bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Birth weight and gestational age distributions in a rural Kenyan population
Authors: Bucher Sherri , Nowak Kayla , Otieno Kevin , Tenge Constance , Marete Irene , Rutto Faith , Kemboi Millsort , Achieng Emma , Ekhaguere Osayame , Nyongesa Paul , Esamai Fabian , Liechty Edward
Published: August 2022

BackgroundWith the increased availability of access to prenatal ultrasound in low/middle-income countries, there is opportunity to better characterize the association between fetal growth and birth weight across global settings. This is important, as fetal growth curves and birthweight charts are often used as proxy health indicators. As part of a randomized control trial, in which ultrasonography was utilized to establish accurate gestational age of pregnancies, we explored the association between gestational age and birthweight among a cohort in Western Kenya, then compared our results to data reported by the INTERGROWTH-21st study.MethodsThis study was conducted in 8 geographical clusters across 3 counties in Western Kenya. Eligible subjects were nulliparous women carrying singleton pregnancies. An early ultrasound was performed between 6 + 0/7 and 13 + 6/7 weeks gestational age. At birth, infants were weighed on platform scales provided either by the study team (community births), or the Government of Kenya (public health facilities). The 10th, 25th, median, 75th, and 90th BW percentiles for 36 to 42 weeks gestation were determined; resulting percentile points were plotted, and curves determined using a cubic spline technique. A signed rank test was used to quantify the comparison of the percentiles generated in the rural Kenyan sample with those of the INTERGROWTH-21st study.ResultsA total of 1291 infants (of 1408 pregnant women randomized) were included. Ninety-three infants did not have a measured birth weight. The majority of these were due to miscarriage (n = 49) or stillbirth (n = 27). No significant differences were found between subjects who were lost to follow-up. Signed rank comparisons of the observed median of the Western Kenya data at 10th, 50th, and 90th birthweight percentiles, as compared to medians reported in the INTERGROWTH-21st distributions, revealed close alignment between the two datasets, with significant differences at 36 and 37 weeks. Limitations of the current study include small sample size, and detection of potential digit preference bias.ConclusionsA comparison of birthweight percentiles by gestational age estimation, among a sample of infants from rural Kenya, revealed slight differences as compared to those from an urban setting in the same geographical setting (INTERGROWTH-21st ).Trial registration : This is a single site sub-study of data collected in conjunction with the Aspirin Supplementation for Pregnancy Indicated Risk Reduction In Nulliparas (ASPIRIN) Trial, which is listed at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02409680 (07/04/2015)
Isolation of a Californium(II) Crown-Ether Complex
Authors: Poe Todd , Ramanantoanina Harry , Sperling Joseph , Wineinger Hannah , Rotermund Brian , Brannon Jacob , Bai Zhuangling , Scheibe Benjamin , Beck Nick , Long Brian , Justiniano Samantha , Albrecht-Schoenzart Thomas , Celis-Barros Cristian
Published: August 2022

Californium (Z = 98) is the first member of the actinide series displaying metastability of the 2 + oxidation state. Understanding the origin of this chemical behavior requires characterizing CfII materials, but isolating a complex with this state has remained elusive. The source of its inaccessibility arises from the intrinsic challenges of manipulating this unstable element as well as a lack of suitable reductants that do not reduce CfIII to Cf0. Herein we show that a CfII crown-ether complex, Cf(18-crown-6)I2, can be prepared using an Al/Hg amalgam as a reductant. While spectroscopic evidence shows that CfIII can be quantitatively reduced to CfII, rapid radiolytic re-oxidation back to the CfIII parent occurs and co-crystallized mixtures of CfII and CfIII complexes are isolated if the crystallization is not conducted over the Al/Hg amalgam. Quantum chemical calculations show that the Cf‒ligand interactions are highly ionic and that 5f/6d mixing is absent, resulting in remarkably weak 5f→5f transitions and an absorption spectrum dominated by 5f→6d transitions.
The Impact of Non-Pharmaceutical Interventions on the First COVID-19 Epidemic Wave in South Africa
Authors: Mabuka Thabo , Ncube Nesisa , Ross Michael , Silaji Andrea , Macharia Willie , Ndemera Tinashe , Lemeke Tlaleng
Published: August 2022

ObjectiveIn this study, we investigated the impact of COVID-19 NPIs in South Africa to understand their effectiveness in the reduction of transmission of COVID-19 in the South African population. This study also investigated the COVID-19 testing, reporting, hospitalised cases and excess deaths in the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in South Africa. MethodsA semi-reactive stochastic COVID-19 model, the ARI COVID-19 SEIR model, was used to investigate the impact of NPIs in South Africa to understand their effectiveness in the reduction of COVID-19 transmission in the South African population. COVID-19 testing, reporting, hospitalised cases and excess deaths in the first COVID-19 epidemic wave in South Africa were investigated using descriptive statistics.FindingsThe general trend in population movement in South African locations shows that the COVID-19 NPIs (National Lockdown Alert Levels 5,4,3,2) were approximately 30% more effective in reducing population movement concerning each increase by 1 Alert Level. The translated reduction in the effective SARS-CoV-2 daily contact number (β) was only 4.13 % to 14.6 % concerning increasing Alert Levels. Due to implemented NPIs, the effective SARS-CoV-2 daily contact number in the first COVID-19 epidemic wave in South Africa was reduced by 58.1-71.1 % while the peak was delayed by 84 days. The estimated COVID-19 reproductive number was between 1.98 to 0.40. During South Africa’s first COVID-19 epidemic wave, the estimated mean for the COVID-19 general ward, intensive care unit, on oxygen, high care, on ventilator, in isolation ward admission status in South African hospital was 58.5 %, 95% CI [58.1,59.0], 13.4 %, 95% CI [13.1,13.7], 13.3 %, 95% CI [12.6,14.0], 6.37 %, 95% CI [6.23,6.51], 6.29 %, 95% CI [6.02,6.55], 2.13 %, 95% CI [1.87,2.43] respectively. The estimated mean South African COVID-19 patient discharge rate was 11.9 days per patient. While the estimated mean of the South African COVID-19 patient case fatality rate (CFR) in hospital and outside the hospital was 2.06 %, 95% CI [1.86,2.25] (deaths per admitted patients) and 2.30 %, 95% CI [1.12,3.83](deaths per severe and critical cases) respectively.ConclusionThe results from this study show that the COVID-19 NPI policies implemented by the Government of South Africa played a significant role in the reduction of COVID-19 active, hospitalised cases and deaths in South Africa’s first COVID-19 epidemic wave.
Clinical and prognostic analysis of 42 children with malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney: a 17-year retrospective multi-center study
Authors: Zhanghuang Chenghao , Zhang Zhaoxia , Zeng Li , Yan Bing , Tang Haoyu , Wang Jinkui , Liu Xing , Wei Guanghui , He Dawei
Published: August 2022

Objective To discuss the clinical and prognostic indicators of pediatric malignant rhabdoid tumor of the kidney (MRTK), and to increase the understanding of the occurrence and development of MRTK. Methods From July 2014 to September 2021.All cases were confirmed by postoperative pathological examination.Among the 42 patients,there were 25 males and 17 females,with a median age of 10 (1–84) months.Abdominal mass or hematuria were the main clinical manifestations.Preoperative chemotherapy was performed in 9 cases (VC).The tumor stages were stage I-IV.Preoperative metastasis was found in 9 cases;the most common site was the lung.Postoperative patients received conventional chemotherapy, including VDACE regimen and HU-1 regimen.Among the 42 children in this group, Overall survival rate was 26.2%(11/42). Results Preoperative anemia was found by univariate analysis, hypertension and hypercalcemia had shorter survival time.In addition, tumor-related factors had a significant impact on survival, with incomplete tumor resection, lymph node metastasis, stage III-IV had a lower survival rate.The impact of postoperative factors on survival included postoperative complications had a lower survival rate.The children were younger than 12 months, preoperative metastasis, no chemotherapy was performed after surgery was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of MRTK. Conclusion MRTK is a highly malignant tumor occurring in the kidney, mostly in infants. The main clinical manifestations were abdominal mass and hematuria. Preoperative chemotherapy did not significantly improve the prognosis. Postoperative chemotherapy can significantly improve the survival rate. Diagnosis depends on clinical manifestations, imaging, histopathology, immunohistochemistry and other comprehensive judgment. Age less than 12 months, preoperative metastasis, and no postoperative chemotherapy were independent risk factors for prognosis.
Horizon Scale tests of Quantum Gravity using the Event Horizon Telescope observations
Authors: Marongwe Stuart
Published: August 2022

We test the fundamental physics of the Nexus Paradigm of quantum gravity
using horizon scale images and shadows of the supermassive black holes
(SMBHs) Sagittarius (Sgr)A* and M87* as imaged by the Event Horizon Telescope
(EHT). We consider the angular diameter of the emission ring peak as
predicted by the Nexus Paradigm including the size of the central dark
depression and the base diameter of each black hole. The predicted dimensions
are then compared to observations from which we obtain an excellent agreement
between observations and prediction at the 99th percentile credibility
interval.
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy as an adjunct for management of deep caries lesions - Study protocol for a randomized, controlled clinical trial
Authors: Martins Luiz Filipe Barbosa , de Sena Leandro Rodrigues , de Paula Diego Martins , Feitosa Victor Pinheiro , Horliana Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini , Fernandes Kristianne Porta Santos , Mesquita-Ferrari Raquel Agnelli , Motta Lara Jansiski , Gonçalves Marcela Leticia Leal , Bussadori Sandra Kalil
Published: August 2022

Background: Alternatively to conventional treatments, chemo-mechanical caries removal agents can be used. A modality of treatment that has been increasing in dentistry is antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT). Bixa orellana, is being researched for application in aPDT. This protocol aims to determine the effectiveness of aPDT with Bixa orellana extract in deep caries lesions.Methods: A total of 160 teeth with deep occlusal dental caries will be selected and divided in 3 groups: G1 - control group (Caries removal with a lowspeed drill); G2 - Partial Caries Removal with Papacarie; G3 - Partial Caries Removal with Papacarie and application Bixa orellana extract (20%); G4 - Partial Caries Removal with Papacarie and application Bixa orellana extract (20%) with LED (aPDT). After treatment, all the teeth will be restored with glass ionomer cement and followed up clinically and radiographically, with evaluations at immediately, 1 week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. Dentin samples before and after treatment will be analyzed microbiologically. The data will be submitted to descriptive statistical analysis of the association between the categorical variables using the chi-square test and Fisher exact text. The Student t test and analysis of variance will be used for the comparison of mean signs and symptoms of reversible pulpitis. Pearson correlation coefficients will be calculated for the analysis of correlations among the continuous variables.Discussion: Procedures using aPDT have been developed for the treatment of dental caries, but, there are few controlled clinical trials in the literature confirming its efficacy.Trial registration: This protocol is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov under the number NCT05236205 and it was first posted on 01/21/2022 and last updated on 05/10/2022, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05236205?term=NCT05236205&draw=2&rank=1.
Determination of metals in Pork Lard: A rapid and low cost sample preparation by RP-DLLME
Authors: Santos Mayara Patricia Oliveira , Carboni Nicoli Andressa , Flores Eder Lisandro Moraes , Canan Cristiane , Leite Oldair Donizeti , Drunker Deisy Alessandra
Published: August 2022

ABSTRAT
In this work, a new method was proposed for determination of Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Ni in pork lard by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (F AAS) was developed using reverse phase dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (RP-DLLME) for sample preparation. The parameters such as type, volume and concentration of dispersing (n-propanol and isopropanol) and extracting (HNO3 and HNO3 + HCl (1:1 v/v) solvents, ultrasound and centrifugation time were evaluated. For the determination of analytes by F AAS, external using aqueous reference solutions was performed for the metals evaluated in the range from 0.25 to 1.5 mg L-1. The limits of quantification for Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn and Ni were 0.0106; 0.0136; 0.0042; 0.0169 and 0.0124 µg Kg-1, respectively. The accuracy was estimated to be between 95.64 to 104.42% and precision (RSD) less than 1% for all analytes. The method was applied to different brands of pork lard (n = 5), where the recovery was between 90.2 and 103.2% and RSD between 0.024 and 0.094. After that, a risk characterization was performed, in which it was obtained for Fe 0.43 to 2.79% and for Mg 0.21 to 4.22% in relation to the recommended daily intake and for Ni 5.13 to 25.83% to the tolerable upper intake level. The risk quotient was less than 1 x 105 so that even sensitive populations are unlikely to suffer adverse effects.
Effects of different fractions of inspired oxygen on gas embolization during hysteroscopic surgery: A double-blind randomized controlled trial
Authors: Deng Xi , Zhou Jieshu , Diao Min , Li Hao , Lin Xuemei
Published: August 2022

BackgroundGas embolism is a common complication of hysteroscopic surgery, which causes serious concern among gynecologists and anesthesiologists due to the potential risk to the patients. The influencing factors of gas embolism in hysteroscopic surgery have been extensively studied. However, the effect of the oxygen concentration inhaled by patients on gas embolism during hysteroscopic surgery remains elusive. So, we ﻿designed a double-blind randomized controlled trial to determine whether different inhaled oxygen concentrations influence the occurrence of gas embolism during hysteroscopic surgery.MethodsThis prospective, double-blind, randomized controlled trial enrolled 162 adult patients aged between 20 and 65 years undergoing elective hysteroscopic surgery who were randomly divided into three groups with fractions of inspired oxygen of 30%, 50% and 100%. Transthoracic echocardiography (4-chamber view) was used to evaluate whether the gas embolism occurred. Before the start of surgery, 4-chamber view was continuously monitored.ResultsThe number of gas embolism in group A, B and C was 36 (69.2%), 30 (55.6%) and 24 (44.4%) respectively. The incidence of gas embolism gradually decreased with the increase of inhaled oxygen concentration(P=0.031).ConclusionsIn hysteroscopic surgery, a higher oxygen concentration inhaled by patients could reduce the incidence of gas embolism, indicating that a higher inhaled oxygen concentration, especially 100%, could be recommended for patients during hysteroscopic surgery.Trial registrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry(23/05/2020, ChiCTR2000033202)
A truncated and catalytically inactive isoform of KDM5B histone demethylase accumulates in breast cancer cells and regulates H3K4 tri-methylation and gene expression
Authors: NEGRI RODOLFO , Nisio Elena Di , Licursi Valerio , Mannironi Cecilia , Buglioni Valentina , Paiardini Alessandro , Robusti Giulia , Noberini Roberta , Bonaldi Tiziana
Published: August 2022

KDM5B histone demethylase is overexpressed in many cancers and plays an ambivalent role in oncogenesis, depending on the specific context. This ambivalence could be explained by the expression of KDM5B protein isoforms with diverse functional roles, which could be present at different levels in various cancer cell lines. We show here that one of these isoforms, namely KDM5B-NTT, accumulates in breast cancer cell lines up to 50-60% of the total due to remarkable protein stability relative to the canonical PLU-1 isoform, which shows a much faster turnover. This isoform is the truncated and catalytically inactive product of an mRNA with a transcription start site downstream of the PLU-1 isoform, and the consequent usage of an alternative ATG for translation initiation. It also differs from the PLU-1 transcript in the inclusion of an additional exon (exon-6), previously attributed to other putative isoforms. Overexpression of this isoform in MCF7 cells leads to an increase in bulk H3K4 methylation and induces derepression of a gene cluster, including the tumor suppressor Cav1 and several genes involved in the interferon-alpha and -gamma response. We discuss the relevance of this finding considering the hypothesis that KDM5B may possess regulatory roles independent of its catalytic activity.
Audience Effects in Sooty Mangabey Agonistic Behaviour
Authors: Quintero Fredy , Touitou Sonia , Magris Martina , Zuberbühler Klaus
Published: August 2022

Aggression is primarily a proactive mechanism for animals engaged in competitive interactions, in order to repel predators, access resources or pursue other self-serving interests. A secondary function is of a reactive, punitive nature where it is used as a partner control mechanism to impose cooperation and tolerance. Both functions are available to higher-ranking individuals directly interacting with lower-ranking opponents, which raises the question of whether and how lower-ranking individuals use aggression indirectly to secure tolerance from others. Here, we investigated how free-ranging sooty mangabeys, a socially tolerant forest dwelling primate, used aggression during competitive interactions inside food patches in front of uninvolved bystanders. As predicted, subjects used aggression to displace lower-ranking competitors from food but we also found that they generally refrained from severe aggression in front of friends and small audiences. Mild aggression, in contrast, was significantly augmented in front of high-ranking audiences, often accompanied by vocalisations. We discuss these patterns of audience-dependent aggressive behaviour and concluded that, while mangabeys generally seem to pursue selfish foraging goals, they are capable of adjusting levels of aggression when observed by socially relevant audiences.
How to Precisely Detect and Assess the Street Trees Risk ？ Risk Assessment Based on Precise Diagnosis Technology and Its Application
Authors: He Kun , Wei Longlong , Li Nan , Wang Junjie , Ye Sihao , Wang Benyao
Published: August 2022

Traditional visual tree assessment is suitable for the rapid, large-scale assessment of urban tree risks, but it cannot precisely determine internal decay in trunks and underground root systems, may leading to highly subjective evaluation results. A risk matrix-based street tree risk assessment system was established by combining VTA method, nondestructive detection techniques, information acquisition and data analysis using GIS. The method was used to conduct risk detection and assessment on 1,001 street trees with a diameter at breast height greater than 40 cm in a Historic Features Protection Area of Shanghai. The result showed that: 1) The branch and the trunk risk possibility of the majority of street trees were at level 2 or below, while the root risk possibility of more than1/3 of the trees was at level 3 or above. 2) The risk level of 23% street trees was moderate or above, while that of other trees was at an acceptable level. 3) The street tree risk level shows a strong correlation with the presence of tree cavities, diseases and insect pests, the depth and range of root distribution, leaning, and internal decay in trunks, and the risk points are concentrated in the trunk and root system. Risk assessment of street trees based on precision diagnosis techniques can provide a new assessment system for the trees risk assessment in important urban areas, and the approach is conducive to the refined management of urban trees.
Clinicopathological characteristics and molecular analysis of lung cancer associated with ciliated muconodular papillary tumor/bronchiolar adenoma
Authors: Higashiyama Masahiro , Motoi Noriko , Yotsukura Masaya , Yoshida Yukihiro , Nakagawa Kazuo , Yagishita Shigehiro , Shirasawa Masayuki , Yoshida Tatsuya , Shiraishi Kouya , Kohno Takashi , Ohe Yuichiro , Watanabe Shun-ichi
Published: August 2022

Ciliated muconodular papillary tumor/bronchiolar adenoma (CMPT/BA) is a benign tumor with a high frequency of BRAF or EGFR mutations. It remains unclear whether CMPT/BA is associated with a specific type of lung cancer. Thus, we studied the clinicopathological and genetic characteristics of cases with coexisting CMPT/BA and primary lung cancer to explore this relationship. Among 1945 patients with resected stage 0-III primary lung cancer between 2015–2018, we identified eight patients with concurrent CMPT/BA (lung cancer associated with CMPT/BA; LCCM). We compared the gene mutation status of each lesion according to the target sequence using macro-dissected formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded specimens. Whole-exon sequencing (WES) was performed for six lung cancer cases. The LCCM cohort was male-dominant (male:female = 6:2); the median age was 72 years (range 66–81); and most were smokers (six smokers). The most common histological type corresponding to LCCM was adenocarcinoma; however, two squamous cell carcinomas and one small cell carcinoma were also detected. CMPT/BA lesions in LCCM showed a median size of 0.5 cm (range 0.3–1.1). The mutational test revealed no shared mutations between CMPT/BA and lung cancer, except for one invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) harboring an HRAS mutation (I46N, c.137T > A). HRAS (I46N) is a rare variant, and all tumors showed an approximately 50% variant allele frequency, suggesting a single nucleotide polymorphism. Other driver gene alterations in lung cancer included EGFR (InDel, n = 2), BRAF (V600E) (n = 1), KRAS (n = 2), GNAS (n = 1), and TP53 (n = 2) mutations. BRAF (V600E) was the most frequent mutation in CMPT/BA. In contrast, lung cancer showed no specific trend in driver gene mutations. In conclusion, our study revealed differences in the gene mutation profiles of CMPT/BA and lung cancer in coexisting cases, suggesting a mostly independent tumorigenesis of CMPT/BA from lung cancer, except for one IMA with a rare HRAS SNV.
Comprehensive Analysis of Clinicopathologic Features and p53 Mutation in Neuroendocrine Neoplasms of the Breast: Experience from a Large Academic Center
Authors: Shafi Saba , Hu Yan , Parwani Anil V. , Ding Qingqing , Li Zaibo
Published: August 2022

Purpose The recent WHO classification of breast cancer (2019) categorizes breast carcinoma with neuroendocrine (NE) differentiation into three morphologically distinct subtypes: well-differentiated neuroendocrine tumor (NET), poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC), and invasive breast carcinoma, no special type with neuroendocrine differentiation (IBC-NST-NE). Data regarding the prognostic significance of neuroendocrine differentiation are conflicting and an association, if any, between p53 mutation and neuroendocrine differentiation is largely unknown. Methods We examined p53 expression and other clinicopathologic characteristics in three types of invasive breast carcinoma with NE differentiation in a cohort of sixty-three patients, including 45 IBC-NST with NE differentiation, 10 NETs and 8 NECs. Results No significant difference of clinicopathologic feature was observed between IBC-NST with NE differentiation and NET, but NECs showed significantly lower expressions of hormone receptors, more mutated p53 and higher frequency of distant metastases than IBC-NST with NE differentiation and NETs.Conclusions NECs of the breast are genetically and clinically different from IBC-NST-NEs and NETs of the breast.
Dexamethasone combined with hydromorphone preemptive analgesia alleviates pain and complications after jaw cyst enucleation: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhou Wang , Liu Fan , Fang Junbiao , Han Lianghui
Published: August 2022

Background
Dexamethasone is widely used in the prevention of postoperative complications in oral surgery and strengthening the analgesic effect after anesthesia, but the efficacy is controversial, and the relationship between postoperative complications and pain is still unclear. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the analgesic effect of dexamethasone in the treatment of jaw cyst and to explore the relationship between postoperative complications and pain.
Methods
We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind clinical trial. 120 patients were divided into two groups, dexamethasone group ( group D) and control group (Group C). All patients were given 0.02mg/kg of hydromorphone to relieve pain in advance at 10 minutes before the beginning of operation. Meanwhile, dexamethasone was injected 0.2mg/kg intravenously in group D and normal saline was injected in group C. The primary endpoint was pain intensity at 2h, 6h, 12h, 24h and 48h after surgery. The secondary endpoints were the incidence and extent of complications after surgery, including facial swelling and trismus.
Results
Compared with group C, the VAS scores at rest at 2, 6, 12 and 24 h after surgery and during mobilization at 2h, 6h, 12h, 24h and 48h after surgery in group D were significantly lower (P < 0.05). The degree of facial swelling and trismus in group D at 12, 24 and 48 h after surgery was significantly lower than that in group C (P < 0.05), but there was no difference at 6 hours after operation (P > 0.05). The C-reactive protein (CRP) level at 24 h after operation in group D was lower than group C (P < 0.05), but there was no significant difference in blood glucose concentration between the two groups (P > 0.05).
Conclusion
Dexamethasone can reduce the degree of facial swelling and trismus after jaw cyst surgery by inhibiting the production of inflammation, which alleviated the postoperative pain of patients significantly. In addition, it did not increase the risk of hyperglycemia.
Trial registration:
This study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry on May 07, 2020 (URL: http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=53344. Registry number: ChiCTR2000032693 ). Registered on 07/05/2020.
Human skin specific long noncoding RNA HOXC13-AS regulates epidermal differentiation by interfering with Golgi-ER retrograde transport
Authors: Zhang Letian , Piipponen Minna , Liu Zhuang , Li Dongqing , Bian Xiaowei , Toma Maria , Sommar Pehr , Landén Ning Xu
Published: August 2022

After a skin injury, keratinocytes switch from a state of homeostasis to one of regeneration leading to the reconstruction of the epidermal barrier. The regulatory mechanism of gene expression underpinning this key switch during human skin wound healing is enigmatic. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) constitute a new horizon in the understanding of the regulatory programmes encoded in the mammalian genome. By comparing the transcriptome of an acute human wound and skin from the same donor as well as keratinocytes isolated from these paired tissue samples, we generated a list of lncRNAs showing changed expression in keratinocytes during wound repair. Our study focused on HOXC13-AS, a recently evolved human lncRNA specifically expressed in epidermal keratinocytes, and we found that its expression was temporally downregulated during wound healing. In line with its enrichment in suprabasal keratinocytes, HOXC13-AS was found to be increasingly expressed during keratinocyte differentiation, but its expression was reduced by EGFR signalling. After HOXC13-AS knockdown or overexpression in human primary keratinocytes undergoing differentiation induced by cell suspension or calcium treatment and in organotypic epidermis, we found that keratinocyte differentiation was promoted, while the cell inflammatory response was suppressed. Moreover, RNA pull-down assays followed by mass spectrometry and RNA immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that mechanistically HOXC13-AS sequestered the coat complex subunit alpha (COPA) protein and interfered with Golgi-to-endoplasmic reticulum (ER) molecular transport, resulting in ER stress and enhanced keratinocyte differentiation. In summary, we identified HOXC13-AS as a crucial regulator of human epidermal differentiation.
Superoxide dismutase as a protective factor for early renal damage in hypertensive patients
Authors: Yu Xiaoqian , Rui Xu , Fei Zheng , Lin Lin , Wen Huang , Xia Wu
Published: August 2022

Background: Oxidative stress had been linked to hypertensive renal impairment in previous investigations. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) was a clinically available oxidative stress biomarker. The association between SOD and the early renal damage (ERD) of hypertension has not been established. Methods: A total of 690 patients with essential hypertension (EH) were retrospectively collected in Shandong Provincial Qianfoshan Hospital from January 2017 to December 2018. Patients were divided into hypertension with ERD group and hypertension without early renal damage (NRD) group. Clinical data from patients were collected and compared between the two groups. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between UACR and SOD. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to screen for the risk factors for ERD. Results: Our research included 556 cases in the NRD group and 134 cases in the ERD group. The average age of the study participants was 60.24±11.74 years, and the mean values of SBP and DBP were 145.13 mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) and 85.97 mmHg. Spearman correlation analysis showed that a negative correlation between SOD and UACR (P ＜ 0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that SOD was an independent protective factor for hypertension with ERD. Conclusion: SOD was an independent protective factor for early renal damage in hypertensive patients, providing a new direction for the treatment of early renal damage in hypertensive patients.
Microlesion effect in the associative sub-region of the subthalamic nucleus is related to worsened sleep outcomes
Authors: Zhang Jianguo , Ma Ruoyu , Yin Zixiao , Chen Yingchuan , Yuan Tianshuo , An Qi , Gan Yifei , Xu Yichen , Jiang Yin , Du Tingting , Yang Anchao , Meng Fangang , Zhu Guanyu
Published: August 2022

Objective
To examine the influence of the microlesion effect (MLE) after subthalamic nucleus (STN) deep brain stimulation (DBS) on sleep quality in Parkinson’s disease (PD) patients and the correlates of sleep changes.
Methods
In 78 PD patients who underwent bilateral STN-DBS surgery, we assessed and compared the sleep qualities, motor performances, anti-parkinsonian drug dosage, emotional conditions at preoperative baseline and before implantable pulse generator activation (i.e., 1-month postoperatively). We determined the possible related factors of sleep outcomes using Spearman correlations and visualized the electrodes via Lead-DBS toolbox, simulated and extracted the MLE-engendered volume of tissue lesioned (VTL) based on uniform settings, and conducted sweet-spot analysis within the STN.
Results
Significant improvements induced by MLE were observed in sleep (P < 0.001), motor performances (P < 0.001), and emotions (P < 0.001). Motor and emotional improvements were both positively correlated with sleep changes. The VTL in STN associative sub-regions was positively correlated with sleep deterioration (r = 0.348, P = 0.002), and that only the left STN showed statistical significance (r = 0.327, P = 0.004), which was further corroborated by the sweet-spot analysis. Stepwise regression analysis showed that the VTL in associative sub-regions was an independent factor that negatively influenced sleep outcomes.
Conclusion
The MLE of STN-DBS can overall improve sleep quality in PD patients, with the change correlating with motor and emotional improvement. However, independent of these two factors and other demographics, the MLE in the associative sub-region of the STN, left particularly, may result in worsened sleep outcomes.
Protective effect of NeuroEPO in the reproduction of diabetic rats.
Authors: Fernández-Romero Tammy , Clapés-Hernández Sonia , Pérez Carlos L , Núñez-López Nínive , Suárez-Román Gipsis , Fernández Gisselle
Published: August 2022

Introduction: pregestational diabetes constitutes a reproductive risk, which requires new treatment strategies. Considering that NeuroEPO, a variant of the recombinant human erythropoietin produced in Cuba, has neuroprotective and hypoglycemic effects, the aim was to evaluate the protective effect of NeuroEPO on the reproduction of diabetic rats.Material and Methods: four groups of adult female Wistar rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes were used. During pregnancy, one group received the vehicle and the rest different doses of NeuroEPO (0.5 mg/kg, 0.75 mg/kg, and 1 mg/kg) subcutaneously, on alternate days, for six applications. A group of non-diabetic rats was used as a control. Glycemia and reproductive variables were evaluated. For comparisons, Analysis of Variance and Fisher's Exact Test was used. The differences were considered significant with p-values less than 0.05.Results: the group with vehicle presented maintained hyperglycemia, fewer implantations, and embryos, and increased gestational losses. In the group receiving 0.5 mg/kg of NeuroEPO, glycemia decreased significantly and the results of the reproductive variables were similar to the group of non-diabetic rats. With higher doses of NeuroEPO, gestational losses were increased. No congenital malformations were identified in either group.Conclusions: the repeated administration of 0.5 mg/kg of NeuroEPO has a beneficial effect on the reproduction of diabetic rats, which may be associated with the reduction of hyperglycemia. Other cytoprotective mechanisms of NeuroEPO should be evaluated in future studies.
Sexual Dimorphism of the Fetal Brain Biometry: An MRI Based Study
Authors: Gafner Michal , Sade Eliel Kedar , Barzilay Eran , Katorza Eldad
Published: August 2022

Purpose: Fetal growth assessment is a key component of prenatal care. Sex-specific fetal brain nomograms on ultrasound are available and are clinically used. In recent years, the use of fetal MRI has been increasing, however, there are no sex-specific fetal CNS nomograms on MRI. Study aims were to asses the differences in fetal brain biometry and growth trajectories, and to create population-based standarts of the fetal brain on MRI.Methods: In this cross-sectional study, brain structures of singelton fetuses with normal brain MRI scans were analyzed: biparietal diameter, occipitofrontal diameter, trans-cerebellar diameter and the corpus callosum were measured and and converted into centiles. Sex-specfic nomograms were created.Results: A total of 3,848 MRI scans were performed in one tertiary medical center between 2011-2019, of them 598 fetuses met the inclusion criteria; 300 males and 298 females between 28 to 37 weeks gestation. Males had significantly larger occipitofrontal diameter than females (median centile 75%, IQR 54-88%; median 61%, IQR 40-77%) and biparietal diameter (median 63%, IQR 42-82%; median 50%, IQR 25-73%) respectively (p<0.001). The cerebellum had the greatest growth rate, with 1.5-fold increase in diameter between 28 and 37-weeks’ gestation, and no measurements difference between the sexes (p=0.239). No significant difference was found in the corpus callosum (p=0.074).Conclusion: Measuring both sexes on the same nomograms may result in over-estimation of male fetuses and under-estimation of females. We provide fetal sex-specific nomograms on two-dimensional MRI.
Short, medium and long-term naturalistic follow-up of female adolescents with anorexia nervosa after multimodal outpatient treatment: clinical, personality and psychopathology evolution, process indicators and outcome predictors
Authors: Amianto Federico , Arletti Luca , Davico Chiara , Vesco Serena , Vitiello Benedetto
Published: August 2022

Purpose: Despite its severity and increasing prevalence, Anorexia nervosa (AN) has no completely satisfactory evidence-based treatments. Follow-up studies may enlighten outcome predictors and process indicators.Methods: 73 female AN participants were assessed at intake (T0), and at 6 (T1) and 12 (T2) months after an outpatient multimodal treatment, 19 were followed-up for 15 years (T3). Changes in diagnostic criteria were compared with the chi-square test. Clinical, personality and psychopathology evolution were tested with ANOVA for repeated measures. T0 features were compared among dropout, stable and healed participants. Healed and unhealed at follow-up were compared using Mann-Whitney-U test. Treatment changes were correlated with multivariate regression.Results: complete remission at T2 was reached in 64.4% participants and in 73.7% at T3. At T2 22% participants maintained a full diagnosis, and only 15.8% at T3. BMI significantly increased at each time point since T0. Among personality, persistence decreased and self-directedness increased between T0 and T2. Interoceptive awareness, drive to thinness, and impulsivity decreased after treatment. Parent-rated and adolescent-rated general psychopathology significantly reduced. Lower reward dependence and cooperativeness characterized the dropout group. The healed group displayed lower adolescent-rated aggressive and externalizing, and lower parent-rated delinquent behaviors. BMI, personality and psychopathology changes were related to each other.Conclusion: a 12-months outpatient multimodal treatment of mild to moderate AN adolescents produces an increase in BMI, an improvement in personality development, and reduces eating and general psychopathology. Lower relational abilities may obstacle healing. Approaches to treatment resistance should consider these features.Level of evidence: Level III: Evidence obtained from well-designed cohort or case-control analytic studies.
Impact of COVID-19 on Dental Care in New York State and Georgia
Authors: Puskas Caroline , Morse Stephen
Published: August 2022

Introduction:During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was an unprecedented, forced closure of dental offices worldwide. As American state recommendations differed considerably during this period, this research strives to better define the effects of this pause on dental care.Materials & Methods:A 16-question Qualtrics survey was sent to the membership of the New York State Dental Association (NYSDA) and Georgia Dental Association (GDA). Licensed, actively practicing dental members of the NYSDA and GDA (n = 680) answered questions about their practice demographics, appointment cancellations, reopening times, and the volume of individual dental procedures performed from March 1 through August 1, 2020, compared to the same 5-month period in 2019.Results:Demographic characteristics of respondent NYSDA and GDA members were statistically similar. Nonetheless, NYSDA members reported significantly larger decreases in provision of all types of dental procedures except for antibiotic prescription, including prophylaxis, elective care, emergent care, and specialty procedures.Discussion & Conclusions:All dental procedures declined significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, with greater decrease in New York than in Georgia. This study raises concern about the negative impact of the pandemic on oral public health, and mandates both further research and clinical strategies to mitigate against this future risk.
Effect of venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation on left ventricular function in cardiogenic shock with aortic stenosis or mitral regurgitation: an experimental study in porcine model
Authors: Ostadal Petr , Vondrakova Dagmar , Popkova Michaela , Hrachovina Matej , Krüger Andreas , Janotka Marek , Naar Jan , Kittnar Otomar , Neuzil Petr , Mlcek Mikulas
Published: August 2022

Background
Venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO) is widely used in the treatment of patients experiencing cardiogenic shock (CS). However, increased VA-ECMO blood flow (EBF) may significantly impair left ventricular (LV) performance. The objective of the present study was to assess the effect of VA-ECMO on LV function in acute CS with concomitant severe aortic stenosis (AS) or mitral regurgitation (MR) in a porcine model.
Methods
Eight female swine (45kg) underwent VA-ECMO implantation under general anaesthesia and mechanical ventilation. Acute CS was induced by global myocardial hypoxia. Subsequently, severe AS was simulated by obstruction of the aortic valve, while severe MR was induced by mechanical destruction of the mitral valve. Haemodynamic and LV performance variables were measured at different rates of EBF rates (ranging from 1 to 4 L/min), using arterial and venous catheters, a pulmonary artery catheter, and LV pressure-volume catheter. Data are expressed as median (interquartile range).
Results
Myocardial hypoxia resulted in declines in cardiac output to 2.7 (1.9–3.1) L/min and LV ejection fraction to 15.2% (10.5–19.3%). In severe AS, increasing EBF from 1 to 4 L/min was associated with a significant elevation in mean arterial pressure (MAP), from 33.5 (24.2–34.9) to 56.0 (51.9–73.3) mmHg (P˂0.01). However, LV volumes (end-diastolic, end-systolic, stroke) remained unchanged, and LV end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) significantly decreased from 24.9 (21.2–40.0) to 19.1 (15.2–29.0) mmHg (P˂0.01). In severe MR, increasing EBF resulted in a significant elevation in MAP from 49.0 (28.0–53.4) to 72.5 (51.4–77.1) mmHg (P˂0.01); LV volumes remained stable and LVEDP increased from 17.1 (13.7–19.1) to 20.8 (16.3–25.6) mmHg (P˂0.01).
Conclusion
Results of this study indicate that the presence of valvular heart disease may alleviate negative effect of VA-ECMO on LV performance in CS. Severe AS fully protected against LV overload, and partial protection was also detected with severe MR, although at the cost of increased LVEDP and, thus, higher risk for pulmonary oedema.
Surface Modifications of eight-electron Pd/Ag Superatomic Alloys
Authors: Barik Subrat , Chen Chih-Yuan , Chiu Tzu-Hao , Ni Yu-Rong , Gam Franck , Chantrenne Isaac , Kahlal Samia , Saillard Jean-Yves , liu chen-wei
Published: August 2022

Atomically precise thiolate-protected noble metal nanoclusters and their alloys are far more numerous than their selenium congeners, the synthesis of which remains extremely challenging. Herein, we account the synthesis of a series of atomically defined dithiophosph(in)ate protected eight-electron superatomic Pd/Ag nanoalloys [PdAg20{S2PR2}12], 2a-c (where R = OiPr, a; OiBu, b; Ph, c) via ligand exchange and/or co-reduction methods. The ligand exchange reaction on [PdAg20{S2P(OnPr)2}12], 1, with [NH4{Se2PR2}12] (where R = OiPr, or OnPr) leads to the formation of [PdAg20{Se2P(OiPr)2}12] (3) and [PdAg20{Se2P(OnPr)2}12] (4), respectively. Solid state structures of 2a, 2b, 3 and 4 unravel different PdAg20 metal frameworks from their parent cluster, originating from the different distributions of the eight-capping silver(I) atoms around a Pd@Ag12 centered icosahedron with C2, D3, Th and Th symmetries, respectively. Surprisingly ambient temperature crystallization of the reaction product 3 obtained by the ligand exchange reaction on 1 has resulted in the co-crystallization of two isomers in the unit cell with overall T (3a) and C3 (3b) symmetries, respectively. This is the first ever characterized isomeric pair among the selenolate-protected NCs. Density functional theory (DFT) studies further rationalize the preferred geometrical isomerism of the PdAg20 core.
RWE Pathway: The State-of-the-art of Patient Registries in Portugal
Authors: Pedrosa Hugo , Pereira Fábio , Carrilho Magda , Martins Catarina , Martins Ricardo , Cruz Pedro
Published: August 2022

Background: Patient registries are one of the main Real-World Data (RWD) sources, which enable different healthcare stakeholders to analyze clinical practice, benchmark them and foster better care. Despite the growing need of RWD, the current use of patient registries in Portugal is not fully understood. This study aims to identify and characterize patient registries in Portugal to set a baseline for future developments in this domain.Methods: A systematic literature review was conducted and complemented with a literature search to identify registries in Portugal.Results: The study identified 108 unique registries in Portugal, 76 collecting data exclusively from Portuguese population. Most belong to medical societies or health authorities and are implemented in hospitals. Cardiology, Oncology, Endocrinology, and Rheumatology are the most studied therapeutic areas. Conclusion: Most registries have a national scope, but several are being used to complement international ones. This practice is common in Europe since guidelines to standardize data collection and foster practice benchmark exist. The majority are owned by medical societies or health authorities and the therapeutic areas seem aligned with health technology innovation. In the future a repository of information needs to be developed that embeds existing registries, to foster collaboration between stakeholders and promote better care.
Stevia rebaudiana Bertoni leaf extract phytochemicals inhibit the Type 2 Diabetes mellitus receptor targets
Authors: Shahid Muhammad , Azfaralariff Ahmad , Govender Nisha , Zubair Muhammad , Najm Ahmed Abdulkareem , Khan Nazeer Hussain , Law Douglas , Fazry Shazrul
Published: August 2022

Stevia rebaudiana Betoni (SR) or the candy leaf herbal plant is widely consumed as a non-caloric natural sweetener in substitute of table sugar. The perennial plant is native to South America and is cultivated across the globe. Over the years, there has been an increasing scientific interest in Stevia leaves, which naturally inherent phytochemicals of potent pharmacological properties. Amongst the various pharmacological activities previously evident through in vitro or in vivo studies includes blood sugar regulators, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), or adult-onset diabetes, is a chronic condition characterized as non-effective insulin production by the pancreas. As a result, blood sugar rises and leads to fatality under an extremely high blood sugar condition. In this study, a library of SR leaf phytochemicals was screened using a comprehensive computational approach for the identification of potential anti-T2DM drug compounds. The in silico inhibitory activities of SR phytochemicals against selected T2DM receptor targets (T2DMrTs) were measured by molecular docking analysis and the best complex, as indicated by the minimum binding affinity and extent of structural interactions, was validated further by molecular dynamics (MD) simulation using the GROMACS webserver. The SR phytochemicals were searched in open-source databases and the corresponding pharmacological properties were predicted by the SwissADME tool. The following proteins were set as the T2DMrTs: α-amylase, α-glucosidase, DPP-4, GLP-1R, PPAR-γ and PTP1B. A total of 177 SR phytochemicals were mined and further screening by molecular docking analysis and pharmacological evaluation identified 19 compounds satisfying the minimum binding energy set at < -7 kcal/mol, Lipinski’s rule of five, and oral bioavailability score. Under all possible receptor-ligand, pair-wise combinations, the complexes showed strong to good stability under a 50 ns MD simulation run. The findings inform new information on SR phytochemicals for T2DM therapeutics and drug development.