40). For type 2 diabetes, the association was not statistically significant (Adj HR = 0.96, CI 95% 0.92-1.01). Older age, AAA rupture and hospital readmission were associated with deaths that occurred after discharge from the first AAA repair. Type 1 diabetes was identified as a risk factor of post-operative mortality. This study highlights the complex association between diabetes and AAA and should encourage institutions to report long-term follow-up after AAA repair to better understand its impact.

PMID:34588565 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-98893-x

Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 29;11(1):19273. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-98793-0.

ABSTRACT

Chest electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is a promising application which is used to monitor the ventilation and perfusion of the lung at the bedside dynamically. The aim of the study was to introduce the first Chinese made chest EIT device for ICU application (Pulmo EIT-100). The system design of the hardware and software was briefly introduced. The performance of the system was compared to PulmoVista 500 (Dräger Medical) in healthy volunteers. The EIT system Pulmo EIT-100 consists of impedance measurement module, power supply module, PC all-in-one machine, medical cart and accessories. The performance of the system current source and voltage measurement unit was tested. A total of 50 healthy lung volunteers were prospectively examined. Subjects were asked to perform repetitive slow vital capacity (SVC) maneuvers with a spirometer. EIT measurements were performed in the following sequence during each SVC with: (1) Pulmo EIT-100, (2) PulmonVista500, (3) Pulmo EIT-100 and (4) PulmonVista500. Linearity and regional ventilation distribution of the reconstructed images from two devices were compared. The output frequency stability of the current source was 2 ppm. The amplitude error within one hour was less than 0.32‰. The output impedance of the current source was about 50kΩ. The signal-to-noise ratio of each measurement channel was ≥ 60 dB. For fixed resistance measurements, the measured values drifted about 0.08% within one hour. For human subjects, the correlations between the spirometry volume and EIT impedance from two devices were both 0.99 ± 0.01. No statistical significances were found in the parameters investigated. The repeatability (variability) of measures from the same device was comparable. Our EIT device delivers reliable data and might be used for patient measurement in a clinical setting.

PMID:34588556 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-98793-0

Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 29;11(1):19401. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-98586-5.

ABSTRACT

In a subset analysis of data from a 6-month, multicenter, non-interventional study, we compared change in symptoms and quality of life (QoL), and treatment tolerability, in men with moderate to severe lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (LUTS/BPH) receiving tamsulosin (TAM, 0.4 mg/day) or the hexanic extract of Serenoa repens (HESr, 320 mg/day) as monotherapy. Symptoms and QoL were assessed using the IPSS and BII questionnaires, respectively. Patients in the treatment groups were matched using two statistical approaches (iterative and propensity score matching). Within the iterative matching approach, data was available from a total of 737 patients (353 TAM, 384 HESr). After 6 months, IPSS scores improved by a mean (SD) of 5.0 (4.3) points in the TAM group and 4.5 (4.7) points in the HESr group (p = 0.117, not significant). Improvements in QoL were equivalent in the two groups. TAM patients reported significantly more adverse effects than HESr patients (14.7% vs 2.1%; p < 0.001), particularly ejaculation dysfunction and orthostatic hypotension. These results show that HESr is a valid treatment option for men with moderate/severe LUTS/BPH; improvements in urinary symptoms and QoL were similar to those observed for tamsulosin, but with considerably fewer adverse effects.

PMID:34588509 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-98586-5

Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 29;11(1):19342. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-98499-3.

ABSTRACT

Coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has become a global pandemic with significant mortality. Accurate information on the specific circumstances of death and whether patients died from or with SARS-CoV-2 is scarce. To distinguish COVID-19 from non-COVID-19 deaths, we performed a systematic review of 735 SARS-CoV-2-associated deaths in Hamburg, Germany, from March to December 2020, using conventional autopsy, ultrasound-guided minimally invasive autopsy, postmortem computed tomography and medical records. Statistical analyses including multiple logistic regression were used to compare both cohorts. 84.1% (n = 618) were classified as COVID-19 deaths, 6.4% (n = 47) as non-COVID-19 deaths, 9.5% (n = 70) remained unclear. Median age of COVID-19 deaths was 83.0 years, 54.4% were male. In the autopsy group (n = 283), the majority died of pneumonia and/or diffuse alveolar damage (73.6%; n = 187). Thromboses were found in 39.2% (n = 62/158 cases), pulmonary embolism in 22.1% (n = 56/253 cases). In 2020, annual mortality in Hamburg was about 5.5% higher than in the previous 20 years, of which 3.4% (n = 618) represented COVID-19 deaths. Our study highlights the need for mortality surveillance and postmortem examinations. The vast majority of individuals who died directly from SARS-CoV-2 infection were of advanced age and had multiple comorbidities.

PMID:34588486 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-98499-3

Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 29;11(1):19365. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-98120-7.

ABSTRACT

Genome-wide association studies have identified numerous common genetic variants associated with spirometric measures of pulmonary function, including forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁), forced vital capacity, and their ratio. However, variants with lower minor allele frequencies are less explored. We conducted a large-scale gene-smoking interaction meta-analysis on exonic rare and low-frequency variants involving 44,429 individuals of European ancestry in the discovery stage and sought replication in the UK BiLEVE study with 45,133 European ancestry samples and UK Biobank study with 59,478 samples. We leveraged data on cigarette smoking, the major environmental risk factor for reduced lung function, by testing gene-by-smoking interaction effects only and simultaneously testing the genetic main effects and interaction effects. The most statistically significant signal that replicated was a previously reported low-frequency signal in GPR126, distinct from common variant associations in this gene. Although only nominal replication was obtained for a top rare variant signal rs142935352 in one of the two studies, interaction and joint tests for current smoking and PDE3B were significantly associated with FEV₁. This study investigates the utility of assessing gene-by-smoking interactions and underscores their effects on potential pulmonary function.

PMID:34588469 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-98120-7

Sci Rep. 2021 Sep 29;11(1):19302. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-97092-y.

ABSTRACT

Migraine is prevalent during pregnancy. Antimigraine medications such as dihydroergotamine (DHE) and triptans have been associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes in individual studies but lack of consensus remains. We compared the risk of prematurity, low birth weight (LBW), major congenital malformations (MCM), and spontaneous abortions (SA) associated with gestational use of DHE or triptans. Three cohort and one nested-case-control analyses were conducted within the Quebec Pregnancy Cohort to assess the risk of prematurity, LBW, MCM, and SA. Exposure was defined dichotomously as use of DHE or triptan during pregnancy. Generalized estimation equations were built to quantify the associations, adjusting for potential confounders. 233,900 eligible pregnancies were included in the analyses on prematurity, LBW, and MCM; 29,104 cases of SA were identified. Seventy-eight subjects (0.03%) were exposed to DHE and 526 (0.22%) to triptans. Adjusting for potential confounders, DHE and triptans were associated with increased risks of prematurity, LBW, MCM, and SA but not all estimates were statistically significant. DHE was associated with the risk of prematurity (aRR: 4.12, 95% CI 1.21-13.99); triptans were associated with the risk of SA (aOR: 1.63, 95% CI 1.34-1.98). After considering maternal migraine, all antimigraine specific medications increased the risk of some adverse pregnancy outcomes, but estimates were unstable.

PMID:34588467 | DOI:10.1038/s41598-021-97092-y

Sci Data. 2021 Sep 29;8(1):253. doi: 10.1038/s41597-021-01031-5.

ABSTRACT

Quantifying the timing and content of policy changes affecting international travel and immigration is key to ongoing research on the spread of SARS-CoV-2 and the socioeconomic impacts of border closures. The COVID Border Accountability Project (COBAP) provides a hand-coded dataset of >1000 policies systematized to reflect a complete timeline of country-level restrictions on movement across international borders during 2020. Trained research assistants used pre-set definitions to source, categorize and verify for each new border policy: start and end dates, whether the closure is “complete” or “partial”, which exceptions are made, which countries are banned, and which air/land/sea borders were closed. COBAP verified the database through internal and external audits from public health experts. For purposes of further verification and future data mining efforts of pandemic research, the full text of each policy was archived. The structure of the COBAP dataset is designed for use by social and biomedical scientists. For broad accessibility to policymakers and the public, our website depicts the data in an interactive, user-friendly, time-based map.

PMID:34588463 | DOI:10.1038/s41597-021-01031-5