16 research outputs found

    A three dimensional view of stereopsis in dentistry

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    Stereopsis and its role in dental practice has been a topic of debate in recent editions of this Journal. These discussions are particularly timely as they come at a point when virtual reality simulators are becoming increasingly popular in the education of tomorrow's dentists. The aim of this article is to discuss the lack of robust empirical evidence to ascertain the relationship (if any) between stereopsis and dentistry and to build a case for the need for further research to build a strong evidence base on the topic

    Comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

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    AbstractThe aims of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to: (1) describe the prevalence of commonly reported comorbidities in psoriatic arthritis (PsA), (2) compare the incidence and/or prevalence of comorbidities between PsA and control populations; and (3) examine the impact of comorbidities on PsA outcomes. We systematically searched Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science using a predefined protocol in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies reporting only one comorbidity, or a few closely related diseases within one organ system, were excluded. Where possible, meta-analysis was performed using random-effects models. We included 39 studies amounting to over 152 thousand PsA patients. We performed meta-analysis for the prevalence of 21 commonly reported comorbidities. The most prevalent comorbidities were hypertension (pooled prevalence 34%), metabolic syndrome (29%), obesity (27%), hyperlipidaemia (24%) and any cardiovascular diseases (19%). Eleven studies consistently showed higher prevalence of comorbidities in PsA than controls. Five studies showed that comorbid patients had more severe disease, poorer quality of life, and increased discontinuation of treatment. Comorbidities, particularly cardiometabolic disorders, were highly prevalent in PsA and more common than in healthy controls. Comorbidities were associated with adverse disease features, but more research is needed on their impact on longitudinal outcomes such as treatment response, work productivity and mortality.</jats:p

    Enhanced CD95 and interleukin 18 signalling accompany T cell receptor VĪ²21.3+ activation in multi-inflammatory syndrome in children

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    Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children is a post-infectious presentation SARS-CoV-2 associated with expansion of the T cell receptor VĪ²21.3+ T-cell subgroup. Here we apply muti-single cell omics to compare the inflammatory process in children with acute respiratory COVID-19 and those presenting with non SARS-CoV-2 infections in children. Here we show that in Multi-Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C), the natural killer cell and monocyte population demonstrate heightened CD95 (Fas) and Interleuking 18 receptor expression. Additionally, TCR VĪ²21.3+ CD4+ T-cells exhibit skewed differentiation towards T helper 1, 17 and regulatory T cells, with increased expression of the co-stimulation receptors ICOS, CD28 and interleukin 18 receptor. We observe no functional evidence for NLRP3 inflammasome pathway overactivation, though MIS-C monocytes show elevated active caspase 8. This, coupled with raised IL18 mRNA expression in CD16- NK cells on single cell RNA sequencing analysis, suggests interleukin 18 and CD95 signalling may trigger activation of TCR VĪ²21.3+ T-cells in MIS-C, driven by increased IL-18 production from activated monocytes and CD16- Natural Killer cells

    Transcriptional profiling of human VĪ“1 T cells reveals a pathogen-driven adaptive differentiation program

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    Ī³Ī“ T cells are generally considered innate-like lymphocytes, however, an ā€œadaptive-likeā€ Ī³Ī“ compartment has now emerged. To understand transcriptional regulation of adaptive Ī³Ī“ T cell immunobiology, we combined single-cell transcriptomics, T cell receptor (TCR)-clonotype assignment, ATAC-seq, and immunophenotyping. We show that adult VĪ“1+ T cells segregate into TCF7+LEF1+Granzyme Bneg (Tnaive) or T-bet+Eomes+BLIMP-1+Granzyme B+ (Teffector) transcriptional subtypes, with clonotypically expanded TCRs detected exclusively in Teffector cells. Transcriptional reprogramming mirrors changes within CD8+ Ī±Ī² T cells following antigen-specific maturation and involves chromatin remodeling, enhancing cytokine production and cytotoxicity. Consistent with this, in vitro TCR engagement induces comparable BLIMP-1, Eomes, and T-bet expression in naive VĪ“1+ and CD8+ T cells. Finally, both human cytomegalovirus and Plasmodium falciparum infection in vivo drive adaptive VĪ“1 T cell differentiation from Tnaive to Teffector transcriptional status, alongside clonotypic expansion. Contrastingly, semi-invariant VĪ³9+VĪ“2+ T cells exhibit a distinct ā€œinnate-effectorā€ transcriptional program established by early childhood. In summary, adaptive-like Ī³Ī“ subsets undergo a pathogen-driven differentiation process analogous to conventional CD8+ T cells

    The immune landscape of SARS-CoV-2-associated Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome in Children (MIS-C) from acute disease to recovery.

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    Multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children (MIS-C) is a life-threatening disease occurring several weeks after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. Deep immune profiling showed acute MIS-C patients had highly activated neutrophils, classical monocytes and memory CD8+ T-cells; increased frequencies of B-cell plasmablasts and double-negative B-cells. Post treatment samples from the same patients, taken during symptom resolution, identified recovery-associated immune features including increased monocyte CD163 levels, emergence of a new population of immature neutrophils and, in some patients, transiently increased plasma arginase. Plasma profiling identified multiple features shared by MIS-C, Kawasaki Disease and COVID-19 and that therapeutic inhibition of IL6 may be preferable to IL1 or TNF-Ī± . We identified several potential mechanisms of action for IVIG, the most commonly used drug to treat MIS-C. Finally, we showed systemic complement activation with high plasma C5b-9 levels is common in MIS-C suggesting complement inhibitors could be used to treat the disease
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