bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Preprocedural Pool Testing Strategy for Dentistry during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Umer F. , Arif A.
Published: January 2021

Introduction:

Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) put the dental health care professionals (DHCPs) at a greater risk for acquiring severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. In late June 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advised elective dental procedures provision to asymptomatic patients while mandating strict infection control protocol and suggested the use of preprocedural testing as an adjunct. A cost-effective method for mass preprocedural testing is pool testing, which has specificity and sensitivity similar to polymerase chain reaction. This article aims to assess the outcomes and utility of incorporating preprocedural testing protocol for SARS-CoV-2 in dental clinics before providing AGPs.

Method:

The patients who were recommended AGPs where rubber dam placement was not possible were advised to undergo preprocedural testing for SARS-CoV-2. Pool testing strategy was employed, and patients were asked to get tested 48 h before the day of the procedure.

Results:

Out of a total of 1,000 patients, who presented from June 2020 to late July 2020, 464 were recommended dental procedures. In 194 of 464, AGPs could not be performed under rubber dam isolation; therefore, the patients were advised to get a preprocedural pool test. In total, 111 patients deferred the procedure and testing. Out of 83 who got tested, 7 were positive for SARS-CoV-2, 5 of whom were tested in early June 2020 and 2 in late July 2020.

Conclusion:

Pool testing within its limitations can be a useful preprocedure test in asymptomatic low-risk patients for AGP in dentistry, especially when the disease prevalence is low or moderate (<10%). It has the potential of reducing testing costs significantly while conserving reagent and other resources. Preprocedure testing, however, also gives rise to certain ethical concerns that also need to be addressed.

Knowledge Transfer Statement:

The results of this study can be used by clinicians when deciding which preprocedure testing approach they wish to use when performing aerosol-generating procedures in asymptomatic patients with consideration of cost sensitivity and specificity values.
Numerical approach for the calendering process using Carreau-Yasuda fluid model
Authors: Javed Muhammad Asif , Ali Nasir , Arshad Sabeen , Shamshad Shahbaz
Published: January 2021

This paper presents a numerical study of the calendering mechanism. The calendered material is represented using the Carreau-Yasuda fluid model. The governing flow equations in the calendering process are made first dimensionless then the lubrication approximation theory (LAT) is used to simplify them. The simplified flow equations are transformed into stream function and then are numerically solved. A numerical method is constructed with Matlab’s built-in-bvp4c routine to find the stream function and pressure gradient. We use the Runge-Kutta algorithm to calculate the pressure and mechanical quantities related to the calendering process. In this analysis the pressure distribution increases with increasing Weissenberg number, however the pressure domain length decreases as the Weissenberg number increases. The pressure inside the nip region decreases from its Newtonian value when the power law index is less than one (shear thinning), and the pressure profile increases from its Newtonian pressure when the power law index is greater than one(shear thickening). How the Carreau-Yasuda fluid model parameters influence the velocity and related calendering process quantities are also discussed via graphs.
Determinants of alcohol consumption and marijuana use among young adults in the Republic of Palau
Authors: Sata Mizuki , Cui Renzhe , Chiang Chifa , Singeo Singeru Travis , Watson Berry Moon , Yatsuya Hiroshi , Honjo Kaori , Mita Takashi , Temengil Everlynn Joy , Madraisau Sherilynn , Yamagishi Kazumasa , Aoyama Atsuko , Iso Hiroyasu
Published: January 2021

Background

This study aimed to describe the status of alcohol consumption and drug use among young adults as well as their determinants.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study of 356 young adults (aged 18 to 24 years) living in Palau in 2013. The prevalence of self-reported alcohol and marijuana usage were compared within and between sexes, age groups, ethnicities, and education levels.

Results

The proportion of current drinking was higher in people aged 21–24 than in those aged 18–20 (73.2% vs. 60.9%, p = 0.09 in men and 48.3% vs. 30.0%, p = 0.02 in women), while that of marijuana use did not differ between the age groups. The proportions of current drinking and marijuana use were higher in Palauan than in other ethnicities (current drinking: 70.6% vs. 40.6%, p = 0.005 in men and 38.8% vs. 16.6%, p = 0.04 in women; lifetime marijuana use: 80.0% vs. 52.9%, p = 0.02 in men and 56.1% vs. 30.6%, p = 0.09 in women). The proportion of frequent (3 times or more) marijuana users was higher for the lower educated than for the higher educated (62.5% vs. 32.1%, p < 0.001 in men and 33.9% vs. 24.4%, p = 0.12 in women).

Conclusions

Sex, age, ethnicity, and education were significant determinants of alcohol and marijuana use.
The effect of DNA methylation on bumblebee colony development
Authors: Pozo María I. , Hunt Benjamin J. , Van Kemenade Gaby , Guerra-Sanz Jose M. , Wäckers Felix , Mallon Eamonn B. , Jacquemyn Hans
Published: January 2021

Background

Although around 1% of cytosines in bees’ genomes are known to be methylated, less is known about methylation’s effect on bee behavior and fitness. Chemically altered DNA methylation levels have shown clear changes in the dominance and reproductive behavior of workers in queen-less colonies, but the global effect of DNA methylation on caste determination and colony development remains unclear, mainly because of difficulties in controlling for genetic differences among experimental subjects in the parental line. Here, we investigated the effect of the methylation altering agent decitabine on the developmental rate of full bumblebee colonies. Whole genome bisulfite sequencing was used to assess differences in methylation status.

Results

Our results showed fewer methylated loci in the control group. A total of 22 CpG loci were identified as significantly differentially methylated between treated and control workers with a change in methylation levels of 10% or more. Loci that were methylated differentially between groups participated in pathways including neuron function, oocyte regulation and metabolic processes. Treated colonies tended to develop faster, and therefore more workers were found at a given developmental stage. However, male production followed the opposite trend and it tended to be higher in control colonies.

Conclusion

Overall, our results indicate that altered methylation patterns resulted in an improved cooperation between workers, while there were no signs of abnormal worker dominance or caste determination.
Combined oropharyngeal/nasal swab is equivalent to nasopharyngeal sampling for SARS-CoV-2 diagnostic PCR
Authors: Desmet Tania , Paepe Peter De , Boelens Jerina , Coorevits Liselotte , Padalko Elizaveta , Vandendriessche Stien , Leroux-Roels Isabel , Aerssens Annelies , Callens Steven , Braeckel Eva Van , Malfait Thomas , Vermassen Frank , Verhasselt Bruno
Published: January 2021

Background

Early 2020, a COVID-19 epidemic became a public health emergency of international concern. To address this pandemic broad testing with an easy, comfortable and reliable testing method is of utmost concern. Nasopharyngeal (NP) swab sampling is the reference method though hampered by international supply shortages. A new oropharyngeal/nasal (OP/N) sampling method was investigated using the more readily available throat swab.

Results

35 patients were diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 by means of either NP or OP/N sampling. The paired swabs were both positive in 31 patients. The one patient who tested negative on both NP and OP/N swab on admission, was ultimately diagnosed on bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. A strong correlation was found between the viral RNA loads of the paired swabs (r = 0.76; P < 0.05). The sensitivity of NP and OP/N analysis in hospitalized patients (n = 28) was 89.3% and 92.7% respectively.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates equivalence of NP and OP/N sampling for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by means of rRT-PCR. Sensitivity of both NP and OP/N sampling is very high in hospitalized patients.
EgJUB1 and EgERF113 transcription factors as potential master regulators of defense response in Elaeis guineensis against the hemibiotrophic Ganoderma boninense
Authors: Sakeh Nurshafika Mohd , Abdullah Siti Nor Akmar , Bahari Mohammad Nazri Abdul , Azzeme Azzreena Mohamad , Shaharuddin Noor Azmi , Idris Abu Seman
Published: January 2021

Background

Hemibiotrophic pathogen such as the fungal pathogenGanoderma boninensethat is destructive to oil palm, manipulates host defense mechanism by strategically switching from biotrophic to necrotrophic phase. Our previous study revealed two distinguishable expression profiles of oil palm genes that formed the basis in deducing biotrophic phase at early interaction which switched to necrotrophic phase at a later stage of infection.

Results

The present report is a continuing study from our previous published transcriptomic profiling of oil palm seedlings againstG. boninense. We focused on identifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) encoding transcription factors (TFs) from the same RNA-seq data; resulting in 106 upregulated and 108 downregulated TFs being identified. The DEGs are involved in four established defense-related pathways responsible for cell wall modification, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated signaling, programmed cell death (PCD) and plant innate immunity. We discovered upregulation ofJUNGBRUNNEN 1(EgJUB1) during the fungal biotrophic phase whileEthylene Responsive Factor 113(EgERF113) demonstrated prominent upregulation when the palm switches to defense against necrotrophic phase. EgJUB1 was shown to have a binding activity to a 19 bp palindromic SNBE1 element, WNNYBTNNNNNNNAMGNHW found in the promoter region of co-expressing EgHSFC-2b. Further in silico analysis of promoter regions revealed co-expression of EgJUB1 with TFs containing SNBE1 element with single nucleotide change at either the 5th or 18th position. Meanwhile, EgERF113 binds to both GCC and DRE/CRT elements promoting plasticity in upregulating the downstream defense-related genes. Both TFs were proven to be nuclear-localized based on subcellular localization experiment using onion epidermal cells.

Conclusion

Our findings demonstrated unprecedented transcriptional reprogramming of specific TFs potentially to enable regulation of a specific set of genes during different infection phases of this hemibiotrophic fungal pathogen. The results propose the intricacy of oil palm defense response in orchestrating EgJUB1 during biotrophic and EgERF113 during the subsequent transition to the necrotrophic phase. Binding of EgJUB1 to SNBE motif instead of NACBS while EgERF113 to GCC-box and DRE/CRT motifs is unconventional and not normally associated with pathogen infection. Identification of these phase-specific oil palm TFs is important in designing strategies to tackle or attenuate the progress of infection.
The genetics and physiology of seed dormancy, a crucial trait in common bean domestication
Authors: Soltani Ali , Walter Katelynn A. , Wiersma Andrew T. , Santiago James P. , Quiqley Michelle , Chitwood Daniel , Porch Timothy G. , Miklas Phillip , McClean Phillip E. , Osorno Juan M. , Lowry David B.
Published: January 2021

Background

Physical seed dormancy is an important trait in legume domestication. Although seed dormancy is beneficial in wild ecosystems, it is generally considered to be an undesirable trait in crops due to reduction in yield and / or quality. The physiological mechanism and underlying genetic factor(s) of seed dormancy is largely unknown in several legume species. Here we employed an integrative approach to understand the mechanisms controlling physical seed dormancy in common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.).

Results

Using an innovative CT scan imaging system, we were able to track water movements inside the seed coat. We found that water uptake initiates from the bean seed lens. Using a scanning electron microscopy (SEM) we further identified several micro-cracks on the lens surface of non-dormant bean genotypes. Bulked segregant analysis (BSA) was conducted on a bi-parental RIL (recombinant inbred line) population, segregating for seed dormancy. This analysis revealed that the seed water uptake is associated with a single major QTL on Pv03. The QTL region was fine-mapped to a 118 Kb interval possessing 11 genes. Coding sequence analysis of candidate genes revealed a 5-bp insertion in an ortholog of pectin acetylesterase 8 that causes a frame shift, loss-of-function mutation in non-dormant genotype. Gene expression analysis of the candidate genes in the seed coat of contrasting genotypes indicated 21-fold lower expression of pectin acetylesterase 8 in non-dormant genotype. An analysis of mutational polymorphism was conducted among wild and domesticated beans. Although all the wild beans possessed the functional allele of pectin acetylesterase 8, the majority (77%) of domesticated beans had the non-functional allele suggesting that this variant was under strong selection pressure through domestication.

Conclusions

In this study, we identified the physiological mechanism of physical seed dormancy and have identified a candidate allele causing variation in this trait. Our findings suggest that a 5-bp insertion in an ortholog of pectin acetylesterase 8 is likely a major causative mutation underlying the loss of seed dormancy during domestication. Although the results of current study provide strong evidences for the role of pectin acetylesterase 8 in seed dormancy, further confirmations seem necessary by employing transgenic approaches.
Oxygenation laryngoscope vs. nasal standard and nasal high flow oxygenation in a technical simulation of apnoeic oxygenation
Authors: Herff H. , Wetsch W. A. , Finke S. , Dusse F. , Mitterlechner T. , Paal P. , Wenzel V. , Schroeder D. C.
Published: January 2021

Background

Failed airway management is the major contributor for anaesthesia-related morbidity and mortality. Cannot-intubate-cannot-ventilate scenarios are the most critical emergency in airway management, and belong to the worst imaginable scenarios in an anaesthetist’s life. In such situations, apnoeic oxygenation might be useful to avoid hypoxaemia. Anaesthesia guidelines recommend careful preoxygenation and application of high flow oxygen in difficult intubation scenarios to prevent episodes of deoxygenation. In this study, we evaluated the decrease in oxygen concentration in a model when using different strategies of oxygenation: using a special oxygenation laryngoscope, nasal oxygen, nasal high flow oxygen, and control.

Methods

In this experimental study we compared no oxygen application as a control, standard pure oxygen application of 10 l·min− 1 via nasal cannula, high flow 90% oxygen application at 20 l·min− 1 using a special nasal high flow device, and pure oxygen application via our oxygenation laryngoscope at 10 l·min− 1. We preoxygenated a simulation lung to 97% oxygen concentration and connected this to the trachea of a manikin model simulating apnoeic oxygenation. Decrease in oxygen concentration in the simulation lung was measured continuously for 20 min.

Results

Oxygen concentration in the simulation lung dropped from 97 ± 1% at baseline to 40 ± 1% in the no oxygen group, to 80 ± 1% in the standard nasal oxygen group, and to 73 ± 2% in the high flow nasal oxygenation group. However, it remained at 96 ± 0% in the oxygenation laryngoscope group (p < 0.001 between all groups).

Conclusions

In this technical simulation, oxygenation via oxygenation laryngoscope was more effective than standard oxygen insufflation via nasal cannula, which was more effective than nasal high flow insufflation of 90% oxygen.
Prognosis tools for short-term adverse events in older emergency department users: result of a Québec observational prospective cohort
Authors: Launay Cyrille P. , Lubov Joshua , Galery Kevin , Vilcocq Christine , Maubert Éric , Afilalo Marc , Beauchet Olivier
Published: January 2021

Background

The “Program of Research on the Integration of Services for the Maintenance of Autonomy” (PRISMA-7) and “Emergency room evaluation and recommendations” (ER2) are both clinical tools used in Québec Emergency Departments (EDs) for screening of older ED users at higher risk of poor outcomes, such as prolonged length of stay (LOS) in EDs and in hospital. The study aimed to: 1) examine whether the PRISMA-7 and ER2 risk levels were associated with length of stays in ED and hospital, as well as hospital admission; and 2) compare the criteria performance (i.e., sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, likelihood ratios and area under receiver operating characteristic curve) of the PRISMA-7 and ER2 high-risk levels for these three ED adverse events in Québec older patients visiting ED on a stretcher.

Methods

A total of 1905 older patients who visited the ED of the Jewish General Hospital (Montreal, Québec, Canada) on stretchers were recruited in this prospective observational cohort. Upon their ED arrival, PRISMA-7 and ER2 were performed. The outcomes were LOS in ED and in hospital, and hospital admission.

Results

The PRISMA-7 and ER2 risk levels were associated with length of stay in ED and hospital as well as with hospital admission. Prolonged stays and higher hospitalization rates were associated with high-risk levels, whereas those in low-risk level groups had significantly shorter LOS and a lower rate of hospital admission (P < 0.006). While performance measures were poor for both assessment tools, ER2 had a greater prognostic testing accuracy compared with PRISMA-7.

Conclusion

PRISMA-7 and ER2 were both associated with incidental short-term ED adverse events but their overall prognostic testing accuracy was low, suggesting that they cannot be used as prognostic tools for this purpose.
Comparing tuberculosis gene signatures in malnourished individuals using the TBSignatureProfiler
Authors: Johnson W. Evan , Odom Aubrey , Cintron Chelsie , Muthaiah Mutharaj , Knudsen Selby , Joseph Noyal , Babu Senbagavalli , Lakshminarayanan Subitha , Jenkins David F. , Zhao Yue , Nankya Ethel , Horsburgh C. Robert , Roy Gautam , Ellner Jerrold , Sarkar Sonali , Salgame Padmini , Hochberg Natasha S.
Published: January 2021

Background

Gene expression signatures have been used as biomarkers of tuberculosis (TB) risk and outcomes. Platforms are needed to simplify access to these signatures and determine their validity in the setting of comorbidities. We developed a computational profiling platform of TB signature gene sets and characterized the diagnostic ability of existing signature gene sets to differentiate active TB from LTBI in the setting of malnutrition.

Methods

We curated 45 existing TB-related signature gene sets and developed our TBSignatureProfiler software toolkit that estimates gene set activity using multiple enrichment methods and allows visualization of single- and multi-pathway results. The TBSignatureProfiler software is available through Bioconductor and on GitHub. For evaluation in malnutrition, we used whole blood gene expression profiling from 23 severely malnourished Indian individuals with TB and 15 severely malnourished household contacts with latent TB infection (LTBI). Severe malnutrition was defined as body mass index (BMI) < 16 kg/m2 in adults and based on weight-for-height Z scores in children < 18 years. Gene expression was measured using RNA-sequencing.

Results

The comparison and visualization functions from the TBSignatureProfiler showed that TB gene sets performed well in malnourished individuals; 40 gene sets had statistically significant discriminative power for differentiating TB from LTBI, with area under the curve ranging from 0.662–0.989. Three gene sets were not significantly predictive.

Conclusion

Our TBSignatureProfiler is a highly effective and user-friendly platform for applying and comparing published TB signature gene sets. Using this platform, we found that existing gene sets for TB function effectively in the setting of malnutrition, although differences in gene set applicability exist. RNA-sequencing gene sets should consider comorbidities and potential effects on diagnostic performance.
Malignancy in giant cell tumor of bone: analysis of an open-label phase 2 study of denosumab
Authors: Palmerini Emanuela , Seeger Leanne L. , Gambarotti Marco , Righi Alberto , Reichardt Peter , Bukata Susan , Blay Jean-Yves , Dai Tian , Jandial Danielle , Picci Piero
Published: January 2021

Background

Giant cell tumor of bone (GCTB) is a rare osteoclastogenic stromal tumor. GCTB can rarely undergo malignant transformation. This post hoc analysis evaluated and classified malignancies in patients with GCTB who received denosumab.

Methods

This analysis was conducted on patients with pathologically confirmed GCTB and measurable active disease treated with denosumab 120 mg subcutaneously once every 4 weeks, with loading doses on study days 8 and 15, as part of a phase 2, open-label, multicenter study. We identified potential cases of malignancy related to GCTB through an independent multidisciplinary review or medical history, associated imaging or histopathologic reports, and disease course. The findings were summarized and no statistical analysis was performed.

Results

Twenty of five hundred twenty-six patients (3.8%) who received at least one dose of denosumab were misdiagnosed with GCTB that was later discovered to be malignancies: five primary malignant GCTB, five secondary malignant GCTB, four sarcomatous transformations, and six patients with other malignancies (giant cell-rich osteosarcoma, undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, spindle cell sarcoma, osteogenic sarcoma, phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor of mixed connective tissue type, and fibrosarcoma/malignant fibrous histiocytoma). Many malignancies were present before denosumab was initiated (8 definitive cases, 7 likely cases), excluding potential involvement of denosumab in these cases. Signs associated with potential misdiagnoses of GCTB included poor mineralization with denosumab treatment, rapid relapse in pain, or a failure of the typical dramatic improvement in pain normally observed with denosumab.

Conclusions

Although rare, GCTB can undergo malignant transformation, and rates in this study were consistent with previous reports. Signs of poor mineralization or lack of response to denosumab treatment may warrant close monitoring.

Trial registration

clinicaltrials.gov, (NCT00680992). Registered May 20, 2008.
Clinico-pathologic determinants of non-e-curative outcome following en-bloc endoscopic submucosal dissection in patients with early gastric neoplasia
Authors: Embaye Kidane Siele , Zhang Chao , Ghebrehiwet Matiwos Araya , Wang Zhihao , Zhang Fengdi , Liu Liwei , Qin Shenghui , Qin Lingzhi , Wang Jun , Wang Xi
Published: January 2021

Background

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) is gaining enormous popularity in the treatment of early gastric cancers (EGCs) in many institutions across the world. However, appropriate selection of candidates for endoscopic resection is crucial to sufficiently mitigate non-e-curative (NEC) resection. This study aims at identifying the various clinico-pathologic factors that independently predict the NEC outcome and depth of submucosal invasion following ESD procedure in patients with EGC.

Methods

Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to investigate factors that independently predict both non-curability phenomenon and the level of submucosal invasion in patients with early gastric neoplasia. Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences version 23 was used for analysis.

Results

A total of 153 patients (162 EGC lesions) underwent en-bloc ESD after which the rate of complete resection and non-e-curative outcome were 95% and 22.2%, correspondingly. Multivariate analysis depicted that tumor location in the upper two third of stomach (odds ratio [OR], 5.46; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.65–18.12; p = 0.006), tumor size > 2 cm (OR, 7.63; 95% CI, 2.29–25.42; p = 0.001), histologically undifferentiated tumor (OR, 15.54; 95% CI, 1.65–146.22; p = 0.001), and tumors with 0-IIa/0-IIc or their mixed variants with predominant 0-IIa/0-IIc (OR, 9.77; 95% CI, 1.23–77.65; p = 0.031) were all independent predictors of NEC resection for early gastric tumors. Additionally, location in the upper two third of the stomach (OR, 8.88; 95% CI, 2.90–27.17; p < 0.001), ulcerated lesions (OR, 3.70; 95% CI, 1.15–11.90; p = 0.028), lesions with > 2 cm (OR, 2.94; 95% CI, 1.08–8.02; p = 0.036) and those with poor differentiation (OR, 6.51; 95% CI, 2.23–18.98; p = 0.001) were found to have significant association with submucosal invasion.

Conclusions

Tumors located in the upper two third of the stomach having a larger size (> 2 cm), poor histo-differentiation and a gross type of 0-IIa/0-IIc or their mixed variants with predominant 0-IIa/0-IIc were significantly associated with a risk of NEC after ESD procedure. Thus, early gastric tumors displaying these features need to be handled carefully during endoscopic resection. Our findings may shed light on the pre-procedural detection of clinicopathologic factors that determine non-e-curability in patients with EGC.
Depression, anxiety, fatigue, and quality of life in a large sample of patients suffering from head and neck cancer in comparison with the general population
Authors: Hammermüller C. , Hinz A. , Dietz A. , Wichmann G. , Pirlich M. , Berger T. , Zimmermann K. , Neumuth T. , Mehnert-Theuerkauf A. , Wiegand S. , Zebralla V.
Published: January 2021

Background

Treatment of head and neck cancer (HNC) often leads to visible and severe functional impairments. In addition, patients often suffer from a variety of psychosocial problems, significantly associated with a decreased quality of life. We aimed to compare depression, anxiety, fatigue and quality of life (QoL) between HNC patients and a large sample of the general population in Germany and to examine the impact of sociodemographic, behavioral and clinical factors on these symptoms.

Methods

We assessed data of HNC patients during the aftercare consultation at the Leipzig University Medical Center with a patient reported outcome (PRO) tool named “OncoFunction”. Depression, anxiety, fatigue and QoL were assessed using validated outcome measures including the PHQ-9, the GAD-2, and the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire.

Results

A total of 817 HNC patients were included in our study and compared to a sample of 5018 individuals of the general German population. HNC patients showed significantly higher levels of impairment in all dimensions assessed. Examination of association between depression, anxiety, fatigue and QoL and clinical as well as sociodemographic variables showed significant relationships between occupational status, ECOG-state, body mass index and time since diagnosis.

Conclusions

HNC patients suffer significantly from psychological distress. The used questionnaires are suitable for the use in daily routine practice and can be helpful to increase the detection of depression, anxiety and fatigue and therefore can improve HNC aftercare.
Raptor and rictor expression in patients with human papillomavirus-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kondo Shunsuke , Hirakawa Hitoshi , Ikegami Taro , Uehara Takayuki , Agena Shinya , Uezato Jin , Kinjyo Hidetoshi , Kise Noritomo , Yamashita Yukashi , Tanaka Katsunori , Hasegawa Narumi , Kiyuna Asanori , Maeda Hiroyuki , Suzuki Mikio , Gahana Akira
Published: January 2021

Background

Despite reports of a link between human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling activation, the role of the mTOR pathway, especially raptor and rictor, in HPV-related head and neck cancer is still unclear. The aim of the present study was to elucidate the role of the mTOR pathway in HPV-related oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC).

Methods

The present study involved two strategies. The first was to investigate the activity of mTOR and mTOR-related complexes in high-risk HPV-positive (UM-SCC47 and CaSki) and HPV-negative (SCC-4 and SAS) cancer cell lines. The second was to elucidate mTOR complex expression in 80 oropharyngeal cancer tissues and to examine the relationship between mTOR complex expression and survival in patients with OPSCC.

Results

The UM-SCC47 and CaSki cell lines showed high gene and protein expression of raptor. They also exhibited G1/S and G2/M phase cell cycle arrest following 24 h incubation with 6 μM temsirolimus, a rapamycin analog, and temsirolimus administration inhibited their growth. HPV-related OPSCC samples showed high gene and protein expression of raptor and rictor compared with HPV-unrelated OPSCC. In addition, HPV-related OPSCC patients with high raptor and rictor expression tended to have a worse prognosis than those with low or medium expression.

Conclusions

These results suggest that raptor and rictor have important roles in HPV-related OPSCC and that temsirolimus is a potential therapeutic agent for patients with HPV-related OPSCC. This is the first report to reveal the overexpression of raptor and rictor in HPV-related OPSCC.
Correction to: Prevalence of problematic smartphone usage and associated mental health outcomes amongst children and young people: a systematic review, meta-analysis and GRADE of the evidence
Authors: Sohn Sei Yon , Rees Philippa , Wildridge Bethany , Kalk Nicola J. , Carter Ben
Published: January 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Prioritisation for future surveillance, prevention and control of 98 communicable diseases in Belgium: a 2018 multi-criteria decision analysis study
Authors:   Working group Disease and Criteria selection, Klamer Sofieke ,   Working group Epidemiologists, Van Goethem Nina , Thomas Daniel , Duysburgh Els , Braeye Toon , Quoilin Sophie
Published: January 2021

Background

National public health agencies are required to prioritise infectious diseases for prevention and control. We applied the prioritisation method recommended by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control to rank infectious diseases, according to their relative importance for surveillance and public health, to inform future public health action in Belgium.

Methods

We applied the multi-criteria-decision-analysis approach. A working group of epidemiologists and statisticians from Belgium (n = 6) designed a balanced set of prioritisation criteria. A panel of Belgian experts (n = 80) allocated in an online survey each criteria a weight, according to perceived relative importance. Next, experts (n = 37) scored each disease against each criteria in an online survey, guided by disease-specific factsheets referring the period 2010–2016 in Belgium. The weighted sum of the criteria’s scores composed the final weighted score per disease, on which the ranking was based. Sensitivity analyses quantified the impact of eight alternative analysis scenarios on the top-20 ranked diseases. We identified criteria and diseases associated with data-gaps as those with the highest number of blank answers in the scoring survey. Principle components of the final weighted score were identified.

Results

Working groups selected 98 diseases and 18 criteria, structured in five criteria groups. The diseases ranked highest were (in order) pertussis, human immunodeficiency virus infection, hepatitis C and hepatitis B. Among the five criteria groups, overall the highest weights were assigned to ‘impact on the patient’, followed by ‘impact on public health’, while different perceptions were identified between clinicians, microbiologists and epidemiologists. Among the 18 individual criteria, ‘spreading potential’ and ‘events requiring public health action’ were assigned the highest weights. Principle components clustered with thematic disease groups. Notable data gaps were found among hospital-related diseases.

Conclusions

We ranked infectious diseases using a standardised reproducible approach. The diseases ranked highest are included in current public health programs, but additional reflection for example about needs among risk groups is recommended. Cross-reference of the obtained ranking with current programs is needed to verify whether resources and activities map priority areas. We recommend to implement this method in a recurrent evaluation cycle of national public health priorities.
Everything counts - a method to determine viral suppression among people living with HIV using longitudinal data for the HIV care continuum - results of two large, German, multi-center real-life cohort studies over 20 years (1999–2018)
Authors:   the HIV-1 Seroconverter cohort, Schmidt Daniel ,   the ClinSurv HIV cohort, Kollan Christian , Stoll Matthias , Hamouda Osamah , Bremer Viviane , Kurth Tobias , Bartmeyer Barbara
Published: January 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to develop a standardized method to reconstruct persons’ individual viral load (VL) courses to determine viral suppression and duration of viremia for the HIV care continuum in Germany using longitudinal cohort data.

Methods

We analyzed data from two large, multi-center German cohort studies under the direction of the Robert Koch Institute. We included data from 1999 to 2018 of all diagnosed people and of people who initiated antiretroviral treatment (ART). We developed a model generating virtual VL values and an individual VL course corresponding to real VL measurements with a maximum distance of 180 days, considering ART status and VL dynamics. If the distance between VL measurements was > 180 days, the time between was defined as gap time. Additionally, we considered blips, which we defined as a single detectable VL < 1000 copies/ml within 180 days.

Results

A total of 22,120 people (164,691 person-years, PY) after ART initiation were included in the analyses. The proportion of people with viral suppression (VL < 50 copies/ml) increased from 34% in 1999 to 93% in 2018. The proportion of people with VL < 200 copies/ml increased from 47% in 1999 to 96% in 2018. The proportion of people with viremia > 1000 copies/ml decreased from 37% in 1999 to 3% in 2018. The proportion of people with gap time fluctuated and ranged between 18 and 28%. An analysis of the first VL after gap time showed that 90% showed viral suppression, 5% VL between 50- < 1000 copies/ml and 5% VL > 1000 copies/ml.

Conclusion

We provide a method for estimating viral suppression and duration of viremia using longitudinal VL data. We observed a continuous and remarkable increase of viral suppression. Furthermore, a notable proportion of those with viremia showed low-level viremia and were therefore unlikely to transmit HIV. Individual health risks and HIV drug resistance among those with low-level viremia are problematic, and viral suppression remains the goal. In 2018, 93 and 96% of people after ART initiation showed VL < 50 copies/ml and VL < 200 copies/ml, respectively. Therefore, using the threshold of VL < 200 copies/ml, Germany reached the UNAIDS 95 target of viral suppression since 2017.
Promoting water consumption among Dutch children: an evaluation of the social network intervention Share H2O
Authors: Smit Crystal R. , de Leeuw Rebecca N. H. , Bevelander Kirsten E. , Burk William J. , van Woudenberg Thabo J. , Buijs Laura , Buijzen Moniek
Published: January 2021

Background

There is a need to develop and improve interventions promoting healthy drinking behaviors among children. A promising method could be to stimulate peer influence within children’s social networks. In the Share H2O social network intervention (SNI), peer influence was utilized by selecting a subset of influential children and training them as ‘influence agents’ to promote water consumption—as an alternative to SSBs. Previous research has mainly focused on the process of selecting influence agents. However, the process of motivating influence agents to promote the behavior has hardly received any research attention. Therefore, in the SNI Share H2O SNI, this motivation process was emphasized and grounded in the self-determination theory (SDT). This study evaluated the implementation of the Share H2O SNI, focusing on whether and how applying SDT-based techniques can motivate the influence agents and, indirectly, their peers.

Methods

This study included data collected in the Netherlands from both the influence agents (n = 37) and the peers (n = 112) in the classroom networks of the influence agents.

Self-reported measurements assessed the influence agents’ enjoyment of the training, duration and perceived autonomy support during the training, and changes in their intrinsic motivation and water consumption before and after the start of the intervention. Changes in the peers’ intrinsic motivation, perceived social support, and social norms were measured before and after the start of the intervention.

Results

The influence agents enjoyed the training, the duration was adequate, and perceived it as autonomy supportive. There was an increase in the influence agents’ intrinsic motivation to drink water and their actual water consumption. Providing personal meaningful rationales seemed to have motivated the influence agents. The intrinsic motivation and perceived descriptive norm of the peers remained stable. The peers reported an increase in their perceived social support and injunctive norm concerning water drinking after the intervention. Influence agents appeared to mainly use face-to-face strategies, such as modeling, talking to peers, and providing social support to promote the behavior.

Conclusions

The current findings provided preliminary evidence of the promising effects of using SDT-based techniques in an SNI to motivate the influence agents and, indirectly, their peers.

Trial registration

NTR, NL6905, Registered 9 January 2018, https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/6905
Excess weight and thinness over two decades (1996–2015) and spatial distribution in children from Jujuy, Argentina
Authors: Bustamante María José , Alfaro Emma Laura , Dipierri José Edgardo , Román María Dolores
Published: January 2021

Background

The increase of excess weight around the world is progressive and sustained in children. This is the most prevalent form of malnutrition in this population and they represent the major public health problem in developed and developing countries. The aim of this study was to analyze the magnitude of change in thinness and excess weight prevalence in 4–7 years-old schoolchildren from Jujuy (Argentina), between 1996 and 2015 and to examine the association according to sex and school location.

Methods

Cross-sectional study. Data was obtained from databases of School Health programs and it is representative of the city school population. For the analysis, 31,014 schoolchildren between 4 and 7 years old were evaluated, 20,224 from the first period (1996–2001) and 10,790 from the second (2010–2015). The city was partitioned in three different areas determined by the rivers that cross it. Nutritional status was determined by BMI for age with the criteria suggested by the International Obesity Task Force. The percentage of malnutrition change between periods was calculated and a binomial regression model was adjusted.

Results

Between periods, a significant (p-value< 0.0001) increase in the prevalence of overweight from 15.1% (CI 14.6–15.6%) to 18.1% (CI 17.4–18.8%) and obesity from 5% (CI 4.7–5.3) to 10.7% (CI 10.1–11.3%), and a decrease of thinness prevalence from 6.3% (CI 6.0–6.7%) to 4.7% (CI 4.3–5.1%) were observed. The percentage of change in the prevalence of obesity was very high in all areas and in both sexes (103.5% girls; 125.6% in boys), being higher in the south for girls (122.4%) and in the north for boys (158.8%). Besides, being a boy was inversely associated with the presence of excess weight and, as the age increases, the presence of obesity does it too. By analyzing the effect of the school location, the south and north zones had an inverse association with the presence of obesity. The period has a direct association with the presence of excess weight.

Conclusion

The study contributes with valuable information on the magnitude of the increase in obesity in schoolchildren and suggests a possible correlation with sex and spatial distribution in the capital city of Jujuy.
The use of electrical impedance tomography for individualized ventilation strategy in COVID-19: a case report
Authors: Zhao Zhanqi , Zhang Jin-Shou , Chen Ying-Tzu , Chang Hou-Tai , Hsu Yeong-Long , Frerichs Inéz , Adler Andy
Published: January 2021

Background

Clinical management of COVID-19 requires close monitoring of lung function. While computed tomography (CT) offers ideal way to identify the phenotypes, it cannot monitor the patient response to therapeutic interventions. We present a case of ventilation management for a COVID-19 patient where electrical impedance tomography (EIT) was used to personalize care.

Case presentation

The patient developed acute respiratory distress syndrome, required invasive mechanical ventilation, and was subsequently weaned. EIT was used multiple times: to titrate the positive end-expiratory pressure, understand the influence of body position, and guide the support levels during weaning and after extubation. We show how EIT provides bedside monitoring of the patient´s response to various therapeutic interventions and helps guide treatments.

Conclusion

EIT provides unique information that may help the ventilation management in the pandemic of COVID-19.
Treatment of volar defects of the finger using dorsal digital–metacarpal flap versus free medial plantar artery flap: a comparative study
Authors: Liu Quanzhe , Guo Wenlai , Qu Wenrui , Ou Xiaolan , Li Rui , Tian Heng
Published: January 2021

Background

The treatment of defects on the volar surface of the finger has been scarcely reported, and its utility for digital resurfacing remains unclear. This study compared the outcomes of free medial plantar artery flap (MPAF) and dorsal digital–metacarpal flap (DDMF) in finger reconstruction.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 24 patients with soft-tissue defects on the volar surface of the finger from March 2014 to March 2017. The patients were divided into two groups: the MPAF group and the DDMF group. The operation time, complications, such as flap necrosis, graft loss, infection, paresthesia, and donor-site morbidity, as well as two-point discrimination (2-PD) were carefully recorded. The Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire was used for conduct follow-up assessment.

Results

After more than 12 months of follow-up, the MPAF group had a longer operative time compared with DDMF group, but there was no significant difference between postoperative complications and 2-PD test result in patients without nerve injury. And in terms of overall function, Modified VSS score and 2-PD test (the patients with nerve injury), There were relatively obvious statistical differences, MPAF was superior to DDMF (p < 0.005).

Conclusion

MPAF and DDMF are reliable for reconstruction of the volar surface of the finger; however, MPAF offers better functional outcomes and is associated with a lower incidence of postoperative complications.
The concept of “Four Walls, Two Poles” in the lesions of the thalamus and ganglion regions: case report and literature review
Authors: Yang Haiyang , Bai Gang , Zhang Yongli , Chen Guolong , Duan Lei , Bi Youyun , Yang Haifeng
Published: January 2021

Background

There are few articles about the surgical techniques of thalamic glioma and the lesions in the basal ganglia area. According to three existing cases and the literature review (Twelve articles were summarized which mainly described the surgical techniques), we discuss the surgical characteristics of lesions of the thalamus and basal ganglia area and summarize the relevant surgical skills.

Case presentation

Of the three cases, two were thalamic gliomas and one was brain abscess in basal ganglia. According to the three-dimensional concept of the “Four Walls, Two Poles”, lesions of the thalamus and basal ganglia were surgically removed, and the operative effect was analysed by relevant surgical techniques. Surgical resection of the lesions of the thalamus and basal ganglia area according to the three-dimensional concept of the “Four Walls, Two Poles” has achieved good surgical results. Relevant surgical techniques, such as the use of retractors, the use of aspirators, the choice of surgical approaches, and the haemostasis strategy, also played an important role in the operation process.

Conclusions

In the presented three cases the three-dimensional concept of the “Four Walls, Two Poles” allowed for safe surgical resection of lesions of the thalamus and basal ganglia.
Engineering Escherichia coli for the utilization of ethylene glycol
Authors: Pandit Aditya Vikram , Harrison Emma , Mahadevan Radhakrishnan
Published: January 2021

Background

A considerable challenge in the development of bioprocesses for producing chemicals and fuels has been the high cost of feedstocks relative to oil prices, making it difficult for these processes to compete with their conventional petrochemical counterparts. Hence, in the absence of high oil prices in the near future, there has been a shift in the industry to produce higher value compounds such as fragrances for cosmetics. Yet, there is still a need to address climate change and develop biotechnological approaches for producing large market, lower value chemicals and fuels.

Results

In this work, we study ethylene glycol (EG), a novel feedstock that we believe has promise to address this challenge. We engineer Escherichia coli (E. coli) to consume EG and examine glycolate production as a case study for chemical production. Using a combination of modeling and experimental studies, we identify oxygen concentration as an important metabolic valve in the assimilation and use of EG as a substrate. Two oxygen-based strategies are thus developed and tested in fed-batch bioreactors. Ultimately, the best glycolate production strategy employed a target respiratory quotient leading to the highest observed fermentation performance. With this strategy, a glycolate titer of 10.4 g/L was reached after 112 h of production time in a fed-batch bioreactor. Correspondingly, a yield of 0.8 g/g from EG and productivity of 0.1 g/L h were measured during the production stage. Our modeling and experimental results clearly suggest that oxygen concentration is an important factor in the assimilation and use of EG as a substrate. Finally, our use of metabolic modeling also sheds light on the intracellular distribution through central metabolism, implicating flux to 2-phosphoglycerate as the primary route for EG assimilation.

Conclusion

Overall, our work suggests that EG could provide a renewable starting material for commercial biosynthesis of fuels and chemicals that may achieve economic parity with petrochemical feedstocks while sequestering carbon dioxide.