Collective remembering and future forecasting during the COVID-19 pandemic: How the impact of COVID-19 affected the themes and phenomenology of global and national memories across 15 countries.

The COVID-19 pandemic created a unique set of circumstances in which to investigate collective memory and future simulations of events reported during the onset of a potentially historic event. Between early April and late June 2020, we asked over 4,000 individuals from 15 countries across four continents to report on remarkable (a) national and (b) global events that (i) had happened since the first cases of COVID-19 were reported, and (ii) they expected to happen in the future. Whereas themes of infections, lockdown, and politics dominated global and national past events in most countries, themes of economy, a second wave, and lockdown dominated future events. The themes and phenomenological characteristics of the events differed based on contextual group factors. First, across all conditions, the event themes differed to a small yet significant degree depending on the severity of the pandemic and stringency of governmental response at the national level. Second, participants reported national events as less negative and more vivid than global events, and group differences in emotional valence were largest for future events. This research demonstrates that even during the early stages of the pandemic, themes relating to its onset and course were shared across many countries, thus providing preliminary evidence for the emergence of collective memories of this event as it was occurring. Current findings provide a profile of past and future collective events from the early stages of the ongoing pandemic, and factors accounting for the consistencies and differences in event representations across 15 countries are discussed.

Myositis-specific antibodies and clinical characteristics in patients with autoimmune inflammatory myopathies: reported by the Argentine Registry of Inflammatory Myopathies of the Argentine Society of Rheumatology.

INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVES: To describe clinical features in patients with inflammatory myopathies (IMs) from the Argentine Registry of Inflammatory Myopathies, and their relationship with myositis-specific antibodies (MSAs). METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 360 adult patients with dermatomyositis (DM), polymyositis (PM), and inclusion body myositis. Demographics, clinical, and serological characteristics were retrospectively recorded (2016-2019). MSAs were determined by immunoblotting. Patients who were positive for anti-Jo-1, Mi-2, and MDA5 were compared against a group of patients, taken as reference group, who were negative for all MSAs. RESULTS: Women 72%, median age at diagnosis was 47.3 years (18-82). The most frequent subtypes were DM (43.9%) followed by PM (30%).The most frequent MSAs were anti-Jo-1 (51/317), 16.1%; MDA5 (12/111), 10.8%, and Mi-2 (23/226), 10.2%. Anti-Jo-1 was associated (p < 0.05) with a higher frequency of chronic disease course, interstitial lung disease (ILD), arthritis, and mechanic's hands. Anti-Mi-2 was found in patients who had higher frequency of skin manifestations and higher CK values (p < 0.001). Patients with anti-MDA5 had normal or low CK levels. Anti-MDA5 was associated (p < 0.05) with skin manifestations, arthritis, and ILD. The rest of MSAs had frequencies lower than 8%. Anti-TIF1ϒ was found in eight DM patients and one had cancer. Anti-SRP was found in seven patients who had PM and elevated CK. CONCLUSION: Anti-Jo-1 was the most frequent MSA, and was associated with ILD; MDA5 was associated with CADM and ILD, and Mi-2, with classical DM. Despite the different prevalence with respect to other cohorts, the clinical characteristics for each MSA group were similar to the data reported in other studies. Key Points • This study describes the prevalence of MSAs in the Argentine Registry of IMs. • Anti-Jo-1 and anti-MDA5 were associated with ILD. • Anti-Mi-2 was the third most frequent MSA, associated with classical DM.

Genetic data from Powerplex 16 system and Identifiler kits from Buenos Aires province (Argentina).

Allele frequencies for the 17 autosomic STRs loci including in the PowerPlex 16 System and Identifiler were estimated from unrelated individuals living in Buenos Aires province of Argentina.

Métodos de diagnóstico en el estudio de las Miopatías Inflamatorias Autoinmunes: Datos del Registro Argentino de Miopatías Inflamatorias de la Sociedad Argentina de Reumatología / Diagnostic methods in the study of Inflammatory Myopathies. Data from the Argentine Register: Argentine Rheumatology Society

Las Miopatías Inflamatorias Autoinmunes (MI) comprenden un grupo de enfermedades heterogéneas con presentación y características clínicas variables. Se distinguen subtipos clínicos como Polimiositis (PM), Dermatomiositis (DM), Miositis por cuerpos de Inclusión (MCI), Miopatía Necrotizante Inmunomediada (MNIM), Miositis de los Síndromes de Superposición, formas juveniles de MI (DMJ), Síndrome Antisintetasa (SAS) y Miopatía Asociada a Cáncer (MAC). La presencia de anticuerpos séricos y el infiltrado inflamatorio en la biopsia de músculo sugiere que se trata de una condición autoinmune. Realizar el diagnóstico de las MI suele ser un desafío y las herramientas diagnósticas no siempre están disponibles en la práctica diaria. Se obtuvo información sobre la disponibilidad de estos métodos del Registro Argentino de Miopatías Inflamatorias. El estudio de enzimas musculares, Anticuerpos Antinucleares (ANA), anticuerpo anti-Jo-1 y la tomografía computada de tórax, estuvieron disponibles para la mayoría de los pacientes mientras que la Resonancia Magnética de musculo (RM), el estudio de difusión de monóxido de carbono (DLco) y la biopsia muscular se realizaron en menos del 50% de los casos. La determinación de otros anticuerpos específicos de miositis, de importancia en el diagnóstico y pronóstico de la enfermedad se realizó, en mayor parte, a través de un subsidio de la SAR.

The Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (IIM) comprise a heterogeneous group of acquired muscle diseases classified as polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), Inclusion Body Myositis (IBM), Immuno Mediated Necrotizing Myopathies (IMNM), Overlap Myositis (OM), juvenile myositis, Antisynthethase Syndrome (ASS) and cancer related myositis (CAM). The presence of myositis specific antibodies in the serum and autoantibodies against target antigens and inflammatory infiltrates in muscle tissue suggests the autoimmune condition of the disease. The diagnosis of inflammatory myopathies is often a challenge and the disposal of diagnostic tools are not always available in daily practice. Information on the accessibility of these methods was obtained from the Argentine Register of Myopathies. The study of muscle enzymes, ANA, anti-Jo-1 antibodies and chest tomography were easy to get to most patients while muscle MRI, lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco) and muscle biopsy were performed in less than 50% of cases. Other myositis specific antibodies, necessary for disease diagnosis and prognosis, were mostly done through a subsidy from the Argentine Rheumatology Society.

Métodos de diagnóstico en el estudio de las Miopatías Inflamatorias Autoinmunes: Datos del Registro Argentino de Miopatías Inflamatorias de la Sociedad Argentina de Reumatología / Diagnostic methods in the study of myopathies Inflammatory Autoimmune: Data from the Argentine Registry of Inflammatory Myopathies of the Argentine Society of Rheumatology

Las Miopatías Inflamatorias Autoinmunes (MI) comprenden un grupo de enfermedades heterogéneas con presentación y características clínicas variables. Se distinguen subtipos clínicos como Polimiositis (PM), Dermatomiositis (DM), Miositis por cuerpos de Inclusión (MCI), Miopatía Necrotizante Inmunomediada (MNIM), Miositis de los Síndromes de Superposición, formas juveniles de MI (DMJ), Síndrome Antisintetasa (SAS) y Miopatía Asociada a Cáncer (MAC).La presencia de anticuerpos séricos y el infiltrado inflamatorio en la biopsia de músculo sugiere que se trata de una condición autoinmune. Realizar el diagnóstico de las MI suele ser un desafío y las herramientas diagnósticas no siempre están disponibles en la práctica diaria. Se obtuvo información sobre la disponibilidad de estos métodos del Registro Argentino de Miopatías Inflamatorias. El estudio de enzimas musculares, Anticuerpos Antinucleares (ANA), anticuerpo anti-Jo-1 y la tomografía computada de tórax, estuvieron disponibles para la mayoría de los pacientes mientras que la Resonancia Magnética de musculo (RM), el estudio de difusión de monóxido de carbono (DLco) y la biopsia muscular se realizaron en menos del 50% de los casos. La determinación de otros anticuerpos específicos de miositis, de importancia en el diagnóstico y pronóstico de la enfermedad se realizó, en mayor parte, a través de un subsidio de la SAR.

The Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies (IIM) comprise a heterogeneous group of acquired muscle diseases classified as polymyositis (PM), dermatomyositis (DM), Inclusion Body Myositis(IBM), ImmunoMediated Necrotizing Myopathies, (IMNM), Overlap Myositis(OM), juvenile myositis, Antisynthethase Syndrome (ASS) and cancer related myositis(CAM).The presence of myositis specific antibodies in the serum and autoantibodies against target antigens and inflammatory infiltrates in muscle tissue suggests the autoimmune condition of the disease. The diagnosis of inflammatory myopathies is often a challenge and the disposal of diagnostic tools are not always available in daily practice. Information on the accessibility of these methods was obtained from the Argentine Register of Myopathies. The study of muscle enzymes, ANA, anti-Jo-1 antibodies and chest tomography were easy to get to most patients while muscle MRI, lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLco%) and muscle biopsy were performed in less than 50% of cases. Other myositis specific antibodies, necessary for disease diagnosis and prognosis, were mostly done through a subsidy from the Argentine Rheumatology Society.

Cocientes urinarios Proteína-Creatinina y Albúmina-Creatinina en pacientes con lupus eritematoso sistémico / Urinary Protein/Creatinine ratio and Albumin/Creatinine ratio in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus / Quocientes urinários Proteína-Creatinina e Albumina- Creatinina em pacientes com lúpus eritematoso sistêmico

El objetivo del trabajo consistió en analizar las correlaciones entre: cociente Proteína/Creatinina en la primera orina de la mañana y Proteinuria de 24 horas (P/C-P24h); y cociente Albúmina/Creatinina en la primera orina de la mañana y Albuminuria de 24 horas (A/C-A24h) en pacientes con Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico y también evaluar la influencia del Clearance de Creatinina (ClCr) sobre la correlación P/C-P24h. Fue un estudio observacional, transversal y prospectivo. Se estudiaron 80 muestras de 52 pacientes lúpicos ambulatorios, entre marzo de 2013 y agosto de 2014. Se evaluaron mediante coeficiente de correlación de Spearman (CCS), las correlaciones P/C-P24h y A/C-A24h en distintos rangos de proteinuria y la influencia del ClCr sobre P/C-P24h. Para P/C-P24h cuando P24h<300 mg/24h CCS=0,6169 (n=52); cuando P24h≥300 mg/ 24h CCS=0,7461 (n=28). Para P/C-P24h en pacientes con ClCr<60 mL/ min CCS=0,9016 (n=12), y con ClCr>60 mL/min CCS=0,8689 (n=66). Para A/C-A24h a P24h<300 mg/24h CCS=0,8082 (n=37). Todos con p<0,0001. Este estudio mostró buena correlación P/C-P24h para P24h≥300 mg/24h y A/C-A24h para P24h<300 mg/24h. No se observó influencia del ClCr en la correlación P/C-P24h. Estos resultados sumados a los obtenidos por otros autores apoyan el uso del cociente A/C a P24h<300 mg/24h y P/C a P24h≥300 mg/24h para el seguimiento del compromiso renal en pacientes con Lupus Eritematoso Sistémico utilizando la primera orina de la mañana.

The objective of the present work was to analyze the correlation between: protein/creatinine ratio in first-morning urine and 24-hour urine protein (P/C-P24h), and albumin/creatinine ratio in first-morning urine and 24-hour urine albumin (A/C-A24h) in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and to evaluate the influence of creatinine clearance (CrCl) on the P/C-P24h correlation.It was a prospective cross-sectional study in which 80 samples of 52 outpatients with lupus were studied between March 2013 and August 2014. They were evaluated by Spearman Correlation Coefficient (CCS), the P/C-P24h and A/C-A24h correlations in different ranges of proteinuria and the influence of ClCr on P/C-P24h.This study showed a good correlation P/C-P24h for P24h≥300 mg/24h and A/C-A24h for P24h<300 mg/24h. No influence of ClCr in the P/C-P24h correlation was observed. These results and those obtained by other authors support the use of the A/C to P24h<300 mg/24h ratio and P/C to P24h≥300 mg/24h ratio to monitor renal involvement in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus using the first-morning urine.

O objetivo do trabalho foi analisar as correlações entre quociente Proteína/Creatinina na primeira urina da manhã e Proteinúria de 24 horas (P/C-P24h); e quociente Albumina/Creatinina na primeira urina da manhã e Albuminuria de 24 horas (A/C-A24h) em paciêntes com Lupus Eritematoso Sistêmico e também avaliar a influência do Clearance de Creatinina (ClCr) sobre a correlação P/C-P24h. Foi um estudo observacional transversal e prospectivo. Foram estudadas 80 amostras de 52 pacientes ambulatórios com lúpus, entre março de 2013 e agosto de 2014. Avaliaram-se através do coeficiente de correlação de Spearman (CCS), as correlações P/C-P24h e A/C-A24h em diferentes níveis de proteinúria e a influência do ClCr sob P/C-P24h. Para P/C-P24h quando P24h<300 mg/24h CCS=0,6169 (n=52); quando P24h≥300 mg/24h CCS=0,7461 (n=28). Para P/C-P24h em pacientes com ClCr<60 mL/min CCS=0,9016 (n=12), e com ClCr>60mL/min CCS=0,8689 (n=66). Para A/C-A24h a P24h<300 mg/24h CCS=0,8082 (n=37). Em todos os casos, p<0,0001. Este estudo mostrou boa correlação P/C-P24h para P24h≥300 mg/24h y A/C-A24h para P24h<300 mg/24h. Não foi observada influência do ClCr na correlação P/C-P24h. Estes resultados, somados aos obtidos por outros autores, apoiam o uso do quociente A/C a P24h<300 mg/24h e P/C a P24h≥300 mg/24h para o seguimento do compromisso renal em pacientes com Lúpus Eritematoso Sistêmico utilizando a primeira urina da manhã.

Cytomegalovirus-associated Ménétrier's disease in adults: demonstration by polymerase chain reaction (PCR)

Ménétrier's disease (MD) is a rare form of hypertrophic or hyperplastic gastropathy characterized by conspicuous thickening of the gastric mucosal folds and foveolar (crypt) hyperplasia. We examined the presence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in 2 cases of MD in adults, one associated with gastric carcinoma, using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). None of the cases showed intranuclear inclusions consistent with CMV infection. Both revealed, besides the features of MD, a peculiar pattern of "chronic active plasmacellular gastritis". Although the samples had been-stored in formalin for more than 10 years CMV-DNA was recovered with good yield from both samples. The demonstration of CMV in MD in adults may helps to explain present knowledge of the complex relationships between this virus and gastric mucosa, and strongly suggests a pathogenetic role of the virus with variable phenotypic expression along the years.

Detection of human papillomavirus in juvenile laryngeal papillomatosis using polymerase chain reaction

Con el objeto de identificar la presencia del virus del papiloma humano (VPH) y sus tipos en casos de papilomatosis laríngea juvenil (PLJ) se procedió a analizar mediante reacción en cadena de polimerasa (RCP) a 20 ejemplos de esta lesión en 12 pacientes, algunos con más de 10 años de antigüedad; las muestras fueron procesadas e incluidas en parafina. Conociendo la gran variabilidad genética del VPH se eligió una secuencia correspondiente a la región L1 del genoma, zona muy conservada para la especie y que permite identificar la mayoría de los subtipos conocidos de este virus. En la primera ronda de amplificación se obtuvieron resultados positivos con los cebadores MY09-11 (región L1) en 10 muestras. En una segunda ronda de amplificación (nested-PCR) con los cebadores GP5-6 se positivaron un total de 20 muestras, demostrando la mayor sensibilidad de esta segunda técnica. Para amplificar una región altamente variable del genoma (E6) se utilizaron cebadores específicos para subtipos 6-11 (H6/11L1-R2), lo que permitió identificar la presencia de estas variantes en 7/12 muestras. No siendo infrecuente la detección de más de un subtipo, la presencia de las variedades mencionadas no excluye la presencia de otros subtipos. Los resultados demuestran que: 1) el VPH está presente en casos de PLJ, 2) los subtipos más frecuentes parecen incluir el grupo 6-11, 3) el uso del método de RCP es aplicable a material de archivo procesado en forma de rutina en un laboratorio de patologia