bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Using multivariate nonlinear mixed-effects model to investigate factors influencing symptom improvement after high tibial osteotomy in combination with bone marrow concentrate injection for medial compartment knee osteoarthritis: a prospective, open-label study
Authors: Cheng Hsiao-Yi , Liang Chun-Wei , Chu Chen-Lun , Hsu Hao-Wei , Hou Sheng-Mou , Shih Kao-Shang
Published: March 2023

Purpose

To investigate the effects of various demographic, structural, radiographic, and clinical factors on the prognosis of patients with medial compartmental knee osteoarthritis with varus deformity undergoing medial opening wedge high tibial osteotomy (HTO) in combination with bone marrow concentrate (BMC) injection.

Methods

In this prospective study, 20 patients underwent medial opening wedge HTO in combination with BMC injection with 12 months of follow-up. The structural and radiographic outcomes were evaluated by femorotibial angle and posterior tibial slope angle. The clinical outcomes were evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC), and The Knee injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS). Multivariate nonlinear mixed-effects models with asymptotic regressions were used to model the trajectory of symptom improvement.

Results

Medial opening wedge HTO in combination with BMC corrected the malalignment of the knee and led to significant symptom relief. The improvement of clinical symptoms reached a plateau 6 months after the surgery. Greater symptom severity at baseline and lower Kellgren-Lawrance (KL) grades were correlated with better post-operative clinical outcomes. Body-Mass-Index (BMI), femorotibial angle, age, and sex may also play a role in influencing the extent of symptom relief.

Conclusion

Symptom severity at baseline is important for prognosis prediction. In clinical practice, we suggest that the evaluation of clinical features and functional status of the patients be more emphasised.
Clinical features and Surgical Outcome of Clear Cell Papillary Renal Cell Tumor: result from a prospective cohort
Authors: Kim Si Hyun , Han Jang Hee , Jeong Seung-hwan , Yuk Hyeong Dong , Ku Ja Hyeon , Kwak Cheol , Kim Hyeon Hoe , Moon Kyung Chul , Jeong Chang Wook
Published: March 2023

Background

Clear cell papillary renal cell tumor (CCPRCT) was first reported in 2006 a patient with end stage renal disease. After that it was discovered in the kidney without end stage renal disease in the 2010s and started to be mentioned in pathology and urology. The incidence of CCPRCT is low and most of it is discovered incidentally, so there is a lack of reports on clinical characteristics and surgical outcome.

Methods

This study used clinical data from the Seoul National University Prospectively Enrolled Registry for Renal Cell Carcinoma-Nephrectomy (SUPER-RCC-Nx). Between August 2016 and July 2022, patients who underwent radical or partial nephrectomy with clear cell papillary RCC with pathological finding were included in this study. All patients’ pathologic reports were reviewed by 1 pathologist. Clinical characteristics and surgical outcomes were presented through descriptive statistics, and Kaplan-Meier curve used for survival analysis.

Results

Of the 2057 patients, CCPRCT was reported in 36 patients (1.8%). The median follow up period was 26.8 months. The median age was 67 years, and there were 10 females and 26 males. The median tumor size was 1.2 cm. Twenty-nine patients underwent partial nephrectomy. Seven patients with end-stage renal disease underwent radical nephrectomy. The median operative time for patients who underwent partial nephrectomy was 97.5 min and the estimated blood loss was 100 cc. The median hospital days was 4 and 30-day complications were 2 cases with clavien-dindo classification III or higher. During the follow-up period, there was no recurrence and cancer specific mortality.

Conclusions

The size of CCPRCT was small and there was no advanced stage at that time of diagnosis. There was no recurrence or cancer specific mortality during the follow-up period. A multi-center study with a large scale is needed in the future.

Trial registration

Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) Institutional Review Board (IRB) (approval number: 2210-126-1371).
Aging microenvironment and antitumor immunity for geriatric oncology: the landscape and future implications
Authors: Zhao Binghao , Wu Bo , Feng Nan , Zhang Xiang , Zhang Xin , Wei Yiping , Zhang Wenxiong
Published: March 2023

The tumor microenvironment (TME) has been extensively investigated; however, it is complex and remains unclear, especially in elderly patients. Senescence is a cellular response to a variety of stress signals, which is characterized by stable arrest of the cell cycle and major changes in cell morphology and physiology. To the best of our knowledge, senescence leads to consistent arrest of tumor cells and remodeling of the tumor-immune microenvironment (TIME) by activating a set of pleiotropic cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and proteinases, which constitute the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). On the one hand, the SASP promotes antitumor immunity, which enhances treatment efficacy; on the other hand, the SASP increases immunosuppressive cell infiltration, including myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), regulatory T cells (Tregs), M2 macrophages, and N2 neutrophils, contributing to TIME suppression. Therefore, a deeper understanding of the regulation of the SASP and components contributing to robust antitumor immunity in elderly individuals with different cancer types and the available therapies is necessary to control tumor cell senescence and provide greater clinical benefits to patients. In this review, we summarize the key biological functions mediated by cytokines and intercellular interactions and significant components of the TME landscape, which influence the immunotherapy response in geriatric oncology. Furthermore, we summarize recent advances in clinical practices targeting TME components and discuss potential senescent TME targets.
Plantar pressure and falling risk in older individuals: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Yan Yifeng , Ou Jianlin , Shi Hanxue , Sun Chenming , Shen Longbin , Song Zhen , Shu Lin , Chen Zhuoming
Published: March 2023

Background

Falls are commonplace among elderly people. It is urgent to prevent falls. Previous studies have confirmed that there is a difference in plantar pressure between falls and non‐falls in elderly people, but the relationship between fall risk and foot pressure has not been studied. In this study, the differences in dynamic plantar pressure between elderly people with high and low fall risk were preliminarily discussed, and the characteristic parameters of plantar pressure were determined.

Methods

Twenty four high‐fall‐risk elderly individuals (HR) and 24 low‐fall‐risk elderly individuals (LR) were selected using the Berg Balance Scale 40 score. They wore wearable foot pressure devices to walk along a 20‐m‐long corridor. The peak pressure (PP), pressure time integral (PTI), pressure gradient (maximum pressure gradient (MaxPG), minimum pressure gradient (MinPG), full width at half maximum (FWHM)) and average pressure (AP) of their feet were measured for inter‐group and intra‐group analysis.

Results

The foot pressure difference comparing the high fall risk with low fall risk groups was manifested in PP and MaxPG, concentrated in the midfoot and heel (p < 0.05), while the only time parameter, FWHM, was manifested in the whole foot (p < 0.05). The differences between the left and right foot were reflected in all parameters. The differences between the left and right foot in LR were mainly reflected in the heel (p < 0.05), while it in the HR was mainly reflected in the forefoot (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The differences comparing the high fall risk with low fall risk groups were mostly reflected in the midfoot and heel. The HR may have been more cautious when landing. In the intra‐group comparison, the difference between the right and left foot of the LR was mainly reflected during heel striking, while it was mainly reflected during pedalling in the HR. The sensitivity of PP, PTI and AP was lower and the newly introduced pressure gradient could better reflect the difference in foot pressure between the two groups. The pressure gradient can be used as a new foot pressure parameter in scientific research.
Nomogram based on the O-RADS for predicting the malignancy risk of adnexal masses with complex ultrasound morphology
Authors: Gong Li-Ping , Li Xiao-Ying , Wu Ying-Nan , Dong Shuang , Zhang Shuang , Feng Ya-Nan , Lv Ya-Er , Guo Xi-Juan , Peng Yan-Qing , Du Xiao-Shan , Tian Jia-Wei , Sun Cong-Xin , Sun Li-Tao
Published: March 2023

Objective

The accurate preoperative differentiation of benign and malignant adnexal masses, especially those with complex ultrasound morphology, remains a great challenge for junior sonographers. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a nomogram based on the Ovarian-Adnexal Reporting and Data System (O-RADS) for predicting the malignancy risk of adnexal masses with complex ultrasound morphology.

Methods

A total of 243 patients with data on adnexal masses with complex ultrasound morphology from January 2019 to December 2020 were selected to establish the training cohort, while 106 patients with data from January 2021 to December 2021 served as the validation cohort. Univariate and multivariate analyses were used to determine independent risk factors for malignant tumors in the training cohort. Subsequently, a predictive nomogram model was developed and validated in the validation cohort. The calibration, discrimination, and clinical net benefit of the nomogram model were assessed separately by calibration curves, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Finally, we compared this model to the O-RADS.

Results

The O-RADS category, an elevated CA125 level, acoustic shadowing and a papillary projection with color Doppler flow were the independent predictors and were incorporated into the nomogram model. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the nomogram model was 0.958 (95% CI, 0.932–0.984) in the training cohort. The specificity and sensitivity were 0.939 and 0.893, respectively. This nomogram also showed good discrimination in the validation cohort (AUC = 0.940, 95% CI, 0.899–0.981), with a sensitivity of 0.915 and specificity of 0.797. In addition, the nomogram model showed good calibration efficiency in both the training and validation cohorts. DCA indicated that the nomogram was clinically useful. Furthermore, the nomogram model had higher AUC and net benefit than the O-RADS.

Conclusion

The nomogram based on the O-RADS showed a good predictive ability for the malignancy risk of adnexal masses with complex ultrasound morphology and could provide help for junior sonographers.
The sacroiliac dysfunction and pain is associated with history of lower extremity sport related injuries
Authors: Abdollahi Sajjad , Sheikhhoseini Rahman , Rahimi Mohammad , Huddleston Wendy E.
Published: March 2023

Background

The purpose of this study was to examine the association of sacroiliac joint (SIJ) dysfunction and pain with overuse and acute lower limb and pelvic girdle injuries of Iranian basketball players.

Methods

In this cross-sectional study, basketball-related injury data were collected during 2019–2020 from 204 basketball players of the Iranian league using the online Information Retrospective Injury Questionnaire. A researcher then performed ten clinical tests to assess SIJ dysfunction and pain (five tests for dysfunction and five tests for pain). Data analysis was performed by logistic regression at the confidence interval of 95%.

Results

Within our sample (n = 204), injury rates were calculated across sub-groups of athletes that had only SIJ pain (n = 19), only SIJ dysfunction (n = 67), both SIJ pain and dysfunction (n = 15) or no SIJ complaints (n = 103). Across these groups, a total of 464 injuries were reported. SIJ pain group reported 80 injuries (17.2%), SIJ dysfunction group reported 210 injuries (45.2%), both SIJ pain and dysfunction group reported 58 injuries (12.5%, and the no SIJ pain or SIJ dysfunction group reported 116 injuries (25.0%). Participants with SIJ pain were more likely to report previous pelvic girdle injuries (overuse: odds ratio (OR): 0.017; 95% CI: 0.005–0.56; p < 0.001 and acute: OR: 0.197; 95%CI: 0.101–0.384; p < 0.001) and also lower limb injuries (overuse: OR: 0.179, 95%CI: 0.082–0.392, p < 0.001). Participants with SIJ dysfunction only were likely to report acute pelvic girdle injuries (OR: 0.165; 95%CI: 0.070–0.387; p < 0.001) and acute lower limb injuries (OR: 0.165; 95%CI: 0.030–0.184; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The presence of SIJ dysfunction and pain is associated with a history of acute and overuse injuries in the pelvic girdle and lower limb. Thus, SIJ dysfunction and pain should be specifically evaluated and addressed when designing rehabilitation programs for sports-related injuries.
The versatile roles of testrapanins in cancer from intracellular signaling to cell–cell communication: cell membrane proteins without ligands
Authors: Zhou Zhihang , Yang Zihan , Zhou Li , Yang Mengsu , He Song
Published: March 2023

The tetraspanins (TSPANs) are a family of four-transmembrane proteins with 33 members in mammals. They are variably expressed on the cell surface, various intracellular organelles and vesicles in nearly all cell types. Different from the majority of cell membrane proteins, TSPANs do not have natural ligands. TSPANs typically organize laterally with other membrane proteins to form tetraspanin-enriched microdomains (TEMs) to influence cell adhesion, migration, invasion, survival and induce downstream signaling. Emerging evidence shows that TSPANs can regulate not only cancer cell growth, metastasis, stemness, drug resistance, but also biogenesis of extracellular vesicles (exosomes and migrasomes), and immunomicroenvironment. This review summarizes recent studies that have shown the versatile function of TSPANs in cancer development and progression, or the molecular mechanism of TSPANs. These findings support the potential of TSPANs as novel therapeutic targets against cancer.
A necessary and sufficient condition of blow-up for a nonlinear equation
Authors: Liu Miao , Tang Jiangang , Lai Shaoyong
Published: March 2023

We investigate a nonlinear equation with quadratic nonlinearities, including a nonlinear model in Silva and Freire (J. Differ. Equ. 320:371–398, 2022). Using the classical energy estimate methods, we give a necessary and sufficient condition of blow-up of solutions to nonlinear equations. We answer a problem pointed out by Silva and Freire (J. Differ. Equ. 320:371–398, 2022).
The characters of antibodies against PLA2R in healthy individuals and in the patient with PLA2R associated membranous nephropathy
Authors: Cheng Yan-jiao , Wang Miao , Wang Jia , Cui Zhao , Zhao Ming-hui
Published: March 2023

Background

Most primary membranous nephropathy (MN) is mediated by anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibodies. Recently, these antibodies have been revealed months to years before the disease's onset. Their production and pathogenicity need further investigation.

Methods

Anti-PLA2R antibodies were purified from plasma of eight healthy individuals, 12 patients with PLA2R-related MN and negative circulating antibody (Ab-), and 18 patients with positive anti-PLA2R antibodies (Ab +), using affinity column coupled with recombinant human PLA2R. The antigen specificity, antibody amount, titer, IgG subclass, and affinity were assessed by Western blot, immunofluorescence, ELISA, and surface plasmon resonance.

Results

The natural anti-PLA2R antibodies recognized the conformational structure of PLA2R which locates on the cell membrane of podocytes. The amount of natural IgG was 0.12 ± 0.04 g/L, which accounted for 0.80% of total IgG and was lower than that of patients (2.36%, P < 0.001). The titer of natural antibodies was lower than that of patients in Ab- and Ab + groups (1:16 vs. 1:43 vs. 1:274, P < 0.001). IgG2(45.1%) was predominant in natural antibodies, while IgG4 was predominant in Ab + group (45.7 vs. 25.0%, P < 0.001). IgG1 was increasing from natural antibodies to Ab- and Ab + groups. The affinity of natural antibodies was lower than that of patients (KD: 641.0 vs. 269.0 vs. 99.6 nM, P = 0.002). The antibody titer, affinity, and IgG4 percentage were associated with the severity of proteinuria and the stages of membranous lesion.

Conclusions

The natural anti-PLA2R antibodies exist in healthy plasma. The antibody titer, IgG subclass, and affinity may participate in the pathogenesis of anti-PLA2R antibodies.
Geospatial assessment of urban green space using multi-criteria decision analysis in Debre Markos City, Ethiopia
Authors: Anteneh Mihret Bizuye , Damte Desta Solomon , Abate Simeneh Gedefaw , Gedefaw Abebaw Andarge
Published: March 2023

Urban green space (UGS) serves as a lung for city dwellers to breathe and is critical for fostering the sustainable growth of urban ecology and improving residents’ quality of life. Debre Markos City (DMC) lacks natural recreational areas such as lakes and artificial green spaces. A notable UGS study utilizing multiple contributing factors integrated with remote sensing and GIS has a significant advantage in making residents more comfortable. This study, therefore, aimed to assess the conventional methods (existing and proposed UGS) against remote sensing and GIS-based, and to identify, quantify and allocate the proper suitable site for UGS development.. Hence, ten UGS influencing factors were selected. Each criterion was analyzed with the use of its proper algorithm. Multicriteria decision-making (MCDM) analysis integrated with Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP) method and Remote Sensing and GIS were applied. The weighted sum overlay analysis method of spatial analysis was implemented based on the criteria weight of each factor. A 90.6% and 0.8855 accuracy assessment and kappa coefficient were recorded for land use/land cover classification, respectively. The value of the consistency ratio was 0.043, which is < 1 and acceptable. Results revealed that 13.12% (2201 ha), 25.47% (4271.7 ha), 30.89% (5180.8 ha), 22.49% (3772.7 ha), and 8.2% (1345.8 ha) of the total area coverage had very high, highly, moderately, poorly and unsuitable for UGS development activity at DMC, respectively. In this study, a resident can access UGS with less than 1 km radius distance, closer to the national standard of Ethiopia (i.e. 500 m). However, in the existing UGS, a person is forced to walk or travel more than 8.4 km to get the service. In conclusion, remote sensing and GIS can make life easy to access UGS in the study area with minimum distance, cost, and a short period. It is recommended that policymakers, planners, and executive bodies in Ethiopia consider the future urban demand of dwellers with proper studies earlier to establish other urban infrastructures.
PD-L1+ macrophages are associated with favorable features in primary mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma
Authors: Steiner Raphael E. , Parra Edwin R. , Vega Francisco , Feng Lei , Westin Jason R. , Neelapu Sattva S. , Strati Paolo , Green Michael R. , Flowers Christopher R. , Solis Luisa M. , Wistuba Ignacio I. , Ahmed Sairah , Nair Ranjit , Hagemeister Fredrick B. , Noorani Mansoor , Marques-Piubelli Mario L.
Published: March 2023

Primary mediastinal (thymic) large B-cell lymphoma (PMBCL) is a rare, aggressive subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma and has a complex inflammatory microenvironment. Although most patients can be cured with standard-of-care immunochemotherapy, patients who have disease relapse have an unfavorable prognosis. Pre-treatment prognostic biomarkers in PMBCL are needed. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the clinical features and outcomes of PMBCL patients and their association with immune cell subpopulations identified by multiplex immunofluorescence at initial diagnosis. Two different antibody panels were used to assess macrophages in tissue biopsy specimens collected before the initiation of induction therapy. Twelve PMBCL patients, including five patients who had disease relapse, were included in the analysis. At a median follow-up time of 32.2 months, the median progression-free and overall survival durations were not reached. Our findings suggest that a high density of PD-L1+ macrophages is associated with favorable features, such as early disease stage and the absence of B-symptoms, and indicate that a high percentage of PD-L1+ macrophages and high densities of CD30+PD-L1+ cells and CD30+ cells might be associated with a lower risk of relapse within 12 months of therapy initiation. Further studies are needed to develop a biomarker signature predictive of treatment response with therapeutic consequences for patients with newly diagnosed PMBCL.
Categorizing the geometry of animal diel movement patterns with examples from high-resolution barn owl tracking
Authors: Luisa Vissat Ludovica , Cain Shlomo , Toledo Sivan , Spiegel Orr , Getz Wayne M.
Published: March 2023

Background

Movement is central to understanding the ecology of animals. The most robustly definable segments of an individual’s lifetime track are its diel activity routines (DARs). This robustness is due to fixed start and end points set by a 24-h clock that depends on the individual’s quotidian schedule. An analysis of day-to-day variation in the DARs of individuals, their comparisons among individuals, and the questions that can be asked, particularly in the context of lunar and annual cycles, depends on the relocation frequency and spatial accuracy of movement data. Here we present methods for categorizing the geometry of DARs for high frequency (seconds to minutes) movement data.

Methods

Our method involves an initial categorization of DARs using data pooled across all individuals. We approached this categorization using a Ward clustering algorithm that employs four scalar “whole-path metrics” of trajectory geometry: 1. (distance between start and end points), 2. from start point, 3. , and 4. . We illustrate the general approach using reverse-GPS data obtained from 44 barn owls,Tyto alba, in north-eastern Israel. We conducted a principle components analysis (PCA) to obtain a factor, , that essentially captures the scale of movement. We then used a generalized linear mixed model with as the dependent variable to assess the effects of age and sex on movement.

Results

We clustered 6230 individual DARs into 7 categories representing different shapes and scale of the owls nightly routines. Five categories based on size and elongation were classified as closed (i.e. returning to the same roost), one as partially open (returning to a nearby roost) and one as fully open (leaving for another region). Our PCA revealed that the DAR scale factor, , accounted for 86.5% of the existing variation. It also showed that captures the openness of the DAR and accounted for another 8.4% of the variation. We also constructed spatio-temporal distributions of DAR types for individuals and groups of individuals aggregated by age, sex, and seasonal quadrimester, as well as identify some idiosyncratic behavior of individuals within family groups in relation to location. Finally, we showed in two ways that DARs were significantly larger in young than adults and in males than females.

Conclusion

Our study offers a new method for using high-frequency movement data to classify animal diel movement routines. Insights into the types and distributions of the geometric shape and size of DARs in populations may well prove to be more invaluable for predicting the space-use response of individuals and populations to climate and land-use changes than other currently used movement track methods of analysis.
Understanding examinees’ item responses through cognitive modeling of response accuracy and response times
Authors: Embretson Susan
Published: March 2023

Understanding the cognitive processes, skills and strategies that examinees use in testing is important for construct validity and score interpretability. Although response processes evidence has long been included as an important aspect of validity (i.e., Standards for Educational and Psychological Tests, 1999), relevant studies are often lacking, especially in large scale educational and psychological testing. An important method for studying response processes involves explanatory mathematical modeling of item responses and item response times from variables that represent sources of cognitive complexity. For many item types, examinees may differ in strategies applied to responding to items. Mixture class item response theory models can identify latent classes of examinees with different processes, skills and strategies based on their pattern of item responses. This study will illustrate the use of response times in conjunction with explanatory item response theory models and mixture models, to provide information relevant to test validity and, hence, to score interpretations.
Spectroscopic single-molecule localization microscopy: applications and prospective
Authors: Brenner Benjamin , Sun Cheng , Raymo Françisco M. , Zhang Hao F.
Published: March 2023

Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) breaks the optical diffraction limit by numerically localizing sparse fluorescence emitters to achieve super-resolution imaging. Spectroscopic SMLM or sSMLM further allows simultaneous spectroscopy and super-resolution imaging of fluorescence molecules. Hence, sSMLM can extract spectral features with single-molecule sensitivity, higher precision, and higher multiplexity than traditional multicolor microscopy modalities. These new capabilities enabled advanced multiplexed and functional cellular imaging applications. While sSMLM suffers from reduced spatial precision compared to conventional SMLM due to splitting photons to form spatial and spectral images, several methods have been reported to mitigate these weaknesses through innovative optical design and image processing techniques. This review summarizes the recent progress in sSMLM, its applications, and our perspective on future work.

Graphical Abstract
Management of off‐track Hill‐Sachs lesions in anterior glenohumeral instability
Authors: Calvo Emilio , Delgado Cristina
Published: March 2023

Bone loss has been identified as a risk factor for recurrent shoulder dislocations or failure after soft tissue repair. Although the range for “critical” bone loss is yet to be determined, glenoid and humeral bone defects should not be regarded as independent problems, but the interaction between them during shoulder motion should be evaluated as suggested by the glenoid track concept. The glenoid track concept is now widely accepted and considered essential for making decisions about surgery. Soft‐tissue procedures usually work well in patients with on‐track Hill‐Sachs lesions but in off‐track lesions do not. In this situation additional procedures should be performed.

Different surgical options have been described to address off‐track Hill‐Sachs lesions, most commonly remplissage, Latarjet or free bone block procedures. Coracoid graft and free bone grafts convert the off‐track Hill‐Sachs lesion into on‐track by lengthening the glenoid‐track, whereas remplissage fill‐in the humeral lesion so that it does not engage. In the setting of a Hill‐Sachs lesion with little or no glenoid bone loss, remplissage has demonstrated satisfactory outcomes with a low complications and recurrence rate. Favorable results have been reported with glenoid bone grafting when managing isolated Hill‐Sachs or bipolar lesions. Studies analyzing Latarjet and Eden‐Hybinette procedures show that both procedures are safe and effective in the management of anterior glenohumeral instability. Attention should be paid to those patients with large bone defects not amenable to be restored with an isolated Latarjet that may be better addressed with an Eden‐Hybinnete or adding a remplissage to the Latarjet procedure.
Comparative in vitro treatment of mesenchymal stromal cells with GDF‐5 and R57A induces chondrogenic differentiation while limiting chondrogenic hypertrophy
Authors: Weißenberger Manuel , Wagenbrenner Mike , Nickel Joachim , Ahlbrecht Rasmus , Blunk Torsten , Steinert Andre F. , Gilbert Fabian
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Hypertrophic cartilage is an important characteristic of osteoarthritis and can often be found in patients suffering from osteoarthritis. Although the exact pathomechanism remains poorly understood, hypertrophic de‐differentiation of chondrocytes also poses a major challenge in the cell‐based repair of hyaline cartilage using mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). While different members of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF‐β) family have been shown to promote chondrogenesis in MSCs, the transition into a hypertrophic phenotype remains a problem. To further examine this topic we compared the effects of the transcription growth and differentiation factor 5 (GDF‐5) and the mutant R57A on in vitro chondrogenesis in MSCs.

Methods

Bone marrow‐derived MSCs (BMSCs) were placed in pellet culture and in‐cubated in chondrogenic differentiation medium containing R57A, GDF‐5 and TGF‐ß1 for 21 days. Chondrogenesis was examined histologically, immunohistochemically, through biochemical assays and by RT‐qPCR regarding the expression of chondrogenic marker genes.

Results

Treatment of BMSCs with R57A led to a dose dependent induction of chondrogenesis in BMSCs. Biochemical assays also showed an elevated glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and expression of chondrogenic marker genes in corresponding pellets. While treatment with R57A led to superior chondrogenic differentiation compared to treatment with the GDF‐5 wild type and similar levels compared to incubation with TGF‐ß1, levels of chondrogenic hypertrophy were lower after induction with R57A and the GDF‐5 wild type.

Conclusions

R57A is a stronger inducer of chondrogenesis in BMSCs than the GDF‐5 wild type while leading to lower levels of chondrogenic hypertrophy in comparison with TGF‐ß1.
Association of main meal quality index with the odds of metabolic syndrome in Iranian adults: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Mirrafiei Amin , Hasanzadeh Mohaddeseh , Sheikhhossein Fatemeh , Majdi¹ Maryam , Djafarian Kurosh , Shab-Bidar Sakineh
Published: March 2023

Background

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a common global issue linked to the quality of one’s eating occasions. The current cross-sectional study evaluates the association between a novel index, the Main Meal Quality Index (MMQI), and MetS among Iranian adults.

Methods

A total of 824 men and women were recruited, and a 24-hour dietary recall assessed the dietary intake of the participants. Lunch was selected as the main meal based on energy density. The MMQI score was calculated based on ten components of dietary intake, with a higher score indicating more adherence to the index, with the final scores ranging from 0 to 100 points. The associations were assessed using binary logistic regression.

Results

The mean age was 42.2 years and the range of the calculated MMQI was 22 to 86 (mean in total participants: 56.62, mean in women: 56.82, mean in men: 55.64). The total prevalence of MetS in the sample was 34%. After adjustments for potential confounders, the participants at the top quartile of MMQI had a lower odds ratio for hypertriglyceridemia and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) level, and a higher odds ratio for hypertension, hyperglycemia, abdominal obesity, and MetS. The sex-specific analysis also did not show any significant associations between adherence to MMQI and MetS and its components.

Conclusion

Overall, MMQI is not associated with MetS and its components in a sample of Iranian men and women. More research is needed to examine MMQI and its possible association with current health-related problems including MetS.
“We know that our voices are valued, and that people are actually going to listen”: co-producing an evaluation of a young people’s research advisory group
Authors: Brady Louca-Mai , Miller Jacqueline , McFarlane-Rose Eleri , Noor Jasmine , Noor Rhianne , Dahlmann-Noor Annegret
Published: March 2023

Background

Children and young people’s (CYP) involvement is an increasing priority in UK healthcare and in heath research, alongside recognition that involving CYP in research requires different considerations to involving adults. Underpinned by children’s rights and a co-production ethos this paper, co-authored with young evaluators, explores the learning from a co-produced evaluation of eyeYPAG, a young persons’ research advisory group (YPAG) for eye and vision research based at Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, UK.

Methods

A team of young evaluators, supported by the eyeYPAG facilitator, conducted focus groups and online surveys with YPAG members, their parents and carers, researchers, group facilitators and funders. Qualitative data was analysed using a collaborative reflexive thematic analysis approach. Quantitative data, limited by the small number of participants, was analysed in Excel and reported as descriptive data.

Results

CYP valued the social and creative aspects of the group as well as learning about research and developing skills and confidence. Learning was a two-way process, with both researchers and facilitators reflecting on how much they had learnt from working with the YPAG. All participants talked about the importance of impact, feeling that CYP are making a difference to research, as well as CYP’s right to be involved. Effective planning and facilitation were key to the success of the group, in relation to accessibility and the development and delivery of sessions both online and in-person. Resourcing and administration were key challenges to this, as was engaging researchers who were not already converted to the public involvement cause. As the nature of a YPAG is that it primarily focuses on advising researcher-led projects, co-production was identified as something that the group was ‘working towards’, including through this evaluation. Co-producing with CYP involves building up knowledge, confidence and acknowledging power dynamics.

Conclusions

Co-producing an evaluation enabled us to learn about the benefits and challenges of involving CYP in research, as well as how to involve them in the development of that evidence. An ethos of co-production and children’s rights helped to shift the balance of power and develop more engaging and inclusive ways of working.
Now you see me: lights on Merkel Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Pini Cristiano , Matassa Giovanni , Gelardi Fabrizia , Antunovic Lidija
Published: March 2023

Merkel Cell Carcinoma (MCC) is a rare primary cutaneous cancer with aggressive behaviour and poor prognosis. Although MCC cells express somatostatin receptors (SSTR), SSTR-targeted PET/CT is not routinely performed in clinical practice. In contrast, the use of [18F]FDG PET/CT is more widespread and its prognostic role is well established. We present the case of an MCC patient suspected recurrence who underwent restaging with both [18F]FDG and [68 Ga]Ga-DOTA-TOC PET/CT. [18F]FDG PET/CT showed pathological uptake only in mediastinal lymph nodes, but SSTR imaging also revealed multiple liver and skeletal metastases, leading to significant disease upstaging and relevant changes in the therapeutic management.
Design and implementation of a secure mobile phone-based route navigator (mGuide), adapted for the visually challenged people
Authors: Onkoba Nicholas Ososi , Karimi Patrick , Nyangaresi Paul Onkundi
Published: March 2023

This paper is focused on the development of a turn-by-turn voice navigation mobile application “mGuide” adapted for visually challenged people (VCP). The application was developed in response to the challenges of outdoor navigation by VCP. The application optimizes five map servers to give not only the best real-time routing at any instance but also faster loading and retrieval of route data into the phone’s storage. The destination points of the user are obtained in real time using open street maps and stored in the database. Once the destination has been set and mode of travel chosen, the software gives turn-by-turn voice navigation till the destination is reached. In addition, the application can be able to read inbox messages as they are received. Furthermore, the application gives an audio alert to the user in case of lost route and redirects the user using alternative route. Testing of the application was done using 9 totally blind students and 1 partially blind student from Kenyatta University in Kenya, who were successfully guided. In testing the performance of the whole system, no sound alerts between 0 and 10 m from the middle of the road were heard. However, as the user deviated more than the 10 m from the path, sound alerts are heard. In conclusion, sound alert due to wrong turn is averagely 5.23 s.
Revisitar y recrear la huelga
Authors: Vega Cristina
Published: March 2023

Desde el 2016, las movilizaciones feministas han reactivado la práctica de la huelga. En algunos países se han vivido expresiones masivas de la misma; en otros, simplemente se adoptó el término y con él una idea fuerza: el poder de la disrupción social. En todo el mundo se llevaron a cabo huelgas parciales con distintos grados de apoyo, así como sentadas, marchas, acciones y convocatorias para detener los distintos circuitos productivos y reproductivos en los que las mujeres están involucradas a diario. Para las feministas, la convocatoria de una huelga conlleva una serie de cuestiones acuciantes, ya que los modelos tradicionales de huelga no tienen en cuenta el trabajo reproductivo y otras formas de trabajo no asalariado o marginado. La cuestión se convierte entonces en qué tipo de huelga serviría mejor a quienes realizan incansablemente el trabajo de reproducción social y que, al mismo tiempo, son los más denigrados y desvalorizados. Sin embargo, al repasar la historia de la huelga, recordamos que muchas estaban relacionadas con elementos de la vida de la clase trabajadora que no tenían que ver directamente con la producción. Este artículo trata de ampliar la concepción feminista de la huelga al descubrir cómo las mujeres la han utilizado en sus propios términos y por sus propios medios para lograr el cambio.
What's the Use of a Strike Archive?
Authors: Jirmanus Saba Mary
Published: March 2023

Ten years on from the Arab Revolutions, it is essential that we think critically about the limitations and possibilities of image archives, lest it appear that the image of revolution is all we have left. Could a collection of worker strike photos help?
Pump the brakes! The hindlimbs of three-toed sloths decelerate and support suspensory locomotion
Authors: McKamy Andrew J. , Young Melody W. , Mossor Angela M. , Young Jesse W. , Avey-Arroyo Judy A. , Granatosky Michael C. , Butcher Michael T.
Published: March 2023

Modern tree sloths are one of few mammalian taxa for which quadrupedal suspension is obligatory. Sloth limb musculature is specialized for slow velocity, large force contractions that stabilize their body below branches and conserve energy during locomotion. However, it is unknown whether two- and three-toed sloths converge in their use of limb kinetics and if these patterns are comparable to how primates perform arboreal suspensory locomotion. This study addressed this need by collecting limb loading data in three-toed sloths (Bradypus variegatus; N=5) during suspensory walking. Sloths performed locomotor trials at their preferred speed on an instrumented beam apparatus with a force platform as the central supporting segment. Peak forces and impulses of the forelimb and hindlimb were recorded and analyzed in three dimensions. The hindlimbs of B. variegatus apply large braking forces greater in magnitude than peak forces generated by the forelimbs in propulsion, a pattern consistent with that observed in two-toed sloths. However, B. variegatus exhibits hindlimb-biased body weight support in vertical peak forces and impulse, with appreciable laterally directed forces in each limb pair, both of which vary from limb loading distributions in two-toed sloths. Moreover, body weight distribution between limb pairs is opposite to that employed by primates during quadrupedal suspension. Thus, there appear to be multiple strategies for achieving suspensory locomotion in arboreal mammals. These differences may be attributable to anatomical variation or phylogenetic position, but as of yet an explanation remains unknown. Future EMG analyses are expected to provide insight into how specific hindlimb muscle groups contribute to braking forces and stabilizing the center of mass of sloths during suspension.
The chemotherapeutic activity of areca nut extract increased stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes in 4-nutriquinoline-1-oxide-tumor-induced Sprague-Dawley rats
Authors: Sari Liza Meutia , Novita Cut Fera , Andriany Poppy , Sari Dina Keumala
Published: March 2023

Background: Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is one of the most common oral cancers with a high mortality rate. The biodiversity source in Indonesia makes areca nut a potential antioxidant in treating disease. Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the chemotherapeutic effect of areca nut extract in 4-nutriquinoline-1-oxide (NQO)-tumor-induced rats.

Methods:  Twenty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 served as the control group, group 2 was 4NQO-induced rats without treatment, and groups 3 and 4 were given 4NQO-tumor inducer with 500 and 1000 mg/kg BW of areca nut extract, respectively. The rats in groups 2,3, and 4 received 30 ppm of 4NQO tumor inducer in drinking water for 12 weeks. In the end, all rats were euthanized and the tongue was removed. The body, liver, kidney, heart, and lungs weights were measured. Tongue tumor volume and dysplasia lesions were analyzed. The tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in the tumor and stromal area were scored semi-quantitatively associating the infiltrate grade (0-3) and analyzed histologically.

Results: There were significant differences in body weight loss between the initial and final phases in groups 1 and 2 (p<0.05). The areca nut at doses of 500 and 1000 mg/kg BW significantly reduced the tumor size compared with groups 1 and 2 (p<0.05). The incidence of OSCC in rats with 500 and 1000 mg/kg BW of areca nut extract after 22 weeks was 0%, but the dysplasia lesions were observed at 28.57% and 85.71%, respectively. The highest mean of stromal TILs was in group 3 and there were significant differences in stromal TILs between groups 2 and 3 (p<0.05).

Conclusion: Areca nut extract exerts a chemotherapeutic activity in 4NQO-induced rats by inducing infiltrating lymphocytes in the stromal tumor area on the OSCC lesion of the tongue.
Lycium barbarum (Goji berry) mouthwash is a viable alternative to 0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate for managing chronic periodontitis: a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Sanghavi Amee , Shettigar Laasya , Chopra Aditi , Shah Ashmeet , Lobo Richard , Shenoy Padmaja A , Gadag ShivaPrasada , Nayak Usha Y , Shravya S Mangalore , Kamath Shobha Ullas , Nayak Prajna P
Published: March 2023

Background:  Removal of the microbial deposits (plaque and calculus) by performing effective scaling and root planing (SRP) is the primary and fundamental requirement for managing periodontal disease. Various adjuncts with antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties are used as adjuncts to SRP for managing chronic periodontitis. However, with a rapid rise in antimicrobial resistance to several antimicrobial agents along with the increased risk of adverse effects, the use the conventional chemotherapeutic agents for managing periodontal disease is slowly declining. Hence, there is a urgent need to explore new plant-based products for treating periodontal disease. Lycium barbarum (L. barbarum), or goji berry, has recently gained popularity for managing chronic inflammatory and infectious diseases. However, its efficacy in managing periodontal diseases has never been explored. Hence the present study aims to evaluate the efficacy of L. barbarum mouthwash along with SRP compared to chlorhexidine for managing chronic periodontitis.

Methods: The study is designed as a randomized clinical trial with 57 adult participants (Males:29; Females:28) with chronic periodontitis. The participants were divided randomly into two groups: One group used L. barbarum mouthwash and the other group used ‘0.2% chlorhexidine gluconate’ mouthwash. The changes in the gingival index (Gi), plaque index (Pi), bleeding on probing (BOP), clinical attachment loss (CAL), probing pocket depth (PPD), microbial load, and antioxidant levels (protein thiol) in saliva were noted at the baseline, at 15 days and one month.

Results: A statistically significant difference was noted in the Pi (P-value = 0.791), Gi (P-value= 0.594), PPD (with P-value= 0.134), and microbial levels (P-value = 0.188) in both groups from the baseline. The protein thiol levels in saliva were increased only in the goji berry group.

Conclusion: L. barbarum mouthwash along with SRP was found to be effective in managing periodontal disease.
Assessment of neonatal referral infrastructure and clinical characteristics of referred neonates in three first referral hospitals in Nairobi County, Kenya
Authors: Wainaina John , Irimu Grace , English Mike , Mbaire Emily , Waiyego Mary , Manyasi Christine , Kimutai David , Emadau Caren , Muturi Celia , Aluvaala Jalemba
Published: March 2023

Background

Almost one in five newly born babies in Nairobi County, Kenya, may need some form of inpatient neonatal care. Prior work showed many facilities are inadequately prepared to provide sick newborn care, however, only 16.6% of babies from facilities were referred to a better-equipped facility. We sought to examine referrals to and from three busy first-level referral public hospitals in Nairobi and what infrastructure and systems are available to support neonatal transport from these first-referral level hospitals to the main tertiary care center.

Methods

Patient-level data of newborns over 13 months were retrospectively abstracted from routinely collected patient data and examined to characterize those referred into and out of three newborn units in the study hospitals. Structural assessments using a checklist completed during hospital visits were used to describe hospitals’ readiness to support newborn referral and transport.

Results

Five percent (398/7720) of the cohort studied were referrals either out or to the hospitals. 68% (272/398) were referred to these hospitals. A majority (397/398) and two-thirds (268/398) of patients had their sex and gestation age documented respectively. Among both referrals in and out, 63% (251/397) were male and 44% (118/268) were preterm infants. Among those referred in, 26% (69/272) died and 2.6% (7/272) were further referred to a tertiary-care newborn unit in Nairobi County. Equipment, drugs, and medical supplies needed to provide safe in-transit care in the ambulance, including oxygen and infant warmers were unavailable.

Conclusion

Neonatal transport from first-referral hospitals to the tertiary center in Nairobi County is poor and likely to be unsafe for newborn transfer services. This jeopardizes their well-being and survival. There is a need to develop, equip and maintain a high-quality referral and newborn transport system which can support the continuum of newborn care across referral care pathways into and from first-referral level hospitals.