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This article explores the historical roots and unfolding legacies of reparations denial as a continuation of the spiritual and socioeconomic planetary war perpetuated through the transatlantic slave trade. An examination of the social production of an anti‐reparations norm against Afro‐Americans in the United States seeks to uncover underlying fears of national destabilization and their relations to underexamined opportunities for functional solidarities across ethnicities, potentially offering a unique contribution to the pursuit of lasting global peace. The article proposes a twofold re‐examination. First, it insists on the rejection and reconception of religious concepts upholding and extending the socioeconomic relations of slavery and white supremacy through evasive political theological notions of human nature and historical time. Second, it advocates the formation of local, national, and international alliances dedicated to articulating, supporting, defending, and achieving reparations for distinct historical events as a means of repairing unique legacies of the transatlantic slave trade and Western colonialism for the common good, using an international ecumenical alliance for repair and reparations (AIRRE) developed by the Presbyterian Church's (USA) Center for the Repair of Historical Harms as an active example. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Data describing outcomes of solid organ transplant (SOT) recipients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) are variable, and the association between SOT status and mortality remains unclear. In this study, we compare clinical outcomes of SOT recipients hospitalized with COVID‐19 between March 10, and September 1, 2020, to a matched cohort of non‐SOT recipients at a national healthcare system in the United States (US). From a population of 43 461 hospitalized COVID‐19‐positive patients, we created a coarsened exact matched cohort of 4035 patients including 128 SOT recipients and 3907 weighted matched non‐SOT controls. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate association between SOT status and clinical outcomes. Among the 4035 patients, median age was 60 years, 61.7% were male, 21.9% were Black/African American, and 50.8% identified as Hispanic/Latino ethnicity. Patients with a history of SOT were more likely to die within the study period when compared to matched non‐SOT recipients (21.9% and 14.9%, respectively; odds ratio [OR] 1.93; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.18–3.15). Moreover, SOT status was associated with increased odds of receiving invasive mechanical ventilation (OR [95% CI]: 2.34 [1.51–3.65]), developing acute kidney injury (OR [95% CI]: 2.41 [1.59–3.65]), and receiving vasopressor support during hospitalization (OR [95% CI]: 2.14 [1.31–3.48]). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overwhelming evidence from prior research suggests a positive association between corporate board characteristics and carbon performance; however, very little is known about the mechanisms linking the two variables. This study attempts to fill this gap by developing and empirically testing a conceptual model that highlights the role of carbon strategy in the relationship between board environmental orientation (BEO) and carbon performance. We argue that BEO can directly and indirectly influence carbon performance through carbon strategy. Using structural equation modelling to analyse data consisting of 2,301 U.S. firm‐year observations over the 2005–2015 period, we find that the greater the BEO is, the better its carbon performance (i.e., lower greenhouse gas emissions). The results also provide evidence of the mediating effect of carbon strategy on the relationship between BEO and carbon performance. Splitting the sample into high and low carbon‐intensive industries shows a partial mediation effect in high carbon‐intensive industries and a full mediation effect in low carbon‐intensive industries. The findings of the study and its implications for scholars, policymakers, managers, investors, and environmentalists are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Bare-metal stent (BMS) scaffolding of superficial femoral artery occlusive lesions has been associated with high rates of late clinical failure. Maintaining the patency of recanalized arterial segments was the main issue behind the concept of leaving nothing behind to be evolved and percutaneous balloon angioplasty becomes the preferred option for endovascular therapy. Drug-eluting balloons (DEBs) have shown to be an effective alternative to BMS for patients with de novo complex superficial femoral occlusive disease. Aims The aim was to compare the outcome of DEB versus BMS in treating complex chronic total occlusion of superficial femoral and proximal popliteal artery in patients with disabling claudication and critical limb ischemia regarding technical success, primary patency, clinically driven target lesion revascularization (cd-TLR), and limb salvage rate. Materials and methods The current study is a multicenter, prospective, randomized study. Ninety patients (110 limbs) complaining of disabling and critical limb ischemia due to complex femoropopliteal occlusive lesions were randomly allocated into two groups according to the intervention method performed. Group A included 48 patients (57 limbs) who were submitted for treatment with paclitaxel DEBs and group B included 42 patients (53 limbs) submitted for treatment with BMS. The follow-up period was for 1, 6, and 12 months. Statistical analysis was performed by using the IBM SPSS Statistics version 22 for Windows Program Package (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). Results BMSs seem to have lower patency and higher cd-TLR rates compared with patients who received paclitaxel drug-coated balloons but was not statistically significant. The primary patency rates were 100, 96, and 86.2% at 1, 6, and 12 months' respectively' in the DEB group versus 100, 89.8, and 77.6% at 1, 6, and 12 months, respectively, in the BMS group. Clinically driven TLR rates were 2 and 7.8% at 6 and 12 months, respectively, in the DEB group versus 6.1 and 14.2% at 6 and 12 months, respectively, in the BMS group. Conclusion Percutaneous therapy for Trans atlantic inter-societies consensus (TASC) C and D femoropopliteal lesion using DEB or BMS is safe and effective with a high patency rate of 1 year. Paclitaxel drug-eluting balloons seem to have a promising role in the prevention of restenosis and recurrence of peripheral arterial occlusive disease. However, stents are still playing important bailout role in the treatment of residual stenosis and dissection. Further follow-up is essential to obtain and document long-term outcome of different percutaneous therapy for complex and long superficial femoral artery (SFA) lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The relationship between sickle cell disease (SCD) and severe pre-eclampsia is poorly established. It is also unknown whether the occurrence of HIV infection among women with SCD modifies their risk level for severe pre-eclampsia. We hypothesized that pregnant women with SCD are at an elevated risk for severe pre-eclampsia as a result of heightened endothelial damage; and the combination of SCD-HIV augments the inflammatory processes of endothelial damage leading to amplified risk for severe pre-eclampsia.Study Design: We analyzed more than 57 million pregnancy-related hospitalizations and births in the US from January 1, 2002 through December 31, 2014.Main Outcome Measures: We applied multivariable survey logistic regression to generate odds ratios for the association between SCD, HIV and SCD-HIV status and severe pre-eclampsia with adjustment for potential confounders.Results: Of the total 57,326,459 pregnant women, 57,198,505 (99.78%) did not have SCD or HIV, 73,064 (12.7 per 10,000) had HIV only, 54,890 (9.58 per 10,000) had SCD only and 222 (0.39 per 100,000) had both SCD and HIV. Mothers with SCD and HIV-SCD experienced a significant elevation in risk for severe pre-eclampsia of about 60% (OR = 1.61; 95% CI = 1.44, 1.79) and of more than 300% (OR = 4.28; 95% CI = 1.35, 13.62) respectively.Conclusion: In the largest study on SCD and pre-eclampsia in the world, we established SCD to be strongly associated with severe pre-eclampsia. Another unique finding is the synergistic effect of amplified risk for severe pre-eclampsia among mothers with the combined SCD-HIV status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To translate science into clinical practice we must first assess the quality of care that is being delivered. The resulting information about qualitative and quantitative parameters can then be assessed. Ultimately insights can be obtained into improving the quality of care in diabetes mellitus. The Diabetes Quality Improvement Programme in USA has shown such an exercise is feasible. A similar exercise in India is necessary to improve the quality of diabetes care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the challenge of marketing flax fibers in the United States. Degradation of the quality of the fibers; Lack of basic texttile specifications required by the spinners to produce the demanded yarns; Control of the tank water retting used for extraction.

The article reports on the decision of the World Health Organization (WHO) to issue a pandemic alert due to several cases of H1N1 influenza in Mexico and the U.S. from April 29 to June 11, 2009. It is stated that as the mortality rate increased, people became aware of the adverse effects of H1N1 influenza. Moreover, the European Union (EU) supported the WHO's efforts, especially in preventing the disease.

Abstract: Quahog parasite unknown (QPX) is a protistan microorganism associated with mass mortalities of hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) along the northeastern coasts of the United States and maritime Canada. Because several studies indicate modulatory effects of prevailing environmental parameters on disease outbreaks, this study tested the effect of major environmental parameters (temperature, salinity and oxygen concentration; individually or combined) on QPX survival in artificial seawater and parasite growth in culture media in vitro. Three QPX isolates from two different geographic locations were compared. Results indicated that in vitro growth of QPX was optimal in standard culture medium at 34ppt between 20°C and 23°C. Additionally, significant differences in temperature optima were observed for geographically distinct QPX isolates (p <0.001) confirming previous studies suggesting the existence of different QPX strains (or ecotypes). When tested in seawater, QPX exhibited opposite trends with higher survival at 15°C and 15ppt. Results also demonstrated limited survival and growth of QPX under anoxic conditions. Additionally, results showed that the parasite is able to survive extreme temperatures (−12°C to 32°C) suggesting that QPX could overcome short periods of extreme conditions in the field. These results contribute to a better understanding of interactions between QPX and its environment, but potential impacts of environmental conditions on QPX disease development need further work as it also involves clam response to these factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Severe losses in aquacultured and wild hard clam (Mercenaria mercenaria) stocks have been previously reported in the northeastern United States due to a protistan parasite called QPX (Quahog Parasite Unknown). Previous work demonstrated that clam resistance to QPX is under genetic control. This study identifies single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) associated with clam survivorship from two geographically segregated populations, both deployed in an enzootic site. The analysis contrasted samples collected before and after undergoing QPX-related mortalities and relied on a robust draft clam genome assembly. ~200 genes displayed significant variant enrichment at each sampling point in both populations, including 18 genes shared between both populations. Markers from both populations were identified in genes related to apoptosis pathways, protein-protein interaction, receptors, and signaling. This research begins to identify genetic markers associated with clam resistance to QPX disease, leading the way for the development of resistant clam stocks through marker-assisted selection. • Hard clam resistance to QPX disease is under genetic control. • A draft genome of the hard clam has been generated. • ddRADSeq allowed the identification of SNPs associated with clam resistance. • Identified SNPs are promising markers for selective breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: QPX (Quahog Parasite Unknown) is a protistan parasite affecting hard clams (Mercenaria mercenaria) along the Northeast coast of the United States. The fact that QPX disease epizootics are usually observed in field sites with high salinities led to the general assumption that salinity represents an important factor for disease distribution. This study was designed to investigate the effect of salinity on QPX disease development as well as constitutive and QPX-induced defense factors in M. mercenaria. Naïve and QPX-infected (both experimentally and naturally) clams were submitted to 17 and 30psu for 4months. Standard and QPX-specific cellular and humoral defense parameters were assessed after 2 and 4months. These included total and differential hemocyte counts, reactive oxygen species production, phagocytic activity of hemocytes, lysozyme concentration in plasma, anti-QPX activity in plasma and resistance of hemocytes to cytotoxic QPX extracellular products. Results demonstrated higher QPX-associated mortality in naturally infected clams maintained at high salinity compared to those held at 17psu. Our findings also showed an increase in mortality following experimental challenge with QPX in clams submitted to 30psu but not in those held at 17psu. Constitutive clam defense factors and the response to QPX challenge were also affected by salinity. QPX challenge caused significant but transitory changes in hemolymph parameters that were obvious at 2months but disappeared at 4months. Overall, our results show that salinity modulates clam immunity and the progress of QPX disease although its impact appears secondary as compared to findings we reported earlier for temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease leading to inflammatory tissue damage in multiple organs (e.g., lupus nephritis). Current treatments including steroids, antimalarials, and immunosuppressive drugs have significant side effects. Activated protein C is a natural protein with anticoagulant and immunomodulatory effects, and its recombinant version has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to treat severe sepsis. Given the similarities between overshooting immune activation in sepsis and autoimmunity, we hypothesized that recombinant activated protein C would also suppress SLE and lupus nephritis. To test this concept, autoimmune female MRL-Fas(lpr) mice were injected with either vehicle or recombinant human activated protein C from week 14-18 of age. Activated protein C treatment significantly suppressed lupus nephritis as evidenced by decrease in activity index, glomerular IgG and complement C3 deposits, macrophage counts, as well as intrarenal IL-12 expression. Further, activated protein C attenuated cutaneous lupus and lung disease as compared with vehicle-treated MRL-Fas(lpr) mice. In addition, parameters of systemic autoimmunity, such as plasma cytokine levels of IL-12p40, IL-6, and CCL2/MCP-1, and numbers of B cells and plasma cells in spleen were suppressed by activated protein C. The latter was associated with lower total plasma IgM and IgG levels as well as lower titers of anti-dsDNA IgG and rheumatoid factor. Together, recombinant activated protein C suppresses the abnormal systemic immune activation in SLE of MRL-Fas(lpr) mice, which prevents subsequent kidney, lung, and skin disease. These results implicate that recombinant activated protein C might be useful for the treatment of human SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Quahog Parasite Unknown (QPX) is a protistan parasite affecting hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria along the Northeastern coast of the United States. The geographic distribution and occurrence of disease epizootics suggests a primary role of temperature in disease development. This study was designed to investigate the effect of temperature on constitutive and QPX-induced defense factors in M. mercenaria. Control and QPX-challenged (both experimentally and naturally) clams were maintained at 13, 21 and 27°C for 4months. Control and experimentally-infected clams originated from a southern broodstock (Florida, no prior reports of disease outbreak) while naturally-infected clams originated from a northern broodstock (Massachusetts, enzootic area). Standard and QPX-specific cellular and humoral defense parameters were assessed after 2 and 4months. Measured parameters included total and differential hemocyte counts, reactive oxygen species production, phagocytic activity of hemocytes, lysozyme concentration in plasma, anti-QPX activity in plasma and resistance of hemocytes to cytotoxic QPX extracellular products. Results demonstrated a strong influence of temperature on constitutive clam defense factors with significant modulation of cellular and humoral parameters of control clams maintained at 13°C compared to 21 and 27°C. Similarly, clam response to QPX challenge was also affected by temperature. Challenged clams exhibited no difference from controls at 27°C whereas different responses were observed at 21°C and 13°C compared to controls. Despite differences in infection mode (experimentally or naturally infected) and clam origin (northern and southern broodstocks), similarities were observed at 13°C and 21°C between QPX infected clams from Florida and Massachusetts. Clam response to temperature and to QPX exhibited interesting relationship with QPX disease development highlighting major influence of temperature on disease development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Quahog parasite unknown (QPX) is a fatal protistan parasite affecting cultured and wild hard clams Mercenaria mercenaria along the northeastern coasts of the USA and maritime Canada. Field investigations and laboratory transmission studies revealed some variations in the susceptibility of different hard clam stocks to QPX infection. In this study, we used in vitro QPX cultures to investigate the effect of plasma and tissue extracts from two different clam stocks on parasite survival and growth. Results demonstrated the presence of factors in clams that significantly modulate QPX growth. Extracts from gills and mantle tissues as well as plasma inhibited in vitro QPX growth, whereas foot and adductor muscle extracts enhanced parasite growth. Investigations of anti-QPX activities in plasma from two clam stocks displaying different susceptibility toward QPX disease in vivo demonstrated higher inhibition of QPX growth by plasma from New York (resistant) clams compared to Florida (susceptible) clams. Some clams appeared to be deficient in inhibitory factors, suggesting that such animals may become more easily infected by the parasite. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]