bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Evolution of hypoxia and hypoxia-inducible factor asparaginyl hydroxylase regulation in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Faivre Anna , Dissard Romain , Kuo Willy , Verissimo Thomas , Legouis David , Arnoux Grégoire , Heckenmeyer Carolyn , Fernandez Marylise , Tihy Matthieu , Rajaram Renuga D , Delitsikou Vasiliki , Le Ngoc An , Spingler Bernhard , Mueller Bert , Shulz Georg , Lindenmeyer Maja , Cohen Clemens , Rutkowski Joseph M , Moll Solange , Scholz Carsten C , Kurtcuoglu Vartan , de Seigneux Sophie
Published: April 2023

Background

The roles of hypoxia and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) during chronic kidney disease (CKD) are much debated. Interventional studies with HIF-α activation in rodents have yielded contradictory results. The HIF pathway is regulated by prolyl and asparaginyl hydroxylases. While prolyl hydroxylase inhibition is a well-known method to stabilize HIF-α, little is known about the effect asparaginyl hydroxylase factor inhibiting HIF (FIH).

Methods

We used a model of progressive proteinuric CKD and a model of obstructive nephropathy with unilateral fibrosis. In these models we assessed hypoxia with pimonidazole and vascularization with three-dimensional micro-computed tomography imaging. We analysed a database of 217 CKD biopsies from stage 1 to 5 and we randomly collected 15 CKD biopsies of various severity degrees to assess FIH expression. Finally, we modulated FIH activity in vitro and in vivo using a pharmacologic approach to assess its relevance in CKD.

Results

In our model of proteinuric CKD, we show that early CKD stages are not characterized by hypoxia or HIF activation. At late CKD stages, some areas of hypoxia are observed, but these are not colocalizing with fibrosis. In mice and in humans, we observed a downregulation of the HIF pathway, together with an increased FIH expression in CKD, according to its severity. Modulating FIH in vitro affects cellular metabolism, as described previously. In vivo, pharmacologic FIH inhibition increases the glomerular filtration rate of control and CKD animals and is associated with decreased development of fibrosis.

Conclusions

The causative role of hypoxia and HIF activation in CKD progression is questioned. A pharmacological approach of FIH downregulation seems promising in proteinuric kidney disease.
Global age-structured spatial modeling for emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19
Authors: Xiao Yixiong , Zhou Jingbo , Cheng Qu , Yang Jun , Chen Bin , Zhang Tao , Xu Lei , Xu Bo , Ren Zhehao , Liu Zhaoyang , Shen Chong , Wang Che , Liu Han , Li Xiaoting , Li Ruiyun , Yu Le , Guan Dabo , Zhang Wusheng , Wang Jie , Hou Lin , Deng Ke , Bai Yuqi , Xu Bing , Dou Dejing , Gong Peng
Published: April 2023

Modeling the global dynamics of emerging infectious diseases (EIDs) like COVID-19 can provide important guidance in the preparation and mitigation of pandemic threats. While age-structured transmission models are widely used to simulate the evolution of EIDs, most of these studies focus on the analysis of specific countries and fail to characterize the spatial spread of EIDs across the world. Here, we developed a global pandemic simulator that integrates age-structured disease transmission models across 3,157 cities and explored its usage under several scenarios. We found that without mitigations, EIDs like COVID-19 are highly likely to cause profound global impacts. For pandemics seeded in most cities, the impacts are equally severe by the end of the first year. The result highlights the urgent need for strengthening global infectious disease monitoring capacity to provide early warnings of future outbreaks. Additionally, we found that the global mitigation efforts could be easily hampered if developed countries or countries near the seed origin take no control. The result indicates that successful pandemic mitigations require collective efforts across countries. The role of developed countries is vitally important as their passive responses may significantly impact other countries.
Women, the intellectually humble, and liberals write more persuasive political arguments
Authors: Lees Jeffrey , Todd Haley , Barranti Maxwell
Published: April 2023

If sincere attempts at political persuasion are central to the functioning of democracy, then what attributes of individuals make them more persuasive toward fellow citizens? To examine this, we asked 594 Democrats and Republicans to write politically persuasive arguments on any topic of their choice and then gave those arguments to a US representative sample of 3,131 to rate the persuasiveness, totaling 54,686 judgments. We consistently found that arguments written by women, liberals, the intellectually humble, and those low on party identification were rated as more persuasive. These patterns were robust to controls for the demographics and partisanship of judges and persuaders, the topics written about, argument length, and the emotional sentiments of the arguments. Women's superior persuasiveness was partially, but not fully, explained by the fact that their arguments were longer, of a higher grade level, and expressed less dominance than men's. Intergroup dynamics also affected persuasiveness, as arguments written for in-party members were more persuasive than the ones written for out-party members. These findings suggest that an individual's personal and psychological characteristics durably provide them with a persuasive advantage when they engage in sincere attempts at changing the hearts and minds of fellow citizens.
Multiplexed neuropeptide mapping in ant brains integrating microtomography and three-dimensional mass spectrometry imaging
Authors: Geier Benedikt , Gil-Mansilla Esther , Liutkevičiūtė Zita , Hellinger Roland , Vanden Broeck Jozef , Oetjen Janina , Liebeke Manuel , Gruber Christian W
Published: April 2023

Neuropeptides are important regulators of animal physiology and behavior. Hitherto the gold standard for the localization of neuropeptides have been immunohistochemical methods that require the synthesis of antibody panels, while another limiting factor has been the brain's opacity for subsequent in situ light or fluorescence microscopy. To address these limitations, we explored the integration of high-resolution mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) with microtomography for a multiplexed mapping of neuropeptides in two evolutionary distant ant species, Atta sexdens and Lasius niger. For analyzing the spatial distribution of chemically diverse peptide molecules across the brain in each species, the acquisition of serial mass spectrometry images was essential. As a result, we have comparatively mapped the three-dimensional (3D) distributions of eight conserved neuropeptides throughout the brain microanatomy. We demonstrate that integrating the 3D MSI data into high-resolution anatomy models can be critical for studying organs with high plasticity such as brains of social insects. Several peptides, like the tachykinin-related peptides (TK) 1 and 4, were widely distributed in many brain areas of both ant species, whereas others, for instance myosuppressin, were restricted to specific regions only. Also, we detected differences at the species level; many peptides were identified in the optic lobe of L. niger, but only one peptide (ITG-like) was found in this region in A. sexdens. Building upon MS imaging studies on neuropeptides in invertebrate model systems, our approach leverages correlative MSI and computed microtomography for investigating fundamental neurobiological processes by visualizing the unbiased 3D neurochemistry in its complex anatomic environment.
Enthesitis in patients with psoriatic arthritis treated with secukinumab or adalimumab: a post hoc analysis of the EXCEED study
Authors: Kaeley Gurjit S , Schett Georg , Conaghan Philip G , McGonagle Dennis , Behrens Frank , Goupille Philippe , Gaillez Corine , Parikh Bhumik , Bakewell Catherine
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To evaluate enthesitis treatment response, including time to resolution and data from multiple enthesitis instruments, in patients with PsA treated with secukinumab or adalimumab for 52 weeks.

Methods

In this post hoc analysis of the EXCEED study, patients receiving secukinumab 300 mg or adalimumab 40 mg per the label were grouped by presence or absence of baseline enthesitis based on the Leeds Enthesitis Index (LEI) and the Spondyloarthritis Research Consortium of Canada Enthesitis Index (SPARCC). Efficacy was assessed according to several enthesitis-related instruments using non-responder imputation for the achievement of enthesitis resolution (LEI/SPARCC = 0), Kaplan–Meier analysis for time to resolution, and as-observed data for other outcomes.

Results

Enthesitis was present at baseline in 498 of 851 patients (58.5%) as assessed by LEI and in 632 of 853 patients (74.1%) as assessed by SPARCC. Patients with baseline enthesitis generally presented with greater disease activity. Similar proportions of patients receiving secukinumab or adalimumab achieved resolution of LEI and SPARCC at weeks 24 (secukinumab: LEI/SPARCC, 49.6%/45.8%; adalimumab: LEI/SPARCC, 43.6%/43.5%) and 52 (secukinumab: LEI/SPARCC, 60.7%/53.2%; adalimumab: LEI/SPARCC, 55.3%/51.4%), with comparable mean time to enthesitis resolution. Improvements were similar for both drugs at individual enthesitis sites. Resolution of enthesitis with secukinumab or adalimumab was associated with improvements in quality of life at week 52.

Conclusion

Secukinumab and adalimumab showed similar efficacy, including time to resolution, with respect to resolution of enthesitis. Inhibition of IL-17 with secukinumab reduced clinical enthesitis similarly to TNF-α inhibition.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02745080
EFFECTIVE HALF-LIFE, EXCRETION AND RADIATION EXPOSURE OF 177LU-PSMA
Authors: Parlak Yasemin , Mutevelızade Gozde , Sezgın Ceren , Goksoy Didem , Gumuser Gul , Sayıt Elvan
Published: April 2023

The study aims to evaluate the radiation safety conditions by detecting the patient’s urine excretion rate, calculating the effective half-life, and determining the retention of 177Lu-PSMA in the body. Urine samples of patients were collected for 24 hours (6, 12, 18, and 24 hours) following the infusion, excretion rate and retention of 177Lu-PSMA in the body of patients were calculated. The measurements of dose rate were performed. Effective half-life calculated from dose rate measurements was found as 18.5 ± 11 h within the first 24 h and 48.1 ± 22.8 h between 24 and 72 h. Excreted activity in urine was found as 33.8 ± 20.7, 40.4 ± 20.3, 46.1 ± 22.4, and 53.3 ± 21.5% of total doses at 6, 12, 18, and 24 h after administration, respectively. External dose rates for 4 h and 24 h were 24.51 μSv/h, 16.14 μSv/h, respectively. Our results showed that 177Lu-PSMA treatment was suitable for outpatient treatment in terms of radiation safety.
Formalizing Invertebrate Morphological Data: A Descriptive Model for Cuticle-Based Skeleto-Muscular Systems, an Ontology for Insect Anatomy, and their Potential Applications in Biodiversity Research and Informatics
Authors: Girón Jennifer C , Tarasov Sergei , González Montaña Luis Antonio , Matentzoglu Nicolas , Smith Aaron D , Koch Markus , Boudinot Brendon E , Bouchard Patrice , Burks Roger , Vogt Lars , Yoder Matthew , Osumi-Sutherland David , Friedrich Frank , Beutel Rolf G , Mikó István
Published: April 2023

The spectacular radiation of insects has produced a stunning diversity of phenotypes. During the past 250 years, research on insect systematics has generated hundreds of terms for naming and comparing them. In its current form, this terminological diversity is presented in natural language and lacks formalization, which prohibits computer-assisted comparison using semantic web technologies. Here we propose a Model for Describing Cuticular Anatomical Structures (MoDCAS) which incorporates structural properties and positional relationships for standardized, consistent, and reproducible descriptions of arthropod phenotypes. We applied the MoDCAS framework in creating the ontology for the Anatomy of the Insect Skeleto-Muscular system (AISM). The AISM is the first general insect ontology that aims to cover all taxa by providing generalized, fully logical, and queryable, definitions for each term. It was built using the Ontology Development Kit (ODK), which maximizes interoperability with Uberon (Uberon multispecies anatomy ontology) and other basic ontologies, enhancing the integration of insect anatomy into the broader biological sciences. A template system for adding new terms, extending, and linking the AISM to additional anatomical, phenotypic, genetic, and chemical ontologies is also introduced. The AISM is proposed as the backbone for taxon-specific insect ontologies and has potential applications spanning systematic biology and biodiversity informatics, allowing users to: 1) use controlled vocabularies and create semiautomated computer-parsable insect morphological descriptions; 2) integrate insect morphology into broader fields of research, including ontology-informed phylogenetic methods, logical homology hypothesis testing, evo-devo studies, and genotype to phenotype mapping; and 3) automate the extraction of morphological data from the literature, enabling the generation of large-scale phenomic data, by facilitating the production and testing of informatic tools able to extract, link, annotate, and process morphological data. This descriptive model and its ontological applications will allow for clear and semantically interoperable integration of arthropod phenotypes in biodiversity studies.
Comparative RNA-seq Analysis of Resistant and Susceptible Theobroma cacao Fruits in Response to Infection with Frosty Pod Pathogen (Moniliophthora roreri)
Authors: Puig Alina S. , Cohen Stephen P. , Bach Rachel A. Koch , Leal Adriana Arciniegas , Gutierrez Osman A. , Bailey Bryan A.
Published: April 2023

Frosty pod rot (FPR), caused by Moniliophthora roreri (MR), is one of the most important diseases of cacao, causing losses of up to 90% in areas where it is present. A limited number of resistant clones have been identified, but additional sources of disease resistance are being sought by breeding programs. RNA sequencing was used to identify differences in constitutive (mock-inoculated) and pathogen-induced gene expression in cacao pods from trees resistant and susceptible to MR. The greatest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) ( n = 2,039) was identified in susceptible material following inoculation with MR (7 days postinoculation), with the most common pathway categories being cell growth/death ( n = 102), signaling ( n = 308), and carbohydrate metabolism ( n = 141). Resistant material showed little overall change in gene expression (five DEGs) following pathogen inoculation, suggesting that infection had not become established. For this reason, differences in constitutive gene expression are likely to provide the most relevant information on FPR resistance in this study. In the absence of the pathogen, 144 genes were expressed at a higher level in the resistant material and 265 at a higher level in the susceptible material. The genes most highly upregulated in resistant material encode for disease resistance proteins in the leucine-rich repeat family and cysteine-rich receptor-like protein kinases. Ten DEGs were located within quantitative trait loci on chromosomes 2, 7, and 9 previously associated with FPR resistance in this population. This study provides the first analysis of constitutively expressed genes contributing to FPR resistance and identifies significant genes within known disease resistance quantitative trait loci.

[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2023 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY 4.0 International license .
1. The Effect of Salt Usage Behaviour on Hypertension among Population in Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta
Authors: Adani Y. , Fachiroh J. , Dewi F. S. T , Inggriani M. P. , Hartopo A. B.
Published: April 2023

Background and aim: The combination of environmental and genetic factors accounts for the developing of hypertension. Excessive salt intake and accumulation in the kidney can increase plasma volume and lead to high blood pressure. Sodium is consumed in various ways, such as cooking, processing and seasoning, This study was designed to verify the relationship between salt usage behaviour and blood pressure.

Method: This cross-sectional study data were collected from the Health and Demographic Surveillance System in Sleman Regency from 2021 - 2022. The blood pressure were measured three times by an automatic blood pressure measuring device and the average values were recorded. Salt usage behaviors were surveyed by salt preference questionnaire. Relationships between salt consumption and hypertension were analyzed in SPSS ver. 26 for data analysis.

Results: Among 1061 enrolled subjects (481 male and 580 female) with an average age of 59.19 +– 9.15 years old (p = 0.000). The highest systolic blood pressure was 221 mmHg and mean systolic blood pressure 140.20 +– 23.28 mmHg. Increase heart rate, body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio in hypertensive subjects were shown significant statistically (p = 0.000). The correlation between hypertension and salt usage behavior did not significantly differ between patients who used soy sauce before meal, additional of seasoning salt when cooking at home, consume salty snacks, and salt/ salty sauce that has been consumed with p = 0.039, p = 0.98, p = 0.82, p = 0.30, respectively.

Conclusion: These findings suggest that high salt intake does not independently associated with increased blood pressure in this population. Additional larger-scale and objective measurement of salt intake are needed for further clarification.
11. Association of Family History of Hypertension with the Age Onset that being Diagnosed of Hypertension in Essential Hypertension Patients
Authors: Pardede Celine , Wantania Frans , Sugeng Cerelia
Published: April 2023

Background: Essential hypertension (EH) has unknown cause, but there are several risk factors that can influence its occurrence. Family history is one of the non-modifiable risk factors that affect the age onset. Previous studies shown that individuals with a family history of hypertension have an earlier onset age of diagnosis. This is the first study conducted in Indonesia, especially the population in Manado.

Objective: To determine the association between family history of hypertension and age onset at diagnosis of hypertension in EH patients.

Method: Retrospective cohort study design and consecutive sampling in 120 EH patients. Subjects were classified by onset age at EH diagnosis (<55 and $55 years old), analyzed by Chi-square test and logistic regression.

Results: Onset age at diagnosis of EH had a significant association with family history of hypertension (p = <0.001; OR = 5.972). Family history of hypertension have a significant association with age onset at diagnosis of EH (p = 0.004). Paternal and maternal history of hypertension had the highest chance of being diagnosed earlier with hypertension (OR = 8.056), followed by the group with maternal history (OR = 5.667), and paternal (OR = 4.792).

Conclusion: There was a significant association between family history of hypertension and age onset at EH diagnosis, where subjects with family history of hypertension had higher chance of being diagnosed with hypertension at an earlier age. The group with both paternal and maternal history of hypertension had the highest chance of being diagnosed with hypertension at an earlier age.
12. Predicting Mortality in COVID-19 Patients with Hypertension using ECLA Score (ECG, Chest X-Ray and Laboratory Analysis)
Authors: Lituhayu P.K. , Regina A. , Theno A.F. , Lamara A.D. , Saputra P.B.T. , Al-Farabi M.J. , Azmi Y. , Saputra M.E. , Oktaviono Y.H.
Published: April 2023

Background: COVID-19 patients with hypertension are at higher risk for complications and have higher mortality rate. Rapid scoring can be important to determine the prognosis of COVID-19.

Objective: We developed a scoring system to predict mortality to facilitate coordinated care planning.

Methods: This study included 406 data confirmed COVID-19 with hypertension in East Java. Electrocardiography (ECG), laboratory analysis and chest x-ray (CXR) findings are examined to develop scoring system to predict mortality.

Results: After multivariable adjustment and stepwise elimination, seven of 13 variables: cardiomegaly (p = 0.036), sinus tachycardia (p = 0.001), ST-segment abnormalities (p = 0.036), right bundle branch block (p = 0.008), left bundle branch block (p = 0.046), left ventricle hypertrophy (p = 0,023), and creatinine (p = 0.000) were retained and compared. Each variable has a different risk score and is used to classify the patients into risk groups: low risk (0–2 points), moderate risk (3–6 points), and high risk ($ 7 points), determined by calculating the sum of the risk in the scoring system. ROC curve analysis of the ability of the scoring system to predict mortality showed an area under the curve (AUC) of 75,8% (confidence interval: 95%), a cutoff point of # 1,5 with a sensitivity of 76,3% and specificity of 62,1%.

Conclusion: We concluded that the final model has the potential to predict mortality in hypertensive COVID-19 patients during hospital admission. The mortality rate is therefore expected to regress following risk group determination using our scoring model, which would yield a more comprehensive treatment plan.
28. Effect of Ertugliflozin on Blood Pressure in Patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: a Systematic Review
Authors: Lee J.B. , Sabran M.Z. , Rubismo K.Y. , Zebua A. , Jhoputri C.F. , Lee J.V.
Published: April 2023

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a common worldwide disease caused by a sedentary lifestyle. Hypertension is one of the most common comorbid in T2DM. One of the new anti-diabetic classes is Sodium-Glucose Cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitor which is still widely tested in clinical trials for indications beyond T2DM. However, the effect of Ertugliflozin on the blood pressure of T2DM patients is still not well known. This study wants to find out the effect of Ertugliflozin on blood pressure in patients with T2DM. This study was conducted on 1–7 January 2023. Two independent researchers systematically extracted data from several databases, such as PubMed Central (PMC), Science Direct, and PUBMED by using MeSH terminology of keywords SGLT2 inhibitor and blood pressure. The extracted studies were then analyzed and selected according to our inclusion criteria such as studies in the last 5 years, T2DM patients receiving ertugliflozin, cohort studies, and case-control studies. We excluded systematic reviews, meta-analyses, case series, case reports, studies on pregnant women, children, and animals. Research quality was assessed using Newcastle-Ottawa (NOS). From 5 cohort studies (5580 subjects from various countries), all of them showed that ertugliflozin improved systolic blood pressure in T2DM patients. The results were similar either in studies using ertugliflozin alone or in combination with other classes of anti-diabetic drugs; All studies have proven good quality based on NOS. In conclusion, ertugliflozin had improved the blood pressure in T2DM patients. However, further study is needed to confirm these findings.
33. Association between QT Dispersion and Left Ventricular Hypertrophy in Hypertensive Heart Disease Patients
Authors: Amany A.Y. , Sianipar J.P. , Pradipta L.D. , Ahnaf M.F.
Published: April 2023

Background: The variation in QT length reflects regional repolarization differences in the heart. An Increased in QT dispersion is associated with an increased left ventricular mass index in hypertensive individuals.

Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate association between QT dispersion and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) in hypertensive heart disease (HHD) individuals.

Method: This study was a-single centre, retrospective study, included 47 patients with hypertension who had visited the cardiology clinic. Electrocardiography (EKG) and trans-thoracal echocardiography (TTE) were performed. Patients were divided into LVH group (27) and control group (20) based on TTE findings. Patients with valvular abnormalities, myocardial infarction, LV dysfunction, pericardial disease, arrhythmia related, and pulmonary disease were excluded from this study.

Results: LVH was diagnosed in 31 (56%) of the patients by 2D echocardiography. The QT interval maximum was higher at 414.00 ± 59.87, than 396.19 ± 37.75 in the control group. Corrected QT (QTc) maximum in HHD group also higher at 448.08 ± 54.83 compared to control group in 421.67 ± 35.61. QT minimum and QTc minimum both are higher in HHD group at 350.40 ± 53.27 and 378.32 ± 43.00 respectively than in controlled group, at 339.05 ± 43.12 and 361.29 ± 45.26. There was no significant association in QT dispersion (p = 0.582) and QTc dispersion (p = 0.265) between HHD group and controlled group.

Conclusion: The QT dispersion trend was narrowly higher in hypertensive patient with LVH in HHD group than the controlled group but it was statistically insignificant.
51. Clinical Outcomes and Arterial Stiffness Measurement of White-Coat Hypertension: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Labi N. Toding , Angkasa C. , Awaludin M. , Wantania F.
Published: April 2023

Background: As one of the risk factor of cardiovascular diseases, white-coat hipertension (WCH) prognosis is remains debatable regarding its clinical outcomes. Current study results on the association between WCH and cardiovascular outcomes as well as arterial stiffness are inconsistent.

Objective: To assess the risk of cardiovascular outcomes as well as arterial stiffness measurement in untreated participants with WCH compared to that with normotension.

Method: Based on prespecified search strategies and inclusion criteria, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Cochrane Library databases were reviewed. Literatures were screened for data extraction and quality assessment. Our primary outcomes of interest were all-cause mortality, and onset of cardiovascular disease (stroke and cardiac events), as well as the arterial stiffness measurement using carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV). Overall analysis and subgroup analysis were conducted in RevMan version 5.4 software.

Results: We identified 29 studies that involve 28,836 participants. Overall analysis showed that increased risks for cardiovascular outcome defined by onset of cardiovascular disease or death [RR 1.33 (95% CI 1.11, 1.58; p = 0.002; I2 = 0.04)] in WCH group compared with NT group. Arterial stiffness measurement utilizing cf-PWV was significantly higher in WCH group [SMD 0.58 (95% CI 0.39, 0.77; p = 0.00001; I2 = 0.84)]. In contrast, no significant differences were observed in the risk for stroke, cardiac outcomes or all-cause mortality in both groups.

Conclusion: This meta-analysis showed that untreated WCH may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease in term of onset of cardiovascular disease or death. Increase in arterial stiffness measured by cf-PWV is also significantly higher with WCH.
63. Effect of Physical Activity on Hypertension in the Geriatric Population at Cawang, East Jakarta
Authors: Suling F,R,W. , Rantung N,H. , Gowa M. , Lumaksono M. , Widihastuti W. , Suling T,E
Published: April 2023

Background: Geriatric population has a high risk for hypertension, mainly as the result of arterial stiffening caused by aging. Indonesia's RISKESDAS in 2018 shows that the prevalence of hypertension is rising with age. Lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity are one of the modifiable risk factors for hypertension. Regular exercise can reduce the stiffness of blood vessels and increase the endurance of the heart and lungs so that it can lower blood pressure.

Objectives: This study aims of this study is to investigate the effect of physical activity on hypertension in the geriatric population in Cawang, East Jakarta.

Methods: The research design used a quantitative cross-sectional research method with a random sampling technique and using the Chi-Square method to analyze the correlation between physical activity and blood pressure in the geriatric population. Blood pressure data were obtained using sphygmomanometer and hypertension criteria based on JNC VIII. Physical activity based on International Physical Activity Questionnaire.

Results: In this study, 65 research samples were obtained that met the inclusion criteria in Cawang, East Jakarta. The amount of hypertension cases account for 78.5 percent of the people. Low physical activity was identified through 37 people (55.4%), moderate physical activity was identified through 9 people (17,6%), and high physical activity was identified through 5 people (10.8%). The result of the study found that there is a correlation between physical activity and the incidence of hypertension (p = 0.001).

Conclusion: There is a correlation between physical activity and the incidence of hypertension.
Assessment and management of nausea and vomiting in cancer survivors
Authors: Tipton Janelle M.
Published: April 2023

Nausea and vomiting may occur in cancer survivors during or independent of treatment. A complete assessment is necessary to determine the etiology and to plan specific and successful interventions. NPs have a key role in managing cancer survivors' symptoms and determining the best supportive care.
Current social determinants of health and social risk factors in conditions of the cornea: a scoping review
Authors: Hicks Patrice M. , Armstrong Mikhayla L. , Woodward Maria A.
Published: April 2023

Purpose of review

To achieve health equity in eye health and vision care, social determinants of health (SDoH) and the associated social risk factors must be addressed. To address SDoH and social risk factors in ophthalmology, they must first be identified. The purpose of this review was to determine the SDoH and social risk factors in conditions of the cornea that have most recently been explored.

Recent findings

This review identified social risk factors associated with all five domains of SDoH, as outlined by Healthy People 2030. The neighborhood and built environment was the domain identified the most for both exploration and observation. The social and community context domain was the least explored, and healthcare access and quality and social and community context domains were the least observed. The cornea condition explored the most in relation to SDoH was dry eye syndrome.

The findings from this review can inform clinicians on the social risk factors that could be screened for in eye care facilities, so patients can be connected with services to minimize the impact of social risk factors on cornea conditions. Furthermore, the findings have identified cornea conditions and domains of SDoH that are understudied which can be an area for future studies by vision researchers.
Outcomes of peripheral corneal relaxing incisions for residual astigmatism in patients after cataract surgery
Authors: Wang Li , Koch Douglas D.
Published: April 2023

Purpose:

To evaluate the outcomes of peripheral corneal relaxing incisions (PCRIs) for correcting residual astigmatism in eyes after cataract surgery.

Setting:

Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Design:

Retrospective case series.

Methods:

Retrospectively, we reviewed all consecutive cases that had previous cataract surgery and subsequent PCRIs by 1 surgeon. The PCRI length was determined according to a nomogram based on age and manifest refractive astigmatism. Visual acuity and manifest refractive astigmatism before and after the PCRIs were compared. Vector analysis was performed, and net refractive changes along the incision meridian were calculated.

Results:

Criteria were met by 111 eyes. After the PCRIs, mean uncorrected visual acuity was significantly improved, and the percentage of eyes with uncorrected distance visual acuity of ≥20/20 increased significantly by 36%; the mean refractive astigmatism magnitude decreased significantly, and the percentages of eyes with refractive cylinder of ≤0.25 diopters (D) and ≤0.50 D increased significantly by 63% and 75%, respectively (all P < .05). The vector magnitude difference between pre- and post-operative refractive astigmatism was 0.88 ± 0.38 D. The postoperative refractive astigmatism had significantly smaller centroid and variance values than the preoperative refractive astigmatism (P < .05).

Conclusions:

PCRIs are an effective approach for correcting low amounts of residual astigmatism in patients after cataract surgery.
Artificial intelligence in pancreatic surgery: current applications
Authors: Kuemmerli Christoph , Rössler Fabian , Berchtold Caroline , Frey Michael C. , Studier-Fischer Alexander , Cizmic Amila , Jonas Jan Philipp , Hackert Thilo , Nickel Felix , Müller Philip C.
Published: April 2023

Surgery plays a central role in the treatment of benign and malignant pancreatic diseases. Artificial intelligence (AI) is an important upcoming technology to support surgeons in pre-, intra-, and postoperative diagnosis, decision-making and training toward an optimized patient care. Current AI applications show a promising role in the evaluation of preoperative images for prediction of malignancy and resectability, intraoperative decision support, surgical training as well as a postoperative risk stratification to personalize the management of complications. This scoping review summarizes the most up to date developments of AI in pancreatic surgery with the highest available level of evidence.
Nigel Wiseman: Modern Texts, Classics, Terminology, and Language-Learning Material
Authors: Wiseman Nigel
Published: April 2023

In this paper, I trace my career from an early interest in language that eventually led me to engage in Chinese medical translation. Born in the United Kingdom in 1954, I gained a Bachelor of Arts degree in German and Spanish from the University of Heriot-Watt, Edinburgh. Subsequent study of Chinese took me to Taiwan, where I gained an interest in Chinese medicine and developed a coherent linguistic approach to Chinese medical term translation, which I and various colleagues have systematically applied in the translation and compilation of numerous works spanning modern texts, classics, dictionaries, and language-learning materials. Our translation approach, though conforming to principles universally recognized by translation theorists, has proven to be highly controversial, with opponents in both Western and Chinese circles.
Age-Adjusted All-Cause Mortality in Counties Served by PHAB-Accredited Local Health Departments Compared With Counties Served by Nonaccredited Local Health Departments: 1999 to 2020
Authors: Kovach Kevin A.
Published: April 2023

Objectives:

To analyze trends in the age-adjusted all-cause mortality rate (AAMR) from 1999 to 2020 between counties served by a Public Health Accreditation Board (PHAB)-accredited local health department and a nonaccredited local health department to determine whether accreditation impacted the AAMR and whether there were differences in the AAMR preceding the first health departments being accredited in 2013.

Design:

Descriptive time trends and difference-in-differences analysis was used to explore differences in the AAMR between accredited counties and nonaccredited counties. Propensity score matching was used to develop a control group matched on county characteristics to address confounding.

Setting:

A national observational study using data obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research, the American Community Survey, and a PHAB data set on accreditation status.

Participants:

All US counties with data on the AAMR and county characteristics.

Intervention:

Accreditation by the PHAB.

Main Outcome Measure:

The AAMR.

Results:

Difference-in-differences in the AAMR between accredited and nonaccredited counties were stable following the launch of the accreditation program in 2013, except for an improvement in 2020 in the total sample (32.2 deaths per 100 000 people, 95% confidence interval: 3.8-60.6, P = .03). Age-adjusted all-cause mortality rates were lower in accredited counties across the 22-year period. This was statistically significant every year in the total sample but only statistically significant in 2020 in the matched sample (P < .05). Prior to accreditation, the AAMR improved by 24.7 deaths per 100 000 people (P = .05) and 18.0 deaths per 100 000 people (P = .24) more among accredited counties between 1999 and 2008, among the total and matched samples, respectively.

Conclusion:

Currently, PHAB accreditation has not had a substantial impact on the AAMR, and the AAMR was higher among nonaccredited counties preceding the first health departments being accredited in 2013.
Using an Exposure Call Center to Help Mitigate Outbreaks, Such as COVID-19, on a University Campus
Authors: Hayden Meredith E. , Burns Leann , Farquhar Sola , Tanabe Kawai O. , Bernheim Ruth G. , Holstege Christopher P.
Published: April 2023

Rapid identification and management of close contacts is an important component of an effective university mitigation strategy for highly contagious infectious diseases such as measles and coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19). Institutions of higher education must plan for an associated large influx of calls that can overwhelm standard student health and local public health operations. In fall 2020, a large state public university's Department of Student Health and Wellness created a dedicated exposure call center (ECC), in close collaboration with the local public health department, to quickly assess students who learned of a COVID-19 exposure outside of the formal contact tracing process. The ECC operated 7 days a week and fielded 3361 calls: 3187 from students and 174 from staff, faculty, and parents. The ECC provided rapid assessment and guidance for students with COVID-19 exposure, allowing for prompt quarantine and medical assessment when warranted. Call centers can increase the bandwidth of university health centers and also reduce the burden on health care providers and other public health resources during periods of crisis or high demand.
The Barriers to Bowel Cancer Screening Scale: Examining Structural Validity, Measurement Invariance, and Criterion Validity
Authors: Myers Larry , Goodwin Belinda , Viljoen Bianca , Roe Corina Galicher , Ireland Michael J.
Published: April 2023

Objective:

The success of national cancer screening programs, such as the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program (NBCSP) in Australia, depends on public participation, which is currently an alarming 43.5% for the NBCSP. Understanding the barriers that impede screening participation requires valid measurement instruments. This study aims to cross-validate such an instrument with a new, large, and varied sample, as well as assess measurement invariance across subsamples at a greatest risk of nonparticipation (ie, testing whether the scale functions in similar ways across groups).

Design, Setting, and Participants:

A cross-sectional sample of 1158 participants from the target screening population (50-74 years) provided demographic information, responses to the Barriers to Home Bowel Screening (BB-CanS) scale, and information on their previous screening participation.

Results:

Both the full and the brief versions of the BB-CanS scale showed good model fit for the full sample and for gender and age subsamples. Despite the inter-factor correlations being high, the unidimensional and bi-factor models exhibited poorer fit. Improvement in fit was observed with scale refinement involving the removal of 7 items. All versions of the BB-CanS scale were invariant across gender and age subsamples. Age and gender differences emerged across several barriers and variance in all 4 barriers significantly predicted prior screening participation.

Conclusion:

The BB-CanS scale is a valid measure of 4 highly correlated barriers to home bowel cancer screening: disgust relating to screening, avoidance of test outcomes, practical difficulty (or challenges), and the need for a sense of greater autonomy. All versions of the instrument measure the equivalent construct across age and gender groups. Observed differences in barriers across at-risk groups provide targets for future intervention.
Total Surface Area of a Through-and-Through Oromandibular Defect Is Associated With Thromboembolic Events for Reconstruction With a Single Fibula Free Flap
Authors: Chen Ching-En , Ma Chun-Yu , Wang Tien-Hsiang , Lin Chih-Hsun , Wu Szu-Hsien , Perng Cherng-Kang , Ma Hsu , Shih Yu-Chung
Published: April 2023

Background

Reconstruction of through-and-through composite oromandibular defects (COMDs) has been a challenge to plastic surgeons for decades. When using a free osteoseptocutaneous fibular flap, the skin paddle is restricted by the orientation of the peroneal vessels and the inset of bone segment(s). Although the combination of double flaps for extensive COMDs is viable and reliable, the decision of single- or double-flap reconstruction is still debated, and the risk factors leading to complications and flap failure of single-flap reconstruction are less discussed.

Aim and Objectives

The aim of this study was to determine objectively predictive factors for postoperative vascular complications in through-and-through COMDs reconstructed with a single fibula flap.

Methods

This was a retrospective cohort study in patients who underwent single free fibular flap reconstruction for through-and-through COMDs in a tertiary medical center from 2011 to 2020. The enrolled patients' characteristics, surgical methods, thromboembolic event, flap outcomes, intensive care unit care, and total hospital length of stay were analyzed.

Results

A total of 43 consecutive patients were included in this study. Patients were categorized into a group without thromboembolic events (n = 35) and a group with thromboembolic events (n = 8). The 8 subjects with thromboembolic events were failed to be salvaged. There was no significant difference in age, body mass index, smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and history of radiotherapy. The length of bony defect (6.70 ± 1.95 vs 9.04 ± 2.96, P = 0.004) and the total surface area (105.99 ± 60.33 vs 169.38 ± 41.21, P = 0.004) were the 2 factors that showed a significant difference between the groups. Total surface area was the only significant factor in univariate logistic regression for thromboembolic event (P = 0.020; odds ratio, 1.02; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.003–1.033) and also in multivariate logistic regression analysis after adjusting confounding factors (P = 0.033; odds ratio, 1.026; 95% CI, 1.002–1.051).

The cutoff level of total surface area in determining thromboembolic event development was 159 cm2 (P = 0.005; sensitivity of 75% and specificity of 82.9%; 95% CI, 0.684–0.952).

Conclusions

Free fibula flap has its advantages and drawbacks on mandible restoration. Because there is a lack of indicators before, a large total surface area may be an objective reference for single-flap reconstruction of through-and-through COMDs due to an elevated risk of thromboembolic event.
Management of an Unusual Avulsion Trauma of Total Esophagus During Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
Authors: Lin Ying-Sheng , Chang Chang-Cheng , Chen Hung-Chi
Published: April 2023

Background

An esophageal defect usually resulted from surgical ablation of tumors or corrosive injury. Staged reconstructions are required usually in extensive defects.

Aim and Objectives

This study aimed to present a rare iatrogenic complication of total esophageal avulsion injury during upper gastrointestinal endoscopic treatment and to perform staged reconstructions to create a neoesophagus.

Materials and Methods

In the presented case, staged reconstructions with a tubed deltopectoral flap and a supercharged colon interposition flap were performed to reconstruct the hypopharynx and esophagus. However, recurrent choking occurred because of the extent of injury involving the epiglottis. A tubed free radial forearm flap connected to the lower buccogingival sulcus was used to create a new route for food passage.

Results

The patient resumed oral intake after rehabilitation.

Conclusions

The avulsion injury of the total esophagus is rare and devastating. Staged reconstructions with a tubed deltopectoral flap, a supercharged colon interposition flap, and a tubed free radial forearm flap would be a safe and reliable method.
Risk Factors for Treatment Failure in Skin and Soft Tissue Infections Caused by Nontuberculous Mycobacteria
Authors: Huang Chi-Han , Hsiao Fu-Yin , Wang Tien-Hsiang
Published: April 2023

Background

This study investigated the characteristics of patients with skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) caused by nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and identified the risk factors for treatment failure in these patients.

Material and Methods

Data of patients with NTM SSTIs who received treatment between January 2014 and December 2019 at Taipei Veterans General Hospital were collected retrospectively. Possible risk factors were determined using univariate and multivariate analysis with logistic regression models.

Results

A total of 47 patients (24 male, 23 female; age, 57.1 ± 15.2 years) were enrolled. Type 2 diabetes mellitus was the most common comorbidity. The most common mycobacterial species was the Mycobacterium abscessus complex, and the most commonly affected site was the axial trunk. Treatment was successful in 38 patients (81%). Six patients had recurrent infections (13%) after the treatment course was completed, and 3 patients (6.4%) died of NTM-related infection. Delayed treatment for more than 2 months and antibiotic-alone treatment were 2 independent risk factors for treatment failure of NTM SSTIs.

Conclusions

Delayed treatment for more than 2 months and antibiotic-alone treatment were associated with a higher failure rate in patients with NTM SSTIs. Therefore, the differential diagnosis of NTM infection should always be considered when the treatment course is prolonged but not effective. Early identification of causative NTM species and appropriate antibiotic treatment may lower the risk of treatment failure. Prompt surgical treatment is suggested if available.
Proposed minimal standards for description of methanogenic archaea
Authors: Prakash Om , Dodsworth Jeremy A. , Dong Xiuzhu , Ferry James G. , L’Haridon Stephane , Imachi Hiroyuki , Kamagata Yoichi , Rhee Sung-Keun , Sagar Isita , Shcherbakova Viktoria , Wagner Dirk , Whitman William B.
Published: April 2023

Methanogenic archaea are a diverse, polyphyletic group of strictly anaerobic prokaryotes capable of producing methane as their primary metabolic product. It has been over three decades since minimal standards for their taxonomic description have been proposed. In light of advancements in technology and amendments in systematic microbiology, revision of the older criteria for taxonomic description is essential. Most of the previously recommended minimum standards regarding phenotypic characterization of pure cultures are maintained. Electron microscopy and chemotaxonomic methods like whole-cell protein and lipid analysis are desirable but not required. Because of advancements in DNA sequencing technologies, obtaining a complete or draft whole genome sequence for type strains and its deposition in a public database are now mandatory. Genomic data should be used for rigorous comparison to close relatives using overall genome related indices such as average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridization. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene is also required and can be supplemented by phylogenies of the mcrA gene and phylogenomic analysis using multiple conserved, single-copy marker genes. Additionally, it is now established that culture purity is not essential for studying prokaryotes, and description of Candidatus methanogenic taxa using single-cell or metagenomics along with other appropriate criteria is a viable alternative. The revisions to the minimal criteria proposed here by the members of the Subcommittee on the Taxonomy of Methanogenic Archaea of the International Committee on Systematics of Prokaryotes should allow for rigorous yet practical taxonomic description of these important and diverse microbes.