The Association Between Neighborhood Social Vulnerability and COVID-19 Testing,Positivity, and Incidence in Alabama and Louisiana

Racial/ethnic and socioeconomic disparities in COVID-19 burden have been widely reported. Using data from the state health departments of Alabama and Louisiana aggregated to residential Census tracts, we assessed the relationship between social vulnerability and COVID-19 testing rates, test positivity, and incidence. Data were cumulative for the period of February 27, 2020 to October 7, 2020. We estimated the association of the 2018 Social Vulnerability Index (SVI) overall score and theme scores with COVID-19 tests, test positivity, and cases using multivariable negative binomial regressions. We adjusted for rurality with 2010 Rural–Urban Commuting Area codes. Regional effects were modeled as fixed effects of counties/parishes and state health department regions. The analytical sample included 1160 Alabama and 1105 Louisiana Census tracts. In both states, overall social vulnerability and vulnerability themes were significantly associated with increased COVID-19 case rates (RR 1.57, 95% CI 1.45–1.70 for Alabama; RR 1.36, 95% CI 1.26–1.46 for Louisiana). There was increased COVID-19 testing with higher overall vulnerability in Louisiana (RR 1.26, 95% CI 1.14–1.38), but not in Alabama (RR 0.95, 95% CI 0.89–1.02). Consequently, test positivity in Alabama was significantly associated with social vulnerability (RR 1.66, 95% CI 1.57–1.75), whereas no such relationship was observed in Louisiana (RR 1.05, 95% CI 0.98–1.12). Social vulnerability is a risk factor for COVID-19 infection, particularly among racial/ethnic minorities and those in disadvantaged housing conditions without transportation. Increased testing targeted to vulnerable communities may contribute to reduction in test positivity and overall COVID-19 disparities.

     

Characterization of uronic-acid-rich inhibitor of calcium oxalate crystallization isolated from rat urine

Human urine contains several macromolecules which inhibit calcium oxalate crystallization. Uronic-acid-rich protein (UAP), a glycoprotein with a molecular weight of approximately 35 kDa, is one such inhibitor. Here we report the characterization of UAP extracted from rat urine using three chromatographic steps including diethylaminoethanol (DEAE)-Sephacel, Sephacryl S-300 and Mono Q column and compare it with human UAP. The molecular weight of rat UAP (UAP_r) is similar to that of human UAP (UAP_h), being approximately 35 kDa as estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). Their amino acid compositions are identical, they contain a high percentage of aspartic and glutamic acids and they react positively in the carbazole reaction, suggesting that they contain uronic acid. The inhibitory activities of UAP_h and UAP_r were assayed on a calcium oxalate crystallization system in vitro using [⁴⁵Ca]calcium chloride. Both exert a strong inhibition, suggesting that UAP_r, like UAP_h, plays an important role in preventing and reducing calcium oxalate crystallization in the urine. On Western blot analysis, both UAP_h and UAP_r immunoreact with inter--trypsin inhibitor (ITI) antibody. Nevertheless, using the Ouchterlony immunodiffusion technique, there was no precipitation line between ITI antibody and UAP. Therefore, we hypothesize that UAP is related to ITI and that they may have the same epitope but are not completely identical. We conclude that UAP belongs to the ITI superfamily of macromolecules which contribute to the regulation of the calcium oxalate crystallization process.     

Role of inter-α-inhibitor and its related proteins in urolithiasis. Purification of an inter-α-inhibitor related protein from the bovine kidney

Urine contains several macromolecules that inhibit calcium oxalate (CaOx) crystallization. Among them is bikunin, the light chain of most of the inter-α-inhibitor (IαI) family of glycoproteins. This study aimed to verify whether bikunin and other members of the IαI family are synthesized in the kidneys or derived exclusively from the plasma. Proteins extracted from homogenized bovine kidney were applied successively to three chromatographic steps on DEAE-Sephacel, Sephacryl S-300, and Mono Q column. The inhibitory activity was assayed using a CaOx crystallization system. The presence of IαI-related proteins was determined by␣electrophoresis and Western blotting. The results showed that kidney extract contained a 125-kDa protein that cross-reacted with anti-IαI antibodies. This protein inhibited CaOx crystallization efficiently. According to its molecular weight and immunoreaction with anti-IαI antibody, the 125-kDa protein could be pre-α-inhibitor. The latter is known to encompass a heavy chain and bikunin, which may explain its inhibitory activity against CaOx crystallization. Consequently, we hypothesize that kidneys may produce some IαI-related proteins that are involved in the inhibition of stone formation. Received: 18 February 1998 / Accepted: 9 July 1998     

Predictive value of angiotensin II antagonists in renovascular hypertension

An angiotensin II antagonist, sarcosine-1, threonine-8 angiotensin II ( [Sar1, Thr8] A II), was infused preoperatively in 14 patients with renal artery stenosis. Postoperative graft patency was documented by renal flow scan in 13 patients. One of these required antihypertensive therapy immediately after surgery, while the other 12 had a significant BP reduction in the first postoperative week (141 +/- 3.7 to 110 +/- 1.6 mm Hg). With longer follow-up, six patients remained normotensive (group 1), while the other six had "residual hypertension" (group 2). There was no significant difference between the two groups as regards age, preoperative BP level, plasma renin activity, blood volume, or response to [Sar1, Thr8] A II. In contrast, clinical signs were most helpful in predicting response to surgery. "Cured" patients had shorter duration of hypertension (less than one year) than patients with residual hypertension, and less impairment of renal excretory function; three patients in group 2 but none in group 1 had a history of malignant hypertension. The decision to operate remains a multifactorial evaluation and cannot be based on results of any single test alone.     

Improved recovery profiles in sinonasal surgery Sugammadex: Does it have a role?

ObjectiveSinonasal surgery is one of the shared airway surgeries that are not uncommonly complicated intra or postoperatively. The proper anesthetic management of these cases plays a crucial role creating a bloodless field. Sugammadex is a new selective relaxant binding drug as it provides a rapid decrease in free rocuronium in the plasma and at nicotinic receptor that help proper awakening of these patients which is extremely important for minimizing the postoperative respiratory complications. The aim of this study is to compare recovery profile in sinonasal surgery in patients reversed by conventional anticholine esterase (Neostigmine) versus those reversed by Sugammadex.MethodsThis study included 40 patients ASA physical status I and II aged 20–45 years with chronic sinusitis undergoing endoscopic sinus surgery with or without septoplasty, hypotensive anesthesia to maintain MAP (50–60 mm Hg), muscle relaxation throughout the procedure at 1–2 posttetanic count (PTCs) by rocuronium infusion, and anesthetic depth maintained using BIS (50–60). Patients were allocated randomly into two equal groups to receive either Sugammadex 4 mg/kg (group I) or Neostigmine 0.05 mg/kg and atropine 0.02 mg/kg (group II) as a reversal agent, and assessment of postoperative respiratory complications was performed using the Postoperative Respiratory System Evaluation Score (PRSES) at 1st and 5th minutes after extubation.ResultsThe reversal time showed highly significant difference between the two groups. Patients in the Sugammadex group could reach a TOF of 0.9 in a mean time 2.47 (0.51) min versus 24.21 (4.7) min for the Neostigmine group; postoperative respiratory complications, the Sugammadex group and the Neostigmine group did not differ statistically; however, more patients in Neostigmine group showed respiratory complications at 1st and 5th minutes after extubation as shown by PRSES Scoring System.ConclusionThis study showed that the use of Sugammadex in reversing rocuronium induced neuromuscular block in patients undergoing functional endoscopic surgery is superior to Neostigmine. Further studies are required to weigh the cost benefit relationship of the use of Sugammadex in routine clinical practice.     

Treatment of Late Class II Antibody-Mediated Rejection Status Postkidney Transplantation: Two Case Reports

We are describing the successful treatment of two cases of late Class II antibody mediated rejection status postkidney transplantation. The first patient was treated with a combination of plasmapheresis, intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG), and stenting of the transplanted renal artery. The second was treated with IVIG and pulse steroids.     

Association of current employment status with oral health‐related behaviors: findings from the Finnish Health 2000 Survey

The aim of this study was to compare the oral health‐related behaviors of unemployed people with those of employed people and to assess whether they differ according to the length of unemployment. This study is part of the Health 2000 Survey in Finland. The cross‐sectional data were based on interviews and questionnaires. The present study comprised dentate participants, 30–63 yr of age (n = 4,670). Current employment status (employed vs. unemployed) and length of current unemployment (≤1, >1–2, >2–5, and >5 yr) were used as exposures. Binary logistic regression models were fitted separately for the oral health‐related behaviors, and latent class analysis (LCA) was used to form behavioral clusters. Current unemployment and being unemployed for longer than 5 yr were inversely associated with regular use of dental services. Current unemployment indicated non‐regular dental attendance, infrequent use of xylitol, daily smoking, and risky use of alcohol. Findings from the LCA supported the assumption that unemployed people could be considered as a risk group for poor oral health‐related behaviors.     

An oral vaccine for type 1 diabetes based on live attenuated Salmonella

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a metabolic disease that is initiated by the autoimmune destruction of pancreatic insulin-producing beta cells that is accompanied by the development of antigen-specific antibodies and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs). Several studies have shown that vaccination with diabetic autoantigens provides some protection against this process. In this report we describe a new oral vaccine that utilizes live attenuated Salmonella for simultaneous delivery of autoantigens in conjunction with immunomodulatory cytokine genes to immune cells in the gut mucosa. Recent data showed that live attenuated Salmonella is a safe, simple and effective vector for expression of antigens and cytokines by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) of gut-associated lymphatic tissue (GALT). This novel strategy was tested by fusion of the diabetic autoantigen preproinsulin with Salmonella secretory effector protein (SseF) of pathogenicity island-2 (SPI2). In this way the autoantigen is only expressed inside the host immune cells and translocated to the host cell cytosol. In addition Salmonella was used to deliver the gene for the immunomodulatory cytokine transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) for host cell expression. Oral co-vaccination of 8 week-old non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice with three weekly doses of both the autoantigen and cytokine significantly reduced the development of diabetes, improved the response to glucose challenge, preserved beta cell mass, and reduced the severity of insulitis compared with controls and autoantigen alone. Combination therapy also resulted in increased circulating levels of IL10 four weeks post-vaccination and IL2 for 12 weeks post-vaccination, but without effect on proinflammatory cytokines IL6, IL12(p70), IL17 and IFNγ. However, in non-responders there was a significant rise in IL12 compared with responders. Future studies will examine the mechanism of this vaccination strategy in more detail. In conclusion, Salmonella-based oral vaccines expressing autoantigens combined with imunomodulatory cytokines appears to be a promising therapy for prevention of T1D.