Summary
Background
Asthma in the elderly (aged ≥ 65 years old) is a significant concern with high morbidity, but the pathophysiology remains unclear particularly in late‐onset asthma. Recent studies ...suggest staphylococcal enterotoxin IgE (SE‐IgE) sensitization to be a risk factor for asthma in general populations; however, the associations have not been examined in late‐onset elderly asthma.
Objective
We aimed to examine the associations of SE‐IgE sensitization with late‐onset asthma in the elderly, using a database of elderly asthma cohort study.
Methods
A total of 249 elderly patients with asthma and 98 controls were analysed. At baseline, patients were assessed for demographics, atopy, induced sputum profiles and comorbidities including chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). Serum total IgE and SE‐IgE levels were measured. Asthma severity was assessed on the basis of asthma outcomes during a 12‐month follow‐up period.
Results
At baseline, serum SE‐IgE concentrations were significantly higher in patients with asthma than in controls median 0.16 (interquartile range 0.04–0.53) vs. 0.10 (0.01–0.19), P < 0.001. Elderly asthma patients with high SE‐IgE levels had specific characteristics of having more severe asthma, sputum eosinophilia and CRS, compared to those with lower SE‐IgE levels. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the associations between serum SE‐IgE concentrations and severe asthma were significant, independently of covariables SE‐IgE‐high (≥ 0.35 kU/L) vs. negative (< 0.10 kU/L) group: odds ratio 7.47, 95% confidence interval 1.86–30.03, P = 0.005. Multiple correspondence analyses also showed that high serum SE‐IgE level had close relationships with severe asthma, CRS and sputum eosinophilia together.
Conclusions and Clinical Relevance
This is the first report on the significant associations of SE‐IgE sensitization with late‐onset asthma in the elderly, particularly severe eosinophilic asthma with CRS comorbidity. Our findings indicate a potential implication of SE in the high morbidity burden of elderly asthma and suggest clues to the pathogenesis of severe late‐onset eosinophilic asthma in the elderly.
alpha-Synuclein gene (SNCA) multiplication was found in familial Parkinson disease (PD). We examined SNCA multiplication in patients with familial and sporadic PD and multiple system atrophy (MSA).
...We screened 1,106 patients with parkinsonism (PD = 906, MSA = 200) for SNCA multiplication by multiplex PCR. Fluorescent in situ hybridization was done to confirm the multiplication. (123)IN-omega-Fluoropropyl-2 beta-carbomethoxy-3beta-(4-iodophenyl)-tropane ((123)IFP-CIT) SPECT was done in the patients with SNCA multiplication and their family members.
Three patients were identified as having SNCA duplication. One patient had a positive family history, and two patients were sporadic. Each patient had asymptomatic carriers in their families. The familial case had early onset parkinsonism with rapidly progressive course, cognitive impairment, and dysautonomia. Sporadic cases were more typical of PD. (123)IFP-CIT SPECT was abnormal in the patients and normal in the asymptomatic carriers.
SNCA multiplication is present in sporadic Parkinson disease (PD) and needs to be screened. Low penetrance, clinical heterogeneity, and normal dopamine transporter imaging in asymptomatic carriers may suggest the presence of other genetic modifiers or environmental triggers that play a role in the pathogenesis of PD due to SNCA duplication.
Background
National Health Insurance (NHI) claim records could provide valuable data for epidemiological studies of asthma in Korea. The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of adult ...asthma and to investigate asthma‐related healthcare use and prescription patterns in Korea over 5 years.
Methods
National Health Insurance claim records from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2010 were analyzed in a retrospective, population‐based study. Outcome measures included asthma prevalence, healthcare use, and prescription patterns over time, by type of hospital, and by medical specialty. Additionally, we assessed differences in healthcare use between newly diagnosed and previously diagnosed patients in 2009.
Results
Over 5 years, the prevalence of asthma among Korean adults increased from 4944 to 5707 cases per 100 000 population (from 3760 to 4445 in men and from 6108 to 6951 in women). Asthma‐related outpatient visits decreased from 4.82 ± 8.02 to 3.44 ± 5.50. Approximately 3% of all patients were hospitalized and 2.4% received asthma‐related emergency treatment each year. Pulmonary function tests were performed in 10–11% of patients an average of 1.3 times per year. Newly diagnosed patients experienced fewer asthma‐related hospitalizations (1.78% vs 4.35%) and emergency department visits (0.80% vs 2.11%) than the previously diagnosed group. Prescriptions of inhaled corticosteroids‐based inhalers were maintained with about 20% of average of all types of hospitals.
Conclusions
The prevalence of asthma in Korea has increased over a recent 5‐year period, and asthma is still suboptimally controlled. Public health strategies are needed to improve the management of asthma in adults.
Background
Few studies have investigated the incidence of anaphylaxis induced by individual or structurally similar cephalosporins. The aims of the study were to assess the incidence of ...cephalosporin‐induced anaphylaxis and evaluate the clinical efficacy of screening skin tests.
Methods
In this retrospective cohort study, we obtained information on total cephalosporin use and cephalosporin‐induced anaphylaxis in intravenous cephalosporin recipients in 12 general hospitals between 2013 and 2015. Cephalosporins were divided into 4 groups according to similar side‐chain structures. The incidence of cephalosporin‐induced anaphylaxis was assessed for each cephalosporin, cephalosporin generation, and side‐chain group. To verify the efficacy of screening intradermal tests (IDT) with cephalosporin, the 12 hospitals were assigned to the intervention or control group depending on whether they performed screening IDT before the administration of cephalosporins.
Results
We identified 76 cases of cephalosporin‐induced anaphylaxis with 1 123 345 exposures to intravenous cephalosporins (6.8 per 100 000 exposures), and the incidence of fatal anaphylaxis by cephalosporin was 0.1 cases per 100 000 exposures. The highest incidences of anaphylaxis occurred in the ceftizoxime (13.0 cases per 100 000 exposures) and side‐chain group 1 (cefepime, cefotaxime, ceftizoxime, ceftriaxone, and cefuroxime; 9.3 per 100 000). There was no case of anaphylaxis induced by cefoxitin, cefmetazole, cefminox, and cefotiam. The clinical effectiveness of routine screening IDT was not significant (P = .06).
Conclusions
The incidence of cephalosporin‐induced anaphylaxis differed according to individual drugs and side‐chain structure. Screening IDT showed no clinical efficacy at a population level.
Among total 1 140 354 cephalosporin treatment courses from 12 hours hospitals, the incidence of cephalosporin induced anaphylaxis was 6.8 per 100 000 exposures and the related fatality was 1.3%. The incidence of cephalosporin induced anaphylaxis varies with each drug type, and the highest incidences of anaphylaxis occurred in the ceftizoxime (13.0 cases per 100 000 exposures). Screening intradermal tests with cephalosporin failed to show preventive effect on cephalosporin‐induced anaphylaxis.
We present a measure of the hard (2-8 keV) X-ray luminosity function (XLF) of AGNs up to image. At high redshifts, the wide area coverage of the Chandra Multiwavength Project is crucial to detect ...rare and luminous AGNs. The inclusion of samples from deeper published surveys, such as the Chandra Deep Fields, allows us to span the lower L sub(X) range of the XLF. Our sample is selected from both the hard and soft energy band detections. Within our optical magnitude limits, we achieve an adequate level of completeness (>50%) regarding X-ray source identification (i.e., redshift). We find that the luminosity function is similar to that found in previous X- ray surveys up to image with an evolution dependent on both luminosity and redshift. At image, there is a significant decline in the numbers of AGNs with an evolution rate similar to that found by studies of optically selected QSOs. Based on our XLF, we assess the resolved fraction of the cosmic X-ray background, the cumulative mass density of SMBHs, and the comparison of the mean accretion rate onto SMBHs and the star formation history of galaxies as a function of redshift. A coevolution scenario up to image is plausible, although at higher redshifts the accretion rate onto SMBHs drops more rapidly. Finally, we highlight the need for better statistics of high- redshift AGNs at image, which is achievable with the upcoming Chandra surveys.
The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic causes fear, as its immediate consequences for the public have produced unprecedented challenges for the education and healthcare systems. We aimed to ...validate the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCoV-19S) and examine the association of its scores with health literacy and health-related behaviors among medical students. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 7 to 29 April 2020 on 5423 students at eight universities across Vietnam, including five universities in the North, one university in the Center, two universities in the South. An online survey questionnaire was used to collect data on participants' characteristics, health literacy, fear of COVID-19 using the FCoV-19S, and health-related behaviors. The results showed that seven items of the FCoV-19S strongly loaded on one component, explained 62.15% of the variance, with good item-scale convergent validity and high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha = 0.90). Higher health literacy was associated with lower FCoV-19S scores (coefficient, B, -0.06; 95% confidence interval, 95%CI, -0.08, -0.04;
< 0.001). Older age or last academic years, being men, and being able to pay for medication were associated with lower FCoV-19S scores. Students with higher FCoV-19S scores more likely kept smoking (odds ratio, OR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.08, 1.14;
< 0.001) or drinking alcohol (OR, 1.04; 95% CI, 1.02, 1.06;
< 0.001) at an unchanged or higher level during the pandemic, as compared to students with lower FCoV-19S scores. In conclusion, the FCoV-19S is valid and reliable in screening for fear of COVID-19. Health literacy was found to protect medical students from fear. Smoking and drinking appeared to have a negative impact on fear of COVID-19. Strategic public health approaches are required to reduce fear and promote healthy lifestyles during the pandemic.
We present a simple strategy for the fabrication of porous carbon nanofibers (see figure). This procedure produces thin webs by electrospinning a polymer solution containing different concentrations ...of zinc chloride and subsequently thermally treating the system. Their resulting surface area and good electrical conductivity make these porous carbon nanofibers useful in the fabrication of efficient electrodes for supercapacitors.
Summary
Background
Allergic respiratory conditions have been associated with increased susceptibility to viral infection due to impaired interferon (IFN)‐related immune responses, but the mechanisms ...for reinforcement of mucosal immunity against viral infection in allergic diseases are largely unknown.
Objectives
To determine whether IFN induction would be impaired in allergic nasal mucosa and to identify whether higher loads of influenza A virus (IAV) in allergic nasal mucosa could be controlled with IFN treatment.
Methods
Influenza A virus mRNA, viral titres and IFN expression were compared in IAV‐infected normal human nasal epithelial (NHNE, N = 10) and allergic rhinitis nasal epithelial (ARNE, N = 10) cells. We used in vivo model of allergic rhinitis (BALB/c mice, N = 10) and human nasal mucosa from healthy volunteers (N = 72) and allergic rhinitis patients (N = 29) to assess the induction of IFNs after IAV infection.
Results
Influenza A virus mRNA levels and viral titres were significantly higher in ARNE compared with NHNE cells. IFN‐β and IFN‐λs were induced in NHNE and ARNE cells up to 3 days after IAV infection. Interestingly, induction of IFN‐λs mRNA levels and the amount of secreted proteins were considerably lower in ARNE cells. The mean IFN‐λs mRNA level was also significantly lower in the nasal mucosa of AR patients, and we found that recombinant IFN‐λ treatment attenuated viral mRNA levels and viral titres in IAV‐infected ARNE cells. In vivoAR mouse exhibited higher viral load after IAV infection, but intranasal inoculation of IFN‐λ completely decreased IAV protein expression and viral titre in nasal mucosa of IAV‐infected AR mouse.
Conclusion
Higher susceptibility of the allergic nasal mucosa to IAV may depend on impairment of type III IFN induction, and type III IFN is a key mechanistic link between higher viral loads and control of IAV infection in allergic nasal mucosa.
Viruses represent the most abundant life forms on the planet. Recent experimental and computational improvements have led to a dramatic increase in the number of viral genome sequences identified ...primarily from metagenomic samples. As a result of the expanding catalog of metagenomic viral sequences, there exists a need for a comprehensive computational platform integrating all these sequences with associated metadata and analytical tools. Here we present IMG/VR (https://img.jgi.doe.gov/vr/), the largest publicly available database of 3908 isolate reference DNA viruses with 264 413 computationally identified viral contigs from >6000 ecologically diverse metagenomic samples. Approximately half of the viral contigs are grouped into genetically distinct quasi-species clusters. Microbial hosts are predicted for 20 000 viral sequences, revealing nine microbial phyla previously unreported to be infected by viruses. Viral sequences can be queried using a variety of associated metadata, including habitat type and geographic location of the samples, or taxonomic classification according to hallmark viral genes. IMG/VR has a user-friendly interface that allows users to interrogate all integrated data and interact by comparing with external sequences, thus serving as an essential resource in the viral genomics community.
Background
Aloe vera is a cactus‐like perennial succulent belonging to the Liliaceae Family that is commonly grown in tropical climates. Animal studies have suggested that Aloe vera may help ...accelerate the wound healing process.
Objectives
To determine the effects of Aloe vera‐derived products (for example dressings and topical gels) on the healing of acute wounds (for example lacerations, surgical incisions and burns) and chronic wounds (for example infected wounds, arterial and venous ulcers).
Search methods
We searched the Cochrane Wounds Group Specialised Register (9 September 2011), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL) (The Cochrane Library 2011, Issue 3), Ovid MEDLINE (2005 to August Week 5 2011), Ovid MEDLINE (In‐Process & Other Non‐Indexed Citations 8 September 2011), Ovid EMBASE (2007 to 2010 Week 35), Ovid AMED (1985 to September 2011) and EBSCO CINAHL (1982 to 9 September 2011). We did not apply date or language restrictions.
Selection criteria
We included all randomised controlled trials that evaluated the effectiveness of Aloe vera, aloe‐derived products and a combination of Aloe vera and other dressings as a treatment for acute or chronic wounds. There was no restriction in terms of source, date of publication or language. An objective measure of wound healing (either proportion of completely healed wounds or time to complete healing) was the primary endpoint.
Data collection and analysis
Two review authors independently carried out trial selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment, checked by a third review author.
Main results
Seven trials were eligible for inclusion, comprising a total of 347 participants. Five trials in people with acute wounds evaluated the effects of Aloe vera on burns, haemorrhoidectomy patients and skin biopsies. Aloe vera mucilage did not increase burn healing compared with silver sulfadiazine (risk ratio (RR) 1.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70 to 2.85). A reduction in healing time with Aloe vera was noted after haemorrhoidectomy (RR 16.33 days, 95% CI 3.46 to 77.15) and there was no difference in the proportion of patients completely healed at follow up after skin biopsies. In people with chronic wounds, one trial found no statistically significant difference in pressure ulcer healing with Aloe vera (RR 0.10, 95% CI ‐1.59 to 1.79) and in a trial of surgical wounds healing by secondary intention Aloe vera significantly delayed healing (mean difference 30 days, 95% CI 7.59 to 52.41). Clinical heterogeneity precluded meta‐analysis. The poor quality of the included trials indicates that the trial results must be viewed with extreme caution as they have a high risk of bias.
Authors' conclusions
There is currently an absence of high quality clinical trial evidence to support the use of Aloe vera topical agents or Aloe vera dressings as treatments for acute and chronic wounds.
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