bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A case of IgG4-related interstitial nephritis with ureteral obstruction: case report and literature review
Authors: Cai Xiao-qing , Chen Zhi-bin , Chen Huai-huai , Zheng Yan-qiu , Yu Xu-guang
Published: April 2023

Background

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a newly discovered systemic disease that can affect any organ or tissue in the body. IgG4-related kidney disease (IgG4-RKD) is relatively rare but essential to IgG4-RD. However, there are few reports of IgG4-RD mimicking malignant ureteral tumors leading to hydronephrosis. We report here a rare case of IgG4-RD involving the ureter.

Case presentation

An 87-year-old man presented to our nephrology department with anorexia, nausea, and acute kidney injury in November 2020. Urinary computed tomography (CT) examination revealed a right lower ureter mass with right renal and ureter hydronephrosis. The serum level of IgG4 was 1890 mg/dL, and the concurrently renal biopsy revealed extensive infiltration of IgG4-positive plasma cells in renal interstitium, which was diagnosed as IgG4-associated tubule-interstitial nephritis(IgG4-TIN). The renal function improved significantly after double-J tube implantation of the right ureter and moderate-dose hormone therapy. The serum IgG4 decreased to the normal range, and the right lower ureter mass almost disappeared after one year of low-dose hormone maintenance therapy.

Conclusion

IgG4-RD can present as a mass in the renal pelvis and (or) ureter, leading to hydronephrosis. Therefore, early recognition of this disease is significant. Most patients respond well to hormonal therapy to avoid surgical treatment due to misdiagnosis as malignant tumors, causing secondary harm to patients.
The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic, sex, and age on temporomandibular disorders subtypes in East Asian patients: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Yap Adrian Ujin , Park Ji Woon , Lei Jie , Liu Chengge , Kim Seong Hae , Lee Byeong-min , Fu Kai Yuan
Published: April 2023

Background

Despite its major existential, societal, and health impacts, research concerning the COVID-19 pandemic and Temporomandibular disorders (TMDs) is still limited. This study examined the effect of the pandemic on TMD subtypes and elucidated the influence of the pandemic, sex, and age on the prospect of pain-related (PT) and/or intra-articular (IT) TMDs in East Asian patients.

Methods

Data were accrued from consecutive new patients attending two university-based TMD/orofacial pain clinics in China and South Korea, 12 months before (BC; Mar 2019-Feb 2020) and during (DC; Mar 2020-Feb 2021) the COVID-19 pandemic. TMD diagnoses were derived from pertinent symptoms, signs, and radiographic findings according to the Diagnostic Criteria for TMDs (DC/TMD) methodology. Patients were subsequently categorized into those with PT, IT, and combined TMDs (CT) and also stratified by attendance period, sex, and age groups (adolescents/young adults [AY] and middle-aged/older adults [MO]) for statistical analyses using Chi-square/Mann-Whitney U tests and logistic regression analyses (α = 0.05).

Results

The BC and DC groups comprised 367 (75.2% females; 82.8% AY) and 471 (74.3% females; 78.3% AY) patients correspondingly. No significant differences in sex and age group distributions were observed. The DC group had significantly more PT/IT conditions with higher prevalence of myalgia, headache, and degenerative joint disease than the BC group. Univariate analyses showed that PT/CT was associated with sex and age, whereas IT was related to the pandemic and age. However, multivariate analyses indicated that the odds of PT were affected by sex (OR = 2.52) and age (OR = 1.04) while the odds of IT (OR = 0.95) and CT (OR = 1.02) were influenced by age only.

Conclusions

The COVID-19 pandemic, as an impact event, did not influence the prospect of PT and/or IT. Sex and age appeared to play more crucial roles in the development of PT and IT/CT respectively.
Prevalence of high-risk human papillomavirus infection and associated factors among women of reproductive age attending a rural teaching hospital in western Uganda
Authors: Nang David Wol , Tukirinawe Happy , Okello Maxwell , Tayebwa Bekson , Theophilus Pius , Sikakulya Franck Katembo , Fajardo Yarine , Afodun Adam Moyosore , Kajabwangu Rogers
Published: April 2023

Background

High-risk HPV is considered a major risk factor for the development of cervical cancer, the most common malignancy among women in Uganda. However, there is a paucity of updated epidemiological data on the extent of the burden and factors associated with hr-HPV infection among women of reproductive age. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of hr-HPV and associated factors among women of reproductive age attending a rural teaching hospital in western Uganda.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study from April to June 2022. A total of 216 women of reproductive age attending the gynecological outpatient clinic were consecutively enrolled. Interviewer-administered questionnaires were used to collect participant characteristics, cervical specimens were collected by clinicians, and molecular HPV testing was performed using the Cepheid Xpert HPV DNA test. Descriptive statistics followed by binary logistic regression were conducted using SPSS version 22.

Results

The prevalence of hr-HPV was 16.67%. Other hr-HPV types other than HPV 16 and 18 were predominant, with a prevalence of 10.6%; HPV 18/45 (2.31%), HPV 16 (0.46%), and 3.24% of the study participants had more than one hr-HPV genotype. On multivariate logistic regression, an HIV-positive status (aOR = 7.06, CI: 2.77–10.65, p = 0.007), having 3 or more sexual partners in life (aOR = 15.67, CI: 3.77–26.14, p = 0.008) and having an ongoing abnormal vaginal discharge (aOR = 5.37, CI: 2.51–11.49, p = 0.002) were found to be independently associated with hr-HPV infection.

Conclusions and recommendations

The magnitude of hr-HPV is still high compared to the global prevalence. HIV-positive women and those in multiple sexual relationships should be prioritized in cervical cancer screening programs. The presence of abnormal vaginal discharge in gynecology clinics should prompt HPV testing.
The relationship between physical activity and the severity of menopausal symptoms: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Wu SongWen , Shi Yi , Zhao Qiao , Men Ke
Published: April 2023

Objective

To investigate the relationship between physical activity and the severity of menopausal symptoms in middle-aged women in northwest China.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional online survey study. Using a snowball sampling method, 468 women aged 45 to 60 were recruited from northwest China and their demographic information was collected. The modified Kupperman Menopausal Index scale and International Physical Activity Questionnaire short form were used in this study. Random forest was used to rank the importance of variables and select the optimal combination. The direction and relative risk (odds ratio value) of selected variables were further explained with an ordinal logistic regression model.

Results

The prevalence of menopausal syndromes was 74.8% and more than one-half of the participants had moderate or severe symptoms (54.3%). The Mantel-Haenszel linear-by-linear chi-square test showed a strong and negative correlation between physical activity level and the severity of menopausal symptoms (P < 0.001). Random forest demonstrated that the physical activity level was the most significant variable associated with the severity of menopausal symptoms. Multiple random forest regressions showed that the out-of-bag error rate reaches the minimum when the top 4 variables (physical activity level, menopausal status, perceived health status, and parity) in the importance ranking form an optimal variable combination. Ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that a higher physical activity level and a satisfactory perceived health status might be protective factors for menopausal symptoms (odds ratio (OR) < 1, P < 0.001); whereas perimenopausal or postmenopausal status and 2 parities might be risk factors for menopausal symptoms (OR > 1, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

There is a strong negative correlation between physical activity and the severity of menopausal symptoms. The results have a clinical implication that the menopausal symptoms may be improved by the moderate-to-high level physical activity in the lives of middle-aged women.
“I haven’t had that information, even though I think I’m really well-informed about most things”: a qualitative focus group study on Australian women’s understanding and views of potentially modifiable risk factors for breast cancer
Authors: Nickel Brooke , Armiger Josephine , Saunders Christobel , Vincent Wendy , Dodd Rachael H , Temple Anthea , Bhola Nalini , Verde Angela , Houssami Nehmat
Published: April 2023

Background

Building health literacy about potentially modifiable risk factors for breast cancer may help to empower women to make more informed decisions about their breast health; however there has been limited qualitative research on this topic. This study aimed to explore current knowledge, understanding and experience of potentially modifiable risk factors for breast cancer, and views on current and future communication strategies for this information and related interventions.

Methods

Qualitative study using online focus groups via Zoom in October-November 2022. A diverse sample of women from the Australian community aged 40–74 years were recruited.

Results

Fifty-one women from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds took part in nine focus groups. General knowledge of risk factors for breast cancer in the community is limited, particularly in relation to modifiable factors such as alcohol consumption and postmenopausal obesity, with many women describing feelings of ‘shock’ following this information. Women overwhelming believed that information on modifiable risk factors for breast cancer should be communicated more widely, however communication preferences for receiving this information varied. There was a strong preference amongst the women for a cascade of information which they believed may then help target greater number of women of all ages and backgrounds. Despite worry about long-term compliance, women also supported various lifestyle interventions which may help them and other women to reduce their overall risk.

Conclusions

Findings from this study highlight the need for more widespread community communication and education about risk factors for breast, in particular potentially modifiable risk factors such as alcohol consumption and postmenopausal obesity. As breast screening programs in Australia and globally begin to evaluate the potential for risk-related screening this will provide an additional context for primary prevention, hence planning of messaging and piloting of lifestyle-related prevention strategies in breast cancer is needed now. Gaining an understanding of women’s preferences for communication and forms of interventions is vital to ensure their engagement.
LncRNA SATB2-AS1 overexpression represses the development of hepatocellular carcinoma through regulating the miR-3678-3p/GRIM-19 axis
Authors: Huang Jiang , Yang Yunfang , Zhao Fulan , Zhang Zhuo , Deng Jian , Lu Wei , Jiang Xian
Published: April 2023

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy worldwide with one of the worst prognoses. Emerging studies have revealed that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) contribute to HCC progression. This research probes the expression and regulatory effect of lncRNA SATB2-AS1 on HCC development. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was applied to measure the SATB2-AS1 profile in HCC tissues and adjacent non-tumor tissues. The impact of SATB2-AS1, miR-3678-3p, or GRIM-19 on HCC cell proliferation, growth, migration, invasion, and apoptosis was determined by gain- and loss-of-function experiments. The results revealed that SATB2-AS1 was downregulated in HCC tissues, and its lower levels were related to higher tumor staging and poorer prognosis of HCC patients. SATB2-AS1 overexpression repressed HCC cell proliferation, induced G1 arrest, and apoptosis, and inhibited migration, invasion, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Mechanistically, SATB2-AS1 inactivated STAT3/HIF-1α and strengthened GRIM-19 expression. After knocking down GRIM-19 with small interfering RNA (siRNA), the malignant phenotypes of HCC cells were enhanced. Further bioinformatics analysis showed that miR-3678-3p was targeted by SATB2-AS1. The dual-luciferase reporter assay, RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) experiment, and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (FISH) test confirmed that SATB2-AS1 sponged miR-3678-3p and the latter targeted GRIM-19. The rescue experiments showed that miR-3678-3p aggravated the malignant behaviors of HCC cells, whereas SATB2-AS1 overexpression reversed miR-3678-3p-mediated effects. Inhibition STAT3 promoted SATB2-AS1 and GRIM-19 expression, and reduced miR-3678-3p level. Activation STAT3 exerted opposite effects. Overall, this study confirmed that SATB2-AS1 is a potential prognostic biomarker for HCC and regulates HCC devolvement by regulating the miR-3678-3p/GRIM-19/STAT3/HIF-1α pathway.
Gait training with a wearable powered robot during stroke rehabilitation: a randomized parallel-group trial
Authors: Miyagawa Daichi , Matsushima Akira , Maruyama Yoichi , Mizukami Noriaki , Tetsuya Mikio , Hashimoto Minoru , Yoshida Kunihiro
Published: April 2023

Background

We have developed a wearable rehabilitation robot, “curara®,” and examined its immediate effect in patients with spinocerebellar degeneration and stroke, but its rehabilitative effect has not been clarified. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of this device on gait training in stroke patients.

Methods

Forty stroke patients were enrolled in this study. The participants were divided randomly into two groups (groups A and B). The participants assigned to group A received RAGT with curara® type 4, whereas those in group B received conventional therapist-assisted gait training. The clinical trial period was 15 days. The participants performed 10 sessions of gait training (5 times per week) each lasting 30 ± 5 min per day. The 10-m walking time (10mWT), and 6-minute walking distance (6MWD) were evaluated as the main outcomes. Timed up and go and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were also examined. Gait parameters (stride duration and length, standard deviation of stride duration and length, cadence, ratio of the stance/swing phases, minimum/maximum knee joint angle, and minimum/maximum hip joint angle) were measured using a RehaGait®. The items other than BBS were measured on days 0, 7, and 14, whereas BBS was measured on days 0 and 14. The improvement rate was calculated as the difference of values between days 14 and 0 divided by the value on day 0. The improvement rates of the 10mWT and 6MWD were set as the main outcomes.

Results

The data of 35 participants were analyzed. There was no significant difference in the main outcomes between both groups at the end of gait training. As for intragroup changes, gait speed, stride length, stride duration, and cadence were improved significantly between days 0 and 14 in each group. When examining the interaction effect between the day of measurement and group, stride duration (p = 0.006) and cadence (p = 0.012) were more significantly improved in group A than in group B.

Conclusions

This novel wearable powered robot may have the potential to improve gait speed of individuals in stroke rehabilitation.

Trial registration

Japan Registry of Clinical Trials (jRCTs032180163). Registered on February 22, 2019; https://jrct.niph.go.jp/en-latest-detail/jRCTs032180163.

UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN000034237)

Registered on September 22, 2018; https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/icdr/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000038939.
Mediastinal high-grade vasculogenic mesenchymal tumour with seminoma: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhanxian Shang , Yuchen Han , Jinzhi Wei , Lei Zhu
Published: April 2023

Germ cell tumours with somatic-type solid malignancy (GCT-STM) are a rare disease of the mediastinum. Recently, a cohort of vasculogenic mesenchymal tumour (VMT)-nonseminoma cases with different prognoses were recognized and reported. Here, we report a case of mediastinal high-grade VMT with a seminoma. A 16-year-old male had a fever, chest tightness and fatigue. Chest CT showed a 7.5 cm×5.3 cm solid mass in the right anterior mediastinum. The serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were within the normal range. Tumorectomy was performed. The tumour was irregular, and no capsule was found. The cut surface was greyish white and greyish brown with medium consistency. There were foci of bleeding and necrosis. Microscopic histology showed prominent vascular proliferation, which was lined by mildly atypical endothelial cells in a cellular stroma with significant cytologic atypia. The vascular spectrum varied from crevice-like or antler-like thin- to thick-walled vessels. Beyond the tumour area, inside the remnant thymus tissues, there were small clusters of polygonal tumour cells with clear cytoplasm, distinct cell membranes, and round to polygonal nuclei with prominent nucleoli that were positive for Oct4, PLAP, SALL4 and CD117. The patient did not receive any treatments pre- or postoperation, and his condition was stable without progression after 14 months of follow-up evaluation. Here, we added a new entity of GCT-STM of the mediastinum composed of VMT and seminoma. A better understanding of the pathological features of GCT-VMT could help pathologists improve their awareness of these rare diseases.
A case report of hepatic angiomyolipoma, inflammatory subtype. Clinico-pathological characterization: a diagnostic challenge
Authors: Velasco-Albendea Francisco Javier , Gil-Belmonte María Jesús , Estébanez-Ferrero Beatriz , Fuentes-Porcel Orlando , Nievas-Soriano Bruno José
Published: April 2023

Background

Angiomyolipoma is a benign mesenchymal neoplasm of a wide histological heterogeneity belonging to the PEComa “family.” The liver, after the kidney, is their second most frequent location. However, inflammatory hepatic AMLs constitute a rare entity, with only fourteen documented cases until 2020. These neoplasms can overlap morphological features of IgG4-related diseases, being of great diagnostic relevance to demonstrating myomelanocytic-lineage differentiation of the neoplastic cells. Case presentation: we present a new case of an inflammatory hepatic AML resembling an IgG4-related disease in a 35-year-old woman with a subcapsular 5 cm mass confined to segment VII of the right hepatic lobe. Although having reduced its size along the tumor’s natural evolution, complete tumor resection was decided due to its hypermetabolic behavior (max. SUV = 12,6) assessed by PET-CT scan. Finally, the patient underwent a right hepatectomy due to spontaneous rupture and bleeding of the lesion during the intervention. All the diagnostic and therapeutic procedures occurred in the last months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Conclusions: This review aims to describe inflammatory hepatic AML histological and immunohistochemical features. We further sought to establish a clinicopathological contextualization of this tumoral subtype.
Epidemiological characteristics and trends in postoperative death in children with congenital heart disease (CHD): a single-center retrospective study from 2005 to 2020
Authors: Zheng Guilang , Wang Jing , Chen Peiling , Huang Zijian , Zhang Lei , Yang Aimei , Wu Jiaxing , Chen Chunlin , Zhang Jingwen , Sun Yueyu , Zhou Chengbin , Yuan Haiyun , Liu Xiaobing , Cen Jianzheng , Wen Shusheng , Guo Yuxiong
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and trends in death after thoracotomy in children with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Methods

The clinical data of children with CHD aged 0–14 years who died after thoracotomy in our hospital from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2020, were retrospectively collected to analyze the characteristics of and trends in postoperative death.

Results

A total of 502 patients (365 males; 72.7%) died from January 1, 2005, to December 31, 2020, with an average of 31 deaths per year. For these patients, the median age was 2.0 months, the median length of hospital stay was 16.0 days, the median postoperative time to death was 5.0 days, and the median risk adjustment in congenital heart surgery-1 (RACHS-1) score was 3.0. 29.5% underwent emergency surgery, 16.9% had postoperative ECMO support, and 15.9% received postoperative blood purification treatment. In the past 16 years, the deaths of children with CHD under 1 year old accounted for 80.5% of all deaths among children with CHD aged 0–14 years, and deaths (349 cases) under 6 kg accounted for 69.5% of all deaths. Age at death, weight, and disease type were characterized by annual changes.

Conclusions

The postoperative deaths of children with CHD mainly occurred in infants and toddlers who weighed less than 6.0 kg, and TGA and PA were the most lethal CHDs. The proportion of deaths has been increasing across the years among patients who are young, have a low body weight, and have complex cyanotic CHD.
Prosthetic valve endocarditis secondary to Tropheryma whipplei in a patient with chronic polyarthritis
Authors: Kahn Mauricio J. , Ennis David M. , Delgado Dennis G.
Published: April 2023

Background

Whipple’s disease is a chronic multisystemic infectious disease that rarely presents as culture-negative endocarditis. Most patients reported with Tropheryma whipplei endocarditis involve a native valve and few describe prosthetic valve disease.

Case presentation

A patient with chronic polyarthritis and previous mitral valve replacement developed decompensated heart failure without fever. Transesophageal echocardiography revealed a prosthetic mitral valve vegetation and he underwent prosthetic mitral valve replacement. Blood and prosthetic mitral valve cultures were unrevealing. Broad-range polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of the extracted valve and subsequent Periodic-acid-Schiff (PAS) staining established the diagnosis of T. whipplei prosthetic valve endocarditis.

Conclusion

Whipple’s disease may present as culture-negative infective endocarditis and affect prosthetic valves. Histopathology with PAS staining and broad-range PCR of excised valves are essential for the diagnosis. Greater clinical awareness and implementation of these diagnostic procedures should result in an increased reported incidence of this rare disease.
Differences in the presentation of COVID-19-related psychosocial stress and general psychological distress and the relation between the number of care days and these symptoms among Japanese ward staff working exclusively with COVID-19 and support staff
Authors: Nishihara Tomoe , Yoshihara Kazufumi , Ohashi Ayako , Kuroiwa Mika , Sudo Nobuyuki
Published: April 2023

Background

Psychological distress has been frequently observed in frontline healthcare workers under stress during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic; however, it is unclear if there are differences in the stress and symptoms experienced by staff members who work exclusively in a COVID-19 ward and support staff temporarily deployed to a COVID-19 ward. The present study investigated psychosocial stress specific to the care for patients with COVID-19 and psychological distress among ward staff working exclusively with COVID-19 and temporary support staff.

Methods

The participants were full-time nurses and doctors working in COVID-19 wards or the ICU who provided face-to-face care to patients with COVID-19 during the COVID-19 outbreak in February of 2021. The data of 67 staff members (21 exclusively working with Covid-19 patients (group A) and 46 in the temporary support group (group B)) was available for study. Psychosocial stress specific to healthcare professionals during this COVID-19 outbreak (Tokyo Metropolitan Distress Scale for Pandemic [TMDP]) and general psychological distress (K6) were assessed.

Results

The K6 score was significantly lower in group B than in group A (p = .006), but no significant difference was found in the total score of TMDP or its subscales. Positive correlations were found between TMDP and K6 for group B (p = .011), as was the number of days of care on TMDP-social (rs = .456, p = .001).

Conclusion

Even though support staff members experienced lower psychological distress than staff working exclusively with COVID-19, COVID-19-related psychosocial stress specific to HCWs was comparable. The support staff also presented psychological distress associated with psychosocial stress specific to healthcare professionals during this COVID-19 outbreak, and the COVID-19-related social stress was enhanced as the number of working days increased. Our results show that all staff, not only those working exclusively with COVID-19 patients but also other support staff should be provided with care focusing on COVID-19-related psychosocial occupational stress.
Where do you stand?: an exploration of perspectives toward feet, foot health, and footwear using innovative digital methods
Authors: Skidmore Sue , Prior Yeliz , Nester Christopher , Bird Sam , Vasilica Cristina
Published: April 2023

Background

The cost of losing foot health is significant to the person, healthcare systems, and economy, with diabetes related foot health issues alone costing over £1 billion annually in the UK. Yet many foot health problems are preventable through alternative health behaviour. It is therefore important to understand how feet, foot health and footwear are conceptualised to gain understanding about how these might influence foot health behaviour and inform health messages that seek to protect or improve foot health through altered health behaviour. This research seeks to explore attitudes and beliefs and identify phenomena that may act as barriers or motivators to the proactive self‐management of foot health.

Methods

Public conversations involving 2,699 expressions related to feet, footwear or foot health on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram were extracted. Conversations on Facebook and Twitter were scraped with NVivo's NCapture plugin whereby data is extracted and downloaded to NVivo. Extracted files were uploaded to the Big Content Machine (software developed at the University of Salford) which facilitated the search for keywords ‘foot’, ‘feet’, ‘footwear’, ‘shoe’, and ‘shoes'. Instagram was scraped by hand. Data was analysed using a Thematic Analysis approach.

Results

Three themes were identified; 1) connections and disconnections derived from social and cultural constructs, 2) phenomena beyond attitudes and beliefs that relate to symbolic representations and the impact when foot health is lost, and 3) phenomena relating to Social Media as a conduit for the exploration of attitudes and beliefs.

Conclusions

This novel research exemplifies complex and sometimes incongruous perspectives about feet including their value for what they facilitate, contrasted with negative feelings about the negative impact that can have aesthetically when feet work hard. Sometimes feet were devalued, with expressions of disgust, disconnection, and ridicule. The importance of contextual, social, and cultural phenomena with implications for optimising foot health messages. Knowledge gaps including factors related to children's foot health and development, and how to treat foot health problems. The power of communities with shared experience to influence decisions, theories, and behaviour about foot health was also revealed. While people do talk about feet in some social contexts, it is not always in a way that promotes overt, positive foot health behaviour. Finally, this research demonstrates the benefit of exploring perspectives in uncontrived settings and illuminates the potential utility of social media (SoMe) platforms Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter as vehicles to promote foot health self‐management behaviour that is responsive to the social and demographic variances of engagers who inhabit those spaces.
Lyophilized equine platelet-rich plasma (L-GFequina) antagonize the Reproductive toxicity and oxidative stress Induced by Cyclophosphamide in female rats
Authors: Abdoon Ahmed Sabry S. , Al-Atrash Ahmed M.E , Soliman Seham S. , El-Sanea Amro M. , Gamal el Din Amina A. , Fahmy Hossam M.
Published: April 2023

Background

The antineoplastic agent Cyclophosphamide (CP) induces reproductive toxicity. New strategies for protecting ovarian tissue damage in women with chemotherapy-induced reproductive toxicity are essential. This study was designed to evaluate the possible protective effect of combined treatment with L-GFequina on CP-induced reproductive toxicity in the mature female rat.

Methodology

Forty mature female rats were assigned into four groups: First group, control: rats were intraperitoneally injected (IP) with 200 µl sterile saline solution on days 1 and 10; Group 2 (CP): were IP injected with 75 mg/kg on days 1 and 10 to induce POI); Group 3 (CP + L-GFequina): as in group 2 + IP injected with 200 µl rehydrated L-GFequina half-hour after CP injection on day 1 and 10); Group 4 (L-GFequina): rats were IP injected with 200 µl L-GFequina on day 1 and 10). Blood samples were collected for a complete blood picture and determinations of nitric oxide and malondialdehyde. Animals were sacrificed on Day-21, and genitalia was dissected, weighed, and fixed in 10% formalin for histopathological and morphometric evaluation.

Results

On day 21 of the experiment, body weight, ovarian parameters (Ovarian weight, uterine weight, the number of ovarian follicles, and corpora lutea (CL) were determined, and histopathological changes, blood profile, as well as antioxidant activity assessment, were performed. CP significantly suppresses ovarian and uterine functions and increased MAD, NO levels, RBCs, hemoglobin, WBCs, and platelet count compared to the control group ( P < 0.05). While, in CP + L-GFequina group, gross, histomorphometry parameters, blood, and biochemical markers were similar to that in the control. IP injection of L-GFequina alone significantly (P < 0.05) increased body weight, and ovarian and uterine morphometry compared with the control.

Conclusion

co-administration of L-GFequina with CP might protect the reproductive organs in rats through its high antioxidant capacity.
Investigating potential sand fly vectors after the first reported outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ghana
Authors: de Souza Dziedzom K. , Addo Seth Offei , Desewu Kwame , Nzelu Chukwunonso O. , Mosore Mba T. , Nimo-Paintsil Shirley , Attram Naiki , Appawu Maxwell , Wilson Michael D. , Boakye Daniel A.
Published: April 2023

Background

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic disease caused by species of the genus Leishmania, which are transmitted through the bite of infected female sand flies. Since the first reported outbreak of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ghana, in 1999, there has been limited published information on its vectors and reservoir hosts there. Previous studies have shown strong dominance of the sand fly genus Sergentomyia over the genus Phlebotomus in Ghana. Thus the aim of this study was to determine the possible sand fly vector species in Ghana, as well as their human-feeding behavior, from the time of the first reported outbreak of CL in the country.

Methods

Sand flies were collected from randomly selected houses in three communities. They were identified and used for blood meal source identification and the detection of Leishmania infection using molecular methods. 

Results

A total of 1051 female sand flies were morphologically identified, of which Sergentomyia africana africana (29%) was the predominant species. Among the 275 female sand flies that had blood-fed, the identified blood meal sources included chicken (33.8%) and goat (12.4%); the percentage of human blood meals was 32%. Single-source and mixed-source blood meals were identified in Sergentomyia africana africana (11.6%), Sergentomyia ingrami (14.9%) and Sergentomyia simillima (20%), with S. simillima having the highest proportion of blood meals that included human blood (14.6%). Using molecular methods, unfed sand flies and identified human-feeding species were examined for the presence of Leishmania DNA. Pool screening analysis revealed three pools of S. ingrami positive for Leishmania major DNA, with an infection rate of 1.27% (95% confidence interval 2.467–3.647).

Conclusions

The findings suggest that some Sergentomyia species may be involved in the transmission of cutaneous leishmaniasis in Ghana. However, the role of S. ingrami as a vector of leishmaniasis in Ghana needs to be conclusively validated by isolating the parasite from this species and through experimental transmission studies.

Graphical abstract
An optimized approach for multiplexing single-nuclear ATAC-seq using oligonucleotide-conjugated antibodies
Authors: Bera Betelehem Solomon , Thompson Taylor V. , Sosa Eric , Nomaru Hiroko , Reynolds David , Dubin Robert A. , Maqbool Shahina B. , Zheng Deyou , Morrow Bernice E. , Greally John M. , Suzuki Masako
Published: April 2023

Background

Single-cell technologies to analyze transcription and chromatin structure have been widely used in many research areas to reveal the functions and molecular properties of cells at single-cell resolution. Sample multiplexing techniques are valuable when performing single-cell analysis, reducing technical variation and permitting cost efficiencies. Several commercially available methods have been used in many scRNA-seq studies. On the other hand, while several methods have been published, multiplexing techniques for single nuclear assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (snATAC)-seq assays remain under development. We developed a simple nucleus hashing method using oligonucleotide-conjugated antibodies recognizing nuclear pore complex proteins, NuHash, to perform snATAC-seq library preparations by multiplexing.

Results

We performed multiplexing snATAC-seq analyses on a mixture of human and mouse cell samples (two samples, 2-plex, and four samples, 4-plex) using NuHash. The analyses on nuclei with at least 10,000 read counts showed that the demultiplexing accuracy of NuHash was high, and only ten out of 9144 nuclei (2-plex) and 150 of 12,208 nuclei (4-plex) had discordant classifications between NuHash demultiplexing and discrimination using reference genome alignments. The differential open chromatin region (OCR) analysis between female and male samples revealed that male-specific OCRs were enriched in chromosome Y (four out of nine). We also found that five female-specific OCRs (20 OCRs) were on chromosome X. A comparative analysis between snATAC-seq and deeply sequenced bulk ATAC-seq on the same samples revealed that the bulk ATAC-seq signal intensity was positively correlated with the number of cell clusters detected in snATAC-seq. Moreover, when we categorized snATAC-seq peaks based on the number of cell clusters in which the peak was present, we observed different distributions over different genomic features between the groups. This result suggests that the peak intensities of bulk ATAC-seq can be used to identify different types of functional loci.

Conclusions

Our multiplexing method using oligo-conjugated anti-nuclear pore complex proteins, NuHash, permits high-accuracy demultiplexing of samples. The NuHash protocol is straightforward, works on frozen samples, and requires no modifications for snATAC-seq library preparation.
Sustained low functional impairment in axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA): which are the primary outcomes that should be targeted to achieve this?
Authors: Maksymowych Walter P. , Inman Robert D. , Bessette Louis , Rahman Proton , Rampakakis Emmanouil , Asin-Milan Odalis , Rachich Meagan , Marrache Anne Marilise , Lehman Allen J.
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To (i) determine whether sustained disease activity states, as measured by Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) and Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS), impact function, and (ii) evaluate characteristics predicting sustained low functional impairment in a prospective axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) cohort.

Methods

Biologic Treatment Registry Across Canada (BioTRAC) was a multi-center, prospective registry that collected real-world data on axSpA patients receiving infliximab or golimumab between 2006 and 2017. Generalized estimating equations (GEE) were used to test baseline characteristics, treatment, and duration (at 6 and 12 months vs. only at 6 or 12 months vs. neither) of low BASDAI (< 3), ASDAS-inactive disease (ID)(< 1.3), and ASDAS-low disease activity (LDA) in predicting sustained low Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI)(< 3) between 12 and 18 months. The adjusted impact of achieving low disease state at 6 and/or 12 months on BASFI at 18 months was analyzed by generalized linear models.

Results

Eight hundred ten patients were enrolled. 33.7%, 13.4%, and 24.7% achieved sustained low BASDAI, ASDAS-ID, and ASDAS-LDA, respectively. In univariable GEE of baseline variables, age and baseline BASDAI, BASFI, and ASDAS significantly predicted sustained low BASFI. In multivariable GEE, sustained low BASDAI (p < 0.001), low BASDAI only at 6 or 12 months (p = 0.001), and baseline BASFI (p < 0.001) were the only predictors of sustained low BASFI. Sustained ASDAS-ID (p = 0.040) and ASDAS-LDA (p < 0.001) were also predictors when forced into the model. Similar results were obtained when evaluating the BASFI score at 18 months.

Conclusion

Sustained BASDAI < 3 may be a valid and feasible target for a treat-to-target strategy in axSpA having function as treatment goal.
Assessment of immune cell profiles among post-menopausal women in the Women’s Health Initiative using DNA methylation-based methods
Authors: Nissen Emily , Reiner Alexander , Liu Simin , Wallace Robert B. , Molinaro Annette M. , Salas Lucas A. , Christensen Brock C. , Wiencke John K. , Koestler Devin C. , Kelsey Karl T.
Published: April 2023

Background

Over the past decade, DNA methylation (DNAm)-based deconvolution methods that leverage cell-specific DNAm markers of immune cell types have been developed to provide accurate estimates of the proportions of leukocytes in peripheral blood. Immune cell phenotyping using DNAm markers, termed immunomethylomics or methylation cytometry, offers a solution for determining the body’s immune cell landscape that does not require fresh blood and is scalable to large sample sizes. Despite significant advances in DNAm-based deconvolution, references at the population level are needed for clinical and research interpretation of these additional immune layers. Here we aim to provide some references for immune populations in a group of multi-ethnic post-menopausal American women.

Results

We applied DNAm-based deconvolution to a large sample of post-menopausal women enrolled in the Women’s Health Initiative (baseline,N = 58) or the ancillary Long Life Study (WHI-LLS,N = 1237) to determine the reference ranges of 58 immune parameters, including proportions and absolute counts for 19 leukocyte subsets and 20 derived cell ratios. Participants were 50–94 years old at the time of blood draw, andN = 898 (69.3%) self-identified as White. Using linear regression models, we observed significant associations between age at blood draw and absolute counts and proportions of naïve B, memory CD4+, naïve CD4+, naïve CD8+, memory CD8+ memory, neutrophils, and natural killer cells. We also assessed the same immune profiles in a subset of paired longitudinal samples collected 14–18 years apart acrossN = 52 participants. Our results demonstrate high inter-individual variability in rates of change of leukocyte subsets over this time. And, when conducting paired t tests to test the difference in counts and proportions between the baseline visit and LLS visit, there were significant changes in naïve B, memory CD4+, naïve CD4+, naïve CD8+, memory CD8+ cells and neutrophils, similar to the results seen when analyzing the association with age in the entire cohort.

Conclusions

Here, we show that derived cell counts largely reflect the immune profile associated with proportions and that these novel methods replicate the known immune profiles associated with age. Further, we demonstrate the value this methylation cytometry approach can add as a potential application in epidemiological studies.
Associations of socioeconomic disparities with buccal DNA-methylation measures of biological aging
Authors: Raffington L. , Schwaba T. , Aikins M. , Richter D. , Wagner G. G. , Harden K. P. , Belsky D. W. , Tucker-Drob E. M.
Published: April 2023

Background

Individuals who are socioeconomically disadvantaged are at increased risk for aging-related diseases and perform less well on tests of cognitive function. The weathering hypothesis proposes that these disparities in physical and cognitive health arise from an acceleration of biological processes of aging. Theories of how life adversity is biologically embedded identify epigenetic alterations, including DNA methylation (DNAm), as a mechanistic interface between the environment and health. Consistent with the weathering hypothesis and theories of biological embedding, recently developed DNAm algorithms have revealed profiles reflective of more advanced aging and lower cognitive function among socioeconomically-at-risk groups. These DNAm algorithms were developed using blood-DNA, but social and behavioral science research commonly collect saliva or cheek-swab DNA. This discrepancy is a potential barrier to research to elucidate mechanisms through which socioeconomic disadvantage affects aging and cognition. We therefore tested if social gradients observed in blood DNAm measures could be reproduced using buccal-cell DNA obtained from cheek swabs.

Results

We analyzed three DNAm measures of biological aging and one DNAm measure of cognitive performance, all of which showed socioeconomic gradients in previous studies: the PhenoAge and GrimAge DNAm clocks, DunedinPACE, and Epigenetic-g. We first computed blood-buccal cross-tissue correlations in n = 21 adults (GEO111165). Cross-tissue correlations were low-to-moderate (r = .25 to r = .48). We next conducted analyses of socioeconomic gradients using buccal DNAm data from SOEP-G (n = 1128, 57% female; age mean = 42 yrs, SD = 21.56, range 0–72). Associations of socioeconomic status with DNAm measures of aging were in the expected direction, but were smaller as compared to reports from blood DNAm datasets (r = − .08 to r = − .13).

Conclusions

Our findings are consistent with the hypothesis that socioeconomic disadvantage is associated with DNAm indicators of worse physical health. However, relatively low cross-tissue correlations and attenuated effect sizes for socioeconomic gradients in buccal DNAm compared with reports from analysis of blood DNAm suggest that in order to take full advantage of buccal DNA samples, DNAm algorithms customized to buccal DNAm are needed.
Outcomes of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell administration in the treatment of neurologic sequelae in children with spina bifida
Authors: Nguyen Liem Thanh , Le Huong Thu , Nguyen Kien Trung , Bui Hang Thi , Nguyen Anh Phuong Thi , Ngo Doan Van , Hoang Duc Minh , Ngo Minh Duy
Published: April 2023

Background

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cell (BMMNC) infusion in the management of neurological sequelae in children with spina bifida (SB).

Methods

BMMNCs were harvested from bilateral anterior iliac crests. Two intrathecal BMMNC administrations were performed with an interval of 6 months. The measurements of outcomes included clinical assessments, cystomanometry and rectomanometry.

Results

Eleven children with SB underwent autologous BMMNC infusions from 2016 to 2020. There were no severe adverse events during the study period. The number of patients requiring assistance to expel stools decreased from 11 before cell infusion to 3 after the second cell infusion. The number of patients who had urine leakage decreased from 9 patients at baseline to 3 patients after the second BMMNC infusion. The mean bladder capacity increased from 127.7 ± 59.2 ml at baseline to 136.3 ± 54.8 ml at six months and to 158.3 ± 56.2 ml at 12 months after BMMNC infusions. Detrusor pressure (pdet) decreased from 32.4 ± 22.0 cm H2O at baseline to 21.9 ± 11.8 cm H2O after 12 months of follow-up. At baseline, six patients could walk independently. After the 2nd infusion, eight patients could walk independently.

Conclusion

Intrathecal infusions of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells are safe and may improve bowel, bladder, and motor function in children with SB.

Trial registration: NCT, NCT05472428. Registered July 25, 2022- Retrospectively registered, https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05472428.
Cultured reindeer, domesticated land, and (self)-cultivated herders: Histories and structures of reindeer herding landscapes in the European part of Russia
Authors: Istomin Kirill V.
Published: April 2023

This paper attempts to analyse diverse forms of reindeer pastoralism that exist in the European part of Russia from the viewpoint of landscape approach, that is as unique localized and historically developed interaction between people, reindeer and the natural landscape. The analysis starts with a short overview of the history of reindeer herding in the two reindeer herding regions of European Russia: the Archangelsk tundras and the Kola Peninsula. The developments of the last 300 years related to the transition from pre-pastoralist reindeer herding to reindeer pastoralism and the development of reindeer pastoralism during the late Imperial and Soviet periods are shown as particularly important. During this period, the particular form of reindeer-animal interaction developed in the Archangelsk tundras and characterized by intensive control over the herds and long linear interzonal migrations became dominant throughout European Russia before disintegrating again into a set of more localized forms by the late Soviet to early Post-Soviet periods. The discussion proceeds by analysing interactions between herders, reindeer and environment in the two main forms of reindeer pastoralism present in European Russia now in the most part of the Kola Peninsula and the most part of the Archangelsk tundras respectively. It is demonstrated that these two forms essentially depend on the interactions between reindeer, people and environment that existed in previous periods and have left traces in the physical landscape as well as in reindeer behaviour. The current modes of interaction between the elements of reindeer landscape build on them in different ways. Besides the two main forms, there are three small localities in European Russia where other forms of landscape interactions can be found.
Health expenditure convergence and the roles of trade and governance in Africa
Authors: Mouteyica Ariane Ephemia Ndzignat , Ngepah Nicholas
Published: April 2023

This study investigates the convergence hypothesis in health expenditures in 40 African countries over the 2000–2019 period. The new non-linear dynamic factor model is used on panel data extracted from the World Development Indicator and the World Governance Indicator. We consider two categories of health expenditures: the domestic general government health expenditure as a percentage of government expenditure and the domestic general government health expenditure per capita. The results show the absence of full panel convergence for the two indicators used. However, there is evidence of convergence clubs. The overall marginal effect of the control variables is consistent with the existing literature. The results further show a strong influence of trade in attaining convergence among the clubs for both models. However, governance quality only affects the probability of converging in a club for the general government health expenditure as a percentage of government expenditure model. The findings suggest that policies on promoting health expenditure convergence should pursue initiatives that encourage trade. Efforts should also be targeted to improve the quality of governance.