Chemotherapy accelerates immune-senescence and functional impairments of Vδ2pos T cells in elderly patients affected by liver metastatic colorectal cancer.

Human (gamma delta) γδ T cells are unconventional innate-like lymphocytes displaying a broad array of anti-tumor activities with promising perspectives in cancer immunotherapy. In this context, Vδ2pos T cells represent the preferential target of several immunotherapy protocols against solid tumors. However, the impact of both aging and chemotherapy (CHT) on Vδ2pos T cells is still unknown. The present study evaluates with multi-parametric flow cytometry the frequencies, terminal differentiation, senescence and effector-functions of peripheral blood and tumor infiltrating Vδ2pos T cells purified from liver metastases (CLM) of patients affected by colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to those of sex- and age-matched healthy donors. The peripheral blood of CLM patients underwent CHT is characterized by decreased amounts of Vδ2pos T cells showing a relative increase of terminally-differentiated CD27neg/CD45RApos (TEMRA) cells. The enrichment of this latter subset is associated with an increased expression of the senescent marker CD57. The acquisition of CD57 on TEMRA Vδ2pos T cells is also coupled with impairments in cytotoxicity and production of TNF-α and IFN-γ. These features resemble the acquisition of an immune-senescent profile by Vδ2pos T cells from CLM patients that received CHT, a phenomenon that is also associated with the loss of the co-stimulatory marker CD28 and with the induced expression of CD16. The group of CLM patients underwent CHT and older than 60 years old showed higher frequencies of CD57pos and TEMRA Vδ2pos T cells. Similar results were found for tumor infiltrating Vδ2pos T cell subset purified from CLM specimens of patients treated with CHT. The toxicity of CHT regimens also affects the homeostasis of Vδ2pos T cells by inducing higher frequencies of circulating CD57pos TEMRA subset in CLM underwent CHT and younger than 60 years old. Taken together, our data demonstrate that the enrichment of senescent Vδ2pos T cells in CLM patients is not only induced by patients' aging but also by the toxicity of CHT that further accelerates the accumulation of CD57pos TEMRA cells highly dysfunctional in their anti-tumor activities. These results are important to both predict the clinical outcome of CLM and to optimize those protocols of cell cancer immunotherapy employing unconventional Vδ2pos T cells

Risk perception and media in shaping protective behaviors: insights from the early phase of COVID-19 Italian outbreak

In the absence of target treatments or vaccination, the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic can be impeded by effectively implementing containment measures and behaviors. This relies on individuals’ adoption of protective behaviors, their perceived risk, and the use and trust of information sources. During a health emergency, receiving timely and accurate information enables individuals to take appropriate actions to protect themselves, shaping their risk perception. Italy was the first western country plagued by COVID-19 and one of the most affected in the early phase. During this period, we surveyed 2,223 Italians before the national lockdown. A quarter of the sample perceived COVID-19 less threatening than flu and would not vaccinate, if a vaccine was available. Besides, most people perceived containment measures, based on social distancing or wearing masks, not useful. This perceived utility was related to COVID-19 threat perception and efficacy beliefs. All these measures were associated with the use of media and their truthfulness: participants declared to mainly use the Internet, while health organizations’ websites were the most trusted. Although social networks were frequently used, they were rated lower for trustfulness. Our data differ from those obtained in other community samples, suggesting the relevance to explore changes across different countries and during the different phases of the pandemic. Understanding these phenomena, and how people access the media, may contribute to improve the efficacy of containment measures, tailoring specific policies and health communications

Transcriptomic profile of TNF high MAIT cells is linked to B cell response following SARS-CoV-2 vaccination

Introduction: Higher frequencies of mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells were associated with an increased adaptive response to mRNA BNT162b2 SARS- CoV-2 vaccine, however, the mechanistic insights into this relationship are unknown. In the present study, we hypothesized that the TNF response of MAIT cells supports B cell activation following SARS-CoV-2 immunization. Methods: To investigate the effects of repeated SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations on the peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), we performed a longitudinal single cell (sc)RNA-seq and scTCR-seq analysis of SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated healthy adults with two doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine. Collection of PBMCs was performed 1 day before, 3 and 17 days after prime vaccination, and 3 days and 3 months following vaccine boost. Based on scRNA/ TCR-seq data related to regulatory signals induced by the vaccine, we used computational approaches for the functional pathway enrichment analysis (Reactome), dynamics of the effector cell-polarization (RNA Velocity and CellRank), and cell-cell communication (NicheNet). Results: We identified MAIT cells as an important source of TNF across circulating lymphocytes in response to repeated SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccination. The TNFhigh signature of MAIT cells was induced by the second administration of the vaccine. Notably, the increased TNF expression was associated with MAIT cell proliferation and efficient anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody production. Finally, by decoding the ligand-receptor interactions and incorporating intracellular signaling, we predicted TNFhigh MAIT cell interplay with different B cell subsets. In specific, predicted TNF-mediated activation was selectively directed to conventional switched memory B cells, which are deputed to high-affinity long-term memory. Discussion: Overall, our results indicate that SARS-CoV-2 BNT162b2 vaccination influences MAIT cell frequencies and their transcriptional effector profile with the potential to promote B cell activation. This research also provides a blueprint for the promising use of MAIT cells as cellular adjuvants in mRNA-based vaccines

Long-term benefits of dapagliflozin on renal outcomes of type 2 diabetes under routine care: a comparative effectiveness study on propensity score matched cohorts at low renal risk

Background: Despite the overall improvement in care, people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) experience an excess risk of end-stage kidney disease. We evaluated the long-term effectiveness of dapagliflozin on kidney function and albuminuria in patients with T2D. Methods: We included patients with T2D who initiated dapagliflozin or comparators from 2015 to 2020. Propensity score matching (PSM) was performed to balance the two groups. The primary endpoint was the change in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) from baseline to the end of observation. Secondary endpoints included changes in albuminuria and loss of kidney function. Findings: We analysed two matched groups of 6197 patients each. The comparator group included DPP-4 inhibitors (40%), GLP-1RA (22.3%), sulphonylureas (16.1%), pioglitazone (8%), metformin (5.8%), or acarbose (4%). Only 6.4% had baseline eGFR <60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and 15% had UACR >30 mg/g. During a mean follow-up of 2.5 year, eGFR declined significantly less in the dapagliflozin vs comparator group by 1.81 ml/min/1.73 m2 (95% C.I. from 1.13 to 2.48; p < 0.0001). The mean eGFR slope was significantly less negative in the dapagliflozin group by 0.67 ml/min/1.73 m2/year (95% C.I. from 0.47 to 0.88; p < 0.0001). Albuminuria declined significantly in new-users of dapagliflozin within 6 months and remained on average 44.3 mg/g lower (95% C.I. from −66.9 to −21.7; p < 0.0001) than in new-users of comparators. New-users of dapagliflozin had significantly lower rates of new-onset CKD, loss of kidney function, and a composite renal outcome. Results were confirmed for all SGLT2 inhibitors, in patients without baseline CKD, and when GLP-1RA were excluded from comparators. Interpretation: Initiating dapagliflozin improved kidney function outcomes and albuminuria in patients with T2D and a low renal risk. Funding: Funded by the Italian Diabetes Society and partly supported by a grant from AstraZeneca

Prevalence and risk factors of glomerular hyperfiltration in adults with type 2 diabetes: A population-based study

Aims: Glomerular hyperfiltration characterises the earliest stage of diabetic nephropathy and predicts adverse kidney and cardiovascular outcomes. We aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of glomerular hyperfiltration in a population-based contemporary cohort of individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Materials and methods: The prevalence of unequivocal glomerular hyperfiltration (defined by an estimated glomerular filtration rate >120 mL/min/1.73 m(2) ) and its associated risk factors were identified in a cohort of 202,068 adult patients with T2D receiving specialist care in 2021-2022, whose center-aggregated data were automatically extracted from electronic medical records of 75 diabetes clinics in Italy. Results: Glomerular hyperfiltration was identified in 1262 (0.6%) participants. The prevalence of glomerular hyperfiltration varied widely across centers (0%-3.4%) and correlated with mean center age, HbA(1c) , body mass index (BMI), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Patients in centers with high glomerular hyperfiltration prevalence (>0.8%) were more often men and had lower age and BMI, but more frequent albuminuria and worse glucose, lipid, and blood pressure control, compared with low-normal prevalence centers. Conclusions: Unequivocal glomerular hyperfiltration can be identified in up to 3.4% of patients receiving up-to-date specialist diabetes care. Glomerular hyperfiltration prevalence varies across centers and substantially increases with suboptimal control of metabolic risk factors, which would require improved management to mitigate the negative health consequences of this pathological condition

La Data Science nella Giustizia Predittiva

I mezzi di comunicazione sono una straordinaria fonte di conoscenza e di informazione, ma gli aspetti positivi del loro utilizzo possono essere tanti quanti gli aspetti negativi. Oggi il progresso tecnologico attraversa la maggior parte delle attività quotidiane: basti pensare alle transazioni bancarie, alle vendite online e alle altre attività che virtualmente trovano la loro sede nella rete. Un settore in cui il progresso tecnologico potrebbe essere di grande aiuto è quello giuridico: attraverso la giustizia predittiva si eviterebbero incomprensioni di natura soggettiva e si potrebbe prevedere l’esito delle sentenze. L’art. 101 della Costituzione e l’art. 65 dell’Ordinamento Giudiziario esprimono l’impersonale oggettività del diritto e la funzionalità tecnica della sua applicazione, eliminando eventuali giudizi precoci. Il diritto è oggettivo, basato su leggi predeterminate e vincolanti, e proprio per questo è possibile affidarsi alla giustizia predittiva: la sua applicazione può favorire sistemi di risoluzione alternativi alle controversie come mediazione, negoziazione e proposta conciliativa. Nel 1666, Leibniz enunciava già la possibilità di utilizzare modelli di giustizia predittiva attraverso gli algoritmi matematici: secondo lui, davanti a una disputa, un giorno, si sarebbe potuto evitare il processo, promuovendo un calcolo delle controversie attraverso i modelli matematici. Oggi l’uomo, attraverso l’interazione con l’Intelligenza Artificiale, può progettare software che svolgano compiti complessi nel minor tempo possibile anche all’interno di contesti aziendali, per contrastare i rischi, proteggere le informazioni e i dati e combattere il cybercrime. L’obiettivo della presente monografia è quello di applicare la Statistica alla Giustizia, in particolare al cybercrime economico-finanziario, al fine di effettuare previsioni e trovare soluzioni per impedire la riproduzione dei reati

Validation of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory in an Italian Population with Autism Spectrum Disorder: a Cross-Sectional Study

Objective To measure psychometric properties of the Italian version of the Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI-I) in a population with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Methods The PEDI-I was administered to different children with ASD. The internal consistency was examined by using Cronbach’s Alpha, while the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to investigate both inter-observer and intra-observer reproducibility. Its concurrent validity was evaluated with the Italian version of the Barthel Index. Results The PEDI-I was administered to 60 children with a diagnosis of ASD. Cronbach’s Alpha showed statistically significant values (.885-.965). Inter-observer and intra-observer investigations confirm the reproducibility of the scale with a range of high and very high parameters. The Pearson Correlation Coefficient with the Barthel Index showed significant data for all PEDI-I subscales with a p<0.01. Conclusions The PEDI-I showed good psychometric properties and it is possible to confirm its validity and reliability in ASD population. However, for better understanding of how PEDI-I works in clinical practice, further researches are recommende

P393 Treatment patterns of patients with perianal fistulizing Crohn’s disease from a US administrative claims database

Abstract Background Perianal fistula (PAF), a complication of Crohn’s disease (CD), is indicative of high disease severity and poor prognosis. We estimated the cumulative prevalence and treatment patterns of PAF CD in the USA. Methods In this retrospective study of IBM® MarketScan® Commercial and Medicare databases (conducted 1 October 2015 to 30 September 2018), patients (pts) were 18 to 89 years of age with at least two diagnoses of CD at least 30 days apart, and had continuous health plan enrolment for at least 12 months pre- and post-index date (first PAF diagnosis or procedure [PAF pts]). Non-PAF CD pts were assigned the same index date as matched PAF pts based on birth year, sex, presence/lack of CD diagnosis before index date, CD disease location and follow-up duration. Descriptive analysis was used for all variables. Treatment patterns and costs related to opioid use were compared among PAF pts. We also assessed four PAF pt cohorts with PAF-related surgery treated with one (cohort 1) or more than one (cohort 2) opioid within 7 days of index date or one (cohort 3) or more than one (cohort 4) opioid more than 7 days after index date. Results Cumulative prevalence of PAF CD (n = 81 862) was 7.7% (0.01% of the US population) over 3 years. The economic impact and treatment patterns were assessed in PAF (n = 1218; mean age 42 years; 52.4% men; 56.5% preferred provider organization [PPO] health plan) and matched non-PAF CD pts (n = 4095; mean age 43 years; 50.9% men; 57.6% PPO health plan). During follow-up, 65.8% of PAF and 42.3% of non-PAF pts were treated with at least one biologic agent. In the 30 days post-index, 31.9% of PAF pts were treated with biologics, with this percentage increasing over time; steroid use also remained high (Figure 1). Opioid treatment was associated with higher mean per patient per year (PPPY) total gastrointestinal (GI)-related costs for PAF pts (p &amp;lt; 0.0001). Mean PPPY total GI-related costs for pts with PAF-related surgery and opioid treatment were $50 605,$53 984, $82 973 and$92 375 for cohorts 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively (Figure 2). Generalized linear model-adjusted mean PPPY PAF-related surgeries were 7.2 versus 0 for PAF pts and non-PAF pts (p &amp;lt; 0.0001), respectively. In the 30 days post-index date, 22.5% of PAF pts had minor surgeries and 20.0% had definitive surgeries. Conclusion Based on treatment guidelines as well as the study population’s use of inflammatory bowel disease medications and opioids, and higher rates of PAF-related surgeries, a need for better disease state management of patients with PAF CD is warranted. Sponsor: Takeda Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc. </jats:sec