Single-Molecule Arrays for Ultrasensitive Detection of Host Immune Response to Dengue Virus Infection

Dengue virus serotype 2-positive plasma was applied to two indirect single-molecule arrays (Simoas) for the detection of anti-dengue virus IgG and IgM. The Simoas were 1,000 and 10,000 times more sensitive than enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) for the detection of IgG and IgM, respectively. Using Simoas, serology may be used for the detection of dengue virus infection in the acute phase.     

Successful lumbar surgery results in improved psychological well-being: a longitudinal assessment of depressive and anxiety symptoms

Background Context

Preoperative psychological symptoms predict surgical outcomes. The impact of surgical outcomes on psychological well-being, however, has not been delineated.

Flutamide-induced toxic hepatitis

Summary Flutamide is a nonsteroidal antiandrogen commonly used in the treatment of prostate cancer. Hepatic toxicity associated with flutamide has been reported with an incidence from less than 1% to about 5%. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a hydrophilic bile acid, has been widely used in the treatment of cholesterol gallstones and of several liver diseases, but few data are now available concerning its use in the management of drug-induced hepatitis.The case of a patient who presented severe hepatitis with jaundice following use of flutamide is reported. UDCA treatment was started on admission and, contemporaneously, flutamide was withdrawn. Clinical and biochemical improvement was progressively observed, and the patient was discharged six weeks after the admission. Since fatal flutamide-related hepatitis has been reported, monitoring of serum liver tests is advocated during flutamide administration, and the effectiveness of UDCA in the treatment of drug-induced hepatotoxicity requires further study.     

Hypertension,medications, and risk of severe COVID‐19: A Massachusetts community‐based observational study

It remains uncertain whether the hypertension (HT) medications angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEi) and angiotensin receptor blockers (ARB) mitigate or exacerbate SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. We evaluated the association of ACEi and ARB with severe coronavirus disease 19 (COVID‐19) as defined by hospitalization or mortality among individuals diagnosed with COVID‐19. We investigated whether these associations were modified by age, the simultaneous use of the diuretic thiazide, and the health conditions associated with medication use. In an observational study utilizing data from a Massachusetts group medical practice, we identified 1449 patients with a COVID‐19 diagnosis. In our study, pre‐infection comorbidities including HT, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes were associated with increased risk of severe COVID‐19. Risk was further elevated in patients under age 65 with these comorbidities or cancer. Twenty percent of those with severe COVID‐19 compared to 9% with less severe COVID‐19 used ACEi, 8% and 4%, respectively, used ARB. In propensity score‐matched analyses, use of neither ACEi (OR = 1.30, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.81) nor ARB (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.57 to 1.55) was associated with increased risk of severe COVID‐19. Thiazide use did not modify this relationship. Beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, and anticoagulant medications were not associated with COVID‐19 severity. In conclusion, cardiovascular‐related comorbidities were associated with severe COVID‐19 outcomes, especially among patients under age 65. We found no substantial increased risk of severe COVID‐19 among patients taking antihypertensive medications. Our findings support recommendations against discontinuing use of renin–angiotensin system (RAS) inhibitors to prevent severe COVID‐19.     

Improving charge transport by the ultrathin QDs interlayer in polymer solar cells

Lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) have been incorporated into PTB7:PC₇₁BM BHJ active layers to fabricate polymer solar cells (PSCs) and gather on the top surface of active layers to form an ultrathin interlayer. The PbS QDs ultrathin interlayer with an appropriate thickness increases the carrier transport capacity, exciton dissociation and reduces the carrier recombination, which leads to a higher short circuit current (J_sc) and fill factor (FF). Finally, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) improves from 7.03% (control devices) to 7.87% with an ultrathin interlayer by doping 5% PbS QDs, while the current density (J_sc) and fill factor (FF) enhances from 13.83 mA cm⁻² to 14.81 mA cm⁻² and from 68.70% to 70.85%, respectively.

Lead sulfide (PbS) quantum dots (QDs) have been incorporated into PTB7:PC₇₁BM BHJ active layers to fabricate polymer solar cells (PSCs) and gather on the top surface of active layers to form an ultrathin interlayer.     

High incidence of allograft dysfunction in liver transplanted patients treated with pegylated-interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin for hepatitis C recurrence: possible de novo autoimmune hepatitis?

BACKGROUND: Interferon may trigger autoimmune disorders, including autoimmune hepatitis, in immunocompetent patients. To date, no such disorders have been described in liver transplanted patients. METHODS: 9 of 44 liver transplanted patients who had been receiving pegylated-interferon alpha-2b and ribavirin for at least 6 months for hepatitis C virus (HCV) recurrence, developed graft dysfunction despite on-treatment HCV-RNA clearance in all but one case. Laboratory, microbiological, imaging and histological evaluations were performed to identify the origin of graft dysfunction. The International Autoimmune Hepatitis scoring system was also applied. RESULTS: In all cases infections, anastomoses complications and rejection were excluded, whereas the autoimmune hepatitis score suggested a "probable autoimmune hepatitis" (score from 10 to 14). Three patients developed other definite autoimmune disorders (overlap anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA)-positive cholangitis, autoimmune thyroiditis and systemic lupus erythematosus, respectively). In all cases, pre-existing autoimmune hepatitis was excluded. Anti-lymphocyte antibodies in immunosuppressive induction treatment correlated with the development of the disorder, whereas the use of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor to treat interferon-induced neutropenia showed a protective role. Withdrawal of antiviral treatment and treatment with prednisone resulted in different outcomes (five remissions and four graft failures with two deaths). CONCLUSIONS: De novo autoimmune hepatitis should be considered in differential diagnosis along with rejection in liver transplanted patients developing graft dysfunction while on treatment with interferon.     

The frequency of workplace exacerbation among health maintenance organisation members with asthma

Objectives

Workplace conditions can potentially contribute to the worsening of asthma, yet it is unclear what percentage of adults with asthma experience workplace exacerbation of symptoms. The objective of this investigation was to determine the prevalence of workplace exacerbation of asthma (WEA).

Methods

Adults with asthma aged 18–44 were enrolled into the baseline survey of a longitudinal study. Members of a health maintenance organisation were considered candidates for participation if they fulfilled membership, diagnostic, and treatment criteria based on automated review of electronic billing, claims, and pharmacy records. Diagnosis and treatment were confirmed by manual review of medical records. A telephone questionnaire was administered. A work related symptom score was assigned to each participant based on responses to questions about work related asthma symptoms, medication use, and symptom triggers. Blinded to participants'' answers to these questions, two researchers independently reviewed the self‐reported work histories and assigned exposure ratings. A final exposure score was then calculated. Participants with sufficient evidence for work related symptoms and exposure were classified as having WEA.

Results

Of the 598 participants with complete data, 557 (93%) were working, and 136 (23%) fulfilled the criteria for WEA. Those with WEA were more likely to be male and to report that they had been bothered by asthma symptoms during the past seven days.

Conclusions

Workplace exacerbation of asthma was common in this study population, occurring in over a fifth of these adults with asthma. Physicians should consider that work can contribute to the exacerbation of symptoms when treating adults with asthma.