Showing papers by "Tel Aviv University published in 2021"
Daniel J. Klionsky1, Amal Kamal Abdel-Aziz2, Sara Abdelfatah3, Mahmoud Abdellatif4 +2980 more•Institutions (777)
TL;DR: In this article, the authors present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes.
Abstract: In 2008, we published the first set of guidelines for standardizing research in autophagy. Since then, this topic has received increasing attention, and many scientists have entered the field. Our knowledge base and relevant new technologies have also been expanding. Thus, it is important to formulate on a regular basis updated guidelines for monitoring autophagy in different organisms. Despite numerous reviews, there continues to be confusion regarding acceptable methods to evaluate autophagy, especially in multicellular eukaryotes. Here, we present a set of guidelines for investigators to select and interpret methods to examine autophagy and related processes, and for reviewers to provide realistic and reasonable critiques of reports that are focused on these processes. These guidelines are not meant to be a dogmatic set of rules, because the appropriateness of any assay largely depends on the question being asked and the system being used. Moreover, no individual assay is perfect for every situation, calling for the use of multiple techniques to properly monitor autophagy in each experimental setting. Finally, several core components of the autophagy machinery have been implicated in distinct autophagic processes (canonical and noncanonical autophagy), implying that genetic approaches to block autophagy should rely on targeting two or more autophagy-related genes that ideally participate in distinct steps of the pathway. Along similar lines, because multiple proteins involved in autophagy also regulate other cellular pathways including apoptosis, not all of them can be used as a specific marker for bona fide autophagic responses. Here, we critically discuss current methods of assessing autophagy and the information they can, or cannot, provide. Our ultimate goal is to encourage intellectual and technical innovation in the field.
1,129 citations
Université Paris-Saclay1, Autonomous University of Barcelona2, University of Cambridge3, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health4, University of Bonn5, German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases6, Harvard University7, University of Lausanne8, University of Padua9, National Research Council10, Heidelberg University11, Salk Institute for Biological Studies12, University of Minnesota13, Pasteur Institute14, Tel Aviv University15, Johns Hopkins University16, University of Portsmouth17, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven18, PSL Research University19, Trinity College, Dublin20, Baylor College of Medicine21, University College London22, University of Edinburgh23, Oregon Health & Science University24, National Institutes of Health25, Columbia University26, University of Rochester27, University of Copenhagen28, Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich29, University of Málaga30, Tufts University31, University of Freiburg32, Utrecht University33, Nihon University34, Max Delbrück Center for Molecular Medicine35, University of California, Los Angeles36, University of Yamanashi37, New York University38, University of British Columbia39, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology40, University of Wisconsin-Madison41, University of California, San Francisco42, McGill University43, University of Kentucky44, Kyushu University45, University of Bordeaux46, Polytechnic Institute of Cávado and Ave47, University of Minho48, University of Alabama at Birmingham49, University of Gothenburg50, University of Poitiers51, Cajal Institute52, King's College London53, University of Strasbourg54, Virginia Tech55, University of Düsseldorf56, I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University57, Russian Academy of Sciences58, University of Seville59, Georgia Institute of Technology60, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston61, University of California, San Diego62, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul63, University of Ljubljana64, University of Manchester65, Ikerbasque66
TL;DR: In this article, the authors point out the shortcomings of binary divisions of reactive astrocytes into good-vs-bad, neurotoxic vs-neuroprotective or A1-vs.A2.
Abstract: Reactive astrocytes are astrocytes undergoing morphological, molecular, and functional remodeling in response to injury, disease, or infection of the CNS. Although this remodeling was first described over a century ago, uncertainties and controversies remain regarding the contribution of reactive astrocytes to CNS diseases, repair, and aging. It is also unclear whether fixed categories of reactive astrocytes exist and, if so, how to identify them. We point out the shortcomings of binary divisions of reactive astrocytes into good-vs-bad, neurotoxic-vs-neuroprotective or A1-vs-A2. We advocate, instead, that research on reactive astrocytes include assessment of multiple molecular and functional parameters-preferably in vivo-plus multivariate statistics and determination of impact on pathological hallmarks in relevant models. These guidelines may spur the discovery of astrocyte-based biomarkers as well as astrocyte-targeting therapies that abrogate detrimental actions of reactive astrocytes, potentiate their neuro- and glioprotective actions, and restore or augment their homeostatic, modulatory, and defensive functions.
797 citations
Cornell University1, National University of Singapore2, University of New South Wales3, University of Lausanne4, University of Michigan5, Erasmus University Rotterdam6, Tel Aviv University7, University of Melbourne8, Singapore Management University9, University of Maryland, College Park10, University of Pennsylvania11, Eindhoven University of Technology12, Stanford University13, Concordia University14, London Business School15, Baylor University16, University College London17, California State University, Sacramento18, INSEAD19, Saint Louis University20, Nanyang Technological University21, University of Minnesota22, Harvard University23, University of Arkansas24, VU University Amsterdam25
TL;DR: A broad-scope overview provides an integrative approach for considering the implications of COVID-19 for work, workers, and organizations while also identifying issues for future research and insights to inform solutions.
Abstract: The impacts of COVID-19 on workers and workplaces across the globe have been dramatic. This broad review of prior research rooted in work and organizational psychology, and related fields, is intended to make sense of the implications for employees, teams, and work organizations. This review and preview of relevant literatures focuses on (a) emergent changes in work practices (e.g., working from home, virtual teamwork) and (b) emergent changes for workers (e.g., social distancing, stress, and unemployment). In addition, potential moderating factors (demographic characteristics, individual differences, and organizational norms) are examined given the likelihood that COVID-19 will generate disparate effects. This broad-scope overview provides an integrative approach for considering the implications of COVID-19 for work, workers, and organizations while also identifying issues for future research and insights to inform solutions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved).
654 citations
TL;DR: Treatment with FMT was associated with favorable changes in immune cell infiltrates and gene expression profiles in both the gut lamina propria and the tumor microenvironment, which have implications for modulating the gut microbiota in cancer treatment.
Abstract: The gut microbiome has been shown to influence the response of tumors to anti-PD-1 (programmed cell death-1) immunotherapy in preclinical mouse models and observational patient cohorts. However, modulation of gut microbiota in cancer patients has not been investigated in clinical trials. In this study, we performed a phase 1 clinical trial to assess the safety and feasibility of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and reinduction of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy in 10 patients with anti-PD-1-refractory metastatic melanoma. We observed clinical responses in three patients, including two partial responses and one complete response. Notably, treatment with FMT was associated with favorable changes in immune cell infiltrates and gene expression profiles in both the gut lamina propria and the tumor microenvironment. These early findings have implications for modulating the gut microbiota in cancer treatment.
609 citations
Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust1, Changi General Hospital2, Government Medical College, Srinagar3, University of California, Los Angeles4, Rabin Medical Center5, Tel Aviv University6, The Chinese University of Hong Kong7, King's College London8, Guy's Hospital9, Swansea University10, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust11, Aga Khan University12, Harefield Hospital13, Shanghai University14, University College London15, Hospital Clínico San Carlos16, Università Campus Bio-Medico17, Indiana University18, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal19
TL;DR: In order to maintain relevance and continue upholding good reporting quality among observational studies in surgery, this paper aimed to update STROCSS 2019 guidelines, which were developed in 2017 and updated in 2019.
570 citations
Guy's Hospital1, Harvard University2, Tel Aviv University3, University of Milan4, Breast International Group5, University of Pittsburgh6, University of Pennsylvania7, Université libre de Bruxelles8, AstraZeneca9, National Institutes of Health10, Sahlgrenska University Hospital11, Gdańsk Medical University12, Kaiser Permanente13, Fudan University14, Northside Hospital15, Curie Institute16, Pomeranian Medical University17, University of California, Los Angeles18, Goethe University Frankfurt19, Medical University of Vienna20, Merck & Co.21, University of Queensland22
TL;DR: In this paper, a poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase inhibitor was proposed to target cancers with defects in homologous recombination repair by synthetic lethality.
Abstract: Background Poly(adenosine diphosphate–ribose) polymerase inhibitors target cancers with defects in homologous recombination repair by synthetic lethality. New therapies are needed to reduc...
530 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors evaluated humoral immune responses to the BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 vaccine in patients with CLL and compared responses with those obtained in age-matched healthy control subjects.
491 citations
Centre for Mental Health1, Swansea University2, University of Sydney3, University of Manchester4, Griffith University5, University College Cork6, Stellenbosch University7, Sao Paulo State University8, University of Zagreb9, University of Rochester Medical Center10, University of Udine11, National Taiwan University12, Innsbruck Medical University13, Yale University14, Australian National University15, Johns Hopkins University16, Brigham and Women's Hospital17, University of Auckland18, Hobart Corporation19, Columbia University Medical Center20, University of Oxford21, National Institute for Health Research22, Aga Khan University23, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven24, University of Peradeniya25, University of Bristol26, World Health Organization27, Karolinska Institutet28, First Pavlov State Medical University of St. Peterburg29, Medical University of Vienna30, University of Nottingham31, University of Glasgow32, University of Edinburgh33, Shanghai Jiao Tong University34, Columbia University35, University of Ulm36, University of Oslo37, Goethe University Frankfurt38, Saint Petersburg State University39, University of Toronto40, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre41, Waseda University42, Rajarata University of Sri Lanka43, Tel Aviv University44, University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust45
TL;DR: In this article, the early effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on suicide rates around the world was assessed using real-time suicide data from countries or areas within countries through a systematic internet search and recourse to our networks and the published literature.
413 citations
TL;DR: A multicentre observational study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of the two-dose regimen BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in adult patients with AIIRD compared with the general population as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Introduction Vaccination represents a cornerstone in mastering the COVID-19 pandemic. Data on immunogenicity and safety of messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines in patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRD) are limited. Methods A multicentre observational study evaluated the immunogenicity and safety of the two-dose regimen BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine in adult patients with AIIRD (n=686) compared with the general population (n=121). Serum IgG antibody levels against SARS-CoV-2 spike S1/S2 proteins were measured 2–6 weeks after the second vaccine dose. Seropositivity was defined as IgG ≥15 binding antibody units (BAU)/mL. Vaccination efficacy, safety, and disease activity were assessed within 6 weeks after the second vaccine dose. Results Following vaccination, the seropositivity rate and S1/S2 IgG levels were significantly lower among patients with AIIRD versus controls (86% (n=590) vs 100%, p Conclusion mRNA BNTb262 vaccine was immunogenic in the majority of patients with AIIRD, with an acceptable safety profile. Treatment with glucocorticoids, rituximab, MMF, and abatacept was associated with a significantly reduced BNT162b2-induced immunogenicity.
406 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a real-world dataset of positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test results after inoculation with the BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine was analyzed, and the authors found that the viral load was substantially reduced for infections occurring 12-37 days after the first dose of vaccine.
Abstract: Beyond their substantial protection of individual vaccinees, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines might reduce viral load in breakthrough infection and thereby further suppress onward transmission. In this analysis of a real-world dataset of positive severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) test results after inoculation with the BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine, we found that the viral load was substantially reduced for infections occurring 12–37 d after the first dose of vaccine. These reduced viral loads hint at a potentially lower infectiousness, further contributing to vaccine effect on virus spread. Breakthrough infections of SARS-CoV-2 occurring 12 or more days after the first dose of the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine were associated with lower viral loads than those found in unvaccinated individuals, suggesting that the vaccine might reduce infectiousness.
373 citations
04 May 2021
TL;DR: The pixel2style2pixel (pSp) as discussed by the authors framework is based on a novel encoder network that directly generates a series of style vectors which are fed into a pretrained StyleGAN generator, forming the extended $\mathcal{W} + $ latent space.
Abstract: We present a generic image-to-image translation framework, pixel2style2pixel (pSp). Our pSp framework is based on a novel encoder network that directly generates a series of style vectors which are fed into a pretrained StyleGAN generator, forming the extended $\mathcal{W} + $ latent space. We first show that our encoder can directly embed real images into $\mathcal{W} + $, with no additional optimization. Next, we propose utilizing our encoder to directly solve image-to-image translation tasks, defining them as encoding problems from some input domain into the latent domain. By deviating from the standard "invert first, edit later" methodology used with previous StyleGAN encoders, our approach can handle a variety of tasks even when the input image is not represented in the StyleGAN domain. We show that solving translation tasks through StyleGAN significantly simplifies the training process, as no adversary is required, has better support for solving tasks without pixel-to-pixel correspondence, and inherently supports multi-modal synthesis via the resampling of styles. Finally, we demonstrate the potential of our framework on a variety of facial image-to-image translation tasks, even when compared to state-of-the-art solutions designed specifically for a single task, and further show that it can be extended beyond the human facial domain. Code is available at https://github.com/eladrich/pixel2style2pixel.
State University of New York Upstate Medical University1, Heidelberg University2, University of Melbourne3, Capital Medical University4, Harvard University5, Monash University, Clayton campus6, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai7, Montreal Children's Hospital8, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul9, Peking University10, University of Southampton11, University of Toronto12, University of Washington13, King Khalid University14, King's College London15, Aga Khan University16, Karolinska Institutet17, Radboud University Nijmegen18, Vrije Universiteit Brussel19, University of Nottingham20, Aarhus University21, University of Cologne22, Trinity College, Dublin23, University of Würzburg24, University of Bergen25, University Medical Center Groningen26, University of Wyoming27, University of California, San Francisco28, University of California, Berkeley29, Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust30, Duke University31, University of Amsterdam32, Örebro University33, Chongqing Medical University34, Tel Aviv University35, Washington University in St. Louis36, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro37, University College Cork38, University of British Columbia39, University of Pittsburgh40, Oregon Health & Science University41, University of Montpellier42, University of Ibadan43, University of São Paulo44, Hebrew University of Jerusalem45, University of Sydney46, Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research47, University of Canterbury48, Autonomous University of Barcelona49, Stellenbosch University50, University of California, Davis51, National Medical College52, Hofstra University53, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston54, University of Southern Denmark55, University of California, Irvine56, Cardiff University57, Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology58, HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht59, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven60, University of the Free State61, University of Turin62, Johns Hopkins University63, University of Zurich64
TL;DR: In this article, the authors presented 208 empirically supported statements about ADHD using meta-analysis, which allow for firm statements about the nature, course, outcome causes and treatments for disorders that are useful for reducing misconceptions and stigma.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors analyzed the humoral response following full vaccination with the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) in 136 kidney transplant recipients, and compared it to 25 controls.
Universidad Francisco de Vitoria1, University of Ferrara2, Tel Aviv University3, University of Padua4, University of Zurich5, University College London6, Mayo Clinic7, Maastricht University8, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven9, Saarland University10, Heidelberg University11, NewYork–Presbyterian Hospital12, University of Pavia13, University of Marburg14, Martin Luther University of Halle-Wittenberg15, First Faculty of Medicine, Charles University in Prague16
TL;DR: In this paper, the Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Disease proposes an invasive and non-invasive definition of cardiac amyloidosis, addresses clinical scenarios and situations to suspect the condition and proposes a diagnostic algorithm to aid diagnosis.
Abstract: Cardiac amyloidosis is a serious and progressive infiltrative disease that is caused by the deposition of amyloid fibrils at the cardiac level It can be due to rare genetic variants in the hereditary forms or as a consequence of acquired conditions Thanks to advances in imaging techniques and the possibility of achieving a non-invasive diagnosis, we now know that cardiac amyloidosis is a more frequent disease than traditionally considered In this position paper the Working Group on Myocardial and Pericardial Disease proposes an invasive and non-invasive definition of cardiac amyloidosis, addresses clinical scenarios and situations to suspect the condition and proposes a diagnostic algorithm to aid diagnosis Furthermore, we also review how to monitor and treat cardiac amyloidosis, in an attempt to bridge the gap between the latest advances in the field and clinical practice
TL;DR: In this paper, a matched cohort study was conducted to examine the distribution of VOCs in infections of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccinees from Clalit Health Services (Israel) using viral genomic sequencing, and hypothesized that if vaccine effectiveness against a VOC is reduced, its proportion among breakthrough cases would be higher than in unvaccinated controls.
Abstract: The BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine is highly effective against SARS-CoV-2. However, apprehension exists that variants of concern (VOCs) may evade vaccine protection, due to evidence of reduced neutralization of the VOCs B.1.1.7 and B.1.351 by vaccine sera in laboratory assays. We performed a matched cohort study to examine the distribution of VOCs in infections of BNT162b2 mRNA vaccinees from Clalit Health Services (Israel) using viral genomic sequencing, and hypothesized that if vaccine effectiveness against a VOC is reduced, its proportion among breakthrough cases would be higher than in unvaccinated controls. Analyzing 813 viral genome sequences from nasopharyngeal swabs, we showed that vaccinees who tested positive at least 7 days after the second dose were disproportionally infected with B.1.351, compared with controls. Those who tested positive between 2 weeks after the first dose and 6 days after the second dose were disproportionally infected by B.1.1.7. These findings suggest reduced vaccine effectiveness against both VOCs within particular time windows. Our results emphasize the importance of rigorously tracking viral variants, and of increasing vaccination to prevent the spread of VOCs.
26 Feb 2021
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present traits of medical imaging, highlight clinical needs and technical challenges in medical imaging and describe how emerging trends in deep learning are addressing these issues, and conclude with a discussion and presentation of promising future directions.
Abstract: Since its renaissance, deep learning (DL) has been widely used in various medical imaging tasks and has achieved remarkable success in many medical imaging applications, thereby propelling us into the so-called artificial intelligence (AI) era. It is known that the success of AI is mostly attributed to the availability of big data with annotations for a single task and the advances in high-performance computing. However, medical imaging presents unique challenges that confront DL approaches. In this survey article, we first present traits of medical imaging, highlight both clinical needs and technical challenges in medical imaging, and describe how emerging trends in DL are addressing these issues. We cover the topics of network architecture, sparse and noisy labels, federating learning, interpretability, uncertainty quantification, and so on. Then, we present several case studies that are commonly found in clinical practice, including digital pathology and chest, brain, cardiovascular, and abdominal imaging. Rather than presenting an exhaustive literature survey, we instead describe some prominent research highlights related to these case study applications. We conclude with a discussion and presentation of promising future directions.
TL;DR: In this article, the early antibody responses and antibody kinetics after each vaccine dose in health-care workers of different ages and sexes, and with different comorbidities were assessed, and a high correlation was detected between IgG against the receptor-binding domain and neutralising antibody titres.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated 28 cases of immune-mediated disease flare or new disease onset within 28-days of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination at five large tertiary centres in countries with early vaccination adoption, three in Israel, one in UK, and one in USA.
04 Jan 2021
TL;DR: In this paper, a machine learning approach was used to detect COVID-19 cases by simple features accessed by asking basic questions, such as sex, age ≥ 60 years, known contact with an infected individual, and the appearance of five initial clinical symptoms.
Abstract: Effective screening of SARS-CoV-2 enables quick and efficient diagnosis of COVID-19 and can mitigate the burden on healthcare systems. Prediction models that combine several features to estimate the risk of infection have been developed. These aim to assist medical staff worldwide in triaging patients, especially in the context of limited healthcare resources. We established a machine-learning approach that trained on records from 51,831 tested individuals (of whom 4769 were confirmed to have COVID-19). The test set contained data from the subsequent week (47,401 tested individuals of whom 3624 were confirmed to have COVID-19). Our model predicted COVID-19 test results with high accuracy using only eight binary features: sex, age ≥60 years, known contact with an infected individual, and the appearance of five initial clinical symptoms. Overall, based on the nationwide data publicly reported by the Israeli Ministry of Health, we developed a model that detects COVID-19 cases by simple features accessed by asking basic questions. Our framework can be used, among other considerations, to prioritize testing for COVID-19 when testing resources are limited.
TL;DR: In this paper, the humoral response following vaccination with the BNT162b2 vaccine in patients on maintenance hemodialysis and the factors associated with it was assessed, for the first time, to the best of our knowledge.
Abstract: Background and objectives Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is associated with higher morbidity and mortality in patients on maintenance hemodialysis. Patients on dialysis tend to have a reduced immune response to infection or vaccination. We aimed to assess, for the first time to the best of our knowledge, the humoral response following vaccination with the BNT162b2 vaccine in patients on maintenance hemodialysis and the factors associated with it. Design, setting, participants, & measurements The study included 56 patients on maintenance hemodialysis (dialysis group) and a control group composed of 95 health care workers. All participants had received two doses of the BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech) vaccine. The serology testing was done using Quant II IgG anti-Spike severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) assay by Abbott a median of 30 days after receipt of the second dose of the vaccine. Results All subjects in the control group developed an antibody response compared with 96% (54 of 56) positive responders in the dialysis group. The IgG levels in the dialysis group (median, 2900; interquartile range, 1128–5651) were significantly lower than in the control group (median, 7401; interquartile range, 3687–15,471). A Mann–Whitney U test indicated that this difference was statistically significant (U=1238; P Conclusions Although most patients on maintenance hemodialysis developed a substantial humoral response following the BNT162b2 vaccine, it was significantly lower than controls. Age was an important factor in the humoral response, regardless of chronic medical conditions.
University of Groningen1, Sapienza University of Rome2, Tel Aviv University3, Boston Children's Hospital4, Karolinska Institutet5, University of Glasgow6, University of Toronto7, University of Edinburgh8, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn9, University of Helsinki10, Wolfson Medical Center11, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona12, Royal Hospital for Sick Children13, Sheba Medical Center14, Humanitas University15, Hebrew University of Jerusalem16, University of Alberta17, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital18, Paris Descartes University19
TL;DR: An evidence-supported update of the ECCO-ESPGHAN guideline on the medical management of paediatric Crohn's disease is provided, establishing that it was key to identify patients at high risk of a complicated disease course at the earliest opportunity to reduce bowel damage.
TL;DR: This work places multiple color charts in the scenes and calculated its 3D structure using stereo imaging to obtain ground truth, and contributes a dataset of 57 images taken in different locations that enables a rigorous quantitative evaluation of restoration algorithms on natural images for the first time.
Abstract: Underwater images suffer from color distortion and low contrast, because light is attenuated while it propagates through water. Attenuation under water varies with wavelength, unlike terrestrial images where attenuation is assumed to be spectrally uniform. The attenuation depends both on the water body and the 3D structure of the scene, making color restoration difficult. Unlike existing single underwater image enhancement techniques, our method takes into account multiple spectral profiles of different water types. By estimating just two additional global parameters: the attenuation ratios of the blue-red and blue-green color channels, the problem is reduced to single image dehazing, where all color channels have the same attenuation coefficients. Since the water type is unknown, we evaluate different parameters out of an existing library of water types. Each type leads to a different restored image and the best result is automatically chosen based on color distribution. We also contribute a dataset of 57 images taken in different locations. To obtain ground truth, we placed multiple color charts in the scenes and calculated its 3D structure using stereo imaging. This dataset enables a rigorous quantitative evaluation of restoration algorithms on natural images for the first time.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors found that severe COVID-19 infection, associated with a high mortality rate, might develop in a minority of fully vaccinated individuals with multiple co-morbidities.
TL;DR: Overall, these results further support the statistically significant prolongation of PFS observed with alpelisib plus fulvestrant in this population, which has a poor prognosis due to a PIK3CA mutation.
TL;DR: The authors suggest that the default mode network (DMN) is an active and dynamic sense-making network that integrates incoming extrinsic information with prior intrinsic information to form rich, context-dependent models of situations as they unfold over time.
Abstract: The default mode network (DMN) is classically considered an 'intrinsic' system, specializing in internally oriented cognitive processes such as daydreaming, reminiscing and future planning. In this Perspective, we suggest that the DMN is an active and dynamic 'sense-making' network that integrates incoming extrinsic information with prior intrinsic information to form rich, context-dependent models of situations as they unfold over time. We review studies that relied on naturalistic stimuli, such as stories and movies, to demonstrate how an individual's DMN neural responses are influenced both by external information accumulated as events unfold over time and by the individual's idiosyncratic past memories and knowledge. The integration of extrinsic and intrinsic information over long timescales provides a space for negotiating a shared neural code, which is necessary for establishing shared meaning, shared communication tools, shared narratives and, above all, shared communities and social networks.
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors evaluated rates of antispike (anti-S) antibody response to a BNT162b2 vaccine in patients with cancer who are undergoing systemic treatment vs healthy controls.
Abstract: Importance: Patients with cancer undergoing treatment are at high risk of COVID-19 following SARS-CoV-2 infection; however, their ability to produce an adequate antibody response to messenger RNA SARS-CoV-2 vaccines is unclear Objective: To evaluate rates of antispike (anti-S) antibody response to a BNT162b2 vaccine in patients with cancer who are undergoing systemic treatment vs healthy controls Design, Setting, and Participants: This prospective cohort study included 102 adult patients with solid tumors undergoing active intravenous anticancer treatment and 78 controls who received the second dose of the BNT162b2 vaccine at least 12 days before enrollment The controls were taken from a convenience sample of the patients' family/caregivers who accompanied them to treatment The study was conducted between February 22, 2021, and March 15, 2021 at Davidoff Cancer Center at Beilinson Hospital (Petah Tikva, Israel) Interventions: Blood samples were drawn from the study participants Serum samples were analyzed and the titers of the IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike receptor-binding domain were determined using a commercially available immunoassay Seropositivity was defined as 50 or greater AU/mL Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the rate of seropositivity Secondary outcomes included comparisons of IgG titers and identifying factors that were associated with seropositivity using univariate/multivariable analyses Results: The analysis included 180 participants, which comprised 102 patients with cancer (median [interquartile range (IQR)] age, 66 [56-72] years; 58 men [57%]) and 78 healthy controls (median [IQR] age, 62 [49-70] years; 25 men [32%]) The most common tumor type was gastrointestinal (29 [28%]) In the patient group, 92 (90%) were seropositive for SARS-CoV 2 antispike IgG antibodies after the second vaccine dose, whereas in the control group, all were seropositive The median IgG titer in the patients with cancer was significantly lower than that in the controls (1931 [IQR, 509-4386] AU/mL vs 7160 [IQR, 3129-11â¯241] AU/mL; P < 001) In a multivariable analysis, the only variable that was significantly associated with lower IgG titers was treatment with chemotherapy plus immunotherapy (s, -35; 95% CI, -56 to -15) Conclusions and Relevance: In this cohort study of patients with cancer who were receiving active systemic therapy, 90% of patients exhibited adequate antibody response to the BNT162b2 vaccine, although their antibody titers were significantly lower than those of healthy controls Further research into the clinical relevance of lower titers and their durability is required Nonetheless, the data support vaccinating patients with cancer as a high priority, even during therapy
TL;DR: The high VE estimates found in this study have the potential to increase vaccine acceptance in this group of pregnant women and are similar to those reported in the general population for the same variants, suggesting that it may be possible to infer the VE for pregnant women from studies in thegeneral population for both current and future variants.
Abstract: To evaluate the effectiveness of the BNT162b2 messenger RNA vaccine in pregnant women, we conducted an observational cohort study of pregnant women aged 16 years or older, with no history of SARS-CoV-2, who were vaccinated between 20 December 2020 and 3 June 2021. A total of 10,861 vaccinated pregnant women were matched to 10,861 unvaccinated pregnant controls using demographic and clinical characteristics. Study outcomes included documented infection with SARS-CoV-2, symptomatic COVID-19, COVID-19-related hospitalization, severe illness and death. Estimated vaccine effectiveness from 7 through to 56 d after the second dose was 96% (95% confidence interval 89-100%) for any documented infection, 97% (91-100%) for infections with documented symptoms and 89% (43-100%) for COVID-19-related hospitalization. Only one event of severe illness was observed in the unvaccinated group and no deaths were observed in either group. In summary, the BNT162b2 mRNA vaccine was estimated to have high vaccine effectiveness in pregnant women, which is similar to the effectiveness estimated in the general population.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated whether antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 immunization of nursing mothers transferred to infants as a potentially protective effect, and found that the effect was minimal.
Abstract: This prospective study investigated whether antibodies from SARS-CoV-2 immunization of nursing mothers transferred to infants as a potentially protective effect.
TL;DR: Directed energy deposition (DED) is a branch of additive manufacturing (AM) processes in which a feedstock material in the form of powder or wire is delivered to a substrate on which an energy source such as laser beam, electron beam, or plasma/electric arc is simultaneously focused, thus forming a small melt pool and continuously depositing material, layer by layer as discussed by the authors.