Serum thyroid hormone antibodies are frequent in patients with polyglandular autoimmune syndrome type 3, particularly in those who require thyroxine treatment

Polyglandular autoimmune syndrome (PAS) type 3 consists of autoimmune thyroid disease (AITD) coexisting with ≥1 non-thyroidal autoimmune disease (NTAID) other than Addison’s disease and hypoparathyroidism. We evaluated the prevalence and repertoire of thyroid hormones antibodies (THAb) in PAS-3 patients. Using a radioimmunoprecipation technique, we measured THAb (T3IgM, T3IgG, T4IgM, and T4IgG) in 107 PAS-3 patients and 88 controls (patients with AITD without any NTAID). Based on the selective coexistence of AITD with one NTAID (chronic autoimmune gastritis, non-segmental vitiligo or celiac disease), patients were divided into group 1 (chronic autoimmune gastritis positive, n = 64), group 2 (non-segmental vitiligo positive, n = 24), and group 3 (celiac disease positive, n = 15). At least one of the four THAb was detected in 45 PAS-3 patients (42.1%) and 28 controls (31.8%, P = 0.14), with similar rates in the three PAS-3 groups. The rates of T3Ab, T4Ab, and T3 + T4Ab were similar in groups 1 and 2, while in group 3, T3Ab was undetected (P = 0.02). In PAS-3 patients, the rate of levothyroxine treatment was greater in THAb-positive patients compared to THAb-negative patients (76.7 vs. 56.1%, P = 0.03, RR = 1.4, 95% CI 1.03–1.81). Not unexpectedly, levothyroxine daily dose was significantly higher in group 1 and group 3, namely in patients with gastrointestinal disorders, compared to group 2 (1.9 ± 0.4 and 1.8 ± 0.3 vs. 1.5 ± 0.2 μg/kg body weight, P = 0.0005 and P = 0.004). Almost half of PAS-3 patients have THAb, whose repertoire is similar if chronic autoimmune gastritis or celiac disease is present. A prospective study would confirm whether THAb positivity predicts greater likelihood of requiring levothyroxine treatment

Effect of Hemp Hurd Biochar and Humic Acid on the Flame Retardant and Mechanical Properties of Ethylene Vinyl Acetate

In this work, the combination of biochar produced through a pyrolytic process of hemp hurd with commercial humic acid as a potential biomass-based flame-retardant system for ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer is thoroughly investigated. To this aim, ethylene vinyl acetate composites containing hemp-derived biochar at two different concentrations (i.e., 20 and 40 wt.%) and 10 wt.% of humic acid were prepared. The presence of increasing biochar loadings in ethylene vinyl acetate accounted for an increasing thermal and thermo-oxidative stability of the copolymer; conversely, the acidic character of humic acid anticipated the degradation of the copolymer matrix, even in the presence of the biochar. Further, as assessed by forced-combustion tests, the incorporation of humic acid only in ethylene vinyl acetate slightly decreased both peaks of heat release rate (pkHRR) and total heat release (THR, by 16% and 5%, respectively), with no effect on the burning time. At variance, for the composites containing biochar, a strong decrease in pkHRR and THR values was observed, approaching -69 and -29%, respectively, in the presence of the highest filler loading, notwithstanding, for this latter, a significant increase in the burning time (by about 50 s). Finally, the presence of humic acid significantly lowered the Young’s modulus, unlike biochar, for which the stiffness remarkably increased from 57 MPa (unfilled ethylene vinyl acetate) to 155 Mpa (for the composite containing 40 wt.% of the filler)

Pain assessment in calves undergoing ring castration.

The rubber ring method for the castration of calves is quick, easy, cheap and reliable, but there are several studies indicating that it causes significant pain during and after the procedure [1]. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the ring castration of 2-month-old calves on potential indicators of pain or stress. These indicators included serum cortisol concentration, leukogram, behavioural posture and activity evaluated using the UNESP-Botucatu unidimensional composite pain scale [2], local temperatures and scrotal clinical evaluation. Moreover we used the in-field measurement of Leukocyte Coping Capacity (LCC) on whole blood as a different method to evaluate suffering condition [3]. Twenty healthy calves (90 \ub1 4 kg of body weight, 2 months of age) were selected for the study and randomly assigned to either sham (n=10) or ring castration (n=10). Calves were handled in a similar manner for analogous amount of time and castrated with rubber rings using an elastrator or not castrated. Behavioural assessment, blood sampling, temperature recording and scrotal evaluation were repeated 1 hour before castration, 30 minutes after ring application and at day 3, 7 and 14 after ring application. The same timepoints were used in the sham group. Chronological changes of cortisol, leukogram, pain scale score, local temperature and LCC were analysed within each group and between groups using the SAS statistical software. P < 0.05 was considered significant. After the ring application, the scrotal sac appeared swollen at day 3, mummificated and partially detached at day 7 and at day 10 it was surgically removed. Pain scale score showed very little pain in castrated animals at any timepoints (mean score range 0,3-0,6 out of 10) and no pain in sham calves (0 out of 10). No significant differences were recorded between sham and castrated animals among timepoints in pain scores, cortisol concentrations and leukograms. LCC decreased significantly in castrated animals at day 7 compared to baseline values, thus indicating an increase in stress level. A significant difference beween groups was observed in LCC values 7 days after ring application (<0.0001). Pain indicators such as serum cortisol, behavioural observation, scrotal temperature and clinical evaluation were unaffected after ring castration. Since LCC presented a significant variation, we considered that this method might represent a more sensitive tool in case of procedures that cause mild pain

Inhibition of Poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase impairs Epstein Barr Virus lytic cycle progression

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Poly(ADP-ribosylation) is a post-translational modification of nuclear proteins involved in several cellular events as well as in processes that characterize the infective cycle of some viruses. In the present study, we investigated the role of poly(ADP-ribosylation) on Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) lytic cycle activation.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Inhibition of PARP-1 by 3-aminobenzamide (3-ABA) during EBV induction, diminished cell damage and apoptosis in the non-productive Raji cell line while markedly reducing the release of viral particles in the productive Jijoye cells. Furthermore, incubation with 3-ABA up-regulated the levels of LMP1 and EBNA2 latent viral proteins. At the same time, it slightly affected the expression of the immediate early BZLF1 gene, but largely down-regulated the levels of the early BFRF1 protein. The modulation of the expression of both latent and lytic EBV genes appeared to be post-transcriptionally regulated.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Taken together the data indicate that PARP-1 plays a role in the progression of EBV lytic cycle and therefore, PARP inhibitors might represent suitable pharmacological adjuncts to control viral spread in EBV productive infection.</p

Health equity during COVID-19: A qualitative study on the consequences of the syndemic on refugees’ and asylum seekers’ health in reception centres in Bologna (Italy)

Background As coronavirus infection spread across the world, the dramatic consequences of Sars-CoV-2 and confinement measures highlighted the disparities within our society, impacting more severely on the wellbeing of the most disadvantaged groups of people, such as migrants. The structural characteristics of reception centres create many challenges in the implementation of measures to contrast the diffusion of the virus, putting refugees and asylum seekers (RAS) even more at risk. For these reasons, we carried out a qualitative study to analyze the impact of the syndemic on the health of RAS who reside in reception facilities in Bologna (one of the cities with the highest number of migrants in Italy) and the measures that were introduced to contrast the diffusion of Sars-CoV-2. Methods Between April and September 2020, we interviewed 25 professionals and volunteers who were critical in the management of the COVID-19 epidemic in reception centres. Key-informants were selected through a snowball sampling process and covered various professions (i.e. doctors, nurses, social workers, psychologists, cultural mediators, anthropologists, lawyers). The semi-structured interviews explored the consequences of COVID-19 on the health of RAS living in reception centres, the measures implemented to contrast the diffusion of the epidemic and the challenges that interviewees had in handling the emergency. After transcription, the interviews were analyzed using deductive and inductive approaches. Results All key-informants agreed to participate in the study. Even though various measures were implemented in reception centres (i.e. mass quarantine, supply of personal protective equipment, risk communication campaigns and specific governance tools) they often had a discriminatory approach towards migrants and only considered the biomedical aspects of COVID-19, excluding its social roots and repercussions. This factor, together with the lack of an effective governance system at both the local and the national level, was the most relevant issue associated with the management of the syndemic in reception facilities and affected all the social determinants that shape the health profile of RAS. Conclusions The study revealed the importance of social factors in the management of the syndemic in reception centres. It also highlighted how the underlying causes of the impact of COVID-19 are tightly correlated to the political and social approaches of local and national institutions to migration. In order to guarantee the well-being of society as a whole and successfully control the epidemic, it is necessary to consider migration as a human reality rather than an emergency, and demolish all the policies and bureaucratic systems that act as structural violence on RAS. This process brings into play different levels of responsibility and many action plans. We need to develop intersectoral collaborations for more holistic and interconnected practices, while investing the resources to build a worthy reception system and effective social protection programs. This way it will be possible to develop more inclusive approaches to public health and guarantee the conditions for RAS' empowerment

Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate (EVA) containing waste hemp-derived biochar fibers: mechanical, electrical, thermal and tribological behavior

To reduce the use of carbon components sourced from fossil fuels, hemp fibers were pyrolyzed and utilized as filler to prepare EVA-based composites for automotive applications. The mechanical, tribological, electrical (DC and AC) and thermal properties of EVA/fiber biochar (HFB) composites containing different amounts of fibers (ranging from 5 to 40 wt.%) have been thoroughly studied. The morphological analysis highlighted an uneven dispersion of the filler within the polymer matrix, with poor interfacial adhesion. The presence of biochar fibers did not affect the thermal behavior of EVA (no significant changes of Tm, Tc and Tg were observed), notwithstanding a slight increase in the crystallinity degree, especially for EVA/HFB 90/10 and 80/20. Conversely, biochar fibers enhanced the thermo-oxidative stability of the composites, which increased with increasing the biochar content. EVA/HFB composites showed higher stiffness and lower ductility than neat EVA. In addition, high concentrations of fiber biochar allowed achieving higher thermal conductivity and microwave electrical conductivity. In particular, EVA/HFB 60/40 showed a thermal conductivity higher than that of neat EVA (respectively, 0.40 vs. 0.33 W·m−1 ·K−1); the same composite exhibited an up to twenty-fold increased microwave conductivity. Finally, the combination of stiffness, enhanced thermal conductivity and intrinsic lubricating features of the filler resulted in excellent wear resistance and friction reduction in comparison with unfilled EVA

Mechanical, electrical, thermal and tribological behavior of epoxy resin composites reinforced with waste hemp-derived carbon fibers

Short hemp fibers, an agricultural waste, were used for producing biochar by pyrolysis at 1000°C. The so-obtained hemp-derived carbon fibers (HFB) were used as filler for improving the properties of an epoxy resin using a simple casting and curing process. The addition of HFB in the epoxy matrix increases the storage modulus while damping factor is lowered. Also, the incorporation of HFB induces a remarkable increment of electrical conductivity reaching up to 6 mS/m with 10 wt% of loading. A similar trend is also observed during high frequency measurements. Furthermore, for the first time wear of these composites has been studied. The use of HFB is an efficient method for reducing the wear rate resistance and the friction coefficient (COF) of the epoxy resin. Excellent results are obtained for the composite containing 2.5 wt% of HFB, for which COF and wear rate decrease by 21% and 80%, respectively, as compared with those of the unfilled epoxy resin. The overall results prove how a common waste carbon source can significantly wide epoxy resin applications by a proper modulation of its electrical and wear properties

χχSF near the electroweak scale

We employ the chirally rotated Schr"odinger functional ($chi$SF) to study two-point fermion bilinear correlation functions used in the determination of $Z_{A,V,S,P,T}$ on a series of well-tuned ensembles. The gauge configurations, which span renormalisation scales from 4 to 70~GeV, are generated with $N_{mf}=3$ massless flavors and Schr"odinger Functional (SF) boundary conditions. Valence quarks are computed with $chi$SF boundary conditions. We show preliminary results on the tuning of the $chi$SF Symanzik coefficient $z_f$ and the scaling of the axial current normalization $Z_{m A}$. Moreover we carry out a detailed comparison with the expectations from one-loop perturbation theory. Finally we outline how automatically $mathrm{O}(a)$-improved $B_{m K}$ matrix elements, including BSM contributions, can be computed in a $chi$SF renormalization scheme