Comparative Analysis of Molecular Allergy Features of Seed Proteins from Soybean (Glycine max) and Other Legumes Extensively Used for Food

Food allergies due to eating habits, pollution, and other factors are a growing problem in Western nations as well as developing countries. Symptoms of food allergies include changes in the respiratory and digestive systems. Legumes are a potential solution to the enormous demands for healthy, nutritive, and sustainable food. However, legumes also contain families of proteins that can cause food allergies. Some of these legumes include peanut, pea, chickpea, soy, and lupine. It has been shown that processing can alter the allergenicity of legumes since thermic and enzymatic resistance can affect these properties. Cross-reactivity (CR) is an allergy feature of some allergen proteins when the immune system recognizes part of the common share sequences (epitopes) in these allergic proteins. The research about molecular allergy includes comparisons of immunoglobulin E (IgE) and T-cell epitopes, assessment of three-dimensional structure and comparison of secondary structure elements, post-transduction modifications analysis by bioinformatic approach, and post-transduction modifications affecting epitopes properties may facilitate molecular tools to predict protein allergic behavior establishing prevention measurements that could promote the use of legumes and other seeds. This chapter provides an overview of the structural features of the main allergen proteins from legumes and their allergenic potential

The synovial and blood monocyte DNA methylomes mirror prognosis, evolution and treatment in early arthritis

Identifying predictive biomarkers at early stages of early inflammatory arthritis is crucial for starting appropriate therapies to avoid poor outcomes. Monocytes and macrophages, largely associated with arthritis, are contributors and sensors of inflammation through epigenetic modifications. In this study, we investigated associations between clinical features and DNA methylation in blood and synovial fluid (SF) monocytes in a prospective cohort of early inflammatory arthritis patients. Undifferentiated arthritis (UA) blood monocyte DNA methylation profiles exhibited significant alterations in comparison with those from healthy donors. We identified additional differences both in blood and SF monocytes after comparing UA patients grouped by their future outcomes, good versus poor. Patient profiles in subsequent visits revealed a reversion towards a healthy level in both groups, those requiring disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and those that remitted spontaneously. Changes in disease activity between visits also impacted DNA methylation, partially concomitant in the SF of UA and in blood monocytes of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Epigenetic similarities between arthritis types allow a common prediction of disease activity. Our results constitute a resource of DNA methylation-based biomarkers of poor prognosis, disease activity and treatment efficacy in early untreated UA patients for the personalized clinical management of early inflammatory arthritis patients

Energy distribution of individual quasars from far-UV to X-rays: I. Intrinsic UV hardness and dust opacities

Using Chandra and HST archival data, we have studied the individual Spectral Energy Distribution (SED) of 11 quasars. All UV spectra show a spectral break around 1100A. 5 X-ray spectra show the presence of a ``soft excess'' and 7 spectra showed an intrinsic absorption. We found that for most quasars a simple extrapolation of the far-UV powerlaw into the X-ray domain generally lies below the X-ray data and that the big blue bump and the soft X-ray excess do not share a common physical origin. We explore the issue of whether the observed SED might be dust absorbed in the far and near-UV. We fit the UV break, assuming a powerlaw that is absorbed by cubic nanodiamond dust grains. We then explore the possibility of a universal SED (with a unique spectral index) by including further absorption from SMC-like extinction. Using this approach, satisfactory fits to the spectra can be obtained. The hydrogen column densities required by either nanodiamonds or amorphous dust models are all consistent, except for one object, with the columns deduced by our X-ray analysis, provided that the C depletion is ~0.6. Because dust absorption implies a flux recovery in the extreme UV (<700A), our modeling opens the possibility that the intrinsic quasar SED is much harder and more luminous in the extreme UV than inferred from the near-UV data, as required by photoionization models of the broad emission line region. We conclude that the intrinsic UV SED must undergo a sharp turn-over before the X-ray domain.Comment: 49 pages, 11 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Mental impact of Covid-19 among Spanish healthcare workers. A large longitudinal survey

Aims: Longitudinal data on the mental health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in healthcare workers is limited. We estimated prevalence, incidence and persistence of probable mental disorders in a cohort of Spanish healthcare workers (Covid-19 waves 1 and 2) -and identified associated risk factors. Methods: 8996 healthcare workers evaluated on 5 May-7 September 2020 (baseline) were invited to a second web-based survey (October-December 2020). Major depressive disorder (PHQ-8 ≥ 10), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD-7 ≥ 10), panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-5 ≥ 7), and alcohol use disorder (CAGE-AID ≥ 2) were assessed. Distal (pre-pandemic) and proximal (pandemic) risk factors were included. We estimated the incidence of probable mental disorders (among those without disorders at baseline) and persistence (among those with disorders at baseline). Logistic regression of individual-level [odds ratios (OR)] and population-level (population attributable risk proportions) associations were estimated, adjusting by all distal risk factors, health care centre and time of baseline interview. Results: 4809 healthcare workers participated at four months follow-up (cooperation rate = 65.7%; mean = 120 days s.d. = 22 days from baseline assessment). Follow-up prevalence of any disorder was 41.5%, (v. 45.4% at baseline, p < 0.001); incidence, 19.7% (s.e. = 1.6) and persistence, 67.7% (s.e. = 2.3). Proximal factors showing significant bivariate-adjusted associations with incidence included: work-related factors [prioritising Covid-19 patients (OR = 1.62)], stress factors [personal health-related stress (OR = 1.61)], interpersonal stress (OR = 1.53) and financial factors [significant income loss (OR = 1.37)]. Risk factors associated with persistence were largely similar. Conclusions: Our study indicates that the prevalence of probable mental disorders among Spanish healthcare workers during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic was similarly high to that after the first wave. This was in good part due to the persistence of mental disorders detected at the baseline, but with a relevant incidence of about 1 in 5 of HCWs without mental disorders during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Health-related factors, work-related factors and interpersonal stress are important risks of persistence of mental disorders and of incidence of mental disorders. Adequately addressing these factors might have prevented a considerable amount of mental health impact of the pandemic among this vulnerable population. Addressing health-related stress, work-related factors and interpersonal stress might reduce the prevalence of these disorders substantially. Study registration number: NCT04556565.Instituto de Salud Carlos III/ Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación/ FEDER (J. A., grant number COV20/00711); Project “PI17/00521”, funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII) and co-funded by the European Union, PERIS, Health Dpt, Generaliat de Catalunya (I. A., grant number SLT017/20/000009); ISCIII-FSE+, Miguel Servet (P. M., grant number CP21/00078); ISCIII-FSE, Sara Borrell (P. M., grant number CD18/00049), Generalitat de Catalunya (2017SGR452). Additional partial funding was received from the Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL) (J. M. P. T., grant number GRS COVID 32/A/20).S

Mental impact of Covid-19 among Spanish healthcare workers. A large longitudinal survey

Altres ajuts: Fondo Europeo de Desarrollo Regional (FEDER); Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación; Gerencia Regional de Salud de Castilla y León (SACYL, GRS COVID 32/A/20).Aims Longitudinal data on the mental health impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic in healthcare workers is limited. We estimated prevalence, incidence and persistence of probable mental disorders in a cohort of Spanish healthcare workers (Covid-19 waves 1 and 2) -and identified associated risk factors. Methods 8996 healthcare workers evaluated on 5 May-7 September 2020 (baseline) were invited to a second web-based survey (October-December 2020). Major depressive disorder (PHQ-8 ≥ 10), generalised anxiety disorder (GAD-7 ≥ 10), panic attacks, post-traumatic stress disorder (PCL-5 ≥ 7), and alcohol use disorder (CAGE-AID ≥ 2) were assessed. Distal (pre-pandemic) and proximal (pandemic) risk factors were included. We estimated the incidence of probable mental disorders (among those without disorders at baseline) and persistence (among those with disorders at baseline). Logistic regression of individual-level [odds ratios (OR)] and population-level (population attributable risk proportions) associations were estimated, adjusting by all distal risk factors, health care centre and time of baseline interview. Results 4809 healthcare workers participated at four months follow-up (cooperation rate = 65.7%; mean = 120 days s.d. = 22 days from baseline assessment). Follow-up prevalence of any disorder was 41.5%, (v. 45.4% at baseline, p < 0.001); incidence, 19.7% (s.e. = 1.6) and persistence, 67.7% (s.e. = 2.3). Proximal factors showing significant bivariate-adjusted associations with incidence included: work-related factors [prioritising Covid-19 patients (OR = 1.62)], stress factors [personal health-related stress (OR = 1.61)], interpersonal stress (OR = 1.53) and financial factors [significant income loss (OR = 1.37)]. Risk factors associated with persistence were largely similar. Conclusions Our study indicates that the prevalence of probable mental disorders among Spanish healthcare workers during the second wave of the Covid-19 pandemic was similarly high to that after the first wave. This was in good part due to the persistence of mental disorders detected at the baseline, but with a relevant incidence of about 1 in 5 of HCWs without mental disorders during the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. Health-related factors, work-related factors and interpersonal stress are important risks of persistence of mental disorders and of incidence of mental disorders. Adequately addressing these factors might have prevented a considerable amount of mental health impact of the pandemic among this vulnerable population. Addressing health-related stress, work-related factors and interpersonal stress might reduce the prevalence of these disorders substantially. Study registration number: NCT0455656

Assessment of anti-malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde antibody frequencies in rheumatoid arthritis with new data from two independent cohorts, meta-analysis, and meta-regression

Autoantibodies are critical elements in RA pathogenesis and clinical assessment. The anti-malondialdehyde-acetaldehyde (anti-MAA) antibodies are potentially useful because of their claimed high sensitivity for all RA patients, including those lacking RF and anti-CCP antibodies. Therefore, we aimed to replicate these findings.The research done in Santiago was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III through the projects PI20/01268, PI17/01606 and RD21/0002/0003, co-funded by the European Union. L.R.-M. was supported by Xunta de Galicia (Spain) through a Gain pre-doctoral fellowship (IN606A-2017/015). The research in Barcelona was funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy, Industry and Competitiveness and the European Regional Development Fund (Grant PID2021-122216OB-I00).Peer reviewe

Global, regional, and national comparative risk assessment of 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks, 1990-2015: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2015

SummaryBackground The Global Burden of Diseases, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study 2015 provides an up-to-date synthesis of the evidence for risk factor exposure and the attributable burden of disease. By providing national and subnational assessments spanning the past 25 years, this study can inform debates on the importance of addressing risks in context. Methods We used the comparative risk assessment framework developed for previous iterations of the Global Burden of Disease Study to estimate attributable deaths, disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and trends in exposure by age group, sex, year, and geography for 79 behavioural, environmental and occupational, and metabolic risks or clusters of risks from 1990 to 2015. This study included 388 risk-outcome pairs that met World Cancer Research Fund-defined criteria for convincing or probable evidence. We extracted relative risk and exposure estimates from randomised controlled trials, cohorts, pooled cohorts, household surveys, census data, satellite data, and other sources. We used statistical models to pool data, adjust for bias, and incorporate covariates. We developed a metric that allows comparisons of exposure across risk factors—the summary exposure value. Using the counterfactual scenario of theoretical minimum risk level, we estimated the portion of deaths and DALYs that could be attributed to a given risk. We decomposed trends in attributable burden into contributions from population growth, population age structure, risk exposure, and risk-deleted cause-specific DALY rates. We characterised risk exposure in relation to a Socio-demographic Index (SDI). Findings Between 1990 and 2015, global exposure to unsafe sanitation, household air pollution, childhood underweight, childhood stunting, and smoking each decreased by more than 25%. Global exposure for several occupational risks, high body-mass index (BMI), and drug use increased by more than 25% over the same period. All risks jointly evaluated in 2015 accounted for 57·8% (95% CI 56·6–58·8) of global deaths and 41·2% (39·8–42·8) of DALYs. In 2015, the ten largest contributors to global DALYs among Level 3 risks were high systolic blood pressure (211·8 million [192·7 million to 231·1 million] global DALYs), smoking (148·6 million [134·2 million to 163·1 million]), high fasting plasma glucose (143·1 million [125·1 million to 163·5 million]), high BMI (120·1 million [83·8 million to 158·4 million]), childhood undernutrition (113·3 million [103·9 million to 123·4 million]), ambient particulate matter (103·1 million [90·8 million to 115·1 million]), high total cholesterol (88·7 million [74·6 million to 105·7 million]), household air pollution (85·6 million [66·7 million to 106·1 million]), alcohol use (85·0 million [77·2 million to 93·0 million]), and diets high in sodium (83·0 million [49·3 million to 127·5 million]). From 1990 to 2015, attributable DALYs declined for micronutrient deficiencies, childhood undernutrition, unsafe sanitation and water, and household air pollution; reductions in risk-deleted DALY rates rather than reductions in exposure drove these declines. Rising exposure contributed to notable increases in attributable DALYs from high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, occupational carcinogens, and drug use. Environmental risks and childhood undernutrition declined steadily with SDI; low physical activity, high BMI, and high fasting plasma glucose increased with SDI. In 119 countries, metabolic risks, such as high BMI and fasting plasma glucose, contributed the most attributable DALYs in 2015. Regionally, smoking still ranked among the leading five risk factors for attributable DALYs in 109 countries; childhood underweight and unsafe sex remained primary drivers of early death and disability in much of sub-Saharan Africa. Interpretation Declines in some key environmental risks have contributed to declines in critical infectious diseases. Some risks appear to be invariant to SDI. Increasing risks, including high BMI, high fasting plasma glucose, drug use, and some occupational exposures, contribute to rising burden from some conditions, but also provide opportunities for intervention. Some highly preventable risks, such as smoking, remain major causes of attributable DALYs, even as exposure is declining. Public policy makers need to pay attention to the risks that are increasingly major contributors to global burden. Funding Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

HLA class II DNA typing in a large series of European patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: correlations with clinical and autoantibody subsets

We conducted this study to determine the HLA class II allele associations in a large cohort of patients of homogeneous ethnic derivation with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). The large sample size allowed us to stratify patients according to their clinical and serologic characteristics. We studied 577 European Caucasian patients with SLE. Antinuclear antibodies (Hep-2 cells), anti-dsDNA antibodies (Crithidia luciliae), and antibodies to extractable nuclear antigens Ro (SS-A), La (SS-B), U1-RNP, Sm, Jo1, SCL70, and PCNA, were detected in all patients. Molecular typing of HLA-DRB1, DRB3, DQA1, and DQB1 loci was performed by the polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific oligonucleotide probes (PCR-SSOP) method. We found a significantly increased frequency of DRB1*03, DRB1*15, DRB1*16, DQA1*0102, DQB1*0502, DQB1*0602, DQB1*0201, DQB1*0303, and DQB1*0304 in lupus patients as compared with healthy controls. In addition, DRB1*03 was associated with anti-Ro, anti-La, pleuritis, and involvement of lung, kidney, and central nervous system. DRB1*15 and DQB1*0602 were associated with anti-dsDNA antibodies; DQB1*0201 with anti-Ro and anti-La, leukopenia, digital skin vasculitis, and pleuritis; and DQB1*0502 was associated with anti-Ro, renal involvement, discoid lupus, and livedo reticularis. In conclusion, our study shows some new HLA clinical and serologic associations in SLE and further confirms that the role of MHC genes is mainly to predispose to particular serologic and clinical manifestations of this disease