bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Converting a Geriatrics Clinic to Virtual Visits during COVID-19: A Case Study
Authors: Iyer Sowmya , Mehta Priyanka , Weith Joanne , Hoang-Gia Dat , Moore Janet , Carlson Chalise , Choe Philip , Sakai Erin , Gould Christine
Published: March 2021

Background:

To characterize the experience of converting a geriatrics clinic to telehealth visits in early stages of a pandemic.

Design:

An organizational case study with mixed methods evaluation from the first 8 weeks of converting a geriatrics clinic from in-person visits to video and telephone visits.

Setting:

Veteran’s Health Administration in Northern California Participants Community-dwelling older Veterans receiving care at VA Palo Alto Geriatrics clinic. Veterans had a mean age of 85.7 (SD = 6.8) and 72.1% had cognitive impairment.

Intervention:

Veterans with face-to-face appointments were converted to video or telephone visits to mitigate exposure to community spread of COVID-19.

Measurements:

Thirty-two patient evaluations and 80 clinician feedback evaluations were completed. This provided information on satisfaction, care access during pandemic, and travel and time savings.

Results:

Of the 62 scheduled appointments, 43 virtual visits (69.4%) were conducted. Twenty-six (60.5%) visits were conducted via video, 17 (39.5%) by telephone. Virtual visits saved patients an average of 118.6 minutes each. Patients and providers had similar, positive perceptions about telehealth to in-person visit comparison, limiting exposure, and visit satisfaction. After the telehealth appointment, patients indicated greater comfort with using virtual visits in the future. Thirty-one evaluations included comments for qualitative analysis. We identified 3 main themes of technology set-up and usability, satisfaction with visit, and clinical assessment and communication.

Conclusion:

During a pandemic that has limited the ability to safely conduct inperson services, virtual formats offer a feasible and acceptable alternative for clinically-complex older patients. Despite potential barriers and additional effort required for telehealth visits, patients expressed willingness to utilize this format. Patients and providers reported high satisfaction, particularly with the ability to access care similar to in-person while staying safe. Investing in telehealth services during a pandemic ensures that vulnerable older patients can access care while maintaining social distancing, an important safety measure.
Gene expression profiling of primary fibrochondrocyte cultures in traumatic and degenerative meniscus lesions
Authors: Aydın Nuri , Karaismailoğlu Bedri , Alaylıoğlu Merve , Gezen-Ak Duygu , Şengül Büşra , Candaş Esin , Yılmazer Selma , Dursun Erdinç
Published: March 2021

Purpose:

This study aimed to investigate how fibroblastic and chondrocytic properties of human meniscal fibrochondrocytes are affected in culture conditions according to the type of meniscal pathology and localization, and to provide basic information for tissue-engineering studies.

Methods:

Primary fibrochondrocyte cultures were prepared from meniscus samples of patients who had either traumatic tear or degeneration due to osteoarthritis. Cultures were compared in terms of mRNA expression levels of COL1A1, COL2A1, COMP1, HIF1A, HIF2A, and SOX9 and secreted total collagen and sulfated sGAG levels according to the type of meniscal pathology, anatomical localization, and the number of subcultures.

Results:

mRNA expression levels of COL1A1, COMP1, HIF1A, HIF2A, and SOX9 were found to be increased in subsequent subcultures in all specimens. COL1A1 mRNA expression levels of both lateral and medial menisci of patients with traumatic tear were significantly higher than in patients with degenerative pathology, indicating a more fibroblastic character. P1 subculture of lateral and P3 or further subculture of medial meniscus showed more fibroblastic characteristics in patients with degenerative pathology. Furthermore, in patients with degenerative pathology, the subcultures of the lateral meniscus (especially on the inner part) presented more chondrocytic characteristics than did those of medial meniscus.

Conclusions:

The mRNA expression levels of the cultures showed significant differences according to the anatomical localization and pathology of the meniscus, indicating distinct chondrocytic and fibroblastic features. This fundamental knowledge would help researchers to choose more efficient cell sources for cell-seeding of a meniscus scaffold, and to generate a construct resembling the original meniscus tissue.
Return to Play After Platelet-Rich Plasma Injection for Elbow UCL Injury: Outcomes Based on Injury Severity
Authors: Mills Frederic Baker , Misra Anuruddh K. , Goyeneche Nicholas , Hackel Joshua G. , Andrews James R. , Joyner Patrick W.
Published: March 2021

Background:

Ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) injuries of the elbow are uncommon in the general population but prevalent in the athletic community, particularly among baseball players. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection therapy has become a popular nonoperative adjuvant treatment for such injuries to help reduce recovery time and avoid surgery.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

To analyze patient outcomes by injury severity and identify injury types that responded most favorably and unfavorably to PRP treatment. It was hypothesized that PRP therapy would prove to be most beneficial in the treatment of lower-grade, partial UCL tears and less effective in the treatment of more severe, complete UCL tears.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A cohort of 50 patients with UCL injuries in their dominant elbow, diagnosed by MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) arthrogram, underwent PRP therapy in conjunction with an established rehabilitation program. UCL injuries were classified by MRI as low-grade partial tear (Type I), high-grade partial tear (Type II), complete tear (Type III), or tear in more than 1 location (Type IV).

Results:

In total, 24 of 39 (61.5%) Type I and II tears, 3 of 3 (100%) Type III tears, and 1 of 8 (12.5%) patients with Type IV tears responded to UCL PRP injection therapy and were able to return to play without surgery. Ten patients required subsequent UCL PRP injections, of which 3 (30%) were able to return to sport without surgery.

Conclusion:

PRP treatment for Types I and II UCL tears shows great promise when combined with physical therapy and a rehabilitation program. Type III UCL tears demonstrated a high rate of success, although with low cohort numbers. Type IV UCL tears did not appear to respond well to PRP injection therapy and often required surgical intervention or cessation of sport. Therefore, PRP treatment does not appear to be appropriate for patients with complete Type IV UCL tears but may enhance recovery and improve outcomes in throwing athletes with Types I, II, and III UCL injuries.
Gender-Atypical Occupations and Instability of Intimate Unions: Examining the Relationship and Mechanisms
Authors: Yu Wei-hsin , Kuo Janet Chen-Lan
Published: March 2021

Although social scientists have long been interested in the effects of occupational gender composition on workers, previous research has rarely examined how working in a gender-atypical occupation affects people’s private lives. This study draws on 17 rounds of data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth 1997 to investigate how individuals in occupations with varying gender ratios differ in the stability of their intimate unions. The authors also consider various mechanisms that may explain the link between working in a gender-atypical occupation and union instability. Results from random-effects event-history models show that both men and women in gender-atypical occupations experience faster paces of union dissolution than their counterparts in gender-balanced or gender-typical occupations. Female-dominant occupations’ lower pay accounts for a modest portion of the effect of working in female-typed occupations on men’s union instability. By contrast, the more irregular work schedules of male-typed occupations explain a substantial part of why women in such occupations have lower union stability. The remaining associations between occupational gender composition and union instability, we suggest, reflect the tendency for men and women in gender-atypical occupations to undergo greater psychological strain, which in turn increases the difficulty of maintaining intimate relationships.
Problematizing Perceptions of STEM Potential: Differences by Cognitive Disability Status in High School and Postsecondary Educational Outcomes
Authors: Shifrer Dara , Mackin Freeman Daniel
Published: March 2021

The STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) potential of youth with cognitive disabilities is often dismissed through problematic perceptions of STEM ability as natural and of youth with cognitive disabilities as unable. National data on more than 15,000 adolescents from the High School Longitudinal Study of 2009 first suggest that, among youth with disabilities, youth with medicated attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have the highest levels of STEM achievement, and youth with learning or intellectual disabilities typically have the lowest. Undergraduates with medicated ADHD or autism appear to be more likely to major in STEM than youth without cognitive disabilities, and youth with autism have the most positive STEM attitudes. Finally, results suggest that high school STEM achievement is more salient for college enrollment than STEM-positive attitudes across youth with most disability types, whereas attitudes are more salient than achievement for choosing a STEM major.
Start the Way You Want to Finish: An Intensive Diversity, Equity, Inclusion Orientation Curriculum in Undergraduate Medical Education
Authors: Davis Denise L. F. , Tran-Taylor DoQuyen , Imbert Elizabeth , Wong Jeffrey O. , Chou Calvin L.
Published: March 2021

Problem:

Medical students often feel unprepared to care for patients whose cultural backgrounds differ from their own. Programs in medical schools have begun to address health: inequities; however, interventions vary in intensity, effectiveness, and student experience.

Intervention:

The authors describe an intensive 2-day diversity, equity, and inclusion curriculum for medical students in their orientation week prior to starting formal classes. Rather than using solely a knowledge-based “cultural competence” or a reflective “cultural humility” approach, an experiential curriculum was employed that links directly to fundamental communication skills vital to interactions with patients and teams, and critically important to addressing interpersonal disparities. Specifically, personal narratives were incorporated to promote individuation and decrease implicit bias, relationship-centered skills practice to improve communication across differences, and mindfulness skills to help respond to bias when it occurs. Brief didactics highlighting student and faculty narratives of difference were followed by small group sessions run by faculty trained to facilitate sessions on equity and inclusion.

Context:

Orientation week for matriculating first-year students at a US medical school.

Impact:

Matriculating students highly regarded an innovative 2-day diversity, equity, and inclusion orientation curriculum that emphasized significant relationship-building with peers, in addition to core concepts and skills in diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Lessons learned:

This orientation represented an important primer to concepts, skills, and literature that reinforce the necessity of training in diversity, equity, and inclusion. The design team found that intensive faculty development and incorporating diversity concepts into fundamental communication skills training were necessary to perpetuate this learning. Two areas of further work emerged: (1) the emphasis on addressing racism and racial equity as paradigmatic belies further essential understanding of intersectionality, and (2) uncomfortable conversations about privilege and marginalization arose, requiring expert facilitation.
‘Seeing like a city’, or ‘seeing like a state’ in a city? Paris, capital of femonationalism
Authors: Hancock Claire
Published: March 2021

This paper questions the ‘seeing like a city’ vs. ‘seeing like a state’ opposition through a detailed discussion of urban politics in the city of Paris, France, a prime example of the ways in which the national remains a driving dimension of city life. This claim is examined by a consideration of the shortcomings of Paris’s recent and timid commitment local democracy, lacking recognition of the diversity of its citizens, and the ways in which the inclusion of more women in decision-making arenas has failed to advance the ‘feminization of politics’. A common factor in these defining features of the Hidalgo administration seems to be the prevalence of ‘femonationalism’ and its influence over municipal policy-making.
Road network vulnerability and city-level characteristics: A nationwide comparative analysis of Japanese cities
Authors: Santos Johan Rose , Safitri Nur Diana , Safira Maya , Varghese Varun , Chikaraishi Makoto
Published: March 2021

Climate change is making our cities more vulnerable, increasing the needs for further policy actions to make them more resilient. In particular, the transport network is critical in the first phase of disaster response. This study presents the epirical findings of a large scale, nationwide analysis of the road network vulnerability in 69 Japanese cities. We (1) identify the level of network efficiency using topological elements in its undisturbed normal state; (2) evaluate the level of network robustness under different random and targeted attack scenarios; and (3) analyze the relationship of the identified network efficiency and robustness indicators with city-level characteristics. The main findings include: (1) cities with a higher population and a higher infrastructure investment tend to be more robust under random attacks; (2) larger cities tend to be less robust to targeted attacks, presumably due to their high agglomeration of urban functions; (3) car dependency tends to make cities more vulnerable toward random attacks and less vulnerable toward targeted attacks as it indicates a weaker concentration in urban functions; and (4) a high modal share for trains tends to make cities less vulnerable toward random events as it indicates a high agglomeration of urban functions. These findings will help policymakers to prioritize their budget allocations to improve nationwide disaster resilience.
Prevalence of Problematic Pornography Use and Attitude Toward Pornography Among the Undergraduate Medical Students
Authors: Kumar Parveen , Patel Vishal Kanaiyalal , Bhatt Renish Bhupenderbhai , Vasavada Disha Alkeshbhai , Sangma Rangdon Dor , Tiwari Deepak Sachinand
Published: March 2021

Background:

There are mixed views on categorizing pornography as addiction or as a sexual compulsivity or a subset of hypersexual behavior. Due to rise in the Internet access and technologies, the possibilities of conduit for sexual interactions, online pornography, and other type of repetitive behaviors have increased.

Aims:

The current study aimed to find the prevalence of problematic pornography use and attitude toward pornography.

Methodology:

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 1,050 undergraduate medical students to assess the prevalence of pornography addiction and attitude toward pornography. A Google document containing structured questionnaire in 3 different parts: (a) demographic details of students, (b) Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale, and (c) attitudes toward pornography scale. This Google document was shared with all the undergraduate students through email address and WhatsApp group. Participants who did not respond to the questionnaire were sent 3 reminders at a gap of 3 days. The responses were recorded in Excel sheet and analyzed using Epi-Info software.

Results:

Prevalence of problematic pornography use among participants was 12.5%. There was statistically high prevalence of problematic pornography use among male participants ( P < .001), nearly daily consumption of pornography per week ( P < .001) and more than 20 min of consumption per day ( P <.001). A statistical significant negative correlation was shown (r = −0.483, P < .001) between age of first exposure to pornography and problematic pornography consumption score. Males, being in a relationship, and those with problematic pornography use had higher score on attitude toward pornography scale.

Conclusion:

It is important to provide education to students about the effects of problematic pornography use because there is negative correlation between exposure to pornographic imagery on the Internet and levels of genital and sexual esteem; pornography use was associated with poor quality of life, and depressive and anxiety symptoms. Gender-specific discussions so as to promote sexual health and participation in media literacy education would be beneficial for young people in changing attitude toward pornography.
Venetoclax enhances T cell–mediated antileukemic activity by increasing ROS production
Authors: Lee Jong Bok , Khan Dilshad H. , Hurren Rose , Xu Mingjing , Na Yoosu , Kang Hyeonjeong , Mirali Sara , Wang Xiaoming , Gronda Marcela , Jitkova Yulia , MacLean Neil , Arruda Andrea , Alaniz Zoe , Konopleva Marina Y. , Andreeff Michael , Minden Mark D. , Zhang Li , Schimmer Aaron D.
Published: March 2021

Venetoclax, a Bcl-2 inhibitor, in combination with the hypomethylating agent azacytidine, achieves complete remission with or without count recovery in ∼70% of treatment-naive elderly patients unfit for conventional intensive chemotherapy. However, the mechanism of action of this drug combination is not fully understood. We discovered that venetoclax directly activated T cells to increase their cytotoxicity against acute myeloid leukemia (AML) in vitro and in vivo. Venetoclax enhanced T-cell effector function by increasing reactive oxygen species generation through inhibition of respiratory chain supercomplexes formation. In addition, azacytidine induced a viral mimicry response in AML cells by activating the STING/cGAS pathway, thereby rendering the AML cells more susceptible to T cell–mediated cytotoxicity. Similar findings were seen in patients treated with venetoclax, as this treatment increased reactive oxygen species generation and activated T cells. Collectively, this study presents a new immune-mediated mechanism of action for venetoclax and azacytidine in the treatment of AML and highlights a potential combination of venetoclax and adoptive cell therapy for patients with AML.
Friction-Induced Nanofabrication: A Review
Authors: Yu Bingjun , Qian Linmao
Published: March 2021

As the bridge between basic principles and applications of nanotechnology, nanofabrication methods play significant role in supporting the development of nanoscale science and engineering, which is changing and improving the production and lifestyle of the human. Photo lithography and other alternative technologies, such as nanoimprinting, electron beam lithography, focused ion beam cutting, and scanning probe lithography, have brought great progress of semiconductor industry, IC manufacturing and micro/nanoelectromechanical system (MEMS/NEMS) devices. However, there remains a lot of challenges, relating to the resolution, cost, speed, and so on, in realizing high-quality products with further development of nanotechnology. None of the existing techniques can satisfy all the needs in nanoscience and nanotechnology at the same time, and it is essential to explore new nanofabrication methods. As a newly developed scanning probe microscope (SPM)-based lithography, friction-induced nanofabrication provides opportunities for maskless, flexible, low-damage, low-cost and environment-friendly processing on a wide variety of materials, including silicon, quartz, glass surfaces, and so on. It has been proved that this fabrication route provides with a broad application prospect in the fabrication of nanoimprint templates, microfluidic devices, and micro/nano optical structures. This paper hereby involved the principals and operations of friction-induced nanofabrication, including friction-induced selective etching, and the applications were reviewed as well for looking ahead at opportunities and challenges with nanotechnology development. The present review will not only enrich the knowledge in nanotribology, but also plays a positive role in promoting SPM-based nanofabrication.
Post-Bacille Calmette–Guerin surveillance for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: do random biopsies offer an advantage?
Authors: Abou Heidar Nassib , Labban Muhieddine Saadeddine , Armache Alexandre Khalil , Bulbul Muhammad Ahmad , El-Hajj Albert Elias , Khauli Raja Bahjat , Nasr Rami Wajih
Published: March 2021

Background

The optimal surveillance method for recurrence of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) after intravesical BCG treatment is unknown. The aim of this study is to assess the difference between two surveillance methods: cystoscopy with bladder biopsies and office-based flexible cystoscopy in detecting NMIBC recurrence and time to recurrence.

Methods

Charts of patients who underwent transurethral resection of bladder tumor with subsequent intravesical Bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) treatment were reviewed between January 2015 and December 2018. Baseline demographics and oncological parameters were compared between the two methods of surveillance. Then, the role of the surveillance method for NMIBC recurrence and time to recurrence were evaluated in backward logistic regression and hazard ratios estimated in Cox regression models, respectively.

Results

Fifty-one patients (50.5%) underwent office-based flexible cystoscopy and 50 patients (49.5%) had bladder biopsies. The patients undergoing either surveillance methods were comparable for baseline demographic and oncological parameter. The predictors of recurrence and earlier BCG relapse were increased body mass index, the presence of multifocal tumors, the presence of concurrent carcinoma in situ, and tumor size at presentation. Bladder cancer recurrence was mostly affected by multifocality of the disease [OR 3.61 95%CI (1.17–11.15)] and the presence of concomitant carcinoma in situ [4.35 (1.29–14.68)]. Yet, the surveillance method neither predicted a higher recurrence yield nor earlier diagnosis.

Conclusion

In our cohort, there is neither difference in recurrence yield nor earlier diagnosis of recurrence between office-based flexible cystoscopy and bladder biopsies. Larger prospective studies are needed to assess the generalizability of these findings.
Mapping travel behavior changes during the COVID-19 lock-down: a socioeconomic analysis in Greece
Authors: Politis Ioannis , Georgiadis Georgios , Nikolaidou Anastasia , Kopsacheilis Aristomenis , Fyrogenis Ioannis , Sdoukopoulos Alexandros , Verani Eleni , Papadopoulos Efthymis
Published: March 2021

Background

COVID-19 pandemic is a challenge that the world had never encountered in the last 100 years. In order to mitigate its negative effects, governments worldwide took action by prohibiting at first certain activities and in some cases by a countrywide lockdown. Greece was among the countries that were struck by the pandemic. Governmental authorities took action in limiting the spread of the pandemic through a series of countermeasures, which built up to a countrywide lockdown that lasted 42 days.

Methodology

This research aims at identifying the effect of certain socioeconomic factors on the travel behaviour of Greek citizens and at investigating whether any social groups were comparatively less privileged or suffered more from the lockdown. To this end, a dynamic online questionnaire survey on mobility characteristics was designed and distributed to Greek citizens during the lockdown period, which resulted in 1,259 valid responses. Collected data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistical tests, in order to identify mobility patterns and correlations with certain socioeconomic characteristics. Additionally, a Generalised Linear Model (GLM) was developed in order to examine the potential influence of socioeconomic characteristics to trip frequency before and during the lockdown period.

Results

Outcomes indicate a decisive decrease in trip frequencies due to the lockdown. Furthermore, the model’s results indicate significant correlations between gender, income and trip frequencies during the lockdown, something that is not evident in the pre-pandemic era.
ProgPerm: Progressive permutation for a dynamic representation of the robustness of microbiome discoveries
Authors: Zhang Liangliang , Shi Yushu , Do Kim-Anh , Peterson Christine B. , Jenq Robert R.
Published: March 2021

Background

Identification of features is a critical task in microbiome studies that is complicated by the fact that microbial data are high dimensional and heterogeneous. Masked by the complexity of the data, the problem of separating signals (differential features between groups) from noise (features that are not differential between groups) becomes challenging and troublesome. For instance, when performing differential abundance tests, multiple testing adjustments tend to be overconservative, as the probability of a type I error (false positive) increases dramatically with the large numbers of hypotheses. Moreover, the grouping effect of interest can be obscured by heterogeneity. These factors can incorrectly lead to the conclusion that there are no differences in the microbiome compositions.

Results

We translate and represent the problem of identifying differential features, which are differential in two-group comparisons (e.g., treatment versus control), as a dynamic layout of separating the signal from its random background. More specifically, we progressively permute the grouping factor labels of the microbiome samples and perform multiple differential abundance tests in each scenario. We then compare the signal strength of the most differential features from the original data with their performance in permutations, and will observe a visually apparent decreasing trend if these features are true positives identified from the data. Simulations and applications on real data show that the proposed method creates a U-curve when plotting the number of significant features versus the proportion of mixing. The shape of the U-Curve can convey the strength of the overall association between the microbiome and the grouping factor. We also define a fragility index to measure the robustness of the discoveries. Finally, we recommend the identified features by comparing p-values in the observed data with p-values in the fully mixed data.

Conclusions

We have developed this into a user-friendly and efficient R-shiny tool with visualizations. By default, we use the Wilcoxon rank sum test to compute the p-values, since it is a robust nonparametric test. Our proposed method can also utilize p-values obtained from other testing methods, such as DESeq. This demonstrates the potential of the progressive permutation method to be extended to new settings.
Efficacy of tocilizumab therapy in a patient with severe pancytopenia associated with a STAT3 gain-of-function mutation
Authors: Wang Wenjie , Liu Luyao , Hui Xiaoying , Wang Ying , Ying Wenjing , Zhou Qinhua , Hou Jia , Yang Mi , Sun Bijun , Sun Jinqiao , Wang Xiaochuan
Published: March 2021

Background

We aimed to report the clinical characteristics, immunological features, and treatment of one patient with a de novo STAT3 gain-of-function mutation identified by next generation sequencing. We investigated the efficacy of tocilizumab therapy in immune dysregulation diseases caused by STAT3 mutation.

Results

The patient was a 16-year-old girl. She presented with recurrent respiratory infections and chronic diarrhea after birth. She had life-threatening autoimmune pancytopenia at 14 years old. After receiving glucocorticoid therapy, she developed diabetes. However, her pancytopenia relapsed when the glucocorticoid was tapered. Next-generation sequencing showed a de novo heterozygous mutation in the STAT3 gene, c.1261G > A (p. G421R), which was previously described as a gain-of-function mutation. After tocilizumab therapy, her pancytopenia fully resolved, and insulin and glucocorticoid therapies were gradually discontinued within 12 months. She had lymphopenia and an inverted CD4/CD8 ratio before therapy. Lymphocyte subpopulation analysis indicated an expansion of effector memory CD4+, effector memory CD8+ and central memory CD4+ T cells. The proportions of memory B cells and naive CD4+ T cells were decreased, and the proportion of naïve B cells was increased. None of the abnormal lymphocytic changes improved significantly. STAT3 GOF mutations were identified by next gene sequencing in those with early-onset multi-organ autoimmunity. Including our patient, 13 patients with STAT3 GOF mutations received targeted treatment. Twelve of them were treated with tocilizumab alone or combination tocilizumab with JAK inhibitor, and ten patients improved.

Conclusions

Gene sequencing should be performed for patients with early-onset refractory or multiorgan immune dysregulation diseases. Targeted drugs can effectively improve the clinical problems associated with STAT3 gain-of-function mutations, while nontargeted immunosuppressive therapy is usually insufficient.
Genome-wide identification, expression, and sequence analysis of CONSTANS-like gene family in cannabis reveals a potential role in plant flowering time regulation
Authors: Pan Gen , Li Zheng , Yin Ming , Huang Siqi , Tao Jie , Chen Anguo , Li Jianjun , Tang Huijuan , Chang Li , Deng Yong , Li Defang , Zhao Lining
Published: March 2021

Background

Cannabis, an important industrial crop, has a high sensitivity to photoperiods. The flowering time of cannabis is one of its important agronomic traits, and has a significant effect on its yield and quality. The CONSTANS-like (COL) gene plays a key role in the regulation of flowering in this plant. However, the specific roles of the COL gene family in cannabis are still unknown.

Results

In this study, 13 CsCOL genes were identified in the cannabis genome. Phylogenetic analysis implied that the CsCOL proteins were divided into three subgroups, and each subgroup included conserved intron/exon structures and motifs. Chromosome distribution analysis showed that 13 CsCOL genes were unevenly distributed on 7 chromosomes, with chromosome 10 having the most CsCOL members. Collinearity analysis showed that two syntenic gene pairs of CsCOL4 and CsCOL11 were found in both rice and Gossypium raimondii. Of the 13 CsCOL genes, CsCOL6 and CsCOL12 were a pair of tandem duplicated genes, whereas CsCOL8 and CsCOL11 may have resulted from segmental duplication. Furthermore, tissue-specific expression showed that 10 CsCOL genes were preferentially expressed in the leaves, 1 CsCOL in the stem, and 2 CsCOL in the female flower. Most CsCOL exhibited a diurnal oscillation pattern under different light treatment. Additionally, sequence analysis showed that CsCOL3 and CsCOL7 exhibited amino acid differences among the early-flowering and late flowering cultivars.

Conclusion

This study provided insight into the potential functions of CsCOL genes, and highlighted their roles in the regulation of flowering time in cannabis. Our results laid a foundation for the further elucidation of the functions of COL genes in cannabis.
The disappearance of IPO in myocardium of diabetes mellitus rats is associated with the increase of succinate dehydrogenase-flavin protein
Authors: Deng Mengyuan , Chen Wei , Wang Haiying , Wang Yan , Zhou Wenjing , Yu Tian
Published: March 2021

Background

The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the disappearance of ischemic post-processing (IPO) in the myocardium of diabetes mellitus (DM) is associated with the increase of succinate dehydrogenase-flavin protein (SDHA).

Methods

A total of 50 Sprague Dawley rats, weighing 300–400 g, were divided into 5 groups according to the random number table method, each with 10 rats. After DM rats were fed a high-fat and -sugar diet for 4 weeks, they were injected with Streptozotocin to establish the diabetic rat model. Normal rats were fed the same regular diet for the same number of weeks. Next, the above rats were taken to establish a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) model. Intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT) and oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) were used to detect whether the DM rat model was established successfully. Taking blood from the femoral artery to collect the blood-gas analysis indicators, and judged whether the CPB model is established. After perfusion was performed according to the experimental strategy, the area of myocardial infarction (MI), and serum creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin (CTnI) levels were measured. Finally, the relative mRNA and protein expression of SDHA was detected.

Results

The OGTT and IPGTT suggested that the DM rat model was successfully established. The arterial blood gas analysis indicated that the CPB model was successfully established. As compared with the N group, the heart function of the IR group was significantly reduced, the levels of myocardial enzyme markers, the area of MI, as well as the relative mRNA and protein expression of SDHA, were all increased. As compared with the IR group, the CK-MB and CTnI levels in the IPO group, the MI area, relative mRNA and protein expression of SDHA decreased. As compared with the IPO group, the myocardial enzyme content in the DM + IPO group, the MI area and the relative mRNA and protein expression of SDHA increased. As compared with the DM + IPO group, in the DM + IPO + dme group, the myocardial enzyme content, area of MI and relative mRNA and protein expression were all decreased.

Conclusion

IPO can inhibit the expression of SDHA, reduce MIRI and exert a cardioprotective effect in the normal rats. However, the protective effect of IPO disappears in the diabetic rats. The inhibitor dme combined with IPO can increase the expression of SDHA and restore the protective effect of IPO in DM myocardia.
Combination inhibition activity of chlorhexidine and antibiotics on multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in vitro
Authors: Lin Fei , Yu Bin , Wang Qinghui , Yuan Mingyong , Ling Baodong
Published: March 2021

Background

Chlorhexidine is a widely used disinfectant in clinical settings and a broad-spectrum antimicrobial agent effective against aerobic and anaerobic bacteria. However, disinfectant resistant or non-susceptible bacteria, including antibiotic-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii, have been found. This study aimed to develop a new technique to prevent and control A. baumannii infection in the hospital setting.

Methods

Chlorhexidine combined with minocycline, doxycycline, meropenem, imipenem, levofloxacin and ciprofloxacin were tested against the 30 multidrug-resistant and extremely drug-resistant A. baumannii clinical isolates. The checkerboard test was used to calculate the fractional inhibitory concentration index according to the minimum inhibitory concentration value for chlorhexidine combined with antibiotics.

Results

The combination of chlorhexidine with minocycline, doxycycline, meropenem, or ciprofloxacin showed synergistic responses in all clinical isolates, and more than 50% of isolates showed FICI ≤0.5. However, chlorhexidine together with imipenem or levofloxacin showed indifferent responses in 10% and 3.33% clinical isolates, respectively. In all tests, combinations of chlorhexidine with each of the above six antibiotics showed synergistic and additive effects, and inhibited the clinical isolates.

Conclusions

We concluded that, chlorhexidine combined with antibiotics could be used to control the risk of infection with A. baumannii.
MRI-based nomogram analysis: recognition of anterior peritoneal reflection and its relationship to rectal cancers
Authors: Zhang Shaoting , Chen Fangying , Ma Xiaolu , Wang Minjie , Yu Guanyu , Shen Fu , Gao Xianhua , Lu Jianping
Published: March 2021

Background

This study is aimed to explore the factors influencing the visualization of the anterior peritoneal reflection (APR) and evaluated the feasibility of measuring the distance from the anal verge to APR (AV-APR), the tumor height on MRI and the accuracy of determining the tumor location with regard to APR.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed 110 patients with rectal cancer. A univariate and multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify the independent factors (age, sex, T stage, the degree of bladder filling, pelvic effusion, intraoperative tumor location, BMI, uterine orientation, the distance from seminal vesicle/uterus to rectum) associated with the visualization of the APR on MRI. The nomogram diagram and receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) were established. Intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used to evaluate the consistency of the distance of AV-APR. The Pearson correlation coefficient was used to characterize the agreement between measurements of the tumor height by colonoscopy and MRI. The Kappa statistics was used to evaluate the value of MRI in the diagnosis of the tumor location with regard to the APR.

Results

Multivariate logistic regression showed that BMI (P = 0.031, odds ratio, OR = 1.197), pelvic effusion (P = 0.020, OR = 7.107) and the distance from seminal vesicle/uterus to the rectum (P = 0.001, OR = 3.622) were correlated with the visualization of APR. The cut-off point of BMI and the distance from seminal vesicle/uterus to the rectum is 25.845 kg/m2 and 1.15 cm. The area under curve (AUC) (95% Confidence Interval, 95% CI) of the combined model is 0.840 (0.750–0.930). The favorable calibration of the nomogram showed a non-significant Hosmer–Lemeshow test statistic (P = 0.195). The ICC value (95% CI) of the distance of AV-APR measured by two radiologists was 0.981 (0.969–0.989). The height measured by MRI and colonoscopy were correlated with each other (r = 0.699, P < 0.001). The Kappa value was 0.854.

Conclusions

BMI, pelvic effusion, and the distance from seminal vesicle/uterus to rectum could affect the visualization of APR on MRI. Also, it’s feasible to measure the distance of AV-APR, the tumor height, and to evaluate the tumor location with regard to APR using MRI.
Imaging features and radiologic-pathologic correlations of inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular dendritic cell sarcoma
Authors: Xu Lingbin , Ge Rong , Gao Shanshan
Published: March 2021

Background

Inflammatory pseudotumor-like follicular dendritic cell sarcoma (IPT-like FDCS) is a rare tumor. This study aimed to reveal the radiological characteristics of IPT-like FDCS by radiologic-pathologic correlation.

Results

We analyzed two cases of IPT-like FDCS in the liver, nine in the spleen, and two in both the liver and spleen concomitantly. IPT-like FDCS presented as well-defined iso- or hypodense masses on unenhanced computed tomography (CT) images in both the liver and spleen. Hyperintensities on T1-weighted images and hypointensities on T2-weighted images with hypointense rings were characteristic features in splenic cases. “Halo signs” were observed in two out of three liver tumors. Hepatic lesions showed significant enhancement, whereas splenic lesions showed only mild enhancement. Delayed annular enhancement was observed in both liver and spleen cases. On ultrasonographic examination, IPT-like FDCS presented as hypoechoic lesions with enhancement similar to that observed on CT. Hyaline fibrous pseudocapsules, which correlated with the hypointensities on T2-weighted images, were microscopically observed at the tumor edge. IPT-like FDCS was characterized by an abundance of small blood vessels and capillaries. Capillaries were also found in the fibrous capsule of some IPT-like FDCSs, which may explain the delayed annular enhancement.

Conclusions

The manifestations of IPT-like FDCS in the liver and spleen showed differences that warrant them to be approached differently during diagnosis. Characteristic radiological findings of IPT-like FDCS included different enhancement patterns between liver and spleen tumors and rim-like hypointensities on T2-weighted images, as well as annular enhancement on CT and magnetic resonance images. These imaging features correlated with tumor pathology.
Venous hypertension caused by a meningioma involving the sigmoid sinus: case report
Authors: Sumi Koichiro , Otani Naoki , Mori Fumi , Yamamuro Shun , Oshima Hideki , Yoshino Atsuo
Published: March 2021

Background

Intracranial venous hypertension has been associated with a few cases of meningioma secondary to compression of the venous sinus. This is the rare case of small meningioma involving the sigmoid sinus leading to intracranial venous hypertension mimicking venous thrombosis.

Case presentation

A 39-year-old woman suffered visual dysfunction due to bilateral papilledema. Noncontrast head computed tomography (CT) showed no intracranial space-occupying lesions or hydrocephalus. Cerebrospinal fluid examination revealed high opening pressure. Various image inspections such as three-dimensional CT angiography, magnetic resonance imaging, and cerebral angiography demonstrated a small 2.5-cm lesion causing subtotal occlusion of the dominant right sigmoid sinus. No improvement of clinical manifestations was observed after medical treatment for 6 months, so right presigmoid craniectomy was performed. Operative findings revealed that the tumor was located predominantly involving the sigmoid sinus. The pathological diagnosis was fibrous meningioma. Postoperative fundoscopic examination showed improvement of bilateral papilledema.

Conclusions

We treated a patient presenting with intracranial hypertension due to a small meningioma involving the sigmoid sinus. This unusual case suggests that early surgical strategies should be undertaken to relieve the sinus obstruction.
The invisible scars of emotional abuse: a common and highly harmful form of childhood maltreatment
Authors: Gama Camila Monteiro Fabricio , Portugal Liana Catarina Lima , Gonçalves Raquel Menezes , de Souza Junior Sérgio , Vilete Liliane Maria Pereira , Mendlowicz Mauro Vitor , Figueira Ivan , Volchan Eliane , David Isabel Antunes , de Oliveira Leticia , Pereira Mirtes Garcia
Published: March 2021

Background

Childhood maltreatment (CM) is unfortunately widespread globally and has been linked with an increased risk of a variety of psychiatric disorders in adults, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). These associations are well established in the literature for some maltreatment forms, such as sexual and physical abuse. However, the effects of emotional maltreatment are much less explored, even though this type figures among the most common forms of childhood maltreatment. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the impact of each type of childhood maltreatment, both individually and conjointly, on revictimization and PTSD symptom severity using a nonclinical college student sample.

Methods

Five hundred and two graduate and undergraduate students participated in the study by completing questionnaires assessing lifetime traumatic experiences in general, maltreatment during childhood and PTSD symptoms. Bivariate and multivariate negative binomial regressions were applied to examine the associations among childhood maltreatment, revictimization, and PTSD symptom severity.

Results

Our results showed that using bivariate models, all types of CM were significantly associated with revictimization and PTSD symptom severity. Multivariate models showed that emotional abuse was the type of maltreatment associated with the highest incidence rates of revictimization and PTSD symptom severity.

Conclusions

These data provide additional evidence of the harmful effects of childhood maltreatment and its long-term consequences for individuals’ mental health. Notably, the findings highlight the importance of studying the impacts of emotional abuse, which seems to be a highly prevalent, understudied, and chronic form of maltreatment that is as toxic as other maltreatment forms.
Correction to: Person-centered, non-pharmacological intervention in reducing psychotropic medications use among residents with dementia in Australian rural aged care homes
Authors: Parajuli Daya Ram , Kuot Abraham , Hamiduzzaman Mohammad , Gladman Justin , Isaac Vivian
Published: March 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Self-esteem, social support and coping strategies of left-behind children in rural China, and the intermediary role of subjective support:a cross-sectional survey
Authors: Cui Shu , Cheng Fangshuo , Zhang Ling , Zhang Chao , Yuan Qiuyu , Huang Cui , Zhang Kai , Zhou Xiaoqin
Published: March 2021

Background

Negative coping strategies and behavioral problems are common among Chinese left-behind children, which are relate to a variety of negative consequences. At this stage of development, the relevant factors of coping strategies need to be further studied, in which social support and self-esteem are worthy of our attention. The aim of this study is to detect the current situation of self-esteem, social support, and coping styles of left-behind children (LBC) in rural China.

Methods

322 children from 3 schools in China enrolled in this study, including 236 LBC and 86 non-left-behind children (NLBC) to assess self-esteem, social support and coping strategies.

Results

The LBC group had lower self-esteem score and lower total social support (subjective support, objective support and support-seeking behavior) than the NLBC group. In terms of coping strategies, the LBC group was lower than the NLBC group in problem-solving and rationalization. The self-esteem score in LBC was significant positive associated with the subjective support score, objective support score, problem-solving and help-seeking score. In addition, self-esteem has significant mediating effect between subjective support and problem-solving, subjective support and help-seeking, respectively.

Conclusions

The finding indicate that Chinese LBC’s self-esteem and social support need to be improved. Given the significant correlativity between self-esteem, subjective support and coping strategy, it is necessary to promote Chinese LBC’s self-esteem and social support, especially subjective support.
Working from home during the COVID-19 outbreak in Sweden: effects on 24-h time-use in office workers
Authors: Hallman David M. , Januario Leticia Bergamin , Mathiassen Svend Erik , Heiden Marina , Svensson Sven , Bergström Gunnar
Published: March 2021

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic has triggered national recommendations encouraging people to work from home (WFH), but the possible impact of WFH on physical behaviors is unknown. This study aimed to determine the extent to which the 24-h allocation of time to different physical behaviors changes between days working at the office (WAO) and days WFH in office workers during the pandemic.

Methods

Data were collected on 27 office workers with full-time employment at a Swedish municipal division during the COVID-19 outbreak in May–July 2020. A thigh-worn accelerometer (Axivity) was used to assess physical behavior (sedentary, stand, move) during seven consecutive days. A diary was used to identify periods of work, leisure and sleep. 24-h compositions of sedentary, standing and moving behaviors during work and non-work time were examined using Compositional data analysis (CoDA), and differences between days WAO and days WFH were determined using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

Days WFH were associated with more time spent sleeping relative to awake, and the effect size was large (F = 7.4; p = 0.01; ηp2 = 0.22). The increase (34 min) in sleep time during WFH occurred at the expense of a reduction in work and leisure time by 26 min and 7 min, respectively. Sedentary, standing and moving behaviors did not change markedly during days WFH compared to days WAO.

Conclusion

Days working from home during the COVID-19 pandemic in Sweden were associated with longer duration of sleep than days working at the office. This behavioral change may be beneficial to health.