bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An oleuropein-based dietary supplement may improve joint functional capacity in older people with high knee joint pain: findings from a multicentre-RCT and post hoc analysis
Authors: Horcajada Marie-Noëlle , Beaumont Maurice , Sauvageot Nicolas , Poquet Laure , Saboundjian Madleen , Costes Berenice , Verdonk Peter , Brands Geoffrey , Brasseur Jean , Urbin-Choffray Didier , Vandenberghe Marc , Brabants Karl , De Vlam Kurt , Fache Werner , Jandrain Bernard , Grek Vincent , Malaise Michel , Henrotin Yves
Published: January 2022

Objectives:

To investigate a 6-month intervention with an olive leaf extract (OLE) on knee functionality and biomarkers of bone/cartilage metabolism and inflammation.

Design:

This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centric trial included 124 subjects with knee pain or mobility issues. Subjects received twice a day one capsule of placebo or 125 mg OLE (Bonolive™, an OLE containing 50 mg of oleuropein) for 6 months. The co-primary endpoints were Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) and serum Coll2-1NO2. The secondary endpoints were the subscales of the KOOS, knee pain VAS at rest and at walking, OARSI core set of performance-based tests and multiple inflammatory and bone or cartilage remodeling serum biomarkers and concentration of oleuropein’s metabolites in urine.

Results:

At 6 months, OLE group was not efficient on global KOOS score, changes of inflammatory and cartilage remodeling biomarkers compared to placebo. Post hoc analyses demonstrated a large and significant treatment effect of OLE in a sub-group of subjects with high walking pain at baseline ( p = 0.03). This was observed at 6 months for the global KOOS score, and each different subscale and for pain at walking ( p = 0.02). OLE treatment was well tolerated.

Conclusion:

OLE was not effective on joint discomfort excepted in a sub-group of subjects with high pain at treatment initiation. As oleuropein is well tolerated, OLE can be used to relieve knee joint pain and enhance mobility in subjects with articular pain.
Smart Offloading Boot System for Remote Patient Monitoring: Toward Adherence Reinforcement and Proper Physical Activity Prescription for Diabetic Foot Ulcer Patients
Authors: Park Catherine , Mishra Ramkinker , Vigano Davide , Macagno Maurizio , Rossotti Stefano , D’Huyvetter Karen , Garcia Jason , Armstrong David G. , Najafi Bijan
Published: January 2022

Background:

A critical factor in healing diabetic foot ulcers is patient adherence to offloading devices. We tested a smart offloading boot (SmartBoot) combined with a smartwatch app and cloud dashboard to remotely monitor patient adherence and activity. In addition, the impact of SmartBoot on balance, gait, and user experience was investigated.

Methods:

Fourteen volunteers (31.6±8.7 years; 64% female) performed natural activities (eg, sitting, standing, walking) with and without the SmartBoot for approximately 30 minutes. All participants completed balance tests, 10-meter walking tests at slow, normal, and fast pace while wearing the SmartBoot, and a user experience questionnaire. The accuracy of real-time adherence reporting was assessed by comparing the SmartBoot and staff observation. Center of mass (COM) sway and step counts were measured using a validated wearable system.

Results:

Average sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for adherence and non-adherence were 90.6%, 88.0%, and 89.3%, respectively. The COM sway area was significantly smaller with the SmartBoot than without the SmartBoot regardless of test condition. Step count error was 4.4% for slow waking, 36.2% for normal walking, 16.0% for fast walking. Most participants agreed that the SmartBoot is easy to use, relatively comfortable, nonintrusive, and innovative.

Conclusions:

To our knowledge, this is the first smart offloading system that enables remote patient monitoring and real-time adherence and activity reporting. The SmartBoot enhanced balance performance, likely due to somatosensory feedback. Questionnaire results highlight SmartBoot’s technical and clinical potential. Future studies warrant clinical validation of real-time non-adherence alerting to improve wound healing outcomes in people with diabetic foot ulcers.
Syndesmosis Injury Contributes a Large Negative Effect on Clinical Outcomes: A Systematic Review
Authors: Heifner John J. , Kilgore Jack E. , Nichols Jennifer A. , Reb Christopher W.
Published: January 2022

Introduction:

The literature largely addresses questions of diagnostic accuracy and therapeutic accuracy. However, the magnitude of the clinical impact of syndesmosis injury is commonly described in intuitive yet qualitative terms. This systematic review aimed to quantify the impact of syndesmosis injury.

Methods:

Published clinical outcomes data were used to compute an effect size reflecting the impact of syndesmosis injury. This was done within the clinical contexts of isolated syndesmosis injury and syndesmosis injury with concomitant ankle fracture. Clinical outcomes data included Olerud-Molander (OM) and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) scores, visual analog scale for pain, and days missed from sport competition. Parametric data were compared with Student t tests. Effect size was computed using Cohen’s d.

Results:

In ankle fracture patients, syndesmosis injury demonstrated a large effect size for OM (d = 0.96) and AOFAS (d = 0.83) scores. In athletic populations without concomitant ankle fracture, syndesmosis injury demonstrated a large effect size on days missed from competition (d = 2.32).

Discussion:

These findings confirm the magnitude of the negative impact of syndesmosis injury in athletic populations with isolated injury and in ankle fracture patients. In ankle fracture patients, this large negative effect remains despite surgery. Thus, syndesmosis repair may not fully mitigate the impact of the injury.

Levels of Evidence:

Level III: Systematic review
Real-world evidence of the use of glucocorticoids for severe COVID-19
Authors: Albarrán-Sánchez Alejandra , Ramírez-Rentería Claudia , Mercado Moisés , Sánchez-García Miriam , de Jesús Barrientos-Flores Corazón , Ferreira-Hermosillo Aldo
Published: January 2022

Introduction:

Currently, only glucocorticoids have proved to impact adverse outcomes in COVID-19. However, their risk/benefit balance remains inconclusive and populations’ characteristics should be considered.

Objective:

The objective was to evaluate the real-life use of glucocorticoids in patients with severe COVID-19 hospitalized in a third-level referral center and to determine the type, accumulated doses, and the in-hospital outcomes related with their use.

Methods:

We evaluated a retrospective cohort of 737 patients with criteria for severe COVID-19 and a positive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for SARS-CoV-2. We extracted data for epidemiological analysis, medical history, and medications, as well as baseline laboratory tests. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0 and nonparametric tests, medians, and interquartile ranges (IQR). A p < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results:

A total of 65.3% were men, with a median age of 59 years (IQR 46–70) and a median of 10 days of hospital stay (IQR 6–16), more than 40% had diabetes, hypertension, and/or obesity, and 0.8% used steroids chronically. At the time of the study, 54.0% had been discharged due to improvement and 40.8% died. The most common treatment used was dexamethasone 6 mg/day/10 days (46.6%). Patients with a complete dexamethasone scheme [as proposed by the Randomized Evaluation of COVID-19 Therapy (RECOVERY) study] had a lower mortality risk [hazard ratio (HR) 0.441, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.232–0.840] in comparison with patients with lower doses (HR 1.803, 95% CI 1.080–3.012). Patients with methylprednisolone or several steroids tended to have higher cumulative doses (equivalent to >675 mg of prednisolone).

Conclusion:

The use of steroids in severe COVID-19 reduces mortality only at the dose proposed in the RECOVERY study in the younger population. No benefit of the use of steroids was observed in patients with older age or higher number of comorbidities.
Social Media Expression, Political Extremity, and Reduced Network Interaction: An Imagined Audience Approach
Authors: Su Min-Hsin , Suk Jiyoun , Rojas Hernando
Published: January 2022

The recent rise of political extremity and radicalization has presented unique challenges to contemporary politics, governance, and social cohesion in many societies in the world. In this study, we propose an imagined audience approach to understand how social media’s expanded expression capabilities are related to users’ political extremity and reduced network interaction. We demonstrate the usefulness of our imagined audience framework using a multi-country survey data set. Results from the United States, South Korea, and Japan reveal that expressive use of social media is associated with more extreme political attitudes and heightened intolerance, but the effect is contingent on whom the expresser has in mind as their audience. In particular, expressing one’s political self has a depolarizing effect for those expecting low audience reinforcement. We test the boundary conditions of our model in a more restricted information environment with a Chinese sample. We conclude by discussing the significance of our imagined audience approach and its relevance to today’s technology-mediated self-presentation.
A Need for Considering Digital Inequality When Studying Social Media Use and Well-Being
Authors: Büchi Moritz , Hargittai Eszter
Published: January 2022

Digital inequality scholarship has consistently found that people from varying societal positions experience digital media in their lives in divergent ways. Therefore, the growing body of research examining the relationship of social media use and well-being should account for the role of social inequality. This piece synthesizes key empirical research that has addressed the nexus of digital inequality, social media use, and well-being from one or more angles. Based on this extant scholarship, we develop a framework for research that integrates relevant perspectives from multiple disciplines.
Open and inclusive science: A Chinese perspective
Authors: Yang Wei
Published: January 2022

The open science campaign has attracted worldwide interest in academia and funding agencies, largely due to a recent policy statement by UNESCO. The momentum is fuelled by the inclusive nature of scientific research. This study focuses on the topological and dynamic quantification of open and inclusive science as measured in the appropriate dimensions, proposing that the domain of open and inclusive science may be enlarged by balancing the gains and responsibilities of the major stakeholders for knowledge generation and communication. The guiding principles for harmonious engagement in this domain are postulated. The current status of open and inclusive science in China is reviewed based on an array of statistics, which indicate that China is emerging as an important partner in this worldwide endeavour. The current barriers in China's development of open and inclusive science are delineated, and possible pathways to circumvent those difficulties are outlined.
Alcohol’s Effects During Uncertain and Uncontrollable Stressors in the Laboratory
Authors: Bradford Daniel E. , Shireman Jack M. , Sant’Ana Sarah J. , Fronk Gaylen E. , Schneck Susan E. , Curtin John J.
Published: January 2022

Alcohol’s effects on reactivity to stressors depend on the nature of the stressor and the reactivity being assessed. Research that identifies characteristics of stressors that modulate reactivity and clarifies the neurobehavioral, cognitive, and affective components of this reactivity may help prevent, reduce, or treat the negative impacts of acute and chronic alcohol use and have implications for other psychopathology involving maladaptive reactivity to stressors. We used a novel, multimeasure, cued, electric-shock-stressor paradigm in a greater-university community sample of adult recreational drinkers to test the effects of alcohol ( n = 64), compared with no alcohol ( n = 64), on reactivity to stressors that vary in both their perceived certainty and controllability. Preregistered analyses suggested alcohol significantly dampened subjective anxiety (self-report) and defensive reactivity (startle potentiation) more during uncertain stressors than during certain stressors regardless of controllability, which suggests that stressor uncertainty—but not uncontrollability—may be sufficient to enhance alcohol’s dampening of stress reactivity and thus negative reinforcement potential.
A grammar-based optimization approach for walkable urban fabrics considering pedestrian accessibility and infrastructure cost
Authors: Lima Fernando T , Brown Nathan C , Duarte José P
Published: January 2022

Designing urban areas that provide smaller distances to their amenities is a key factor toward more walkable environments. Moreover, this is a critical aspect of climate-resilient urban planning since it is broadly assumed that areas with greater walkability discourage automobile usage and reduce CO2 emissions. Generative and data-driven design approaches, in turn, increase designers’ ability to explore wider sets of potential solutions. In this sense, identifying designs with an optimized performance out of the vast possibilities that computation can provide is crucial. Shape grammars are a formal method of shape generation that facilitate the elaboration of complex patterns and meaningful designs. This paper hypothesizes that coupling shape grammars with multi-objective optimization can help address trade-offs and decision-making in urban design. It focuses on the pedestrian accessibility and infrastructure cost (as estimated by cumulative street length) trade-off in urban fabrics as a case study to verify the suitability of a grammar-based optimization approach for more dynamic and efficient solution-finding in urban design. Our findings suggest that a grammar-based optimization approach is helpful in addressing urban trade-offs as it could be used to filter the design space and provide optimal alternative fabric layouts with increased pedestrian accessibility and decreased infrastructure cost.
Endoscopic Treatment of GERD in Patients With Obesity
Authors: Ghazi Rabih , Rapaka Babusai , Abu Dayyeh Barham K.
Published: January 2022

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common obesity-associated comorbidities. The increasing prevalence of obesity worldwide is expected to cause a concomitant increase in the prevalence of GERD. While laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication (LNF) remains the gold standard for the treatment of GERD, its efficacy in the setting of obesity is limited by a relatively high rate of post-procedural reflux recurrence. Currently, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is the gold standard treatment for GERD in patients with obesity. However, despite its proven efficacy, it remains underutilized due to its cost, safety concerns, and patient acceptance. During the past 2 decades, endoscopic therapies have emerged as minimally invasive and safe alternatives for the management of GERD. While most studies assessed their outcomes in patients without obesity, recently published case reports offered a potential framework for their use in patients with obesity. In this article, we review the available endoscopic anti-reflux therapies (EART) and endoscopic bariatric therapies (EBT), with emphasis on their potential role in the management of GERD in patients with obesity.
Full-Thickness Quadriceps Tendon Autograft for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Deroche Etienne , Erasmus Pieter , Roberts Cecilia
Published: January 2022

Background:

Quadriceps tendon autograft is used increasingly worldwide for primary anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, but remains at the third place after patellar tendon and hamstring grafts. It has shown very good results in biomechanical and clinical studies, but most of the authors describe a partial thickness tendon graft.

Indications:

This presentation describes the technique for a full-thickness quadriceps tendon autograft with an original technique of fixation on the femur and provides tips and tricks to avoid pitfalls.

Technique Description:

Arthroscopic preparation of the tunnel is performed before graft harvesting, to obtain the exact length of the graft needed. The femoral tunnel is drilled through the anteromedial portal, 30 to 40 mm long. For the tibial tunnel, a classic drill guide system is used, set at an inclination of 40°. The total length from the tibia to the femur is measured, which allows to position the femoral fixation on the cortex without pulling it into the soft tissue. Harvesting of the graft is done using a double-bladed scalpel, using the entire thickness of the quadriceps tendon. The bone block is detached with an oscillating saw and osteotome, and the defect in the quadriceps tendon closed in 2 layers. The graft is calibrated according to the tunnel preparation and sutured on the bony end with non-absorbable sutures tied to an endobutton. Tibial fixation is achieved by tying 2 non-absorbable sutures over a cortical screw in maximum tension with a sliding type knot, to automatically adjust the tension. Final fixation is performed with a titanium interference screw.

Results:

In the senior author series over the last 20 years, there was only 1 intraoperative patella fracture, treated with osteosynthesis. In accordance with the literature, full-thickness quadriceps tendon graft is strong and allows back to play at the same level as before the injury, in most cases, with lower donor site morbidity than patellar tendon and hamstrings grafts, without a difference in muscle strength compared with partial thickness grafts.

Discussion/Conclusion:

ACL reconstruction with full-thickness quadriceps tendon has shown very good clinical outcomes, with very few complications. It can be recommended for primary and revision ACL reconstruction.
Targeting peptidyl-prolyl isomerase 1 in experimental pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Rai Nabham , Sydykov Akylbek , Kojonazarov Baktybek , Wilhelm Jochen , Manaud Grégoire , Veeroju Swathi , Ruppert Clemens , Perros Frédéric , Ghofrani Hossein Ardeschir , Weissmann Norbert , Seeger Werner , Schermuly Ralph T. , Novoyatleva Tatyana
Published: January 2022

Background

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a progressive disease characterised by pro-proliferative and anti-apoptotic phenotype in vascular cells, leading to pulmonary vascular remodelling and right heart failure. Peptidyl-prolylcis/transisomerase, NIMA interacting 1 (Pin1), a highly conserved enzyme, which binds to and catalyses the isomerisation of specific phosphorylated Ser/Thr-Pro motifs, acts as a molecular switch in multiple coordinated cellular processes. We hypothesised that Pin1 plays a substantial role in PAH, and its inhibition with a natural organic compound, Juglone, would reverse experimental pulmonary hypertension.

Results

We demonstrated that the expression of Pin1 was markedly elevated in experimental pulmonary hypertension (i.e.hypoxia-induced mouse and Sugen/hypoxia-induced rat models) and pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells of patients with clinical PAH.In vitroPin1 inhibition by either Juglone treatment or short interfering RNA knockdown resulted in an induction of apoptosis and decrease in proliferation of human pulmonary vascular cells. Stimulation with growth factors induced Pin1 expression, while its inhibition reduced the activity of numerous PAH-related transcription factors, such as hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-α and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT). Juglone administration lowered pulmonary vascular resistance, enhanced right ventribular function, improved pulmonary vascular and cardiac remodelling in the Sugen/hypoxia rat model of PAH and the chronic hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension model in mice.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrates that targeting of Pin1 with small molecule inhibitor, Juglone, might be an attractive future therapeutic strategy for PAH and right heart disease secondary to PAH.
Cigarette smoke augments CSF3 expression in neutrophils to compromise alveolar–capillary barrier function during influenza infection
Authors: McGrath Joshua J.C. , Vanderstocken Gilles , Dvorkin-Gheva Anna , Cass Steven P. , Afkhami Sam , Fantauzzi Matthew F. , Thayaparan Danya , Reihani Amir , Wang Peiyao , Beaulieu Ashley , Shen Pamela , Morissette Mathieu , Jiménez-Saiz Rodrigo , Revill Spencer D. , Tabuchi Arata , Zabini Diana , Lee Warren L. , Richards Carl D. , Miller Matthew S. , Ask Kjetil , Kuebler Wolfgang M. , Simpson Jeremy A. , Stämpfli Martin R.
Published: January 2022

Background

Cigarette smokers are at increased risk of acquiring influenza, developing severe disease and requiring hospitalisation/intensive care unit admission following infection. However, immune mechanisms underlying this predisposition are incompletely understood, and therapeutic strategies for influenza are limited.

Methods

We used a mouse model of concurrent cigarette smoke exposure and H1N1 influenza infection, colony-stimulating factor (CSF)3 supplementation/receptor (CSF3R) blockade and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNAseq) to investigate this relationship.

Results

Cigarette smoke exposure exacerbated features of viral pneumonia such as oedema, hypoxaemia and pulmonary neutrophilia. Smoke-exposed infected mice demonstrated an increase in viral (v)RNA, but not replication-competent viral particles, relative to infection-only controls. Interstitial rather than airspace neutrophilia positively predicted morbidity in smoke-exposed infected mice. Screening of pulmonary cytokines using a novel dysregulation score identified an exacerbated expression of CSF3 and interleukin-6 in the context of smoke exposure and influenza. Recombinant (r)CSF3 supplementation during influenza aggravated morbidity, hypothermia and oedema, while anti-CSF3R treatment of smoke-exposed infected mice improved alveolar–capillary barrier function. scRNAseq delineated a shift in the distribution ofCsf3+cells towards neutrophils in the context of cigarette smoke and influenza. However, although smoke-exposed lungs were enriched for infected, highly activated neutrophils, gene signatures of these cells largely reflected an exacerbated form of typical influenza with select unique regulatory features.

Conclusion

This work provides novel insight into the mechanisms by which cigarette smoke exacerbates influenza infection, unveiling potential therapeutic targets (e.g.excess vRNA accumulation, oedematous CSF3R signalling) for use in this context, and potential limitations for clinical rCSF3 therapy during viral infectious disease.
Identifying biomarkers for breast cancer by gene regulatory network rewiring
Authors: Wang Yijuan , Liu Zhi-Ping
Published: January 2022

Background

Mining gene regulatory network (GRN) is an important avenue for addressing cancer mechanism. Mutations in cancer genome perturb GRN and cause a rewiring in an orchestrated network. Hence, the exploration of gene regulatory network rewiring is significant to discover potential biomarkers and indicators for discriminating cancer phenotypes.

Results

Here, we propose a new bioinformatics method of identifying biomarkers based on network rewiring in different states. It firstly reconstructs GRN in different phenotypic conditions from gene expression data with a priori background network. We employ the algorithm based on path consistency algorithm and conditional mutual information to delete false-positive regulatory interactions between independent nodes/genes or not closely related gene pairs. And then a differential gene regulatory network (D-GRN) is constructed from the rewiring parts in the two phenotype-specific GRNs. Community detection technique is then applied for D-GRN to detect functional modules. Finally, we apply logistic regression classifier with recursive feature elimination to select biomarker genes in each module individually. The extracted feature genes result in a gene set of biomarkers with impressing ability to distinguish normal samples from controls. We verify the identified biomarkers in external independent validation datasets. For a proof-of-concept study, we apply the framework to identify diagnostic biomarkers of breast cancer. The identified biomarkers obtain a maximum AUC of 0.985 in the internal sample classification experiments. And these biomarkers achieve a maximum AUC of 0.989 in the external validations.

Conclusion

In conclusion, network rewiring reveals significant differences between different phenotypes, which indicating cancer dysfunctional mechanisms. With the development of sequencing technology, the amount and quality of gene expression data become available. Condition-specific gene regulatory networks that are close to the real regulations in different states will be established. Revealing the network rewiring will greatly benefit the discovery of biomarkers or signatures for phenotypes. D-GRN is a general method to meet this demand of deciphering the high-throughput data for biomarker discovery. It is also easy to be extended for identifying biomarkers of other complex diseases beyond breast cancer.
MetaCRS: unsupervised clustering of contigs with the recursive strategy of reducing metagenomic dataset’s complexity
Authors: Jiang Zhongjun , Li Xiaobo , Guo Lijun
Published: January 2022

Background

Metagenomics technology can directly extract microbial genetic material from the environmental samples to obtain their sequencing reads, which can be further assembled into contigs through assembly tools. Clustering methods of contigs are subsequently applied to recover complete genomes from environmental samples. The main problems with current clustering methods are that they cannot recover more high-quality genes from complex environments. Firstly, there are multiple strains under the same species, resulting in assembly of chimeras. Secondly, different strains under the same species are difficult to be classified. Thirdly, it is difficult to determine the number of strains during the clustering process.

Results

In view of the shortcomings of current clustering methods, we propose an unsupervised clustering method which can improve the ability to recover genes from complex environments and a new method for selecting the number of sample’s strains in clustering process. The sequence composition characteristics (tetranucleotide frequency) and co-abundance are combined to train the probability model for clustering. A new recursive method that can continuously reduce the complexity of the samples is proposed to improve the ability to recover genes from complex environments. The new clustering method was tested on both simulated and real metagenomic datasets, and compared with five state-of-the-art methods including CONCOCT, Maxbin2.0, MetaBAT, MyCC and COCACOLA. In terms of the number and quality of recovered genes from metagenomic datasets, the results show that our proposed method is more effective.

Conclusions

A new contigs clustering method is proposed, which can recover more high-quality genes from complex environmental samples.
Comparison of pneumococcal colonization density among healthy children and children with respiratory symptoms using real time PCR (RT-PCR)
Authors: Vidanapathirana G , Angulmaduwa A L S K , Munasinghe T S , Ekanayake E W M A , Harasgama P , Kudagammana S T , Dissanayake B N , Liyanapathirana L V C
Published: January 2022

Background

Nasopharyngeal colonization is considered a necessary step in the initiation of pneumococcal diseases. Real time PCR (RT-PCR) is an alternative approach for the identification and quantification of pneumococci directly from samples.

Objectives

To compare pneumococcal detection rates using culture-based method versus RT-PCR direct detection and to quantify pneumococcal colonization in two study cohorts (healthy children and hospitalized children with respiratory symptoms) using quantitation through RT-PCR.

Methodology

A total of 101 nasopharyngeal swabs (NPS) from healthy children and 183 NPSs from hospitalized children with respiratory symptoms were included in the study. None of the children were vaccinated. All children were between 2 months to 2 years. In parallel to routine culture and identification, a RT-PCR assay targeting the lytA gene was done.

Results

Considering all 284 samples tested, colonization rate by conventional culture was 41.2% (n = 117) while positive colonization using RT-PCR was 43.7% (n = 124). The colonization rate detected by RT-PCR in the healthy cohort was 33.7% (n = 34) and it was 49.2% (n = 90) in the hospitalized cohort. It was 37.6% (n = 38) and 43.2% (n = 79) for the two cohorts by culture. The mean Cq value for the healthy cohort is 29.61 (SD 2.85) and 28.93 (SD 3.62) for the hospitalized cohort.

With the standard curve obtained from amplifying a dilution series of control DNA, the mean amount of genomic DNA copy numbers detected in children with respiratory symptoms was log10 7.49 (SD 1.07) while it was log10 7.30 (SD 0.23) in healthy children and the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusions

The overall colonization rate was higher when detected using RT-PCR compared to culture. However, it was lower in the healthy group when detected with RT-PCR compared to culture. Even though there was a higher detection of pneumococcal colonization density in children with respiratory symptoms, this was not significantly higher unlike many previous studies. Therefore, the use of RT-PCR to detect pneumococcal colonization needs further evaluation with careful analysis of interpretation and confounders.
Role of cassava CC-type glutaredoxin MeGRXC3 in regulating sensitivity to mannitol-induced osmotic stress dependent on its nuclear activity
Authors: Ruan Meng-Bin , Yu Xiao-Ling , Guo Xin , Zhao Ping-Juan , Peng Ming
Published: January 2022

Background

We previously identified six drought-inducible CC-type glutaredoxins in cassava cultivars, however, less is known about their potential role in the molecular mechanism by which cassava adapted to abiotic stress.

Results

Herein, we investigate one of cassava drought-responsive CC-type glutaredoxins, namely MeGRXC3, that involved in regulation of mannitol-induced inhibition on seed germination and seedling growth in transgenic Arabidopsis. MeGRXC3 overexpression up-regulates several stress-related transcription factor genes, such as PDF1.2, ERF6, ORA59, DREB2A, WRKY40, and WRKY53 in Arabidopsis. Protein interaction assays show that MeGRXC3 interacts with Arabidopsis TGA2 and TGA5 in the nucleus. Eliminated nuclear localization of MeGRXC3 failed to result mannitol-induced inhibition of seed germination and seedling growth in transgenic Arabidopsis. Mutation analysis of MeGRXC3 indicates the importance of conserved motifs for its transactivation activity in yeast. Additionally, these motifs are also indispensable for its functionality in regulating mannitol-induced inhibition of seed germination and enhancement of the stress-related transcription factors in transgenic Arabidopsis.

Conclusions

MeGRXC3 overexpression confers mannitol sensitivity in transgenic Arabidopsis possibly through interaction with TGA2/5 in the nucleus, and nuclear activity of MeGRXC3 is required for its function.
Overlapping infection of Nocardia farcinica and Aspergillus fumigatus in a child with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease: a case report
Authors: Tian Xiyan , Shi Qingmiao , Liu Peng , Pang Lulu , Jia Peisheng , Xie Lei , Ma Xiaoxu , Li Ang , Yu Zujiang , Wang Huaili
Published: January 2022

Background

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare inherited primary immunodeficiency syndrome, manifested as recurrent infections and inflammatory complications. Although prophylactic treatment with antibiotics and antifungals improved the outcome of CGD patients, infections remain the major cause of mortality.

Case presentation

A boy aged 3 years and 8 months was admitted to hospital complaining of lip swelling with fever for half a month and neck abscess for 11 days. After a thorough examination, severe pneumonia, respiratory failure, oral and maxillofacial space infection, and perianal abscess were confirmed. However, his condition didn’t improve after initial comprehensive therapy. Subsequently, overlapping infections of Nocardia farcinica and Aspergillus fumigatus were identified by metagenomic next-generation sequencing. He was treated with imipenem, linezolid, and voriconazole intravenously, plus taking oral compound sulfamethoxazole. Later, his condition improved. Through whole-exome sequencing, the child was ultimately diagnosed as X-linked chronic granulomatous disease (X-CGD) caused by CYBB gene mutation. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation was the potential sanative approach but there were no available human leukocyte antigen compatible donors for the child. The family requested to transfer to a superior hospital for further treatment. Two months later, we followed up the child’s family. Unfortunately, the child had expired due to severe infection.

Conclusion

To our knowledge, this is the first case of overlapping infection of Nocardia farcinica and Aspergillus fumigatus identified by metagenomic next-generation sequencing in a child with X-CGD from China. For infectious pathogens that are hard to diagnosis by traditional detection methods, metagenomic next-generation sequencing is recommended as an adminicle or indispensable approach for microbial identification. Patients with X-CGD have poor prognosis, early diagnosis and intervention of X-CGD may reduce the mortality.
A case of brucellosis-induced Guillain–Barre syndrome
Authors: Li Qian , Liu Jianfeng , Jiang Wenhui , Jiang Lisheng , Lu Mengzhi , Xiao Linping , Li Yukun , Lan Yinghua , Li Yongguo
Published: January 2022

Background

Guillain–Barre syndrome (GBS) is a rare neurological complication of brucellosis, and neurobrucellosis is the most common, but they have many similarities in clinical manifestations. Many clinicians are accustomed to merely explaining the manifestations of nervous system involvement with neurobrucellosis, but they ignore the possibility of GBS, and this leads to misdiagnosis, untimely treatment, and serious consequences.

Case presentation

A 55-year-old male patient was admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University for intermittent fever, fatigue, and waist pain more than three months. Brucellosis was diagnosed from the blood test. Although anti-brucella treatment was given at the time of diagnosis, the disease continued to progress. At the time of the cerebrospinal fluid systematic physical examination and the neuroelectrophysiological test, acute motor sensory axonal neuropathy was diagnosed. The patient was given immediately administered immunoglobulin therapy. After three months of systemic treatment, the patient's muscle strength of the distal limbs gradually recovered. The numbness of the limbs eased slowly, and urination function and respiratory function returned to normal. He could sit by himself.

Conclusions

The possibility of GBS should be closely monitored for when a brucellosis patient shows typical clinical manifestations of progressive muscle weakness, protein-cell separation of the cerebral spinal fluid, and typical demyelinating sensorimotor polyneuropathy.
The effect of a decision-support mHealth application on maternal and neonatal outcomes in two district hospitals in Rwanda: pre – post intervention study
Authors: Nishimwe Aurore , Ibisomi Latifat , Nyssen Marc , Conco Daphney Nozizwe
Published: January 2022

Background

Globally, mobile health (mHealth) applications are known for their potential to improve healthcare providers’ access to relevant and reliable health information. Besides, electronic decision support tools, such as the Safe Delivery mHealth Application (SDA), may help to reduce clinical errors and to ensure quality care at the point of service delivery. The current study investigated the use of the SDA and its relationship to basic emergency obstetric and newborn care (BEmONC) outcomes for the most frequent complications in Rwanda; post-partum haemorrhage (PPH) and newborn asphyxia.

Methods

The study adopted a pre–post intervention design. A pre-intervention record review of BEmONC outcomes: Apgar score and PPH progressions, was conducted for 6 months’ period (February 2019 - July 2019). The intervention took place in two district hospitals in Rwanda and entails the implementation of the SDA for 6 months (October 2019- March 2020), and included 54 nurses and midwives using the SDA to manage PPH and neonatal resuscitation. Six months’ post-SDA intervention, the effect of the SDA on BEmONC outcomes was evaluated. The study included 327 participants (114 cases of PPH and 213 cases of neonatal complications). The analysis compared the outcome variables between the baseline and the endline data. Fisher’s exact test was used to compare the proportions and test between-group differences and significance level set at p < 0.05.

Results

Unstable newborn outcomes following neonatal resuscitation were recorded in 62% newborns cases at baseline and 28% newborns cases at endline, P-value = 0.000. Unstable maternal outcomes following PPH management were recorded in 19% maternal cases at baseline and 6% maternal cases at endline, P-value = 0.048. There was a significant association between the SDA intervention and newborns’ and maternal’ outcomes following neonatal resuscitation and PPH management, 6 months after baseline.

Conclusion

The use of the SDA supported nurses and midwives in the management of PPH and neonatal resuscitation which may have contributed to improved maternal and neonatal outcomes during 6 months of the SDA intervention. The findings of this study are promising as they contribute to a broader knowledge about the effectiveness of SDA in low and middle income hospital settings.
Tele-care intervention performed by parents involving specific task- environment- participation (STEP protocol) for infants at risk for developmental delay: protocol of randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Lima Camila Resende Gâmbaro , dos Santos Adriana Neves , dos Santos Mariana Martins , Morgan Catherine , Rocha Nelci Adriana Cicuto Ferreira
Published: January 2022

Background

With the implementation of social distancing due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many at-risk infants are without therapy. An alternative mode of therapy in this situation is tele-care, a therapy in which assessments and interventions are carried out online, in the home environment. We describe a tele-care protocol involving parent delivered task and context specific movement training, participation and environmental adaptation for infants at risk for developmental delay.

Methods

Randomized controlled trial. Infants at risk, with 3 to 9 months corrected age, will be included, and randomized into two groups: control group (conventional guidelines) and experimental group (task, environment and participation in context-specific home program). Infants will be assessed for motor capacity (Infant Motor Profile and Alberta Infant Motor Scale); participation (Young Children’s Participation and Environment Measure) and environment factors (Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment; Affordances in the Home Environment for Motor Development). The intervention period will be 10 weeks, and evaluations will be carried out before and after that period. All the assessment and intervention procedures will be carried out online, with instructions to parents for home therapy. The statistical analysis will be guided according to the distribution of the data, and a significance level of 5% will be adopted. All ethical approvals were obtained by the Ethics Committee of the University of São Carlos (Case number 31256620.5.0000.5504). The protocol will follow the SPIRIT statement. Findings will be disseminated in peer-reviewed publications and presented at national and international conferences.

Discussion

The results of this study will describe the effectiveness of a home intervention, focusing on specific activities, participation and environmental changes. These results will support the implementation of a remote protocol, with lower financial costs and focused on the particularities of the family. This type of care model can possibly help public policies to ensure equal access to evidence-based quality healthcare.

Trial registration

Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry: RBR8xrzjs, registered September 1, 2020.
Association of cardiovascular metabolic risk factor measurements with psychiatric readmission among in-hospital patients with severe mental illness: a retrospective study
Authors: Tan Xiao Wei , Chan Christopher Yi Wen , Lum Alvin Wai Mum , Lee Eng Sing , Mok Yee Ming , Fung Daniel Shuen Sheng , Tor Phern Chern
Published: January 2022

Background

Patients with severe mental illness (SMI) and comorbid physical conditions were often associated with higher risks of mortality and hospital readmission. In this study, we aim to examine the association of cardiovascular metabolic risk factor measurements with risks of psychiatric readmissions among in-hospital patients with severe mental illness (SMI).

Methods

We collected the longitudinal information of laboratory investigations, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI) among in-hospital patients who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, major depression disorder or bipolar disorder and with comorbid diagnosis of hypertension, hyperlipidemia or diabetes from Jan 2014 to Jan 2019. The primary outcome was time to first psychiatric readmission. Cox proportional hazard model was utilized to calculate the hazard risks (HR) of cardiovascular metabolic risk factors with psychiatric readmission.

Results

A total of 5,256 patients were included in the analysis. Compared to patients with normal blood parameters, patients with aberrant tests of high-density dyslipidemia (HDL) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) during in-hospitalization period were associated with higher risks to first psychiatric readmission [ HR (Hazard Ratio), 1.37 95% Confidence interval (CI), 1.03–1.83 for HDL and HR, 1.32 (95% CI, 1.04–1.67])for DBP]. Compared to patients with optimal monitoring, patients with suboptimal monitoring of blood lipids and blood pressure during in-hospitalization period or recommended window period of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk management were associated with higher risks to first psychiatric readmission.

Conclusions

Aberrant cardiovascular metabolic blood test and blood pressure and missing measurements among in-hospital patients with SMI were associated with increased risks of psychiatric readmissions. This calls for more active screening and monitoring of CVD risk factors for those in-hospital patients in need.
To isolate or not to isolate: the impact of changing behavior on COVID-19 transmission
Authors: Agusto Folashade B. , Erovenko Igor V. , Fulk Alexander , Abu-Saymeh Qays , Romero-Alvarez Daniel , Ponce Joan , Sindi Suzanne , Ortega Omayra , Saint Onge Jarron M. , Peterson A. Townsend
Published: January 2022

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 25 million cases and 800 thousand deaths worldwide to date. In early days of the pandemic, neither vaccines nor therapeutic drugs were available for this novel coronavirus. All measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 are thus based on reducing contact between infected and susceptible individuals. Most of these measures such as quarantine and self-isolation require voluntary compliance by the population. However, humans may act in their (perceived) self-interest only.

Methods

We construct a mathematical model of COVID-19 transmission with quarantine and hospitalization coupled with a dynamic game model of adaptive human behavior. Susceptible and infected individuals adopt various behavioral strategies based on perceived prevalence and burden of the disease and sensitivity to isolation measures, and they evolve their strategies using a social learning algorithm (imitation dynamics).

Results

This results in complex interplay between the epidemiological model, which affects success of different strategies, and the game-theoretic behavioral model, which in turn affects the spread of the disease. We found that the second wave of the pandemic, which has been observed in the US, can be attributed to rational behavior of susceptible individuals, and that multiple waves of the pandemic are possible if the rate of social learning of infected individuals is sufficiently high.

Conclusions

To reduce the burden of the disease on the society, it is necessary to incentivize such altruistic behavior by infected individuals as voluntary self-isolation.
Exploring the association between school-based peer networks and smoking according to socioeconomic status and tobacco control context: a systematic review
Authors: Littlecott H. J. , Moore G. F. , McCann M. , Melendez-Torres G. J. , Mercken L. , Reed H. , Mann M. , Dobbie F. , Hawkins J.
Published: January 2022

Background

Whilst prevalence of youth smoking in middle and high income countries has decreased, inequality has prevailed. The introduction of legislation regulating tobacco use in public spaces varies across countries, impacting the tobacco control context. Thus reviewing our knowledge of how social networks may influence smoking differently within different contexts is required to facilitate the development of context-specific interventions.

Methods

The search, conducted on 31st May 2019, included the following smoking-related terms; schools, adolescents, peers and social networks. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied throughout the title and abstract screening and full text screening. Quality assessment and synthesis followed. Studies were narratively synthesised to identify changes according to legislative context. This synthesis was conducted separately for findings relating to three categories: socioeconomic status; social selection and influence; and network position.

Results

Thirty studies were included. Differences in the relationship between network characteristics and smoking according to socioeconomic status were measured in five out of fifteen studies in Europe. Results varied across studies, with differences in network characteristics and their association with smoking varying both between schools of a differing and those of a similar socioeconomic composition. For studies conducted both before and after the introduction of comprehensive smoking legislation, the evidence for selection processes was more consistent than influence, which varied according to reciprocity. Findings showed that isolates were more likely to smoke and in-degree and out-degree centrality were related to smoking both before and after the introduction of legislation. The relationship between popularity and smoking was contingent on school level smoking prevalence in studies conducted before the introduction of legislation, but not after.

Conclusions

Overall, effects according to socioeconomic status were underreported in the included studies and no consistent evidence of change after the introduction of a comprehensive smoking ban was observed. Further network analyses are required using more recent data to obtain a comprehensive understanding of how network processes may influence smoking differently according to socioeconomic status, and how adaptation could be used to enhance intervention effectiveness.

Systematic review registration

International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) registration number: CRD42019137358.