Cytokine release syndrome in COVID-19 patients, a new scenario for an old concern. The fragile balance between infections and autoimmunity

On 7 January 2020, researchers isolated and sequenced in China from patients with severe pneumonitis a novel coronavirus, then called SARS-CoV-2, which rapidly spread worldwide, becoming a global health emergency. Typical manifestations consist of flu-like symptoms such as fever, cough, fatigue, and dyspnea. However, in about 20% of patients, the infection progresses to severe interstitial pneumonia and can induce an uncontrolled host-immune response, leading to a life-threatening condition called cytokine release syndrome (CRS). CRS represents an emergency scenario of a frequent challenge, which is the complex and interwoven link between infections and autoimmunity. Indeed, treatment of CRS involves the use of both antivirals to control the underlying infection and immunosuppressive agents to dampen the aberrant pro-inflammatory response of the host. Several trials, evaluating the safety and effectiveness of immunosuppressants commonly used in rheumatic diseases, are ongoing in patients with COVID-19 and CRS, some of which are achieving promising results. However, such a use should follow a multidisciplinary approach, be accompanied by close monitoring, be tailored to patient’s clinical and serological features, and be initiated at the right time to reach the best results. Autoimmune patients receiving immunosuppressants could be prone to SARS-CoV-2 infections; however, suspension of the ongoing therapy is contraindicated to avoid disease flares and a consequent increase in the infection risk

Effects of physics beyond the standard model on the neutrino charge radius: an effective Lagrangian approach

In this work, we look for possible new physics effects on the electromagnetic charge and anapole form factors, $f_Q(q^2)$ and $f_A(q^2)$, for a massless Dirac neutrino, when these quantities are calculated in the context of an effective electroweak Yang-Mills theory, which induces the most general $SU_L(2)$--invariant Lorentz tensor structure of nonrenormalizable type for the $WW\gamma$ vertex. It is found that in this context, besides the standard model contribution, the additional contribution to $f_{Q}(q^2)$ and $f_{A}(q^2)$ ($f_{Q}^{O_W}(q^2)$ and $f_{A}^{O_W}(q^2)$, respectively) are gauge independent and finite functions of $q^2$ after adopting a renormalization scheme. These form factors, $f_{Q}^{O_W}(q^2)$ and $f_{A}^{O_W}(q^2)$, get contribution at the one loop level only from the proper neutrino electromagnetic vertex. Besides, the relation $f_{Q}^{eff}(q^2)=q^2f_{A}^{eff}(q^2)$ ($f_{Q}^{eff}(q^2)=f_{Q}^{SM}(q^2)+f_{Q}^{O_W}(q^2)$, $f_{A}^{eff}(q^2)=f_{A}^{SM}(q^2)+f_{A}^{O_W}(q^2)$) is still fulfilled and hence the relation $a_{\nu}^{eff} = ^{eff} /6$ ($a_{\nu}^{eff} = a_{\nu}^{SM}+ a_{\nu}^{O_W}$, $^{eff} = ^{SM}+< r^2_{\nu} > ^{O_W}$)is gotten, just as in the SM. Using the experimental constraint on the anomalous $WW\gamma$ vertex, a value for the additional contribution to the charge radius of |^{O_W}| \lsim 10^{-34} cm^2 is obtained, which is one order of magnitude lower than the SM value.Comment: 9 pages, 3 figure

Superbubble evolution including the star-forming clouds: Is it possible to reconcile LMC observations with model predictions?

Here we present a possible solution to the apparent discrepancy between the observed properties of LMC bubbles and the standard, constant density bubble model. A two-dimensional model of a wind-driven bubble expanding from a flattened giant molecular cloud is examined. We conclude that the expansion velocities derived from spherically symmetric models are not always applicable to elongated young bubbles seen almost face-on due to the LMC orientation. In addition, an observational test to differentiate between spherical and elongated bubbles seen face-on is discussed.Comment: 25 pages, 7 figures, accepted to ApJ (September, 1999 issue

The Adapted Ordering Method for Lie Algebras and Superalgebras and their Generalizations

In 1998 the Adapted Ordering Method was developed for the representation theory of the superconformal algebras in two dimensions. It allows: to determine maximal dimensions for a given type of space of singular vectors, to identify all singular vectors by only a few coefficients, to spot subsingular vectors and to set the basis for constructing embedding diagrams. In this article we present the Adapted Ordering Method for general Lie algebras and superalgebras, and their generalizations, provided they can be triangulated. We also review briefly the results obtained for the Virasoro algebra and for the N=2 and Ramond N=1 superconformal algebras.Comment: Many improvements in the redaction for pedagogical purposes. Latex, 11 page

Coaches’ cultural intelligence: How do coaches rate themselves and what are their cultural training needs?

Cultural intelligence is the capability of a person to adapt effectively to different cultures. This capability has been investigated in areas such as management, military, and education. However, there are no studies in sport referring to this capability. It is important to study cultural intelligence in sport because of the increased globalisation resulting from coaches’ and athletes’ migration across countries and clubs. This study aimed to develop the CQsport and examine its factorial structure and psychometric properties; and examine coaches’ cultural intelligence and their perceived cross-cultural training needs. Participants were 209 football coaches either with or without international experience. Participants completed an online survey consisting of CQsport and a cross-cultural training needs questionnaire. We used a Multi-Group analysis, within the SEM approach, to test group differences in the CQsport and performed a One-Way ANOVA for comparisons across groups concerning cross-cultural training needs. Coaches with international experience rated themselves with more cultural intelligence in the sports context than coaches with no international experience on the metacognitive, cognitive, motivational and behavioural dimensions. Coaches with international experience also self-rated fewer training needs than coaches without international experience. This study represents the first attempt to examine football coaches’ cultural intelligence and their cross-cultural training needs

Petroleum-Degrading Enzymes: Bioremediation and New Prospects

Anthropogenic forces, such as petroleum spills and the incomplete combustion of fossil fuels, have caused an accumulation of petroleum hydrocarbons in the environment. The accumulation of petroleum and its derivatives now constitutes an important environmental problem. Biocatalysis introduces new ways to improve the development of bioremediation strategies. The recent application of molecular tools to biocatalysis may improve bioprospecting research, enzyme yield recovery, and enzyme specificity, thus increasing cost-benefit ratios. Enzymatic remediation is a valuable alternative as it can be easier to work with than whole organisms, especially in extreme environments. Furthermore, the use of free enzymes avoids the release of exotic or genetically modified organisms (GMO) in the environment

Live Demonstration: Multiplexing AER Asynchronous Channels over LVDS Links with Flow-Control and Clock- Correction for Scalable Neuromorphic Systems

In this live demonstration we exploit the use of a serial link for fast asynchronous communication in massively parallel processing platforms connected to a DVS for realtime implementation of bio-inspired vision processing on spiking neural networks

Supernova Remnants in the Magellanic Clouds III: An X-ray Atlas of LMC Supernova Remnants

We have used archival ROSAT data to present X-ray images of thirty-one supernova remnants (SNRs) in the Large Magellanic Cloud (LMC). We have classified these remnants according to their X-ray morphologies, into the categories of Shell-Type, Diffuse Face, Centrally Brightened, Point-Source Dominated, and Irregular. We suggest possible causes of the X-ray emission for each category, and for individual features of some of the SNRs.Comment: 27 pages, 6 figures (9 figure files). To appear in the Supplement Series of the Astrophysical Journal, August 1999 Vol. 123 #

Editorial: Chronic autoimmune arthritis, infections and vaccines

The link between autoimmunity and infection continues to represent an intriguing immunologic conundrum for scientist and a frequent clinical challenge for patients and physicians. Patients with chronic autoimmune arthritis indeed have an increased risk of infections, mainly due to the dysregulation of their immune system and the use of immunosuppressive therapy. Infections in these patients are more frequent, have a more severe clinical course, eventually with prolonged viral persistence, compared to the general population and represent a frequent cause of death. Besides, infections can trigger autoimmune diseases via different immunologic mechanisms such as molecular mimicry, epitope spreading, by-stander activation and can also induce disease relapses. SARS-CoV-2 infection represents a dramatic example of this complex connection. It is known, indeed, that different autoimmune manifestations can complicate SARS-CoV-2 infection such as uncontrolled host-immune response leading to life-threatening condition known as cytokine release syndrome, or autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenic purpura, Guillain-Barre syndrome, and the detection of different autoantibodies. This Research Topic includes seventeen contributions, fifteen original articles and two review articles, providing several new insights into the efficacy and safety of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine in autoimmune patients, immunologic biomarkers for diagnosis and therapeutic outcome of autoimmune arthritis