Enhanced Expression of Autoantigens During SARS-CoV-2 Viral Infection

Immune homeostasis is disturbed during severe viral infections, which can lead to loss of tolerance to self-peptides and result in short- or long-term autoimmunity. Using publicly available transcriptomic datasets, we conducted an in-silico analyses to evaluate the expression levels of 52 autoantigens, known to be associated with 24 autoimmune diseases, during SAR-CoV-2 infection. Seven autoantigens (MPO, PRTN3, PADI4, IFIH1, TRIM21, PTPRN2, and TSHR) were upregulated in whole blood samples. MPO and TSHR were overexpressed in both lung autopsies and whole blood tissue and were associated with more severe COVID-19. Neutrophil activation derived autoantigens (MPO, PRTN3, and PADI4) were prominently increased in blood of both SARS-CoV-1 and SARS-CoV-2 viral infections, while TSHR and PTPRN2 autoantigens were specifically increased in SARS-CoV-2. Using single-cell dataset from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), we observed an upregulation of MPO, PRTN3, and PADI4 autoantigens within the low-density neutrophil subset. To validate our in-silico analysis, we measured plasma protein levels of two autoantigens, MPO and PRTN3, in severe and asymptomatic COVID-19. The protein levels of these two autoantigens were significantly upregulated in more severe COVID-19 infections. In conclusion, the immunopathology and severity of COVID-19 could result in transient autoimmune activation. Longitudinal follow-up studies of confirmed cases of COVID-19 could determine the enduring effects of viral infection including development of autoimmune disease

Neurobiological substrates of cognitive rigidity and autonomic inflexibility in generalized anxiety disorder

Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by difficulties in inhibiting both perseverative thoughts (worry and rumination) and autonomic arousal. We investigated the neurobiological substrates of such abnormal inhibitory processes, hypothesizing aberrant functional coupling within ‘default mode’ (DMN) and autonomic brain networks. Functional imaging and heart rate variability (HRV) data were acquired from GAD patients and controls during performance of three tracking tasks interspersed with a perseverative cognition (PC) induction. After detection of infrequent target stimuli, activity within putative DMN hubs was suppressed, consistent with a redirection of attentional resources from internal to external focus. This magnitude of activity change was attenuated in patients and individuals with higher trait PC, but was predicted by individual differences in HRV. Following the induction of PC in controls, this pattern of neural reactivity became closer to that of GAD patients. Results support, at a neural level, the association between cognitive inflexibility and autonomic rigidity

Evidence-Based PET for Neurological Diseases

Over the past two decades, one of the major breakthroughs for the approach to neurological diseases both in the clinical and research settings has been represented by the validation of diagnostic biomarkers able to demonstrate the presence of pathological mechanisms, alteration in neurotransmission as well as to predict disease progression [1, 2]. The use of PET with different tracers as well as other imaging biomarkers support the etiological diagnosis of neurological disorders in vivo. This approach is particularly relevant in the field of neurodegenerative diseases. In fact, neurodegenerative diseases are characterized by the progressive degeneration and death of neurons. They represent a heterogeneous group of conditions characterized by different etiologies, different neuropathological and neurochemical alterations leading to different clinical pictures and courses [3]. Indeed, an early accurate diagnosis allows to tackle the disease with available or experimental intervention, lifestyle changes, or logistical arrangements, before disability has developed. Early intervention is expected to have greater clinical impact, extend independent and active life, improve its quality, and decrease the burden and costs of the disease [4]. However, the validation of PET tracers in neurological disease is still ongoing, and evidence on its comparative and combined diagnostic value with respect to other biomarkers is incomplete [4, 5]. As a matter of fact, the increasing pressure for cost-effectiveness requires systematic assessment and validation of all biomarker performance in the clinical settings. Similarly only an evidence-based approach to new PET tracers can allow to select the most promising tracers for PET imaging in the research field both for pathophysiological investigations and for upcoming diagnostic approaches

Patient Safety in Internal Medicine

AbstractHospital Internal Medicine (IM) is the branch of medicine that deals with the diagnosis and non-surgical treatment of diseases, providing the comprehensive care in the office and in the hospital, managing both common and complex illnesses of adolescents, adults, and the elderly. IM is a key ward for Health National Services. In Italy, for example, about 17.3% of acute patients are discharged from the IM departments. After the epidemiological transition to chronic/degenerative diseases, patients admitted to hospital are often poly-pathological and so requiring a global approach as in IM. As such transition was not associated—with rare exceptions—to hospital re-organization of beds and workforce, IM wards are often overcrowded, burdened by off-wards patients and subjected to high turnover and discharge pressure. All these factors contribute to amplify some traditional clinical risks for patients and health operators. The aim of our review is to describe several potential errors and their prevention strategies, which should be implemented by physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals working in IM wards

Durability of mortar containing coal bottom ash as a partial cementitious resource

International audienceThis research work focuses on the study of the durability of composite cements based on coal bottom ash powder produced by SONICHAR in Niger. After a physicochemical and environmental characterization of the coal bottom ash powder, mortar test specimens were made. In these specimens, 10%, 15% and 20% of cement were replaced by identical mass percentages of coal bottom ash powder. Durability studies focused on the determination of the chloride ions apparent diffusion coefficient, the measurement of the depth of carbonation and the accelerated ammonium nitrate leaching. The influence of carbonation and leaching were examined using the following parameters: pore distribution, gas permeability, porosity accessible to water, capillary absorption and electrical resistivity. The results show that the incorporation of coal bottom ash powder into CEM I leads to an increase in the depth of carbonation. This increase is more significant when the substitution rate exceeds 10%. In the leaching test, the partial substitution of coal bottom ash powder in CEM I up to 20% does not significantly affect the durability parameters of the composites compared to the control mortar. Diffusion test shows that for mortars containing less than 15% substitution, there is no significant influence on the chloride diffusion coefficient. A slight decrease is observed for mortar containing 20% substitution. © 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland

Durabilité d’un ciment composé à base des cendres de mâchefer de Tefereyre au Niger : Absorption capillaire, porosité accessible à l’eau et attaque acide

International audienc