bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Career and Life Planning Education: Extending the Self-Concept Theory and Its Multidimensional Model to Assess Career-Related Self-Concept of Students with Diverse Abilities
Authors: Yang Lan , Wong Lawrence P. W.
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

This article aims to (1) systematically examine the development of career guidance practices in Hong Kong over the past 40 years, (2) discuss developmental attention to the career-related self-concept of diverse learners, and (3) propose a multidimensional model of self-concept by integrating the career-related domains with recent advances in self-concept research pertaining to students’ in-school and post-school outcomes.

Design/Approach/Methods:

This article charts the developmental trend of career guidance and counseling (CGC) over more than 40 years in Hong Kong. The article also examines key findings relating to self-concept research made in the fields of education and career counseling in the past 50 years.

Findings:

For 50 years, Hong Kong has progressively recognized the importance of CGC. The government’s continued determination to refine its policies and practices in this domain was succinctly highlighted in the Chief Executive’s 2018 policy address. However, many challenges pertaining the professional competence of career guidance teachers and the ability of school administrators to manage the paradigm shift from informal to formal career guidance and counseling practices (CGCPs) remain. Meanwhile, the effects of these CGCPs on students’ gains of career-related abilities and interests directly and indirectly remain under-researched.

Originality/Value:

This article integrates research into the developmental trend of career guidance practices in secondary schools and the study of academic self-concept. The article builds upon previous self-concept research by proposing an extended self-concept model that includes the career-related domain, setting a theoretical model for further research to explore. Finally, the article demonstrates the importance of tailoring career guidance activities in secondary education to reflect the diverse career-related self-concepts held by today’s students with diverse abilities.
Open Periprosthetic Knee Fracture: A Case Report and Review of the Literature
Authors: Ragland Katelyn , Cherney Steven M. , Stambough Jeffrey B. , Mears Simon C.
Published: July 2020

Introduction:

With the increase in knee and hip implants, these periprosthetic fractures will become more common especially as the population ages. Open periprosthetic fractures are rare and severe injuries and are more likely to be seen in high-energy injuries. They present challenges to the treating physician due to soft tissue damage, contamination of the existing implants, and the effects of polytrauma in the geriatric patient.

Methods: . Results

A 72-year-old woman was involved in a motor vehicle collision with multiple injuries including an open periprosthetic tibia and femur fracture. This was treated with initial washout and removal of loose tibial component with placement of a cement spacer. The knee was treated with staged revision using a protocol like that used after prosthetic joint infection. After complete soft tissue healing, the patient underwent successful revision with a megaprosthesis. The literature on open periprosthetic fractures is reviewed.

Discussion and Conclusion:

Open periprosthetic fractures present multiple challenges to the orthopedic surgeon. In the presences of poly trauma and soft tissue injury, we present an approach using staged surgery like that used for prosthetic joint infection.
Depressive Symptoms among Adolescents Exposed to Personal and Vicarious Police Contact
Authors: Turney Kristin
Published: July 2020

Theories of stress and strain, which emphasize the concentration of social stressors among vulnerable groups, suggest that police contact—the most common type of criminal justice contact—can have deleterious health consequences. Research documents a relationship between police contact and adverse health, but less is known about the mental health consequences of police stops among adolescents. I examined this with data from the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study (N = 3,437), a longitudinal survey of individuals born around the turn of the 21st century and followed over a 15-year period. First, personal police contact and vicarious but not personal police contact (both compared to no police contact) are positively associated with depressive symptoms, net of characteristics associated with police contact (including prior mental health, delinquency, and impulsivity). Second, more intrusive police contact (such as stops that include frisks or searches) is positively associated with depressive symptoms. Third, the association between police contact and depressive symptoms is concentrated among girls and Blacks. Given the concentration of police contact among already vulnerable adolescents living in highly surveilled and disadvantaged neighborhoods, those same adolescents at greatest risk of health impairments, police contact may exacerbate population health disparities.
Association between Lysholm score and muscular torque deficit after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
Authors: de Andrade André Luis Lugnani , Castro Alex , Livani Bruno , Belangero William Dias
Published: July 2020

Purpose:

The asymmetry of muscular strength after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is associated with increase in the development of new lesions. This asymmetry is precisely assessed by isokinetic dynamometry which is a high-cost technique, limited to major centers and hospitals. Thus, the aim of this study was to test the accuracy of one of the most frequently used functional questionnaires, the Lysholm score, to diagnose the knee torque deficit.

Methods:

In total, 115 patients were evaluated after ACLR. Knee symptoms were evaluated using the Lysholm questionnaire and knee extensor and flexor peak torque during maximal isokinetic concentric contractions at 60° s−1 (5 repetitions) and 180° s−1 (15 repetitions). Patients with <20% peak torque deficit were considered symmetric (normal).

Results:

An increase in the Lysholm score was associated with a deficit reduction in the peak torque of knee extensors at 60° s−1 ( r = −0.294) and 180° s−1 ( r = −0.297) ( p < 0.05 for both). Cutoff Lysholm scores of >90 points for 60° s−1 allowed the correct diagnosis of symmetry in 71% and of >89 points for 180º·s−1 allowed the correct diagnosis of symmetry in 73%, for knee extensors. Patients with a Lysholm score of >89 points presented an isokinetic deficit 36% lower than patients with a Lysholm score of ≤89 points ( p < 0.05).

Conclusion:

A Lysholm score of >89 points has predictive value for deficits in the peak torque of knee extension (<20%). However, replacement of the isokinetic evaluation by this instrument must be performed with caution because of its accuracy.
Historical control data for hematology parameters obtained from toxicity studies performed on different Wistar rat strains: Acceptable value ranges, definition of severity degrees, and vehicle effects
Authors: de Kort Marlies , Weber Klaus , Wimmer Björn , Wilutzky Katharina , Neuenhahn Patricia , Allingham Philip , Leoni Anne-Laure
Published: July 2020

The physiological and health status of control animals may vary. Due to this variation, it is important to define acceptable ranges of control hematology parameters to gain a better understanding of adverse and non-adverse effects of test substances. After generating historical control data for two Wistar rat strains (RccHan™:WIST and Crl:WI(Han)) from different breeders, the data sets were statistically analyzed using Minitab®. After noticing that single outliers can affect the study control data set, the respective outliers were verified relative to the available histopathology findings, for example, inflammatory pulmonary lesions following vehicle aspiration or spontaneous sperm granuloma affecting the health status and hematology data of the respective animals. Such data points were excluded from the control data set. Comparing both data sets, it was obvious that different blood sampling and anesthesia methods as well as strain differences may result in slightly different values. After excluding the outliers, a data set from animals with presumably good health status was generated to define acceptable ranges and severity degrees. To evaluate effects, possibly influencing hematology parameters and defined acceptable ranges, selected vehicles and different study types were observed.
Erenumab in highly therapy-refractory migraine patients: First German real-world evidence
Authors: Scheffler Armin , Messel Olga , Wurthmann Sebastian , Nsaka Michael , Kleinschnitz Christoph , Glas Martin , Naegel Steffen , Holle Dagny
Published: July 2020

Background

Calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) monoclonal antibodies (mAB) are the first specific migraine prophylactic medication. Erenumab is the only CGRP mAB targeting the CGRP receptor. Clinical data regarding efficacy and tolerability of erenumab in highly therapy-refractory patients are not available, yet, although many patients treated with CGRP mAB under real world conditions can be considered as highly therapy-refractory.

Methods

Clinical routine data of highly therapy-refractory migraine patients treated with erenumab 70 mg for 3 months between November 2018 and December 2019 in the West German Headache Center, University Hospital Essen, Germany, were analysed. Monthly migraine days (MMD), monthly headache days (MHD) and days of acute medication intake (AMD) were assessed. Statistical analysis was performed using the Wilcoxon test. Descriptive statistics were performed to evaluate changes of vegetative symptoms, acute medication response, side effects, as well as treatment satisfaction.

Results

Complete clinical data were available for 26 episodic (EM) and 74 chronic (CM) migraineurs. Sixty-six % (n = 49) of CM patients had an additional medication overuse headache (MOH). After 3 months 57.7% of EM patients and 41.9% of CM patients had a 50% or greater reduction of MMD. The mean number of MMD was reduced by 3.43 (SE 1.26) in EM, and by 4.72 (SE 0.87) in CM. Thirty-nine patients (52.7%) returned from chronic to episodic course of migraine. After 3 months, 23 patients (46.9%) were not suffering from a MOH anymore.

Conclusions

Erenumab seems to be a promising therapeutic option in highly therapy-refractory migraine patients.

Trial registration

Retrospective registered.
Methotrexate impaired in-vivo matured mouse oocyte quality and the possible mechanisms
Authors: Tian Ning , Lv Dan-yu , Yu Ji , Ma Wan-yun
Published: July 2020

Background

Methotrexate (MTX) is an antifolate agent which is widely used in clinic for treating malignancies, rheumatoid arthritis and ectopic pregnancy. As reported, MTX has side effects on gastrointestinal system, nervous system and reproductive system, while its potential damages on oocyte quality are still unclear. It is known that oocyte quality is essential for healthy conception and the forthcoming embryo development. Thus, this work studied the effects of MTX on the oocyte quality.

Results

We established MTX model mice by single treatment with 5 mg/Kg MTX. Both morphological and molecular biology studies were performed to assess the in-vivo matured oocytes quality and to analyze the related mechanisms. The in-vivo matured oocytes from MTX-treated mice had poor in-vitro fertilization ability, and the resulting embryo formation rates and blastocyst quality were lower than the control group. We found that the in-vivo matured MTX-treated mouse oocytes displayed abnormal transcript expressions for genes of key enzymes in the folate cycles. MTX increased the rate of abnormal chromosome alignment and affected the regulation of chromosome separation via disrupting the spindle morphology and reducing the mRNA expressions of MAD2 and Sgo1. MTX reduced the DNA methylation levels in the in-vivo matured oocytes, and further studies showed that MTX altered the expressions of DNMT1 and DNMT 3b, and may also affect the levels of the methyl donor and its metabolite.

Conclusions

MTX impaired the in-vivo matured mouse oocyte quality by disturbing folate metabolism and affecting chromosome stability and methylation modification.
High resolution mapping of restoration of fertility (Rf) by combining large population and high density genetic map in pigeonpea [Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp]
Authors: Saxena Rachit K. , Molla Johiruddin , Yadav Pooja , Varshney Rajeev K.
Published: July 2020

Background

Restoration of fertility (Rf) is an important trait for pigeonpea hybrid breeding. Few coarse quantitative trait locus (QTL) studies conducted in the past identified QTLs with large confidence intervals on the genetic map and could not provide any information on possible genes responsible for Rf in pigeonpea. Therefore, a larger population comprising of 369 F2s derived from ICPA 2039 × ICPL 87119 was genotyped with high density Axiom Cajanus SNP Array with 56 K single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs) for high resolution mapping of Rf.

Results

A genetic map with 4867 markers was developed and a total of four QTLs for Rf were identified. While one major effect QTL (qRf8.1) was co-localized with the QTL identified in two previous studies and its size was refined from 1.2 Mb to 0.41 Mb. Further analysis of qRf8.1 QTL with genome sequence provided 20 genes including two genes namely flowering locus protein T and 2-oxoglutarate/Fe (II)-dependent dioxygenases (2-ODDs) superfamily protein with known function in the restoration of fertility.

Conclusion

The qRf8.1 QTL and the potential candidate genes present in this QTL will be valuable for genomics-assisted breeding and identification of causal genes/nucleotides for the restoration of fertility in the hybrid breeding program of pigeonpea.
CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutation of OsSWEET14 in rice cv. Zhonghua11 confers resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae without yield penalty
Authors: Zeng Xuan , Luo Yufen , Vu Nga Thi Quynh , Shen Shujuan , Xia Kuaifei , Zhang Mingyong
Published: July 2020

Background

Bacterial blight of rice, caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), is a devastating rice disease in Southeast Asia and West Africa. OsSWEET14, encoding a sugar transporter, is known to be a major susceptible gene of bacterial blight targeted by four different transcription activator-like (TAL) effectors from either Asian or African Xoo strains. However, the OsSWEET14 single knockout or promoter mutants in the Kitaake background are moderately resistant or even susceptible to African Xoo strains. Therefore, in this study, we knocked out OsSWEET14 in rice cv. Zhonghua 11 background for disease assessment.

Results

In this study, CRISPR/Cas9 was utilized to disrupt the function of OsSWEET14 by modifying its corresponding coding region in the genome of rice cv. Zhonghua 11 (CR-S14). In total, we obtained nine different OsSWEET14-mutant alleles. Besides conferring broad-spectrum resistance to Asian Xoo strains, tested mutant alleles also showed strong resistance to African Xoo strain AXO1947. Moreover, the expression of OsSWEET14 was detected in vascular tissues, including the stem, leaf sheath, leaf blade and root. The disruption of OsSWEET14 led to increased plant height without a reduction in yield.

Conclusions

Disruption of OsSWEET14 in the Zhonghua 11 background is able to confer strong resistance to African Xoo strain AXO1947 and Asian Xoo strain PXO86. CR-S14 has normal reproductive growth and enhanced plant height under normal growth conditions. These results imply that CR-S14 may serve as a better tester line than sweet14 single-knockout mutant in the Kitaake background for the diagnostic kit for rice blight resistance. The genetic background and increased plant height need to be taken into consideration when utilizing OsSWEET14 for resistant rice breeding.
Outcomes of liver–kidney transplantation in patients with primary hyperoxaluria: an analysis of the scientific registry of transplant recipients database
Authors: Xiang Jie , Chen Zheng , Xu Fangshen , Mei Shengmin , Li Zhiwei , Zhou Jie , Dong Yinlei , Gu Yangjun , Huang Zhichao , Hu Zhenhua
Published: July 2020

Background

Primary hyperoxaluria (PH) is an inherited disease lacking of hepatic oxalic acid metabolic enzymes which could lead to irreverisible renal damage. Currently, liver–kidney transplantation is a curative but highly invasive therapy used to treat patients with PH. However, limited studies have focused on combined liver–kidney transplantation (CLKT) and sequential liver and kidney transplantation (SLKT) in patients with PH.

Methods

The present study included 201 patients with PH who received both liver and kidney transplants and who were listed on the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients from 1987 to 2018. According to the liver–kidney transplant procedure, patients were separated into a CLKT group and a SLKT group. Patient demographics and transplant outcomes were assessed in each group.

Results

Compared with the SLKT group, The CLKT group got a worse pretransplant dialysis condition in both the proportion of patients under pretransplant dialysis (p = 0.048) and the duration of the pretransplant dialysis (p < 0.001). The SLKT group got higher human leukocyte antigen mismatch score of kidney donor (p < 0.001) and liver donor (p = 0.003). The CLKT group utilized higher proportion (98.9%) of organs from a single deceased donor, while the SLKT group utilized 75.0% of organs from deceased liver donors and only 35.0% of organs from deceased kidney donors (p < 0.001). Kidney function measured by serum creatinine concentration before liver transplantation (LT) or CLKT was similar (p = 0.305) between groups. Patient survival was not significantly different between the two groups (p = 0.717) and liver (p = 0.685) and kidney (p = 0.464) graft outcomes were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions

SLKT seems to be an alternative option with strict condition for CLKT, further exploration about the SLKT is still required.
Pregnancy outcome following fetal reduction from dichorionic twins to singleton gestation
Authors: Greenberg Gal , Bardin Ron , Danieli-Gruber Shir , Tenenbaum-Gavish Kinneret , Shmueli Anat , Krispin Eyal , Oron Galia , Wiznitzer Arnon , Hadar Eran
Published: July 2020

Background

There are still some controversies regarding the risks and benefits of fetal reduction from twins to singletons. We aimed to evaluate if fetal reduction from twins to singleton improves pregnancy outcome.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of all dichorionic-diamniotic twin pregnancies, who underwent fetal reduction. Pregnancy outcome was compared to ongoing, non-reduced, dichorionic-diamniotic gestations. Primary outcome was preterm birth prior to 37 gestational weeks. Secondary outcomes included: preterm birth prior to 34 gestational weeks, gestational age at delivery, birthweight, small for gestational age, hypertensive disorders, gestational diabetes and stillbirth.

Results

Ninety-eight reduced pregnancies were compared with 222 ongoing twins. Preterm birth < 37 gestational weeks (39.6% vs. 57.6%, p < 0.001) was significantly lower in the reduced group compared to the ongoing twins’ group. A multivariate analysis, controlling for parity and mode of conception, demonstrated that fetal reduction independently and significantly reduced the risk for prematurity (aOR 0.495, 95% CI -0.299-0.819). Subgroup analysis, similarly adjusted demonstrated lower rates of preterm delivery in those undergoing elective reduction (aOR = 0.206, 95% CI 0.065–0.651), reduction due to fetal anomalies (aOR = 0.522, 95% CI 0.295–0.926) and 1st trimester reduction (aOR = 0.297, 95% Cl 0.131–0.674) all compared to ongoing twins.

A Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed a significant proportion of non-delivered women at each gestational week in the reduced group compared to non-reduced twins, after 29 gestational weeks.

Conclusions

Fetal reduction from twins to singleton reduces the risk of preterm birth < 37 gestational weeks, but not for more severe maternal and perinatal complications.
Allowing more time to ILCOR Step A of neonatal resuscitation leads to better residents’ task completion in simulated scenarios. A problem of time pressure?
Authors: Boithias Claire , Jule Laure , Le Foulgoc Stephanie , Jourdain Gilles , Benhamou Dan
Published: July 2020

Background

Roughly 10% of newborns need help to complete the transition of birth. For these infants, international guidelines recommend supporting them using a 4-step procedure (A to D). Step A is an assessment time, which includes eight tasks and finishes by starting the positive pressure ventilation (PPV), if necessary (step B). The guidelines changed in 2015 and the allotted time was raised from 30 to 60 seconds for step A completion. This study aimed to assess if the reduced time constraint in step A could have an impact on 1st-year pediatric residents' performance to complete step A and if could lead to later initiation of step A.

Methods

Using video recordings of standardized neonatal scenarios over 6 years (3 before the change and 3 after), we assessed the ability of 1st-year pediatric residents of the Paris region to complete step A and initiate PPV in the allotted time in each period. Among the sessions, including at least five scenarios we evaluated all the PPV required scenarios executed for the first time by a dyad of 1st-year pediatric residents.

Results

Among 52 sessions, we included 104 scenarios (25 sessions and 50 scenarios before the change and 27 sessions and 54 scenarios after). PPV started roughly at 1-minute resuscitation in both periods, but completion of the tasks before PPV-start was significant. Only 12% of the dyad of residents executed the eight tasks before PPV initiation in the first period versus 54% in the second period (p < 0.0001). Additionally, the completion of the eight tasks of step A was significantly better during the second period (6 [6-7] vs. 8 [7-8] p < 0.001).

Conclusions:

These results could suggest that a reduced time constraint for step A imposed by the new Guidelines was associated with better performance.
Assessing quality of life in psychosocial and mental health disorders in children: a comprehensive overview and appraisal of generic health related quality of life measures
Authors: Mierau Jochen O. , Kann-Weedage Daphne , Hoekstra Pieter J. , Spiegelaar Lisan , Jansen Danielle E. M. C. , Vermeulen Karin M. , Reijneveld Sijmen A. , van den Hoofdakker Barbara J. , Buskens Erik , van den Akker-van Marle M. Elske , Dirksen Carmen D. , Groenman Annabeth P.
Published: July 2020

Background

Mental health problems often arise in childhood and adolescence and can have detrimental effects on people’s quality of life (QoL). Therefore, it is of great importance for clinicians, policymakers and researchers to adequately measure QoL in children. With this review, we aim to provide an overview of existing generic measures of QoL suitable for economic evaluations in children with mental health problems.

Methods

First, we undertook a meta-review of QoL instruments in which we identified all relevant instruments. Next, we performed a systematic review of the psychometric properties of the identified instruments. Lastly, the results were summarized in a decision tree.

Results

This review provides an overview of these 22 generic instruments available to measure QoL in children with psychosocial and or mental health problems and their psychometric properties. A systematic search into the psychometric quality of these instruments found 195 suitable papers, of which 30 assessed psychometric quality in child and adolescent mental health.

Conclusions

We found that none of the instruments was perfect for use in economic evaluation of child and adolescent mental health care as all instruments had disadvantages, ranging from lack of psychometric research, no proxy version, not being suitable for young children, no age-specific value set for children under 18, to insufficient focus on relevant domains (e.g. social and emotional domains).
The effects of emergency medical service work on the psychological, physical, and social well-being of ambulance personnel: a systematic review of qualitative research
Authors: Lawn Sharon , Roberts Louise , Willis Eileen , Couzner Leah , Mohammadi Leila , Goble Elizabeth
Published: July 2020

Background

High rates of mental distress, mental illness, and the associated physical effects of psychological injury experienced by ambulance personnel has been widely reported in quantitative research. However, there is limited understanding of how the nature of ambulance work contributes to this problem, the significant large toll that emergency medical response takes on the individual, and particularly about late and cumulative development of work-related distress among this first responder workforce.

Methods

This study examined peer-reviewed qualitative research published from 2000 to 2018 to outline the effect of emergency medical response work on the psychological, psychosocial, and physical health of paramedics, ambulance officers, ambulance volunteers, and call-takers. Databases searched included: Ovid Medline, CINAHL, Ovid EMcare, PsychInfo and Scopus. The systematic review was organised around five key areas: impact of the work on psychological wellbeing; impact of psychological stress on physical wellbeing; how work-related well-being needs were articulated; effects of workflow and the nature of the work on well-being; and, effects of organisational structures on psychological and physical well-being.

Results

Thirty-nine articles met the eligibility criteria. Several factors present in the day-to-day work of ambulance personnel, and in how organisational management acknowledge and respond, were identified as being significant and contributing to mental health and well-being, or increasing the risk for developing conditions such as PTSD, depression, and anxiety. Ambulance personnel articulated their well-being needs across four key areas: organisational support; informal support; use of humour; and individual mechanisms to cope such as detachment and external supports.

Conclusions

Interactions between critical incidents and workplace culture and demands have an overwhelming impact on the psychological, physical and social well-being of ambulance personnel. These include day-to-day managerial actions and responses, the impact of shift work, poorly-managed rosters, and long hours of work with little time between for recovery. Mental health issues result from exposure to traumatic events, and the way managers and peers respond to worker distress. Ambulance personnel suffering from work-related stress feel abandoned by peers, management, and the service, during illness, in return-to-work, and post-retirement. Policy, programmes and interventions, and education need to occur at an individual, peer, organisational, and government level.
Is intrinsic lumbar spine shape associated with lumbar disc degeneration? An exploratory study
Authors: Deane Janet A. , Pavlova Anastasia V. , Lim Adrian K. P. , Gregory Jennifer S. , Aspden Richard M. , McGregor Alison H.
Published: July 2020

Background

Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is a condition associated with recurrent low back pain (LBP). Knowledge regarding effective management is limited. As a step towards the identification of risk, prognostic or potentially modifiable factors in LDD patients, the aim of this study was to explore the hypothesis that intrinsic lumbar spine shape is associated with LDD and clinical outcomes in symptomatic adults.

Methods

3 T MRI was used to acquire T2-weighted sagittal images (L1-S1) from 70 healthy controls and LDD patients (mean age 49 years, SD 11, range 31–71 years). Statistical Shape Modelling (SSM) was used to describe lumbar spine shape. SSM identified variations in lumbar shape as ‘modes’ of variation and quantified deviation from the mean. Intrinsic shape differences were determined between LDD groups using analysis of variance with post-hoc comparisons. The relationship between intrinsic shape and self-reported function, mental health and quality of life were also examined.

Results

The first 7 modes of variation explained 91% of variance in lumbar shape. Higher LDD sum scores correlated with a larger lumbar lordosis (Mode 1 (55% variance), P = 0.02), even lumbar curve distribution (Mode 2 (12% variance), P = 0.05), larger anterior-posterior (A-P) vertebral diameter (Mode 3 (10% variance), P = 0.007) and smaller L4-S1 disc spaces (Mode 7 (2% variance), P ≤ 0.001). In the presence of recurrent LBP, LDD was associated with a larger A-P vertebral diameter (Mode 3) and a more even lumbar curvature with smaller L5/S1 disc spaces (Mode 4), which was significantly associated with patient quality of life (P = 0.002–0.04, rp = 0.43–0.61)).

Conclusions

This exploratory study provides new evidence that intrinsic shape phenotypes are associated with LDD and quality of life in patients. Longitudinal studies are required to establish the potential role of these risk or prognostic shape phenotypes.
Association between musculoskeletal function deterioration and locomotive syndrome in the general elderly population: a Japanese cohort survey randomly sampled from a basic resident registry
Authors: Tokida Ryosuke , Ikegami Shota , Takahashi Jun , Ido Yoshikazu , Sato Ayaka , Sakai Noriko , Horiuchi Hiroshi , Kato Hiroyuki
Published: July 2020

Background

Locomotive syndrome (LoS) is defined as the loss of mobility due to age-related impairment of motor organs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence and severity of LoS, muscular strength and balancing ability, and prevalence of sarcopenia in relation to the presence of LoS according to sex and age groups ranging between 50 and 89 years.

Methods

Male and female participants between the ages of 50–89 were randomly selected in the resident registry of a cooperating town. Calls for participation continued until approximately 50 consenting participants were successfully recruited for each age group and sex. A total of 413 participants (203 male and 210 female) were enrolled for undergoing a LoS risk test and measuring their physical function. Physical function was compared to participants with or without LoS.

Results

A total of 312 patients (75.5%) were diagnosed as LoS, of which 144 (46.2%) were male and 168 (53.8%) were female. The severity of LoS for the 312 patients were 210 (67.3%) for stage 1 and 102 (32.7%) for stage 2. The prevalence of LoS in males were 37, 59, 91, and 100% in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s age strata, respectively. The prevalence of LoS in females were 71, 62, 89, and 98% in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and 80s age strata, respectively. The prevalence of sarcopenia was significantly higher as the age strata in males grew higher. Knee extension strength was significantly lower for participants in their 50s and females in addition to females in their 60s with LoS. The 31 patients diagnosed as sarcopenia included 29 (93.5%) with LoS, 11 (35.4%) classified as LoS stage 1, and 18 (58.1%) classified as stage 2.

Conclusions

The prevalence of LoS was high in participants over 70 years of age. In males, the prevalence of sarcopenia was higher as the age strata grew higher. Patients with LoS exhibited lower knee extension strength. We believe that some measures to prevent or improve LoS may require exercise to increase the muscle strength of the lower limbs.
A double blind, placebo-controlled randomized comparative study on the efficacy of phytosterol-enriched and conventional saw palmetto oil in mitigating benign prostate hyperplasia and androgen deficiency
Authors: Sudeep H. V. , Thomas Jestin V. , Shyamprasad K.
Published: July 2020

Background

The present clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and tolerability of a standardized saw palmetto oil containing 3% β-sitosterol in the treatment of benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and androgen deficiency.

Methods

Subjects aged 40–65 years with symptomatic BPH were randomized to 12-week double-blind treatment with 500 mg doses of β-sitosterol enriched saw palmetto oil, conventional saw palmetto oil and placebo orally in the form of capsules (n = 33 in each group). BPH severity was determined using the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), uroflowmetry, serum measurement of prostate specific antigen (PSA), testosterone and 5α-reductase. During the trial, the androgen deficiency was evaluated using Aging Male Symptoms (AMS) scale, the Androgen Deficiency in the Aging Male (ADAM) questionnaire, serum levels of free testosterone.

Results

Subjects treated with β-sitosterol enriched saw palmetto oil showed significant decrease in IPSS, AMS and ADAM scores along with reduced postvoiding residual volume (p < 0.001), PSA (p < 0.01) and 5α-reductase from baseline to end of 12-week treatment as compared to placebo. There was also a significant increment in the maximum and average urine flow rate (p < 0.001), and serum free testosterone level of subjects treated with enriched saw palmetto oil as compared to placebo.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates the efficacy of β-sitosterol enriched saw palmetto oil superior to conventional oil thus extending the scope of effective BPH and androgen deficiency treatment with improved quality of life through the intake of functional ingredients.

Trial registration

CTRI/2018/12/016724 dated 19/12/2018 prospectively registered. URL: http://ctri.nic.in/Clinicaltrials/advsearch.php
Assessment of oral health conditions presented in photographs - is there a difference between dentists and non-dental professional caregivers?
Authors: Krausch-Hofmann Stefanie , Tran Trung Dung , Declerck Dominique , de Almeida Mello Johanna , Declercq Anja , Lesaffre Emmanuel , De Lepeleire Jan , Duyck Joke
Published: July 2020

Background

Photographs can help non-dental professional caregivers to identify problems when inspecting the mouth of care-dependent older individuals. This study evaluated whether the assessment of oral health-related conditions presented in photographs differed between dentists and non-dental professional caregivers.

Materials and methods

One-hundred-and-seventy-nine photographs were taken from long-term care facility residents and from patients at the Department of Dentistry of a University Hospital. The following oral health aspects were depicted: denture hygiene, oral hygiene, teeth, gums, tongue and palate/lips/cheeks. Collection continued until for each oral health aspect a pool of photographs was available that showed conditions from perfect health and hygiene to severe problems. A segmented Visual Analogue Scale was applied to assess the conditions presented in the photographs. Each photograph was assessed by each participant of this study. The benchmark was established by three dentists with academic-clinical expertise in gerodontology, special needs dentistry and periodontology. For each photograph, they provided a collective score after reaching consensus. Photographs were assessed individually by 32 general dentists and by 164 non-dental professional caregivers. Linear mixed effects models and generalized linear mixed effects models were fitted and mean squared errors were computed to quantify differences between both groups.

Results

For the different oral health aspects, absolute distances from the benchmark scores were 1.13 (95%CI:1.03–1.23) to 1.51 (95%CI:1.39–1.65) times higher for the caregivers than for the dentists. The odds to overestimate the condition were higher for the caregivers than the dentists for oral hygiene (OR = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.62–0.84) and teeth (OR = 0.74; 95%CI = 0.61–0.88). The odds to underestimate the condition were higher for the caregivers than the dentists for gums (OR = 1.39; 95%CI:1.22–1.59) and palate/lips/cheeks (OR = 1.22; 95%CI = 1.07–1.40). Over all assessments, the variance in caregiver scores was 1.9 (95%CI:1.62–2.23) times higher than that for the dentists.

Conclusion

Small but significant differences were found between dentists and non-dental professional caregivers assessing oral health-related conditions presented in photographs. When photographs are used to aid non-dental professional caregivers with the oral health assessment, these visualizations should be complemented with comments to facilitate accurate interpretation.
Deciphering the underlying mechanism of Xianlinggubao capsule against osteoporosis by network pharmacology
Authors: Bao Hangsheng , Guo Huizhi , Feng Zongquan , Li Xin
Published: July 2020

Background

Xianlinggubao formula (XLGB), a Chinese State Food and Drug Administration-permitted traditional Chinese herbal medicine, has been extensively used to treat osteoporosis. Although XLGB was shown to improve bone mass in ovariectomized rats and clinically alleviate osteoporosis symptoms, its pharmacological mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods

In this study, we used a network pharmacological approach to explore the potential mechanism of XLGB in treating osteoporosis. We obtained XLGB compounds from the TCMSP and TCMID databases and identified potential targets of these compounds through target fishing based on the TCMSP and Swiss Target Prediction databases. Next, we identified the osteoporosis targets by using the CTD, TTD, GeneCards, OMIM and PharmGKB databases. Then, the overlapping genes between the XLGB potential targets and the osteoporosis targets were used to establish a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and to analyze their interactions and identify the major hub genes in this network. Subsequently, the Metascape database was utilized to conduct the enrichment of Gene Ontology biological processes and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathways.

Results

There were 104 active compounds and 295 related targets identified overall. After the Metascape enrichment analysis, we identified the top 25 cellular biological processes and top 15 pathways based on the logP value and found that the XLGB-mediated anti-osteoporosis effect was mainly associated with reactive oxygen species, organonitrogen compound response and cell migration. Furthermore, 36 hub genes of XLGB, such as EGF, EGFR, MTOR, MAPK14 and NFKB1, were considered potential therapeutic targets, suggesting the underlying mechanisms of XLGB acting on osteoporosis.

Conclusion

We investigated the possible therapeutic mechanisms of XLGB from a systemic perspective. These key targets and pathways provide promising directions for future research to reveal the exact regulatory mechanisms of XLGB.
Composite CDE: modeling composite relationships between common data elements for representing complex clinical data
Authors: Kim Hye Hyeon , Park Yu Rang , Lee Suehyun , Kim Ju Han
Published: July 2020

Background

Semantic interoperability is essential for improving data quality and sharing. The ISO/IEC 11179 Metadata Registry (MDR) standard has been highlighted as a solution for standardizing and registering clinical data elements (DEs). However, the standard model has both structural and semantic limitations, and the number of DEs continues to increase due to poor term reusability. Semantic types and constraints are lacking for comprehensively describing and evaluating DEs on real-world clinical documents.

Methods

We addressed these limitations by defining three new types of semantic relationship (dependency, composite, and variable) in our previous studies. The present study created new and further extended existing semantic types (hybrid atomic and repeated and dictionary composite common data elements [CDEs]) with four constraints: ordered, operated, required, and dependent. For evaluation, we extracted all atomic and composite CDEs from five major clinical documents from five teaching hospitals in Korea, 14 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources (FHIR) resources from FHIR bulk sample data, and MIMIC-III (Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care) demo dataset. Metadata reusability and semantic interoperability in real clinical settings were comprehensively evaluated by applying the CDEs with our extended semantic types and constraints.

Results

All of the CDEs (n = 1142) extracted from the 25 clinical documents were successfully integrated with a very high CDE reuse ratio (46.9%) into 586 CDEs (259 atomic and 20 unique composite CDEs), and all of CDEs (n = 238) extracted from the 14 FHIR resources of FHIR bulk sample data were successfully integrated with high CDE reuse ration (59.7%) into 96 CDEs (21 atomic and 28 unique composite CDEs), which improved the semantic integrity and interoperability without any semantic loss. Moreover, the most complex data structures from two CDE projects were successfully encoded with rich semantics and semantic integrity.

Conclusion

MDR-based extended semantic types and constraints can facilitate comprehensive representation of clinical documents with rich semantics, and improved semantic interoperability without semantic loss.
Post-transplant cyclophosphamide versus antithymocyte globulin in patients with acute myeloid leukemia in first complete remission undergoing allogeneic stem cell transplantation from 10/10 HLA-matched unrelated donors
Authors: Brissot Eolia , Labopin Myriam , Moiseev Ian , Cornelissen J. J. , Meijer Ellen , Van Gorkom Gwendolyn , Rovira Montserrat , Ciceri Fabio , Griskevicius Laimonas , Blaise Didier , Forcade Edouard , Mistrik Martin , Mielke Stephan , Bulabois Claude Eric , Niittyvuopio Riitta , Deconinck Eric , Ruggeri Annalisa , Sanz Jaime , Spyridonidis Alexandros , Savani Bipin , Giebel Sebastian , Nagler Arnon , Mohty Mohamad
Published: July 2020

Background

Graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) remains a major contributor to mortality and morbidity after allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). The updated recommendations suggest that rabbit antithymocyte globulin or anti-T-lymphocyte globulin (ATG) should be used for GVHD prophylaxis in patients undergoing matched-unrelated donor (MUD) allo-HSCT. More recently, using post-transplant cyclophosphamide (PTCY) in the haploidentical setting has resulted in low incidences of both acute (aGVHD) and chronic GVHD (cGVHD). Therefore, the aim of our study was to compare GVHD prophylaxis using either PTCY or ATG in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who underwent allo-HSCT in first remission (CR1) from a 10/10 HLA-MUD.

Methods

Overall, 174 and 1452 patients from the EBMT registry receiving PTCY and ATG were included. Cumulative incidence of aGVHD and cGVHD, leukemia-free survival, overall survival, non-relapse mortality, cumulative incidence of relapse, and refined GVHD-free, relapse-free survival were compared between the 2 groups. Propensity score matching was also performed in order to confirm the results of the main analysis

Results

No statistical difference between the PTCY and ATG groups was observed for the incidence of grade II–IV aGVHD. The same held true for the incidence of cGVHD and for extensive cGVHD. In univariate and multivariate analyses, no statistical differences were observed for all other transplant outcomes. These results were also confirmed using matched-pair analysis.

Conclusion

These results highlight that, in the10/10 HLA-MUD setting, the use of PTCY for GVHD prophylaxis may provide similar outcomes to those obtained with ATG in patients with AML in CR1.
Cloning and promoter analysis of palladin 90-kDa, 140-kDa, and 200-kDa isoforms involved in skeletal muscle cell maturation
Authors: Ouali Boimpoundi Eunice Flavie , Liu Tzu-Yu , Lu Chun-Yen , Cheng Pei-Yuan , Huang Chao-Li , Li Chun-Chun , Chiang Yu-Chung , Wang Hao-Ven
Published: July 2020

Objective

Palladin is a ubiquitous phosphoprotein expressed in vertebrate cells that works as a scaffolding protein. Several isoforms deriving from alternative splicing are originated from the palladin gene and involved in mesenchymal and muscle cells formation, maturation, migration, and contraction. Recent studies have linked palladin to the invasive spread of cancer and myogenesis. However, since its discovery, the promoter region of the palladin gene has never been studied. The objective of this study was to predict, identify, and measure the activity of the promoter regions of palladin gene.

Results

By using promoter prediction programs, we successfully identified the transcription start sites for the Palld isoforms and revealed the presence of a variety of transcriptional regulatory elements including TATA box, GATA, MyoD, myogenin, MEF, Nkx2-5, and Tcf3 upstream promoter regions. The transcriptome profiling approach confirmed the active role of predicted transcription factors in the mouse genome. This study complements the missing piece in the characterization of palladin gene and certainly contributes to understanding the complexity and enrollment of palladin regulatory factors in gene transcription.
Whole genome sequence of five strains of Spiroplasma citri isolated from different host plants and its leafhopper vector
Authors: Yokomi Raymond , Rattner Rachel , Osman Fatima , Maheshwari Yogita , Selvaraj Vijayanandraj , Pagliaccia Deborah , Chen Jianchi , Vidalakis Georgios
Published: July 2020

Objectives

Spiroplasma citri is a bacterium with a wide host range and is the causal agent of citrus stubborn and brittle root diseases of citrus and horseradish, respectively. S. citri is transmitted in a circulative, persistent manner by the beet leafhopper, Neoaliturus (Circulifer) tenellus (Baker), in North America. Five strains of S. citri were cultured from citrus, horseradish, and N. tenellus from different habitats and times. DNA from cultures were sequenced and genome assembled to expand the database to improve detection assays and better understand its genetics and evolution.

Data description

The whole genome sequence of five strains of S. citri are described herein. The S. citri chromosome was circularized for all five strains and ranged from 1,576,550 to 1,742,208 bp with a G + C content of 25.4–25.6%. Characterization of extrachromosomal DNAs resulted in identification of one or two plasmids, with a G + C content of 23.3 to 27.6%, from plant hosts; and eight or nine plasmids, with a G + C content of 21.65 to 29.19%, from N. tenellus. Total genome size ranged from 1,611,714 to 1,832,173 bp from plants and 1,968,976 to 2,155,613 bp from the leafhopper. All sequence data has been deposited in DDBJ/ENA/GenBank under the accession numbers CP046368-CP046373 and CP047426-CP047446.
Facial erythema after the treatment of dupilumab in SLE patient
Authors: Jang Dong Hyek , Lee Jae In , Bae Joo Yoon , Jung Hye Jung , Park Mi Yeon , Ahn Jiyoung
Published: July 2020

Background

Dupilumab is a receptor antagonist binding to the alpha subunit of the interleukin-4 receptor. Through binding to it, dupilumab inhibits signaling of both IL-4 and IL-13, the representative Th2 biomarkers. Recently, in addition to the treatment effects for atopic dermatitis (AD), there is an emerging adverse event as facial erythema.

Case presentation

A twenty-seven-year-old female patient developed erythema and desquamation on the face and neck after dupilumab administration. She had AD on her arms, legs, and trunk before the treatment but there was no atopic clinical feature in her face and neck. With the treatment of dupilumab, her skin lesions of the body have improved from the beginning of the treatment. In the patch test, including dupilumab, there was no specific finding other than the 1+ response to neomycin on day 2. In the intradermal test to dupilumab, a positive result was observed 15 min later, but negative both days 1 and 2. The blood examination showed an elevation of both ANA as 1:80 and anti-phospholipid antibodies (Anti-cardiolipin IgM, IgG, and Anti- beta 2 GPI IgG). She was diagnosed with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) based on diagnostic criteria by a rheumatologist.

Conclusion

Dupilumab is an emerging therapeutic agent for AD, and treatment cases are increasing in Korea. However, there are several adverse events during the treatment of dupilumab. Herein, we report the unexpected adverse event during the treatment of dupilumab in SLE patients.