bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An Agenda-Setting Test of Google News World Reporting on Foreign Nations
Authors: Young Anna , Atkin David
Published: June 2022

News consumption has been dramatically altered by the rise of social media. The current study examines the international news section of Google News by looking at the frequency and valence of coverage of other nations. News headlines and snippets about various countries are compared to public perceptions, in order to assess the agenda set by the most popular online news aggregator: Google. The public agenda is based on a dedicated survey. Study results provide qualified support for a framework derived from agenda setting theory. In particular, systems-level variables--such as a nation‘s political philosophy and perceived cultural proximity--influence media agenda-setting.
The First Ex-Situ Germination and Dispersal Mechanisms of the Rare, Critically Endangered Tree, Pleodendron costaricense
Authors: Pillco Huarcaya Ruthmery , López Morales Marvin , Álvarez-Alcázar Leonardo , Whitworth Andrew
Published: June 2022

Background and Research aims

The extinction of relict and rare tree species is accelerated by habitat loss and climate change. Pleodendron costaricense is a critically endangered tree, with only four mature individuals known in Southern Pacific Costa Rica. With the discovery of three additional trees, we set out to learn more about P. costaricense’s natural history and attempt the first successful germination.

Methods

We collected fruits from two trees and carried out preliminary germination trials in a nursery at the study site. We also used camera traps in one of the fruiting mother-trees to understand natural dispersal mechanisms of the species.

Results

Although plagued by excessive levels of invertebrate predation, we were able to germinate and produce 59 saplings ready for restoration planting. Five mammal species were detected on the camera traps feeding on the fruits, along with one primate potentially using the fruits as a topical medicine.

Conclusion

P. costaricense can be propagated ex-situ, potentially with greater success using stimulating hormones. To improve production rates, future efforts should focus on the protection of germinating seeds and saplings from seed predators. We also identified numerous potential natural mammalian seed dispersers, mostly in the family Procyonidae.

Implications for Conservation

Given the propagation knowledge we have developed, the active restoration efforts of the saplings by Osa Conservation to help increase population numbers, and the strict protection of the two fruiting mother trees, there is now the possibility to attain a positive conservation outcome for this critically endangered species.
Tenofovir is superior to entecavir in reducing HCC for patients with HBV-related compensated cirrhosis at high HCC risk scores
Authors: Huang Yan , Chen Lichang , Huang Rui , Zhu Chuanwu , Shang Jia , Qian Yunsong , Lian Jianqi , Liu Longgen , Jiang Jianning , Liu Chenghai , Gui Honglian , Xie Qing
Published: June 2022

Background:

Both tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) and entecavir (ETV) are known to reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB). This study aimed to compare the difference in HCC risk reduction between TDF and ETV in treatment-naïve patients with CHB-related compensated cirrhosis.

Methods:

Patients with compensated cirrhosis initially treated with TDF or ETV at nine Chinese hospitals between June 2014 and March 2021 were enrolled in this retrospective study. The cumulative HCC incidence rates for the two drugs were compared for the entire cohort, and a subgroup analysis was performed according to the HCC risk scores. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control confounding biases.

Results:

The analysis included 1453 patients (TDF group, n = 188; ETV group, n = 1265). Ninety-five patients developed HCC, with a median follow-up period of 26.1 months. The 3-year HCC incidence was 2.0% in the TDF group and 7.5% in the ETV group (log-rank p = 0.005). TDF treatment was associated with a lower risk of HCC than ETV treatment [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.222, 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.070–0.702, p = 0.010] but was similar after PSM (HR = 0.483, 95% CI, 0.144–1.626, p = 0.240; log-rank p = 0.230). However, subgroup analysis showed that the cumulative HCC incidence was lower in the TDF group than in the ETV group among patients with a modified PAGE-B score (mPAGE-B) ⩾9, either before or after PSM (log-rank p = 0.048 and p = 0.023, respectively).

Conclusion:

Among patients with an mPAGE-B score ⩾9, TDF is associated with a lower HCC incidence than ETV in patients with CHB-related compensated cirrhosis.
Dialogues for wellbeing in an ecological emergency: Wellbeing-led governance frameworks and transformative Indigenous tools
Authors: Yates Amanda , Dombroski Kelly , Dionisio Rita
Published: June 2022

At a time of ecological emergency there are pressing reasons to develop more responsive wellbeing-led governance frameworks that engage with both human and more-than-human wellbeing. Attempts to incorporate wellbeing indices into wellbeing-led governance include the Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations, the Gross National Happiness index of Bhutan, and a variety of emerging wellbeing-led governance frameworks in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. Some of these frameworks have begun to include more-than-human wellbeing indices in their toolkit, but like many geographers and Indigenous scholars, we are wary of the dangers of universalising and abstractionist ‘indexology’ ( Ratuva, 2016 ). In this paper, we review wellbeing-led governance frameworks with a view to more-than-human wellbeing and Indigenous knowledge. We outline an emerging pluriversal and prefigurative project where Indigenous scholars engage with partners in co-creation methods in place, incorporating Indigenous-Māori cultural perspectives into more situated and holistic wellbeing tools. We argue that while critique is important, so too is engaging in Indigenous-led research interventions for transformative metrics and tools, particularly in these times of socio-ecological crisis. As we ‘stay with’ this trouble ( Haraway, 2018 ), we hope to contribute to a culturally specific place-based set of wellbeing indices and tools to inform wellbeing-led governance for more-than-human wellbeing.
Impact of Home Telemonitoring and Management Support on Blood Pressure Control in Nondialysis CKD: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Muneer Shezel , Okpechi Ikechi G. , Ye Feng , Zaidi Deenaz , Tinwala Mohammed M. , Hamonic Laura N. , Ghimire Anukul , Sultana Naima , Slabu Dan , Khan Maryam , Braam Branko , Jindal Kailash , Klarenbach Scott , Padwal Raj , Ringrose Jennifer , Scott-Douglas Nairne , Shojai Soroush , Thompson Stephanie , Bello Aminu K.
Published: June 2022

Background:

Hypertension is a major cause of cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease (CKD), and death. Several studies have demonstrated the efficacy of home blood pressure telemonitoring (HBPT) for blood pressure (BP) control and outcomes, but the effects of this intervention remain unclear in patients with CKD.

Objective:

To determine the impact of HBPT on cardiovascular–related and kidney disease–related outcomes in patients with CKD.

Design:

Systematic review and meta-analysis.

Setting:

All studies that met our criteria regardless of country of origin.

Participants:

Patients with chronic kidney disease included in studies using HBPT for BP assessment and control.

Measurements:

Descriptive and quantitative analysis of our primary and secondary outcomes.

Methods:

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, Cochrane CENTRAL, Web of Science, and gray literature from inception for observational and randomized controlled studies in nondialysis (ND) CKD using HBPT for BP control. We selected studies that used HBPT as intervention (with or without a control arm) for BP control in ND-CKD populations. The primary outcome was change in mean systolic BP (SBP) and mean diastolic BP (DBP).

Results:

We selected 7 studies from 1669 articles that were initially identified. Overall, pooled estimates in the mean difference (MD) for SBP and DBP were −8.8 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval (CI): −16.2 to −1.4; P = .02 and −2.4 mm Hg; 95% CI: −3.8 to −1.0; P < .001, respectively. For studies comparing intervention with usual care (UC), pooled estimate in MD for SBP was −8.0 mm Hg ( P = .02) with no significant reduction for DBP (−2.6 mm Hg; P = .18). In studies without a UC arm, both SBP and DBP were not significantly reduced ( P > .05). The pooled estimate in MD for estimated glomerular filtration rate showed a significant improvement (5.4 mL/min/1.73 m2; P < .001).

Limitations:

Heterogeneity and few available studies for inclusion limited our ability to identify a robust link between HBPT use and BP and kidney function improvement.

Conclusion:

Home blood pressure telemonitoring is associated with mild lowering of BP and moderately improved kidney function in patients with CKD. However, larger studies with improved designs and prolonged interventions are still needed to assess the effects of HBPT on patients’ outcomes.

PROSPERO registration ID

CRD42020190705
Effects of Workload on Return to Work After Elective Lumbar Spine Surgery
Authors: Singh Supriya , McIntosh Greg , Dea Nicolas , Hall Hamilton , Paquet Jerome , Abraham Edward , Bailey Christopher S. , Weber Michael H. , Johnson Michael G. , Nataraj Andrew , Glennie R. Andrew , Attabib Najmedden , Kelly Adrienne , Rampersaud Y. Raja , Manson Neil , Phan Philippe , Rachevitz Maria , Thomas Ken , Fisher Charles , Charest-Morin Raphaële
Published: June 2022

Study Design

Retrospective analysis was performed of a multi-center Canadian Spine Outcomes and Research Network (CSORN) surgical database.

Objective

To determine the rate and time to return to work (RTW) based on workload intensity after elective degenerative lumbar spine surgery.

Methods

Patients working pre-operatively, aged greater than 18, who underwent a primary one- or two-level elective lumbar spine surgery for degenerative conditions between January 2015 and October 2020 were evaluated. The percentage of patients who returned to work at 1 year and the time to RTW post-operatively were analyzed based on workload intensity.

Results

Of the 1290 patients included in the analysis, the overall rate of RTW was 82% at 1 year. Based on workload there was no significant difference in time to RTW after a fusion procedure, with median time to RTW being 10 weeks. For non-fusion procedure, the sedentary group had a statistically significantly quicker time to RTW than the light-moderate ( P < .005) and heavy-very heavy (<.027) groups.

Conclusions

The rate of RTW ranged between 84% for patients with sedentary work to 77% for patient with a heavy-very heavy workload. Median time to resumption of work was about 10 weeks following a fusion regardless of work intensity. There was more variability following non-fusion surgeries such as laminectomy and discectomy reflecting the patient’s job demands.
Whom Is It Fair to Subsidise? Evidence from Argentina
Authors: González Fernando Antonio Ignacio , Dip Juan Antonio
Published: June 2022

The inequality literature has shown a broad interest in examining how a subsidy or tax credit towards a certain point in the income distribution affects inequality. In this article, we answer the question: whom is it fair to subsidize? We adopt the benchmark income as the criterion of fairness: a subsidy or tax credit will be fair if it contributes to reducing income inequality. This benchmark income allows us to identify the richest (poorest) person who, by receiving a subsidy, leads to a reduction (increase) in inequality. The estimates are based on the Gini coefficient as a measure of inequality. We provide an application for the case of Argentina and its regions (2016–2020). The primary source of information is microdata from the Permanent Household Survey (EPH).

The results show that the benchmark income has remained relatively stable between the 71th and 73th percentiles of the per capita income distribution—for the latest period examined (Q3-2020), this implies an income of AR$23,100. This result implies that subsidizing people with incomes above the 73th percentile is unfair since it would increase inequality. Therefore, the benchmark income can be considered an objective and intuitive criterion to determine the convenience of a subsidy or tax credit by policymakers globally.

JEL Classifications: D63, N36
Erythrodermic Psoriasis and Staph-Infective Endocarditis—A Conundrum in Succession
Authors: Patel Arti , Venter Frederick , Grewal Kulraj , Sharma Rupam , Petersen Greti , Heidari Arash
Published: June 2022

Erythrodermic psoriasis is a rare subtype of psoriasis vulgaris that presents with diffuse erythema and desquamation over greater than 75% of the body’s surface area. We present a case of a 57-year-old male who was admitted with a diffuse, erythematous scaly rash covering his entire body, with associated subjective fevers. Skin biopsy revealed erythrodermic psoriasis, and blood cultures were positive for methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Echocardiogram revealed a mitral valve vegetation. Clinical improvement was achieved with intravenous antibiotic administration and topical corticosteroids without the use of immunomodulators.
Considerations for Fitting Cochlear Implants Bimodally and to the Single-Sided Deaf
Authors: Pieper Sabrina H. , Hamze Noura , Brill Stefan , Hochmuth Sabine , Exter Mats , Polak Marek , Radeloff Andreas , Buschermöhle Michael , Dietz Mathias
Published: June 2022

When listening with a cochlear implant through one ear and acoustically through the other, binaural benefits and spatial hearing abilities are generally poorer than in other bilaterally stimulated configurations. With the working hypothesis that binaural neurons require interaurally matched inputs, we review causes for mismatch, their perceptual consequences, and experimental methods for mismatch measurements. The focus is on the three primary interaural dimensions of latency, frequency, and level. Often, the mismatch is not constant, but rather highly stimulus-dependent. We report on mismatch compensation strategies, taking into consideration the specific needs of the respective patient groups. Practical challenges typically faced by audiologists in the proposed fitting procedure are discussed. While improvement in certain areas (e.g., speaker localization) is definitely achievable, a more comprehensive mismatch compensation is a very ambitious endeavor. Even in the hypothetical ideal fitting case, performance is not expected to exceed that of a good bilateral cochlear implant user.
Mongolian Hedging Strategy
Authors: Hlavacek Pavel , Sanc David
Published: June 2022

The aim of this text was to evaluate Mongolian foreign policy by applying the hedging strategy. We have arrived at the conclusion that the way Mongolia strives to secure itself against insecurities and risks in the fast-changing environment of East Asia corresponds to main principles of the hedging strategy and in basic outlines that it is not different from procedures applied by countries in Southeast Asia. After 1990, Mongolians enrolled in the Non-Aligned Movement; they voluntarily enlisted their country in the nuclear-free zone and started to apply to a friendly relation policy towards powers in their neighbourhood. These are basically same methods copied by all ASEAN member states. In its foreign policy, Mongolia applies a full range of hedging options: both acceptance and rejection of China’s power. In the context of East and Southeast Asian smaller state strategies, we consider Mongolian efforts as a light form of hedging.
COVID-19 Stress and Sexual Identities
Authors: Manning Wendy D. , Kamp Dush Claire M.
Published: June 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic has disrupted lives and resulted in high levels of stress. Although the evidence at the societal level is clear, there have been no population-based studies of pandemic-based stress focusing on individuals who identify as sexual minorities. Drawing on representative data collected during the pandemic, National Couples’ Health and Time Study, the authors find that partnered (cohabiting or married) individuals who identified as sexual minorities experienced higher levels of stress than individuals who identified as heterosexual. However, variation exists observed among sexual minority adults. Although economic resources, discrimination, social and community support, and health conditions are tied to reported stress levels, they do not explain differentials according to sexual identity. These results provide evidence that sexual minority adults faced greater stress during the pandemic and the importance of recognizing that sexual minorities are not a monolithic group with varying stress responses to the pandemic.
Conceptualising Marginalisation: Agency, Assertion, and Personhood
Authors: Chandrachud Dhananjaya Y.
Published: June 2022

The Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS) has been regularly organising Ambedkar Memorial Lecture since 2004. The 13th Ambedkar Memorial Lecture, organised on December 6, 2021, was delivered by Dr Justice Dhananjaya Y. Chandrachud (Judge, Supreme Court of India) on the topic “Conceptualising Marginalisation: Agency, Assertion, and Personhood”. The speech given by Justice Chandrachud is being published in form of this article.
Preclinical safety assessments of nicotinamide riboside hydrogen malate
Authors: Dziwenka Margitta , Mozingo Amy
Published: June 2022

Nicotinamide riboside (NR) is an analog of vitamin B3, which is naturally present in trace amounts in selected foods. Several B3 analogs are known precursors in the synthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, including nicotinic acid (niacin) and nicotinamide (niacinamide). The safety of nicotinamide riboside hydrogen malate (NRHM), a salt of NR, was assessed in a bacterial reverse mutagenesis assay (Ames), in vitro micronucleus assay in human peripheral lymphocytes, a 14-day acute toxicology test (Sprague-Dawley rats), and a 90-day sub-chronic toxicology study in Sprague-Dawley rats. Based on the results of the 14-day study, the 90-day sub-chronic study was conducted comparing oral NRHM at 1000, 1500, and 3000 mg/kg/day with a vehicle control. No genotoxicity was observed. There were no mortalities or clinical observations attributed to the NRHM test substance administration over the course of the study. The no-observed-adverse effect level for NRHM was determined to be 3000 mg/kg bw/day in the female rats but 2000 mg/kg bw/day in the male rats due to a significantly lower body weight in males at the high dose. The results of this study imply that NRHM can be manufactured at a high level of purity, is not genotoxic, and is well-tolerated in in Sprague-Dawley rats.
CPT2 K79 acetylation regulates platelet life span
Authors: Fan Xuemei , Wang Yang , Cai Xiaohong , Shen Yingzhi , Xu Tongran , Xu Yanyan , Cheng Jinke , Wang Xuefeng , Zhang Lin , Dai Jing , Lin Shuhai , Liu Junling
Published: June 2022

The short life span of platelets is a major challenge to platelet transfusion services because of the lack of effective intervention. Here, we found that the accumulation of long-chain acylcarnitines (LCACs) is responsible for mitochondrial damage and platelet storage lesion. Further studies showed that the blockade of fatty acid oxidation and the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/acetyl-CoA carboxylase/carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1) pathways that promote fatty acid metabolism are important reasons for the accumulation of LCACs. The excessive accumulation of LCACs can cause mitochondrial damage and a short life span of stored platelets. The mechanism study elucidated that NAD+ exhaustion and the subsequent decrease in sirtuin 3 (Sirt3) activity caused an increase in the level of CPT2 K79 acetylation, which is the primary cause of the blockade of fatty acid oxidation and the accumulation of LCACs. Blocking LCAC generation with the inhibitors of AMPK or CPT1, the agonists of Sirt3, and antioxidants tremendously retarded platelet storage lesion in vitro and prolonged the survival of stored platelets in vivo posttransfusion with single or combined use. In summary, we discovered that CPT2 acetylation attenuates fatty acid oxidation and exacerbates platelet storage lesion and may serve as a new target for improving platelet storage quality.
Primary synovial sarcoma of kidney: a rare case report with review of literature
Authors: Lohani Ravi , Singh Vishwajeet , Singhai Atin , Singla Sahil , Agarwal Manish Kumar
Published: June 2022

Background

Synovial sarcoma is a rare type of sarcoma with a predilection for extremities in young adults. Very rarely this tumor can originate from kidney.

Case presentation

A 22-year-old female presented to us with complaints of right flank pain and a large mass in the right side of abdomen for the last 6 months. A provisional diagnosis of renal cell carcinoma was made and right radical nephrectomy was done. However on histopathological examination the tumor was composed of spindle cells arranged in hemangiopericytoma-like vascular pattern. Immunohistochemistry and FISH confirmed the diagnosis of synovial sarcoma of kidney. The patient had no signs of recurrence or metastasis at six months of follow-up.

Conclusion

Renal synovial sarcomas, though rare, should be considered as a differential in young adults who present with extremely large renal mass. Surgical extirpation is the treatment of choice. Ifosfamide- and doxorubicin-based chemotherapy can be given in non resectable and metastatic cases.
Using BERT to identify drug-target interactions from whole PubMed
Authors: Aldahdooh Jehad , Vähä-Koskela Markus , Tang Jing , Tanoli Ziaurrehman
Published: June 2022

Background

Drug-target interactions (DTIs) are critical for drug repurposing and elucidation of drug mechanisms, and are manually curated by large databases, such as ChEMBL, BindingDB, DrugBank and DrugTargetCommons. However, the number of curated articles likely constitutes only a fraction of all the articles that contain experimentally determined DTIs. Finding such articles and extracting the experimental information is a challenging task, and there is a pressing need for systematic approaches to assist the curation of DTIs. To this end, we applied Bidirectional Encoder Representations from Transformers (BERT) to identify such articles. Because DTI data intimately depends on the type of assays used to generate it, we also aimed to incorporate functions to predict the assay format.

Results

Our novel method identified 0.6 million articles (along with drug and protein information) which are not previously included in public DTI databases. Using 10-fold cross-validation, we obtained ~ 99% accuracy for identifying articles containing quantitative drug-target profiles. The F1 micro for the prediction of assay format is 88%, which leaves room for improvement in future studies.

Conclusion

The BERT model in this study is robust and the proposed pipeline can be used to identify previously overlooked articles containing quantitative DTIs. Overall, our method provides a significant advancement in machine-assisted DTI extraction and curation. We expect it to be a useful addition to drug mechanism discovery and repurposing.
OSGIN2 regulates osteogenesis of jawbone BMSCs in osteoporotic rats
Authors: Shuai Yi , Liu Bingyao , Rong Liang , Shao Bingyi , Chen Bo , Jin Lei
Published: June 2022

Background

Augmentation of oxidative stress after estrogen deficiency leading to functional deficiency of jawbone bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) causes jawbone loss in osteoporosis. OSGIN2, an oxidative stress induced factor, has been found to be associated with skeletal diseases. This study aims to investigate the function of OSGIN2 in jawbone BMSCs of osteoporotic rats. Jawbone BMSCs were used.

Results

Oxidative stress was increased in jawbone BMSCs of osteoporotic rats, meanwhile OSGIN2 was also up-regulated. Osteogenesis of jawbone BMSCs was declined under oxidative stress, while silence of OSGIN2 ameliorated the osteogenic deficiency. RORα and its downstream osteogenic markers (BSP and OCN) decreased under oxidative stress, while knocking-down of OSGIN2 restored their expressions. Inhibition of OSGIN2 improved the osteogenesis of jawbone BMSCs under oxidative stress, whereas down-regulation of RORα offset the effect. Intra-jawbone infusion of si-OSGIN2 rescued jawbone loss and promoted new bone deposition of osteoporotic rats.

Conclusions

Oxidative stress is redundant in osteoporosis, which results in up-regulation of OSGIN2. OSGIN2 restricts osteogenic ability of jawbone BMSCs via regulating RORα, while silencing of OSGIN2 rescues the osteogenic deficiency of osteoporotic rats.
Assessing genomic diversity and signatures of selection in Pinan cattle using whole-genome sequencing data
Authors: Zhang Shunjin , Yao Zhi , Li Xinmiao , Zhang Zijing , Liu Xian , Yang Peng , Chen Ningbo , Xia Xiaoting , Lyu Shijie , Shi Qiaoting , Wang Eryao , Ru Baorui , Jiang Yu , Lei Chuzhao , Chen Hong , Huang Yongzhen
Published: June 2022

Background

Crossbreeding is an important way to improve production beef cattle performance. Pinan cattle is a new hybrid cattle obtained from crossing Piedmontese bulls with Nanyang cows. After more than 30 years of cross-breeding, Pinan cattle show a variety of excellent characteristics, including fast growth, early onset of puberty, and good meat quality. In this study, we analyzed the genetic diversity, population structure, and genomic region under the selection of Pinan cattle based on whole-genome sequencing data of 30 Pinan cattle and 169 published cattle genomic data worldwide. 

Results

Estimating ancestry composition analysis showed that the composition proportions for our Pinan cattle were mainly Piedmontese and a small amount of Nanyang cattle. The analyses of nucleotide diversity and linkage disequilibrium decay indicated that the genomic diversity of Pinan cattle was higher than that of European cattle and lower than that of Chinese indigenous cattle. De-correlated composite of multiple selection signals, which combines four different statistics including θπ, CLR, FST, and XP-EHH, was computed to detect the signatures of selection in the Pinan cattle genome. A total of 83 genes were identified, affecting many economically important traits. Functional annotation revealed that these selected genes were related to immune (BOLA-DQA2, BOLA-DQB, LSM14A, SEC13, and NAALADL2), growth traits (CYP4A11, RPL26, and MYH10), embryo development (REV3L, NT5E, CDX2, KDM6B, and ADAMTS9), hornless traits (C1H21orf62), and climate adaptation (ANTXR2).

Conclusion

In this paper, we elucidated the genomic characteristics, ancestry composition, and selective signals related to important economic traits in Pinan cattle. These results will provide the basis for further genetic improvement of Pinan cattle and reference for other hybrid cattle related studies.
The clinicopathological and prognostic value of CXCR4 expression in patients with lung cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Qiu Liping , Xu Yuanyuan , Xu Hui , Yu Biyun
Published: June 2022

Background

The C-X-C chemokine receptor 4 (CXCR4) has been suggested to play an important role in several types of cancers and is related to biological behaviors connected with tumor progression. However, the clinical significance and application of CXCR4 in lung cancer remain disputable. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to investigate the impact of CXCR4 expression on survival and clinicopathological features in lung cancer.

Methods

Comprehensive literature searches were conducted in PubMed, Embase and Web of Science for relevant studies. We pooled hazard ratios (HRs)/odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) by STATA 12.0 to evaluate the potential value of CXCR4 expression.

Results

Twenty-seven relevant articles involving 2932 patients with lung cancer were included in our meta-analysis. The results revealed that CXCR4 expression was apparently associated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR 1.61, 95% CI 1.42–1.82) and disease-free survival (HR 3.39, 95% CI 2.38–4.83). Furthermore, a significant correlation with poor OS was obvious in non-small cell lung cancer patients (HR 1.59, 95% CI 1.40–1.81) and in patients showing CXCR4 expression in the cytoplasm (HR 2.10, 95% CI 1.55–2.84) and the membrane (HR 1.74, 95% CI 1.24–2.45). CXCR4 expression was significantly associated with men (OR 1.32, 95% CI 1.08–1.61), advanced tumor stages (T3-T4) (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.28–4.28), advanced nodal stages (N > 0) (OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.90–2.90), distant metastasis (OR 3.65, 95% CI 1.53–8.69), advanced TNM stages (TNM stages III, IV) (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.95–4.93) and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression (OR 2.44, 95% CI 1.44–4.12) but was not associated with age, smoking history, histopathology, differentiation, lymphatic vessel invasion or local recurrence.

Conclusion

High expression of CXCR4 is related to tumor progression and might be an adverse prognostic factor for lung cancer.
Systematic review on chronic non-communicable disease in disaster settings
Authors: Ngaruiya Christine , Bernstein Robyn , Leff Rebecca , Wallace Lydia , Agrawal Pooja , Selvam Anand , Hersey Denise , Hayward Alison
Published: June 2022

Background

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) constitute the leading cause of mortality globally. Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) not only experience the largest burden of humanitarian emergencies but are also disproportionately affected by NCDs, yet primary focus on the topic is lagging. We conducted a systematic review on the effect of humanitarian disasters on NCDs in LMICs assessing epidemiology, interventions, and treatment.

Methods

A systematic search in MEDLINE, MEDLINE (PubMed, for in-process and non-indexed citations), Social Science Citation Index, and Global Health (EBSCO) for indexed articles published before December 11, 2017 was conducted, and publications reporting on NCDs and humanitarian emergencies in LMICs were included. We extracted and synthesized results using a thematic analysis approach and present the results by disease type. The study is registered at PROSPERO (CRD42018088769).

Results

Of the 85 included publications, most reported on observational research studies and almost half (48.9%) reported on studies in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMRO), with scant studies reporting on the African and Americas regions. NCDs represented a significant burden for populations affected by humanitarian crises in our findings, despite a dearth of data from particular regions and disease categories. The majority of studies included in our review presented epidemiologic evidence for the burden of disease, while few studies addressed clinical management or intervention delivery. Commonly cited barriers to healthcare access in all phases of disaster and major disease diagnoses studied included: low levels of education, financial difficulties, displacement, illiteracy, lack of access to medications, affordability of treatment and monitoring devices, and centralized healthcare infrastructure for NCDs. Screening and prevention for NCDs in disaster-prone settings was supported. Refugee status was independently identified both as a risk factor for diagnosis with an NCD and conferring worse morbidity.

Conclusions

An increased focus on the effects of, and mitigating factors for, NCDs occurring in disaster-afflicted LMICs is needed. While the majority of studies included in our review presented epidemiologic evidence for the burden of disease, research is needed to address contributing factors, interventions, and means of managing disease during humanitarian emergencies in LMICs.
Cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between the built environment and walking: effect modification by socioeconomic status
Authors: Christie Chelsea D. , Friedenreich Christine M. , Vena Jennifer E. , Turley Liam , McCormack Gavin R.
Published: June 2022

Background

Although socioeconomic status (SES) has been shown to modify associations between the neighborhood built environment and physical activity, contradictory results exist. Objectives of this cross-sectional and longitudinal analysis were to: 1) examine whether overall neighborhood walkability and specific built characteristics were associated with walking among adults at a single point in time and after they relocate neighborhoods, and 2) test for effect modification of these associations by SES.

Methods

We linked longitudinal data from 703 adults who relocated urban neighborhoods between two waves of Alberta’s Tomorrow Project (2008–2015) to neighborhood built environment data. We created a walkability index from measures of population counts, street connectivity, and destination diversity within 400 m of participants’ homes. In cross-sectional analyses, we used generalized linear models to estimate associations between built characteristics and minutes walked per week at baseline. For the longitudinal analyses, we used fixed-effects linear regression models to estimate associations between changes in built characteristics and minutes walked per week. We also assessed if indicators of SES (individual education or household income) modified both sets of associations.

Results

Most cross-sectional and longitudinal associations were small and statistically non-significant. Neighborhood population count (b = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.01, 0.07) and street connectivity (b = − 1.75, 95% CI: − 3.26, − 0.24) were cross-sectionally associated with walking duration among the overall sample. None of the longitudinal associations were statistically significant among the overall sample. There was limited evidence of effect modification by SES, however, we found negative cross-sectional associations between street connectivity and walking among adults with lower education and income, and a positive association between percent change in walkability and change in walking among lower educated adults.

Conclusions

Despite population count and street connectivity being associated with walking at baseline, changes in these built environment variables were not associated with changes in walking following residential relocation. Our findings also provide evidence, albeit weak, that changes in neighborhood walkability, resulting from residential relocation, might more strongly affect walking among low SES adults. Further longitudinal research is needed to examine built environment characteristics with walking for different purposes and to test for inequitable socioeconomic impacts.
Impact of keel saw blade design and thickness on the incidence of tibial plateau fracture and tibial implant-loosening in cementless medial UKR
Authors: Keppler Lena , Klingbeil Steffen , Keppler Alexander Martin , Becker Johannes , Fulghum Christian , Michel Björn , Voigts Kilian , Reng Wolfgang
Published: June 2022

Background

Tibial plateau fractures and tibial implant- loosening are severe complications in cementless unicompartmental knee replacement (UKR). The tibial keel preparation is particularly demanding and different saw blades can be used. It was hypothesized that different blade designs and thickness have an influence on the frequency of tibial plateau fractures and implant-loosening in cementless medial UKR.

Methods

1258 patients with cementless medial UKR were included in this retrospective study between 2013 and 2020. The tibial keel cut was performed either with a double keel saw blade (DKS; 2.8 mm) and added hand guided pick or a mono reciprocating saw blade (RKB) of different thickness (2.5 mm; 2.65 mm; 2.75 mm). Tibial plateau fracture and loosening were demonstrated by standard two-plane radiographs. Tibial implant-loosening was defined as complete radiolucency and implant migration. Fracture and loosening were combined with pain and loss of function.

Results

In 126 patients (10%) the tibial keel was prepared with DKS, in 407 patients (32.4%) with RKB 2.5 mm, in 330 patients (26.2%) with RKB 2.65 mm and in 395 patients (31.4%) with 2.75 mm. In 4 patients (3.17%) with DKS tibial plateau fracture occurred, in 4 patients (0.99%) with 2.5 mm RKB, in 3 patients (0.92%) with 2.65 mm RKB and in 1 patient (0.25%) with 2.75 mm RKB. Significantly fewer fractures occurred with a RKB design (p = 0.007). A negative correlation between fracture incidence and RKB saw blade thickness was found (Spearman-r = − 0.93). No difference for tibial implant-loosening was shown (p = 0.51).

Conclusion

Different blade designs and thickness have a significant influence on the incidence of tibial plateau fractures and aseptic tibial implant-loosening. The incidence of tibial plateau fractures in cementless medial UKR can be reduced by changing the design and thickness of the tibial keel saw blade. Greater thickness of RKB leads to significantly fewer tibial plateau fractures while the incidence of implant-loosening is not increasing.

Trial registration: This study was retrospectively registered and ethical approval was waived by the local ethical committee (No. 2020–1174).
The effect of COVID-19 on prostate cancer testing in Australia
Authors: Jain Anika , Macneil James , Kim Lawrence , Patel Manish I.
Published: June 2022

Aim

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on healthcare in Australia have yet to be fully determined. There are well documented decreases in the rates of screening and diagnostic testing for many cancers in 2020, with commensurate stage migration of cancers when they are eventually detected. We aimed to determine whether there was a decrease in the rate of prostate cancer (PC) screening and testing in Australia in 2020.

Method

Data was extracted from the Department of Human Services (DHS) website for Medicare Benefits Schedule (MBS) item numbers for tests pertinent to detection of Prostate Cancer. This data is de-identified and publicly available. Data was analysed at both a national, and a state level.

Results

For 2020 nationwide the percentage change for prostate cancer testing was minor with 97% as many PSA tests, 99% as many prostate MRIs, and 105% as many prostate biopsies as the average for the preceding years. The differences were not significant (PSA tests p = 0.059 and prostate biopsies p = 0.109). The predicted values are fairly similar to both the average values for the preceding 5 years and the actual number of tests done in 2020. With exception of PSA tests in Victoria the actual number of tests performed was within the 95% Prediction Interval (performed: 167,426; predicted 171,194–196,699; p = 0.015).

Conclusion

The current pandemic has had a widespread reach across Australia, with varying impact across each state and territory. Contrary to the trends across the world, our data suggest that during 2020 in Australia most areas remained unaffected in terms of prostate cancer testing excluding Victoria, which had statistically significant decrease in the number of PSA tests correlating with the extended lockdown that occurred in the state.
Oral health profile status and treatment needs in the Salvadoran elderly population: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Aguirre Escobar Guillermo Alfonso , de Quezada Ruth Fernández , Escobar de González Wendy Yesenia , Aguirre de Rodríguez Katleen Argentina , de Miguel Ángel Gil , Rivas Cartagena Francisco José
Published: June 2022

Introduction

Older adults are a highly vulnerable group in their general health condition, including oral health that can be influenced by different factors, among them, changes in oral tissues inherent to the physiological processes of aging and by systemic condition. In El Salvador, it is a group that has received little attention at the public health level.

Objective

To determine the profile of the oral health status and treatment needs of the elderly population in El Salvador.

Materials and methods

Secondary cross-sectional analysis of data from the last oral health survey in 471 Salvadorans aged 60 years and older. The variables under study were: sociodemographics, brushing frequency, oral hygiene according to simplified oral hygiene index (OHI-S), caries experience according to decayed, missing, and filled teeth index (DMFT) modified with international caries detection and assessment system (ICDAS) criteria, periodontal status through the community periodontal index of treatment needs (CPITN), edentulism and treatment needs. Statistical analysis was conducted using chi-square test, ANOVA, z-test and linear regression (p < 0.05).

Results

The older adults presented poor oral hygiene, low brushing frequency, high tooth loss with an average of 16 missing teeth while one third presented total edentulism. Most of the older adults were categorized as having "poor or very Poor" oral hygiene. Almost all respondents presented some degree of periodontal disease and required restorative intervention.

Conclusion

The oral health status of elderly Salvadoran is poor. Furthermore, the development of public policies and specific oral health strategies aimed at this population is urgent.
“We are never taught anything about the elderly.” Establishing the gap in elderly health care competencies in nursing education in Uganda
Authors: Nawagi Faith , Mukisa John , Najjuma Josephine Nambi , Nabirye Rose C.
Published: June 2022

Background

Nurses contribute the largest portion of Uganda’s health workforce providing care to individuals of all ages and communities. However, despite the growing number of the elderly population in Uganda with improved life expectancy, there is hardly any study that has looked at the elderly health care competencies in the nursing training programs at various levels. This paper provides an overview of the gaps in elderly health care competencies in nursing education in Uganda.

Methods

We conducted a descriptive qualitative cross-sectional study that involved document review, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with nursing leaders, and Focus Group Discussions ( FGDs) with faculty at all levels of nursing training and nurses in practice. Data was analyzed using latent and manifest content analysis with Open Code software 4.03. Common categories were identified and incorporated into a matrix to create themes.

Results

Almost all the curricula and minimum standards for training nurses at certificate, diploma, and degree levels lack a module and nursing competencies on elderly nursing care. This is aggravated by a lack of faculty trained in elderly health care skills, and a lack of specialized wards for nursing elderly care clinical training among others.

Conclusions

There is hardly any elderly health care training module and elderly nursing competencies at all levels of nursing training in Uganda.
A deep learning based multimodal interaction system for bed ridden and immobile hospital admitted patients: design, development and evaluation
Authors: Islam Muhammad Nazrul , Aadeeb Md Shadman , Hassan Munna Md. Mahadi , Rahman Md. Raqibur
Published: June 2022

Background

Hospital cabins are a part and parcel of the healthcare system. Most patients admitted in hospital cabins reside in bedridden and immobile conditions. Though different kinds of systems exist to aid such patients, most of them focus on specific tasks like calling for emergencies, monitoring patient health, etc. while the patients’ limitations are ignored. Though some patient interaction systems have been developed, only singular options like touch, hand gesture or voice based interaction were provided which may not be usable for bedridden and immobile patients.

Methods

At first, we reviewed the existing literature to explore the prevailing healthcare and interaction systems developed for bedridden and immobile patients. Then, a requirements elicitation study was conducted through semi-structured interviews. Afterwards, design goals were established to address the requirements. Based on these goals and by using computer vision and deep learning technologies, a hospital cabin control system having multimodal interactions facility was designed and developed for hospital admitted, bedridden and immobile patients. Finally, the system was evaluated through an experiment replicated with 12 hospital admitted patients to measure its effectiveness, usability and efficiency.

Results

As outcomes, firstly, a set of user-requirements were identified for hospital admitted patients and healthcare practitioners. Secondly, a hospital cabin control system was designed and developed that supports multimodal interactions for bedridden and immobile hospital admitted patients which includes (a) Hand gesture based interaction for moving a cursor with hand and showing hand gesture for clicking, (b) Nose teeth based interaction where nose is used for moving a cursor and teeth is used for clicking and (c) Voice based interaction for executing tasks using specific voice commands. Finally, the evaluation results showed that the system is efficient, effective and usable to the focused users with 100% success rate, reasonable number of attempts and task completion time.

Conclusion

In the resultant system, Deep Learning has been incorporated to facilitate multimodal interaction for enhancing accessibility. Thus, the developed system along with its evaluation results and the identified requirements provides a promising solution for the prevailing crisis in the healthcare sector.

Trial Registration

Not Applicable.
Classifying outcomes in secondary and tertiary care clinical quality registries—an organizational case study with the COMET taxonomy
Authors: Vanhala Antero , Lehto Anna-Rosa , Maksimow Anu , Torkki Paulus , Kivivuori Sanna-Maria
Published: June 2022

Background

The choice of what patient outcomes are included in clinical quality registries is crucial for comparable and relevant data collection. Ideally, a uniform outcome framework could be used to classify the outcomes included in registries, steer the development of outcome measurement, and ultimately enable better patient care through benchmarking and registry research. The aim of this study was to compare clinical quality registry outcomes against the COMET taxonomy to assess its suitability in the registry context.

Methods

We conducted an organizational case study that included outcomes from 63 somatic clinical quality registries in use at HUS Helsinki University Hospital, Finland. Outcomes were extracted and classified according to the COMET taxonomy and the suitability of the taxonomy was assessed.

Results

HUS clinical quality registries showed great variation in outcome domains and in number of measures. Physiological outcomes were present in 98%, resource use in all, and functioning domains in 62% of the registries. Patient-reported outcome measures were found in 48% of the registries.

Conclusions

The COMET taxonomy was found to be mostly suitable for classifying the choice of outcomes in clinical quality registries, but improvements are suggested. HUS Helsinki University Hospital clinical quality registries exist at different maturity levels, showing room for improvement in life impact outcomes and in outcome prioritization. This article offers an example of classifying the choice of outcomes included in clinical quality registries and a comparison point for other registry evaluators.