bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FOLFIRI (folinic acid, fluorouracil, and irinotecan) increases not efficacy but toxicity compared with single-agent irinotecan as a second-line treatment in metastatic colorectal cancer patients: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Zhang Xiaowei , Duan Ran , Wang Yusheng , Liu Xin , Zhang Wen , Zhu Xiaodong , Chen Zhiyu , Shen Wei , He Yifu , Wang Hong Qiang , Huang Mingzhu , Wang Chenchen , Zhang Zhe , Zhao Xiaoying , Qiu Lixin , Luo Jianfeng , Sheng Xuedan , Guo Weijian
Published: January 2022

Background:

FOLFIRI [irinotecan, folinic acid (CF), and fluorouracil] is considered a standard second-line chemotherapy regimen for patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who failed first-line XELOX/FOLFOX regimens. However, it remains unknown whether fluorouracil is still necessary in this case. This trial was designed to test the superiority of FOLFIRI over single-agent irinotecan as a second-line treatment for patients with mCRC.

Methods:

This randomized clinical trial was conducted in five hospitals in China. From 4 November 2016 to 17 January 2020, patients aged 18 years or older with histologically confirmed unresectable mCRC and who had failed first-line XELOX/FOLFOX regimens were screened and enrolled. Patients were randomized to receive either FOLFIRI or irinotecan. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Secondary endpoints included overall survival (OS), objective response rate (ORR), and toxicity. Data were analyzed on an intention-to-treat basis.

Results:

A total of 172 patients with mCRC were randomly treated with FOLFIRI ( n = 88) or irinotecan ( n = 84). The median PFS was 104 and 112 days (3.5 and 3.7 months) in the FOLFIRI and irinotecan groups, respectively [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.084, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.7911–1.485; p = 0.6094], and there was also no significant difference in OS and ORR between the two groups. The incidence of the following adverse events (AEs) was significantly higher in the FOLFIRI group than in the irinotecan group: any grade AEs including leucopenia (73.9% versus 55.4%), neutropenia (72.7% versus 56.6%), thrombocytopenia (31.8% versus 18.1%), jaundice (18.2% versus 7.2%), mucositis (40.9% versus 14.5%), vomiting (37.5% versus 21.7%), and fever (19.3% versus 7.2%) and grade 3–4 neutropenia (47.7% versus 21.7%).

Conclusion:

This is the first head-to-head trial showing that single-agent irinotecan yielded PFS, OS, and ORR similar to FOLFIRI, with a more favorable toxicity profile; therefore, it might be a more favorable standard chemotherapy regimen for mCRC patients who failed first-line XELOX/FOLFOX regimens.

Trial registration:

This study is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT02935764, registered 17 October 2016, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02935764 .
Diabetes mellitus is associated with worse baseline and less post-treatment recovery of arterial stiffness in patients with primary aldosteronism
Authors: Tsai Cheng-Hsuan , Wu Xue-Ming , Liao Che-Wei , Chen Zheng-Wei , Pan Chien-Ting , Chang Yi-Yao , Lee Bo-Ching , Chiu Yu-Wei , Lai Tai-Shuan , Wu Vin-Cent , Hung Chi-Sheng , Lin Yen-Hung
Published: January 2022

Background:

Aldosterone excess in primary aldosteronism (PA) has been linked to insulin resistance, and diabetes mellitus has been associated with increased arterial stiffness and worse cardiovascular outcomes. However, the impact of diabetes on baseline and post-treatment arterial stiffness in patients with PA is unknown.

Methods:

This study prospectively enrolled 1071 PA patients, of whom 177 had diabetes and 894 did not. Clinical, biochemical, and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) data were analyzed at baseline and 1 year after PA-specific treatment. After propensity score matching of age, sex, body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, hypertension duration, and number of antihypertensive medications, 144 patients with diabetes and 320 without diabetes were included for further analysis.

Results:

After propensity score matching, the baseline characteristics were balanced between the diabetes and nondiabetes groups except for fasting glucose, HbA1c, and lipid profiles. The patients with diabetes had significantly worse baseline baPWV compared with those without diabetes. After multivariable linear regression, the presence of diabetes mellitus remained a significant predictor of worse baseline mean baPWV (β: 46.3, 95% confidence interval: 2.9–89.7, p = 0.037). After 1 year of PA-specific treatment, only the nondiabetes group had significant recovery of mean baPWV (1661.8 ± 332.3 to 1565.0 ± 329.2 cm/s, p < 0.001; Δ = −96.8 ± 254.6 cm/s). In contrast, the diabetes group had less improvement (1771.2 ± 353.8 cm/s to 1742.0 ± 377.2 cm/s, p = 0.259; Δ = −29.2 ± 263.2 cm/s) even though the systolic and diastolic blood pressure significantly improved in both groups.

Conclusion:

The presence of diabetes mellitus in PA patients was associated with worse baseline and less post-treatment recovery of arterial stiffness.
An Interactive Approach to Emotional Expression Through Musical Cues
Authors: Micallef Grimaud Annaliese , Eerola Tuomas
Published: January 2022

Previous literature suggests that structural and expressive cues affect the emotion expressed in music. However, only a few systematic explorations of cues have been done, usually focussing on a few cues or a limited amount of predetermined arbitrary cue values. This paper presents three experiments investigating the effect of six cues and their combinations on the music's perceived emotional expression. Twenty-eight musical pieces were created with the aim of providing flexible, ecologically valid, unfamiliar, new stimuli. In Experiment 1, 96 participants assessed which emotions were expressed in the pieces using Likert scale ratings. In Experiment 2, a subset of the stimuli was modified by participants (N = 42) via six available cues (tempo, mode, articulation, pitch, dynamics, and brightness) to convey seven emotions (anger, sadness, fear, joy, surprise, calmness, and power), addressing the main aim of exploring the impact of cue levels to expressions. Experiment 3 investigated how well the variations of the original stimuli created by participants in Experiment 2 expressed their intended emotion. Participants (N = 91) rated them alongside the seven original pieces, allowing the exploration of similarities and differences between the two sets of related pieces. An overall pattern of cue combinations was identified for each emotion. Some findings corroborate previous studies: mode and tempo were the most impactful cues in shaping emotions, and sadness and joy were amongst the most accurately recognised emotions. Novel findings include soft dynamics being used to convey anger, and dynamics and brightness being the least informative cues. These findings provide further motivation to investigate the effect of cues on emotions in music as combinations of multiple cues rather than as individual cues, as one cue might not give enough information to portray a specific emotion. The new findings and discrepancies are discussed in relation to current theories of music and emotions.
Risk Factor Analysis for Fat Infiltration in the Lumbar Paraspinal Muscles in Patients With Lumbar Degenerative Diseases
Authors: Suzuki Kenta , Hasebe Yuki , Yamamoto Mitsuru , Saita Kazuo , Ogihara Satoshi
Published: January 2022

Introduction

This study aimed to investigate factors related to fat infiltration in patients with lumbar degenerative diseases (lumbar disc herniation and/or spinal stenosis), examining a wide range of potential risk variables.

Materials and methods

We studied consecutive adult patients who underwent posterior lumbar spinal surgery for degenerative diseases at our hospital between July 2013 and June 2017. Preoperative magnetic resonance imaging was used to evaluate the presence or absence of fat infiltration at the level of the L4-5 lumbar paraspinal muscles using Kjaer’s evaluation method. Patients without fat infiltration (0%–10%) were rated as grade 0, grade 1 for moderate fat infiltration (10%–50%), and grade 2 for severe fat infiltration (>50%). Patients were then divided into two groups: Group A (without fat infiltration, grade 0) and Group B (with fat infiltration, grade 1 or 2). Detailed patient clinical data were collected and analyzed.

Results

A total of 205 consecutive patients were enrolled; 54 (26.3%) patients were assigned to Group A and 151 (73.7%) to Group B. Logistic regression analysis revealed two independent risk factors for fat infiltration of the lumbar paraspinal muscles: female sex and older age (P < .001).

Discussion

Fat infiltration of the lumbar paraspinal muscles is reported to be associated with the development of pain and dysfunction of the lumbar region and postoperative complications of spinal instrumented fusion surgery. To the best of our knowledge, no previous studies have identified female sex and older age as independent risk factors for fat infiltration in the lumbar paraspinal muscles using multivariate analysis.

Conclusions

Female sex and older age were independent risk factors for fat infiltration in the lumbar paraspinal muscles. The results of the current study may provide useful information for the study of preventive measures for fat infiltration.
Visualizing the Knowledge Domain of Academic Mobility Research from 2010 to 2020: A Bibliometric Analysis Using CiteSpace
Authors: Liu Dan , Che Siqi , Zhu Wenzhong
Published: January 2022

Academic mobility, given its importance in the dissemination of knowledge and globalization of research collaboration, has received growing attention over the past decades. Based on a bibliometric analysis of the literature on academic mobility (119) from 343 journal articles in Web of Science over the period of 2010 to 2020 with the use of CiteSpace, this paper outlines the research intellectual map, such as the most active contemporary institutions, journals, and popular regions/countries; dissects the network of categories and summarizes the emerging trends and future research opportunities for academic mobility. The results of the study are: (1) England is the most productive region followed by China and Netherlands in terms of publication; (2) Utrecht University, The Polytechnic University of Valencia, and Russian Academy of Science are the most productive institutions; (3) The publications are mainly in the subject categories of Education, Business and Economics, and Geography; (4) Gender, scientific practice, brain drain are the main keywords for discussion; and (5) Louise Ackers is the most influential author in this field and International Migration Journal is the most frequently cited journal over the past decade. Our paper contributes to the relevant body of literature by systematizing the literature on academic mobilities through CiteSpace, a visualized analytical tool for undertaking bibliometric analysis, providing valuable references for researchers and practitioners who want to further explore this knowledge area.
Palaeoclimate, palaeosalinity and redox conditions control palygorskite claystone formation: an example from the Yangtaiwatan Basin, northwest China
Authors: Liu Lihui , Zhang Shuai , Liu Qinfu , Liu Linsong , Deng Youjun
Published: January 2022

Palygorskite-bearing claystones and mudstones were deposited in a salt lake in the middle and lower parts of the Neogene Baiyanghe Formation in the Yangtaiwatan Basin, China. The petrological, mineralogical and geochemical characteristics of the sediments were investigated to determine the factors controlling palygorskite formation. The palygorskite claystones and mudstones have distinctly varying mineral compositions. The claystones are composed of detrital minerals, palygorskite and illite, whereas the mudstones consist mainly of mixed-layer illite/smectite and illite. The palygorskite crystals were intact with sharp edges and interwoven with other minerals, indicating an authigenic origin. The chemical characteristics indicate that the palygorskite claystones in the middle part of the Baiyanghe Formation were deposited in a salt lake environment in an arid and hot climate. As the salinity of the lake gradually increased, the detrital minerals such as quartz, feldspar, dolomite and detrital clay minerals dissolved in the alkaline medium, thus providing Si4+, Mg2+and Al3+for the crystallization of palygorskite. The palygorskite coexists with certain amounts of detrital quartz and feldspar with limited roundness and sorting, indicating that the shallow lake of the basin under an oxidation environment may represent a favourable environment for the crystallization of palygorskite.
Crystallographic parameterisation of distortions in the SOD framework in the sodalite and helvine groups: An analysis in condensed normal modes of an aristotype phase
Authors: Knight Kevin S.
Published: January 2022

Crystallographic distortions in the alternating aluminium and silicon tetrahedral framework of sodalite (Na8Al6Si6O24Cl2), and beryllium and silicon in helvine (Mn8Be6Si6O24S2), (framework designated SOD) are described in terms of a set of condensed normal mode amplitudes and phases derived from an ideal tetrahedron of a theoretical aristotype phase. For a sodalite-structured hettotype phase in space group $P{\overline 4} 3n$, these normal modes transform as the irreducible representations A1, E(α) and T1(z) of point-group ${\overline 4} 3m$, where to a good approximation A1 acts as a pure breathing mode, E(α) as a polyhedral distortive mode and T1(z) as a rigid unit rotation about the unique ${\overline 4}$ axis of the T-site under consideration. Parameterisation of the mode amplitudes in terms of low-order polynomials as a function of thermodynamic variable permits the crystal structure of sodalite-structured phases to be accurately interpolated at intermediate values of the thermodynamic variable. Published data for the high-temperature behaviour of sodalite have been re-analysed in terms of mode amplitudes which accurately reproduce the temperature dependence of the bond lengths, bond angles and the Al–O–Si inter-polyhedral angle. Full expressions for these derived structural parameters in terms of mode amplitudes and the lattice parameter are tabulated and agree with experimental results to within one estimated standard deviation of the experimental parameter. The potential for mode decomposition in lower symmetry SOD framework crystal structures is illustrated by deriving an aristotype structure for tugtupite (Na8Al2Be2Si8O24Cl2) at room temperature in space group $I{\overline 4}$.
Positive health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a survey among community-dwelling older individuals in the Netherlands
Authors: Moens I. S. , van Gerven L. J. , Debeij S. M. , Bakker C. H. , Moester M. J. C. , Mooijaart S. P. , van der Pas S. , Vangeel M. , Gussekloo J. , Drewes Y. M. , Elzen W. P. J.den
Published: January 2022

Background

Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) reached the Netherlands in February 2020. To minimize the spread of the virus, the Dutch government announced an “intelligent lockdown”. Older individuals were urged to socially isolate completely, because they are at risk of a severe disease course. Although isolation reduces the medical impact of the virus, the non-medical impact should also be considered.

Aim

To investigate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictive measures on the six dimensions of Positive Health in community-dwelling older individuals living in the Netherlands, and to identify differences within subgroups.

Methods

In May/June 2020, community-dwelling older individuals aged ≥ 65 years completed an online survey based on Huber’s model of Positive Health. Positive Health was measured regarding the appreciation of the six dimensions (categorized as poor/satisfactory/excellent) and a comparison with a year before (categorized as decreased/unchanged/increased) using frequencies (%) and a chi-square test.

Results

834 older individuals participated (51% women, 38% aged ≥ 76 years, 35% living alone, 16% self-rated poor health). Most respondents assessed their bodily functions, mental well-being and daily functioning as satisfactory, their meaningfulness and quality of life (QoL) as excellent, and their social participation as poor. 12% of the respondents reported a deterioration of 4–6 dimensions and 73% in 1–3 dimensions, compared to the past year. Deterioration was most frequently experienced in the dimension social participation (73%), the dimension mental well-being was most frequently improved (37%) and quality of life was in 71% rated as unchanged. Women more often observed a deterioration of 4–6 dimensions than men (15% vs. 8%, p = 0.001), and individuals with self-rated poor health more often than individuals with self-rated good health (22% vs. 10%, p < 0.001). Older individuals living alone experienced more frequently a decrease in meaningfulness compared to older individuals living together.

Conclusion

The COVID-19 pandemic and associated restrictive measures had a substantial impact on all six dimensions of Positive Health in community-dwelling older individuals, especially in women, respondents living alone and respondents with self-rated poor general health.
A clinical prediction tool for extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing Enterobacteriaceae urinary tract infection
Authors: Liu Hui , Qiu Suishan , Chen Minghao , Lyu Jun , Yu Guangchao , Xue Lianfang
Published: January 2022

Background

Prevalence of extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing-Enterobacteriaceae (ESBL-E) has risen in patients with urinary tract infections. The objective of this study was to determine explore the risk factors of ESBL-E infection in hospitalized patients and establish a predictive model.

Methods

This retrospective study included all patients with an Enterobacteriaceae-positive urine sample at the first affiliated hospital of Jinan university from January 2018 to December 2019. Antimicrobial susceptibility patterns of ESBL-E were analyzed, and multivariate analysis of related factors was performed. From these, a nomogram was established to predict the possibility of ESBL-E infection. Simultaneously, susceptibility testing of a broad array of carbapenem antibiotics was performed on ESBL-E cultures to explore possible alternative treatment options.

Results

Of the total 874 patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs), 272 (31.1%) were ESBL-E positive. In the predictive analysis, five variables were identified as independent risk factors for ESBL-E infection: male gender (OR = 1.607, 95% CI 1.066–2.416), older age (OR = 4.100, 95% CI 1.678–12.343), a hospital stay in preceding 3 months (OR = 1.872, 95% CI 1.141–3.067), invasive urological procedure (OR = 1.810, 95% CI 1.197–2.729), and antibiotic use within the previous 3 months (OR = 1.833, 95% CI 1.055–3.188). In multivariate analysis, the data set was divided into a training set of 611 patients and a validation set of 263 patients The model developed to predict ESBL-E infection was effective, with the AuROC of 0.650 (95% CI 0.577–0.725). Among the antibiotics tested, several showed very high effectiveness against ESBL-E: amikacin (85.7%), carbapenems (83.8%), tigecycline (97.1%) and polymyxin (98.2%).

Conclusions

The nomogram is useful for estimating a UTI patient’s likelihood of infection with ESBL-E. It could improve clinical decision making and enable more efficient empirical treatment. Empirical treatment may be informed by the results of the antibiotic susceptibility testing.
PEG-J replacement for duodenal levodopa infusion in Parkinson’s disease patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Simoni Simone , Nigro Pasquale , Filidei Marta , Cappelletti Giulia , Paolini Paoletti Federico , Castellani Danilo , Gaggiotti Mirko , Parnetti Lucilla , Tambasco Nicola
Published: January 2022

Background

Reducing percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomies with jejunal extension tubes (PEG-J) related complications is vital to the long-term preservation of duodenal levodopa infusion (DLI) in advanced Parkinson’s disease (APD). Here, we provide data on the frequency of complications for both the standard “pull” and the non-endoscopic, radiologic assisted, “push” replacement PEG-J techniques in APD.

Methods

We retrospectively identified all patients treated with DLI from October 2009 to January 2020 at the Movement Disorders Center. Patients features and demographics, PEG-J procedures, causes for any discontinuation, reported complications and mortality were collected. In this cohort, PEG-J replacements were performed using the standard “pull” procedure or the radiologic assisted “push” method. Descriptive statistical analysis, t-test and paired t-test with False Discovery Rate correction was performed.

Results

This retrospective study included 30 APD patients [median age 72 ± 5.6 years; mean disease duration 17.2 + 5.7 years]. Mean treatment duration was 35.6 (30.6) months. Overall, 156 PEG-J procedures were performed, and Nineteen patients (63.3%) had a total of 185 reported complications, 85 of which were peristomal complications. 17 (56.6%) underwent 100 replacement procedures due to complications. The most commonly reported complication for replacement was J-tube dislocation (36%). One patient discontinued treatment after 6 months, due to peripheral neuropathy. Six patients died for causes not related to DLI. PEG-J replacements performed with the “push” method had a higher turnover (5.6 vs. 7.6 mo.), but fewer reported complications (67 vs. 75%).

Conclusion

The overall rate of complications was lower for “push” technique. This result might have been due to a higher replacement turnover that acted as a protective factor.
The non-fatal burden of cancer in Belgium, 2004–2019: a nationwide registry-based study
Authors: Gorasso Vanessa , Silversmit Geert , Arbyn Marc , Cornez Astrid , De Pauw Robby , De Smedt Delphine , Grant Ian , Wyper Grant M. A. , Devleesschauwer Brecht , Speybroeck Niko
Published: January 2022

Background

The importance of assessing and monitoring the health status of a population has grown in the last decades. Consistent and high quality data on the morbidity and mortality impact of a disease represent the key element for this assessment. Being increasingly used in global and national burden of diseases (BoD) studies, the Disability-Adjusted Life Year (DALY) is an indicator that combines healthy life years lost due to living with disease (Years Lived with Disability; YLD) and due to dying prematurely (Years of Life Lost; YLL). As a step towards a comprehensive national burden of disease study, this study aims to estimate the non-fatal burden of cancer in Belgium using national data.

Methods

We estimated the Belgian cancer burden from 2004 to 2019 in terms of YLD, using national population-based cancer registry data and international disease models. We developed a microsimulation model to translate incidence- into prevalence-based estimates, and used expert elicitation to integrate the long-term impact of increased disability due to surgical treatment.

Results

The age-standardized non-fatal burden of cancer increased from 2004 to 2019 by 6 and 3% respectively for incidence- and prevalence-based YLDs. In 2019, in Belgium, breast cancer had the highest morbidity impact among women, followed by colorectal and non-melanoma skin cancer. Among men, prostate cancer had the highest morbidity impact, followed by colorectal and non-melanoma skin cancer. Between 2004 and 2019, non-melanoma skin cancer significantly increased for both sexes in terms of age-standardized incidence-based YLD per 100,000, from 49 to 111 for men and from 15 to 44 for women. Important decreases were seen for colorectal cancer for both sexes in terms of age-standardized incidence-based YLD per 100,000, from 105 to 84 for men and from 66 to 58 for women.

Conclusions

Breast and prostate cancers represent the greatest proportion of cancer morbidity, while for both sexes the morbidity burden of skin cancer has shown an important increase from 2004 onwards. Integrating the current study in the Belgian national burden of disease study will allow monitoring of the burden of cancer over time, highlighting new trends and assessing the impact of public health policies.
Clinical significance of metabolism-related genes and FAK activity in ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma
Authors: Sato Masakazu , Sato Sho , Shintani Daisuke , Hanaoka Mieko , Ogasawara Aiko , Miwa Maiko , Yabuno Akira , Kurosaki Akira , Yoshida Hiroyuki , Fujiwara Keiichi , Hasegawa Kosei
Published: January 2022

Background

Administration of poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitors after achieving a response to platinum-containing drugs significantly prolonged relapse-free survival compared to placebo administration. PARP inhibitors have been used in clinical practice. However, patients with platinum-resistant relapsed ovarian cancer still have a poor prognosis and there is an unmet need. The purpose of this study was to examine the clinical significance of metabolic genes and focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activity in advanced ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma (HGSC).

Methods

The RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) data and clinical data of HGSC patients were obtained from the Genomic Data Commons (GDC) Data Portal and analysed (https://portal.gdc.cancer.gov/). In addition, tumour tissue was sampled by laparotomy or screening laparoscopy prior to treatment initiation from patients diagnosed with stage IIIC ovarian cancer (International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) classification, 2014) at the Saitama Medical University International Medical Center, and among the patients diagnosed with HGSC, 16 cases of available cryopreserved specimens were included in this study. The present study was reviewed and approved by the Institutional Review Board of Saitama Medical University International Medical Center (Saitama, Japan). Among the 6307 variable genes detected in both The Cancer Genome Atlas-Ovarian (TCGA-OV) data and clinical specimen data, 35 genes related to metabolism and FAK activity were applied. RNA-seq data were analysed using the Subio Platform (Subio Inc, Japan). JMP 15 (SAS, USA) was used for statistical analysis and various types of machine learning. The Kaplan-Meier method was used for survival analysis, and the Wilcoxon test was used to analyse significant differences. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

In the TCGA-OV data, patients with stage IIIC with a residual tumour diameter of 1-10 mm were selected for K means clustering and classified into groups with significant prognostic correlations (p= 0.0444). These groups were significantly associated with platinum sensitivity/resistance in clinical cases (χ2test,p= 0.0408) and showed significant relationships with progression-free survival (p= 0.0307).

Conclusion

In the TCGA-OV data, 2 groups classified by clustering focusing on metabolism-related genes and FAK activity were shown to be associated with platinum resistance and a poor prognosis.
Unintended socio-economic and health consequences of COVID-19 among slum dwellers in Kampala, Uganda
Authors: Nuwematsiko Rebecca , Nabiryo Maxencia , Bomboka John Bosco , Nalinya Sarah , Musoke David , Okello Daniel , Wanyenze Rhoda K.
Published: January 2022

Background

To reduce the spread of COVID-19, several countries in Africa instituted countrywide lockdowns and other public health measures. Whereas lockdowns contributed to the control of the pandemic, there were concerns about the unintended consequences of these measures especially in the most vulnerable populations. We assessed unintended socio-economic and health consequences due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the mitigation measures among slum dwellers in Kampala to inform the on-going and future pandemic response strategies.

Methods

This was a mixed methods cross-sectional study conducted in Bwaise I and Bwaise III slums of Kawempe division, Kampala Uganda from October to December 2020. We used systematic sampling to randomly select 425 household heads for the face-to-face quantitative interviews. We also conducted six focus group discussions (FGDs) with slum dwellers and used photovoice among eight Community Health Workers (CHWs) to document unintended socio-economic and health consequences. Quantitative data were imported into STATA version 14.0 for analysis, while qualitative data were analysed thematically using NVivo version 12. Modified Poisson regression analysis was conducted to establish factors associated with impact on access to food.

Results

Most respondents reported limited access to food (71.1%; 302/425); disruption in education (77.1%; 270/350); drop in daily income and wages (86.1%; 329/382) and loss of employment (63.1; 125/198). Twenty five percent of the respondents (25.4%; 86/338) reported domestic violence as one of the challenges. Seven themes emerged from the qualitative findings on the impact of COVID-19 including: limited access to food; negative impact on children’s rights (child labour and teenage pregnancies) and education; poor housing and lack of accommodation; negative social behaviours; negative impact on family and child care; reduced income and employment; and negative impact on health and access to health care services.

Conclusion

The slum dwellers of Bwaise I and Bwaise III experienced several negative socio-economic and health consequences of COVID-19 and its prevention measures that severely affected their wellbeing. Children experienced severe consequences such as child labour and teenage pregnancies among the girls. Response activities should be contextualised to different settings and protocols to protect the vulnerable groups in the community such as children and women should be developed and mainstreamed in response activities.
What’s important to you? Socioeconomic inequalities in the perceived importance of health compared to other life domains
Authors: Verra Sanne E. , Poelman Maartje P. , Mudd Andrea L. , de Vet Emely , van Rongen Sofie , de Wit John , Kamphuis Carlijn B.M.
Published: January 2022

Background

Pressing issues, like financial concerns, may outweigh the importance people attach to health. This study tested whether health, compared to other life domains, was considered more important by people in high versus low socioeconomic positions, with future focus and financial strain as potential explanatory factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2019 among N=1,330 Dutch adults. Participants rated the importance of two health-related domains (not being ill, living a long life) and seven other life domains (e.g., work, family) on a five-point scale. A latent class analysis grouped participants in classes with similar patterns of importance ratings. Differences in class membership according to socioeconomic position (indicated by income and education) were examined using structural equation modelling, with future focus and financial strain as mediators.

Results

Three classes were identified, which were defined as: neutralists, who found all domains neutral or unimportant (3.5% of the sample); hedonists, who found most domains important except living a long life, work, and religion (36.2%); and maximalists, who found nearly all domains important, including both health domains (60.3%). Of the neutralists, 38% considered not being ill important, and 30% considered living a long life important. For hedonists, this was 92% and 39%, respectively, and for maximalists this was 99% and 87%, respectively. Compared to belonging to the maximalists class, a low income predicted belonging to the neutralists, and a higher educational level and unemployment predicted belonging to the hedonists. No mediation pathways via future focus or financial strain were found.

Conclusions

Lower income groups were less likely to consider not being ill important. Those without paid employment and those with a higher educational level were less likely to consider living a long life important. Neither future focus nor financial strain explained these inequalities. Future research should investigate socioeconomic differences in conceptualisations of health, and if inequalities in the perceived importance of health are associated with inequalities in health. To support individuals dealing with challenging circumstances in daily life, health-promoting interventions could align to the life domains perceived important to reach their target group and to prevent widening socioeconomic health inequalities.
Analysis of long-term effect of ureteral balloon dilatation combined with internal and external drainage tube in the treatment of benign ureteral stricture
Authors: Lu Haohao , Zheng Chuansheng , Liang Bin , Xiong Bin
Published: January 2022

Purpose

There are few reports about balloon dilatation combined with internal and external drainage tube in the treatment of ureteral stricture under interventional therapy. The aim of the study is to explore the safety, effectiveness and long-term efficacy of this treatment strategy.

Materials and methods

It is a retrospective and observational study. From October 2013 to October 2016, 42 patients with benign lower ureteral stricture received interventional treatment. Balloon dilatation combined with internal and external drainage tube implantation were used. There were 25 male patients and 17 female patients. There were 7 cases (16.7%) with congenital ureteral stricture, 12 cases (28.6%) with inflammation, 15 cases (35.7%) with ureteral stricture after lithotomy or lithotripsy, and 8 cases (19.0%) with ureteral stricture after pelvic or abdominal surgery. After the drainage tube was removed, B ultrasound, enhanced CTU or IVP of urinary system were reexamined every six months. The follow-up time was 12–60 months.

Results

The age was 52.9 ± 11.6 years. The length of ureteral stricture was 1.1 ± 0.5 cm. 42 patients completed interventional treatment, the technical success rate was 100%, no ureteral perforation, rupture or other complications were identified. Preoperative urea nitrogen 9.2 ± 2.3 mmol/L and creatinine 175.8 ± 82.8umol/L. Urea nitrogen and creatinine were 3.8–9.1 mmol/L and 45.2–189.6 umol/L when removing the drainage tube. There were significant differences in the levels of urea nitrogen and creatinine before and after tube removal (P < 0.05). The ureteral patency rate was 100% at 6 months, 93% at 12 months, 83% at 18 months, 79% at 24 months, 76% at 30 months and 73% at 36–60 months. The overall success rate was 73%. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that stenosis length was a risk factor for postoperative patency (P < 0.05).

Conclusion

Balloon dilatation combined with internal and external drainage tube implantation in the treatment of benign lower ureteral stricture is safe and effective.
National strategy for palliative care of severely ill and dying people and their relatives in pandemics (PallPan) in Germany - study protocol of a mixed-methods project
Authors: Bausewein C. , Hodiamont F. , Berges N. , Ullrich A. , Gerlach C. , Oechsle K. , Pauli B. , Weber J. , Stiel S. , Schneider N. , Krumm N. , Rolke R. , Gebel C. , Jansky M. , Nauck F. , Wedding U. , van Oorschot B. , Roch C. , Werner L. , Fischer M. , Schallenburger M. , Reuters M. C. , Schwartz J. , Neukirchen M. , Gülay A. , Maus K. , Jaspers B. , Radbruch L. , Heckel M. , Klinger I. , Ostgathe C. , Kriesen U. , Junghanß C. , Lehmann E. , Gesell D. , Gauder S. , Boehlke C. , Becker G. , Pralong A. , Strupp J. , Leisse C. , Schloesser K. , Voltz R. , Jung N. , Simon S. T. ,   for the PallPan Study Group
Published: January 2022

Background

In the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, general and specialist Palliative Care (PC) plays an essential role in health care, contributing to symptom control, psycho-social support, and providing support in complex decision making. Numbers of COVID-19 related deaths have recently increased demanding more palliative care input. Also, the pandemic impacts on palliative care for non-COVID-19 patients. Strategies on the care for seriously ill and dying people in pandemic times are lacking. Therefore, the program ‘Palliative care in Pandemics’ (PallPan) aims to develop and consent a national pandemic plan for the care of seriously ill and dying adults and their informal carers in pandemics including (a) guidance for generalist and specialist palliative care of patients with and without SARS-CoV-2 infections on the micro, meso and macro level, (b) collection and development of information material for an online platform, and (c) identification of variables and research questions on palliative care in pandemics for the national pandemic cohort network (NAPKON).

Methods

Mixed-methods project including ten work packages conducting (online) surveys and qualitative interviews to explore and describe i) experiences and burden of patients (with/without SARS-CoV-2 infection) and their relatives, ii) experiences, challenges and potential solutions of health care professionals, stakeholders and decision makers during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. The work package results inform the development of a consensus-based guidance. In addition, best practice examples and relevant literature will be collected and variables for data collection identified.

Discussion

For a future “pandemic preparedness” national and international recommendations and concepts for the care of severely ill and dying people are necessary considering both generalist and specialist palliative care in the home care and inpatient setting.
Analysis of co-isogenic prion protein deficient mice reveals behavioral deficits, learning impairment, and enhanced hippocampal excitability
Authors: Matamoros-Angles A. , Hervera A. , Soriano J. , Martí E. , Carulla P. , Llorens F. , Nuvolone M. , Aguzzi A. , Ferrer I. , Gruart A. , Delgado-García J. M. , Del Río J. A.
Published: January 2022

Background

Cellular prion protein (PrPC) is a cell surface GPI-anchored protein, usually known for its role in the pathogenesis of human and animal prionopathies. However, increasing knowledge about the participation of PrPC in prion pathogenesis contrasts with puzzling data regarding its natural physiological role. PrPC is expressed in a number of tissues, including at high levels in the nervous system, especially in neurons and glial cells, and while previous studies have established a neuroprotective role, conflicting evidence for a synaptic function has revealed both reduced and enhanced long-term potentiation, and variable observations on memory, learning, and behavior. Such evidence has been confounded by the absence of an appropriate knock-out mouse model to dissect the biological relevance of PrPC, with some functions recently shown to be misattributed to PrPC due to the presence of genetic artifacts in mouse models. Here we elucidate the role of PrPC in the hippocampal circuitry and its related functions, such as learning and memory, using a recently available strictly co-isogenic Prnp0/0 mouse model (PrnpZH3/ZH3).

Results

We performed behavioral and operant conditioning tests to evaluate memory and learning capabilities, with results showing decreased motility, impaired operant conditioning learning, and anxiety-related behavior in PrnpZH3/ZH3 animals. We also carried in vivo electrophysiological recordings on CA3-CA1 synapses in living behaving mice and monitored spontaneous neuronal firing and network formation in primary neuronal cultures of PrnpZH3/ZH3 vs wildtype mice. PrPC absence enhanced susceptibility to high-intensity stimulations and kainate-induced seizures. However, long-term potentiation (LTP) was not enhanced in the PrnpZH3/ZH3 hippocampus. In addition, we observed a delay in neuronal maturation and network formation in PrnpZH3/ZH3 cultures.

Conclusion

Our results demonstrate that PrPC promotes neuronal network formation and connectivity. PrPC mediates synaptic function and protects the synapse from excitotoxic insults. Its deletion may underlie an epileptogenic-susceptible brain that fails to perform highly cognitive-demanding tasks such as associative learning and anxiety-like behaviors.
Assessment of salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol as a pain related stress biomarker in dogs pre-and post-operation
Authors: Kang Eun-Ha , Park Seol-Hee , Oh Ye-In , Seo Kyoung-Won
Published: January 2022

Background

The use of salivary biomarkers has garnered attention because the composition of saliva reflects the body’s physiological state. Saliva contains a wide range of components, including peptides, nucleic acids, electrolytes, enzymes, and hormones. It has been reported that salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol are biomarkers of stress related biomarker in diseased dogs; however, evaluation of salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol pre- and post- operation has not been studied yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol levels in dogs before and after they underwent surgery and investigate the association between the salivary alpha-amylase and cortisol activity and pain intensity. For this purpose, a total of 35 dogs with disease-related pain undergoing orthopedic and soft tissue surgeries were recruited. Alpha-amylase and cortisol levels in the dogs’ saliva and serum were measured for each using a commercially available canine-specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit, and physical examinations (measurement of heart rate and blood pressure) were performed. In addition, the dogs’ pre- and post-operative pain scores determined using the short form of the Glasgow Composite Measure Pain Scale (CMPS-SF) were evaluated.

Results

After surgery, there was a significant decrease in the dogs’ pain scores (0.4-fold for the CMPS-SF,p < 0.001) and serum cortisol levels (0.73-fold,p < 0.01). Based on their pre-operative CMPS-SF scores, the dogs were included in either a high-pain-score group or a low-pain-score group. After the dogs in the high-pain-score group underwent surgical intervention, there was a significant decrease in their CMPS-SF scores and levels of salivary alpha-amylase, serum alpha-amylase, and serum cortisol. Additionally, there was a positive correlation between salivary alpha-amylase levels and CMPS-SF scores in both the high- and low-pain-score groups.

Conclusions

The measurement of salivary alpha amylase can be considered an important non-invasive tool for the evaluation of pain-related stress in dogs.
Proteome evaluation of homolog abundance patterns in Arachis hypogaea cv. Tifrunner
Authors: Duan Zhenquan , Zhang Yongli , Zhang Tian , Chen Mingwei , Song Hui
Published: January 2022

Background

Cultivated peanut (Arachis hypogaea, AABB genome), an allotetraploid from a cross between A. duranensis (AA genome) and A. ipaensis (BB genome), is an important oil and protein crop with released genome and RNA-seq sequence datasets. These datasets provide the molecular foundation for studying gene expression and evolutionary patterns. However, there are no reports on the proteomic data of A. hypogaea cv. Tifrunner, which limits understanding of its gene function and protein level evolution.

Results

This study sequenced the A. hypogaea cv. Tifrunner leaf and root proteome using the tandem mass tag technology. A total of 4803 abundant proteins were identified. The 364 differentially abundant proteins were estimated by comparing protein abundances between leaf and root proteomes. The differentially abundant proteins enriched the photosystem process. The number of biased abundant homeologs between the two sub-genomes A (87 homeologs in leaf and root) and B (69 and 68 homeologs in leaf and root, respectively) was not significantly different. However, homeologous proteins with biased abundances in different sub-genomes enriched different biological processes. In the leaf, homeologs biased to sub-genome A enriched biosynthetic and metabolic process, while homeologs biased to sub-genome B enriched iron ion homeostasis process. In the root, homeologs with biased abundance in sub-genome A enriched inorganic biosynthesis and metabolism process, while homeologs with biased abundance in sub-genome B enriched organic biosynthesis and metabolism process. Purifying selection mainly acted on paralogs and homeologs. The selective pressure values were negatively correlated with paralogous protein abundance. About 77.42% (24/31) homeologous and 80% (48/60) paralogous protein pairs had asymmetric abundance, and several protein pairs had conserved abundances in the leaf and root tissues.

Conclusions

This study sequenced the proteome of A. hypogaea cv. Tifrunner using the leaf and root tissues. Differentially abundant proteins were identified, and revealed functions. Paralog abundance divergence and homeolog bias abundance was elucidated. These results indicate that divergent abundance caused retention of homologs in A. hypogaea cv. Tifrunner.
The fifth Japanese meeting on biological function and evolution through interactions between hosts and transposable elements
Authors: Ichiyanagi Kenji , Saito Kuniaki
Published: January 2022

The fifth Japanese meeting on host–transposon interactions, titled “Biological Function and Evolution through Interactions between Hosts and Transposable Elements (TEs),” was held online on August 26–27, 2021. The meeting was supported by National Institute of Genetics and aimed to bring together researchers studying the diverse roles of TEs in genome function and evolution, as well as host defense systems against TE mobility by chromatin and RNA modifications and protein-protein interactions. Here, we present the highlights of the talks.
Fitness center use and subsequent achievement of exercise goals. A prospective study on long-term fitness center members
Authors: Riseth Liv , Lund Nilsen Tom Ivar , Hatlen Nøst Torunn , Steinsbekk Aslak
Published: January 2022

Background

Knowledge on the relationship between fitness center use and long-term members’ subsequent goal achievement is limited. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the prospective association between the use of fitness centers during 18 months and subsequent self-reported goal achievement among long-term members.

Methods

This was a registry- and survey-based longitudinal study of 2851 people who had been members at a Norwegian fitness center chain for more than two years. Fitness center use from December 2016 to June 2018 was obtained from registry data. Subsequent goal achievement was measured in a survey in June 2018, assessed by a 1–100 visual analogue scale, and a score between 0 and 50 was defined as low goal achievement.

Results

Visiting the fitness center frequently and regularly, and having frequent group activity bookings were associated with higher subsequent self-reported goal achievement. Participants with fewest visits (1–57 days) during 18 months were more likely to report low goal achievement than participants with most visits (118–543 days) (OR = 8.5; 95% CI 6.3–11.4). Fitness trainer bookings was not clearly associated with subsequent goal achievement.

Conclusions

Frequent and regular long-term fitness center use were associated with higher subsequent self-reported goal achievement.