COVID-19 and ischemic stroke: a systematic review and meta-summary of the literature

Journal of Thrombosis and Thrombolysis - Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is a life-threatening complication of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection. Increasing reports suggest an association...     

Co-administration of non-carrier nanoparticles boosts antigen immune response without requiring protein conjugation

Nanotechnology promises a revolution in medicine including through new vaccine approaches. The use of nanoparticles in vaccination has, to date, focused on attaching antigen directly to or within nanoparticle structures to enhance antigen uptake by immune cells. Here we question whether antigen incorporation with the nanoparticle is actually necessary to boost vaccine effectiveness. We show that the immunogenicity of a sub-unit protein antigen was significantly boosted by formulation with silica nanoparticles even without specific conjugation of antigen to the nanoparticle. We further show that this effect was observed only for virus-sized nanoparticles (50 nm) but not for larger (1000 nm) particles, demonstrating a pronounced effect of nanoparticle size. This non-attachment approach has potential to radically simplify the development and application of nanoparticle-based formulations, leading to safer and simpler nanoparticle applications in vaccine development.     

Evaluation of a parenting program for children with behavioural problems: Signposts in Singapore

Abstract

Background The Signposts for Building Better Behaviour program, developed by the Parenting Research Centre, Victoria, Australia, was conducted at a public hospital facility in Singapore.

Method More than 1,000 parents completed the program, and filled in questionnaires about their child's behaviours.

Results Parents rated themselves in the questionnaires as being significantly less hassled, stressed, depressed, and anxious after attending the program. They were more confident and satisfied with managing their child, and rated their children's behaviours as having improved. Effect sizes ranged from 0.12 to 0.59. The findings were maintained 3 months after completion of the program.

Conclusions The study provides evidence of the cross-cultural applicability of the principles underlying the Signposts program. As there are long-term repercussions when children's behaviour problems are not dealt with appropriately, such behaviour management programs should be made more available to parents and caregivers.     

IgG4- Related Disease as a Rare Cause of Tubulointerstitial Nephritis

Isolated IgG4 tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN) is a rare disorder characterized by raised serum IgG4 levels and histological findings of dense lymphoplasmacytic infiltrates rich in IgG4 positive plasma cells. We report a case of isolated IgG4 TIN that presented with acute kidney injury in an 84 year old man with a polyclonal increase in his total IgG and a raised IgE of 381 kUA/L but without evidence of systemic autoimmunity. We draw a parallel with IgG4-related autoimmune pancreatitis and show raised levels of circulating regulatory T cells. Importantly the plasma levels of the T regulatory cell cytokine, IL10, the TH1 cytokines IL12 and IFNγ, the proinflammatory TNF α and immune regulatory IL27 were all highly raised. Furthermore, the level of IL21 that promotes IgG4 production was also very significantly elevated. These results suggest efforts of the immune system to reduce inflammation and suppress an exaggerated Th2 response. A raised serum IgG in the setting of acute kidney injury and in the absence of autoimmunity and chronic infection should encourage an assessment of the IgG subclasses. Prompt steroid treatment of those with a raised IgG4 may reduce ongoing renal damage.     

Gastrointestinal parasites in rural dogs and cats in Selangor and Pahang states in Peninsular Malaysia

To estimate the current prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) parasites in dogs and cats, a total of 105 fresh faecal samples were collected from rural areas in Peninsular Malaysia. Each faecal sample was examined for the presence of GI parasites by microscopic examination after formalin-ether concentration technique and for protozoa, trichrome and Ziehl-Neelsen staining were employed. The overall prevalence of GI parasitic infection was 88.6% (95% CI = 82.5–94.7) in which 88.3% of dogs and 89.3% of cats were infected with at least one parasites species, respectively. There were 14 different GI parasites species (nematodes, cestodes and protozoa) detected, including Ancylostoma spp. (62.9%), Toxocara spp. (32.4%), Trichuris vulpis (21.0%), Spirometra spp. (9.5%), Toxascaris leonina (5.7%), Dipylidium caninum (4.8%), Ascaris spp. (2.9%), Hymenolepis diminuta (1.0%) and others. General prevalence of GI parasites showed a significant difference between helminth (84.4%) and protozoa (34.3%) infections. Monoparasitism (38.1%) was less frequent than polyparasitism (46.7%). As several of these GI parasites are recognized as zoonotic agents, the results of this investigation revealed that local populations may be exposed to a broad spectrum of zoonotic agents by means of environmental contamination with dogs and cats faeces and this information should be used to mitigate public health risks. Prevention and control measures have to be taken in order to reduce the prevalence rates especially in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities where animals live in close proximity to people, poor levels of hygiene and overcrowding together with a lack in veterinary attention and zoonotic awareness.     

Environmental fate and impacts of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems: a review

Wide usage of plastic products leads to the global occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in the aquatic environment. Due to the small size, they can be bio-ingested, which may cause certain health effects. The present review starts with summarizing the main sources of various types of MPs and their occurrences in the aquatic environment, as well as their transportation and degradation pathways. The analysis of migration of MPs in water environments shows that the ultimate fate of most MPs in water environments is cracked into small fragments and sinking into the bottom of the ocean. The advantages and disadvantages of existing methods for detection and analysis of MPs are summarized. In addition, based on recent researches, the present review discusses MPs as carriers of organic pollutants and microorganisms, and explores the specific effects of MPs on aquatic organisms in the case of single and combined pollutants. Finally, by analysing the causes and influencing factors of their trophic transfer, the impact of MPs on high-level trophic organisms is explored.

The sources, fate and impacts of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems.     

An Infant Formula with Large,Milk Phospholipid-Coated Lipid Droplets Supports Adequate Growth and Is Well-Tolerated in Healthy,Term Asian Infants: A Randomized,Controlled Double-Blind Clinical Trial

Lipids are essential for healthy infant growth and development. The structural complexity of lipids in human milk is not present in infant milk formula (IF). A concept IF was developed mimicking more closely the structure and composition of human milk fat globules. The current study evaluates whether a concept IF with large, milk phospholipid-coated lipid droplets (mode diameter 3 to 5 μm) is equivalent to standard IF with regard to growth adequacy and safety in healthy, term Asian infants. In this randomized, double-blind, controlled trial, infants were randomized after parents decided to introduce formula. Infants received a standard IF with (Control) or without the specific prebiotic mixture scGOS/lcFOS (9:1 ratio; Control w/o prebiotics), or a Concept IF with large, milk phospholipid-coated lipid droplets and the prebiotic mixture. A group of 67 breastfed infants served as a reference. As a priori defined, only those infants who were fully intervention formula-fed ≤28 days of age were included in the equivalence analysis (Control n = 29; Control w/o prebiotics n = 28; Concept n = 35, per-protocol population). Primary outcome was daily weight gain during the first four months of life, with the difference between the Concept and Control as the key comparison of interest. Additionally, adverse events, growth and tolerance parameters were evaluated. Equivalence of daily weight gain was demonstrated between the Concept and Control group after additional correction for ethnicity and birthweight (difference in estimated means of 0.1 g/d, 90%CI [−2.30, 2.47]; equivalence margin +/− 3 g/d). No clinically relevant group differences were observed in secondary growth outcomes, tolerance outcomes or number, severity or relatedness of adverse events. This study corroborates that an infant formula with large, milk phospholipid-coated lipid droplets supports adequate growth and is well tolerated and safe for use in healthy infants.     

Cardiac tamponade in multiple myeloma – A pictorial case review of FDG PET/CT findings

Pericardial involvement of multiple myeloma is a rare and late‐stage complication, with only a few cases reported in the literature. PET/CT has demonstrated a growing role in the diagnosis and follow‐up of patients with multiple myeloma. We present a case of pericardial multiple myeloma in a patient with relapsed/refractory disease, showcasing previously unpublished FDG PET/CT findings.