Conectar
by Lianyu Shan, Mojdeh Matloubi, Ifeoma Okwor, Sam Kung, Mohamed Sadek Almiski, Sujata Basu, Andrew Halayko, Latifa Koussih, Abdelilah S. Gounni
Dendritic cells (DCs) are pivotal in regulating allergic asthma. Our research has shown that the absence of Sema3E worsens asthma symptoms in acute and chronic asthma models. However, the specific role of PlexinD1 in these processes, particularly in DCs, remains unclear. This study investigates the role of PlexinD1 in CD11c+ DCs using a house dust mite (HDM) model of asthma. We generated CD11c+ DC-specific PlexinD1 knockout (CD11cPLXND1 KO) mice and subjected them, alongside wild-type controls (PLXND1fl/fl), to an HDM allergen protocol. Airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) was measured using FlexiVent, and immune cell populations were analyzed via flow cytometry. Cytokine levels and immunoglobulin concentrations were assessed using mesoscale and ELISA, while collagen deposition and mucus production were examined through Sirius-red and periodic acid Schiff (PAS) staining respectively. Our results indicate that CD11cPLXND1 KO mice exhibit significantly exacerbated AHR, characterized by increased airway resistance and tissue elastance. Enhanced mucus production and collagen gene expression were observed in these mice compared to wild-type counterparts. Flow cytometry revealed higher CD11c+ MHCIIhigh CD11b+ cell recruitment into the lungs, and elevated total and HDM-specific serum IgE levels in CD11cPLXND1 KO mice. Mechanistically, co-cultures of B cells with DCs from CD11cPLXND1 KO mice showed significantly increased IgE production compared to wild-type mice.These findings highlight the critical regulatory role of the plexinD1 signaling pathway in CD11c+ DCs in modulating asthma features.by Patrice Whitehorne-Smith, Kunal Lalwani, Robyn Martin, Gabrielle Mitchell, Ben Milbourn, Wendel Abel, Sharyn Burns
Chronic physical illnesses (CPI) are highly prevalent among people with serious mental illnesses (PWSMI) yet people in this population experience significant challenges accessing healthcare. This study utilised a constructivist grounded theory approach to collect and analyse data related to the enablers and barriers to public healthcare access for PWSMI & CPI. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews conducted with fifty-seven participants comprising PWSMI &CPI and their caregivers, health policymakers, primary care physicians, psychiatrists, and mental health nurses. Enablers and barriers to healthcare access were represented using a socio-ecological model consisting of five levels: wider society, health system, clinician, family and community, and individual. Jamaica’s free public healthcare system was the most pronounced enabler of healthcare access, while poverty, stigma, and discrimination were the most pronounced barriers. Factors such as social support, time, clinician beliefs, attitudes and training, and individual characteristics were identified as consisting of dimensions that were both enablers and barriers to healthcare access. These findings indicated that factors that influenced healthcare access for PWSMI & CPI were aligned with the social determinants of health. Improved healthcare access for PWSMI & CPI necessitates strategies that incorporate a multi-sectoral approach to address social and environmental factors influencing healthcare access across all levels of the socio-ecological model.by Lifeng Wang, Hu Liang, Yuxin Jian, Qiang Luo, Xiaoxiang Gong, Yiwei Zhang
This paper focuses on the cooperative driving challenges of connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) at single-lane roundabouts. First, a geometric path planning method is proposed for CAVs navigating a single-lane roundabout. Based on this method, a vehicle roundabout model is established. Four potential traffic scenarios for CAVs are established, and the optimal arrival times at conflict points are analyzed. By correlating the optimal arrival times at conflict points with the optimal entry times into the roundabout, the multi-vehicle coordination problem in complex intersections is simplified to a speed control issue during entry. Utilizing the principles of optimal control and Pontryagin minimization, two speed optimization strategies are proposed. Finally, MATLAB is employed for simulation analysis. The results indicate that the control strategy proposed in this paper enables the system to clearly identify potential conflicts between vehicles and implement an optimal control strategy, ensuring that vehicles can navigate the roundabout efficiently in terms of time and fuel without collisions. Additionally, the minimum time interval is established at 0.2 seconds to completely prevent vehicle collisions. In this study, the fusion problem involving two vehicles at a single conflict point is further expanded to encompass multiple vehicles at multiple conflict points. Thus, the efficient scheduling of multiple vehicles in single-lane roundabouts is realized.by Lieselotte Van Bockstal, Sara Prims, Steven Van Cruchten, Miriam Ayuso, Lianqiang Che, Chris Van Ginneken
Novel antimicrobial strategies are necessary to tackle using antibiotics during the suckling and weaning period of piglets, often characterized by E. coli-induced diarrhea. In the last decades, acetate, propionate, and butyrate, all short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), have been proposed as an alternative to antibiotics. SCFAs are instrumental in promoting the proliferation of enterocytes, preserving intestinal integrity, and modulating the microbial community by suppressing the growth of pathogenic bacteria in pigs. The effect of individual SCFAs (proprionate, acetate and butyrate) on the regenerative capacity of intestinal cells was investigated via an optimized wound-healing assay in IPEC-J2 cells, a porcine jejunal epithelial cell line. IPEC-J2 cells proved a good model as they express the free fatty acid receptor 2 (FFAR2), an important SCFA receptor with a high affinity for proprionate. Our study demonstrated that propionate (p = 0.005) and acetate (p = 0.037) were more effective in closing the wound than butyrate (p = 0.190). This holds promise in using SCFA’s per os as an alternative to antibiotics.by Maria Karimov-Zwienenberg, Wilfried Symphor, William Peraud, Greg Décamps
BackgroundDespite the growing body of literature on posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and chronic pain comorbidity, studies taking into account the role of childhood exposure to traumatic and adverse events remains minimal. Additionally, it has been well established that survivors of childhood trauma may develop more complex reactions that extend beyond those observed in PTSD, typically categorized as complex trauma or CPTSD. Given the recent introduction of CPTSD within diagnostic nomenclature, the aim of the present study is to describe associations between childhood trauma in relation to PTSD/CPTSD and pain outcomes in adults with chronic pain.
MethodsFollowing PRSIMA guidelines, a systematic review was performed using the databases Pubmed, PsychInfo, Psychology and Behavioral Sciences Collection, and Web of Science. Articles in English or French that reported on childhood trauma, PTSD/CPTSD and pain outcomes in individuals with chronic pain were included. Titles and abstracts were screened by two authors independently and full texts were consequently evaluated and assessed on methodological quality using JBI checklist tools. Study design and sample characteristics, childhood trauma, PTSD/CPTSD, pain outcomes as well as author’s recommendations for scientific research and clinical practice were extracted for analyses.
ResultsOf the initial 295 search records, 13 studies were included in this review. Only four studies explicitly assessed links between trauma factors and pain symptoms in individuals with chronic pain. Findings highlight the long-term and complex impact of cumulative childhood maltreatment (e.g., abuse and neglect) on both PTSD/CPTSD and chronic pain outcomes in adulthood.
ConclusionThis review contributes to current conceptual models of PTSD and chronic pain comorbidity, while adding to the role of childhood trauma and CPTSD. The need for clinical and translational pain research is emphasized to further support specialized PTSD/CPTSD treatment as well as trauma-informed pain management in routine care.
by Razan Rabi, Ahmad Enaya, Dana Mufeed Jomaa, Mo’tasem Z. Dweekat, Shahd Raddad, Zain Tareq Saqfalhait, Dina Abu-Gaber
Catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI) are the most common secondary cause of bloodstream infection. CAUTI is particularly prevalent in critical care departments and developing countries, where the duration of catheterization remains the most significant risk factor. This study focused on the characteristics, risk factors, and outcomes of CAUTI patients in a tertiary care hospital setting. It also provides the incidence rate of CAUTI in an ICU setting in Palestine. The study adopted a retrospective observational design at a tertiary care hospital in Palestine. The data were collected from patient records as well as from nursing flow charts. Variables are reported as frequencies, percentages and means + standard deviations. Independent t-tests was used for numerical variables, while Pearson’s chi-square or Fisher’s exact test were used for categorical variables. Multivariate analysis was performed to adjust for confounders using binary logistic regression. Mortality risk factors were assessed using the proportional Cox regression model. Of the 377 patients included in the study, 33 (9%) developed CAUTI. Among CAUTI patients, 75% had Candida species isolated, with non-albicans Candida predominating (72%) fungal isolates. On the other hand, 25% of the patients had bacterial isolates in their urine, with a predominance of Escherichia coli growing in 36% of bacterial cultures. Multivariate regression analysis revealed that female gender, longer catheterization days, and corticosteroid use were associated with an increased risk of CAUTI. On the other hand, developing CAUTI, having a malignant disease, developing kidney injury, and developing shock were associated with increased mortality. This study highlighted the emerging presence of fungal and resistant bacterial CAUTI. It also emphasized that the risk of CAUTI was associated with a longer duration of urinary catheterization. The findings of this study may help formulate antimicrobial management and stewardship plans as well as emphasize the risk of urinary catheterizations.by Hisako Takigawa-Imamura, Katsumi Fumoto, Hiroaki Takesue, Takashi Miura
The lung airways exhibit distinct features with long, wide proximal branches and short, thin distal branches, crucial for optimal respiratory function. In this study, we investigated the mechanism behind this hierarchical structure through experiments and modeling, focusing on the regulation of branch length and width during the pseudoglandular stage. To evaluate the response of mouse lung epithelium to fibroblast growth factor 10 (FGF10), we monitored the activity of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK). ERK activity exhibited an increase dependent on the curvature of the epithelial tissue, which gradually decreased with the progression of development. We then constructed a computational model that incorporates curvature-dependent growth to predict its impact on branch formation. It was demonstrated that branch length is determined by the curvature dependence of growth. Next, in exploring branch width regulation, we considered the effect of apical constriction, a mechanism we had previously proposed to be regulated by Wnt signaling. Analysis of a mathematical model representing apical constriction showed that branch width is determined by cell shape. Finally, we constructed an integrated computational model that includes curvature-dependent growth and cell shape controls, confirming their coordination in regulating branch formation. This study proposed that changes in the autonomous property of the epithelium may be responsible for the progressive branch morphology.
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