Non-biological Agents Research Articles

SYNTHETIC BIOLOGY: IS IT PROHIBITED BY THE BIOLOGICAL WEAPONS CONVENTION OR OTHER INTERNATIONAL LAWS?

Just as there continues to be a question on whether or not viruses are biological, scientists create new technologies every year that push up against what is and what is not biological. With these new technologies, it is almost possible to alter DNA using CRISPR/Cas9 technologies in one’s garage. Such a development begs the question, to what extent does international law relate to and prohibit these new technologies from being used as weapons? Synthetic biology is an emerging science that pushes up against what is biological and can be split into two categories, a top-down and a bottom-up approach. Are either or both approaches encompassed by and prohibited from being used as weapons under the Biological Weapons Convention or other international law? It appears that the Biological Weapons Convention covers and prohibits synthetic biology’s top-down. Still, neither the Convention nor other international laws prohibit the bottom-up approach—or more specifically, biomimetics, CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing genome editing, and nanotechnology—because top-down synthetic biology reworks preexisting systems, while in contrast, bottom-up synthetic biology may be used to weaponized non-biological agents that can alter biological organisms.

An investigation of coronaphobia and physical activity among patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

This study aims to investigate coronaphobia and physical activity levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Between December 2021 and February 2022, a total of 68 RA patients (11 males, 57 females; mean age: 48.3±10.1 years; range, 29 to 78 years) and 64 age- and sex-matched healthy individuals (4 males, 60 females; mean age: 47.9±10.2 years; range, 23 to 70 years) were included in this cross-sectional study. Demographic, physical, lifestyle, and medical characteristics of all participants were recorded. The COVID-19 Phobia Scale (C19PS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) were administered to all participants. The RA patients were divided into two groups as: patients treated with biological and non-biological agents. The Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) and Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) were used to measure disease activity. The total and subgroup scores of the C19P-S were found to be statistically significantly higher in both the biological and non-biological RA groups than in the control group (p=0.001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between the RA groups in terms of total and subgroup C19P-S scores. The mean IPAQ score was significantly lower in the RA group using biological drugs than in the control group (p=0.002). A significant correlation was found between DAS28 and total C19P-S scores (r:0.63, p<0.05), and CDAI and total C19P-S scores (r:0.79, p<0.05). Patients with RA have an increased risk of coronaphobia and disease activity is correlated with coronaphobia. Patients treated with biological agents seem to have lower activity levels compared to other RA patients and healthy controls. These results should be considered in the management of RA during COVID-19 pandemic and preventive intervention strategies should be formulated to cope with coronaphobia.

Multiarm study comparing patient-reported and clinical outcome measures in patients undergoing antipsoriatic therapy with non-biological systemic agents in a real-world setting

ABSTRACT Background Although the inclusion of patients’ preferences and needs is essential for therapy adherence, the assessment of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical trials is often neglected. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify several patient-reported outcome measures in psoriasis patients undergoing systemic therapy in a real-life clinical setting. Methods This clinical trial has been designed as a prospective, multiarm study to investigate the treatment satisfaction, adherence to therapy, quality of life, and clinical response in a real-life clinical setting during the initial six months of treatment with apremilast, methotrexate and fumaric acids in 80 patients suffering from plaque psoriasis. Results The treatment satisfaction for the three systemic therapies was rated “sufficient” with a mean (±SD) Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) score of 275.0 (±62.7). Most potential for improvement was seen in the “effectiveness” domain (54.3 ± 21.5). The highest treatment satisfaction level in all four domains (convenience, effectiveness, global satisfaction, side-effects) was seen in the methotrexate group with a mean TSQM score of 306.3 ± 50.9, followed by apremilast (267.1 ± 61.6) and fumaric acids (254.9 ± 65.0; p = 0.005). Analysis of the TSQM revealed a considerable discrepancy between patient-reported clinical response and the actual Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) reduction. This applies equally to the patient- versus physician-reported side-effects. Conclusions This real-life study demonstrates that an adequate assessment of antipsoriatic drugs by PASI-reduction alone is not sufficient and underlines the importance of patient-reported outcome measures not only in clinical trials, but also for improved patient care.

Systemic pharmacological treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis: a network meta-analysis.

Systemic pharmacological treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis: a network meta-analysis.

Seed Fortification Using Biofertilizers and Non-Biological Agents

Seed germination and vigor is a quality having detrimental effects on the crop and its economic traits, a significant factor to make agriculture sustainable and economical. Seed enhancements including fortification and coatings all aimed to protect and improve germination and initial growth from pathogens, adverse abiotic factors, and nutritional deficiencies. It is well established that rhizosphere microflora plays a prominent role in influencing plant growth. If this is altered or modified using beneficial microbial agents and/or adjuvants the seed germination and subsequent growth and yield are protected and enhanced. The seed enhancement with biofertilizers ranging from bacteria, fungi, algae, and/or their extracts/metabolites is advantageous from an environmental and financial point of view. Thus, in this current review, we present different methods and agents employed for seed enhancement and current trends.

Health-Seeking Behaviour for Childhood Ailments in Caregivers of Under-Five Children in an Urban Resettlement Colony in Delhi, India

This explorative qualitative study assesses the health-seeking behaviour for childhood ailments in caregivers of under-five children in a low-income neighbourhood in Delhi, India during July-September 2021. A total of 17 caregivers (mothers) of eight male and nine female under-five children were enrolled, with the mother being the caregiver in most (94%) cases.Caregivers consulted on common childhood ailments from multiple sources, including family, neighbours, healthcare providers (both licensed and unlicensed), frontline workers, and local pharmacists. The internet was often used as a source of child health information due to its ease of access but often "confused" caregivers due to the presence of too much information.Health-seeking behaviour of caregivers for childhood ailments could range from self-medication, local pharmacist dispensing, and private and public healthcare providers. Factors that influenced preference for the healthcare facility or provider were accessibility issues (waiting time, queuing), perceived physician competence, and associated out-of-pocket expenses. Caregivers reported dissatisfaction with government health facilities because of shorter operational hours, overcrowding, suboptimal sanitation, queuing with limited seating arrangements, and occasionally discourteous health staff. Self-medication and over-the-counter use of antibiotics was high due to a lack of awareness of the challenges of antibiotic resistance or any perceived side effects.Preference for unlicensed practitioners for medical treatment was low and based on long-term familial beliefs and acceptance. However, traditional practitioners enjoyed a high level of trust in the community from shared cultural values, enjoining attenuation of the perceived non-biological agents of childhood illnesses through non-medical supernatural interventions.

A Limelight on the Affirmative Impact of Kriyakalpas Apropos of the Sense Organs and its Management in the Epidemiological Diseases- An Overview

Ever since the days of yore, the infectious pandemics of natural or man-made origin greatly influence sensory health. Hence proper cleansing and rejuvenating of the sensory organs is needed in protecting us from the rising pandemics. This article is an overview of the Comprehensive analysis of Shalakya tantra references from the Brihat trayee and Sharangadhara Samhita regarding the etiopathogenesis of Janapadhodhwamsa affecting the Uttamangam, its clinical features, its management through kriyakalpam like Nasyam, Dhumapaana, Gandusa, Kavala, Prathisaaranavidhi, Lepa, Murdhinitailam, Karnapurana, Netra prasadana kalpas and its mode of action in strengthening and protecting the sensory perceptions from the damage of non-biological physical agents. Henceforth the review concludes that the Kriyakalpam acts as fundamental habitual preventive practice and serves as the foundation of treatment methods for a cascade of conditions arising as complications to reduce mortality and morbidity.

ASSESSMENT OF AIRBORNE FUNGAL SPORES IN INDOOR ENVIRONMENT OF LIBRARIES IN NNAMDI AZIKIWE UNIVERSITY

Background: Polluted indoor environments pose health challenges such as allergy, infections, and toxicity. Most indoor air pollution comes from hazardous non-biological and biological agents. Due to the nature of the indoor environment of libraries, it is prone to colonization by fungal species. Method: Three sampling sites were used for the study and they include Festus Aghagbo Nwako Library, Main campus Awka, Medical Library, Nnewi Campus and Library Complex, Agulu campus. A total of 100 air samples were analyzed Using the Zefon A6 Single-stage microbial air sampler and Malt Extract Agar supplemented with 0.05mg/ml of chloramphenicol while 16 nasal swabs were collected from the staff present using sterile swab sticks. The mould isolates were identified using the slide culture technique while the yeast isolates were subjected to candida chrom agar and integral yeast plus identification. Antifungal susceptibility was performed using the integral yeast plus system and the agar well diffusion technique. Results: Out of the 100 air samples, a total of 625 fungal isolates were identified of which C.lunata 201 (32.16%) was the most predominant, while P. marneffi, P. expansum, A. restrictus, A. infectoria and R. rubra 1(0.16%) occurred the least. All significant at (p≤0.01). A total of 7 fungal spores were isolated from the 16 nasal swabs and appeared thus in descending order of frequency: P. notatum, 3 (42.85%), A. niger, C. lunata, C. albicans and F. aqueductum, 1(14.3%). Antifungal Susceptibility of the 28 yeast isolates indicated that C. famata, C. laurentii and C. luteolus, were all susceptible to commonly used antifungals in the integral yeast plus system with a 100% susceptibility value, while the mould isolates showed relatively moderate susceptibility to selected antifungals. Conclusion: The organisms isolated are well known to be pathogenic especially to immunocompromised individuals. Their presence in the indoor environment of libraries serves as a risk factor to both the library staff and visitors. Adequate precautionary measures and occasional environmental surveillance need to be inculcated in order to reduce the number of fungi in the indoor environment of these libraries.

Integrating Media Selection and Media Effects Using Decision Theory

Abstract. Media psychology researchers seek to understand both why people choose certain media over others and how media influence cognitive, emotional, social, and psychological processes. A burgeoning body of literature has emerged in recent years describing media selection and media effects as reciprocally linked dynamic processes, but research approaches empirically investigating them as such have been sparse. In parallel, technological developments like algorithmic personalization and mobile computing have served to blur the lines between media selection and media effects, highlighting novel problems at their intersection. Herein, we propose an integrative approach for building an understanding of these processes rooted in decision theory, a formal framework describing how organisms (and nonbiological agents) select and optimize behaviors in response to their environment.

Therapeutic Apheresis and Immunosuppression in Renal Diseases

Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) with hollow fiber modules is used in different severe diseases since more than 40 years. The authors try to give an overview of therapeutic apheresis (TA) in renal diseases. The updated information on immunology and molecular biology of different renal diseases are discussed in relation to the rationale for apheresis therapy and its place in combination with other modern treatments. The different renal diseases can be treated by various apheresis methods such as TPE with substitution solution, or with online plasma or blood purification using adsorption columns, which contain biological or non-biological agents. The following diseases are discussed: rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) including anti-glomerular basement membrane antibody glomerulonephritis (anti-GBM RPGN), RPGN with or without glomerular deposition (ANCA-ab), pauci-immune RPGN, immune complex nephritis (ICN), and various glomerulonephritis with nephrotic syndrome (NS), acute kidney injury (AKI), myoglobulinemic renal failure, hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS), and kidney transplant rejection. For the renal diseases, which can be treated with TA, the guidelines of the Apheresis Applications Committee (AAC) of the American Society for Apheresis (ASFA) are shown.

Systemic pharmacological treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis: a network meta-analysis.

Systemic pharmacological treatments for chronic plaque psoriasis: a network meta-analysis.

Targeting Negative and Positive Immune Checkpoints with Monoclonal Antibodies in Therapy of Cancer.

The immune checkpoints are regulatory molecules that maintain immune homeostasis in physiological conditions. By sending T cells a series of co-stimulatory or co-inhibitory signals via receptors, immune checkpoints can both protect healthy tissues from adaptive immune response and activate lymphocytes to remove pathogens effectively. However, due to their mode of action, suppressive immune checkpoints may serve as unwanted protection for cancer cells. To restore the functioning of the immune system and make the patient’s immune cells able to recognize and destroy tumors, monoclonal antibodies are broadly used in cancer immunotherapy to block the suppressive or to stimulate the positive immune checkpoints. In this review, we aim to present the current state of application of monoclonal antibodies in clinics, used either as single agents or in a combined treatment. We discuss the limitations of these therapies and possible problem-solving with combined treatment approaches involving both non-biological and biological agents. We also highlight the most promising strategies based on the use of monoclonal or bispecific antibodies targeted on immune checkpoints other than currently implemented in clinics.

Changing biological disease modifying treatment for paediatric uveitis in the real world.

Paediatric uveitis is a severe sight-threatening uveitis due to disease progression and treatment failure. Biological agents are a promising new treatment. This study provides real-world data on their use from Sydney, Australia. Traditionally corticosteroids and non-biological immunosuppressive agents were used to treat paediatric uveitis, often with poor outcomes. Retrospective, chart review over an 8-year period at a tertiary referral eye hospital. A total of 27 paediatric uveitis patients treated with biological agents. Chart review of demographic data and treatment outcomes. Treatment efficacy (corticosteroid-sparing effect, topical steroid cessation/reduction, reduction in systemic-steroid sparing agents, change in intraocular inflammation, visual acuity and central macular thickness); treatment failure; and adverse events. Data were collected at biological initiation, 6 weeks, 6 months and 12 months. Biological therapy over 1 year was effective with prednisolone dose reduced to <5 mg/day in five of six patients (83%), number of systemic steroid-sparing agents was reduced to ≤1 in two of four patients (50%) and cessation of topical steroid achieved in 12/41 of eyes (29%). Improvement of anterior chamber cells by two grades occurred in 20/25 eyes (80%), improvement of logMAR to ≤0.3 occurred in 12/18 eyes (67%) and macular oedema decreased in 4/5 eyes (80%). Treatment failure occurred in six eyes (13.01%) and five patients (18.5%) developed an adverse reaction. Biological therapy was effective in paediatric patients with uveitis. Intraocular inflammation improved with maintained visual acuity, systemic corticosteroid dose decreased and there was a low frequency of adverse events.

Communication and Inference of Intended Movement Direction during Human-Human Physical Interaction.

Of particular interest to the neuroscience and robotics communities is the understanding of how two humans could physically collaborate to perform motor tasks such as holding a tool or moving it across locations. When two humans physically interact with each other, sensory consequences and motor outcomes are not entirely predictable as they also depend on the other agent’s actions. The sensory mechanisms involved in physical interactions are not well understood. The present study was designed (1) to quantify human–human physical interactions where one agent (“follower”) has to infer the intended or imagined—but not executed—direction of motion of another agent (“leader”) and (2) to reveal the underlying strategies used by the dyad. This study also aimed at verifying the extent to which visual feedback (VF) is necessary for communicating intended movement direction. We found that the control of leader on the relationship between force and motion was a critical factor in conveying his/her intended movement direction to the follower regardless of VF of the grasped handle or the arms. Interestingly, the dyad’s ability to communicate and infer movement direction with significant accuracy improved (>83%) after a relatively short amount of practice. These results indicate that the relationship between force and motion (interpreting as arm impedance modulation) may represent an important means for communicating intended movement direction between biological agents, as indicated by the modulation of this relationship to intended direction. Ongoing work is investigating the application of the present findings to optimize communication of high-level movement goals during physical interactions between biological and non-biological agents.

Therapeutic Apheresis in Immunologic Renal and Neurological Diseases.

Since the mid 1970s, when membrane modules became available, plasma separation techniques have gained in importance especially in the past few years. The advantages of this method are a complete separation of the corpuscular components from the plasma and due to increased blood flow rate and higher efficacy. Systemic autoimmune diseases based on an immune pathogenesis produce autoantibodies and circulating immune complexes, which cause inflammation in the tissues of various organs. In most cases, these diseases have a poor prognosis without treatment. Therapeutic apheresis (TA) in combination with immunosuppressive therapies has led to a steady increase in survival rates over the last 40 years. The updated information on immunology and molecular biology of different immunologic diseases are discussed in relation to the rationale for apheresis therapy and its place in combination with other modern treatments. The different diseases can be treated by various apheresis methods such as therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) with substitution solution, or with online plasma or blood purification using adsorption columns, which contain biological or non-biological agents. Here, the authors provide an overview of the most important pathogenic aspects indicating that TA can be a supportive therapy in systemic autoimmune diseases such as renal and neurological disorders. For the immunological diseases that can be treated with TA, the guidelines of the German Working Group of Clinical Nephrology and of the Apheresis Committee of the American Society for Apheresis are cited.

Medication adherence in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: why do patients not take what we prescribe?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune inflammatory disease which results in extensive articular and extra-articular morbidity and increased mortality from cardiovascular disease. Despite an increasing range of non-biological and biological disease-modifying agents, poor patient adherence with medication is a significant barrier to effective control of the inflammation associated with RA. This review seeks to identify factors that affect patient adherence with medication, examine the effectiveness of interventions to address this issue and offer practical suggestions to improve medication adherence. The impact of health literacy on medication adherence and the novel role of musculoskeletal ultrasound as an educational intervention will also be discussed.

Impact of the incorporation of a nurse in an inflammatory bowel disease unit

Abstract Introduction Multidisciplinary units are needed because of the growing complexity and volume of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Objectives To evaluate the healthcare, economic and research impact of incorporating a nurse into the IBD unit of the Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda University Hospital. Methods We prospectively recorded the activity carried out by the nurse of the IBD unit from March 2010 to December 2014. Results During this period, healthcare demand progressively increased, with 1558 patients being attended by our unit. The healthcare provided by the nurse included 5293 electronic mails and 678 telephone calls. We estimated that this activity represented a saving of 3504 in-person medical consultations and 852 accident and emergency department visits. Other activities consisted of monitoring treatments with biological and non-biological agents (8371 laboratory tests), extraction of 342 blood samples, follow-up of 1047 diagnostic tests and consultations with other medical specialties, health education in self-administration of drugs in 114 patients, the performance of 158 granulocyte apheresis procedures, and participation in 25 research projects. Conclusion The incorporation of a specialised nurse in an IBD unit had major economic, healthcare and research benefits.

Impacto de la incorporación de la enfermera a una unidad de enfermedad inflamatoria intestinal

IntroductionMultidisciplinary units are needed because of the growing complexity and volume of patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). ObjectivesTo evaluate the healthcare, economic and research impact of incorporating a nurse into the IBD unit of the Puerta de Hierro Majadahonda University Hospital. MethodsWe prospectively recorded the activity carried out by the nurse of the IBD unit from March 2010 to December 2014. ResultsDuring this period, healthcare demand progressively increased, with 1,558 patients being attended by our unit. The healthcare provided by the nurse included 5,293 electronic mails and 678 telephone calls. We estimated that this activity represented a saving of 3,504 in-person medical consultations and 852 accident and emergency department visits. Other activities consisted of monitoring treatments with biological and non-biological agents (8,371 laboratory tests), extraction of 342 blood samples, follow-up of 1047 diagnostic tests and consultations with other medical specialties, health education in self-administration of drugs in 114 patients, the performance of 158 granulocyte apheresis procedures, and participation in 25 research projects. ConclusionThe incorporation of a specialised nurse in an IBD unit had major economic, healthcare and research benefits.

Joint Simon effects for non-human co-actors.

Social interactions with non-biological agents and interactions with technical devices have become increasingly important over the last years. Recent studies investigating the interactions between humans and non-human agents showed rather inconsistent results. While the joint Simon effect (cSE) was found to be absent for non-human co-actors like virtual wooden hands, other studies showed pronounced cSEs when the co-actor was a real event-producing object. However, an often overlooked difference between these studies is the way these co-actors delivered response events. Studies replacing the co-actor by event-producing objects used a continuous response mode, while in studies using wooden hands, the co-actor always produced action effects in a task-related, turn-taking mode. In a series of four experiments, we systematically tested the effects of the response mode on the size of the cSE. The cSE was larger when the co-actor produced events in a turn-taking response mode than in a continuous response mode. Furthermore, we consistently found reliable cSEs for different kinds of virtual non-human co-actors (including a Japanese waving cat, scrambled patterns, and a wooden hand), and found no difference in the size of the cSE between human and non-human co-actors. We discuss possible mechanisms explaining why a cSE might be present or absent when sharing tasks with virtual non-human co-actors.

Pancreatic Fistula and Delayed Gastric Emptying After Pancreatectomy: Where do We Stand?

Pancreatic resection has become a feasible treatment of pancreatic neoplasms, and with improvements in surgical techniques and perioperative management, mortality associated with pancreatic surgery has decreased considerably. Despite this improvement, a high rate of complications is still associated with these procedures. Among these complications, delayed gastric emptying (DGE) and postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) have a substantial impact on patient outcomes and burden our healthcare system. Technical modifications and postoperative approaches have been proposed to reduce rates of both POPF and DGE in patients undergoing pancreatectomy; however, to date, their rates have remained unchanged. In the present study, we summarize the findings of the most significant studies that have investigated these complications. In particular, several studies focused on technical modifications including extent of dissection, stent placement, nature of anastomosis, type of reconstruction, and application of biological or non-biological agents to site of anastomosis. Moreover, postoperatively, drain placement, duration of drain usage, postoperative feeding, and use of pharmacological agents were studied to reduce rates of POPF and DGE. In this review, we summarize the most relevant literature on this fundamental aspect of pancreatic surgery. Despite studies identifying the potential benefit of technical modifications and postoperative approaches, these findings remain controversial and suggest need for further extensive investigation. Most importantly, we recommend that all surgeons performing these procedures base their practice on the most updated and highest available level of evidence.