bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Factors Related to Health Civic Engagement: Results from the 2018 National Survey of Health Attitudes to Understand Progress towards a Culture of Health
Authors: Dubowitz Tamara , Nelson Christopher , Weilant Sarah , Sloan Jennifer C. , Bogart Andy , Miller Carolyn , Chandra Anita
Published: March 2020

Background: Civic engagement, including voting, volunteering, and participating in civic organizations, is associated with better psychological, physical and behavioral health and well-being. In addition, civic engagement is increasingly viewed (e.g., in Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Culture of Health action framework) as a potentially important driver for raising awareness of and addressing unhealthy conditions in communities. As such, it is important to understand the factors that may promote civic engagement, with a particular focus on the less-understood, health civic engagement, or civic engagement in health-related and health-specific activities. Using data from a nationally representative sample of adults in the United States (U.S.), we examined whether the extent to which individuals feel they belong in their community (i.e., perceived sense of community) and the value they placed on investing in community health were associated with individuals’ health civic engagement.Methods: Using data collected on 7187 nationally representative respondents from the 2018 National Survey of Health Attitudes, we examined associations between sense of community, valued investment in community health, and perceived barriers to taking action to invest in community health, with health civic engagement. We constructed continuous scales for each of these constructs and employed multiple linear regressions adjusting for multiple covariates including U.S. region and city size of residence, educational attainment, family income, race/ethnicity, household size, employment status, and years living in the community.Results: Participants who endorsed (i.e., responded with mostly or completely) all 16 sense of community scale items endorsed an average of 22.8% (95%CI: 19.8 - 25.7%) more of the health civic engagement scale items compared with respondents who did not endorse any of the sense of community items. Those who endorsed (responded that it was an important or top priority) all items capturing valued investment in community health endorsed 14.0% (95%CI: 11.2 – 16.8%) more of the health civic engagement items than those who did not endorse any valued investment in community health items.Conclusions: Health civic engagement, including voting and volunteering to ultimately guide government decisions about health issues, may help improve conditions that influence health and well-being for all. Focusing on individuals’ sense of community and highlighting investments in community health may concurrently be associated with increased health civic engagement and improved community and population health.
Substance use among patients in specialized mental health services in Norway: prevalence and patient characteristics based on a national census
Authors: Andersson Helle Wessel , Lilleeng Solfrid E. , Ruud Torleif , Ose Solveig Osborg
Published: March 2020

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the clinical and demographic variation in the prevalence of substance use among the general psychiatric population in Norway.Methods: A national census in psychiatric institutions and outpatient clinics was conducted. Data were returned for 2,358 inpatients (response rate, 65%) and 23,167 outpatients (response rate, 60%). Substance use was measured based on substance use disorder diagnosis or reported substance use in the last four weeks (alcohol 2–4 days a week or illicit drug use). Regression analyses controlling for demographic and socio-demographic characteristics were carried out.Results: Substance use was identified in 32.4% of inpatients and 13.9% of outpatients. The most frequently reported substances used were alcohol, sedatives and cannabis. Among inpatients, the prevalence of substance use was highest in patients with schizophrenia, personality disorders and anxiety disorders. Among outpatients, the prevalence was highest in patients with schizophrenia and other psychoses. Inpatients with anxiety disorders and outpatients with schizophrenia and other psychoses had a significantly higher risk of substance use than other patients. In both samples, the prevalence of substance use was higher among males, 24–29-year-olds and the most socially deprived.Conclusions: This study provides further knowledge about patients at risk for co-morbid substance abuse and poor treatment outcomes. Clinicians may consider targeting patients with severe mental illness, young males and those who are socially deprived in efforts to prevent emerging substance abuse and improve outcomes.
Functional analyses of miRNA-146b-5p during myogenic proliferation and differentiation in chicken myoblasts
Authors: Lee Jeong Hyo , Kim Seo Woo , Han Ji Seon , Shin Seung Pyo , Lee Sang In , Park Tae Sub
Published: March 2020

Background: In the poultry and livestock industries, precise genetic information is crucial for improving economic traits. Thus, functional genomic studies help to generate faster, healthier, and more efficient animal production. Chicken myoblast cells, which are required for muscle development and regeneration, are particularly important because chicken growth is closely related to muscle mass. Results: In this study, we induced expression of microRNA-146b-5p mediated by the piggyBac transposon system in primary chicken myoblast (pCM) cells. Subsequently, we analyzed and compared the proliferation and differentiation capacity and also examined the expression of related genes in regular pCM (rpCM) cells and pCM cells overexpressing miRNA-146b-5p (pCM-146b OE cells). pCM-146b OE cells showed increased proliferation and upregulated gene expression related to cell proliferation. In addition, next-generation sequencing analyses were performed to compare global gene expression patterns between rpCM cells and pCM-146b OE cells. We found that the higher proliferation in pCM-146b OE cells was the result of upregulation of gene sets related to the cell cycle. Moreover, miRNA-146b-5p overexpression had inhibitory effects on myotube differentiation in pCM cells. Conclusions: Collectively these results demonstrate that miR-146b-5p is closely related to the proliferation and differentiation of chicken myogenic cells as a modulator of post-transcription.
Both comorbidity and worse performance status are associated with poorer overall survival after external beam radiotherapy for prostate cancer
Authors: Lehtonen Miikka , Heiskanen Lauri , Reinikainen Petri , Kellokumpu-Lehtinen Pirkko-Liisa
Published: March 2020

Background: In this retrospective study, we evaluated the biochemical recurrence rate, metastatic disease progression, and prostate cancer-specific and overall survival in patients curatively treated with external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) for early prostate cancer (PC). We also examined the prognostic effect of comorbidity by Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) and overall performance status by Eastern Clinical Oncology Group (ECOG) score. Methods: A total of 665 men treated between 2008 and 2013 were enrolled from Tampere University Hospital, Finland. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) tests and hospital records were used to determine the 5-year survival for each aforementioned endpoint using a Kaplan-Meyer estimate. To analyze the impact of the selected prognostic factor, we used a Cox regression model to calculate the corresponding hazard ratio (HR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI). Results: With a median follow-up-time of 7.12 years, the 5-year overall survival (OS) after EBRT was 88.9 % [86.5 %-91.3 %], prostate cancer-specific survival (PCSS) was 97.9 % [96.7 %-99.1%], metastasis-free survival (MFS) 94.8 % [93.0 %-96.6 %] and biochemical recurrence-free survival (BRFS) 88.7 % [86.2 %-91.2 %]. Both CCI (HR = 1.38, [1.25-1.51]) and ECOG score (HR = 1.63, [1.29-2.05]) declined OS, as well as Gleason score and T score (P < 0.05). Gleason score and T grade also associated to worse PCSS, MFS and BRFS. Conclusions: CCI and ECOG score are useful tools in evaluating the overall life expectancy of the patient after EBRT for PC. T-stage and Gleason score remain still the major prognostic factors.
Identification and Evolutionary Analysis of the Nucleolar Proteome of Giardia lamblia
Authors: Feng Jin-mei , Yang Chun-Lin , Tian Hai-Feng , Wang Jiang-Xin , Wen Jianfan
Published: March 2020

Background: The nucleoli, including their proteomes, of higher eukaryotes have been extensively studied, while few studies about the nucleoli of the lower eukaryotes – protists were reported. Giardia lamblia , a protist with the controversy of whether it is an extreme primitive eukaryote or just a highly evolved parasite, might be an interesting object for carrying out the nucleolar proteome study of protists and for further examining the controversy. Results: Using bioinformatics methods, we reconstructed G. lamblia nucleolar proteome ( Gi NuP) and the common nucleolar proteome of the three representative higher eukaryotes (human, Arabidopsis , yeast) (HEBNuP). Comparisons of the two proteomes revealed that: 1) Gi NuP is much smaller than HEBNuP, but 78.4% of its proteins have orthologs in the latter; 2) More than 68% of the Gi NuP proteins are involved in the “Ribosome related” function, and the others participate in the other functions, and these two groups of proteins are much larger and much smaller than those in HEBNuP, respectively; 3) Both Gi NuP and HEBNuP have their own specific proteins, but HEBNuP has a much higher proportion of such proteins to participate in more categories of nucleolar functions. Conclusion: For the first time the nucleolar proteome of a protist - Giardia was reconstructed. The results of comparison of it with the common proteome of three representative higher eukaryotes -- HEBNuP indicated that the simplicity of Gi NuP is most probably a reflection of primitiveness but not just parasitic reduction of Giardia , and simultaneously revealed some interesting evolutionary phenomena about the nucleolus and even the eukaryotic cell, compositionally and functionally. Key words : Giardia lamblia , Protist, Nucleolar proteome, Evolution, Primitiveness, Parasitic reduction
Social and Economic Variables Related with Paraquat Self-Poisoning: an Ecological Study
Authors: buendia jefferson , Chavarriaga Gabriel Jaime Restrepo , Zuluaga Andres F.
Published: March 2020

Background

Paraquat self-poisonings constitute a significant contributor to the global burden of suicide.Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between social and economic variables with the incidence of self-poisoning with Paraquat in the northeast of Colombia.

Methods

Records of 154 cases of self-poisoning with Paraquat and several socio-economic variables of six regions of northeast of Colombia were analyzed. Results Most of the cases were mestizos, farmworkers, between 20 and 29 years, with intentional exposure using the oral route. Multivariate analyses revealed significant associations among the incidence of self-poisoning with PQ with the ecological factors such as poverty greater than 30% (IRR 15.9 IC95% 5.56-44.72), land Gini index <0.7 (IRR 7.11 IC95% 3.58-14.12), private health insurance <40% (IRR 3.39 IC95% 1.30-8.82) and planted area >10% (IRR 2.47 IC95% 1.60-3.80).

Conclusion

There is a relationship between ecological factors and, as such, this study opens the way to further developments in the field.
Enhancement of tendon-bone interface healing and graft maturation with cylindrical Titanium-Web (TW) in a miniature swine anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction model: Histological and collagen-based analysis
Authors: Ryu Keisho , Saito Mitsuru , Kurosaka Daisaburo , Kitasato Seiichiro , Omori Toshiyuki , Hayashi Hiroteru , Kayama Tomohiro , Marumo Keishi
Published: March 2020

Background: Tendon-bone interface healing and ligamentization of the graft in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with autografts are important factors affecting treatment outcome. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a cylindrical titanium-web (TW) in tendon-bone interface healing and graft maturation in ACL reconstruction.
Methods: Fourteen mature female CLAWN miniature swine underwent bilateral ACL reconstructions with patellar tendon (PT) autografts. In one limb, the TW/tendon complex was placed into the proximal side of the tibial tunnel. Only the graft was transplanted into the tunnel in the control limb. The proximal side of the graft was sutured into the stump of the native ACL and the distal end was stapled to the tibia. The animals were euthanized at 4 and 15 weeks postoperatively, for histological and biochemical analyses.
Results: Microscopic images in TW limbs showed that ingrowth of tendon-like tissue and mineralized bone tissue into the TW connected the bone and the tendon directly. In contrast, fibrous tissue intervened between the bone and tendon in the control limbs. The total amount of collagen cross-links (which defines the strength of collagen fibers) and the maturation of collagen cross-links in TW tendons were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of control limbs. There was no significant difference in the ratio of dihydroxy-lysinonorleucine to hydroxy-lysinonorleucine (an indicator of tissue specific collagen maturation) between TW tendons and that of the native PT.
Conclusions: TW promoted the maturation and formation of collagen cross-links in the grafted tendon while maintaining the cross-links pattern of native tendon collagen, and enabled direct binding of tendon to bone.
Identification of RAG-like transposons in protostomes suggests an ancient bilaterian origin of the RAG-like transposon family
Authors: Martin Eliza C. , Vicari Celia , Tsakou-Ngouafo Louis , Pontarotti Pierre , Petrescu Andrei J. , Schatz David G.
Published: March 2020

Background V(D)J recombination is essential for adaptive immunity in jawed vertebrates and is initiated by the RAG1-RAG2 endonuclease. The RAG1 and RAG2 genes are thought to have evolved from a RAGL (RAG-like) transposon containing convergently-oriented RAG1-like (RAG1L) and RAG2-like (RAG2L) genes. Elements resembling this presumptive evolutionary precursor have thus far only been detected convincingly in deuterostomes, leading to the model that the RAGL transposon first appeared in an early deuterostome. Results We have identified numerous RAGL transposons in the genomes of protostomes, including oysters and mussels (phylum Mollusca) and a ribbon worm (phylum Nemertea), and in the genomes of several cnidarians. Phylogenetic analyses are consistent with vertical evolution of the RAGL transposon family within the Bilateria clade and with its presence in the bilaterian ancestor. Many of the RAGL transposons identified in protostomes are intact elements containing convergently oriented RAG1L and RAG2L genes flanked by terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) and target site duplications with striking similarities with the corresponding elements in deuterostomes. In addition, protostome genomes contain numerous intact RAG1L-RAG2L adjacent gene pairs that lack detectable flanking TIRs. Domains and critical active site and structural amino acids needed for endonuclease and transposase activity are present and conserved in many of the predicted RAG1L and RAG2L proteins encoded in protostome genomes. Conclusions Active RAGL transposons were present in multiple protostome lineages and were likely transmitted vertically during protostome evolution. It appears that the RAGL transposon family was broadly active during bilaterian evolution, undergoing multiple duplication and loss/fossilization events, with the RAGL genes that persist in present day protostomes perhaps constituting both active RAGL transposons and domesticated RAGL genes. Our findings raise the possibility that the RAGL transposon arose earlier in evolution than previously thought, either in an early bilaterian or prior to the divergence of bilaterians and non-bilaterians, and alter our understanding of the evolutionary history of this important transposon family.
Therapeutic efficacy of Schistosoma japonicum cystatin on sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy in a mouse model
Authors: Gao Shifang , Li Huihui , Xie Hong , Wu Shili , Yuan Yuan , Chu Liang , Sun Siying , Yang Huijuan , Wu Lingqin , Bai Yongsheng , Zhou Qiao , Wang Xin , Zhan Bin , Cui Hu , Yang Xiaodi
Published: March 2020

Background

Myocardial dysfunction is one of the most common complications of multiple organ failure in septic shock and significantly increases mortality in patients with sepsis. In spite of many studies have confirmed that helminth-derived proteins have strong immunomodulatory functions and could be used to treat inflammatory diseases, there is no report on the therapeutic effect of Schistosoma japonicum -produced cystatin ( Sj- Cys) on the sepsis-induced cardiac dysfunction.

Methods

A model of sepsis-induced myocardial injury was established by cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) in mouse. Upon CLP operation, each mouse was intraperitoneally treated with 10 µg of recombinant Sj -Cys (r Sj -Cys). Twelve hours after CLP operation, the systolic and diastolic functions of left ventricular were examined by echocardiography. The levels of myoglobin (Mb), cardiac troponin I (cTnI), N-terminal pro-Brain Natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) in sera and the activity of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in cardiac tissues were examined as biomarkers for heart injury. The heart tissue was collected for checking pathological changes, macrophages and pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. To address the signaling pathway involved in the anti-inflammatory effects of r Sj -Cys, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) was determined by Western blot in heart tissue of mice with sepsis and LPS-stimulated H9C2 cardiomyocyte cells. In addition, the therapeutic effects of r Sj -Cys on LPS-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis were also detected in H9C2 cells.The levels of M1 biomarker iNOS and M2 biomarker Arg-1 were detected in heart tissue. The pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-6 and regulatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β were measured in sera and their mRNA levels in heart tissue of r Sj -Cys-treated mice.

Results

After being treated with r Sj -Cys, the sepsis-induced heart malfunction was largely improved. The inflammation and injury of heart tissue were also significantly alleviated characterized as significantly decreased infiltration of inflammatory cells in cardiac tissues and fiber swelling, reduced levels of Mb, cTnI and NT-proBNP in sera and MPO activity in heart tissue. The therapeutic efficacy of r Sj -Cys is associated with down-regulated pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6) , as well as the decreased M1 macrophages and increased M2 macrophages, possibly through inhibiting LPS-MyD88 signal pathway.

Conclusions

Recombinant Sj -Cys significantly reduced sepsis-induced cardiomyopathy and could be considered as be a potential therapeutic agent for the prevention and treatment of sepsis associated cardiac dysfunction.
Machine Learning Approaches to Predict Peak Demand Days of Cardiovascular Admissions Considering Environmental Exposure
Authors: Qiu Hang , Luo Lin , Su Ziqi , Zhou Li , Wang Liya , Chen Yucheng
Published: March 2020

Background: Accumulating evidence has linked environmental exposures, such as ambient air pollution and meteorological factors to the development and severity of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), resulting in increased healthcare demand. Effective prediction of demand for healthcare services, particularly those associated with peak events of CVDs, can be useful in optimizing the allocation of medical resources. However, few studies have attempted to adopt machine learning approaches with excellent predictive abilities to forecast the healthcare demand for CVDs. This study aims to develop and compare several machine learning models in predicting the peak demand days of CVDs admissions using the hospital admissions data, air quality data and meteorological data in Chengdu, China from 2015 to 2017.
Methods: Six machine learning algorithms, including logistic regression (LR), support vector machine (SVM), artificial neural network (ANN), random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and light gradient boosting machine (LightGBM) were applied to build the predictive models with a unique feature set. The area under a receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), logarithmic loss function, accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, precision, and F1 score were used to evaluate the predictive performances between the six models.
Results: The LightGBM model exhibited the highest AUC (0.940, 95% CI: 0.900-0.980), which was significantly higher than that of LR (0.842, 95% CI: 0.783-0.901), SVM (0.834, 95% CI: 0.774-0.894) and ANN (0.890, 95% CI: 0.836-0.944), but did not differ significantly from that of RF (0.926, 95% CI: 0.879-0.974) and XGBoost (0.930, 95% CI: 0.878-0.982). In addition, the LightGBM has the optimal logarithmic loss function (0.218), accuracy (91.3%), specificity (94.1%), precision (0.695), and F1 score (0.725). Feature importance identification indicated that the contribution rate of meteorological conditions and air pollutants for the prediction was 32% and 43%, respectively.
Conclusion: This study suggests that ensemble learning models, especially the LightGBM model, can be used to effectively predict the peak events of CVDs admissions, and therefore could be a very useful decision making tool for medical resource management.
Expression of serotonin 1A and 2A receptors in molecular- and projection-defined neurons of the mouse insular cortex
Authors: Ju Anes , Fernandez-Arroyo Beatriz , Wu Yifan , Jacky Débora , Beyeler Anna
Published: March 2020

The serotonin (5-HT) system is the target of multiple anxiolytics, including Buspirone, which is a partial agonist of the serotonin 1A receptor (5‑HT1A). Similarly, ligands of the serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2A) were shown to alter anxiety level. The 5-HT1A and 2A receptors are widely expressed across the brain, but the target region(s) underlying the influence of those receptors on anxiety remain unknown. Interestingly, recent studies in human and non-human primates have shown that the 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A binding potential within the insular cortex (insula) are correlated to anxiety. As an initial step to define the function of 5‑HT transmission in the insula, we quantified the proportion of specific neuronal populations of the insula expressing 5‑HT1A or 5‑HT2A. We analyzed seven neural populations, including three defined by a molecular marker (putative glutamate, GABA or parvalbumin), and four defined by their projections to different downstream targets. First, we found that more than 70% of putative glutamatergic neurons, and only 30% of GABAergic neurons express the 5‑HT1A. Second, within insular projection neurons, 5-HT1A is highly expressed (75-80%) in the populations targeting one sub-nuclei of the amygdala (central or basolateral), or targeting the rostral or caudal sections of the lateral hypothalamus (LH). Similarly, 70% of putative glutamatergic neurons and only 30% of insular GABAergic neurons contain 5-HT2A. Finally, the 5-HT2A is present in a majority of insula-amygdala and insula-LH projection neurons (73-82%). These observations suggest that most glutamatergic neurons can respond to 5‑HT through 5-HT1A or 5‑HT2A in the insula, and that 5-HT directly affects a limited number of GABAergic neurons. This study defines a molecular and neuroanatomical map of the 5-HT system within the insular cortex, providing ground knowledge to identify the potential role of serotonergic modulation of selective insular populations in anxiety.
Fenofibrate decreased microalbuminuria in the type 2 diabetes patients with hypertriglyceridemia
Authors: Sun Xiaomeng , Liu Jia , Wang Guang
Published: March 2020

Background: This study was to research the efficacy of fenofibrate in the treatment of microalbuminuria in the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and hypertriglyceridemia. Methods: Type 2 diabetic patients (56) with microalbuminuria and hypertriglyceridemia aged 30 to 75 were randomly divided into the fenofibrate treatment group(n=28) and the control group (n=28) for 180 days. Urinary microalbumin /creatinine ratio (UACR) and other metabolic parameters were compared at baseline, during treatment and after treatment. Results: After 180 days, the reduction of levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) in two groups were no differences. In treatment group, uric acid (UA) (296.42 ± 56.41 vs 372.46 ± 72.78), triglyceride (TG) [1.51(1.17, 2.06) vs 3.04(2.21, 3.29)], and UACR [36.45 (15.78,102.41) vs 129.00 (53.00, 226.25)] were significantly decreased compared with the baseline. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels were significantly increased (1.22 ± 0.26 vs 1.09 ± 0.24) compared with the baseline. The decrease in UACR [-44.05(-179.47, -12.16) vs -8.15(-59.69, 41.94)]in treatment group was significantly higher compared with the control group. The decrease in UACR was positively associated with the decreases in TG ( r = 0.447, P = 0.042) and UA ( r = 0.478, P = 0.024) after fenofibrate treatment. Conclusion: In the patients with hypertriglyceridemia and type 2 diabetes mellitus, fenofibrate can improve microalbuminuria and do not increase the deterioration of glomerular filtration rate
Downregulation of hsa_circ_005243 induces trophoblast cell dysfunction and inflammation via the β-catenin and NF-κB pathways in gestational diabetes mellitus
Authors: Wang Huiyan , Zhou Wenbo , She Guangtong , Yu Bin , Sun Lizhou
Published: March 2020

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication in pregnancy that poses a serious threat to the health of both mother and child. While the specific etiology and pathogenesis of this disease are not fully understood, it is thought to arise due to a combination of insulin resistance, inflammation, and genetic factors. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a special kind of non-coding RNA that have attracted significant attention in recent years due to their diverse activities, including a potential regulatory role in pregnancy-related diseases, such as GDM. Methods: We previously reported the existence of a novel a circRNA, hsa_circ_005243, which was identified by RNA sequencing. In this study, we examined its expression in 20 pregnant women with GDM and 20 normal controls using quantitative reverse transcription PCR analysis. Subsequent in vitro experiments were conducted following hsa_circ_005243 knockdown in HTR-8/SVneo cells to examine the role of hsa_circ_005243 in cell proliferation and migration, as well as the secretion of inflammatory factors such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Finally, we examined the expression of β-catenin and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathways to assess their role in GDM pathogenesis.Results: Expression of hsa_circ_005243 was significantly reduced in both the placenta and plasma of GDM patients. Knockdown of hsa_circ_005243 in trophoblast cells significantly suppressed cell proliferation and migration ability. In addition, increased secretion of inflammatory factors (TNF-α and IL-6) was observed after hsa_circ_005243 depletion. Further analyses showed that knockdown of hsa_circ_005243 reduced the expression of β-catenin and increased nuclear NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. Conclusions: Downregulation of hsa_circ_005243 may be associated with the pathogenesis of GDM via the regulation of β-catenin and NF-κB signal pathways, suggesting a new potential therapeutic target for GDM.
Risk factors associated with canine overweightness and obesity in an owner-reported survey
Authors: Perry LeeAnn , Shmalberg Justin William , Tanprasertsuk Jirayu , Massey Dan , Honaker Ryan William , Jha Aashish R
Published: March 2020

Background

Overweightness and obesity in dogs are associated with negative health outcomes. A better understanding of risk factors associated with canine weight is fundamental to identifying preventative interventions and treatments. In this cross-sectional study, we used a direct to consumer approach to collect body condition scores (BCS), as well as demographic, diet, and lifestyle data on 4,446 dogs. BCS was assessed by owners using a 9-point system and categorized as ideal (BCS 4-5), overweight (BCS 6), and obese (BCS 7+). Following univariate analyses, a stepwise procedure was used to select variables which were included in multivariate logistic regression models. One model was created to compare ideal to all overweight and obese dogs, and another was created to compare ideal to obese dogs only. We then used Elastic Net selection and XGBoost variable importance measures to validate these results.

Results

Overall, 1,480 (33%) of dogs were reported to be overweight or obese, of which 356 (8% total) of dogs were reported to be obese. Seven factors were significantly associated with both overweightness/obesity and obesity alone in all three analyses (stepwise, Elastic Net, and XGBoost): diet composition, probiotic supplementation, treat quantity, exercise, age, food motivation level, and pet appetite. Neutering was also associated with overweightness/obesity in all analyses.

Conclusions

This study recapitulated established risk factors associated with BCS (age, exercise, neutering). Moreover, we elucidated associations between previously examined risk factors and BCS (diet composition, treat consumption, and temperament) and identified a novel factor (probiotic supplementation). Specifically, relative to dogs on fresh food diets, BCS was higher in dogs eating dry food both alone and in combination with other foods. Furthermore, dogs receiving probiotics, but not other forms of supplementation, were more likely to have an ideal BCS. Future studies should corroborate these findings with experimental manipulations.
Latest trends in L. infantum infection in dogs in Spain (Part II): current clinical management and control according to a national survey in practitioners
Authors: Montoya Ana , Gálvez Rosa , Checa Rocio , Sarquis Juliana , Plaza Alexandra , Barrera Juan Pedro , Marino Valentina , Miró Guadalupe
Published: March 2020

The authors have withdrawn this preprint from Research Square
Effects of parathyroid hormone and vitamin D supplementation on stroke among patients receiving peritoneal dialysis
Authors: You Xiaohan , Zhou Ying , Zhang Jianna , Zhou Qiongxiu , Shi Yanling , Su Zhen , Chen Chaoshen , Shao Rongrong , Zhang Ji
Published: March 2020

Background: Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients have a high incidence of stroke and commonly have increased parathyroid hormone levels and vitamin D insufficiency. We seek to investigate the incidence of stroke and the role of parathyroid hormone and vitamin D supplementation in stroke risk among CAPD patients.Methods: This study employed a retrospective design. We enrolled a Chinese cohort of 980 CAPD patients who were routinely followed in our department. The demographic and clinical data were recorded at the time of initial CAPD and during follow-up. The included patients were separated into non-stroke and stroke groups. The effects of parathyroid hormone and vitamin D supplementation on stroke in CAPD patients was evaluated. The primary endpoint is defined as the first occurrence of stroke, and composite endpoint events are defined as death or switch to hemodialysis during follow-up.Results: A total of 757 eligible CAPD patients with a mean follow-up time of 54.7 (standard deviation, 33) months were included in the study. The median incidence of stroke among our CAPD patients was 18.9 (interquartile range, 15.7 - 22.1) per 1000 person-years. A significant nonlinear correlation between baseline iPTH and hazard of stroke (p-value of linear association = 0.2 and nonlinear association = 0.002) was observed in our univariate Cox regression analysis, and low baseline iPTH levels (≤150 pg/ml) were associated with an increased cumulative hazard of stroke. Multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated a significant interaction effect between age and iPTH after adjusting for other confounders. Vitamin D supplementation during follow-up was a predictive factor for stroke in our cohort.Conclusions: CAPD patients suffered a high risk of stroke, and lower iPTH levels were significantly correlated with an increased risk of stroke. Nevertheless, vitamin D supplementation may reduce the risk of stroke in these patients.
Primary carnitine deficiency – diagnosis after heart transplantation: Better late than never!
Authors: Grünert Sarah Catharina , Tucci Sara , Schumann Anke , Schwendt Meike , Gramer Gwendolyn , Hoffmann Georg F. , Erbel Michelle , Stiller Brigitte , Spiekerkoetter Ute
Published: March 2020

Background Primary carnitine deficiency due to mutations in the OCTN2 gene is a rare but well-treatable metabolic disorder that puts patients at risk for metabolic decompensations, skeletal and cardiac myopathy and sudden cardiac death. Results We report on a 7-year-old boy diagnosed with primary carnitine deficiency 2 years after successful heart transplantation thanks his younger sister’s having been identified via expanded newborn screening during a pilot study evaluating an extension of the German newborn screening panel. Conclusion As L-carnitine supplementation can prevent and mostly reverse clinical symptoms of primary carnitine deficiency, all patients with cardiomyopathy should be investigated for primary carnitine deficiency even if newborn screening results were unremarkable.
Very low levels of serum anti- Müllerian hormone as a possible marker for follicle growth in patients with primary ovarian insufficiency under hormone replacement therapy
Authors: Kasahara Yukiyo , Osuka Satoko , Bayasula Bayasula , Nakanishi Natsuki , Murase Tomohiko , Nakamura Tomoko , Goto Maki , Kotani Tomomi , Iwase Akira , Kikkawa Fumitaka
Published: March 2020

Background

Patients with primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) occasionally present with follicle growth; however, it is difficult to predict exactly which cycles will show follicle growth. Serum anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH), a useful marker for ovarian reserve, is produced in early-stage follicles. Therefore, AMH levels should reflect the presence of small follicles, which are difficult to detect using ultrasonography, and may be useful as a marker for predicting follicle growth in patients with POI.

Methods

Using an ultrasensitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit, we found very low serum AMH levels in patients with POI. We assessed the follicle growth of each patient during each cycle to clarify the usefulness of measuring serum AMH levels for predicting follicle growth in patients with POI under hormone replacement therapy (HRT).

Results

A total of 91 cycles of 19 patients with POI were analyzed in this study. Five patients presented with positive serum AMH levels during the observational periods, and all five experienced follicle growth. Only two of the 14 patients with negative serum AMH levels had follicle growth. Serum AMH and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels in cycles with follicle growth were significantly higher than in cycles without follicle growth. The median serum AMH level (2.77 pg/mL; 25 th , 75 th percentiles: 0.0, 9.64) in cycles with follicle growth was lower than the lower limit of detection of conventional AMH ELISA kits. The positive predictive value of positive serum AMH levels for follicle growth was higher than that of FSH (< 10 mIU/mL).

Conclusions

Measurement of very low levels of serum AMH using picoAMH assays is useful for prediction of follicle growth in patients with POI under HRT conditions.
Preoperative Prostate Health Index predicts adverse pathology and Gleason score upgrading after radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer
Authors: Novák Vojtěch , Veselý Štěpán , Lukšanová Hana , Průša Richard , Čapoun Otakar , Fiala Vojtěch , Dolejšová Olga , Sedláčková Hana , Kučera Radek , Stejskal Jiří , Záleský Miroslav , Babjuk Marko
Published: March 2020

Background: We aimed to explore the utility of prostate specific antigen (PSA) isoform [-2]proPSA and its derivatives for prediction of pathological outcome after radical prostatectomy (RP).Methods: Preoperative blood samples were prospectively and consecutively analyzed from 472 patients treated with RP for clinically localized prostate cancer at four medical centers. Measured parameters were PSA, free PSA (fPSA), fPSA/PSA ratio, [-2]proPSA (p2PSA), p2PSA/fPSA ratio and Prostate Health Index (PHI) (p2PSA/fPSA)*√PSA]. Logistic regression models were fitted to determine the accuracy of markers for prediction of pathological Gleason score (GS) ≥7, Gleason score upgrading, extracapsular extension of the tumor (pT3) and the presence of positive surgical margin (PSM). Results: Of 472 patients undergoing RP, 339 (72%) were found to have pathologic GS ≥ 7, out of them 178 (53%) experienced an upgrade from their preoperative GS=6. The findings of pT3 and PSM were present in 132 (28%) and 133 (28%) cases, respectively. At univariable analysis of all the preoperative parameters, PHI was the most accurate predictor of pathological GS ≥7, GS upgrading, pT3 disease and the presence of PSM. Adding of PHI into the base multivariable model increased significantly the accuracy for prediction of pathological GS and GS upgrading by 4.4% (p=0.015) and 5.0% (p=0.025), respectively. Conclusion: We found that PHI provides the highest accuracy in predicting prostate cancer aggressiveness and expansion of the tumor detected at final pathology. The ability of PHI to predict the risk of Gleason score upgrade may help to identify potentially high-risk patients among men with biopsy proven insignificant prostate cancer.
Hemodynamic changes in regular antipsychotic users after adrenaline-containing lidocaine injection under general anesthesia: a prospective study
Authors: Shionoya Yoshiki , Nakamura Eishi , Tsujimoto Gentaro , Koyata Takayuki , Yasuda Asako , Nakamura Kiminari , Sunada Katsuhisa
Published: March 2020

Background: Local anesthetic containing adrenaline is commonly used in many operations to maintain hemostasis and prolong the duration of anesthesia. Antipsychotic drugs have an α-adrenergic receptor blocking action, and it is thought that β-adrenergic receptors predominate when adrenaline is administered in combination, thus inducing hypotension. Many general anesthetics have vasodilatory effects, and it is possible that blood pressure may decrease further if adrenaline-containing lidocaine is administered to antipsychotic users during anesthesia. This study aimed to assess the circulation dynamics in regular antipsychotics users administered adrenaline-containing lidocaine under general anesthesia in a dental procedure. Methods: Participants included 30 patients regularly using antipsychotics (butyrophenone, phenothiazine, and/or atypical antipsychotics) who were scheduled for dental treatment to be performed under general anesthesia. At five minutes after tracheal intubation, the systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate (HR), and percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) were measured as a baseline. SBP, DBP, HR, and SpO2 were measured 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 minutes after the injection of 1.8 mL of 2% lidocaine (32 mg) with 1:80,000 adrenaline (22.5 μg) into the oral cavity. Differences in the SBP, DBP, HR, and SpO2 between baseline and at each time point were analyzed using Dunnett’s test.Results: No significant changes were observed in the SBP, DBP, HR, and SpO2 compared to baseline until ten minutes after the administration of adrenaline-containing lidocaine. No adverse events were observed up to one hour after the administration of adrenaline-containing lidocaine.Conclusions: This study demonstrated that adrenaline used at the usual dose for dental treatment under general anesthesia is unlikely to affect the circulation dynamics of regular antipsychotic users.
Assessing the impacts of the Agenda Gap intervention for youth mental health promotion through policy engagement: A study protocol
Authors: Jenkins Emily , Haines-Saah Rebecca , McGuinness Liza , Hirani Saima , Boakye-Yiadom Noah , Halsall Tanya , Rivers Robert , Morris Jonathan
Published: March 2020

Background Mental health challenges are a leading health concern for youth globally, requiring a comprehensive approach incorporating promotion, prevention and treatment within a healthy public policy framework. However, the broad enactment of this vision has yet to be realized. Further, mental health promotion evidence specific to youth is still emerging and has not yet focused at a policy level. This is a critical gap, as policy is a key mental health promotion lever that can alter the social and structural conditions that contribute to shaping youth mental health outcomes for all youth, across the full spectrum of need. Responsive to this research and intervention priority, our prototype study intervention – the Agenda Gap – is comprised of an innovative, multi-media engagement intervention, developed in collaboration with youth. This intervention aims to equip youth and build capacity for them to lead meaningful policy change reflective of the mental health needs of diverse communities of youth, including those who experience structural vulnerability and who would not typically have had their voice represented in policymaking processes. Methods A mixed methods study grounded in a realist approach will be conducted in three sites across two Canadian provinces (British Columbia and Alberta). In an earlier phase of this research, we collaboratively designed the prototype intervention with youth, community and policy partners. In this phase of the study, the intervention will be implemented and further tested with new groups of youth collaborators (n=10-15/site). Outcome data will be collected through realist qualitative interviews and validated questionnaires (i.e., Child and Youth Resilience Measure (CYRM-12), General Self-Efficacy (GSE) Scale, and the Critical Consiousness Scale (CCS)). Analysis will focus on identification of key context-mechanism-outcome configurations to provide comprehensive insights into how this intervention works, for whom, and in what context. Discussion This study is unique in its “upstream” focus on youth-engaged policymaking as a tool for improving the social and structural conditions that influence youth mental health across socioecological levels. Through the implementation and testing of the Agenda Gap intervention with diverse youth, this study will contribute to the evidence base on youth-engaged policymaking as a novel and innovative, mental health promotion strategy.
Factors associated with inappropriate attitude towards antibiotic usage among outpatients of a large public primary care center in Malaysia: A cross sectional study.
Authors: Zubaidi Zati Sabrina Ahmad , Malek Khasnur Abdul , Ismail Zaliha
Published: March 2020

Background: Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest global threat in modern medicine. The situation is even more consequential in lower-and middle-income countries (LMIC) as financial limitations and political instability may become barriers to an impactful health policy. Therefore, The World Health organization has urge all nations to increase public awareness on antibiotic through effective educational interventions. In order for interventions to be successful, it is important to acknowledge that each country is unique in its problems as the demographic in LMIC are diverse. This study aims to identify the community’s attitude appropriateness towards antibiotic usage and their knowledge gaps, the relationship between antibiotic knowledge and their attitude as well as factors associated with inappropriate attitude towards antibiotic among outpatients attending an established primary care specialist center in Malaysia.Methodology : This cross-sectional study was conducted among 256 respondents attending a public primary care specialist clinic center. Those who fulfilled the inclusion and exclusion criteria from June to August 2017 were given a self-administered, validated and translated questionnaire. Pearson correlation was used to deduce the relationship between knowledge and attitude. Chi square test, independent t-test and multiple logistic regression were used to determine factors associated with inappropriate attitude towards antibiotic.Results: It was found that the respondents’ mean attitude and knowledge score were 29.5 ± 4.19 and 5.94 ± 2.4 respectively. The highest inappropriate attitude response was expecting antibiotic from the doctor for common colds and the most frequent incorrect knowledge response was on the domain of role of antibiotics. There is a weak positive relationship between antibiotic knowledge and attitude (r=0.315, n=256, p=0.0001). Respondents with low education level and poor antibiotic knowledge were at least 2.5 times more likely to have inappropriate attitude when handling antibiotics.Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the common inappropriate attitude towards antibiotic and areas of knowledge gap among the population. Antibiotic education should be incorporated in non-pharmacological measures of viral illnesses that is targeted among those with low education and poor antibiotic knowledge. The weak relationship between antibiotic knowledge and attitude suggest that health campaign should focus on behavioral change rather than a theoretical approach.
WITHDRAWN: Method and device for treating sinus pain at acupressure points
Authors: L Priya , S Ramesh , Aarthi S. , Preethi S. M. , Monisha T.
Published: March 2020

Sinusitis is an inflammation caused in the nasal passage due to cold, allergies or by nasal polyps. Sinusitis is a major problem among one in eight people around the world. People are interested more in ailment of natural treatments than antibiotic and other medicines. The objective of this work is to provide relief from sinusitis pain through acupressure points. The proposed methodology of sinusitis treatment can be done by applying heating cooling effect and massaging action simultaneously. This paper deals with both the methods of treating the sinusitis. This system integrates an android mobile application with a hardware device that serves this purpose. A face mask which consists of motors and heating and cooling system embedded which can be controlled using user friendly mobile application. The similar methodology can be used for other applications like back pain, muscular pain and knee pain relief.
Psychiatric inpatient beds for youths in China: data from a nation-wide survey
Authors: Geng Feng , Jiang Feng , Rakofsky Jeffrey , Liu Tingfang , Liu Yuanli , Liu Huanzhong , Tang Yi-lang
Published: March 2020

Background The development of child psychiatry in China is slow and very limited resources have been allocated to it. To investigate the current resources of inpatient psychiatric facilities for youth in top-tier psychiatric hospitals in China and the characteristics of youth patients hospitalized in an adult unit. Method As part of a official national survey, 29 most representative provincial tertiary psychiatric hospitals in China were selected. Data of 1975 inpatients discharged from these hospitals from March 19 to 31, 2019 were retrieved and analyzed. Results The mean number of youth psychiatric bed was 27.7±22.9 in these hospitals and 6/29 hospitals had zero youth beds. There were significantly more youth beds in developed regions than in less developed regions (P<0.05). Most of discharged youth patients were teenagers with severe mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, depressive disorder and bipolar disorder. 7.5% (149) of 1975 discharged patients were youth while youth beds only accounted for 3.2% (804/25136) of all psychiatric beds. 45.6% (68) of youth patients hospitalized in adult units. Conclusion Our findings highlight a dire situation of youth inpatient service in China, especially in less developed regions. There is an urgent need to change the policy and develop mental health services, including inpatient services for child and adolescent patients.