bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Patient, Investigator, Nurse, Carer Questionnaire (PINC-Q): A cross-sectional, retrospective, non-interventional study exploring the impact of less frequent medication administration with paliperidone palmitate 3-monthly as maintenance treatment for schizophrenia
Authors: Pungor Katalin , Sanchez Pedro , Pappa Sofia , Attal Jerome , Leopold Karolina , Steegen Geertie , Vita Antonio , Marsella Carol , Verrijcken Caroline , Lahaye Marjolein , Wooller Annette
Published: October 2020

Background: To understand the implications of switching from paliperidone palmitate 1-monthly (PP1M) to paliperidone palmitate 3-monthly (PP3M) treatment of schizophrenia from the perspective of four key stakeholders: patients, physicians, nurses and carers. Methods: PINC-Q was a cross-sectional, retrospective, non-interventional study comprising a one-time questionnaire for adult patients (aged ≥18 years) with schizophrenia (International Classification of Diseases; ICD-10) and their physician, nurse and carer. Questionnaires were developed in association with patient and carer advocacy groups (GAMIAN and EUFAMI) and following an advisory board formed of psychiatrists and nurses. The degree of alignment between stakeholders was also examined. Results: Responses were received from a total of 224 evaluable patients. For most patients (88.4%), responses were received from at least two other stakeholders. Patients were moderately ill with mild-to-moderate lack of insight and had received PP1M for a mean (standard deviation [SD]) of 23.9 (21.28) months before switching to PP3M (duration mean [SD] 12.8 [3.72] months). The most frequently reported reasons to switch from PP1M to PP3M were ‘to live life as normally as possible’ and ‘patient convenience’. Over 79% of responses within each stakeholder group stated that PP3M helped the patients, with increased patient activity and social involvement, improved frequency and quality of physician–patient and nurse–patient communication and decreased perceived stigma. Conclusions: The results of the PINC-Q study add to the increasing body of evidence supporting the benefits of PP3M in a population of patients with schizophrenia representative of real-world clinical practice.
Multiple waves of freshwater colonization of the three-spined stickleback in the Japanese Archipelago
Authors: Kakioka Ryo , Mori Seiichi , Kokita Tomoyuki , Hosoki Takuya K , Nagano Atsushi J , Ishikawa Asano , Kume Manabu , Toyoda Atsushi , Kitano Jun
Published: October 2020

Background: The three-spined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus) is a remarkable system to study the genetic mechanisms underlying parallel evolution during the transition from marine to freshwater habitats. Although the majority of previous studies on the parallel evolution of sticklebacks have mainly focused on postglacial freshwater populations in the Pacific Northwest of North America and northern Europe, we recently use Japanese stickleback populations for investigating shared and unique features of adaptation and speciation between geographically distant populations. However, we currently lack a comprehensive phylogeny of the Japanese three-spined sticklebacks, despite the fact that a good phylogeny is essential for any evolutionary and ecological studies. Here, we conducted a phylogenomic analysis of the three-spined stickleback in the Japanese Archipelago.Results: We found that freshwater colonization occurred in multiple waves, each of which may reflect different interglacial isolations. Some of the oldest freshwater populations from the central regions of the mainland of Japan (hariyo populations) were estimated to colonize freshwater approximately 170,000 years ago. The next wave of colonization likely occurred approximately 100,000 years ago. The inferred origins of several human-introduced populations showed that introduction occurred mainly from nearby habitats. We also found a new habitat of the three-spined stickleback sympatric with the Japan Sea stickleback (Gasterosteus nipponicus).Conclusions: These Japanese stickleback systems differ from those in the Pacific Northwest of North America and northern Europe in terms of divergence time and history. Stickleback populations in the Japanese Archipelago offer valuable opportunities to study diverse evolutionary processes in historical and contemporary timescales.
Patients with Pretreatment Leukoencephalopathy and Older Patients have More Cognitive Decline after Whole Brain Radiotherapy
Authors: Chan Matthew , Ferguson David , Mhurchu Elaine Ni , Yuan Ren , Gondara Lovedeep , McKenzie Michael , Olson Robert , Thiessen Brian , Lalani Nafisha , Ma Roy , Nichol Alan
Published: October 2020

Purpose: To investigate predictors of cognitive decline after whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) for brain metastases. Methods: A secondary analysis of a phase 2 clinical trial was conducted in patients who received stereotactic radiosurgery for 1-10 brain metastases and WBRT (NCT01046123). The Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) was performed at baseline and every three months after WBRT. Baseline T2-weighted fluid attenuation inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging was independently assessed by two neuroradiologists for the presence of white matter hyperintensities (WMH) using the Fazekas visual rating scale. WMH were also manually segmented for volumetric analysis. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression were used to test the association between baseline variables and MoCA score decline. Results: Forty-six patients survived ≥3 months after treatment. Age (OR 1.12 (1.04 – 1.21, p < 0.01), baseline WMH volume (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.06 – 1.52, p = 0.02) and baseline Fazekas score ≥ 3/6 (OR 6.4, 95% CI 1.7 – 24.7, p < 0.01) were predictive of MoCA score decline. In multivariable analysis, age was the only significant predictor of MoCA decline. However, all three patients with pre-treatment leukoencephalopathy (Fazekas score = 6/6) had notable adverse outcomes due to cognitive impairment: one required full-time home nursing support and two were institutionalized.Conclusion: A greater decline in cognition after WBRT was observed in older patients and patients with a higher baseline WMH burden. Although this study is small and hypothesis-generating, we propose that radiation oncologists should exercise caution in prescribing WBRT if leukoencephalopathy is present on pre-treatment imaging.
Hybrid Electrophototroph Enables High-Efficiency Carbon Dioxide Valorization to Fuel Molecules
Authors: Li Zhaodong , Wu Chao , Gao Xiang , Addison Bennett , Chen Xihan , Yu Jianping , Svedruzic Drazenka , Blackburn Jeffrey , Xiong Wei
Published: October 2020

Nature’s biocatalytic processes are driven by photosynthesis, whereby photosystems I and II are connected in series for light-stimulated generation of fuel products or electricity. Externally supplying electricity directly to the photosynthetic electron transfer chain (PETC) has numerous potential benefits, although strategies for achieving this goal have remained elusive. Here we report an integrated photo-electrochemical architecture which shuttles electrons directly to PETC in living cyanobacteria. The cathode of this architecture electrochemically interfaces with cyanobacterial cells lacking photosystem II activity that cannot perform photosynthesis independently. Illumination of the cathode channels electrons from external circuit to intracellular PETC through photosystem I, ultimately fueling CO2 conversion to acetate, a model fuel molecule with 9.32% energy efficiency, exceeding the efficiency of natural photosynthesis in higher plants (<1%) and cyanobacteria (~4-7%). The resulting “Electrophototrophic” bio-electrochemical hybrid has the potential to produce fuel chemicals with numerous advantages over standalone natural and artificial photosynthetic approaches.
A brainstem circuit for coordinated pain-control
Authors: Hoon Mark , Gu Xinglong
Published: October 2020

Supraspinal brain regions are involved in modifying nociceptive signals in response to environmental stimuli and stressors including mechanisms that elevate thresholds to noxious stimuli (pain suppression). However, details such as the cells, the circuits, and the molecular mechanisms, by which nociceptive responses are suppressed are incompletely understood. Therefore, we searched for unrecognized brain nuclei involved in these processes. Examination of neurons activated by noxious stimuli revealed catecholaminergic neurons in the caudal ventrolateral medulla that were stimulated by multiple noxious challenges. We found that, upon activation, these neurons operate in a diffuse feed-forward inhibitory loop to attenuate nociceptive reflexes via a descending locus coeruleus to spinal cord pathway. Importantly, this circuit is sufficient to attenuate injury induced allodynia and inhibit glucoprivation induced analgesia and is required for counter-stimulus induced analgesia. Our findings molecularly define a component of the brain pain modulatory system which can coordinate antinociceptive responses.
Antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacterial pathogens isolated from febrile children under 5 years of age in Nanoro, Burkina Faso
Authors: BONKO Massa dit Achille , Tahita Marc Christian , Kiemde Francois , Lompo Palpouguini , Yougbaré Sibidou , Some Athanase M. , Tinto Halidou , Mens Petra F. , Menting Sandra , Schallig Henk D. F. H.
Published: October 2020

Background: The curative power of antimicrobials is severely threatened due to emerging resistance to first-line antibiotics worldwide. With a limited reserve of antibiotics, increasing antimicrobial resistance has become a global concern, but there is a paucity of such data in Burkina Faso, and the West African region in general. Therefore, this study aims to determine the antibiotic susceptibility profile of bacterial species isolated from febrile children under 5 years of age in Nanoro (Burkina Faso). Methods: Clinical specimens (blood, stool, and urine) were collected from 1099 febrile children attending the peripheral health facilities and the referral hospital in Nanoro. Bacterial isolates from these clinical specimens were assessed for their susceptibility against commonly used antibiotics by standard disc diffusion procedure and minimal inhibitory concentration method (when appropriate). Results: In total, 141 bacterial strains were recovered from 127 febrile children of which 65 strains were isolated from blood, 65 from the stool, and 11 from urine. Predominant bacterial isolates were Salmonella species (56.7%; 80/141) followed by Escherichia coli (33.3%; 47/141). Antibiotic susceptibility testing revealed Salmonella species were highly resistant to ampicillin (70%; 56/80), trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (65%; 52/80), and chloramphenicol (63.8%; 51/80). E. coli isolates were highly resistant to trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (100%), ampicillin (100%), ciprofloxacin (71.4%; 10/14), amoxicillin-clavulanate (64.3%; 9/14), ceftriaxone (64.3%; 9/14), and gentamycin (50%; 7/14). Moreover, 7 out of 14 E. coli isolates were producers of the ß-lactamase enzyme, suggesting multi-drug resistance against b-lactam as well as non-b-lactam antibiotics. S. pneumoniae isolates were fully resistant to tetracycline and 50% to penicillin G. Multi-drug resistance was observed in 54.6% (59/108) of the isolates of which 56 (54.9%) were Gram-negative bacteria and 3 (50.0%) Gram-positive bacteria.Conclusions: The antibiotic susceptibility profiling showed an alarming high resistance to commonly used antibiotics to treat bacterial infections in the study region. The work prompts the need to expand antibiotic resistance surveillance studies in Burkina Faso, and probably the whole region (West Africa).
Network Pharmacology-Based Investigation For Predicting Active Ingredients And Potential Targets Of Strychnos Nux-Vomica L. In Treating Multiple Myeloma
Authors: Zhou Yan , Shen Jianping , Jin Keting , Lin Chenjun , Hong Zirui , Deng Shu
Published: October 2020

Background: Strychnos nux-vomica L. (SN)，a classic Chinese herb, have long been used for the treatment of cancer for many years, However, the pharmacological mechanisms of SN in treatment of Multiple myeloma L.remain vague.The aim of this study was to examine the network pharmacological potential effects of SN on Multiple myeloma using a systems pharmacology approach.Methods: we collected putative targets of SN based on the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology database，and oral bioavailability and drug-likeness was screened using absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) criteria. the network of the interactions among the putative targets of SN and known therapeutic targets of Multiple myeloma was built by using the STITCH database. Then, topological parameters, “Degree” ,“Closeness” and“Betweenness” were calculated to identify the hub targets in the network. Furthermore, the hub targets were imported to the Database for Annotation, Visualization and Integrated Discovery to perform a pathway enrichment analysis.Results: 60 of the identified potential targets of the SN were also Multiple Myeloma- related targets, including 14 putative targets of SN were observed to be major hubs in terms of topological importance.Additionally,the results of pathway enrichment analysis indicated that targets of SN in treating Multiple Myeloma were mainly clustered into multiple biological processes by activating on several signaling pathways(PI3K-Akt, p38-MAPK, Ras/Raf/MEK/ERK pathways), which implied that these were involved in the underlying mechanisms of SN on Multiple Myeloma. Conclusions: Our works successfully explain the potential effects of SN for Multiple Myeloma treatment via the molecular mechanisms predicted by network pharmacology.Moreover,our present outcomes might shed light on the further clinical application of SN in treating Multiple Myeloma.
Prevalence of Primary Headache Disease and Associated Factors with it among Rift Valley University Adama Campus Students, 2019
Authors: Woldegiorgis Daniel Gebretsadik , Bedasa Tadesse Seda
Published: October 2020

Background: Headache is a highly prevalent condition among University students than among other population groups but usually under-diagnosed and under-treated. Headache attacks lead to the loss of days of study and poor academic performance. However, the situation in Ethiopia is not well documented. Therefore, this research aimed to assess the prevalence of primary headache and associated factors among Rift Valley University Adama Campus Students. Methodology: Participants were selected using stratified random sampling from three faculties of Rift Valley University, Adama. An interviewer-administered questionnaire developed by reviewing related literature and headache-attributed restriction, disability, social handicap, and impaired participation (HARDSHIP) questionnaire and used to collect the data. STATA 12 was employed for data cleaning and analysis. Variables with a P-value of 0.25 and below on the bivariate logistic regression were considered for Multivariate analysis. Finally, a P-value of < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Results: A total of 240 students participated in this research. The mean age of the students was 23.5 ± 2.4 years, 57.5% of them were female, 85.4 single, and 67.50% of them were urban dwellers. Almost all (97.9%) of the respondents experienced a headache in their lifetime and 61.3% within the last 30 days. Among those who experienced headache 69 (28.75%) had a primary type of headache. Forty-one (17.1%) of the respondent’s fulfilled the criteria for tension-type headache, 28 (11.7%) migraine, and 155 (64.58) had an unclassified type of headache. After controlling possible confounding effects of other covariates, age 23-28 year [AOR: 3.52, 95% CI= 1.69, 7.23], students from business faculty [AOR: 0.30, 95% CI= 0.11, 0.79], being from urban areas [AOR: 2.13, 95% CI=1.04, 4.35], had history of nausea and vomiting [AOR: 8.49, 95% CI= 3.12, 23.15] and bothered by bright light [AOR: 2.15, 95% CI=1.30,3.57] had a significant association with primary headache. Conclusion: Headache is a common complaint among Rift Valley University Adama Campus students and it limits the daily activity of the majority of the sufferers. Students need proper education about treatment to ease their suffering and forestall complications.
LMNB2 Promotes the Progression of Colorectal Cancer by Silencing p21 Expression
Authors: Dong Chen-Hua , Jiang Tao , Yin Hang , Song Hu , Zhang Yi , Geng Hao , Shi Pei-Cong , Xu Yi-Xin , Gao Hong , Liu Lian-Yu , Zhou Lei , Zhang Zhao-Hui , Song Jun
Published: October 2020

Background: Lamin B2 (LMNB2) is involved in chromatin remodelling and the rupture and reorganization of the nuclear membrane during mitosis, which is necessary for eukaryotic cell proliferation. However, there are few reports on the expression and function of LMNB2 in colorectal cancer.Methods: A tissue microarray (TAM) was used to detect the expression of LMNB2 in 226 colorectal cancer tissues and the corresponding adjacent tissues. The CCK-8 colorimetric assay, EdU incorporation analyses, colony formation assays and cell cycle experiments were used to evaluate the effect of LMNB2 on colorectal cancer cell proliferation in vitro, and a mouse tumorigenic model was used to study the effect of LMNB2 on colorectal cancer cells in vivo. The main pathways and genes regulated by LMNB2 were detected by RNA sequencing. Dual-luciferase reporter assays were conducted to test the direct binding between LMNB2 and p21, and ChIP analysis showed that LMNB2 promotes cell proliferation by regulating the p21 promoter.Results: The results showed that LMNB2 expression is increased in colorectal cancer tissues. Highly expressed LMNB2 is associated with tumour size and TNM stage. Multivariate Cox analysis showed that LMNB2 can be used as an independent prognostic factor in patients with colorectal cancer. Functional assays indicated that LMNB2 obviously enhanced cell proliferation by promoting cell cycle progression in vitro and in vivo. LMNB2 facilitates cell proliferation via regulating the p21 promoter, whereas LMNB2 had no effect on cell apoptosis in terms of mechanism.Conclusion: LMNB2 promotes the proliferation of colorectal cancer by regulating p21-mediated cell cycle progression, indicating the potential value of LMNB2 as a clinical prognostic marker and molecular therapeutic target.
Risk Factors of Inability to Exist Independently Among Patients With Lung Cancer
Authors: Tradecki Marek , Ziółkowska Jolanta , Roemer-Ślimak Roma , Mazur Grzegorz , Butrym Aleksandra
Published: October 2020

Background: This study examined risk factors of the inability to live independently among people with lung cancer.Methods: This paper involved 134 men and women who wanted to get a certificate of the inability to an independent existence issued by the Social Insurance Institution (ZUS). The study protocol was approved by the Commission of Bioethics. The analysis of the results was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics 26 program.Results: In the analyzed period, 75% of people obtained a certificate of the inability to an independent existence (group A) and 25% did not (group B). In group A 56.4% of people were men, and in group B 42.4%. In group A 11.8% of people were diagnosed with small cell lung cancer, no such case was found in group B. Metastases were revealed in 83.2% of applicants from group A while in 57.6% from group B. Statistically significantly lower body mass index (BMI) and a lower sum of points in the Barthel Index for Activities of Daily Living (BI) were found in group A compared to group B. Conclusions: In the authors’ opinion, information on BMI, histopathological diagnosis and the presence of metastases are useful in assessing the risk of being unable to live independently in people with lung cancer. BI seems to be helpful in assessing the inability to live independently.
Incidence of Firearm Suicide in US Congressional Districts Estimated from County-Level Underlying Cause of Death Reports
Authors: Schnippel Kathryn , Burd-Sharps Sarah
Published: October 2020

Background: Suicide is the most common form of violent death in the US and firearms are the most common means of suicide, contributing to half of all suicide deaths. The focus of this research is calculating suicide and firearm suicide counts and rates for each congressional district in order to highlight the types of legislation and local programs that can address this public health crisis in each district.Methods: Counts of suicides and firearm suicides for the congressional districts were calculated by weighting county counts as reported by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the five-year period 2014 to 2018 by the proportion of the county population allocated to the congressional district for that population group as available from the Census Bureau’s Summary File for the 116th Congress. The weighted counts were then summed over the counties in the congressional district. Results: There are 52 firearm suicides on average per congressional district each year, yet there is tremendous district-level variation across the country and even within states. Seventeen districts—in Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Washington, DC—have 10 or fewer firearm suicides each year. On the other hand, 11 districts—in Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oklahoma, Oregon, and Tennessee—have over 100 gun suicides each year. 88 percent of the difference in congressional district-level suicide rates is explained by differences in firearm suicide. The proportion of suicides by firearm out of all suicides ranges from 6% to 73% across districts. Rates of suicide by other means were similar across rural and urban districts, while rates of firearm suicide were on average 5 times higher in rural districts (1.77 in urban compared to 10.60 per 100,000 population in rural). Conclusions: Understanding the incidence of firearm suicide in US congressional districts can provide tools for holding elected officials accountable for taking steps-- including research funding, key policies, storage practices, public education initiatives -- to protect the lives of their constituents by preventing firearm suicide.
N6-methyladenosine binding protein YTHDF2 predicts better prognosis in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Xu Xin , Zhang Chihao , Zheng Jun , Yu Jiwei
Published: October 2020

Background: The potential role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in cancer progression has received tremendous attention over the past few years. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of YTH N6-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 2 (YTHDF2) on the prognosis of patients and its potential role in gastric cancer.Methods: A total of 305 gastric cancer patients with clinical information were identified from the TCGA dataset. Limma package was used to analyze the differential m6A regulators; the Cox regression model was used to determine the risk factor for OS. A 1:1 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was employed to adjust for the difference in baseline clinicopathological characteristics between the YTHDF2 low and high expression group. The Cox regression analysis was reused to identify the risk factors for overall survival (OS). GO and KEGG analysis were used to explore the potential role and function of YTHDF2 in gastric cancer.Results: Nineteen m6A methylation regulators were expressed in gastric cancer tissues; YTHDF2 was associated with the prognosis of gastric cancer patients. The expression level of YTHDF2, patient age, and tumor stage were independent risk factors for OS. After PSM, YTHDF2 expression led to a relatively better prognosis and stage. Patients in stage IV had a significantly poor prognosis. The expression of YTHDF2 was associated with cancer-related functions and pathways in gastric cancer.Conclusions: The high expression of YTHDF2 can predict a better prognosis of gastric cancer patients. YTHDF2 exerts a critical role in gastric cancer progression.
Perceptions, Attitudes, and Knowledge of Teachers Serving as Mental Health Lay Counselors in a Low and Middle Income Country: A Mixed Methods Pragmatic Pilot Study
Authors: Cruz Christina M , Lamb Molly M , Giri Priscilla , Vanderburg Juliana , Ferrarone Peter , Bhattarai Surekha , Giardina Aileen , Hampanda Karen , Gaynes Bradley N , Matergia Michael
Published: October 2020

Background: Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) have a dire need for trained mental health professionals, especially for children. While teachers’ child development expertise potentially positions them to serve as lay counselors, they have rarely delivered indicated child mental health care in LMICs. As part of assessing the feasibility of teachers serving as lay counselors, we explored teachers’ perceptions about serving as mental health lay counselors on top of typical professional duties and their attitudes towards and knowledge about mental health after serving as lay counselors.Methods: In 2018, 20 primary school teachers from five rural, low cost private schools in Darjeeling, India, received training and supervision to serve as lay mental health counselors in their classrooms. Using mixed methods, we measured teacher mental health attitudes and knowledge and perceptions of serving as lay counselor with study-specific assessments and through semi-structured interviews. Pre-training, post-training, and post-intervention mean scores were compared using paired t tests. Post-intervention interviews were coded for teachers’ mental health attitudes and knowledge and perceptions of serving as lay counselor. Results: Interviews revealed teachers qualitatively having more inclusive mental health attitudes, expressing a willingness to serve as lay counselor, and retaining mental health knowledge as applicable to what may be used during instructional time. By contrast, quantitatively, teachers’ attitudes appeared to become more inclusive on the study-specific survey pre versus post-training, but reverted to pre-training levels post-intervention. Teachers’ mental health counseling knowledge on the quantitative study-specific assessment did not change pre-training versus post-training versus post-intervention.Conclusions: Training, supervision, and serving as lay counselors led to teachers’ willingness to serve as lay counselors. Teachers served as lay counselors by incorporating therapeutic techniques into their student interactions during class time and as part of their typical instruction, not through delivering one-on-one office-like traditional care. Their changes in attitudes and knowledge reflected those expected within an “education as therapy” emerging system of care. Quantitative measures of knowledge and attitude changes did not capture these nuanced changes.Trial Registration: The parent feasibility trial was registered on January 01, 2018 with Clinical Trials Registry – India (CTRI), reg. no. CTRI/2018/01/011471, ref. no. REF/2017/11/015895. http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/pdf_generate.php?trialid=21129&EncHid=&modid=&compid=%27,%2721129det%27
Response to Trans-arterial Radioembolization Therapy for Liver Cancer According to Voxel-Based Dosimetry: A Retrospective Study
Authors: Yoo Min Young , Paeng Jin Chul , Kim Hyo-Cheol , Lee Min Sun , Lee Jae Sung , Lee Dong Soo , Kang Keon Wook , Cheon Gi Jeong
Published: October 2020

BackgroundUsual clinical dosimetry models for trans-arterial radioembolization (TARE) is based on assumption of uniform dose distribution in each tissue compartment. We performed a simple voxel-based dosimetry using post-treatment yttrium-90 (90Y) microsphere PET in TARE and investigated the prognostic value of dosimetry parameters from the voxel-based dosimetry.MethodTwenty-eight patients with hepatocellular carcinoma who underwent TARE using 90Y-microsphere were retrospectively included. Mean absorbed dose of each lesion (TDv) was analyzed using voxel-based dose maps derived from posttreatment 90Y-microsphere PET and voxel-wise S-value kernels. Heterogeneity of intra-tumoral absorbed dose was investigated using standard deviation and coefficient of variation of voxel doses in a tumor. The response of each lesion was classified as local control success (LCS) and local control failure (LCF) based on follow-up MRI or CT. Prognostic values of dosimetry parameters and clinicopathologic factors were evaluated using survival analysis for progression-free survival. ResultsFourteen lesions from 10 patients were analyzed. The LCS and LCF groups showed significant differences in TDv and intra-tumoral absorbed dose heterogeneity, but not in the tumor size. Univariate survival analysis identified high serum aspartate transaminase level (> 40 IU/L), large tumor size (> 66 mm), and low TDv (< 81 Gy) as significant prognostic factors. However, on multivariate analysis, only low TDv was identified as an independent predictive factor (P = 0.022; HR, 21.018; 95% CI: 1.549–258.204), with a cutoff value of 80–120 Gy. Spearman’s correlation analysis also showed a significant correlation between TDv and PFS (P = 0.009, r = 0.669). ConclusionsIn TARE using 90Y-microspheres, voxel-wise absorbed dose can be easily estimated on post-treatment 90Y PET using a simple method. The TDv calculated by the voxel-based dosimetry is an effective prognostic factor for PFS with a cutoff value of 80–120 Gy.
Community-based interventions for preventing COVID-19 transmission in low- and middle-income countries:  A systematic review
Authors: Chisale Master R.O. , Ramazanu Sheena , Wu Joseph Tsung-Shu , Sinyiza Frank W. , Bvumbwe Thokozani , Nyambalo Billy , Mbakaya Balwani Chingatichifwe
Published: October 2020

Background World Health Organisation (WHO) has approved and recommended several public health measures to halt the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. The implementation of recommended interventions vary between higher income and Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs). The economical constraints within LMICs posed challenges in accessing resources for COVID-19 prevention. The study aimed to identify the workable community-based interventions being utilised in LMICs.Main body We applied systematic review approach for this study. Included articles were searched in eight online databases. The analysis was guided by the acceptable of best practice developed by the PROSPERO and COCHRANE for systematic search and selection of articles using pre-defined search terms. Furthermore, a PRISMA flow diagram was used to show the number of articles retrieved, retained, excluded with rationales given for every action. Studies conducted on community-based intervention for preventing COVID-19 and levels of knowledge, attitudes and practice (KAP) on community-based intervention for preventing COVID-19 regardless of the design were included. A mixed method appraisal tool (MMAT) was used to appraise studies.Six studies from LMICs were included for detail analysis after the systematic review screening process from 10,100 articles. The quality assessment using MMAT tool appraised these articles were all in highest quality. Among the six articles, 10 community-based interventions were implemented in LMICs. The three key workable and implemented interventions are: use of masks, social distance and hand wash. The review identified varying levels of KAP between LMICs and social-demographical factors affecting KAP in these settings.Conclusion This systematic review has identified the community-based interventions implemented in LMICs to prevent COVID-19 during the pandemic and key factors affecting the level of KAP among the population. This study re-affirms the importance of effective and suitable implementation of the identified interventions. More studies need to be conducted in LMICs to establish the effectiveness and adoption of the implemented and recommended interventions.
LRIG1 Affects Clonogenicity but Not Metastatic Potential in Non–small Cell Lung Cancer Cell Lines
Authors: Kvarnbrink Samuel , Hedman Håkan , Johansson Mikael
Published: October 2020

Background. High levels of the leucine-rich repeats and immunoglobulin-like domains protein 1 (LRIG1) in tumor tissue are associated with a survival benefit in early-stage non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) due to presently unknown mechanisms.Methods. A panel of NSCLC cell lines was transduced with LRIG1 expression vectors. Cell proliferation, chemosensitivity, radiosensitivity, clonogenicity, and migration were measured in vitro. Mice were implanted with mixed-cell populations, and the fraction of LRIG1-overexpressing cells was compared among metastatic sites, primary tumors, and injected cell populations.Results. Clonogenicity was reduced in LRIG1-overexpressing cell lines. Minor or no changes were observed in the other analyzed functions. LRIG1 was neither enriched nor depleted in tumor cell populations at different metastatic sites.Conclusion. LRIG1 reduced clonogenicity in vitro, but no other single underlying mechanism for LRIG1 tumor suppression in NSCLC was identified. Cell lines established from advanced NSCLC might not be a suitable model for mechanistic studies of early-stage disease.
The Mechanism of Cartilage Regeneration by Buffy Coat and the Pre-clinical Study
Authors: Song Guo , Gurung Kumar , Fu Shouyong , Jin Guangwen , Jin Longhao
Published: October 2020

BackgroundAutologous bone marrow buffy coat transplantation possesses obvious advantages in the therapy of large cartilage defects and osteoarthritis. However, there is no definite research on the specific effective components of bone marrow buffy coat and its mechanism of cartilage regeneration. Moreover, as the crucial cartilage regenerative cell in bone marrow buffy coat, mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs) are difficult to fix onto the damaged cartilage area without damaging the subchondral bone. We assessed the effect of using hyaluronic acid(HA) as a liquid scaffold mixed with autologous bone marrow buffy coat to fix cartilage defect.Methods and MaterialsWe extracted the bone marrow from the anterior superior iliac crest of the white New Zealand rabbit, centrifuged to obtain a buffy coat, and analyzed the components of buffy coat by ELISA. Buffy coat+HA group, MSC+HA group, MSC+TGF-β+HA group were cultured in vitro and observed by staining. In addition, we made damage to the femoral condyle of rabbits, and divided them into groups: HA group, buffy coat group, buffy coat with HA group. Each group was assessed for cartilage regeneration by visual observation, histological and immunohistochemical analysis at 4 weeks and 8 weeks, and biochemical analysis at 8 weeks postoperatively. One-way ANOVA and LSD were used for statistic analysis.ResultsBuffy coat have a variety of growth factors, inflammatory factors and anti-inflammatory factors that stimulate the MSCs’ regeneration. Buffy coat can differentiate into cartilage without TGF-β stimulation in vitro. The cartilage regeneration ability of buffy coat and buffy coat+HA is strong, and the combination of buffy coat and liquid scaffold HA can make cartilage formation ability more stable in vivo.ConclusionMSC, multiple growth factors and cytokines in buffy coat synergistically promote cartilage regeneration. Liquid scaffold HA enhances the effect of buffy coat on cartilage attachment and regeneration of cartilage defects.
Prognosis Analysis of Patients with Pancreatic Neuroendocrine Tumors After Surgical Resection and the Application of Enucleation.
Authors: Chen Junzhang , Yang Yongyu , Liu Yuanhua , Kan Heping
Published: October 2020

Objective: To investigate the prognostic factors of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine tumor (pNENs) after surgical resection, and to analyze the value of enucleation for pNETs without distant metastasis that are well-differentiated (G1) and have a diameter ≤ 4cm. Methods: Data from pNET patients undergoing surgical resection between 2004 and 2017 were collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank testing were used for the survival comparisons. Adjusted HRs with 95% CIs were calculated using univariate and multivariate Cox regression models to estimate the prognostic factors. P < .05 was regarded as statistically significant.Results: This study found that female, cases diagnosed after 2010, and pancreatic body/tail tumors were protective factors for good survival，while histological grade G3, a larger tumor size, distant metastasis, AJCC 8th Stage III-IV and age over 60 were independent prognostic factors for a worse OS/CSS. For the pNETs that were well-differentiated (G1) and had a tumor diameter ≤ 4 cm, the type of surgery was an independent factor for the long-term prognosis of this group. Compared with pancreaticoduodenectomy and total pancreatectomy, patients who were accepted enucleation had better OS/CSS. Conclusion: For pNETs patients undergoing surgical resection, sex, year of diagnosis, tumor location, pathological grade, tumor size, distant metastasis, race, and age were independent prognostic factors associated with the OS/CSS of patients. For pNETs patients with G1 and a tumor diameter less than 4cm, if the tumor is located over 3 mm from the pancreatic duct, enucleation may be a wise choice.
Addressing Key Gaps in Implementation of Mosquito Larviciding to Accelerate Malaria Vector Control in Southern Tanzania: Results of a Stakeholder Engagement Process in Local District Councils
Authors: Mapua Salum Abdallah , Finda Marceline F. , Nambunga Ismail H. , Msugupakulya Betwel J. , Ukio Kusirye , Chaki Prosper P. , Tripet Frederic , Kelly Ann H. , Christofides Nicola , Lezaun Javier , Okumu Fredros O.
Published: October 2020

Background: Larval source management was historically one of the most effective malaria control methods but is now widely deprioritized in Africa, where insecticide treated nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS) are preferred. However, in Tanzania, following initial successes in urban Dar-es-Salaam starting early-2000s, the government now encourages larviciding in both rural and urban councils nationwide to complement other efforts; and a biolarvicide production-plant has been established outside the commercial capital. This study investigated key obstacles and opportunities relevant to effective rollout of larviciding for malaria control, with a focus on the meso-endemic region of Morogoro, southern Tanzania. Methods: Key-informants were interviewed to assess awareness and perceptions regarding larviciding among designated health officials (malaria focal persons, vector surveillance officers and ward health officers) in nine administrative councils (N = 27). Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to assess awareness and perceptions of community members in selected areas regarding larviciding (N = 490). Thematic content analysis was done and descriptive statistics used to summarize the findings.Results: A majority of malaria control officials had participated in larviciding at least once over the previous three years. A majority of community members had neutral perceptions towards positive aspects of larviciding, but overall support for larviciding was high, although several challenges were expressed, notably: i) insufficient knowledge for identifying relevant aquatic habitats of malaria vectors and applying larvicides, ii) inadequate monitoring of program effectiveness, iii) limited financing, and iv) lack of personal protective equipment. Although the key-informants reported sensitizing local communities, most community members were still unaware of larviciding and its potential. Conclusion: The larviciding program was widely supported by both communities and malaria control officials, but there were gaps in technical knowledge, implementation and public engagement. To improve overall impact, it is important to: i) intensify training efforts, particularly for identifying habitats of important vectors, ii) adopt standard technical principles for applying larvicides, iii) improve financing for local implementation and iv) improve public engagement to boost community awareness and participation. These lessons could also be valuable for other malaria endemic areas wishing to deploy larviciding for malaria control or elimination.
A Participatory Approach to Address Within-Country Cross-Border Malaria: The Case of Menoreh Hills in Java, Indonesia
Authors: Ahmad Riris Andono Andono , Ferdiana Astri , Surendra Henry , Sy Tyrone Reden , Herbianto Deni , Rahayujati Theodola Baning , Rej Dwi Sarwani Sri , Murhandarwati E. Elsa Herdiana
Published: October 2020

Background The Menoreh Hills region is one of the few remaining foci of persistent endemic malaria bordering three districts of two provinces in Java, Indonesia. Despite commitment to build a partnership to eliminate cross-border malaria, there is a lack of understanding of how this partnership might be translated into an implementable strategic plan. The study aims to provide evidence as to how a participatory approach was used to strengthen cross-border partnership and stakeholders’ capacity to develop a joint strategic, operational, and costing plan for cross-border malaria elimination.MethodsWe performed a participatory action research involving participants from village, district, provincial, and national level This study was conducted in seven phases as follows: (1) scientific literature and administrative data review, (2) focus group discussions with stakeholders at district to identify priority problems in malaria control, (3) joint consultation at district level to prioritize problems and formulate intervention, (4) costing study (5) joint consultation with national and provincial stakeholders (6) finalization of joint strategic, operational plan with costing study, and (7) dissemination to stakeholders.ResultsProblems identified by stakeholders were low community awareness and participation in malaria prevention, high mobility across three districts, lack of financial, human resources, lack of inter-district coordination, and poor implementation of migration surveillance. Cross-border strategies identified to address malaria were improving cross-border migration surveillance, strengthening the network, governance, and advocacy of malaria control implementation across borders, and development of malaria information system. A working group, composed of the three districts representatives authorized to make decisions for cross-border issues will be created.ConclusionParticipatory approach was applicable in cross-border malaria planning for within-country settings and useful in enhancing stakeholders’ capacities as implementer. While done in a participatory way, the joint plan crafted was a non-binding agreement; stakeholders should advocate to ensure adequate funds are poured to mobilize the plan.
Epidemics and Networks: A Social Network Analysis of the Spread of COVID-19 in South Korea and Policy Implications
Authors: Jo Wonkwang , Chang Dukjin , You Myoungsoon , Ghim Ghi-Hoon
Published: October 2020

This study estimates the COVID-19 infection network from actual data and draws on implications for policy and research. Using contact tracing information of 3,283 confirmed patients in Seoul metropolitan areas from Jan 20 to July 19, 2020, this study creates an infection network and analyzes its structural characteristics. The main results are as follows: (1) out-degrees follow an extremely positively skewed distribution, and (2) removing the top nodes on the out-degree significantly decreases the size of the infection network. (3) The indicators, which express the infectious power of the network, change according to governmental measures. Efforts to collect network data and analyze network structures are urgently required for the efficiency of governmental responses to COVID-19. Implications for better use of a metric such as R0 to estimate infection spread are also discussed.
The impact of COVID-19 on the adaptive functioning of Italian children with Autism Spectrum Disorder: role of the online intervention.
Authors: Martina Siracusano , Eugenia Segatori , Assia Riccioni , Leonardo Gialloreti Emberti , Paolo Curatolo , Luigi Mazzone
Published: October 2020

This study investigated the impact of lockdown due to COVID-19 pandemic on the adaptive functioning, problematic and repetitive behaviors of an Italian sample of preschoolers and schoolers with Autism Spectrum Disorder. We evaluated whether after the compulsory home confinement, in comparison to a baseline evaluation performed during the months preceding COVID-19, any improvement or worsening was reported by parents of ASD individuals using standardized instruments.No significant worsening in the areas explored emerged after the lockdown. Within the older participants, a clinical stability was found concerning both adaptive skills and behavioral aspects. Whereas, within preschoolers a significant improvement in adaptive skills emerged and was related to the subsistence of web delivered intervention, parental work persistency and online support during lockdown.
What Makes Palliative Care Needs “Complex”?: A Multisite Sequential Explanatory Mixed Methods Study of Patients Referred to Specialist Palliative Care
Authors: Finucane Anne , Swenson Connie , MacArtney John I , Perry Rachel , Lamberton Hazel , Hetherington Lucy , Graham-Wisener Lisa , Murray Scott , Carduff Emma
Published: October 2020

Background: Specialist palliative care (SPC) providers tend to use the term ‘complex need’ to refer to the needs of patients who require SPC. However, little is known about “complex needs” on first referral to a SPC service. We examined which needs are present and sought the perspectives of healthcare professionals on the complexity of need on first referral to a hospice service. Methods: Multi-site sequential explanatory mixed method study consisting of a case-note review and focus groups with healthcare professionals in four UK hospices. Results: Documentation relating to 239 new patient referrals to hospice was reviewed; and focus groups involving 22 healthcare professionals conducted. Most patients had two or more needs documented on referral (96%); and needs were recorded across two or more domains for 62%. Physical needs were recorded for 91% of patients; psychological needs were recorded for 59%. Spiritual needs were rarely documented. Referral forms were considered limited for capturing complex needs. Referrals were perceived as influenced by the experience and confidence of the referrer and the local resource available to meet palliative care needs directly.Conclusions: Complexity was hard to detail or to objectively define on referral documentation alone. It appeared to be a term used to describe patients whom primary or secondary care providers felt needed specialist palliative care knowledge or support to meet their needs. Education and training in palliative care for primary care nurses and doctors and hospital clinicians could reduce the need for referral and help ensure that hospices are available to those most in need of specialist palliative care input.
A Polarization-insensitive Dual-band Plasmonic Metamaterial Absorber for a Sensor Application
Authors: Kang Yongqiang , Gao Peng , Liu Hongmei
Published: October 2020

A polarization-insensitive dual-band plasmonic metamaterial absorber is proposed, which is constituted by merely the metal nano-cylinder and a continuous metallic ground separated by a middle dielectric layer. Two resonance peaks with over 99% absorbance derived from `the fundamental resonance and the surface lattice resonance are realized. In addition, we demonstrated that proposed dual-absorber retain nearly perfect absorbance for all polarization angles of both TE and TM modes on normal incidence. It is different from previous work that the dual-frequency response is obtained by combining two subunits of different sizes. Moreover, a first-order diffraction mode of grating predicted the resonance frequency of the proposed absorber. Importantly, the second absorption peak result from surface lattice resonance with narrow line-width has large sensitivity perform and high quality factor, which has significant potential in the application of biosensors and monitoring.