CD19 + CD21lo/neg cells are increased in systemic sclerosis-associated interstitial lung disease

Interstitial lung disease (ILD) represents a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in systemic sclerosis (SSc). The purpose of this study was to examine recirculating lymphocytes from SSc patients for potential biomarkers of interstitial lung disease (ILD). Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from patients with SSc and healthy controls enrolled in the Vanderbilt University Myositis and Scleroderma Treatment Initiative Center cohort between 9/2017–6/2019. Clinical phenotyping was performed by chart abstraction. Immunophenotyping was performed using both mass cytometry and fluorescence cytometry combined with t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding analysis and traditional biaxial gating. This study included 34 patients with SSc-ILD, 14 patients without SSc-ILD, and 25 healthy controls. CD21^lo/neg cells are significantly increased in SSc-ILD but not in SSc without ILD (15.4 ± 13.3% vs. 5.8 ± 0.9%, p = 0.002) or healthy controls (5.0 ± 0.5%, p < 0.0001). While CD21^lo/neg B cells can be identified from a single biaxial gate, tSNE analysis reveals that the biaxial gate is comprised of multiple distinct subsets, all of which are increased in SSc-ILD. CD21^lo/neg cells in both healthy controls and SSc-ILD are predominantly tBET positive and do not have intracellular CD21. Immunohistochemistry staining demonstrated that CD21^lo/neg B cells diffusely infiltrate the lung parenchyma of an SSc-ILD patient. Additional work is needed to validate this biomarker in larger cohorts and longitudinal studies and to understand the role of these cells in SSc-ILD.

     

African-American Adolescents’ Weight Loss Skills Utilization: Effects on Weight Change in a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial

Objective

Successful weight loss interventions for African-Americans adolescents are lacking. Cognitive-behavioral interventions seek to develop weight loss skills (e.g., counting calories, goal setting, managing one's environment). Little is known about how well adolescents implement such skills in their daily lives. Study aims were to (1) examine weight loss skills utilization at midpoint and end of a 6-month cognitive-behavioral/motivational interviewing weight loss sequential multiple assignment randomized trial (SMART), and (2) determine if greater skill utilization predicted weight loss at treatment end and 3 months post-treatment.

Ductal Carcinoma In Situ with Microinvasion on Core Biopsy: Evaluating Tumor Upstaging Rate,Lymph Node Metastasis Rate,and Associated Predictive Variables

Annals of Surgical Oncology - The role of sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) when ductal carcinoma in situ with microinvasion (DCISM) is identified on core biopsy is unclear. Our aim was to assess...     

CDC's consensus set of health status indicators: monitoring and prioritization by state health departments.

A survey assessed the extent to which state health departments monitor and prioritize the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's consensus set of health status indicators. A response rate of 100% was obtained. Although mortality indicators are often monitored, only 75.5% of the states monitor work-related injury deaths. Most states monitor the incidence of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, measles, tuberculosis, and syphilis. Low birthweight, births to adolescents, and lack of prenatal care are monitored in nearly all states and are considered high-priority problems. Only 46.9% of states are monitoring poor air quality, and only 58.8% are monitoring childhood poverty. Survey results suggest a need for standardized assessment of indicators for policy development and program planning.     

The factor XIII Val34Leu polymorphism: is it protective against idiopathic venous thromboembolism?

The substitution of leucine for valine at amino acid position 34 of the factor XIII gene is commonly referred to as FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism. The homozygous leucine/leucine genotype has been reported to confer protection against venous thromboembolism, but previous studies have not evaluated a population limited to those with idiopathic venous thromboembolism. The primary objective of the study was to determine whether the FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism is independently associated with the occurrence of idiopathic venous thromboembolism. We prospectively enrolled consecutive patients with at least one objectively confirmed idiopathic venous thromboembolism. Friends of cases were recruited as controls and matched to cases by sex, ethnicity, and age. All participants were tested for the FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism in addition to several well-known thrombophilias. Data from 309 cases and 306 controls were analyzed. The FXIII leucine/leucine genotype was present in 4.9% of cases and 6.5% of controls. An adjusted odds ratio of 0.59 (95% confidence interval, 0.25-1.38) was found for the recessive model and 0.69 (95% confidence interval, 0.46-1.02) for the dominant model. Our results do not support an independent association of the FXIII Val34Leu polymorphism with idiopathic venous thromboembolism in our Caucasian Canadian study population.     

Temperament and family characteristics as predictors of children's reactions to hospitalization

Findings from a study of 47 children 4 to 12 years old who received tonsillectomies at a children's hospital indicated that adjustment before hospitalization was the strongest predictor of postsurgical adjustment. However, certain temperamental and mother-child relationship factors also were strongly related to and predictive of posthospitalization outcomes. Children who displayed the most positive reactions were temperamentally more rhythmical (i.e., had regular, predictable behavior), more approaching to new experiences and people, more adaptable to change and positive in mood, and more responsive. Although family adaptability and cohesion were not significantly associated with children's reactions to hospitalization, maternal trait anxiety and maternal overprotection, rejection, and overindulgence of the child were correlated with poorer adjustment. The findings have practical implications to helping children adjust more effectively to surgery and hospitalization, and they contribute to our understanding of resiliency and vulnerability in children.