Heat and shear stability of particle stabilised foams for application in gluten-free bread

Bread forms an integral part of the daily diet in many cultures worldwide. At the same time, a significant number of people try to avoid wheat-based products for either health reasons or due to personal preferences. The absence of a protein network in gluten free bread affects its structure, taste, texture and shelf-life. This paper suggests a technological solution to this issue that uses a pre-foamed mass of gluten free raw materials which is mixed with the bread's ingredients, then kneaded and baked to form a high quality gluten free bread. To survive the high shear stresses during kneading and temperature increase during baking, the foam requires exceptional stability. This stability was achieved through particle stabilisation of the bubble interfaces. Both of the tested foams (with and without particles) exhibited thermal stability up to 80 °C. However, resistance to shear stresses was higher in the particle stabilised foams. Of all the tested particles, linseed press cake and banana powder led to the best results. In conclusion, particle stabilised foams seem very well suited to applications in gluten free baked goods. Further application potential is seen for vegan foamed desserts.

Fitness to fly for children and adolescents after Fontan palliation

Introduction

At cruising altitude, the cabin pressure of passenger aircraft needs to be adjusted and, therefore, the oxygen content is equivalent to ambient air at 2,500 masl, causing mild desaturation and a rising pulmonary vascular resistance (PVR) in healthy subjects. For Fontan patients with passive pulmonary perfusion, a rising PVR can cause serious medical problems. The purpose of this fitness to fly investigation (FTF) is to assess the risk of air travel for children and adolescents after Fontan palliation.

Methods

We investigated 21 Fontan patients [3-14y] in a normobaric hypoxic chamber at a simulated altitude of 2,500 m for 3 h. Oxygen saturation, heart rate, and regional tissue saturation in the forehead (NIRS) were measured continuously. Before entering the chamber, after 90 and 180 min in the hypoxic environment, blood gas analysis and echocardiography were performed.

Results

Heart rate and blood pressure did not show significant intraindividual changes. Capillary oxygen saturation (SaO₂) decreased significantly after 90 min by a mean of 5.6 ± 2.87% without further decline. Lactate, pH, base excess, and tissue saturation in the frontal brain did not reach any critical values. In the case of open fenestration between the tunnel and the atrium delta, P did not increase, indicating stable pulmonary artery pressure.

Conclusion

All 21 children finished the investigation successfully without any adverse events, so flying short distance seems to be safe for most Fontan patients with good current health status. As the baseline oxygen saturation does not allow prediction of the maximum extent of desaturation and adaption to a hypoxic environment takes up to 180 min, the so-called hypoxic challenge test is not sufficient for these patients. Performing an FTF examination over a period of 180 min allows for risk assessment and provides safety to the patients and their families, as well as the airline companies.

Quantifying and Predicting Ongoing Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Transmission Dynamics in Switzerland Using a Distance-Based Clustering Approach

BACKGROUND

Despite effective prevention approaches, ongoing human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) transmission remains a public health concern indicating a need for identifying its drivers.

METHODS

We combined a network-based clustering method using evolutionary distances between viral sequences with statistical learning approaches to investigate the dynamics of HIV transmission in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study and to predict the drivers of ongoing transmission.

RESULTS

We found that only a minority of clusters and patients acquired links to new infections between 2007 and 2020. While the growth of clusters and the probability of individual patients acquiring new links in the transmission network was associated with epidemiological, behavioral, and virological predictors, the strength of these associations decreased substantially when adjusting for network characteristics. Thus, these network characteristics can capture major heterogeneities beyond classical epidemiological parameters. When modeling the probability of a newly diagnosed patient being linked with future infections, we found that the best predictive performance (median area under the curve receiver operating characteristic AUCROC = 0.77) was achieved by models including characteristics of the network as predictors and that models excluding them performed substantially worse (median AUCROC = 0.54).

CONCLUSIONS

These results highlight the utility of molecular epidemiology-based network approaches for analyzing and predicting ongoing HIV transmission dynamics. This approach may serve for real-time prospective assessment of HIV transmission.

Is there a link between heart rate variability and cognitive decline? A cross-sectional study on patients with mild cognitive impairment and cognitively healthy controls

BACKGROUND

Given that, up to date, there is no effective strategy to treat dementia, a timely start of interventions in a prodromal stage such as mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is considered an important option to lower the overall societal burden. Although autonomic functions have been related to cognitive performance, both aspects have rarely been studied simultaneously in MCI.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to investigate cardiac autonomic control in older adults with and without MCI.

METHODS

Cardiac autonomic control was assessed by means of heart rate variability (HRV) at resting state and during cognitive tasks in 22 older adults with MCI and 29 healthy controls (HCs). Resting HRV measurement was performed for 5 minutes during a sitting position. Afterwards, participants performed three PC-based tasks to probe performance in executive functions and language abilities (i.e., Stroop, N-back, and a verbal fluency task).

RESULTS

Participants with MCI showed a significant reduction of HRV in the frequency-domain (high frequency power) and nonlinear indices (SD2, D2, and DFA1) during resting state compared to HCs. Older individuals with MCI exhibited decreases in RMSSD and increases in DFA1 from resting state to Stroop and N-back tasks, reflecting strong vagal withdrawal, while this parameter remained stable in HCs.

CONCLUSION

The results support the presence of autonomic dysfunction at the early stage of cognitive impairment. Heart rate variability could help in the prediction of cognitive decline as a noninvasive biomarker or as a tool to monitor the effectiveness of therapy and prevention of neurodegenerative diseases.

Investigation of the functional pathogenesis of mild cognitive impairment by localisation-based locus coeruleus resting-state fMRI

Dementia as one of the most prevalent diseases urges for a better understanding of the central mechanisms responsible for clinical symptoms, and necessitates improvement of actual diagnostic capabilities. The brainstem nucleus locus coeruleus (LC) is a promising target for early diagnosis because of its early structural alterations and its relationship to the functional disturbances in the patients. In this study, we applied our improved method of localisation-based LC resting-state fMRI to investigate the differences in central sensory signal processing when comparing functional connectivity (fc) of a patient group with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 28) and an age-matched healthy control group (n = 29). MCI and control participants could be differentiated in their Mini-Mental-State-Examination (MMSE) scores (p < .001) and LC intensity ratio (p = .010). In the fMRI, LC fc to anterior cingulate cortex (FDR p < .001) and left anterior insula (FDR p = .012) was elevated, and LC fc to right temporoparietal junction (rTPJ, FDR p = .012) and posterior cingulate cortex (PCC, FDR p = .021) was decreased in the patient group. Importantly, LC to rTPJ connectivity was also positively correlated to MMSE scores in MCI patients (p = .017). Furthermore, we found a hyperactivation of the left-insula salience network in the MCI patients. Our results and our proposed disease model shed new light on the functional pathogenesis of MCI by directing to attentional network disturbances, which could aid new therapeutic strategies and provide a marker for diagnosis and prediction of disease progression.

The InSight HP3 Penetrator (Mole) on Mars: Soil Properties Derived from the Penetration Attempts and Related Activities

The NASA InSight Lander on Mars includes the Heat Flow and Physical Properties Package HP³ to measure the surface heat flow of the planet. The package uses temperature sensors that would have been brought to the target depth of 3-5 m by a small penetrator, nicknamed the mole. The mole requiring friction on its hull to balance remaining recoil from its hammer mechanism did not penetrate to the targeted depth. Instead, by precessing about a point midway along its hull, it carved a 7 cm deep and 5-6 cm wide pit and reached a depth of initially 31 cm. The root cause of the failure - as was determined through an extensive, almost two years long campaign - was a lack of friction in an unexpectedly thick cohesive duricrust. During the campaign - described in detail in this paper - the mole penetrated further aided by friction applied using the scoop at the end of the robotic Instrument Deployment Arm and by direct support by the latter. The mole tip finally reached a depth of about 37 cm, bringing the mole back-end 1-2 cm below the surface. It reversed its downward motion twice during attempts to provide friction through pressure on the regolith instead of directly with the scoop to the mole hull. The penetration record of the mole was used to infer mechanical soil parameters such as the penetration resistance of the duricrust of 0.3-0.7 MPa and a penetration resistance of a deeper layer ( > 30 cm depth) of 4.9 ± 0.4 MPa . Using the mole's thermal sensors, thermal conductivity and diffusivity were measured. Applying cone penetration theory, the resistance of the duricrust was used to estimate a cohesion of the latter of 2-15 kPa depending on the internal friction angle of the duricrust. Pushing the scoop with its blade into the surface and chopping off a piece of duricrust provided another estimate of the cohesion of 5.8 kPa. The hammerings of the mole were recorded by the seismometer SEIS and the signals were used to derive P-wave and S-wave velocities representative of the topmost tens of cm of the regolith. Together with the density provided by a thermal conductivity and diffusivity measurement using the mole's thermal sensors, the elastic moduli were calculated from the seismic velocities. Using empirical correlations from terrestrial soil studies between the shear modulus and cohesion, the previous cohesion estimates were found to be consistent with the elastic moduli. The combined data were used to derive a model of the regolith that has an about 20 cm thick duricrust underneath a 1 cm thick unconsolidated layer of sand mixed with dust and above another 10 cm of unconsolidated sand. Underneath the latter, a layer more resistant to penetration and possibly containing debris from a small impact crater is inferred. The thermal conductivity increases from 14 mW/m K to 34 mW/m K through the 1 cm sand/dust layer, keeps the latter value in the duricrust and the sand layer underneath and then increases to 64 mW/m K in the sand/gravel layer below.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11214-022-00941-z.

Triggers of Change in Sexual Behavior Among People With HIV: The Swiss U U Statement and COVID-19 Compared

We assessed changes in sexual behavior among people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) over 20 years. Condom use with stable partners steadily declined from over 90 to 29 since the Swiss U U statement, with similar trajectories between men who have sex with men (MSM) and heterosexuals. Occasional partnership remained higher among MSM compared to heterosexuals even during coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) social distancing.

Risk Factors and Incidence of Sexually Transmitted Infections in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study

Background

Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are common among people with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH), but there are limited data about risk factors and incidence of STIs in large, representative cohort studies.

Methods

We assessed incidence and risk factors of STIs reported by treating physicians within the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS). Sexually transmitted infections and demographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics were prospectively collected at 6-month follow-up visits between October 2017 and November 2019. We used multilevel Poisson regression to assess incidence rate ratios of different STIs.

Results

Among 10 140 study participants, a total of 1634 STIs in 1029 SHCS participants were reported over 17 766 person-years of follow up (PYFUP). The overall incidence of any reported STI was 91.9 per 1000 PYFU (95% confidence interval [CI], 85.8 -98.5). Among the 1634 STI episodes, there were 573 (35.1%) incident cases of syphilis, 497 gonorrhea (30.4%), and 418 chlamydia (25.6%). Men who have sex with men (MSM) younger than 50 years represented 21% of the study population, but accounted for 61% of reported STIs. Male sex (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR], 2.03; 95% CI, 1.36-3.02), MSM (aIRR, 3.62; 95% CI, 2.88-4.55), age group 18-34 years (aIRR, 1.78; 95% CI, 1.51-2.10), history of sexual relationships with occasional partners (aIRR, 6.87; 95% CI, 5.40-8.73), and reporting injecting drug use (aIRR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.91-3.23) were associated with a higher risk of incident STIs.

Conclusions

Sexually transmitted infections were frequent among PWH and varied considerably between age and risk groups. Screening programs and recommendations for STI testing need to be adapted according to risk factors and demographic characteristics.

A highly virulent variant of HIV-1 circulating in the Netherlands

We discovered a highly virulent variant of subtype-B HIV-1 in the Netherlands. One hundred nine individuals with this variant had a 0.54 to 0.74 log₁₀ increase (i.e., a ~3.5-fold to 5.5-fold increase) in viral load compared with, and exhibited CD4 cell decline twice as fast as, 6604 individuals with other subtype-B strains. Without treatment, advanced HIV-CD4 cell counts below 350 cells per cubic millimeter, with long-term clinical consequences-is expected to be reached, on average, 9 months after diagnosis for individuals in their thirties with this variant. Age, sex, suspected mode of transmission, and place of birth for the aforementioned 109 individuals were typical for HIV-positive people in the Netherlands, which suggests that the increased virulence is attributable to the viral strain. Genetic sequence analysis suggests that this variant arose in the 1990s from de novo mutation, not recombination, with increased transmissibility and an unfamiliar molecular mechanism of virulence.

Vestibular compensation of otolith graviceptive dysfunction in stroke patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

A sensitive and frequent clinical sign of a vestibular tone imbalance is the tilt of the perceived subjective visual vertical (SVV). There are no data yet focusing on lesion location at the cortical level as a factor for predicting compensation from the tilt of the SVV.

METHODS

With modern voxelwise lesion behavior mapping analysis, the present study determines whether lesion location in 23 right-hemispheric cortical stroke patients with an otolith dysfunction could predict the compensation of a vestibular tone imbalance in the chronic stage.

RESULTS

Our statistical anatomical lesion analysis revealed that lesions of the posterior insular cortex are involved in vestibular otolith compensation.

CONCLUSION

The insular cortex appears to be a critical anatomical region for predicting a tilt of the SVV as a chronic disorder in stroke patients.

Long-term outcome of persons with diabetic and non-diabetic neuro-osteoarthropathy after foot correction using external fixation

AIM

Diabetic neuro-osteoarthropathy (Charcot foot) is a serious form of diabetic foot syndrome, often leading to severe deformity of the foot and subsequently to ulcers and osteomyelitis. The aim of this retrospective study was to determine the success rate and long-term outcomes for a Charcot foot operation using external fixation in 115 individuals who underwent surgery between July 2008 and December 2012.

METHODS

Some 115 consecutive persons, 78 (68%) men and 37 (32%) women, were enrolled in this study. The eligibility criterion for this retrospective study was reconstructive foot surgery using a Hoffmann II external fixator in diabetic and non-diabetic neuro-osteoarthropathy. The main examination parameters in the follow-up were walking ability, amputation and mortality. Average follow-up was 5.7 (± 3.2) years.

RESULTS

Ninety-seven per cent of people were able to walk after the operation with bespoke shoes or an orthosis. At follow-up, 77% were able to walk and 51% were fully mobile even outside the home. Subsequent amputations were performed in 29 individuals (26%), with 17 (15%) minor and 12 (11%) major amputations. Forty-seven individuals died before follow-up, the majority (53%) from cardiovascular events. Average survival time post surgery was 4.5 (± 2.9) years.

CONCLUSION

Reconstruction surgery using external fixation is a very useful method for maintaining walking ability in the case of conservatively non-treatable diabetic and non-diabetic neuro-osteoarthropathy. Individuals with severe Charcot foot disease had a low rate of major amputations. Osteomyelitis was the main reason for major amputations.

The importance of the insular cortex for vestibular and spatial syndromes

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The aim of the study was to identify the neuroanatomical correlates and associations of neuropsychological syndromes after acute unilateral right-hemisphere brain lesions. The neuropsychological syndromes considered were orientation in three-dimensional space such as tilts of the subjective visual vertical or of the subjective haptic vertical, pusher syndrome, visual neglect and unawareness of paresis (anosognosia for hemiparesis). These neuropsychological phenomena have been found to occur separately or in different combinations after lesions to the right insular cortex.

METHOD

Magnetic resonance imaging scans were obtained from 82 patients with acute right-hemispheric stroke. A lesion-behavior mapping analysis was conducted to specify the neuroanatomical correlates of the above-mentioned neuropsychological syndromes.

RESULTS

In all analyses of the individual neuropsychological syndromes the insular cortex was affected.

CONCLUSIONS

Thus, the insular cortex is involved in (self-)perception and orientation within a three-dimensional space. Since isolated lesions of the insular cortex did not induce the above neuropsychological phenomena, there have to be other regions involved.

Moderators of the Impact of (Poly)Phenols Interventions on Psychomotor Functions and BDNF: Insights from Subgroup Analysis and Meta-Regression

BACKGROUND

Recent anti-aging interventions have shown contradictory impacts of (poly)phenols regarding the prevention of cognitive decline and maintenance of brain function. These discrepancies have been linked to between-study differences in supplementation protocols. This subgroup analysis and meta-regression aimed to (i) examine differential effects of moderator variables related to participant characteristics and supplementation protocols and (ii) identify practical recommendations to design effective (poly)phenol supplementation protocols for future anti-aging interventions.

METHODS

Multiple electronic databases (Web of Science; PubMed) searched for relevant intervention published from inception to July 2019. Using the PICOS criteria, a total of 4303 records were screened. Only high-quality studies (n = 15) were included in the final analyses. Random-effects meta-analysis was used, and we calculated standard differences in means (SDM), effect size (ES), and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for two sufficiently comparable items (i.e., psychomotor function and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)). When significant heterogeneity was computed (I² > 50%), a subgroup and meta-regression analysis were performed to examine the moderation effects of participant characteristics and supplementation protocols.

RESULTS

The reviewed studies support the beneficial effect of (poly)phenols-rich supplementation on psychomotor functions (ES = -0.677, p = 0.001) and brain plasticity (ES = 1.168, p = 0.028). Subgroup analysis revealed higher beneficial impacts of (poly)phenols (i) in younger populations compared to older (SDM = -0.89 vs. -0.47 for psychomotor performance, and 2.41 vs. 0.07 for BDNF, respectively), (ii) following an acute compared to chronic supplementation (SDM = -1.02 vs. -0.43 for psychomotor performance), and (iii) using a phenolic compound with medium compared to low bioavailability rates (SDM = -0.76 vs. -0.68 for psychomotor performance and 3.57 vs. 0.07 for DBNF, respectively). Meta-regressions revealed greater improvement in BDNF levels with lower percentages of female participants (Q = 40.15, df = 6, p < 0.001) and a skewed scatter plot toward a greater impact using higher (poly)phenols doses.

CONCLUSION

This review suggests that age group, gender, the used phenolic compounds, their human bioavailability rate, and the supplementation dose as the primary moderator variables relating to the beneficial effects of (poly)phenol consumption on cognitive and brain function in humans. Therefore, it seems more advantageous to start anti-aging (poly)phenol interventions in adults earlier in life using medium (≈500 mg) to high doses (≈1000 mg) of phenolic compounds, with at least medium bioavailability rate (≥9%).

Changes in incidence of severe hypoglycaemia in people with type 2 diabetes from 2006 to 2016: analysis based on health insurance data in Germany considering the anti-hyperglycaemic medication

AIM

To investigate the incidence of severe hypoglycaemia over the past 10 years, taking into account changes in anti-hyperglycaemic therapy.

METHODS

This retrospective population-based study used German health insurance data. All adults diagnosed with documented type 2 diabetes (extrapolated to the German population: 6.6 million in 2006; 7.9 million in 2011; 8.86 million in 2016) were screened for severe hypoglycaemia. Anti-hyperglycaemic agents were identified by Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) code.

RESULTS

The event rate for severe hypoglycaemia was 460 per 100 000 people in 2006, 490 per 100 000 in 2011 and 360 per 100 000 in 2016. The proportion of people with severe hypoglycaemia receiving sulfonylureas, as well as receiving combination therapy of metformin and sulfonylureas decreased from 2006 to 2016 (23.6% vs. 6.2%) Among those with severe hypoglycaemia in 2006, there were no prescriptions for dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitors, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists or sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 (SGLT2) agonists. The proportions of people with severe hypoglycaemia receiving DPP-4 inhibitors, GLP-1 receptor agonists or SGLT2 agonists in 2011 and 2016 were low. The proportion of people receiving human insulin also decreased (from 11.3% in 2006 to 10.3% in 2011 and 4.3% in 2016); the proportion of people receiving insulin analogues increased from 5.4% in 2006 to 11.5% in 2016. Therapy with mixed insulins was used by 19.7% of people with severe hypoglycaemia in 2006, by 14.0% in 2011 and by 7.3% in 2016. People undergoing therapy with insulin analogues have the highest risk of severe hypoglycaemia adjusted by age, gender, nephropathy diagnosis and year of survey [odds ratio (OR) 14.4, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 13.5-15.5].

CONCLUSION

The incidence of severe hypoglycaemic events in Germany increased between 2006 and 2011, and decreased in 2016.

Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement on Eating Behaviour and Physical Activity: Results of the ECLB-COVID19 International Online Survey

BACKGROUND

Public health recommendations and governmental measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in numerous restrictions on daily living including social distancing, isolation and home confinement. While these measures are imperative to abate the spreading of COVID-19, the impact of these restrictions on health behaviours and lifestyles at home is undefined. Therefore, an international online survey was launched in April 2020, in seven languages, to elucidate the behavioural and lifestyle consequences of COVID-19 restrictions. This report presents the results from the first thousand responders on physical activity (PA) and nutrition behaviours.

METHODS

Following a structured review of the literature, the "Effects of home Confinement on multiple Lifestyle Behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak (ECLB-COVID19)" Electronic survey was designed by a steering group of multidisciplinary scientists and academics. The survey was uploaded and shared on the Google online survey platform. Thirty-five research organisations from Europe, North-Africa, Western Asia and the Americas promoted the survey in English, German, French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and Slovenian languages. Questions were presented in a differential format, with questions related to responses "before" and "during" confinement conditions.

RESULTS

1047 replies (54% women) from Asia (36%), Africa (40%), Europe (21%) and other (3%) were included in the analysis. The COVID-19 home confinement had a negative effect on all PA intensity levels (vigorous, moderate, walking and overall). Additionally, daily sitting time increased from 5 to 8 h per day. Food consumption and meal patterns (the type of food, eating out of control, snacks between meals, number of main meals) were more unhealthy during confinement, with only alcohol binge drinking decreasing significantly.

CONCLUSION

While isolation is a necessary measure to protect public health, results indicate that it alters physical activity and eating behaviours in a health compromising direction. A more detailed analysis of survey data will allow for a segregation of these responses in different age groups, countries and other subgroups, which will help develop interventions to mitigate the negative lifestyle behaviours that have manifested during the COVID-19 confinement.

Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement on Eating Behaviour and Physical Activity: Results of the ECLB-COVID19 International Online Survey

BACKGROUND

Public health recommendations and governmental measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in numerous restrictions on daily living including social distancing, isolation and home confinement. While these measures are imperative to abate the spreading of COVID-19, the impact of these restrictions on health behaviours and lifestyles at home is undefined. Therefore, an international online survey was launched in April 2020, in seven languages, to elucidate the behavioural and lifestyle consequences of COVID-19 restrictions. This report presents the results from the first thousand responders on physical activity (PA) and nutrition behaviours.

METHODS

Following a structured review of the literature, the "Effects of home Confinement on multiple Lifestyle Behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak (ECLB-COVID19)" Electronic survey was designed by a steering group of multidisciplinary scientists and academics. The survey was uploaded and shared on the Google online survey platform. Thirty-five research organisations from Europe, North-Africa, Western Asia and the Americas promoted the survey in English, German, French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and Slovenian languages. Questions were presented in a differential format, with questions related to responses "before" and "during" confinement conditions.

RESULTS

1047 replies (54% women) from Asia (36%), Africa (40%), Europe (21%) and other (3%) were included in the analysis. The COVID-19 home confinement had a negative effect on all PA intensity levels (vigorous, moderate, walking and overall). Additionally, daily sitting time increased from 5 to 8 h per day. Food consumption and meal patterns (the type of food, eating out of control, snacks between meals, number of main meals) were more unhealthy during confinement, with only alcohol binge drinking decreasing significantly.

CONCLUSION

While isolation is a necessary measure to protect public health, results indicate that it alters physical activity and eating behaviours in a health compromising direction. A more detailed analysis of survey data will allow for a segregation of these responses in different age groups, countries and other subgroups, which will help develop interventions to mitigate the negative lifestyle behaviours that have manifested during the COVID-19 confinement.

Effects of COVID-19 Home Confinement on Eating Behaviour and Physical Activity: Results of the ECLB-COVID19 International Online Survey

BACKGROUND

Public health recommendations and governmental measures during the COVID-19 pandemic have resulted in numerous restrictions on daily living including social distancing, isolation and home confinement. While these measures are imperative to abate the spreading of COVID-19, the impact of these restrictions on health behaviours and lifestyles at home is undefined. Therefore, an international online survey was launched in April 2020, in seven languages, to elucidate the behavioural and lifestyle consequences of COVID-19 restrictions. This report presents the results from the first thousand responders on physical activity (PA) and nutrition behaviours.

METHODS

Following a structured review of the literature, the "Effects of home Confinement on multiple Lifestyle Behaviours during the COVID-19 outbreak (ECLB-COVID19)" Electronic survey was designed by a steering group of multidisciplinary scientists and academics. The survey was uploaded and shared on the Google online survey platform. Thirty-five research organisations from Europe, North-Africa, Western Asia and the Americas promoted the survey in English, German, French, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese and Slovenian languages. Questions were presented in a differential format, with questions related to responses "before" and "during" confinement conditions.

RESULTS

1047 replies (54% women) from Asia (36%), Africa (40%), Europe (21%) and other (3%) were included in the analysis. The COVID-19 home confinement had a negative effect on all PA intensity levels (vigorous, moderate, walking and overall). Additionally, daily sitting time increased from 5 to 8 h per day. Food consumption and meal patterns (the type of food, eating out of control, snacks between meals, number of main meals) were more unhealthy during confinement, with only alcohol binge drinking decreasing significantly.

CONCLUSION

While isolation is a necessary measure to protect public health, results indicate that it alters physical activity and eating behaviours in a health compromising direction. A more detailed analysis of survey data will allow for a segregation of these responses in different age groups, countries and other subgroups, which will help develop interventions to mitigate the negative lifestyle behaviours that have manifested during the COVID-19 confinement.

The Effect of (Poly)phenol-Rich Interventions on Cognitive Functions and Neuroprotective Measures in Healthy Aging Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Context: As the food industry is continually involved in the development of new attractive alternative therapeutic agents, the evaluation of the beneficial impact of (poly)phenols on cognitive and brain function during aging has gained increasing interest. Objective: This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the acute and chronic effects of (poly)phenol-rich diet supplementation on cognitive function and brain health in aging adults. Data Sources: PubMed and Web of Science databases were searched for relevant randomized placebo-controlled trials (RCTs) published from inception to July 2019. Study Selection: Two researchers independently screened 4303 records, using the PICOS criteria: Participants were aging adults; Intervention was based on acute and/or chronic (poly)phenols-rich supplementation; Comparator was any comparator; Outcomes included cognitive function and neuroprotective measures; and Study design was RCTs. A third researcher was consulted when discrepancies arose. Fifteen high-quality (mean PEDro score = 8.8 ± 0.56) RCTs (total participants: 918 healthy older adults) were included in the final sample. Data Extraction: Information on study design, employed treatment, characteristics of participants, outcomes, and the correspondent assessing methods were extracted. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Data Analysis and Results: A random-effects meta-analysis was used to pool estimates across studies. Effect size (ES) and its 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated. Pooled results yielded a trivial ES (−0.2 to 0.03) for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and neuroinflammatory parameters and small (0.36) to moderate (0.82) ES for executive functions. Conclusion: This meta-analysis failed to provide evidence regarding the neuroprotective and anti-inflammatory effect of (poly)phenols supplementation in aging adults. However, findings from individual studies, included in this systematic review, suggest polyphenol-rich supplementation may improve some cognitive and brain functions in older adults. The beneficial effect of polyphenols seems to depend on ingested dose and bioavailability. Results suggest at least an intermediate dose (≥500 mg), and intermediate (≈9%) to high (43%) bioavailability rates are needed to cross the brain blood barrier and to exert a significant effect on cognitive health.

Changes in Renal Function After Switching From TDF to TAF in HIV-Infected Individuals: A Prospective Cohort Study

Background

Replacing tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) with tenofovir alafenamide (TAF) improves renal tubular markers in HIV-infected individuals but the impact on estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) remains unclear.

Methods

In all participants from the Swiss HIV Cohort Study who switched from TDF to TAF-containing antiretroviral regimen or continued TDF, we estimated changes in eGFR and urine protein-to-creatinine ratio (UPCR) after 18 months using mixed-effect models.

Results

Of 3520 participants (26.6% women, median age 50 years), 2404 (68.5%) switched to TAF. Overall, 1664 (47.3%) had an eGFR &lt;90 mL/min and 1087 (30.9%) an UPCR ≥15 mg/mmol. In patients with baseline eGFR ≥90 mL/min, eGFR decreased with the use of TDF and TAF (−1.7 mL/min). Switching to TAF was associated with increases in eGFR of 1.5 mL/min (95% confidence interval [CI], .5–2.5) if the baseline eGFR was 60–89 mL/min, and 4.1 mL/min (95% CI, 1.6–6.6) if &lt;60 mL/min. In contrast, eGFR decreased by 5.8 mL/min (95% CI, 2.3–9.3) with continued use of TDF in individuals with baseline eGFR &lt;60 mL/min. UPCR decreased after replacing TDF by TAF, independent of baseline eGFR.

Conclusions

Switching from TDF to TAF improves eGFR and proteinuria in patients with renal dysfunction.

Targeting bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibits MYC expression in colorectal cancer cells

The transcriptional regulator BRD4 has been shown to be important for the expression of several oncogenes including MYC. Inhibiting of BRD4 has broad antiproliferative activity in different cancer cell types. The small molecule JQ1 blocks the interaction of BRD4 with acetylated histones leading to transcriptional modulation. Depleting BRD4 via engineered bifunctional small molecules named PROTACs (proteolysis targeting chimeras) represents the next-generation approach to JQ1-mediated BRD4 inhibition. PROTACs trigger BRD4 for proteasomale degradation by recruiting E3 ligases. The aim of this study was therefore to validate the importance of BRD4 as a relevant target in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and to compare the efficacy of BRD4 inhibition with BRD4 degradation on downregulating MYC expression. JQ1 induced a downregulation of both MYC mRNA and MYC protein associated with an antiproliferative phenotype in CRC cells. dBET1 and MZ1 induced degradation of BRD4 followed by a reduction in MYC expression and CRC cell proliferation. In SW480 cells, where dBET1 failed, we found significantly lower levels of the E3 ligase cereblon, which is essential for dBET1-induced BRD4 degradation. To gain mechanistic insight into the unresponsiveness to dBET1, we generated dBET1-resistant LS174t cells and found a strong downregulation of cereblon protein. These findings suggest that inhibition of BRD4 by JQ1 and degradation of BRD4 by dBET1 and MZ1 are powerful tools for reducing MYC expression and CRC cell proliferation. In addition, downregulation of cereblon may be an important mechanism for developing dBET1 resistance, which can be evaded by incubating dBET1-resistant cells with JQ1 or MZ1.

Blood CD9+ B cell, a biomarker of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation

Bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome is the main limitation for long-term survival after lung transplantation. Some specific B cell populations are associated with long-term graft acceptance. We aimed to monitor the B cell profile during early development of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome after lung transplantation. The B cell longitudinal profile was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome and patients who remained stable over 3 years of follow-up. CD24^hi CD38^hi transitional B cells were increased in stable patients only, and reached a peak 24 months after transplantation, whereas they remained unchanged in patients who developed a bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome. These CD24^hi CD38^hi transitional B cells specifically secrete IL-10 and express CD9. Thus, patients with a total CD9⁺ B cell frequency below 6.6% displayed significantly higher incidence of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome (AUC = 0.836, PPV = 0.75, NPV = 1). These data are the first to associate IL-10-secreting CD24^hi CD38^hi transitional B cells expressing CD9 with better allograft outcome in lung transplant recipients. CD9-expressing B cells appear as a contributor to a favorable environment essential for the maintenance of long-term stable graft function and as a new predictive biomarker of bronchiolitis obliterans syndrome-free survival.

Efficacy of DiaLife, an education program for relatives of adult patients with diabetes - study protocol of a cluster randomized controlled trial

Background

The global prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) has been increasing over recent decades. In Germany, the prevalence for DM type 1 and type 2 in adults is estimated at about 7.7%. Hence, diabetes has to be classified as a serious public health concern. Being diagnosed with DM and facing possible sequelae might have a negative impact on patients’ mental and physical well-being. However, diabetes not only affects patients themselves, but also their close relatives. To improve the quality of life for patients and relatives alike, the German Association of Diabetes Nurses and Education experts (VDBD) elaborated the first education program tailor-made for relatives of diabetes patients. This article describes the concept and design of the trial evaluating the efficacy of this education program called “DiaLife—Living Together with Diabetes”.

Methods

This evaluation study is a cluster randomized controlled trial, in which the study centers will be randomly assigned either to the intervention group or the control group. Study centers will recruit relatives of and patients with DM type 1 and type 2. Members of the intervention group will participate in the education program DiaLife, whereas participants randomized in the control group will act as waiting-list controls. The study will assess the efficacy of DiaLife by comparing diabetes-related knowledge between the intervention and control groups as the primary outcome for participants. As the primary outcome in patients, the Hba1c value will be assessed. In addition, diabetes-related distress, family interaction, and other secondary endpoints will be considered as secondary outcomes. Long-term efficacy will be assessed 6 and 12 months after intervention. Hierarchical regression models will be used to analyze effects over time.

Discussion

While there is scientific evidence for the efficacy of education programs addressed to (diabetes) patients, there is a research gap with regard to intervention studies evaluating the efficacy of education programs designed for patients’ relatives. The study results will provide information on the efficacy of the DiaLife education program. In addition, factors that might hinder a successful implementation of an education program for relatives will be identified.

Trial registration

German Clinical Trials Register, DRKS00015157. Registered on 24 August 2018.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s13063-019-3600-4) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Course of colonization by multidrug-resistant organisms after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation

Multidrug-resistant organisms (MDRO) have been developing as an emerging problem in allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT). Since no data are available on the course of MDRO colonization after HCT, we investigated in this retrospective, single-center study, persistence and clearance of MDRO after HCT. From June 2010 to December 2015, 121 consecutive HCT patients were included. Patients received a MDRO screening before conditioning as well as surveillance cultures after HCT. In MDRO-colonized patients, surveillance specimens were taken until MDRO were no longer detectable. Thirty-three patients (27%) were found to be colonized by at least one MDRO at any time point until day 100 post HCT. Day 100 (2-year) non-relapse mortality (NRM) and overall survival (OS) of MDRO-colonized (MDRO⁺) versus non-colonized (MDRO^-) patients were essentially the same. NRM is 15% (21%) versus 15% (24%). Two-year OS is 60 versus 55% for MDRO⁺ versus MDRO^- patients. Out of the 33 MDRO⁺ patients, 21 cleared the MDRO. Median time to non-detectability of MDRO was 6 months. In 12 patients, the MDRO persisted. There was a significant (p < 0.0001) survival difference between patients who cleared the MDRO versus those with MDRO persistence (2-year OS 80 vs 40%). Except for the length of antibiotic therapy as a potential risk factor for MDRO persistence after HCT, no other conventional factors could be identified. (a) colonization by MDRO per se had no negative impact on the outcome, (b) MDRO can be cleared by the majority of patients after allogeneic HCT, and (c) to increase the probability to clear MDRO, the use of antibiotics in MDRO⁺ patients should be reviewed critically.

2D:4D and spatial abilities: From rats to humans

Variance in spatial abilities are thought to be determined by in utero levels of testosterone and oestrogen, measurable in adults by the length ratio of the 2nd and 4th digit (2D:4D). We confirmed the relationship between 2D:4D and spatial performance using rats in two different tasks (paired-associate task and watermaze) and replicated this in humans. We further clarified anatomical and functional brain correlates of the association between 2D:4D and spatial performance in humans.

Long-term Cytapheresis in the Treatment of Sézary-syndrome

Lymphocytaphereses using the Fenwal CS 3000 cell separator were performed in three patients with far advanced disease of Sézary-syndrome that was refractory to standard form of therapy. Patients underwent cytapheresis two to three times per week until the WBCs counts were regressed. Thereafter, one pheresis per week was performed for a total of 29 (Pat. A), 18 (Pat. B) to 70 (Pat. C) procedures during periods of 13 (A), 4 (B) to 19 (C) months.

During each pheresis the volume of blood processed was 6-7000 mls. The cytaphereses resulted in an average WBCs reduction of 25 to 35% and of 35-56% of the original peripheral blood Sézary-cell counts. Lymphocytes counts dropped by 47 ± 12% and 87 to 95% of the collected cells were lymphocytes. In addition to the fall in absolute numbers of circulating lymphocytes a change in the relative portions of lymphocytes subpopulations was observed. T-cells were reduced and concurrently B-cells increased. Significant side effects did not occured during or following cytaphereses. Long-term pheresis can effectively treat symptmoms also in older patients resulting in preferential loss of T-cells and Sézary-cells without exposing the patients to dangerously large shifts in fluid volume. The results suggest also that there may be selected patients for whom lymphocytapheresis is an useful therapy, but no in vitro test can reliably separate responders from non-responders, and some patients become refractory to further cytapheresis-therapy after initial clinical remission. While cytapheresis does not appear to be sufficient as a sole therapeutic modality in this disease, it may be for some patients, if initiated early in the course of the disorder, result in clinical improvement. It may also be safely used even when the peripheral WBCs count is normal and for some patients there appears to be additive benefit of the procedure.

Incorporation and visualization of azido-functionalized N-oleoyl serinol in Jurkat cells, mouse brain astrocytes, 3T3 fibroblasts and human brain microvascular endothelial cells

The synthesis and biological evaluation of azido-N-oleoyl serinol is reported. It mimicks biofunctional lipid ceramides and has shown to be capable of click reactions for cell membrane imaging in Jurkat and human brain microvascular endothelial cells.

Environmental rocking ratchet: Environmental rectification by a harmonically driven avoided crossing

We propose a rocking ratchet designed as a symmetric quantum two-state system driven by a single periodic harmonic force and influenced symmetrically by thermal fluctuations. We show that the necessary broken symmetry can dynamically be achieved by a thermal environment that couples to the energy difference between the two states and the tunnel coupling between them. The quantum two-state system is driven by the harmonic periodic drive through its avoided crossing. The correspondingly driven dissipative quantum dynamics results on average in a finite population difference between both states. This then causes directed particle transport.