bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Customer Work Practices and the Productive Third Place
Authors: Mimoun Laetitia , Gruen Adèle
Published: May 2021

Third places—communal or socializing places such as coffee shops—are confronted with a rising customer segment: customers who use them for work. Prior research is divided on this trend: customer-workers are seen either as a source of added value or a major threat to third places. Relying on a multimethod, qualitative study, we investigate the strategic implications of the rise of customer-workers in third places. We extend prior research by considering customer-workers as a new and valuable segment, with its specific motivations and practices. Building on the co-constitution of practices and places, we show that the rise of the customer-worker segment has fostered market differentiation. We identify four types of third places (archetypal, status quo, compromise, and productive) depending on their targeting strategy and their servicescape adaptation. We delineate how customer-workers transform third places’ value proposition and bring challenges to each type. Specifically, we show that status quo third places are most prone to customer conflicts while compromise third places generate managerial struggles. In contrast, productive third places adapt their servicescape to become work accelerators and a source of professional identity for customer-workers. We provide recommendations for managers to overcome conflicts and benefit from this growing customer base.
An Interpretable Denoising Layer for Neural Networks Based on Reproducing Kernel Hilbert Space and its Application in Machine Fault Diagnosis
Authors: Zhao Baoxuan , Cheng Changming , Tu Guowei , Peng Zhike , He Qingbo , Meng Guang
Published: May 2021

Deep learning algorithms based on neural networks make remarkable achievements in machine fault diagnosis, while the noise mixed in measured signals harms the prediction accuracy of networks. Existing denoising methods in neural networks, such as using complex network architectures and introducing sparse techniques, always suffer from the difficulty of estimating hyperparameters and the lack of physical interpretability. To address this issue, this paper proposes a novel interpretable denoising layer based on reproducing kernel Hilbert space (RKHS) as the first layer for standard neural networks, with the aim to combine the advantages of both traditional signal processing technology with physical interpretation and network modeling strategy with parameter adaption. By investigating the influencing mechanism of parameters on the regularization procedure in RKHS, the key parameter that dynamically controls the signal smoothness with low computational cost is selected as the only trainable parameter of the proposed layer. Besides, the forward and backward propagation algorithms of the designed layer are formulated to ensure that the selected parameter can be automatically updated together with other parameters in the neural network. Moreover, exponential and piecewise functions are introduced in the weight updating process to keep the trainable weight within a reasonable range and avoid the ill-conditioned problem. Experiment studies verify the effectiveness and compatibility of the proposed layer design method in intelligent fault diagnosis of machinery in noisy environments.
Immediate intravenous epinephrine versus early intravenous epinephrine for in-hospital cardiopulmonary arrest
Authors: Bakhsh Abdullah , Safhi Maha , Alghamdi Ashwaq , Alharazi Amjad , Alshabibi Bedoor , Alobaidi Rajwa , Alnashri Maryam
Published: May 2021

Background

Intravenous epinephrine has been a key treatment in cardiopulmonary arrest since the early 1960s. The ideal timing for the first dose of epinephrinee is uncertain. We aimed to investigate the association of immediate epinephrine administration (within 1-min of recognition of cardiac arrest) with return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) up to 24-h.

Methods

This was a multicenter retrospective analysis of patients who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation. We included the following patients: 1) ≥18 years-old, 2) non-shockable rhythms, 3) received intravenous epinephrine during cardiopulmonary resuscitation, 4) witnessed in-hospital arrest and 5) first resuscitation attempt (for patients requiring more than one resuscitation attempt). We excluded patients who suffered from traumatic arrest, were pregnant, had shockable rhythms, arrested in the operating room, with Do-Not-Resuscitate (DNR) order, and patient aged 17 years-old or less.

Results

A total of 360 patients were included in the analysis. Median age was 62 years old and median epinephrine administration time was two minutes. We found that immediate epinephrine administration (within 1-min) is associated with higher rates of ROSC up to 24-h (OR = 1.25, 95% CI; [1.01–1.56]), compared with early epinephrine (≥2-min) administration. After adjusting for confounding covariates, earlier administration of epinephrine predicted higher rates of ROSC sustained for up to 24-h (OR 1.33 95%CI [1.13–1.55]).

Conclusions

Immediate administration of epinephrine in conjunction with high-quality CPR is associated with higher rates of ROSC.
Interviewing children: the impact of the COVID-19 quarantine on children’s perceived psychological distress and changes in routine
Authors: Segre G. , Campi R. , Scarpellini F. , Clavenna A. , Zanetti M. , Cartabia M. , Bonati M.
Published: May 2021

Background

The COVID-19 outbreak has resulted in governments implementing disease containment measures such as school closures, social distancing, and home quarantine.

To date, only a few studies have drawn attention to the psychological impact of lockdown on Italian children’s mental health. The present study aimed to investigate the psychological distress (anxiety and mood symptoms) and perceived changes in routine among Italian primary and middle school students during the COVID-19 quarantine.

Methods

This interview study was performed between the 18th of May and 7th of June 2020: it involved a sample of 82 children and adolescents living in Milan (Italy), attending primary and middle school (aged 6 to 14 years), and their parents.

Results

Almost 30 % of the subjects reported having struggled to adjust to home learning. 36 responders completely changed their dietary habits during the lockdown: they were not eating the same amount of food and were consuming more junk food. Sleep habits were also affected by the lockdown measures: 28 % of the sample had difficulties sleeping and wished to sleep in their parents’ bed. Concerning psychological distress, 64 (78 %) children and adolescents had anxiety symptoms; 43.9 % of the students reported significant mood symptoms.

Conclusions

Children are not indifferent to the dramatic impact of the COVID-19 epidemic: our data confirm their difficulties in adapting to the quarantine measures. The effects of stress exposure may not manifest later on during the children’s development, and, for this reason, it would be interesting to follow up on these participants to improve our understanding of how long these outcomes may last.
Lifecourse socioeconomic changes and late-life cognition in a cohort of U.S.-born and U.S. immigrants: findings from the KHANDLE study
Authors: Peterson Rachel L. , George Kristen M. , Gilsanz Paola , Mayeda Elizabeth Rose , Glymour M. Maria , Meyer Oanh L. , Mungas Dan M. , DeCarli Charles , Whitmer Rachel A.
Published: May 2021

Background

Low socioeconomic status (SES) in early and late life has been associated with lower late-life cognition. Less is known about how changes in SES from childhood to late life are associated with late-life cognition, especially among diverse populations of older adults.

Methods

In a multi-ethnic sample (n = 1353) of older adults, we used linear regression to test associations of change in comprehensive measures of SES (financial, cultural, and social domains) from childhood to late life with semantic memory, episodic memory, and executive function. We tested whether the association between SES trajectory and late-life cognition differed by populations who resided in the U.S. during childhood or immigrated to the U.S. as adults.

Results

Participants with low childhood/high late-life financial capital had better semantic memory (β = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.04, 0.32) versus those with low financial capital in both childhood and late life, regardless of childhood residence. We observed a significant interaction in the association of verbal episodic memory and cultural capital by childhood residence (p = 0.08). Participants with a foreign childhood residence had higher verbal episodic memory if they had low childhood/high late-life cultural capital (β = 0.32; 95% CI: 0.01, 0.63), but lower verbal episodic memory if they had high childhood/low late-life cultural capital (β = − 0.40; 95% CI: − 0.94, 0.13). Having high lifecourse social capital was associated with better verbal episodic memory scores among those with a U.S. childhood (β = 0.34; 95% CI: 0.14, 0.55), but lower verbal episodic memory among those with a foreign childhood (β = − 0.10; 95% CI: − 0.51, 0.31).

Conclusions

High financial and cultural capital in late life is associated with better cognition, regardless of early childhood SES or childhood residence.
A consensus approach toward the standardization of spinal stiffness measurement using a loaded rolling wheel device: results of a Delphi study
Authors: Hadizadeh Maliheh , Kawchuk Greg , French Simon
Published: May 2021

Background

Spinal stiffness assessment has the potential to become an important clinical measure. Various spinal stiffness-testing devices are available to help researchers objectively evaluate the spine and patient complaints. One of these is VerteTrack, a device capable of measuring posteroanterior displacement values over an entire spinal region. This study aimed to develop a best-practice protocol for evaluating spinal stiffness in human participants using VerteTrack.

Methods

Twenty-five individuals with research experience in measuring spinal stiffness, or who were trained in spinal stiffness measurement using the VerteTrack device, were invited to participate in this 3-Round Delphi study. Answers to open-ended questions in Round 1 were thematically analyzed and translated into statements about VerteTrack operation for spinal stiffness measurements. Participants then rated their level of agreement with these statements using a 5-point Likert scale in Rounds 2 and 3. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. Consensus was achieved when at least 70% of the participants either strongly agreed, agreed, (or strongly disagreed, disagreed) to include a statement in the final protocol.

Results

Twenty participants completed Round 1 (80%). All these participants completed Rounds 2 and 3. In total, the pre-defined consensus threshold was reached for 67.2% (123/183) of statements after three rounds of surveys. From this, a best-practice protocol was created.

Conclusions

Using a Delphi approach, a consensus-based protocol for measuring spinal stiffness using the VerteTrack was developed. This standard protocol will help to improve the accuracy, efficiency, and safety of spinal stiffness measurements, facilitate the training of new operators, increase consistency of these measurements in multicenter studies, and provide the synergy and potential for data comparison between spine studies internationally. Although specific to VerteTrack, the resulting standard protocol could be modified for use with other devices designed to collect spinal stiffness measures.
Protocol for development and validation of a prediction model for 5-year risk of incident overactive bladder in the general population: the Nagahama study
Authors: Funada Satoshi , Luo Yan , Yoshioka Takashi , Setoh Kazuya , Tabara Yasuharu , Negoro Hiromitsu , Akamatsu Shusuke , Yoshimura Koji , Matsuda Fumihiko , Furukawa Toshi A. , Efthimiou Orestis , Ogawa Osamu
Published: May 2021

Background

An accurate prediction model could identify high-risk subjects of incident Overactive bladder (OAB) among the general population and enable early prevention which may save on the related medical costs. However, no efficient model has been developed for predicting incident OAB. In this study, we will develop a model for predicting the onset of OAB at 5-year in the general population setting.

Methods

Data will be obtained from the Nagahama Cohort Project, a longitudinal, general population cohort study. The baseline characteristics were measured between Nov 28, 2008 and Nov 28, 2010, and follow-up was performed every 5 years. From the total of 9,764 participants (male: 3,208, female: 6,556) at baseline, we will exclude participants who could not attend the follow-up assessment and those who were defined as having OAB at baseline. The outcome will be incident OAB defined using the Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS) at follow-up assessment. Baseline questionnaires (demographic, health behavior, comorbidities and OABSS) and blood test data will be included as predictors. We will develop a logistic regression model utilizing shrinkage methods (LASSO penalization method). Model performance will be evaluated by discrimination and calibration. Net benefit will be evaluated by decision curve analysis. We will perform an internal validation and a temporal validation of the model. We will develop a web-based application to visualize the prediction model and facilitate its use in clinical practice.

Discussion

This will be the first study to develop a model to predict the incidence of OAB.
Caries incidence of the first permanent molars according to the Caries Assessment Spectrum and Treatment (CAST) index and its determinants in children: a cohort study
Authors: Mahboobi Zeinab , Pakdaman Afsaneh , Yazdani Reza , Azadbakht Leila , Shamshiri Ahmad R. , Babaei Azadeh
Published: May 2021

Background

There are limited information on caries incidence, especially from developing countries, the aim of the present study was to explore caries incidence in the first permanent molar teeth according to the CAST index in 7- to 8-year-old-children and its socio-demographic, oral health related and diet determinants.

Methods

A multi-stage cluster random sample of 7–8 years old children was applied in Tehran, Iran. The oral examination using the CAST index and the Oral Hygiene Index-Simplified (OHI-S) performed by trained dentists in 2017 and 2019 calibrated with an expert (Kappa of 0.89 and 0.76, respectively). A 3-day food record was used to record sugary snacks consumption. Oral health related knowledge of the parents was assessed using a valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software version 23.0 and descriptive and analytical statistics including the negative binomial regression was applied.

Results

Two hundred and ninety schoolchildren aged 7–8 years old were followed up for two years. All of them had complete data obtained via oral examination and questionnaires. The annual caries incidence rate was 0.16 and 53% (95% CI 47.4–58.9) of the children developed at least one new dental caries (enamel or dentine) during two years. Multi-variate analysis revealed that the children of mothers with high school education or diploma (IRR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.02–2.12; p = 0.04) and those with low socio-economic status (IRR = 1.86, 95% CI 1.27–2.73; p < 0.001) were more likely to develop caries. There was no significant association between gender, father’s educational level, child birth order, housing area per person, OHI-S score, oral health knowledge of parents, and sugary snacks consumption per day and caries increment at an individual level.

Conclusion

This 2-year longitudinal study on 7- to 8-year-old children showed that caries incidence according to the CAST index was associated with socio-economic status and mother education but not associated with having 2 or more sugary snack per day and oral hygiene status.
Thermography as a non-ionizing quantitative tool for diagnosing periapical inflammatory lesions
Authors: Aboushady M. Atef , Talaat Wael , Hamdoon Zaid , M.Elshazly Tarek , Ragy Nivin , Bourauel Christoph , Talaat Sameh
Published: May 2021

Background

Thermography is a contemporary imaging modality based on acquiring and analyzing thermal data using non-contact devices. The aim of the present study was to assess the validity of thermography, compared with that of the reference-standard, for the diagnosis of periapical inflammatory lesions and to evaluate the temperature ranges for acute pulpitis with apical periodontitis (AAP), acute periapical abscess (AA) and chronic periapical abscess (CA).

Methods

AAP, AA and CA were diagnosed based on clinical and radiographic criteria. Thermographic data were acquired using the FLIR E-5 Infrared Camera. Extraoral thermal images were taken from the front and right and left sides of patients whose mouths were closed, and one intraoral thermal image was taken from the palatal perspective. Agreement in the diagnoses based on the combination of clinical and radiographic assessments and the thermographic evaluation was calculated. The temperature ranges of the three diagnostic subgroups were also measured.

Results

A total of 80 patients were enrolled in this study. The mean intraoral thermal image temperature for AA was 37.26 ± 0.36, that for CA was 35.03 ± 0.63 and that for AAP was 36.07 ± 0.45. The differences between the mean intraoral thermal temperatures of the three diagnostic groups were statistically significant (P < 0.001). The result of the Kappa coefficient of agreement between the combination of clinical and radiographic assessments and the thermographic evaluation was significant (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

Thermography is an effective, quantitative and nonionizing approach that can be used for the diagnosis of periapical inflammatory lesions. The results of the present study indicated that the highest thermal image temperatures were recorded for AA. Thermography might be able to detect inflammatory reactions during the preclinical stage, leading to early diagnosis.
International classification of external causes of injury: a study on its content coverage
Authors: Ahmadian Leila , Salehi Fatemeh , Padidar Shabnam
Published: May 2021

Background

Injuries are a major health issue worldwide and their prevention requires access to accurate statistics in this regard. This can be achieved by classifying the collected data using the international classification systems. This study aimed at investigating the content coverage rate of the International Classification of External Causes of Injury (ICECI) regarding the external causes of injury in a hospital.

Methods

This cross-sectional descriptive-analytical study was performed on 322 injured individuals visiting the emergency unit of a hospital which is the biggest truma center in the southeast of Iran. The required data were collected via a designed questionnaire by the researcher visiting the Emergency ward. The collected data were encoded based on the ICECI textbook by two encoders. Their agreement rate was calculated using the Kappa estimate of agreement. The content coverage of the classification system and the degree of completeness of the required data for encoding in the patients’ records were measured. Data were analyzed by the SPSS software, ver 19.

Results

The findings showed that 70% of the external causes of injury were covered by ICECI. Among the 322 cases, 138 (43%) had been referred due to a car crash. The injured were mostly drivers of land transport vehicles who had been unintentionally involved in a car crash. The least mechanism for injury was bite injury with 5 (2%). ICECI was capable of classifying 92% of the data related to the external causes of the injuries. The most un-covered data has belonged to the "activity when injured" axis (n = 18). Lack of precise data recording in the medical records resulted in missing data about at least one of the axis of the external causes in most records.

Conclusion

The findings of the present study showed that ICECI has good content coverage for encoding the external causes of injuries. Before implementing ICECI for encoding the external causes of injuries, it is required to train clinicians regarding how to document all aspects of an injury incidence.
Interoperability frameworks linking mHealth applications to electronic record systems
Authors: Ndlovu Kagiso , Mars Maurice , Scott Richard E.
Published: May 2021

Background

mHealth presents innovative approaches to enhance primary healthcare delivery in developing countries like Botswana. The impact of mHealth solutions can be improved if they are interoperable with eRecord systems such as electronic health records, electronic medical records and patient health records. eHealth interoperability frameworks exist but their availability and utility for linking mHealth solutions to eRecords in developing world settings like Botswana is unknown. The recently adopted eHealth Strategy for Botswana recognises interoperability as an issue and mHealth as a potential solution for some healthcare needs, but does not address linking the two.

Aim

This study reviewed published reviews of eHealth interoperability frameworks for linking mHealth solutions with eRecords, and assessed their relevance to informing interoperability efforts with respect to Botswana’s eHealth Strategy.

Methods

A structured literature review and analysis of published reviews of eHealth interoperability frameworks was performed to determine if any are relevant to linking mHealth with eRecords. The Botswanan eHealth Strategy was reviewed.

Results

Four articles presented and reviewed eHealth interoperability frameworks that support linking of mHealth interventions to eRecords and associated implementation strategies. While the frameworks were developed for specific circumstances and therefore were based upon varying assumptions and perspectives, they entailed aspects that are relevant and could be drawn upon when developing an mHealth interoperability framework for Botswana. Common emerging themes of infrastructure, interoperability standards, data security and usability were identified and discussed; all of which are important in the developing world context such as in Botswana. The Botswana eHealth Strategy recognises interoperability, mHealth, and eRecords as distinct issues, but not linking of mHealth solutions with eRecords.

Conclusions

Delivery of healthcare is shifting from hospital-based to patient-centered primary healthcare and community-based settings, using mHealth interventions. The impact of mHealth solutions can be improved if data generated from them are converted into digital information ready for transmission and incorporation into eRecord systems. The Botswana eHealth Strategy stresses the need to have interoperable eRecords, but mHealth solutions must not be left out. Literature insight about mHealth interoperability with eRecords can inform implementation strategies for Botswana and elsewhere.
Mucocutaneous nasal histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent dog
Authors: Heilmann Romy M. , Nabity Mary B. , Bryan Laura K. , Cook Audrey K. , Scott Katherine
Published: May 2021

Background

Histoplasma (H.) capsulatumis a dimorphic fungus, and infection is typically via inhalation of microconidia. After conversion to the yeast phase within the lung, the organism is subsequently disseminated to other tissues by macrophages. Nasal histoplasmosis appears to be a rare condition in dogs.

Case presentation

We report the clinical case of a 4.5-year-old male neutered Cocker spaniel/Poodle mix, 7.7 kg, body condition score 6/9, that presented with a 3-month history of sneezing and left-sided mucoid nasal discharge. The history also included a mild swelling (transient) of the right carpus with a lameness (grade II-III/IV), coinciding with the onset of sneezing and nasal discharge. The dog lived primarily indoors in the Texas Gulf Coast area. On physical examination, the dog was febrile, and the left nostril was swollen, ulcerative, deformed, and hypopigmented. Mandibular lymph nodes were firm and mildly enlarged bilaterally. Mild lymphopenia, thrombocytopenia, and hyperglobulinemia were noted. Thoracic radiographs were unremarkable. Computed tomography and rhinoscopy revealed swelling of the rostral portion of the left and right nasal passages. Cytology and histology of biopsies of the affected nasal tissue showed pyogranulomatous inflammation and yeast organisms consistent withH. capsulatum. Weak antigenuria was detected on the MVistaH. capsulatumantigen test. Treatment with oral itraconazole led to a resolution of the nasal signs and normalization of the appearance of the nostril over 13 weeks, and neither antigenuria nor antigenemia was detected on several recheck examinations. The dog remained in good general and physical condition and showed no signs of disease recurrence more than 6 years after the last examination.

Conclusion

We report a rare case of nasal mucocutaneous histoplasmosis in an immunocompetent dog, with an excellent clinical response to oral itraconazole. This case documents that histoplasmosis in dogs can affect primarily the nasal cavity, which responds rapidly to triazole antifungal therapy and has a good prognosis. A similar case has only been reported in human medicine in a young adult.
Effects of hybrid comprehensive telerehabilitation on cardiopulmonary capacity in heart failure patients depending on diabetes mellitus: subanalysis of the TELEREH-HF randomized clinical trial
Authors: Główczyńska Renata , Piotrowicz Ewa , Szalewska Dominika , Piotrowicz Ryszard , Kowalik Ilona , Pencina Michael J. , Zaręba Wojciech , Banach Maciej , Orzechowski Piotr , Pluta Sławomir , Irzmański Robert , Kalarus Zbigniew , Opolski Grzegorz
Published: May 2021

Background

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common comorbidities among patients with heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). There are limited data regarding efficacy of hybrid comprehensive telerehabilitation (HCTR) on cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in patients with HFrEF with versus those without diabetes.

Aim

The aim of the present study was to analyze effects of 9-week HCTR in comparison to usual care on parameters of cardiopulmonary exercise capacity in HF patients according to history of DM.

Methods

Clinically stable HF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction [LVEF] < 40% after a hospitalization due to worsening HF within past 6 months were enrolled in the TELEREH-HF (The TELEREHabilitation in Heart Failure Patients) trial and randomized to the HCTR or usual care (UC). Cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) were performed on treadmill with an incremental workload according to the ramp protocol.

Results

CPET was performed in 385 patients assigned to HCTR group: 129 (33.5%) had DM (HCTR-DM group) and 256 patients (66.5%) did not have DM (HCTR-nonDM group). Among 397 patients assigned to UC group who had CPET: 137 (34.5%) had DM (UC-DM group) and 260 patients (65.5%) did not have DM (UC-nonDM group). Among DM patients, differences in cardiopulmonary parameters from baseline to 9 weeks remained similar among HCTR and UC patients. In contrast, among patients without DM, HCTR was associated with greater 9-week changes than UC in exercise time, which resulted in a statistically significant interaction between patients with and without DM: difference in changes in exercise time between HCTR versus UC was 12.0 s [95% CI − 15.1, 39.1 s] in DM and 43.1 s [95% CI 24.0, 63.0 s] in non-DM, interaction p-value = 0.016. Furthermore, statistically significant differences in the effect of HCTR versus UC between DM and non-DM were observed in ventilation at rest: − 0.34 l/min [95% CI − 1.60, 0.91 l/min] in DM and 0.83 l/min [95% CI − 0.06, 1.73 l/min] in non-DM, interaction p value = 0.0496 and in VE/VCO2 slope: 1.52 [95% CI − 1.55, 4.59] for DM vs. − 1.44 [95% CI − 3.64, 0.77] for non-DM, interaction p value = 0.044.

Conclusions

The benefits of hybrid comprehensive telerehabilitation versus usual care on the improvement of physical performance, ventilatory profile and gas exchange parameters were more pronounced in patients with HFrEF without DM as compared to patients with DM.

Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02523560. Registered 3rd August 2015. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02523560?term=NCT02523560&draw=2&rank=1. Other Study ID Numbers: STRATEGME1/233547/13/NCBR/2015
Prognostic value of long-term trajectories of depression for incident diabetes mellitus in patients with stable coronary heart disease
Authors: Peter Raphael S. , Jaensch Andrea , Mons Ute , Schöttker Ben , Schmucker Roman , Koenig Wolfgang , Brenner Hermann , Rothenbacher Dietrich
Published: May 2021

Background

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and depression are bidirectionally interrelated. We recently identified long-term trajectories of depression symptom severity in individuals with coronary heart disease (CHD), which were associated with the risk for subsequent cardiovascular events (CVE). We now investigated the prognostic value of these trajectories of symptoms of depression with the risk of incident DM in patients with stable coronary heart disease.

Methods

The KAROLA cohort included CHD patients participating in an in-patient rehabilitation program (years 1999/2000) and followed for up to 15 years. We included 1048 patients (mean age 59.4 years, 15% female) with information on prevalent DM at baseline and follow-up data. Cox proportional hazards models were used to model the risk for incident DM during follow-up by depression trajectory class adjusted for age, sex, education, smoking status, body mass index, and physical activity. In addition, we modeled the excess risk for subsequent CVE due to incident DM during follow-up for each of the depression trajectories.

Results

DM was prevalent in 20.7% of patients at baseline. Over follow-up, 296 (28.2%) of patients had a subsequent CVE. During follow-up, 157 (15.0%) patients developed incident DM before experiencing a subsequent CVE. Patients following a high-stable depression symptom trajectory were at substantially higher risk of developing incident DM than patients following a low-stable depression symptom trajectory (hazard ratio (HR) = 2.50; 95% confidence interval (CI) (1.35, 4.65)). A moderate-stable and an increasing depression trajectory were associated with HRs of 1.48 (95%-CI (1.10, 1.98)) and 1.77 (95%-CI (1.00, 3.15)) for incident DM. In addition, patients in the high-stable depression trajectory class who developed incident DM during follow-up were at 6.5-fold risk (HR = 6.51; 95%-CI (2.77, 15.3)) of experiencing a subsequent cardiovascular event.

Conclusions

In patients with CHD, following a trajectory of high stable symptoms of depression was associated with an increased risk of incident DM. Furthermore, incident DM in these patients was associated with a substantially increased risk of subsequent CVE. Identifying depressive symptoms and pertinent treatment offers might be an important and promising approach to enhance outcomes in patients with CHD, which should be followed up in further research and practice.
Evaluation of fecal microbiota transplantation in Parkinson's disease patients with constipation
Authors: Kuai Xiao-yi , Yao Xiao-han , Xu Li-juan , Zhou Yu-qing , Zhang Li-ping , Liu Yi , Pei Shao-fang , Zhou Chun-li
Published: May 2021

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder and 70–80% of PD patients suffer from gastrointestinal dysfunction such as constipation. We aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) for treating PD related to gastrointestinal dysfunction. We conducted a prospective, single- study. Eleven patients with PD received FMT. Fecal samples were collected before and after FMT and subjected to 16S ribosomal DNA (rDNA) gene sequencing. Hoehn-Yahr (H-Y) grade, Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) score, and the Non-Motion Symptom Questionnaire (NMSS) were used to assess improvements in motor and non-motor symptoms. PAC-QOL score and Wexner constipation score were used to assess the patient's constipation symptoms. All patients were tested by the small intestine breath hydrogen test, performed before and after FMT. Community richness (chao) and microbial structure in before-FMT PD patients were significantly different from the after-FMT. We observed an increased abundance of Blautia and Prevotella in PD patients after FMT, while the abundance of Bacteroidetes decreased dramatically. After FMT, the H-Y grade, UPDRS, and NMSS of PD patients decreased significantly. Through the lactulose H2 breath test, the intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) in PD patients returned to normal. The PAC-QOL score and Wexner constipation score in after-FMT patients decreased significantly. Our study profiles specific characteristics and microbial dysbiosis in the gut of PD patients. FMT might be a therapeutic potential for reconstructing the gut microbiota of PD patients and improving their motor and non-motor symptoms.
The mutual regulatory loop between TPTEP1 and miR-1303 in leukemogenesis of acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Li Li , Zhao Weidong
Published: May 2021

Background

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been identified as key regulators during the pathogenesis and development of cancers. However, most of ncRNAs have never been explored in acute myeloid leukemia (AML).

Methods

Gene expression was evaluated by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) or western blot. Functional assays were performed to assess the cellular processes in AML cells. The relationship between genes was verified by means of a series of mechanism assays.

Results

Transmembrane phosphatase with tensin homology pseudogene 1 (TPTEP1) was notably downregulated in AML cells, and functionally acted as a proliferation-inhibitor. Additionally, TPTEP1 suppressed AML cell growth by inactivating c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK)/c-JUN signaling pathway. MicroRNA (MiR)-1303, as an oncogene, was predicted and validated as a target of c-JUN in AML cells. Also, TPTEP1 interacted with miR-1303 and they were mutually silenced by each other in AML cells. Furthermore, the effect of TPTEP1 overexpression on AML cell proliferation was counteracted under miR-1303 upregulation.

Conclusion

Our findings unmasked a feedback loop of TPTEP1/JNK/c-JUN/miR-1303 axis in AML cells, suggesting TPTEP1 and miR-1303 as potential targets for developing therapeutic strategies for AML patients.
KIF15 is involved in development and progression of Burkitt lymphoma
Authors: Wang Zhao , Chen Meiting , Fang Xiaojie , Hong Huangming , Yao Yuyi , Huang He
Published: May 2021

Background

Burkitt lymphoma (BL) is a highly aggressive, fast-growing B-cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, manifested in several subtypes, including sporadic, endemic, and immunodeficiency-related forms, the mechanism of which is still not clear. Abundant evidence reported that KIF15 was involved in the progression of human cancer. The emphasis of this study is to explore the functions of KIF15 in the development of BL.

Methods

Firstly, tumor and normal tissues were collected for detecting expression of KIF15 in BL. Lentivirus-mediated shRNA knockdown of KIF15 was used to construct BL cell model, which was verified by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK8 assay, cell apoptosis and cell cycle were measured through flow cytometry. Transwell assay was conducted to detect the migration.

Results

We first found that KIF15 is highly expressed in BL. Knockdown of KIF15 can inhibit proliferation and migration, promote apoptosis and arrest the cell cycle. Moreover, KIF15 is involved in BL cell activity through regulating expression of apoptosis-related proteins (Caspase3, Caspase8, HTRA, IGFBP-6, p53, SMAC, sTNF-R1, TNF-β and Bcl-2) and downstream pathways, such as p-Akt, CCND1, CDK6 and PIK3CA.

Conclusions

These findings justify the search for small molecule inhibitors targeting KIF15 as a novel therapeutic strategy in BL.
Anxiety is associated with appetitive traits in university students during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Coakley Kathryn E. , Le Huyen , Silva Spirit Rae , Wilks Aspen
Published: May 2021

Background

COVID-19 has impacted mental health globally, however, associations between anxiety and appetitive traits during the pandemic are unreported. This study evaluated anxiety symptom severity and associations with appetitive traits in students at a large public University in the U.S. during the pandemic.

Methods

Current undergraduate and graduate/professional students completed a cross-sectional survey in fall 2020. Demographic information, anxiety symptoms in the past 2 weeks assessed by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and appetitive traits assessed by the Adult Eating Behavior Questionnaire (AEBQ) were evaluated. Mean scores for eight AEBQ scales (four food approach and four food avoidance traits) were calculated. Differences in mean scores were examined between participants with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 score ≥ 10) and those with mild to no anxiety symptoms (GAD-7 score < 10) via independent samples t-tests and effect sizes. Associations between GAD-7 score and individual appetitive traits were also examined, adjusting for age and gender.

Results

Of the 1243 students who completed the survey (57% undergraduates; mean age = 26.5 years), 51.9% reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms. Groups experiencing the highest degree of moderate to severe anxiety symptoms included transgender, gender fluid, and other-gendered participants (73.6%); the youngest age group [18–20 years (62%)]; undergraduate students (60.7%); and Hispanic/Latinx participants (57.7%). Participants with moderate to severe anxiety symptoms had higher scores for most food approach and avoidance traits but lower scores for enjoyment of food than those with mild to no anxiety symptoms. Effect sizes were largest for hunger and emotional over-eating (Cohen’s d = 0.31 and 0.30, respectively). Adjusting for age and gender, GAD-7 score was significantly and positively associated with hunger, emotional over-eating, food and satiety responsiveness, and food fussiness and negatively associated with enjoyment of food.

Conclusions

Over half of students at a U.S. University reported moderate to severe anxiety symptoms during COVID-19. More severe anxiety symptoms were associated with increased hunger, emotional over-eating, and food and satiety responsiveness and decreased enjoyment of food. Universities must consider strategies to address anxiety, particularly in younger students; transgender, gender fluid, and students of other genders; and across race/ethnicities keeping in mind associations with appetitive traits.
NIR-II-activated biocompatible hollow nanocarbons for cancer photothermal therapy
Authors: Xu Zhourui , Zhang Yinling , Zhou Weixiao , Wang Lijian , Xu Gaixia , Ma Mingze , Liu Fenghua , Wang Zan , Wang Yucheng , Kong Tiantian , Zhao Binyuan , Wu Weiping , Yang Chengbin
Published: May 2021

Photothermal therapy has attracted extensive attentions in cancer treatment due to its precise spatial-temporal controllability, minimal invasiveness, and negligible side effects. However, two major deficiencies, unsatisfactory heat conversion efficiency and limited tissue penetration depth, hugely impeded its clinical application. In this work, hollow carbon nanosphere modified with polyethylene glycol-graft-polyethylenimine (HPP) was elaborately synthesized. The synthesized HPP owns outstanding physical properties as a photothermal agent, such as uniform core-shell structure, good biocompatibility and excellent heat conversion efficiency. Upon NIR-II laser irradiation, the intracellular HPP shows excellent photothermal activity towards cancer cell killing. In addition, depending on the large internal cavity of HPP, the extended biomedical application as drug carrier was also demonstrated. In general, the synthesized HPP holds a great potential in NIR-II laser-activated cancer photothermal therapy.
The impact of common chronic conditions on health-related quality of life: a general population survey in Iran using EQ-5D-5L
Authors: Akbari Sari Ali , Karimi Fereshteh , Emrani Zahra , Zeraati Hojjat , Olyaeemanesh Alireza , Daroudi Rajabali
Published: May 2021

Background

Diseases have undeniable effects on Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). Chronic diseases, in particular, limit the productive potentials and HRQoL of individuals. EQ-5D is a very popular generic instrument, which can be used to estimate HRQoL scores in any diseases. The current study investigates mean HRQoL scores in certain chronic diseases and examines the relationship between utility scores and chronic diseases in Iran.

Method

This cross-sectional study was carried out among the general adult population of Tehran. 3060 individuals were chosen by a stratified probability sampling method. The EQ-5D-5L questionnaire was applied. The utility scores were estimated using the Iranian crosswalk-based value set. The effect of chronic diseases on the HRQoL scores was derived by the Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) method. Data was analyzed using Stata version 13 software.

Results

The mean ± standard deviation utility and EQ-VAS scores were 0.85 ± 0.14 and 76.73 ± 16.55 in the participants without any chronic conditions. The scores were 0.69 ± 0.17 and 61.14 ± 20.61 in the participants with chronic conditions. The highest and lowest mean utility scores were related to thyroid disease (0.70) and Stroke (0.54), respectively. Common chronic conditions had significant negative effects on the HRQoL scores. Stroke (0.204) and cancer (0.177) caused the most reduction in the EQ-5D-5L utility scores. Lumbar disc hernia, digestive diseases, osteoarthritis, breathing problems, and anxiety/nerves cause 0.133, 0.109, 0.108, 0.087, and 0.078 reductions, respectively, in the EQ-5D-5L utility scores.

Conclusion

This study provides insight into some common chronic conditions and their effects on the HRQoL. Policymakers and planners should pay attention to the effects of chronic conditions especially high prevalence one. They should adopt effective interventions to control this issue and increase health. The results of this study can also be beneficial in economic evaluation studies.
The theoretical basis of a nationally implemented type 2 diabetes prevention programme: how is the programme expected to produce changes in behaviour?
Authors: Hawkes Rhiannon E. , Miles Lisa M. , French David P.
Published: May 2021

Background

It is considered best practice to provide clear theoretical descriptions of how behaviour change interventions should produce changes in behaviour. Commissioners of the National Health Service Diabetes Prevention Programme (NHS-DPP) specified that the four independent provider organisations must explicitly describe the behaviour change theory underpinning their interventions. The nationally implemented programme, launched in 2016, aims to prevent progression to Type 2 diabetes in high-risk adults through changing diet and physical activity behaviours. This study aimed to: (a) develop a logic model describing how the NHS-DPP is expected to work, and (b) document the behaviour change theories underpinning providers’ NHS-DPP interventions.

Methods

A logic model detailing how the programme should work in changing diet and activity behaviours was extracted from information in three specification documents underpinning the NHS-DPP. To establish how each of the four providers expected their interventions to produce behavioural changes, information was extracted from their programme plans, staff training materials, and audio-recorded observations of mandatory staff training courses attended in 2018. All materials were coded using Michie and Prestwich’s Theory Coding Scheme.

Results

The NHS-DPP logic model included information provision to lead to behaviour change intentions, followed by a self-regulatory cycle including action planning and monitoring behaviour. None of the providers described an explicit logic model of how their programme will produce behavioural changes. Two providers stated their programmes were informed by the COM-B (Capability Opportunity Motivation – Behaviour) framework, the other two described targeting factors from multiple theories such as Self-Regulation Theory and Self-Determination Theory. All providers cited examples of proposed links between some theoretical constructs and behaviour change techniques (BCTs), but none linked all BCTs to specified constructs. Some discrepancies were noted between the theory described in providers’ programme plans and theory described in staff training.

Conclusions

A variety of behaviour change theories were used by each provider. This may explain the variation between providers in BCTs selected in intervention design, and the mismatch between theory described in providers’ programme plans and staff training. Without a logic model describing how they expect their interventions to work, justification for intervention contents in providers’ programmes is not clear.
High copy number variations, particular transcription factors, and low immunity contribute to the stemness of prostate cancer cells
Authors: Dai Zao , Liu Ping
Published: May 2021

Background

Tumor metastasis is the main cause of death of cancer patients, and cancer stem cells (CSCs) is the basis of tumor metastasis. However, systematic analysis of the stemness of prostate cancer cells is still not abundant. In this study, we explore the effective factors related to the stemness of prostate cancer cells by comprehensively mining the multi-omics data from TCGA database.

Methods

Based on the prostate cancer transcriptome data in TCGA, gene expression modules that strongly relate to the stemness of prostate cancer cells are obtained with WGCNA and stemness scores. Copy number variation of stemness genes of prostate cancer is calculated and the difference of transcription factors between prostate cancer and normal tissues is evaluated by using CNV (copy number variation) data and ATAC-seq data. The protein interaction network of stemness genes in prostate cancer is constructed using the STRING database. Meanwhile, the correlation between stemness genes of prostate cancer and immune cells is analyzed.

Results

Prostate cancer with higher Gleason grade possesses higher cell stemness. The gene set highly related to prostate cancer stemness has higher CNV in prostate cancer samples than that in normal samples. Although the transcription factors of stemness genes have similar expressions, they have different contributions between normal and prostate cancer tissues; and particular transcription factors enhance the stemness of prostate cancer, such as PUM1, CLOCK, SP1, TCF12, and so on. In addition, the lower tumor immune microenvironment is conducive to the stemness of prostate cancer. CD8 + T cells and M1 macrophages may play more important role in the stemness of prostate cancer than other immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. Finally, EZH2 is found to play a central role in stemness genes and is negatively correlated with resting mast cells and positively correlated with activated memory CD4 + T cells.

Conclusions

Based on the systematic and combined analysis of multi-omics data, we find that high copy number variation, specific transcription factors, and low immune microenvironment jointly contribute to the stemness of prostate cancer cells. These findings may provide us new clues and directions for the future research on stemness of prostate cancer.