bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of P2X4R attenuates white matter injury in mice after intracerebral hemorrhage by regulating microglial phenotypes
Authors: Fu Xiongjie , Zhou Guoyang , Wu Xinyan , Xu Chaoran , Zhou Hang , Zhuang Jianfeng , Peng Yucong , Cao Yang , Zeng Hanhai , Li Yin , Li Jianru , Gao Liansheng , Chen Gao , Wang Lin , Yan Feng
Published: August 2021

Background

White matter injury (WMI) is a major neuropathological event associated with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). P2X purinoreceptor 4 (P2X4R) is a member of the P2X purine receptor family, which plays a crucial role in regulating WMI and neuroinflammation in central nervous system (CNS) diseases. Our study investigated the role of P2X4R in the WMI and the inflammatory response in mice, as well as the possible mechanism of action after ICH.

Methods

ICH was induced in mice via collagenase injection. Mice were treated with 5-BDBD and ANA-12 to inhibit P2X4R and tropomyosin-related kinase receptor B (TrkB), respectively. Immunostaining and quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed to detect microglial phenotypes after the inhibition of P2X4R. Western blots (WB) and immunostaining were used to examine WMI and the underlying molecular mechanisms. Cylinder, corner turn, wire hanging, and forelimb placement tests were conducted to evaluate neurobehavioral function.

Results

After ICH, the protein levels of P2X4R were upregulated, especially on day 7 after ICH, and were mainly located in the microglia. The inhibition of P2X4R via 5-BDBD promoted neurofunctional recovery after ICH as well as the transformation of the pro-inflammatory microglia induced by ICH into an anti-inflammatory phenotype, and attenuated ICH-induced WMI. Furthermore, we found that TrkB blockage can reverse the protective effects of WMI as well as neuroprotection after 5-BDBD treatment. This result indicates that P2X4R plays a crucial role in regulating WMI and neuroinflammation and that P2X4R inhibition may benefit patients with ICH.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that P2X4R contributes to WMI by polarizing microglia into a pro-inflammatory phenotype after ICH. Furthermore, the inhibition of P2X4R promoted pro-inflammatory microglia polarization into an anti-inflammatory phenotype, enhanced brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) production, and through the BDNF/TrkB pathway, attenuated WMI and improved neurological function. Therefore, the regulation of P2X4R activation may be beneficial for the reducing of ICH-induced brain injury.
Replication of cowpox virus in macrophages is dependent on the host range factor p28/N1R
Authors: Bourquain Daniel , Schrick Livia , Tischer Bernd Karsten , Osterrieder Klaus , Schaade Lars , Nitsche Andreas
Published: August 2021

Zoonotic orthopoxvirus infections continue to represent a threat to human health. The disease caused by distinct orthopoxviruses differs in terms of symptoms and severity, which may be explained by the unique repertoire of virus factors that modulate the host’s immune response and cellular machinery. We report here on the construction of recombinant cowpox viruses (CPXV) which either lack the host range factor p28 completely or express truncated variants of p28. We show that p28 is essential for CPXV replication in macrophages of human or mouse origin and that the C-terminal RING finger domain of p28 is necessary to allow CPXV replication in macrophages.
Barriers and challenges of infant feeding in disasters in middle- and high-income countries
Authors: Hwang Cindy H. , Iellamo Alessandro , Ververs Mija
Published: August 2021

Background

Global evidence from the past 35 years confirmed the protective effect of breastfeeding and supported the guidance to protect, promote, and support breastfeeding practices, particularly in natural disaster and conflict settings. This study aimed to summarize the difficulties faced by disaster responders and mothers for optimal infant feeding during disasters in middle and high-income countries.

Methods

A scoping literature review was conducted by searching databases for peer-reviewed literature and grey literature published between January 2010 and December 2018 that focused on infant feeding in the aftermath of disasters. Only disasters that occurred in middle or high-income countries as defined by the World Bank for the 2018 fiscal year were included.

Results

The study found that a major challenge faced by organizations establishing infant feeding in emergencies (IFE) programs is the violation of The International Code of Marketing of Breastmilk Substitutes by other aid organizations and governments, such as acceptance of donated infant formula and untargeted distribution of formula. Additionally, many disaster responders were unfamiliar with IFE protocols. Mothers faced other barriers to breastfeed their infants during disasters. They often lacked privacy or spaces conducive to breastfeeding. Limited fluid and energy intake, stress, and exhaustion also deterred mothers from breastfeeding. Many challenges for responders and barriers mothers face for optimal infant feeding practices persist despite existing guidelines.

Conclusions

The findings of this study reveal the lack of IFE preparedness and response capacity in middle and high-income countries, and the need for governments and aid organizations to adapt guidelines and establish policies and programs to support infant feeding in emergencies.
Administration of breast milk cell fractions to neonates with birthweight equal to or less than 1800 g: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Fallahi Minoo , Shafiei Seyed Masoud , Taleghani Naeeme Taslimi , Shariati Maryam Khoshnood , Noripour Shamsollah , Pajouhandeh Fatemeh , Kazemian Sina , Hajipour Mahmood , Kazemian Mohammad
Published: August 2021

Background

Most premature and very low birthweight infants cannot tolerate breast milk feeding in the first few days of life and are deprived of its benefits. This study evaluates the clinical outcomes of administering breast milk cell fractions to neonates with a birthweight of ≤1800 g.

Methods

We conducted a randomized controlled trial on 156 infants in the neonatal intensive care unit of Mahdieh Maternity Hospital in Tehran, Iran, from May 2019 to April 2020. All neonates with a birthweight ≤1800 g were enrolled and divided into intervention and control groups using stratified block randomization. Neonates in the intervention group received the extracted breast milk cell fractions (BMCFs) of their own mother’s milk after being centrifuged in the first 6 to 12 h after birth. The control group received routine care, and breastfeeding was started as soon as tolerated in both groups. Study outcomes were necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), death, and in-hospital complications.

Results

We divided participants into two groups: 75 neonates in the intervention group and 81 neonates in the control group. The mean birthweight of neonates was 1390.1 ± 314.4 g, and 19 (12.2%) neonates deceased during their in-hospital stay. The incidence of NEC was similar in both groups. After adjustment for possible confounders in the multivariable model, receiving BMCFs were independently associated with lower in-hospital mortality (5 [26.3%] vs. 70 (51.1%]; odds ratio (OR): 0.24; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07, 0.86). Also, in a subgroup analysis of neonates with birthweight less than 1500 g, in-hospital mortality was significantly lower in the intervention group (4 [9.5%] vs. 13 [30.2%]; OR: 0.24; 95% CI 0.07, 0.82). There were no differences in major complications such as bronchopulmonary dysplasia and retinopathy of prematurity between the two groups. No adverse effects occurred.

Conclusions

Our research demonstrated a significantly lower mortality rate in neonates (with a birthweight of ≤1800 g) who received breast milk cell fractions on the first day of life. Since this is a novel method with minimal intervention, we are looking forward to developing and evaluating this method in larger studies.

Trial registration

IIranian Registry of Clinical Trials. Registered 25 May 2019, IRCT20190228042868N1.
DeepGRP: engineering a software tool for predicting genomic repetitive elements using Recurrent Neural Networks with attention
Authors: Hausmann Fabian , Kurtz Stefan
Published: August 2021

Background

Repetitive elements contribute a large part of eukaryotic genomes. For example, about 40 to 50% of human, mouse and rat genomes are repetitive. So identifying and classifying repeats is an important step in genome annotation. This annotation step is traditionally performed using alignment based methods, either in a de novo approach or by aligning the genome sequence to a species specific set of repetitive sequences. Recently, Li (Bioinformatics 35:4408–4410, 2019) developed a novel software tool to annotate repetitive sequences using a recurrent neural network trained on sample annotations of repetitive elements.

Results

We have developed the methods of further and engineered a new software tool . This combines the basic concepts of Li (Bioinformatics 35:4408–4410, 2019) with current techniques developed for neural machine translation, the attention mechanism, for the task of nucleotide-level annotation of repetitive elements. An evaluation on the human genome shows a 20% improvement of the Matthews correlation coefficient for the predictions delivered by , when compared to . predicts two additional classes of repeats (compared to ) and is able to transfer repeat annotations, using RepeatMasker-based training data to a different species (mouse). Additionally, we could show that predicts repeats annotated in the Dfam database, but not annotated by RepeatMasker. is highly scalable due to its implementation in the TensorFlow framework. For example, the GPU-accelerated version of is approx. 1.8 times faster than , approx. 8.6 times faster than RepeatMasker and over 100 times faster than HMMER searching for models of the Dfam database.

Conclusions

By incorporating methods from neural machine translation, achieves a consistent improvement of the quality of the predictions compared to . Improved running times are obtained by employing TensorFlow as implementation framework and the use of GPUs. By incorporating two additional classes of repeats, provides more complete annotations, which were evaluated against three state-of-the-art tools for repeat annotation.
Protective role of the alpha-1-antitrypsin in intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Liu Weikun , Wang Yanfu
Published: August 2021

Background

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a complex disease with high prevalence. It suggests that cell death, senescence, and extracellular matrix degradation are involved in the pathogenesis. Alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), a serine protease inhibitor, was previously correlated with inflammation-related diseases. However, its function on intervertebral disc degeneration remains unclear.

Methods

A latex-enhanced immunoturbidimetric assay measured the serum level of AAT. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blot were used to testify the expression of RNA and proteins related to cell apoptosis and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. The animal model for intervertebral disc degeneration was built by disc puncture. The degeneration grades were analyzed by safranin o staining.

Results

We showed that alpha-1 antitrypsin could ameliorate intervertebral disc degeneration in vitro and in vivo. We also found that the serum alpha-1 antitrypsin level in Intervertebral disc degeneration patients is negative related to the severity of intervertebral disc degeneration. Moreover, alpha-1 antitrypsin was also showed to suppress tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) induced WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway activation in human nucleus pulposus cells.

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence for AAT to serve as a potential therapeutic reagent for the treatment of intervertebral disc degeneration.
Case–control study on the interplay between immunoparalysis and delirium after cardiac surgery
Authors: CheheiliSobbi Shokoufeh , Peters van Ton Annemieke M. , Wesselink Esther M. , Looije Marjolein F. , Gerretsen Jelle , Morshuis Wim J. , Slooter Arjen J. C. , Abdo Wilson F. , Pickkers Peter , van den Boogaard Mark
Published: August 2021

Background

Delirium occurs frequently following cardiothoracic surgery, and infectious disease is an important risk factor for delirium. Surgery and cardiopulmonary bypass induce suppression of the immune response known as immunoparalysis. We aimed to investigate whether delirious patients had more pronounced immunoparalysis following cardiothoracic surgery than patients without delirium, to explain this delirium-infection association.

Methods

A prospective matched case–control study was performed in two university hospitals. Cytokine production (tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8 and IL-10) of ex vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated whole blood was analyzed in on-pump cardiothoracic surgery patients preoperatively, and at 5 timepoints up to 3 days after cardiothoracic surgery. Delirium was assessed by trained staff using two validated delirium scales and chart review.

Results

A total of 89 patients were screened of whom 14 delirious and 52 non-delirious patients were included. Ex vivo-stimulated production of TNF-α, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 was severely suppressed following cardiothoracic surgery compared to pre-surgery. Postoperative release of cytokines in non-delirious patients was attenuated by 84% [IQR: 13–93] for TNF-α, 95% [IQR: 78–98] for IL-6, and 69% [IQR: 55–81] for IL-10. The attenuation in ex vivo-stimulated production of these cytokines was not significantly different in patients with delirium compared to non-delirious patients (p > 0.10 for all cytokines).

Conclusions

The post-operative attenuation of ex vivo-stimulated production of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines was comparable between patients that developed delirium and those who remained delirium-free after on-pump cardiothoracic surgery. This finding suggests that immunoparalysis is not more common in cardiothoracic surgery patients with delirium compared to those without.
Utilization of traditional Chinese medicine in the intensive care unit
Authors: Zhang Xia , Wang Mingqi , Wang Wen , Li Ling , Sun Xin
Published: August 2021

Previous studies showed that traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) may be effective for patients with critical conditions. However, the extent to which TCM is used in intensive care units (ICUs) remains less investigated. This study aimed to investigate the utilization of TCM among ICU patients. Using a cross-sectional study design, we examined the use of TCMs among ICU patients. The data were from a well-established ICU registry from a large teaching hospital in west China. Our study found that TCM was widely used among ICU, in particular TCM injections and oral liquids. The use of TCM often differed by ICUs, and TCM injections and oral liquids were mostly used in neurological ICU, while Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) were often used in general ICU. The use of TCM was also highly associated with patient characteristics. Patients with pancreatitis were administered with most TCM, patients with cerebrovascular disease with most TCM injections and those with chronic renal failure with most oral liquids. Future efforts should include generation of high-quality evidence guidelines about clinical effects of TCM interventions among ICU patients.
Therapeutic strategies in METex14 skipping mutated non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Drusbosky Leylah M. , Dawar Richa , Rodriguez Estelamari , Ikpeazu Chukwuemeka V.
Published: August 2021

METex14 skipping mutations occur in about 3–4% of lung adenocarcinoma patients and 1–2% of patients with other lung cancer histology. The MET receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) are established oncogenic drivers of NSCLC. A mutation that results in loss of exon 14 in the MET gene leads to dysregulation and inappropriate signaling that is associated with increased responsiveness to MET TKIs. Results from GEOMETRY mono-1 and VISION Phase I/II clinical trials demonstrated significant clinical activity in patients treated with the MET Exon 14 skipping mutation inhibitors capmatinib and tepotinib with tolerable toxicity profile. In the GEOMETRY mono-1 trial, capmatinib was especially active in treatment-naïve patients supporting the upfront testing of this oncogenic driver. Tepotinib demonstrated superior activity in the pretreated patients in the VISION trial. Savolitinib is another MET TKI that has shown efficacy in the first- and second-line settings, including patients with aggressive pulmonary sarcomatoid carcinoma. These studies have demonstrated that these TKIs can cross the blood brain barrier and demonstrated some activity toward CNS metastases. MET Exon 14 skipping mutation is detected by NGS-based testing of liquid or tissue biopsies, with preference for RNA-based NGS. The activity of capmatinib and tepotinib is limited by the development of acquired resistance. Current research is focused on strategies to overcome resistance and improve the effectiveness of these agents. Our aim is to review the current status of MET Exon 14 skipping mutation as it pertains NSCLC.
Epigenetic age is associated with baseline and 3-year change in frailty in the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging
Authors: Verschoor Chris P. , Lin David T. S. , Kobor Michael S. , Mian Oxana , Ma Jinhui , Pare Guillaume , Ybazeta Gustavo
Published: August 2021

Background

The trajectory of frailty in older adults is important to public health; therefore, markers that may help predict this and other important outcomes could be beneficial. Epigenetic clocks have been developed and are associated with various health-related outcomes and sociodemographic factors, but associations with frailty are poorly described. Further, it is uncertain whether newer generations of epigenetic clocks, trained on variables other than chronological age, would be more strongly associated with frailty than earlier developed clocks. Using data from the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA), we tested the hypothesis that clocks trained on phenotypic markers of health or mortality (i.e., Dunedin PoAm, GrimAge, PhenoAge and Zhang in Nat Commun 8:14617, 2017) would best predict changes in a 76-item frailty index (FI) over a 3-year interval, as compared to clocks trained on chronological age (i.e., Hannum in Mol Cell 49:359–367, 2013, Horvath in Genome Biol 14:R115, 2013, Lin in Aging 8:394–401, 2016, and Yang Genome Biol 17:205, 2016).

Results

We show that in 1446 participants, phenotype/mortality-trained clocks outperformed age-trained clocks with regard to the association with baseline frailty (mean = 0.141, SD = 0.075), the greatest of which is GrimAge, where a 1-SD increase in ΔGrimAge (i.e., the difference from chronological age) was associated with a 0.020 increase in frailty (95% CI 0.016, 0.024), or ~ 27% relative to the SD in frailty. Only GrimAge and Hannum (Mol Cell 49:359–367, 2013) were significantly associated with change in frailty over time, where a 1-SD increase in ΔGrimAge and ΔHannum 2013 was associated with a 0.0030 (95% CI 0.0007, 0.0050) and 0.0028 (95% CI 0.0007, 0.0050) increase over 3 years, respectively, or ~ 7% relative to the SD in frailty change.

Conclusion

Both prevalence and change in frailty are associated with increased epigenetic age. However, not all clocks are equally sensitive to these outcomes and depend on their underlying relationship with chronological age, healthspan and lifespan. Certain clocks were significantly associated with relatively short-term changes in frailty, thereby supporting their utility in initiatives and interventions to promote healthy aging.
Prediction of vaccine hesitancy based on social media traffic among Israeli parents using machine learning strategies
Authors: Bar-Lev Shirly , Reichman Shahar , Barnett-Itzhaki Zohar
Published: August 2021

Introduction

Vaccines have contributed to substantial reductions of morbidity and mortality from vaccine-preventable diseases, mainly in children. However, vaccine hesitancy was listed by the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2019 as one of the top ten threats to world health.

Aim

To employ machine-learning strategies to assess how on-line content regarding vaccination affects vaccine hesitancy.

Methods

We collected social media posts and responses from vaccination discussion groups and forums on leading social platforms, including Facebook and Tapuz (A user content website that contains blogs and forums). We investigated 65,603 records of children aged 0–6 years who are insured in Maccabi’s Health Maintenance Organization (HMO). We applied three machine learning algorithms (Logistic regression, Random forest and Neural networks) to predict vaccination among Israeli children, based on demographic and social media traffic.

Results

Higher hesitancy was associated with more social media traffic, for most of the vaccinations. The addition of the social media traffic features improved the performances of most of the models.

However, for Rota virus, Hepatitis A and hepatitis B, the performances of all algorithms (with and without the social media features) were close to random (accuracy up to 0.63 and F1 up to 0.65). We found a negative association between on-line discussions and vaccination.

Conclusions

There is an association between social media traffic and vaccine hesitancy. Policy makers are encouraged to perceive social media as a main channel of communication during health crises. Health officials and experts are encouraged to take part in social media discussions, and be equipped to readily provide the information, support and advice that the public is looking for, in order to optimize vaccination actions and to improve public health
Blockage of bacterial FimH prevents mucosal inflammation associated with Crohn’s disease
Authors: Chevalier Grégoire , Laveissière Arnaud , Desachy Guillaume , Barnich Nicolas , Sivignon Adeline , Maresca Marc , Nicoletti Cendrine , Di Pasquale Eric , Martinez-Medina Margarita , Simpson Kenneth William , Yajnik Vijay , Sokol Harry ,   MOBIDIC Study Investigators, Adegbamigbe Temitayo , Ahmad Tariq , Arnott Ian , Bouhnik Yoram , Carbonnel Franck , Colombel Jean-Frédéric , Doherty Glen , Cummings J. R. Fraser , Hébuterne Xavier , Herfarth Hans , Kevans David , de Chambrun Guillaume Pineton , Nachury Maria , Nancey Stéphane , Roblin Xavier , Tremelling Mark A. W. , Plassais Jonathan , Strozzi Francesco , Cervino Alessandra , Morra Rachel , Bonny Christophe
Published: August 2021

Background

An Escherichia coli (E. coli) pathotype with invasive properties, first reported by Darfeuille-Michaud and termed adherent-invasive E. coli (AIEC), was shown to be prevalent in up to half the individuals with Crohn’s Disease (CD), suggesting that these bacteria could be involved in the pathophysiology of CD. Among the genes related to AIEC pathogenicity, fim has the potential to generate an inflammatory reaction from the intestinal epithelial cells and macrophages, as it interacts with TLR4, inducing the production of inflammatory cytokines independently of LPS. Therefore, targeting the bacterial adhesion of FimH-expressing bacteria seems a promising therapeutic approach, consisting of disarming bacteria without killing them, representing a selective strategy to suppress a potentially critical trigger of intestinal inflammation, without disturbing the intestinal microbiota.

Results

We analyzed the metagenomic composition of the gut microbiome of 358 patients with CD from two different cohorts and characterized the presence of FimH-expressing bacteria. To assess the pathogenic role of FimH, we used human intestinal explants and tested a specific FimH blocker to prevent bacterial adhesion and associated inflammation. We observed a significant and disease activity-dependent enrichment of Enterobacteriaceae in the gut microbiome of patients with CD. Bacterial FimH expression was functionally confirmed in ileal biopsies from 65% of the patients with CD. Using human intestinal explants, we further show that FimH is essential for adhesion and to trigger inflammation. Finally, a specific FimH-blocker, TAK-018, inhibits bacterial adhesion to the intestinal epithelium and prevents inflammation, thus preserving mucosal integrity.

Conclusions

We propose that TAK-018, which is safe and well tolerated in humans, is a promising candidate for the treatment of CD and in particular in preventing its recurrence.
Circulating MicroRNAs predict glycemic improvement and response to a behavioral intervention
Authors: Flowers Elena , Allen Isabel Elaine , Kanaya Alka M. , Aouizerat Bradley E.
Published: August 2021

Background

MicroRNAs may be important regulators of risk for type 2 diabetes. The purpose of this longitudinal observational study was to assess whether circulating microRNAs predicted improvements in fasting blood glucose, a major risk factor for type 2 diabetes, over 12 months.

Methods

The study included participants (n = 82) from a previously completed trial that tested the effect of restorative yoga on individuals with prediabetes. Circulating microRNAs were measured using a flow cytometry miRNA assay. Linear models were used to determine the optimal sets of microRNA predictors overall and by intervention group.

Results

Subsets of microRNAs were significant predictors of final fasting blood glucose after 12-months (R2 = 0.754, p < 0.001) and changes in fasting blood glucose over 12-months (R2 = 0.731, p < 0.001). Three microRNAs (let-7c, miR-363, miR-374b) were significant for the control group only, however there was no significant interaction by intervention group.

Conclusions

Circulating microRNAs are significant predictors of fasting blood glucose in individuals with prediabetes. Among the identified microRNAs, several have previously been associated with risk for type 2 diabetes. This is one of the first studies to use a longitudinal design to assess whether microRNAs predict changes in fasting blood glucose over time. Further exploration of the function of the microRNAs included in these models may provide new insights about the complex etiology of type 2 diabetes and responses to behavioral risk reduction interventions.

Trial registration

This study was a secondary analysis of a previously completed clinical trial that is registered at clinicaltrials.gov (NCT01024816) on December 3, 2009.
Pectinolytic lyases: a comprehensive review of sources, category, property, structure, and catalytic mechanism of pectate lyases and pectin lyases
Authors: Zheng Ling , Xu Yinxiao , Li Qian , Zhu Benwei
Published: August 2021

Pectate lyases and pectin lyases have essential roles in various biotechnological applications, such as textile industry, paper making, pectic wastewater pretreatment, juice clarification and oil extraction. They can effectively cleave the α-1,4-glycosidic bond of pectin molecules back bone by β-elimination reaction to produce pectin oligosaccharides. In this way, it will not generate highly toxic methanol and has the advantages of good enzymatic selectivity, less by-products, mild reaction conditions and high efficiency. However, numerous researches have been done for several decades; there are still no comprehensive reviews to summarize the recent advances of pectate lyases and pectin lyases. This review tries to fill this gap by providing all relevant information, including the substrate, origin, biochemical properties, sequence analysis, mode of action, the three-dimensional structure and catalytic mechanism.
Spectrum of common Hodgkin lymphoma and non-Hodgkin lymphomas subtypes in Zambia: a 3-year records review
Authors: Polepole Pascal , Mudenda Victor C. , Munsaka Sody M. , Zhang Luwen
Published: August 2021

Background

Lymphomas usually present with different occurrence patterns across different geographical locations, but their epidemiology in Zambia is yet to be extensively explored.

Objectives

To study the spectrum of lymphoma subtypes prevalent within the Zambian population.

Methods

Histopathological records with suspected lymphoma at the University Teaching Hospital (UTH) in Lusaka from the year 2014 to 2016, diagnosed based on the 2008 World Health Organization (WHO) criteria were reviewed. The analysis was done in terms of type, sex, age, and site of biopsy; and Fisher’s exact test was used for significance testing.

Results

During the study period (2014-2016), there were more B cell neoplasms {222 (92.5%)} than T cell neoplasms {18 (7.5%)}. Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma (NHL) was seen in 191 (79.6%) whereas classic Hodgkin’s lymphoma (CHL) was seen in 39 (16.3%). Burkitt’s lymphoma (BL) and diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) showed equal proportions {17.5% of all lymphoma cases (42/240) each}, as the most prevalent subtypes of NHL whereas marginal zone B cell lymphoma was the rarest subtype with 1.4% (4/240). For CHL, mixed cellularity and lymphocyte rich subtypes (4.6% of all lymphoma cases) were the most common subtypes. There was a statistically significant difference in the occurrences of lymphoma subtypes across different age categories (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Zambia has a diverse lymphoma subtypes population, affecting a relatively young population. The data from this study will serve as a baseline for improved health care provision and more robust future studies.
RNA sequencing analyses in infants patients with coarctation of the aorta
Authors: Liu Aijun , Li Bin , Yang Ming , Gu Yan , Qi Lihua , Su Junwu
Published: August 2021

Background

Coarctation of the aorta (CoA) is a serious innate heart disease. Although surgery results are generally good, some complications such as recoarctation and aortic aneurysm or persistent hypertension were serious threats to patient’s health. To better understand the pathology of CoA and its underlying molecular mechanism is particularly important for early diagnosis and preventing the occurrence of its complications. However, the mechanisms of CoA remain unclear, especially for infants.

Methods

RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was used to identify the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in vascular tissues of 12 patients with CoA and 10 normal participants form 3- to 34-month-old infants. The characteristic of DEGs were validated by quantitative reverse transcription–polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunochemical staining (IHC) in vessels of patients with CoA and normal infants.

Results

A total of 2491 DEGs with the false discovery rate less than 0.05(> 1.5-fold, P < 0.05 change) were identified, including 443 upregulated genes and 2048 downregulated genes. The Gene Ontology enrichment analysis showed that 26 out of the 2491 DEGs identified were associated with cardiovascular diseases. These 26 genes were mainly associated with extracellular matrix (ECM) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) differentiation. Three DEGs, that is, CNN1 (calponin), α-actinin1 and myosin heavy chain 11 MYH11, were validated using qRT-PCR and Western blot analysis. In addition, immunochemical staining showed that calponin and MYH11 were highly expressed on the surface and in the deep layers of the thickened intima respectively.

Conclusion

This study comprehensively characterized the CoA transcriptome. Migration of extracellular matrix (ECM) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs) to the subendothelial space may be the major characteristic of CoA in infants.
Fear of missing out (FoMO) mediate relations between social self-efficacy and life satisfaction
Authors: Deniz Metin
Published: August 2021

The purpose of this study was to examine whether fear of missing out (FoMO) mediate relations between social self-efficacy and life satisfaction among undergraduates. The participants involved 323 undergraduates (female, 66.3%; male, 33.7%). The age of participants ranged between 18 and 32 years (M = 21.52, SD = 2.69). The study data was gathered using the Fear of Missing out Scale, the Social Efficacy and Social Outcome Expectation Scale and the Satisfaction with Life Scale. The research data were analyzed using the structural equation model and bootstrapping method. As a result of the structural equation model, FoMO mediates the relationship between social self-efficacy and life satisfaction. As a result of the bootstrapping analysis, it was seen that all direct and indirect effects are significant. The results, recommendations, and limitations of the study were discussed.
Social media use in patients with fibromyalgia and its effect on symptom severity and sleep quality
Authors: Külekçioğlu Sevinç , Çetin Alp
Published: August 2021

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate social media use in patients with fibromyalgia syndrome (FMS) and determine the effect of social media use on disease severity and sleep quality.

Materials and methods

In total, 205 social media using patients with similar characteristics were included in the study. The study group consisted of 103 patients with FMS, and the control group consisted of 102 patients without FMS. The FMS symptom severity scale and diffuse pain index were used to determine the disease severity in FMS patients, the sleep disorder short form questionnaire (PROMIS) was used to evaluate sleep quality, and the Social Media Addiction Scale-Adult Form was used to evaluate social media addiction. A visual analog scale was applied to evaluate pain in both the patient and control groups, and social media usage times were recorded.

Results

We found that pain severity, sleep disturbance and social media addiction were higher in patients with FMS than in the control group, and there was no relationship between the rates of social media use in patients with FMS and the severity and prevalence of the disease.

Conclusion

The use of social media is more frequent in patients with FMS, which can motivate healthcare professionals to evaluate social media habits in individuals with FMS.
Student Perceptions of Authoring a Publication Stemming from a Course-Based Undergraduate Research Experience (CURE)
Authors: Turner Ashley N. , Challa Anil K. , Cooper Katelyn M.
Published: August 2021

Course-based undergraduate research experiences (CUREs) engage students with research experiences in a course format and can sometimes result in publication of that research. This interview study identifies student-perceived benefits of authoring a publication stemming from a CURE and explores student perceptions of authorship.
Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) versus sham ECT for depression: do study limitations invalidate the evidence (and mean we should stop using ECT)?
Authors: Anderson Ian M.
Published: August 2021

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression is a controversial treatment with highly polarised views about the balance between therapeutic benefits and adverse effects. Studies investigating whether ECT is more effective than a placebo treatment started in the 1950s, with the most important randomised controlled trials carried out about four decades ago in which ECT was compared with sham ECT (SECT) involving anaesthesia but no electrically induced seizure. Subsequently the data have been pooled in a number of meta-analyses which have found that ECT is an effective treatment. However, a recent review of the quality of the SECT-controlled studies, and the meta-analyses based on them, concludes that their quality is too poor to allow assessment of the efficacy of ECT and that, given its risks (permanent memory loss and death), the use of ECT should be suspended. This commentary critically discusses the methodology of this review and its conclusions.
Blastocyst Transfer: A Risk Factor for Gestational Diabetes Mellitus in Women Undergoing In Vitro Fertilization
Authors: Chen Huijun , Li Jian , Cai Sufen , Tang Sha , Zeng Suimin , Chu Chang , Hocher Carl-Friedrich , Rösing Benjamin , Krämer Bernhard K , Hu Liang , Lin Ge , Gong Fei , Hocher Berthold
Published: August 2021

Background

The risk of developing gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is higher in women undergoing assisted reproductive treatment than in women conceiving spontaneously.

Objectives

To determine whether the GDM risk after day-3 embryo transfer differs from the GDM risk after day-5 blastocyst transfer.

Methods

Prospective observational study in women becoming pregnant after first fresh embryo or blastocyst transfer.

Results

A total of 1579 women got pregnant and had live birth; 1300 women got day-3 embryo transfer only, whereas 279 women received at least 1 blastocyst. Of 1579 women, 252 developed GDM. Age, body mass index, baseline estradiol, baseline high-density lipoprotein, and progesterone on the day of human chorionic gonadotropin injection were not different in women receiving day-3 embryos only vs women receiving at least 1 blastocyst. The number and quality of retrieved oocytes were not different in women receiving day-3 embryo transfer from those receiving blastocysts. Our study confirmed already established GDM risk factors such as age and body mass index, baseline estradiol, and high-density lipoprotein, as well as progesterone after ovarian stimulation. We furthermore demonstrate that the GDM incidence in women receiving day-5 blastocyst transfer was significantly higher than those who received day-3 embryo transfer (21.15% vs 14.85%; P = 0.009). Considering confounding factors, we likewise saw that blastocyst transfer was an independent procedure-related GDM risk factor [P = 0.009, Exp (B): 1.56, 95% CI: 1.12-2.18].

Conclusion

Blastocyst transfer after in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection increases the risk of developing GDM.
Association of Maternal Total Cholesterol With SGA or LGA Birth at Term: the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Kaneko Kayo , Ito Yuki , Ebara Takeshi , Kato Sayaka , Matsuki Taro , Tamada Hazuki , Sato Hirotaka , Saitoh Shinji , Sugiura-Ogasawara Mayumi , Yamazaki Shin , Ohya Yukihiro , Kishi Reiko , Yaegashi Nobuo , Hashimoto Koichi , Mori Chisato , Ito Shuichi , Yamagata Zentaro , Inadera Hidekuni , Nakayama Takeo , Iso Hiroyasu , Shima Masayuki , Kurozawa Youichi , Suganuma Narufumi , Kusuhara Koichi , Katoh Takahiko , Kamijima Michihiro
Published: August 2021

Context

Maternal cholesterol is important for fetal development. Whether maternal serum total cholesterol (maternal TC) levels in midpregnancy are associated with small (SGA) or large (LGA) for gestational age independent of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and weight gain during pregnancy is inconclusive.

Objective

This work aimed to prospectively investigate the association between maternal TC in midpregnancy and SGA or LGA.

Methods

The Japan Environment and Children’s Study is a nationwide prospective birth cohort study in Japan. Participants in this study included 37 449 nondiabetic, nonhypertensive mothers with singleton birth at term without congenital abnormalities. Birth weight for gestational age less than the 10th percentile and greater than or equal to the 90th percentile were respectively defined as SGA and LGA by the Japanese neonatal anthropometric charts.

Results

The mean gestational age at blood sampling was 22.7 ± 4.0 weeks. After adjustment for maternal age, sex of child, parity, weight gain during pregnancy, prepregnancy BMI, smoking, alcohol drinking, blood glucose levels, household income, and study areas, 1-SD decrement of maternal TC was linearly associated with SGA (odds ratio [OR]: 1.20; 95% CI, 1.15-1.25). In contrast, 1-SD increment of maternal TC was linearly associated with LGA (OR: 1.13; 95% CI, 1.09-1.16). Associations did not differ according to prepregnancy BMI and gestational weight gain (P for interaction > .20).

Conclusion

Maternal TC levels in midpregnancy were associated with SGA or LGA in a Japanese cohort. It may help to predict SGA and LGA. Favorable maternal lipid profiles for fetal development must be explored.
Age, American Thyroid Association Risk Group, and Response to Therapy Are Prognostic Factors in Children With Differentiated Thyroid Cancer
Authors: Redlich Antje , Luster Markus , Lorenz Kerstin , Lessel Lienhard , Rohrer Tilman R , Schmid Kurt W , Frühwald Michael C , Vorwerk Peter , Kuhlen Michaela
Published: August 2021

Context

Against the background of increasing incidence, pediatric differentiated thyroid carcinoma (DTC) frequently presents with advanced disease and high recurrence rates while prognosis remains excellent.

Background

We investigated the use of a pediatric classification and an adult response to therapy risk stratification for pediatric DTC patients and their implications for adaptation of treatment and follow-up.

Methods

Data from patients aged <18 years with a diagnosis of primary DTC, registered with the German Pediatric Oncology Hematology-Malignant Endocrine Tumor registry since 1995, were analyzed. For risk prediction, patients were retrospectively assigned to the American Thyroid Association (ATA) risk groups and evaluated for response to therapy.

Results

By October 2019, 354 patients with DTC had been reported (median age at diagnosis 13.7 years, range 3.6-17.9) with lymph node and distant metastases in 74.3% and 24.5%. Mean follow-up was 4.1 years (range 0-20.6). Ten-year overall and event-free survival (EFS) rates were 98.9% and 78.1%. EFS was impaired for patients with lymph node and distant metastases (P < .001), positive postoperative thyroglobulin (P = .006), incomplete resection (P = .002), sequential surgeries to achieve total thyroidectomy (P = .042), invasion of capsule (P < .001) and lymph vessels (P = .005), infiltration of surrounding soft tissues (P < .001), tumor multifocality (P < .001), ATA intermediate- and high-risk group (P < .001), and age <10 years (P < .001). Multivariate analysis revealed age <10 years at diagnosis, ATA high-risk level, and poor response to therapy as significant negative prognostic factors for EFS.

Conclusion

Age, ATA risk group, and response to therapy emerged as significant prognostic factors for EFS in pediatric patients with DTC, requiring risk-adapted individualized therapy and follow-up.
Combined Spinal-Epidural Anesthesia for Subtotal Colectomy in a Patient With Hamman Syndrome and Epidural Pneumatosis: A Case Report
Authors: Oshimizu Mio , Yamaguchi Yoshikazu , Tsuboi Sayaka , Sugawara Yoh , Hayami Hajime , Tobias Joseph D. , Inagawa Gaku
Published: August 2021

It remains unclear how epidural pneumatosis affects the efficacy of neuraxial anesthesia. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum (Hamman syndrome) with epidural pneumatosis is rare. Regardless of its etiology, general anesthesia with positive pressure ventilation in patients with pneumomediastinum carries the risk of pneumothorax. We present a 19-year-old patient with Hamman syndrome and epidural pneumatosis who required emergency laparotomy. Effective analgesia was obtained using neuraxial anesthesia with a combined spinal-epidural anesthesia technique.
Use of Ultrasound-Guided Selective Sensory Nerve Blocks to Provide Satisfactory Postoperative Analgesia Without Motor Paralysis in Bilateral Distal Radius Fracture Fixation: A Case Report
Authors: Kawase Sayuri , Horiuchi Toshinori , Nagahata Toshihiro
Published: August 2021

Peripheral nerve blocks for postoperative pain management in distal radius fracture fixation with volar locking plates can cause undesirable motor paralysis. We performed bilateral ultrasound-guided selective sensory nerve blocks to the lateral cutaneous nerve of the forearm, superficial branch of the radial nerve, and anterior interosseous nerve for a patient undergoing bilateral distal radius fracture fixation with volar locking plates. This case report describes the first successful use of this ultrasound-guided selective sensory nerve block, which provided satisfactory postoperative analgesia and preserved the patient’s motor function following distal radius fracture fixation with volar locking plates.
High-Intensity Interval Training for Neurodegenerative Conditions
Authors: Gallo Paul M.
Published: August 2021

Apply It!

By reading this article, the reader should be able to:

• Explain what a neurodegenerative disease is and the most common types of diseases that fit this category.

• Discuss the major benefits of high-intensity interval training specific to neurodegenerative diseases.

• Provide recommendations for a high-intensity interval training program that accounts for special consideration associated with neurodegenerative diseases.
Minimizing table time in patients with claustrophobia using focused ferumoxytol-enhanced MR angiography (f-FEMRA): a feasibility study
Authors: Shahrouki Puja , Nguyen Kim-Lien , Moriarty John M. , Plotnik Adam N. , Yoshida Takegawa , Finn J. Paul
Published: August 2021

Objectives:

To assess the feasibility of a rapid, focused ferumoxytol-enhanced MR angiography (f-FEMRA) protocol in patients with claustrophobia.

Methods:

In this retrospective study, 13 patients with claustrophobia expressed reluctance to undergo conventional MR angiography, but agreed to a trial of up to 10 min in the scanner bore and underwent f-FEMRA. Thirteen matched control patients who underwent gadolinium-enhanced MR angiography (GEMRA) were identified for comparison of diagnostic image quality. For f-FEMRA, the time from localizer image acquisition to completion of the angiographic acquisition was measured. Two radiologists independently scored images on both f-FEMRA and GEMRA for arterial and venous image quality, motion artefact and diagnostic confidence using a 5-point scale, five being best. Signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) in the aorta and IVC were measured. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test, one-way ANOVA with Tukey correction and two-tailed t tests were utilized for statistical analyses.

Results:

All scans were diagnostic and assessed with high confidence (scores ≥ 4). Average scan time for f-FEMRA was 6.27 min (range 3.56 to 10.12 min), with no significant difference between f-FEMRA and GEMRA in diagnostic confidence (4.86 ± 0.24 vs 4.69 ± 0.25, p = 0.13), arterial image quality (4.62 ± 0.57 vs 4.65 ± 0.49, p = 0.78) and motion artefact score (4.58 ± 0.49 vs 4.58 ± 0.28, p > 0.99). f-FEMRA scored significantly better for venous image quality than GEMRA (4.62 ± 0.42 vs 4.19 ± 0.56, p = 0.04). CNR in the IVC was significantly higher for steady-state f-FEMRA than GEMRA regardless of the enhancement phase (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Comprehensive vascular MR imaging of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis can be completed in as little as 5 min within the magnet bore using f-FEMRA, facilitating acceptance by patients with claustrophobia and streamlining workflow.

Advances in knowledge:

A focused approach to vascular imaging with ferumoxytol can be performed in patients with claustrophobia, limiting time in the magnet bore to 10 min or less, while acquiring fully diagnostic images of the thorax, abdomen and pelvis.