bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does Lockdown Compliance Reflect a Latent Trait?
Authors: Gollwitzer Mario , Platzer Christine , Göritz Anja S. , Zwarg Clarissa , Twardawski Mathias
Published: September 2021

Imposing and enforcing lockdown rules are effective means to decelerate the spread of SARS-CoV-2. That said, the effectiveness of these rules strongly depends on citizens’ compliance. Here, we investigate the extent to which lockdown compliance varies as a function of (a) time-variant factors (i.e., infection wave), (b) rule-related factors (i.e., length, intensity, and flexibility of lockdown), and/or (c) stable individual differences. Using latent-state trait modeling with panel data from 1,098 German individuals who reported on their willingness to comply with five lockdown scenarios at two time points (April and November, 2020), we show that a substantial amount of variance can be attributed to a latent trait. Using data from a third time point (January 2021; N = 834), we show that this latent trait is associated with honesty/humility and conscientiousness above and beyond social desirability. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of these findings.
Anterior Translocation of the Right Pulmonary Artery to Relieve Bronchial Compression in Truncus Arteriosus With Interrupted Aortic Arch
Authors: Varenbut Jaymie , Vanderlaan Rachel D. , Lam Christopher Z. , Honjo Osami
Published: September 2021

We report an anterior translocation of the right pulmonary artery procedure to relieve severe left bronchial obstruction that was caused by right pulmonary artery stent placement in a 1-year-old patient with truncus arteriosus and interrupted aortic arch. After neonatal repair, the patient re-presented with severe truncal valve regurgitation, right pulmonary artery stenosis, and severe biventricular dysfunction, which was treated with truncal valve repair and right pulmonary artery plasty. The patient suffered from left bronchial compression from right pulmonary artery stent placement, which was successfully treated by the translocation procedure. Bronchial stenosis was successfully relieved by the translocation procedure. Indications, advantages, and disadvantages of this procedure are discussed.
What Limits the Benefits of Land-Lost Farmers in Chinese Courts? An Investigation of Chinese Land Acquisition and Resettlement Cases in the Yangtze River Delta
Authors: Zhou Wenzhang , Bao Haijun
Published: September 2021

Due to China’s rapid urbanization, the growing presence of land-lost farmers in land acquisition and resettlement (LAR) cases has led to major practical and academic concerns. However, few studies have focused on administration policy restrictions and how they affect land-lost farmers in Chinese courts for land resources. Based on the quantitative analysis and case studies involving 2,242 administrative LAR cases, this interdisciplinary work examines how administrative bureaucracy affects public departments’ ability to win in court. The findings of this study are twofold. First, in the relationship of Tiao, public departments at the top of the hierarchy can use administration policies to screen conflicts, which can increase the win rate of LAR cases. Second, in the relationship of Kuai, authorities’ relationships limit the investment in administration policies, which in turn decide the utility of administration policies in LAR cases. The findings can facilitate the implementation of appropriate administrative and judicial measures in different departments to promote land-lost farmers.
Climate Change and Children’s Mental Health: A Developmental Perspective
Authors: Vergunst Francis , Berry Helen L.
Published: September 2021

Climate change is a major global public-health challenge that will have wide-ranging impacts on human psychological health and well-being. Children and adolescents are at particular risk because of their rapidly developing brain, vulnerability to disease, and limited capacity to avoid or adapt to threats and impacts. They are also more likely to worry about climate change than any other age group. Drawing on a developmental life-course perspective, we show that climate-change-related threats can additively, interactively, and cumulatively increase psychopathology risk from conception onward; that these effects are already occurring; and that they constitute an important threat to healthy human development worldwide. We then argue that monitoring, measuring, and mitigating these risks is a matter of social justice and a crucial long-term investment in developmental and mental health sciences. We conclude with a discussion of conceptual and measurement challenges and outline research priorities going forward.
Surgical Precision and Efficiency of a Novel Electromagnetic System Compared to a Robot-Assisted System in Percutaneous Pedicle Screw Placement of Endo-LIF
Authors: Xu Derong , Ma Xuexiao , Xie Lei , Zhou Chuanli , Kong Biao
Published: September 2021

Study Design:

Retrospective database study.

Objectives:

To compare the accuracy and safety of 2 types of a computer-assisted navigation system for percutaneous pedicle screw placement during endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion.

Methods:

From May 2019 to January 2020, data of 56 patients who underwent Endo-LIF with a robot-assisted system and with an electromagnetic navigation system were compared. The pedicles in all patients were subjected to postoperative CT scan to assess screw correction by measuring the perpendicular distance between the pedicle cortical wall and the screw surface. The registration and matching time, guide-wire insertion time, the entire surgery time, and X-ray exposure time were recorded.

Results:

In the robot-assisted group, 25 cases with 100 percutaneous pedicle screws were included, and the excellent and good rate was 95%. In the electromagnetic navigation group, 31 cases with 124 screws were included, and the excellent rate was 97.6%. There was no statistical difference between the two groups ( P > 0.05). The registration time and the total time for the surgery also showed no statistical differences ( P > 0.05). The main difference between the two groups was the guide-wire insertion time and the X-ray exposure time ( P < 0.05).

Conclusions:

Both electromagnetic navigation and robot-assisted are safe and efficient for percutaneous pedicle screw placement. Electromagnetic navigation system has obvious advantages over robot-assisted in terms of faster guide-wire placement and less X-ray exposure. Robot-assisted for percutaneous pedicle screw placement offers a preoperative planning system and a stable registration system, with obvious drawbacks of a strict training curve.
Mandatory Prescription Limits and Opioid Use After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Authors: Kamaci Saygin , Ozdemir Erdi , Utz Christopher , Colosimo Angelo
Published: September 2021

Background:

Because of the need for perioperative pain management, orthopaedic surgeons play an important role in opioid use.

Purpose/Hypothesis:

To evaluate the impact of opioid-limiting legislation on postoperative opioid use and pain-related complications after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). The hypothesis was that the opioid-limiting legislation would reduce postoperative opioid use after ACLR.

Study Design:

Cohort study; level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We retrospectively reviewed patients who underwent ACLR 1 year before and 1 year after Ohio's opioid-limiting legislation, which was passed in August 2017. Clinicians were prohibited from prescribing more than 30 morphine milligram equivalents (MMEs) per day, with a maximum duration of 7 days for adults. The Ohio Automated Rx Reporting System database and patients’ medical charts were reviewed for prescriptions of all controlled substances (oral oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, codeine, tramadol, and hydromorphone) filled from 30 days before and 90 days after ACLR. The total number of postoperative prescriptions, total MMEs, the number of pills in each patient’s prescription, and pain-related complications (emergency department visits, office calls for pain control issues, unplanned readmissions, unplanned surgeries, and provider notes indicating opioid prescription refill demands) were evaluated.

Results:

A total of 243 patients (127 prelegislation, 116 postlegislation) were included in the study. There were no significant differences in demographics or preoperative opioid use between the study groups. The number of pills prescribed initially decreased by 34% after legislation (63.5 ± 16.7 [prelegislation] vs 42 ± 15.7 pills [postlegislation]; P < .001). Correspondingly, there was a significant decrease in total quantity of initial prescriptions in the postlegislation period (474.6 ± 123.8 vs 310.7 ± 115.3 MMEs; P < .001). The number of documented pain medication refill demands and pain-related complications did not increase in the postlegislation period (42 prelegislation vs 43 postlegislation; P = .514). Preoperative opioid use was the strongest predictor of opioid-refill demand (odds ratio, 4.19 [95% CI, 1.76-9.99]; P = .001).

Conclusion:

After the Ohio legislation was passed limiting opioid prescription, there was a significant reduction in opioids provided for patients undergoing ACLR. In spite of this decrease, no rebound increase in refill demands or postoperative pain-related complications were observed.
What Mother, Midwives, and Traditional Birth Helper Said About Early Initiation of Breastfeeding in Buginese-Bajo Culture
Authors: Syam Azniah , Abdul-Mumin Khadizah H. , Iskandar Imelda
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The aim of this study is to investigate how mothers, families, midwives, and traditional birth attendants in the Buginese-Bajo culture understanding breastfeeding and early initiation of breastfeeding (EIBF). Also to assess what support mothers receive from families, midwives, and traditional birth attendants during pregnancy, birth, and EIBF.

Methods

This qualitative study included 21 subjects (11 pregnant women, three midwives, and seven traditional birth attendants). Recorded interviews with the three groups of participants were transcribed verbatim and analyzed separately, using latent content analysis. The study started in December 2014 and ended in July 2015.

Results

Some mothers understood the meaning of EIBF, but engaged in it for different reasons. The midwives interpreted the principle of EIBF differently from a duration perspective. Traditional birth attendants explained it as a way to strengthen the relationship between mothers, and babies; they believed that prolonging breastfeeding until 2 years would change babies into caring children. According to them, this skin-to-skin contact has been practice for a century by traditional birth helpers. The philosophy of breastfeeding, according to the Buginese-Bajo, is creating “ peru” relationships for mothers and babies each other for their whole lives.

Conclusion

These findings show a connection between established science and cultural beliefs. The concept of peru is the central philosophy to be achieved in EIBF. Breast-feeding's psychological value is known and passed from generation to generation; this essential fact needs to be preserved as local capital for changing breastfeeding behavior. The government should pay more attention to this opportunity to increase awareness and promote breastfeeding behavior changes.
Effect of Detailed OSCE Score Reporting on Learning and Anxiety in Medical School
Authors: Daniels Vijay J. , Ortiz Silvia , Sandhu Gurtej , Lai Hollis , Yoon Minn N. , Bulut Okan , Hillier Tracey
Published: September 2021

Introduction

There is growing literature on increasing feedback from Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) and one approach is a score report. The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate a score report for a second and fourth-year medical school OSCE.

Methods

We developed an electronic OSCE score report that displayed comments and performance by domain within and across stations (checklist items and rating scales were tagged to each domain). Our initial pilot released the score report after pass/fail decisions but subsequent iterations released the score report the same day as the exam. Our evaluation approach included both student surveys and focus groups.

Results

Students felt the OSCE score report was accurate, identified strengths and weaknesses, and would likely cause them to take future action, with second-year students more likely to act on the report than fourth year students. The thematic analysis revealed barriers and enablers to utilizing feedback as well as the power of the score report to reduce anxiety.

Conclusions

Our OSCE score report was simple to develop and implement the same day as an OSCE with an overall positive response from students with respect to accuracy and ability to use the information for future learning.
Political Participation of Dalits in Punjab of the Twenty-first Century
Authors: Sahni Ashima , Jagroop
Published: September 2021

This article focuses on pattern and direction with which Dalit politics moves in Punjab. An attempt is made to understand political participation as well as voting behaviour of Dalits in Punjab, which is quite different when compared with political behaviour of Dalits in the rest of India. In this study, political participation and political gains of Dalits in Punjab are studied under three phases as well as economic and social factors that have reshaped and redefined the role of Dalits in Punjab politics. Ever since Punjab’s first Assembly election held in 1951 till the 13 Punjab state Assembly election held in 2017, there is no major change in the pattern of Dalit leadership as there is no Dalit leader who commands the whole of Dalit strata in Punjab. On the basis of historical and analytical studies, this article argues that possibilities are quite remote for the emergence of strong leadership having a support of entire Dalit community in Punjab in the upcoming state Assembly elections of 2022.
Tribal Students and Educational Aspiration: A Sociological Investigation of Tribal School in Odisha
Authors: Das Pabitra Kumar , Naik Iswar Chandra , Swain Saismita , Dangi Rakesh Kumar , Jain Smita
Published: September 2021

Bourdieu (1986) had shown, how a person can develop ‘capital through social interactions’ and later Sen (1992) applied Bourdieu’s concept of ‘ capitals’ in ‘ capabilities’ (Hart, 2012, pp. 52–62); both emphasized on education, aspiration and social justice. Education and aspiration are instrumental in bringing change particularly for the backwards especially minorities, Dalits and Scheduled Tribes and others. Schooling and raising students’ aspiration are the crux because students are the most significant fraction of developing human capital in a developing country like India. They are the future resources for progress and development of entire nation. Their aspiration counts a lot while reviewing the demographic dividend of the country at present; the youth population of the country is 654 million. Education Commissioner C. S. Kothari (1964) remarked, ‘Future of this country lies in the classroom’ (National Council of Educational Research and Training, 1970, pp. 13–36); educational aspiration of the youth and meeting this aspiration with right kind of opportunity facilitates them sure progress and putting India in a newer height in global competitiveness. So, student’s aspiration is significant subject to study. The term ‘aspiration’ is one which is often used synonymously with goals, ambitions, objectives, purposes, dreams, plans, cravings or aims. It is typical, everybody aspires in everyday and aspirations are driving force behind a person’s behaviour to do more and be more than he or she presently is. ‘We may know what we are, but we cannot know for certain what we can be’ (Quaglia, 1989, pp. 7–9). It is a craving for high achievement in life. It is a crucial aspect of intrinsic as well as extrinsic motivation to a person. Ordinarily, development of aspiration is influenced by a number of factors. The significant factors that influence are culture, family environment and socio-economic status, locality of residence, teaching commitment and others.
Transitioning patients from outpatient mental health services to primary care: A rapid literature review
Authors: Blasi Paula R. , Mettert Kayne D. , Coleman Katie , Lewis Cara , Wagner Edward , Coghill Maria N. , Dang Tobias , Richards Julie E.
Published: September 2021

Background

A lack of access to mental health services is a critical barrier to obtaining evidence-based care. One strategy to improve access is to transition stable patients out of mental health specialty services and into primary care, thus opening availability for new patients and those with acute mental health needs. To support these transitions, organizations might explore a range of new practices and implementation strategies.

Methods

We conducted a rapid literature review to summarize descriptions from the research literature about practices for transitioning stable patients from outpatient mental health services to primary care, as well as implementation strategies to enhance the adoption and sustainment of these practices. We searched PsycINFO and Cumulated Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) for articles published between January 2000 and August 2019. For articles meeting inclusion criteria, we abstracted data on study characteristics, transition practices, and implementation strategies.

Results

We included 11 articles representing diverse study designs, settings, and health care organizations. Across these articles, we identified six categories of commonly described transition practices, with patient engagement appearing the most frequently (10 articles), followed by shared treatment planning (eight articles), assessment of recovery and stability, care coordination, follow up and support, and medication management (seven articles each). Less frequently, articles included descriptions of implementation strategies, with five articles describing efforts to train and educate stakeholders and four articles describing the use of evaluative and iterative strategies.

Conclusions

We identified descriptions of several common practices to help patients transition from mental health specialty services to primary care, but there are opportunities for an increased focus on implementation strategies to enhance the adoption and sustainment of these transition practices. More research is needed to better understand the effectiveness of specific transition interventions and the feasibility of deploying these interventions in heterogeneous health care settings.
Phase 1a/b study of monoclonal antibody CAEL-101 (11-1F4) in patients with AL amyloidosis
Authors: Edwards Camille Vanessa , Rao Nisha , Bhutani Divaya , Mapara Markus , Radhakrishnan Jai , Shames Sofia , Maurer Mathew S. , Leng Siyang , Solomon Alan , Lentzsch Suzanne , Eisenberger Andrew
Published: September 2021

Systemic immunoglobulin light-chain amyloidosis is characterized by pathologic deposition of immunoglobulin light chains as amyloid fibrils in vital organs, leading to organ impairment and eventual death. That the process is reversible was evidenced in an in vivo experimental model in which fibril-reactive chimeric monoclonal antibody (mAb) 11-1F4 directly targeted human light-chain amyloid deposits and affected their removal via a phagocyte-mediated response. To determine the tolerability and potential amyloidolytic effect of this agent (now designated mAb CAEL-101), we conducted a phase 1a/b study involving 27 patients, most of whom had manifestations of organ involvement. This was an open-label study in which phase 1a patients received mAb CAEL-101 as a single intravenous infusion with escalating dose levels from 0.5 mg/m2 to 500 mg/m2 to establish the maximum tolerated dose (MTD). In phase 1b, the antibody was administered as a graded series of 4 weekly infusions. For both phases, there were no drug-related serious adverse events or dose-limiting toxicities among recipients, and the MTD was not reached. The majority of patients had deep hematologic responses but persistent organ disease prior to treatment. Fifteen of 24 patients (63%) who manifested cardiac, renal, hepatic, gastrointestinal, or soft tissue involvement had a therapeutic response to mAb CAEL-101 as evidenced by serum biomarkers or objective imaging modalities with a median time to response of 3 weeks. Infusions of mAb CAEL-101 were well tolerated and, for the majority, resulted in improved organ function, notably for those with cardiac impairment. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT02245867.
CAMK2G is identified as a novel therapeutic target for myelofibrosis
Authors: Miyauchi Masashi , Sasaki Ken , Kagoya Yuki , Taoka Kazuki , Masamoto Yosuke , Yamazaki Sho , Arai Shunya , Mizuno Hideaki , Kurokawa Mineo
Published: September 2021

Although JAK1/2 inhibition is effective in alleviating symptoms of myelofibrosis (MF), it does not result in the eradication of MF clones, which can lead to inhibitor-resistant clones emerging during the treatment. Here, we established induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from MF patient samples (MF-iPSCs) harboring JAK2 V617F, CALR type 1, or CALR type 2 mutations. We demonstrated that these cells faithfully recapitulate the drug sensitivity of the disease. These cells were used for chemical screening, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase 2 (CAMK2) was identified as a promising therapeutic target. MF model cells and mice induced by MPL W515L, another type of mutation recurrently detected in MF patients, were used to elucidate the therapeutic potential of CAMK2 inhibition. CAMK2 inhibition was effective against JAK2 inhibitor-sensitive and JAK2 inhibitor-resistant cells. Further research revealed CAMK2 γ subtype was important in MF model cells induced by MPL W515L. We showed that CAMK2G hetero knockout in the primary bone marrow cells expressing MPL W515L decreased colony-forming capacity. CAMK2G inhibition with berbamine, a CAMK2G inhibitor, significantly prolonged survival and reduced disease phenotypes, such as splenomegaly and leukocytosis in a MF mouse model induced by MPL W515L. We investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of CAMK2G inhibition and found that CAMK2G is activated by MPL signaling in MF model cells and is an effector in the MPL-JAK2 signaling pathway in these cells. These results indicate CAMK2G plays an important role in MF, and CAMK2G inhibition may be a novel therapeutic strategy that overcomes resistance to JAK1/2 inhibition.
Sequential different B-cell antigen–targeted CAR T-cell therapy for pediatric refractory/relapsed Burkitt lymphoma
Authors: Liu Ying , Deng Biping , Hu Bo , Zhang Wenqun , Zhu Qing , Liu Yang , Wang Shan , Zhang Pei , Yang Ying , Yang Junhan , Zheng Qinlong , Yu Xinjian , Gao Zifen , Zhou Chunju , Han Wei , Yang Jing , Jin Ling , Tong Chunrong , Chang Alex H. , Zhang Yonghong
Published: September 2021

Single antigen–targeted chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy may be insufficient to induce a durable response in pediatric aggressive B-cell lymphomas. This clinical trial examined the feasibility of sequential different B-cell antigen–targeted CAR T-cell therapy for pediatric relapsed/refractory (R/R) Burkitt lymphoma. Twenty-three patients received the first CD19 CAR T-cell infusion. The patients who did not achieve an ongoing complete response (CR) underwent 1 or more sequential infusions of CAR T-cell therapy that targeted CD22 followed by CD20 according to their disease status and CAR T-cell persistence after each infusion. The median time from the last infusion to the cutoff date was 17 months (range, 15-23 months). The estimated 18-month CR rate was 78% (95% confidence interval [CI], 54%-91%). The estimated 18-month progression-free survival rate was 78% (95% CI, 55%-90%), with 78% (95% CI, 37%-94%) in patients with bulky disease and 60% (95% CI, 25%-83%) in patients with central nervous system (CNS) involvement. During the first CD19 CAR T-cell infusion, grade ≥3 cytokine release syndrome (CRS) occurred in 34.8% and neurotoxicity occurred in 21.7% of all patients. During subsequent infusions, there were only a few incidences of grade >2 CRS and neurotoxicity. All adverse events were reversible. The severity of neurotoxicity was not significantly different between patients with CNS involvement and those who did not have CNS involvement. Sequential CAR T-cell therapy may result in a durable response and is safe in pediatric R/R Burkitt lymphoma. Patients with CNS involvement may benefit from sequential CAR T-cell therapy. This trial was registered at www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx as #ChiCTR1800014457.
Nonrelapse mortality among patients diagnosed with chronic GVHD: an updated analysis from the Chronic GVHD Consortium
Authors: DeFilipp Zachariah , Alousi Amin M. , Pidala Joseph A. , Carpenter Paul A. , Onstad Lynn E. , Arai Sally , Arora Mukta , Cutler Corey S. , Flowers Mary E. D. , Kitko Carrie L. , Chen George L. , Lee Stephanie J. , Hamilton Betty K.
Published: September 2021

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) is the leading cause of late morbidity and mortality after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. To better understand patients at highest risk for nonrelapse mortality (NRM), we analyzed patient-, transplant-, and cGVHD-related variables, risk factors, and causes of nonrelapse deaths in an updated cohort of 937 patients enrolled on 2 prospective, longitudinal observational studies through the Chronic GVHD Consortium. The median follow-up of survivors was 4 years (range, 0.1 months to 12.5 years). Relapse accounted for 25% of the 333 deaths. The cumulative incidence of NRM was 22% at 5 years, and it increased over time at a projected 40% (95% confidence interval, 30%-50%) at 12 years. Centers reported that cGVHD (37.8%) was the most common cause of NRM and was associated with organ failure, infection, or additional causes not otherwise specified. The next most frequent causes without mention of cGVHD were infection (17%) and respiratory failure (10%). In multivariable analysis, an increased risk for NRM was significantly associated with the use of reduced intensity conditioning, higher total bilirubin, National Institutes of Health (NIH) skin score of 2 to 3, NIH lung score of 1 to 3, worse modified Human Activity Profile adjusted activity score, and decreased distance on walk test. To summarize, cGVHD NRM does not plateau but increases over time and is most commonly attributed to GVHD or infection, presumably associated with immunocompromised status. Severe skin and lung cGVHD remain challenging manifestations associated with increased NRM, for which novel therapeutic options that do not predispose patients to infections are needed.
The association between urinary bisphenol A levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Korean adults: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2015-2017
Authors: An Sang Joon , Yang Eun-Jung , Oh Subin , Park Kyong Jin , Kim Taehyen , Hong Yeon-pyo , Yang Yun-Jung
Published: September 2021

Background

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a global health problem. Bisphenol A (BPA), one of most widely used environmental chemicals, is suspected to be a contributor to the development NAFLD. This study was performed to examine the relationship between human BPA levels and risk of NAFLD.

Methods

The data (n = 3476 adults: 1474 men and 2002 women) used in this study were obtained from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey III (2015-2017). BPA levels were measured in urine samples. NAFLD was defined using hepatic steatosis index after exclusion of other causes of hepatic diseases.

Results

There was a significant linear relationship between the elevated urinary BPA concentrations and risk of NAFLD. In a univariate analysis, odds ratio (OR) of the highest quartile of urinary BPA level was 1.47 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-1.94] compared to the lowest quartile. After adjusted with covariates, the ORs for NAFLD in the third and fourth quartiles were 1.31 [95% CI 1.03-1.67] and 1.32 [95% CI 1.03–1.70], respectively.

Conclusions

Urinary BPA levels are positively associated with the risk of NAFLD in adults. Further experimental studies are needed to understand the molecular mechanisms of BPA on NAFLD prevalence.
Mesenchymal stem cells: A comprehensive methods for odontoblastic induction
Authors: Koh Benson , Sulaiman Nadiah , Ismadi Sharifah Nursyazwani Shahirah Wan , Ramli Roszalina , Yunus Siti Salmiah Mohd , Idrus Ruszymah Bt Hj , Ariffin Shahrul Hisham Zainal , Wahab Rohaya Megat Abdul , Yazid Muhammad Dain
Published: September 2021

Background

In the area of oral and maxillofacial surgery, regenerative endodontics aims to present alternative options to conventional treatment strategies. With continuous advances in regenerative medicine, the source of cells used for pulp tissue regeneration is not only limited to mesenchymal stem cells as the non-mesenchymal stem cells have shown capabilities too. In this review, we are systematically assessing the recent findings on odontoblastic differentiation induction with scaffold and non-scaffold approaches.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in Pubmed, and Scopus, and relevant studies published between 2015 and 2020 were selected following the PRISMA guideline. The main inclusion criteria were that articles must be revolving on method for osteoblast differentiation in vitro study. Therefore, in vivo and human or animal clinical studies were excluded. The search outcomes identified all articles containing the word “odontoblast”, “differentiation”, and “mesenchymal stem cell”.

Results

The literature search identified 99 related studies, but only 11 articles met the inclusion criteria. These include 5 odontoblastic differentiation induction with scaffold, 6 inductions without scaffolds. The data collected were characterised into two main categories: type of cells undergo odontoblastic differentiation, and odontoblastic differentiation techniques using scaffolds or non-scaffold.

Conclusion

Based on the data analysis, the scaffold-based odontoblastic induction method seems to be a better option compared to the non-scaffold method. In addition of that, the combination of growth factors in scaffold-based methods could possibly enhance the differentiation. Thus, further detailed studies are still required to understand the mechanism and the way to enhance odontoblastic differentiation.
Construction and investigation of a circRNA-associated ceRNA regulatory network in Tetralogy of Fallot
Authors: Yu Haifei , Wang Xinrui , Cao Hua
Published: September 2021

Background

As the most frequent type of cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD), tetralogy of Fallot (TOF) has a relatively poor prognosis without corrective surgery. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) represent a novel class of endogenous noncoding RNAs that regulate target gene expression posttranscriptionally in heart development. Here, we investigated the potential role of the ceRNA network in the pathogenesis of TOF.

Methods

To identify circRNA expression profiles in TOF, microarrays were used to screen the differentially expressed circRNAs between 3 TOF and 3 control human myocardial tissue samples. Then, a dysregulated circRNA-associated ceRNA network was constructed using the established multistep screening strategy.

Results

In summary, a total of 276 differentially expressed circRNAs were identified, including 214 upregulated and 62 downregulated circRNAs in TOF samples. By constructing the circRNA-associated ceRNA network based on bioinformatics data, a total of 19 circRNAs, 9 miRNAs, and 34 mRNAs were further screened. Moreover, by enlarging the sample size, the qPCR results validated the positive correlations between hsa_circ_0007798 and HIF1A.

Conclusions

The findings in this study provide a comprehensive understanding of the ceRNA network involved in TOF biology, such as the hsa_circ_0007798/miR-199b-5p/HIF1A signalling axis, and may offer candidate diagnostic biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets for TOF. In addition, we propose that the ceRNA network regulates TOF progression.
The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on aortic valve surgical service: a single centre experience
Authors: Vlastos Dimitrios , Chauhan Ishaansinh , Mensah Kwabena , Cannoletta Maria , Asonitis Athanasios , Elfadil Ahmed , Petrou Mario , De Souza Anthony , Quarto Cesare , Bhudia Sunil K. , Rosendahl Ulrich , Pepper John , Asimakopoulos George
Published: September 2021

Background

The coronavirus-disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic imposed an unprecedented burden on the provision of cardiac surgical services. The reallocation of workforce and resources necessitated the postponement of elective operations in this cohort of high-risk patients. We investigated the impact of this outbreak on the aortic valve surgery activity at a single two-site centre in the United Kingdom.

Methods

Data were extracted from the local surgical database, including the demographics, clinical characteristics, and outcomes of patients operated on from March 2020 to May 2020 with only one of the two sites resuming operative activity and compared with the respective 2019 period. A similar comparison was conducted with the period between June 2020 and August 2020, when operative activity was restored at both institutional sites. The experience of centres world-wide was invoked to assess the efficiency of our services.

Results

There was an initial 38.2% reduction in the total number of operations with a 70% reduction in elective cases, compared with a 159% increase in urgent and emergency operations. The attendant surgical risk was significantly higher [median Euroscore II was 2.7 [1.9–5.2] in 2020 versus 2.1 [0.9–3.7] in 2019 (p = 0.005)] but neither 30-day survival nor freedom from major post-operative complications (re-sternotomy for bleeding/tamponade, transient ischemic attack/stroke, renal replacement therapy) was compromised (p > 0.05 for all comparisons). Recommencement of activity at both institutional sites conferred a surgical volume within 17% of the pre-COVID-19 era.

Conclusions

Our institution managed to offer a considerable volume of aortic valve surgical activity over the first COVID-19 outbreak to a cohort of higher-risk patients, without compromising post-operative outcomes. A backlog of elective cases is expected to develop, the accommodation of which after surgical activity normalisation will be crucial to monitor.
Development and validation of a risk prediction nomogram for in-stent restenosis in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention
Authors: He Wenbo , Xu Changwu , Wang Xiaoying , Lei Jiyong , Qiu Qinfang , Hu Yingying , Luo Da
Published: September 2021

Background

This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram to predict probability of in-stent restenosis (ISR) in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods

Patients undergoing PCI with drug-eluting stents between July 2009 and August 2011 were retrieved from a cohort study in a high-volume PCI center, and further randomly assigned to training and validation sets. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression model was used to screen out significant features for construction of nomogram. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was applied to build a nomogram-based predicting model incorporating the variables selected in the LASSO regression model. The area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristics (ROC), calibration plot and decision curve analysis (DCA) were performed to estimate the discrimination, calibration and utility of the nomogram model respectively.

Results

A total of 463 patients with DES implantation were enrolled and randomized in the development and validation sets. The predication nomogram was constructed with five risk factors including prior PCI, hyperglycemia, stents in left anterior descending artery (LAD), stent type, and absence of clopidogrel, which proved reliable for quantifying risks of ISR for patients with stent implantation. The AUC of development and validation set were 0.706 and 0.662, respectively, indicating that the prediction model displayed moderate discrimination capacity to predict restenosis. The high quality of calibration plots in both datasets demonstrated strong concordance performance of the nomogram model. Moreover, DCA showed that the nomogram was clinically useful when intervention was decided at the possibility threshold of 9%, indicating good utility for clinical decision-making.

Conclusions

The individualized prediction nomogram incorporating 5 commonly clinical and angiographic characteristics for patients undergoing PCI can be conveniently used to facilitate early identification and improved screening of patients at higher risk of ISR.
High diagnostic yield of endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) in the diagnosis of adolescent pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Geweniger Anne , Janda Ales , Eder Kristin , Fressle Roland , Kannan Cecil Varna , Fahnenstich Hubert , Elze Mirjam , Müller Christoph , Henneke Philipp , Hufnagel Markus , Elling Roland
Published: September 2021

Background

The microbiological diagnosis of pulmonary tuberculosis (Tb) in a pediatric population is hampered by both low pathogen burden and noncompliance with sputum sampling. Although endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) has been found useful for the evaluation of mediastinal pathologies in adults, for children, sparse data are available. Here, we have evaluated EBUS-TBNA as a diagnostic procedure in children and adolescents with suspected pulmonary Tb.

Methods

In this retrospective analysis, we reviewed the charts of unaccompanied refugee minors (URM) who were admitted between January 2016 and July 2018 and who, during their initial medical screening upon arrival in Germany, were found to have abnormal radiological pulmonary and mediastinal findings and/or immunological results indicative of Tb. For each patient, basic sociodemographic data, clinical features and data on diagnostic procedures performed were assessed. These included imaging, immunodiagnostic tests and microbiological data derived from sputum, bronchoalveolar lavage, EBUS-TBNA, bronchoscopy and pleural fluid sampling. All patients who underwent invasive sampling procedures were included in the study.

Results

Out of 42 URM with suspected Tb, 34 fulfilled the study’s inclusion criteria. Ages ranged from 14 to 17 years. All were of African origin, with 70.0% coming from Somalia, Eritrea and Ethiopia. Among the 21 patients for whom EBUS-TBNA was performed, the diagnostic yield was high: 66.7% positive results (MTb detected either by acid-fast stain, culture or PCR in 4.8, 42.9 and 61.9% of samples, respectively). Multidrug-resistant MTb was found in two patients from Somalia. No complications were associated with the procedure. Overall, pulmonary Tb was diagnosed in 29 patients (85.3%), miliary Tb in two patients (5.9%) and latent Tb in three patients (8.8%).

Conclusions

EBUS-TBNA is a sensitive and safe method with high diagnostic yield in the evaluation of pediatric patients with mediastinal pathology and suspected Tb.
Clinical characteristics and risk factors of fatal patients with COVID-19: a retrospective cohort study in Wuhan, China
Authors: Jin Meng , Lu Zequn , Zhang Xu , Wang Yanan , Wang Jing , Cai Yimin , Tian Kunming , Xiong Zezhong , Zhong Qiang , Ran Xiao , Yang Chunguang , Zeng Xing , Wang Lu , Li Yao , Zhang Shanshan , Dong Tianyi , Yue Xinying , Li Heng , Liu Bo , Chen Xin , Cui Hongyuan , Qi Jirong , Fan Haining , Li Haixia , Yang Xiang-Ping , Hu Zhiquan , Wang Shaogang , Xiao Jun , Wang Ying , Tian Jianbo , Wang Zhihua
Published: September 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has caused a global pandemic, resulting in considerable mortality. The risk factors, clinical treatments, especially comprehensive risk models for COVID-19 death are urgently warranted.

Methods

In this retrospective study, 281 non-survivors and 712 survivors with propensity score matching by age, sex, and comorbidities were enrolled from January 13, 2020 to March 31, 2020.

Results

Higher SOFA, qSOFA, APACHE II and SIRS scores, hypoxia, elevated inflammatory cytokines, multi-organ dysfunction, decreased immune cell subsets, and complications were significantly associated with the higher COVID-19 death risk. In addition to traditional predictors for death risk, including APACHE II (AUC = 0.83), SIRS (AUC = 0.75), SOFA (AUC = 0.70) and qSOFA scores (AUC = 0.61), another four prediction models that included immune cells subsets (AUC = 0.90), multiple organ damage biomarkers (AUC = 0.89), complications (AUC = 0.88) and inflammatory-related indexes (AUC = 0.75) were established. Additionally, the predictive accuracy of combining these risk factors (AUC = 0.950) was also significantly higher than that of each risk group alone, which was significant for early clinical management for COVID-19.

Conclusions

The potential risk factors could help to predict the clinical prognosis of COVID-19 patients at an early stage. The combined model might be more suitable for the death risk evaluation of COVID-19.
Exploring the relationship between mobility and COVID− 19 infection rates for the second peak in the United States using phase-wise association
Authors: Gottumukkala Raju , Katragadda Satya , Bhupatiraju Ravi Teja , Kamal Azmyin Md. , Raghavan Vijay , Chu Henry , Kolluru Ramesh , Ashkar Ziad
Published: September 2021

Human mobility plays an important role in the dynamics of infectious disease spread. Evidence from the initial nationwide lockdowns for COVID− 19 indicates that restricting human mobility is an effective strategy to contain the spread. While a direct correlation was observed early on, it is not known how mobility impacted COVID− 19 infection growth rates once lockdowns are lifted, primarily due to modulation by other factors such as face masks, social distancing, and the non-linear patterns of both mobility and infection growth. This paper introduces a piece-wise approach to better explore the phase-wise association between state-level COVID− 19 incidence data and anonymized mobile phone data for various states in the United States. Prior literature analyzed the linear correlation between mobility and the number of cases during the early stages of the pandemic. However, it is important to capture the non-linear dynamics of case growth and mobility to be usable for both tracking and forecasting COVID− 19 infections, which is accomplished by the piece-wise approach. The associations between mobility and case growth rate varied widely for various phases of the epidemic curve when the stay-at-home orders were lifted. The mobility growth patterns had a strong positive association of 0.7 with the growth in the number of cases, with a lag of 5 to 7 weeks, for the fast-growth phase of the pandemic, for only 20 states that had a peak between July 1st and September 30, 2020. Overall though, mobility cannot be used to predict the rise in the number of cases after initial lockdowns have been lifted. Our analysis explores the gradual diminishing value of mobility associations in the later stage of the outbreak. Our analysis indicates that the relationship between mobility and the increase in the number of cases, once lockdowns have been lifted, is tenuous at best and there is no strong relationship between these signals. But we identify the remnants of the last associations in specific phases of the growth curve.
Beyond the “information deficit model” - understanding vaccine-hesitant attitudes of midwives in Austria: a qualitative study
Authors: Lehner Lisa , Gribi Janna , Hoffmann Kathryn , Paul Katharina T. , Kutalek Ruth
Published: September 2021

Background

Healthcare workers are considered key stakeholders in efforts to address vaccine hesitancy. Midwives’ influence in advising expectant parents on early-childhood vaccinations is unquestioned, yet they remain an understudied group. The literature on midwives’ attitudes towards vaccinations is also inconclusive. We therefore conducted an explorative qualitative study on midwives’ vaccine-hesitant attitudes towards MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccinations in Austria.

Methods

We conducted 12 in-depth interviews on their knowledge, concerns, and beliefs with midwives who self-identified as hesitant or resistant towards early-childhood MMR vaccinations. We analyzed the data using a grounded theory approach to distill common themes and meanings.

Results

Healthcare workers’ stewardship to address vaccine hesitancy is commonly framed in terms of the “information deficit model”: disseminate the right information and remedy publics’ information deficits. Our findings suggest that this approach is too simplistic: Midwives’ professional self-understanding, their notions of “good care” and “good parenthood” inflect how they engage with vaccine information and how they address it to their clients. Midwives’ model of care prioritized good counseling rather than sharing scientific information in a “right the wrong”-manner. They saw themselves as critical consumers of that information and as promoting “empowered patients” who were free, and affluent enough, to make their own choices about vaccinations. In so doing, they also often promoted traditional notions of motherhood.

Conclusions

Research shows that, for parents, vaccine decision-making builds on trust and dialogue with healthcare professionals and is more than a technical issue. In order to foster these interactions, understanding healthcare professionals’ means of engaging with information is key to understanding how they engage with their constituents. Healthcare workers are more than neutral resources; their daily praxis influenced by their professional standing in the healthcare system. Similarly, healthcare professionals’ views on vaccinations cannot be remedied with more information either. Building better and more diverse curricula for different groups of healthcare workers must attend to their respective roles, ethics of care, and professional beliefs. Taken together, better models for addressing vaccine hesitancy can only be developed by espousing a multi-faceted view of decision-making processes and interactions of healthcare workers with constituents.
Knowledge and awareness of dental implants among Syrian refugees: a cross sectional study in Zaatari camp
Authors: Salim Nesreen A. , Meyad Fatima Hafedh , Al-Abdallah Mariam Mohammad , Abu-Awwad Motasum , Satterthwaite Julian D.
Published: September 2021

Background

The popularity of implant dentistry is increasing dramatically, but the success of implant treatment depends on a patient’s knowledge and expectations.

Methods

This study aimed to assess dental implant knowledge among refugees as a treatment option (n = 565), using face-to-face interviews. The frequency distribution of the responses in general and according to age, gender and education was calculated.

Results

81.8% of the interviewees had missing teeth, however, only 26.2% replaced them. 16.6% of participants had never/hardly heard about implants. Females who never heard of implants were more than males (P < 0.001). 51.3% of participants described dental implants as a screw, and only 35.4% knew implants were placed in jawbones. 6.2% of respondents reported that implants required more care than a natural teeth, with 47.6% believing that diseases affect implant success. Friends were the main source of information (61.4%). Highly educated participants showed higher knowledge about implants.

Conclusions

The surveyed sample revealed limited knowledge about dental implants with high cost being a major obstacle, warranting more strategies to increase awareness and to make implants more affordable for this population.