Visualization of erythrocyte membrane antigen by means of fluorescent microspheres coupled to monoclonal mouse auto-antibody: Distribution of this antigen among species

Mouse peritoneal cells (PC) in culture produce auto-antibodies lyzing bromelain-treated mouse erythrocytes (MRBCbr). These auto-antibodies have been obtained in an homogeneous form in substantial amounts after cell fusion of PC with myeloma X63.Ag8. They have been identified as the anti-Hb-auto-antibodies described by us in 1980. Once coupled to fluorescent microspheres (Ms), they were used to detect the corresponding antigen. It was found that the specific antigen was not only present on the surface of all MRBCbr but also, in a much smaller proportion, on some normal MRBC. Its distribution is not restricted to the mouse: pigeon RBC is stained heavily; human red cells give, more or less, positive reaction, according to their blood group. Some species, as horse RBC, are consistently negative. The opportunity offered by the fluorescent microspheres technique to trace the antigen recognized by the Hb-auto-antibody in the mouse tissues and on cells from other species should lead to a better understanding of the cross-antigenicity of many RBC and of the peculiar auto-immune process involving MRBCbr in the mouse.     

Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneum and pleura, analysis of markers.

Diffuse malignant mesothelioma of the peritoneum is a rare diagnosis. Despite many histopathologic similarities between peritoneal and pleural tumors, clinical and prognostic features may be quite different. There is a paucity of data evaluating molecular features of peritoneal mesotheliomas. Therefore, we compared the results of a battery of immunohistochemical markers, some with therapeutic implications, in patients with primary peritoneal or pleural mesotheliomas. We examined 24 peritoneal and nine pleural malignant mesotheliomas with a battery of immunohistochemical markers (cytokeratin AE1/3, calretinin, c-kit/CD117, desmin, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR), MIB-1, and cleaved caspase-3) in an attempt to distinguish any differences in this tumor arising in these two distinct locations. The results indicate that the only marker to show a significant difference in its staining pattern between these two sites was EGFR (P=0.0004). In all, 92% (22/24) of peritoneal tumors demonstrated 3+ or 4+ immunoreactivity with EGFR, opposed to only 33% (3/9) pleural tumors. There was no significant difference in immunoreactivity between the pleural and peritoneal tumors with c-kit, ER, PR, cleaved caspase 3, calretinin, and desmin. There was a trend toward increased cytokeratin (P=0.07) and MIB-1 (P=0.08) expression in the peritoneal group. There was no significant difference in age, sex, or histologic subtype between the two locations. In conclusion, despite similarities between peritoneal and pleural mesothelioma, there are differences between this neoplasm arising in these two sites. The EGFR expression is more pronounced in peritoneal tumors compared to pleural tumors. The increased expression of EGFR in the peritoneal lesions may be of clinical significance with the recent emergence of epidermal growth factor receptor-targeted therapies.     

Study of the HLA gene and antigen frequency from a Saudi Arabian hospital

The HLA-A, -B, -C and DR loci antigen frequencies were determined, respectively, on 1145, 558 and 352 healthy nonrelated Saudi family members. B21, CW4, CW7, and Dr7 showed the highest gene frequencies, of 14.6%, 28.3%, 7.4% and 19.5%, when compared to other populations. Haplotypes A2-B5, A32-B51, A26-B8, A2-B21, A28-B35, Aw19-B21 and B21-CW4 showed the highest frequencies when compared to other populations. Gene frequencies of 14.6% and 20.2% for B21 and Aw19 antigens, respectively, are highest among Middle East populations. Gene frequencies for A1 (10.5%), A2 (24.9%), A3 (8.9%), A9 (16.7%) and A28 (7.9%) are similar to the 10.1%, 24.9%, 8.3%, 16.8% and 7.7%, respectively, reported for the Turkish population. Also, gene frequencies for B5 (18.5%), B21 (14.6%) and B35 (10.2%) are very close to 17.1%, 14.0% and 10.2%, respectively, reported in the Yemenite population. The above results suggest some influence of other populations on the 'pure' Arab population.     

Mechanisms of action of cognitive therapy: The relative contributions of technical and interpersonal interventions

The contributions of changes in cognitions (degree of belief in automatic thoughts) and the patient's relationship with his therapist to mood changes occurring during sessions of cognitive therapy were examined in data collected from 17 depressed and anxious patients. Results showed that both changes in automatic thoughts and the patient's relationship with his therapist made independent, additive contributions to mood changes. In addition, two patient characteristics (initial degree of belief in automatic thoughts and diagnosis) made significant unique contributions to mood changes. The stronger the patient's initial belief in his automatic thoughts, the smaller the mood change occurring in the session. Smaller mood changes also occurred in patients with a personality disorder diagnosis. These results suggest that mood changes in cognitive therapy sessions are a function of three types of factors: technical cognitive therapy interventions, the patient's relationship with his/her therapist, and patient characteristics. A multiple regression model with independent variables measuring these factors accounted for 89% of the variance in mood change in the session.We thank our patients for their generous contributions. Anna Rose Childress and Juli Kinchla contributed to the inception of the study. We thank Jeffrey M. Perloff for advice concerning the statistical analysis. Jonathan Baron, Susan Krantz, Ricardo Muõz, S. Lloyd Williams, and the anonymous reviewers gave helpful comments on an earlier draft. This paper was presented at a meeting of the Society for Psychotherapy Research, Lake Louise, Canada, June 1984.     

Long-term Effects of Adolescent Substance Use Prevention on Participants,Partners, and their Children: Resiliency and Outcomes 15 Years Later During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Prevention Science - We examined whether participation in adolescent substance use prevention programming can enhance long-term resilience into adulthood such that individuals were better able to...     

Correction to: Incidence and characteristics of methicillin‑resistant coagulase‑negative Staphylococcus in peritoneal dialysis‑associated peritonitis in a single center using molecular methods

International Urology and Nephrology - In the original publication, article title was incorrectly published.     

Remote intervention engagement and outcomes in the Clinical Trials in Organ Transplantation in Children consortium multisite trial

Remote interventions are increasingly used in transplant medicine but have rarely been rigorously evaluated. We investigated a remote intervention targeting immunosuppressant management in pediatric lung transplant recipients. Patients were recruited from a larger multisite trial if they had a Medication Level Variability Index (MLVI) ≥2.0, indicating worrisome tacrolimus level fluctuation. The manualized intervention included three weekly phone calls and regular follow-up calls. A comparison group included patients who met enrollment criteria after the subprotocol ended. Outcomes were defined before the intent-to-treat analysis. Feasibility was defined as ≥50% of participants completing the weekly calls. MLVI was compared pre- and 180 days postenrollment and between intervention and comparison groups. Of 18 eligible patients, 15 enrolled. Seven additional patients served as the comparison. Seventy-five percent of participants completed ≥3 weekly calls; average time on protocol was 257.7 days. Average intervention group MLVI was significantly lower (indicating improved blood level stability) at 180 days postenrollment (2.9 ± 1.29) compared with pre-enrollment (4.6 ± 2.10), p = .02. At 180 days, MLVI decreased by 1.6 points in the intervention group but increased by 0.6 in the comparison group (p = .054). Participants successfully engaged in a long-term remote intervention, and their medication blood levels stabilized. NCT02266888.     

Higher mortality rates associated with rheumatoid arthritis in Saskatchewan,Canada, 2001–2019

ObjectivesTo estimate provincial all-cause mortality rates of Saskatchewan people with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for comparison with the general population over time and between different geographic regions.MethodsSaskatchewan provincial administrative health databases (2001–2019) were utilized as data sources. Two RA case definitions were employed: (1) ≥ 3 physician billing diagnoses, at least 1 from a specialist (rheumatologist, general internist or orthopaedic surgeon) within 2 years; (2) ≥ 1 hospitalization diagnosis (ICD-9 code 714, and ICD-10-CA codes M05, M06). Data from these definitions were combined to create an administrative data RA cohort. All-cause mortality rates across geographic regions, between rural/urban residences and between sexes were examined.ResultsOver an 18-year span, between fiscal-year 2001–2002 and fiscal-year 2018–2019, age- and sex-adjusted mortality rates ranged from 17.10 to 21.04 (95% CI 14.77, 19.44; 18.03, 24.05)/1000 RA person-years, compared with mortality rates for the general Saskatchewan population without RA, which ranged from 9.37 to 10.88 (95% CI 9.23, 9.51; 10.72, 11.05)/1000 person-years. Fiscal-year mortality rate ratios ranged from 1.82 to 2.13 (95% CI 1.56, 2.13; 1.83, 2.46). Provincial mortality rates were higher in men than in women for both general and RA populations. Northern Saskatchewan mortality rates were significantly higher in the general population but did not achieve significance compared with other provincial regions for the RA population. Regression analysis identified age, male sex, RA and geographic region as factors contributing to increased mortality. A trend towards lower mortality rates over time was observed.ConclusionHigher mortality rates were observed in the RA population overall. Men had higher mortality rates, as did residents of Northern Saskatchewan compared with residents of other regions for the general population.     

Addressing perinatal health inequities in Dutch municipalities: Protocol for the Healthy Pregnancy 4 All-3 programme

BackgroundHealth inequities are already present at birth and affect individuals’ health and socioeconomic outcomes across the life course. Addressing these inequities requires a cross-sectoral approach, covering the first 1,000 days of life. We believe that - in the Dutch context - municipal governments can be the main responsible actor to drive such an approach, since they are primarily responsible for organising adequate public health. Therefore, we aim to identify and develop transformative change towards the implementation of perinatal health into municipal approaches and policies concerning health inequities.MethodsA transition analysis will be combined with action research in six Dutch municipalities. Interviews and interactive group sessions with professionals and organisations that are relevant for the institutional embedding of perinatal health into approaches and policies regarding health inequities, will be organised in each municipality. As a follow-up, a questionnaire will be administered among all participants one year after completion of the group sessions.DiscussionWe expect to gain insights into the role of municipalities in addressing perinatal health inequities, learn more about the interaction between different key stakeholders, and identify barriers and facilitators for a cross-sectoral approach to perinatal health. This knowledge will serve to inform the development of approaches to perinatal health inequities in areas with relatively poor perinatal health outcomes, both in the Netherlands and abroad.