bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The changing pattern of bacterial and fungal respiratory isolates in patients with and without COVID-19 admitted to intensive care unit
Authors: Zuglian Gianluca , Ripamonti Diego , Tebaldi Alessandra , Cuntrò Marina , Riva Ivano , Farina Claudio , Rizzi Marco
Published: February 2022

Objectives

Severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic has had a heavy impact on national health system, especially in the first wave. That impact hit principally the intensive care units (ICUs). The large number of patients requiring hospitalization in ICUs lead to a complete upheaval of intensive wards. The increase in bed, the fewer number of nurses per patient, the constant use of personal protective equipment, the new antimicrobial surveillance protocols could have had deeply effects on microbiological flora of these wards. Moreover, the overconsumption of antimicrobial therapy in COVID-19 patients, like several studies report, could have impact of this aspect. Aim of this study is to evaluate the changing pattern of microbiological respiratory isolates during and before COVID-19 pandemic in a tertiary hospital ICUs.

Methods

A retrospective, observational study was conducted in ICUs of “ASST Papa Giovanni XXIII”, a large tertiary referral hospital in Northern Italy. We have retrospectively collected the microbiological data from bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and tracheal aspirate (TA) of patients with COVID-19, hospitalized in ICUs from 22nd February 2020 to 31st May 2020 (Period 1), and without COVID-19, from 22nd February 2019 to 31st May 2019 (Period 2). We compared the prevalence and the antibiotic profile of bacterial and fungal species in the two time periods.

Results

The prevalence of Pseudomonas spp. shows a statistically significant increase from patients without COVID-19 compared to COVID-19 positive as well as the prevalence of Enterococcus spp. On the contrary, the prevalence of Gram negative non fermenting bacteria (GN-NFB), Haemophilus influenzae and Streptococcus pneumoniae showed a significant reduction between two periods. There was a statistically significant increase in resistance of Pseudomonas spp. to carbapenems and piperacillin/tazobactam and Enterobacterales spp. for piperacillin/tazobactam, in COVID-19 positive patients compared to patients without COVID-19. We did not observe significant changing in fungal respiratory isolates.

Conclusions

A changing pattern in prevalence and resistance profiles of bacterial and fungal species was observed during COVID-19 pandemic.
Serum homocysteine is associated with tubular interstitial lesions at the early stage of IgA nephropathy
Authors: Li Zizhen , Han Qianqian , Ye Hongbo , Li Jiajia , Wei Xiaona , Zhang Rui , Huang Qiuyan , Xu Yanchun , Liu Guanxian , Li Bin , Yang Qiongqiong
Published: February 2022

Background

The association between homocysteine (Hcy) and IgA nephropathy (IgAN) is not well understood. We aimed to investigate the relationship between Hcy and clinicopathologic features in IgAN patients.

Methods

A total of 337 IgAN patients and 150 sex- and age- matched healthy controls were enrolled in this single-center retrospective study. According to Hcy ≤ 10 μmol/L or > 10 μmol/L, patients were divided into low and high Hcy groups. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to explore the risk factors for elevated Hcy.

Results

Serum Hcy was higher in IgAN patients than in healthy controls [11.6 (9.1,15.3) vs. 8.8 (7.5,10.6) μmol/L,P < 0.001], unanimously in the subgroup of 156 patients with a normal estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (≥ 90 ml/min/1.73 m2) [9.9 (7.6,12.4) vs. 8.8 (7.5,10.6) μmol/L,P < 0.001]. Compared to the low Hcy group, serum creatinine (Scr), blood urine nitrogen (BUN), uric acid (UA), endocapillary hypercellularity (E) and tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis lesion (T) were higher in the high Hcy group. Hcy levels were positively correlated with Scr, BUN, UA, 24-h urine protein, and E and T lesions, but negatively correlated with eGFR and superoxide dismutase (SOD). In the subgroup with normal eGFR, patients with higher Hcy were persistent with higher Scr, BUN and T lesions. A multivariate logistic regression model showed that the risk of elevated Hcy in patients with pathological T increased by 2.87-fold. T lesions could better predict high Hcy, with an odds ratio (OR) of 14.20 in the subgroup with normal eGFR.

Conclusions

Pathologic T was an independent risk factor associated with elevated Hcy, especially at the early stage of IgAN.
Assessment of level of asthma control and related factors in children attending pediatric respiratory clinics in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Authors: Aschalew Amare , Kebed Rahel Argaw , Demie Takele Gezahegn , Weldetsadik Abate Yeshidinber
Published: February 2022

Background

Asthma is a common airways disease with significant morbidity and mortality in all ages. Studies of pediatric asthma control and its determinants yielded variable results across settings. However, there is paucity of data on asthma control and its factors in Ethiopian children. We aimed to assess the level of asthma control and the related factors in children attending pediatric respiratory clinics at three tertiary hospitals in Addis Ababa.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study from March 1 to August 30, 2020 using standardized questionnaires and review of patient’s charts. Data was analyzed using SPSS software for window version 26.

Results

A total of 105 children (56.2% male) were included in the study. The mean age (± SD) and age at Asthma diagnosis (± SD) were 6 (± 3.3) and 4 (± 2.8) respectively. Uncontrolled asthma was present in 33 (31%) of children. Comorbidities (Atopic dermatitis and allergic Rhinitis (AOR = 4.56; 95% CI 1.1–18.70; P = 0.035), poor adherence to controller medications (AOR = 3.23; 95% CI 1.20–10.20; P = 0.045), inappropriate inhaler technique (AOR = 3.48; 95% CI 1.18–10.3; P = 0.024), and lack of specialized care (AOR = 4.72; 95% CI 1.13–19.80; P = 0.034) were significantly associated with suboptimal asthma control.

Conclusion

One-third of children attending pediatric respiratory clinics in Addis Ababa had uncontrolled Asthma. Treatment of comorbidities, training of appropriate inhaler techniques, optimal adherence to controllers, and proper organization of clinics should be emphasized to improve asthma control among children.
Rigid ureteroscopic lithotripsy in the lateral decubitus position for upper urinary tract stones
Authors: Zhang Jinqing , Li Binbin , Li Gang , Yang Zengshi , Ye Ning , Liu Yihao , Zhuo Hongbing , Hong Jingfan
Published: February 2022

Background

The current study aimed to assess a novel ureteroscopic technique developed for treating upper urinary calculi based on a specially designed lateral decubitus body position that could avoid stone loss by adjusting to the effects of gravity.

Methods

This retrospective study examined patients with upper urinary calculi who were surgically treated from November 2008 to January 2020, using a new body position and a rigid ureteroscope. Clinical outcomes, stone-free rates, operative times and complications were evaluated, and factors that could influence treatment success were determined.

Results

In total, 1080 patients were included, and 1145 operations were performed. The maximum calculus diameters were 11.22 ± 5.01 mm. Operative times were 48.60 ± 27.44 min. A total of 1042 cases were successfully treated, with a stone-free rate of 91.00%. Multivariate analysis showed that female sex (OR = 2.135, 95% CI 1.332–3.422, P = 0.002), thin scope standby (OR = 1.643, 95% CI 1.074–2.514, P = 0.022), laser lithotripsy (OR = 5.087, 95% CI 2.400–10.785, P = 0.000) and stone size (OR = 0.946, 95% CI 0.912–0.981, P = 0.003) were independently associated with stone-free outcomes. In total, 2 ureteral perforations, 2 ureteric avulsions and 4 urosepsis cases were observed, but were all cured without sequelae.

Conclusions

Ureteroscopic lithotripsy in the lateral decubitus position is a safe and effective technique for treating upper urinary tract calculi, especially upper ureteral calculi.
Perceived stress and study-related behavior and experience patterns of medical students: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Afshar Kambiz , Wiese Birgitt , Stiel Stephanie , Schneider Nils , Engel Bettina
Published: February 2022

Background

Distress and burnout are common in physicians. Both may already arise during medical training and persist throughout residency. An analysis of needs is necessary in order to develop target group specific curricular concepts at medical faculties. Aim of this study was to assess the perceived stress of medical students, to explore study-related behavior and experience patterns, and to investigate associated factors.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional survey of medical students at the Hannover Medical School. The web-based questionnaire consisted of 74 items and included two standardized instruments: the “Work-related Behavior and Experience Patterns” (Arbeitsbezogene Verhaltens- und Erlebensmuster, AVEM) and the “Perceived Medical School Stress” scale (PMSS). Students were asked to state their self-perceived actual stress level on a scale from 0% (no stress at all) to 100% (maximum stress). We performed a classification and regression tree (CART) analysis to identify factors that can discriminate between the four different AVEM patterns.

Results

Five hundred ninety-one medical students (female 75.8%, response rate: 34.0%) participated in the survey. The mean sum score of the PMSS was 37.2 (SD 8.3; median score 37, min.-max. = 18–65). Overall, 68.5% of the students showed a risk pattern (risk pattern A “overexertion”: 38.9%; risk pattern B “burnout”: 29.6%). Pattern G “healthy” was shown in 8.3% and pattern S “protection” in 23.1% of the students. Multilevel analysis revealed that the self-perceived stress level and the PMSS sum score were the most important predictors for the AVEM pattern assignment. Furthermore, academic year, gender, and financial dependency were relevant influencing factors: students in higher academic years with no financial support had a higher probability to be in risk pattern B whereas male students in the first academic year tended to be in pattern G.

Conclusions

The PMSS sum score could objectify medical students’ high self-perceived stress level. The majority of participating students showed a risky study-related behavior and experience pattern. Medical faculties should be aware of the still existing and relevant problem of stress and burnout among medical students. Our results lay the groundwork for an evaluation and further development of medical curricula at the own faculty.
Greater trochanter morphology and association with patient demographics, surgical factors, and post-operative stem position: a retrospective assessment of 150 cementless THRs in 135 dogs
Authors: Silveira Catrina J. , Barnes Katherine H. , Kerwin Sharon C. , Saunders W. Brian
Published: February 2022

Background

Total hip replacement (THR) in the gold standard surgical treatment for the canine hip. While it has been shown that greater trochanter morphology affects post-operative cementless stem position in humans, trochanter morphology and the effect on cementless stem position has not been extensively evaluated in dogs. The objective of this study was to classify greater trochanter morphology and identify potential associations between trochanter morphology and patient demographics, femoral canal geometry, surgical time, technique modifications, and post-operative stem position in client-owned dogs undergoing cementless THR.

Results

In this retrospective study, medical records and radiographs of 135 dogs undergoing 150 cementless total hip replacements from 2013 to 2020 were included. Trochanters were classified in the frontal plane using an ordinal grading system adapted from human THR. A Grade I trochanter denoted a trochanter positioned lateral to the periosteal surface of the lateral femoral cortex, whereas a Grade IV trochanter denoted a trochanter positioned medial to the anatomic axis of the femur. Associations between trochanter grade and other variables were examined using ANOVA, Kruskall-Wallis, or chi-squared tests. Significance was assumed atP ≤ .05.

Trochanters were classified as follows: Grade I (44/150, 29.3%), Grade II (56/150, 37.4%), Grade III (44/150, 29.3%), Grade IV (6/150, 4.0%). Grade IV trochanters had lower anatomic lateral distal femoral angle (aLDFA; 91.0 ± 6.2°), angle of inclination (117.7 ± 10.5°), and canal flare index (1.53 ± 0.27). When compared to all groups, Grade IV trochanters were associated with longer surgical times (Grade IV: 227.0 ± 34.2 min; all grades: 183.2 ± 32.9 min) and technique modifications (Grade IV: 83.3%; all grades: 18%). Grade I trochanters had stems placed in valgus (− 1.8 ± 2.33°), whereas Grade II (0.52 ± 2.36°), III (0.77 ± 2.58°), and IV (0.67 ± 2.73°) trochanters exhibited varus stems. Depth of stem insertion was greater (11.2 ± 4.2 mm) for Grade IV trochanters.

Conclusions

Trochanter grade was associated with post-operative stem alignment and translation in the frontal plane. Grade IV trochanters were associated with altered femoral geometry, increased surgical time, technique modifications, and stem insertion depth. Pre-operative greater trochanter classification may prove useful in identifying cases requiring prolonged surgical times or technique modifications.
Sensitive and selective detection of Mucin1 in pancreatic cancer using hybridization chain reaction with the assistance of Fe3O4@polydopamine nanocomposites
Authors: Dong Qing , Jia Xiuna , Wang Yuling , Wang Hao , Liu Qiong , Li Dan , Wang Jin , Wang Erkang
Published: February 2022

Pancreatic cancer is characterized as the worst for diagnosis lacking symptoms at the early stage, which results in a low overall survival rate. The frequently used techniques for pancreatic cancer diagnosis rely on imaging and biopsy, which have limitations in requiring experienced personnel to operate the expensive instruments and analyze the results. Therefore, there is a high demand to develop alternative tools or methods to detect pancreatic cancer. Herein, we propose a new strategy to enhance the detection sensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells both in biofluids and on tissues by combining the unique property of dopamine coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles (Fe3O4@DOP NPs) to specifically quench and separate free 6-carboxyfluorescein (FAM) labeled DNA (H1-FAM/H2-FAM), and the key feature of hybridization chain reaction (HCR) amplification. We have determined the limit of detection (LOD) to be 21 ~ 41 cells/mL for three different pancreatic cancer cell lines. It was also discovered that the fluorescence intensity of pancreatic cancer cells was significantly higher than that of HPDE-C7 and HepG-2 cells (control cell lines), which express lower MUC1 protein. Moreover, the HCR amplification system was used to identify the cancer cells on pancreatic tissue, which indicated the versatility of our strategy in clinical application. Therefore, the presented detection strategy shows good sensitivity, specificity and has great potential for the diagnosis of pancreatic cancer.

Graphical Abstract
Design of a chimaeric antigen and its use in the detection of IgG antibodies against rubella virus
Authors: Xing Wenyue , Li Li , Zhang Jingnan , Ma Chunli , Xue Xin , Ye Shumei , Xue Huiting , Hu Ruiping , Ma Yanhua , Yuan Hong
Published: February 2022

Background

Rubella virus (RV) is the causative agent of rubella or German measles. Although most infections cause only mild self-limited measles-like illness, the infection in pregnant women can cause severe foetal malformation or even miscarriage, especially in the first 3 months of pregnancy. Therefore, it is of great practical significance to establish a simple and sensitive RV detection method.

Methods

The partial epitopes of the E1 and E2 proteins from Rubella Virus were selected as the target sites, the sequence of the selected antigenic sites of the E1 and E2 were linked by a linker. The expression plasmid P6T was constructed by inserting the gene into PET-32A + with a histidine Tag. The P6 protein was induced and expressed in Escherichia coli L21 (DE3) and purified by nickel column affinity. The protein P6 antigen was identified by Western blotting analysis, and an anti-P6 antibody ELISA was established to test known serum samples to evaluate the capability of this method.

Results

After purification, the concentration and purity of the protein P6 were 0.283 mg/mL and more than 80%, respectively. Western blotting analysis showed that the protein P6 could react with rubella virus positive serum. By ELISA, 36 negative sera and 58 positive sera were detected. The coincidence rate, specificity and sensitivity of the ELISA were 86.2%, 88.89% and 84.48%, respectively. The P6 ELISA with a kappa coefficient of 0.715, P < 0.05, indicated excellent consistency.

Conclusions

The protein P6 with excellent antigenicity obtained from prokaryotic expression followed by chromatography purification could prove useful for early diagnosis of RV infection.
Healthcare worker perspectives on mother’s insufficient milk supply in Malawi
Authors: Piccolo Olivia , Kinshella Mai-Lei Woo , Salimu Sangwani , Vidler Marianne , Banda Mwai , Dube Queen , Kawaza Kondwani , Goldfarb David M. , Nyondo-Mipando Alinane Linda
Published: February 2022

Background

Human milk insufficiency is a significant barrier to implementing breastfeeding, and it is identified as a prevalent concern in 60–90% of mothers in low-and-middle-income countries. Breastmilk insufficiency can lead to hypoglycemia, hypernatremia, nutritional deficiencies, and failure to thrive in newborns and infants. Studies investigating the impact of breastfeeding interventions to improve milk production highlight inconsistencies between healthcare workers and mothers perceived support, as well as gaps in practical knowledge and training. The aim of this study was to determine perceptions surrounding human milk insufficiency from Malawian healthcare workers.

Methods

This study is a secondary analysis of 39 interviews with healthcare workers from one tertiary and three district hospitals in Malawi employing content analysis. Interviewed healthcare workers included nurses, clinical officers, midwives, and medical doctors. An inclusive coding framework was developed to identify themes related to human milk insufficiency, which were analyzed using an iterative process with NVivo12 software. Researchers focused on themes emerging from perceptions and reasons given by healthcare workers for human milk insufficiency.

Results

Inability to produce adequate breastmilk was identified as a prevalent obstacle mothers face in the early postpartum period in both district and tertiary facilities in Malawi. The main reasons given by participants for human milk insufficiency were mothers’ perceived normalcy of milk insufficiency, maternal stress, maternal malnutrition, and traditional beliefs around food and eating. Three focused solutions were offered by participants to improve mother’s milk production – improving education for mothers and training for healthcare providers on interventions to improve mother’s milk production, increasing breastfeeding frequency, and ensuring adequate maternal nutrition pre- and post-partum.

Conclusion

Health care workers perspectives shed light on the complexity of causes and solutions for human milk insufficiency in Malawi. This research highlights that a respectful professional relationship between health care workers and mothers is an essential bridge to improving communication, detecting human milk insufficiency early, and implementing appropriate interventions. The results of this study may help to inform research, clinical practice, and education in Malawi to improve human milk production.
Altered gut microbiota composition with antibiotic treatment impairs functional recovery after traumatic peripheral nerve crush injury in mice: effects of probiotics with butyrate producing bacteria
Authors: Rodenhouse Andrew , Talukder M. A. Hassan , Lee Jung Il , Govindappa Prem Kumar , O’Brien Mary , Manto Kristen M. , Lloyd Kelsey , Wandling Grant D. , Wright Justin R. , Chen See Jeremy R. , Anderson Samantha L. , Lamendella Regina , Hegarty John P. , Elfar John C.
Published: February 2022

Objective

Antibiotics (ABX) are widely used for life-threatening infections and also for routine surgical operations. Compelling evidence suggests that ABX-induced alterations of gut microbiota composition, termed dysbiosis, are linked with diverse disease states including neurological and neurodegenerative conditions. To combat the consequences of dysbiosis, probiotics (PBX) are widely used. ABX-induced dysbiosis is reported to impair neurological function after spinal cord injury. Traumatic peripheral nerve injury (TPNI) results in profound neurologic impairment and permanent disability. It is unknown whether ABX treatment-induced dysbiosis has any impact on TPNI-induced functional recovery, and if so, what role medical-grade PBX could have on TPNI recovery.

Results

In this study, ABX-induced dysbiosis and PBX-induced microbiota enrichment models were used to explore the potential role of gut microbiome in TPNI. Stool analysis with 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequencing confirmed ABX-induced dysbiosis and revealed that ABX-induced changes could be partially restored by PBX administration with an abundance of butyrate producing bacteria. Pre-injury ABX significantly impaired, but pre-injury PBX significantly improved post-TPNI functional recovery. Importantly, post-injury PBX protected against pre-injury ABX-induced functional impairment. These findings demonstrate that reestablishment of gut microbiota composition with butyrate producing PBX during ABX-induced dysbiosis could be a useful adjuvant therapy for TPNI.
Mindfulness practice correlates with reduced exam-induced stress and improved exam performance in preclinical medical students with the “acting with awareness”, “non-judging” and “non-reacting” facets of mindfulness particularly associated with improved exam performance
Authors: Hearn Jasmine Heath , Stocker Claire J.
Published: February 2022

Background

Medical students demonstrate higher levels of psychological distress compared with the general population and other student groups, especially at exam times. Mindfulness interventions show promise in stress reduction for this group, and in the reduction of cortisol, an established clinical marker of the body’s stress response. This study investigated the relationship of mindfulness to exam-induced stress, salivary cortisol and exam performance in undergraduate medical students.

Methods

A controlled pre-post analysis design with within-groups comparisons. 67 medical students completed the five facet mindfulness questionnaire (FFMQ) and provided saliva samples, from which cortisol was extracted, during group work (control/baseline) and immediately prior to end of year 2 examinations (experimental). Academic performance data was extracted for comparison with measures.

Results

Exam-induced salivary cortisol concentration showed a significant negative relation with exam performance. Total FFMQ score showed a significant positive relation with exam performance and a significant negative relation with exam-induced salivary cortisol. The specific mindfulness facets of acting with awareness, non-judging and non-reacting also showed a positive correlation with exam performance.

Conclusions

This study suggests that there exists an important relationship between mindfulness and the physiological biomarker of stress, cortisol, and this manifests into improved assessment outcomes potentially through healthier, more adaptive coping and stress management strategies. In particular, this study identifies the acting with awareness, non-judging and non-reacting facets of mindfulness to be significantly associated with exam performance suggesting that these may be important facets for clinical educators to target when helping students with mindfulness practice.
VeilGraph: incremental graph stream processing
Authors: Coimbra Miguel E. , Esteves Sérgio , Francisco Alexandre P. , Veiga Luís
Published: February 2022

Graphs are found in a plethora of domains, including online social networks, the World Wide Web and the study of epidemics, to name a few. With the advent of greater volumes of information and the need for continuously updated results under temporal constraints, it is necessary to explore alternative approaches that further enable performance improvements. In the scope of stream processing over graphs, we research the trade-offs between result accuracy and the speedup of approximate computation techniques. The relationships between the frequency of graph algorithm execution, the update rate and the type of update play an important role in applying these techniques. Herein we present VeilGraph, through which we conducted our research. We showcase an innovative model for approximate graph processing implemented in . We analyse the feasibility of our model and evaluate it with the case study of the PageRank algorithm, the most famous measure of vertex centrality used to rank websites in search engine results. Our experiments show that VeilGraph can often reduce latency closely to half (speedup of 2.0×), while achieving result quality above 95% when compared to results of the traditional version of PageRank executing in with (i.e. without any summarization or approximation techniques). In some cases, depending on the workload, speedups against reach up to 3.0x (i.e. yielding a reduction of up to 66% in latency). We have found VeilGraph implementation on Flink to be scalable, as it is able to improve performance up to 10X speedups, when more resources are employed (16 workers), achieving better speedups with scale for larger graphs, which are the most relevant.
Suture tape reinforcement of hamstring tendon graft reduces postoperative knee laxity after primary ACL reconstruction
Authors: von Essen Christoffer , Sarakatsianos Vasileios , Cristiani Riccardo , Stålman Anders
Published: February 2022

Purpose

To evaluate and compare subjective and objective knee outcomes following hamstring tendon (HT) and quadriceps tendon (QT) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) with or without suture tape (ST) reinforcement. It was hypothesized that the addition of an intra-articular synthetic augmentation with a ST would reduce postoperative knee laxity and graft ruptures after ACLR.

Methods

A 1:1 matched-cohort comparison of patients who underwent HT and QT autograft ACLR with or without ST reinforcement was performed. Patients with ST reinforcement were consecutively assigned to the study groups until a number of 20 in each group was achieved. Medical records were reviewed for demographic characteristics and additional injuries. Laxity measurements with KT-1000, strength measurements and physical examination findings were collected both preoperatively and at 6 months and patient reported outcome (PRO) scores were collected both preoperatively and at 12 months, and comparison was made HT vs HT + ST and QT vs QT + ST. Reoperations and re-ruptures were recorded during the 24-month follow-up period.

Results

Overall, 80 patients who underwent ACLR were included. Patients with HT + ST had significant less laxity postoperatively compared to HT at 6 months, 1.9 vs 0.8 mm, p < 0.05. No differences were found between the QT and QT + ST group. At 6 weeks patients treated with ST, both QT and HT, had a significant deficit in flexion compared to those without ST. However, this resolved at 6 months. There were no significant differences between HT + ST vs HT, or QT + ST vs QT, regarding postoperative PROs or strength measurements. Furthermore, the incidence of subsequent surgery and graft rupture was not significantly different between the groups.

Conclusion

ACLR with HT + ST reduces laxity at 6 months compared to ACLR without ST, a difference not seen when ACLR was performed using QT with or without ST. No other differences were seen between the two techniques comparing subjective and objective findings.

Level of evidence

Level III.
Assessment of mouse-specific pharmacokinetics in kidneys based on 131I activity measurements using micro-SPECT
Authors: Vargas Clarita Saldarriaga , Struelens Lara , D’Huyvetter Matthias , Caveliers Vicky , Covens Peter
Published: February 2022

Background

In order to acquire accurate drug pharmacokinetic information, which is required for tissue dosimetry, micro-SPECT must be quantitative to allow for an accurate assessment of radioligand activity in the relevant tissue. This study investigates the feasibility of deriving accurate mouse-specific time-integrated drug pharmacokinetic data in mouse kidneys from activity measurements using micro-SPECT.

Methods

An animal experiment was carried out to evaluate the accuracy of 131I activity quantification in mouse kidneys (mean tissue volume of 0.140 mL) using a micro-SPECT system against conventional ex vivo gamma counting (GC) in a NaI(Tl) detector. The imaging setting investigated was that of the mouse biodistribution of a 131I-labelled single-domain antibody fragment (sdAb), currently being investigated for targeted radionuclide therapy of HER2-expressing cancer. SPECT imaging of 131I 365-keV photons was done with a VECTor/CT system (MILabs, Netherlands) using a high-energy mouse collimator with 1.6-mm-diameter pinholes. For both activity quantification techniques, the pharmacokinetic profile of the radioligand from approximately 1–73 h p.i. was derived and the time-integrated activity coefficient per gram of tissue (ã/M) was estimated. Additionally, SPECT activity recovery coefficients were determined in a phantom setting.

Results

SPECT activities underestimate the reference activities by an amount that is dependent on the 131I activity concentration in the kidney, and thus on the time point of the pharmacokinetic profile. This underestimation is around − 12% at 1.5 h (2.89 MBq mL−1 mean reference activity concentration), − 13% at 6.6 h (149 kBq mL−1), − 40% at 24 h (17.6 kBq mL−1) and − 46% at 73 h (5.2 kBq mL−1) p.i. The ã/M value estimated from SPECT activities is, nevertheless, within − 14% from the reference (GC) ã/M value. Furthermore, better quantitative accuracy (within 2% from GC) in the SPECT ã/M value is achieved when SPECT activities are compensated for partial recovery with a phantom-based recovery coefficient of 0.85.

Conclusion

The SPECT imaging system used, together with a robust activity quantification methodology, allows an accurate estimation of time-integrated pharmacokinetic information of the 131I-labelled sdAb in mouse kidneys. This opens the possibility to perform mouse-specific kidney-tissue dosimetry based on pharmacokinetic data acquired in vivo on the same mice used in nephrotoxicity studies.
Population perspectives and demographic methods to strengthen CRVS systems: introduction
Authors: Silva Romesh
Published: February 2022

Civil registration and vital statistics (CRVS) systems and legal identity systems have become increasingly recognized as catalytic both for inclusive development and for monitoring population dynamics spanning the entire life course. Population scientists have a long history of contributing to the strengthening of CRVS and legal identity systems and of using vital registration data to understand population and development dynamics. This paper provides an overview of theGenusthematic series on CRVS systems. The series spans 11 research articles that document new insights on the registration of births, marriages, separations/divorces, deaths and legal residency. This introductory article to the series reviews the importance of population perspectives and demographic methods in strengthening CRVS systems and improving our understanding of population dynamics across the lifecourse. The paper highlights the major contributions from this thematic series and discusses emerging challenges and future research directions on CRVS systems for the population science community.
Sustainable pest management approach against the hog plum leaf beetle, Podontia 14-punctata Linn. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)
Authors: Rahman M. Mahbubur , Islam Md. Rashedul , Dutta Nirmal Kumar
Published: February 2022

Background

The hog-plum, locally known as “amra”, is a deciduous perennial tree with thick succulent leaves and it grows all over the country, but the quality fruits are produced only in the southern districts of Bangladesh. Its cultivation is seriously hampered by hog-plum leaf beetle or 14 spotted leaf beetle, Podontia 14-punctata Linn. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). In most of the cases, insecticidal spray is not effective for controlling this pest as pupation completed in the soil. Therefore, the present study was carried out under both laboratory and field conditions to develop environment friendly sustainable management approaches against the hog-plum beetle.

Results

Laboratory test revealed that spraying with green pesticide spinosad (Success® 2.5% SC) at hog-plum leaflet and drenching with microbial pesticide Metarhizium anisopliae + Trichoderma harzianum + Beauveria bassiana + Trichoderma viride (Lycomax, Russell IPM) causes 75.00% larvae, 72.22% adults and 51.85% pupal mortality,, respectively. Some pest management approaches were developed based on the laboratory results, they were verified in field, during the two successive fruiting seasons 2018 and 2019. Field study indicated that approach 1: Hand picking + trunk banding with packaging tape + soil drenching with lycomax, Russell IPM + spraying of spinosad treated trees offered lowest leaf and fruit infestation; even though trunk banding with packaging tape did not show any effect to control this pest. Fruit yield was also increased 39.04–39.66% in approach 1 imposing hog-plum trees compared to control.

Conclusion

The study showed that without banding of the hog-plum trunk, hand picking + soil drenching with microbial pesticides, lycomax, Russell IPM + spraying of spinosad might be sustainable and environment friendly pest management approach against P. 14-punctata.
Visual analytics of combustion on time-varying turbulent-flow
Authors: Han Xiaoyang , An Yifei , Shan Guihua , Liu Jun , Yang Bo
Published: February 2022

Visualization is crucial for analyzing the turbulent combustion simulation. Time-varying data allows us to investigate the evolution process of the turbulent flow field. To study the combustion effects, we calculated the enstrophy of the flow field since high enstrophy region can display valuable features, and extract components based on these features. We isolated large components to track their behaviors and characterized them using volume and spatial locations, which helps scientists to explore the dynamics and temporal changes of intense events individually. We analyzed the components’ structures and visualized them in contouring and statistical charts.
Targeted next generation sequencing provides insight for the genetic alterations in liquid biopsy of Egyptian brain tumor patients
Authors: Kassem Neemat M. , Kassem Hebatallah A. , Selim Hanan , Hafez Mohamed
Published: February 2022

Background

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the commonest primary malignant cerebral tumor in adults. Detection of genetic mutations in liquid biopsy is endorsed rapidly throughout several solid neoplasms but still limited in GBM. Our study provides insight for the genetic alterations in liquid biopsy of the newly diagnosed GBM patients using next generation sequencing technology together with identification of the microsatellite instability (MSI) status in those patients.

Results

Eighteen variants detected in 15 genes which were (4, 12 and 2) missense, coding silent and intronic mutations, respectively. The 4 substitution–missense mutations were as follows: Drug responsive TP53 (p.Pro72Arg) variant was detected in 6 patients (85.7%). KDR (p.Gln472His) variant was noted in 4 patients (57.1%) as a result of substitution at c.1416A > T. Two patients revealed KIT (p.Met541Leu) variant which result from substitution at c.1621A > C. Only one patient showed mutation in JAK3 gene which was (p.Val718Leu) variant resulting from c.2152G > C substitution. Regarding MSI status, four cases (57.1%) were MSI-Low and three cases (42.9%) were MSI-High.

Conclusions

This study identifies the molecular landscape and microsatellite instability alternations in Egyptian brain tumor patients, which may have an important role in improving the outcome, survival and may help in evolving a characteristic individual therapy.
Psychosocial and clinical impact of COVID-19 pandemic and its relationship to the quality of life in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: a cross-sectional study, Egypt
Authors: Hassan Mervat S. , Mostafa Dalia I. , Abdelhady Enas I. , Sarhan Shymaa A. , Abdelghani Mohamed , Seleem Dina A.
Published: February 2022

Background

Data have been pouring on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with chronic diseases. This study aimed to address the relationship between the perceived fears of COVID-19 virus (FCV), psychological status, and quality of life (QoL) among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) during the pandemic. This study included 100 patients with RA and an equal number of control subjects, who were recruited from Zagazig University rheumatology outpatient clinics, Egypt. All subjects were interviewed using the fear of COVID-19 scale (FCV-19S), Symptom Checklist-90 scale (SCL-90), and World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHOQOL-BREF). Patients were additionally assessed using the Disease Activity Score 28 (DAS28) and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ).

Results

There were significant differences between both groups in all QoL domains and most psychological dimensions. Most patients with RA experienced moderate-to-high disease activity and mild-to-moderate functional impairment (85% and 80%, respectively). FCV was correlated with the number of family members (P-value 0.020), and obsessive-compulsive (P-value 0.006), interpersonal sensitivity (P-value 0.035), hostility (P-value 0.017), phobia (P-value 0.010), and psychoticism (P-value 0.034) symptoms. Moderate-to-high disease activity was associated with reduced psychological QoL. Patients with moderate-to-severe functional impairment had worse QoL in all domains (except social). Prolonged illness duration was associated with worse social QoL.

Conclusions

QoL was adversely affected in patients with RA during the pandemic. There was a robust relationship between FCV and the emergence of psychological symptoms. RA-related clinical factors like illness duration, disease activity, and functional disability were associated with reduced QoL in those patients.
The World Health Organization's QualityRights initiative: rights and recovery-oriented services should be at the centre not the margins of psychiatry
Authors: McGovern Peter
Published: February 2022

The World Health Organization's QualityRights initiative represents an exciting shift towards creating mental health services that respect human rights and promote recovery. The initiative is the subject of a recent BJPsych editorial. In this article I challenge previously articulated criticism of QualityRights and suggest that psychiatry has much to gain from promoting rights-based practice.
Implementation of a Multisite Financial Reimbursement Program in Cancer Clinical Trials Integrated With Patient Navigation: A Pilot Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Borno Hala T. , Zhang Li , Zhang Sylvia , Lin Tracy K. , Skafel Andrea , Nieves Elena , Dornsife Dana , Johnson Robert , Rhoads Kim , Small Eric , Spicer Darcy
Published: February 2022

PURPOSE:

Cancer clinical trial participants face considerable indirect costs associated with participation, such as travel and lodging, which may contribute to poor enrollment. Here, we report the findings in IMproving Patient Access to Cancer clinical Trials, a pilot feasibility study investigating the efficacy of offering a financial reimbursement program (FRP) during a therapeutic clinical trial discussion with or without additional outreach in improving patient enrollment.

METHODS:

Study participants for this study were recruited at two National Cancer Institute–designated comprehensive cancer centers (CCCs) from April 8, 2019, to September 19, 2019. Eligible participants were adults with a cancer diagnosis being approached to consider enrollment in a clinical trial. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive no follow-up (usual care) or a follow-up telephone call to facilitate FRP utilization stratified by study site. The target enrollment was 132 patients, with 66 patients in each study arm. The primary outcome was the consent rate to the multisite interventional study on the FRP among participants enrolling in clinical trials.

RESULTS:

The study had a 78% consent rate and enrolled a total of 132 participants, of whom 51% were non-White compared with 28% of CCC treatment clinical trial participants in 2019. No difference in enrollment in clinical trials between the two study arms was observed as the proportion of enrollment was 70% for both study arms. The most common reason for not enrolling in a clinical trial was due to ineligibility determined through screening procedures (75%).

CONCLUSION:

The current study observed that implementation of FRP at CCCs is feasible and serves a diverse patient population. Future studies will measure the impact of programs on overall clinical trial accrual and among racial/ethnic minorities.
Death by Robots? Automation and Working-Age Mortality in the United States
Authors: O'Brien Rourke , Bair Elizabeth F. , Venkataramani Atheendar S.
Published: February 2022

The decline of manufacturing employment is frequently invoked as a key cause of worsening U.S. population health trends, including rising mortality due to “deaths of despair.” Increasing automation—the use of industrial robots to perform tasks previously done by human workers—is one structural force driving the decline of manufacturing jobs and wages. In this study, we examine the impact of automation on age- and sex-specific mortality. Using exogenous variation in automation to support causal inference, we find that increases in automation over the period 1993–2007 led to substantive increases in all-cause mortality for both men and women aged 45–54. Disaggregating by cause, we find evidence that automation is associated with increases in drug overdose deaths, suicide, homicide, and cardiovascular mortality, although patterns differ by age and sex. We further examine heterogeneity in effects by safety net program generosity, labor market policies, and the supply of prescription opioids.
Influence of Guideline Operationalization on Youth Activity Prevalence in the International Children’s Accelerometry Database
Authors: GAMMON CATHERINE , ATKIN ANDREW J. , CORDER KIRSTEN , EKELUND ULF , HANSEN BJØRGE HERMAN , SHERAR LAUREN B. , ANDERSEN LARS BO , ANDERSSEN SIGMUND , DAVEY RACHEL , HALLAL PEDRO C. , JAGO RUSSELL , KRIEMLER SUSI , KRISTENSEN PETER LUND , KWON SOYANG , NORTHSTONE KATE , PATE RUSSELL , SALMON JO , SARDINHA LUIS B. , VAN SLUIJS ESTHER M. F. ,   ON BEHALF OF THE INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S ACCELEROMETRY DATABASE (ICAD) COLLABORATORS
Published: February 2022

Introduction

The United Kingdom and World Health Organization recently changed their youth physical activity (PA) guidelines from 60 min of moderate- to vigorous-intensity PA (MVPA) every day, to an average of 60 min of MVPA per day, over a week. The changes are based on expert opinion due to insufficient evidence comparing health outcomes associated with different guideline definitions. This study used the International Children’s Accelerometry Database to compare approaches to calculating youth PA compliance and associations with health indicators.

Methods

Cross-sectional accelerometer data (n = 21,612, 5–18 yr) were used to examine compliance with four guideline definitions: daily method (DM; ≥60 min MVPA every day), average method (AM; average of ≥60 min MVPA per day), AM5 (AM compliance and ≥5 min of vigorous PA [VPA] on ≥3 d), and AM15 (AM compliance and ≥15 min VPA on ≥3 d). Associations between compliance and health indicators were examined for all definitions.

Results

Compliance varied from 5.3% (DM) to 29.9% (AM). Associations between compliance and health indicators were similar for AM, AM5, and AM15. For example, compliance with AM, AM5, and AM15 was associated with a lower BMI z-score (statistics are coefficient [95% CI]): AM (−0.28 [−0.33 to −0.23]), AM5 (−0.28 [−0.33 to −0.23], and AM15 (−0.30 [−0.35 to −0.25]). Associations between compliance and health indicators for DM were similar/weaker, possibly reflecting fewer DM-compliant participants with health data and lower variability in exposure/outcome data.

Conclusions

Youth completing 60 min of MVPA every day do not experience superior health benefits to youth completing an average of 60 min of MVPA per day. Guidelines should encourage youth to achieve an average of 60 min of MVPA per day. Different guideline definitions affect inactivity prevalence estimates; this must be considered when analyzing data and comparing studies.
Αντιλήψεις γονέων δίγλωσσων παιδιών προσχολικής ηλικίας απέναντι στη διατήρηση της εθνοτικής τους γλώσσας
Authors: Μαλιγκούδη Χριστίνα , Αραβαντινού-Λιανού Μαρίνα
Published: February 2022

Το ζήτημα της διγλωσσίας είναι κάτι που απασχολεί πολλούς μετανάστες γονείς, οι οποίοι ζουν στην Ελλάδα και έχουν παιδιά που φοιτούν σε ελληνικά σχολεία. Η βασική τους ανησυχία είναι η εκμάθηση των ελληνικών, ήδη κατά τη διάρκεια φοίτησης των παιδιών στις τάξεις του νηπιαγωγείου, σε συνδυασμό με την διατήρηση της εθνοτικής τους γλώσσας. Στην παρούσα εργασία διερευνάται η στάση γονέων δίγλωσσων παιδιών προσχολικής ηλικίας, σχετικά με τη διατήρηση της εθνοτικής γλώσσας στην επόμενη γενιά. Η έρευνα βασίζεται σε ημιδομημένες συνεντεύξεις με δεκαπέντε (15) γονείς, που κατάγονται από διάφορες χώρες της Ευρώπης, αλλά και την Αυστραλία. Όπως διαπιστώθηκε από τα ευρήματα της έρευνας, οι περισσότεροι γονείς θέτουν ως βασική προτεραιότητα του οικογενειακού γλωσσικού προγραμματισμού τους την εκμάθηση των ελληνικών, καθώς είναι η γλώσσα καθημερινής επικοινωνίας των παιδιών. Ωστόσο, σχετικά με τη διατήρηση της εθνοτικής γλώσσας στο οικογενειακό περιβάλλον παρατηρούνται διαφοροποιήσεις ανάμεσα στους γονείς, οι οποίες αναλύονται και ερμηνεύονται στην παρούσα εργασία.