bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Performance of Diffusion and Perfusion MRI in Evaluating Primary Central Nervous System Lymphomas of Different Locations
Authors: Xing Zhen , Kang Nannan , Lin Yu , Zhou Xiaofang , Xiao Zebin , Cao Dairong
Published: March 2020

Background: Diffusion and perfusion MRI can invasively define physical properties and angiogenic features of tumors, and guide the individual treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the diffusion and perfusion MRI parameters of primary central nervous system lymphomas (PCNSLs) are related to the tumor locations.Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the diffusion, perfusion, and conventional MRI of 68 patients with PCNSLs at different locations (group 1: cortical gray matter, group 2: white matter, group 3: deep gray matter). Relative maximum cerebral blood volume (rCBVmax) from perfusion MRI, minimum apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCmin) from DWI of each group were calculated and compared by one-way ANOVA test. In addition, we compared the mean apparent diffusion coefficients (ADCmean) in three different regions of control group.Results: The rCBVmax of PCNSLs yielded the lowest value in the white matter group, and the highest value in the cortical gray matter group (P < 0.001). However, the ADCmin of each subgroup was not statistically different. The ADCmean of each subgroup in control group was not statistically different.Conclusion: Our study confirms that rCBVmax of PCNSLs are related to the tumor location, and provide simple but effective information for guiding the clinical practice of PCNSLs.
Changes in Serum Markers Failed to Predict Persistent Infection after Two-stage Exchange Arthroplasty
Authors: Jiang Qiao , Yang Xue , Xu Chi , Chai Wei , Zhou Yong-gang , Chen Jiying
Published: March 2020

Background Two-stage exchange arthroplasty is a viable choice for prosthetic joint infection (PJI). After removing the infected prosthesis and implanting an antibiotic-loaded spacer in the first stage, the proper timing of reimplantation is crucial for successful treatment. To date, there is no gold standard to evaluate the eradication of PJI before reimplantation. A combination of serum indicators, synovial blood white cell (WBC) counts, culture results, intraoperative histology, and clinical symptoms is wildly used to guide the timing of reimplantation. However, the proper timing of reimplantation is not clearly defined. We investigated whether: (1) serum indicators, which included the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and fibrinogen, were useful indicators for predicting the failure of reimplantation; and (2) primary culture results were related to serum marker changes? Method A retrospective review of 109 patients treated with two-stage exchange arthroplasty from 2014 to 2017 was conducted. The inclusion criteria included the following: 1. a minimum of a 2-year follow-up or failure of treatment within this period; 2. complete record of serum biomarkers; and 3. met the Musculoskeletal Infection Society criteria (MSIS) when diagnosed PJI. Serum biomarkers and organism results at the onset of PJI diagnosis and reimplantation were reviewed. Treatment success was defined according to the Delphi consensus criteria with a minimum follow-up of 2 years, and the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) was used to examine the usefulness of changes in four serum markers for predicting failure. Results When predicting persistent PJI, the area under the ROC curves (AUC) demonstrated that both the percent change and value change of serum markers were poor indicators. When comparing exact values of serum markers during reimplantation, the values of CRP and fibrinogen were significant higher in reinfection group. Besides, initial causative organism didn’t influence the normalize of serum markers. Conclusion Either the value change or percent change of serum markers were not useful for determining the timing of reimplantation, and initial causative organism didn’t influence the normalize of serum markers. Persistent PJI after TJA was still difficult to diagnose.
Spatial variation in the frequency of knockdown resistance genotypes in Florida Aedes aegypti populations
Authors: Mundis Stephanie Jane , Estep Alden S. , Waits Christy M. , Ryan Sadie J.
Published: March 2020

Background
The development of insecticide resistance in disease-vectoring mosquito species can lead to vector control failure and disease resurgence. However, insecticide applications remain an essential public health intervention. In Florida, insecticide resistance in Aedes aegypti , an anthropophilic mosquito species capable of transmitting dengue, chikungunya, and Zika virus, is a major concern. Understanding the location, scale, and driving factors of insecticide resistance can enhance the ability of vector control organizations to target populations effectively.
Methods
We used previously collected data on frequencies of mutations that confer resistance to commonly used pyrethroid insecticides in Aedes aegypti specimens from 62 sites distributed across 18 counties in Florida. To determine the scale of clustering for the most resistant variant, we used a Ripley’s K function. We also used a spatial scanning statistic technique to identify the locations of clusters where higher than expected frequencies of susceptible or resistant mosquitoes occurred. We then tested for associations between landscape, demographic, and insecticide-use factors using a beta regression modelling approach and evaluated the effect of spatial lag and spatial error terms on overall explanatory power of these models.
Results
The scale at which maximum clustering of the most resistant variant occurs is approximately 20 kilometers. We identified statistically significant clusters of genotypes associated with resistancein several coastal cities, although some of these clusters were near significant clusters of susceptible mosquitoes, indicating selection pressures vary at the local scale. Vegetation density, distance from roads, and pyrethroid-use by vector control districts were consistently significant predictors of knockdown resistance genotype frequency in the top-performing beta regression models, although pyrethroid-use surprisingly had a negatively associated with resistance. The incorporation of spatial lags resulted in improvements to the fit and explanatory power of the models, indicating an underlying diffusion process likely explains some of the spatial patterns observed.
Conclusions
The genetic mutations that confer resistance to pyrethroids in Aedes aegpyti mosquitoes in Florida exhibit spatial autocorrelation and patterns that can be partially explained by landscape and insecticide-use factors. Further work at local scales should be able to identify the mechanisms by which these variables influence selection for alleles associated with resistance.
Proteome Characteristics of Liver Tissue from Patients with Parenteral Nutrition-Associated Liver Disease
Authors: Mamtawla Gulsudum , Tian Feng , Sun Haifeng , Zhang Li , Gao Xuejin , Xue Bin , Wang Xinying
Published: March 2020

Background

Parenteral nutrition (PN)-associated liver disease (PNALD) is a common and life-threatening complication in patients receiving PN. However, its definitive etiology is not yet clear. Therefore, performed proteomic analyses of human liver tissue to explore the same.

Methods

Liver tissue was derived and compared across selected patients with (n = 3) /without (n = 4) PNALD via isobaric Tag for Relative and Absolute Quantitation (iTRAQ)-based quantitative proteomics. Bioinformatics analysis was performed using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases to explore the mechanisms of PNALD based on differentially expressed proteins (DEPs). The essential proteins that were differentially expressed between the two groups were explored and verified by western blotting.

Results

A total of 112 proteins were found to be differentially expressed, of which 73 were down-regulated, and 39 were up-regulated in the PNALD group. Bioinformatics analysis showed DEPs to be associated with mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (mainly involved in mitochondrial respiratory chain complex I assembly), hepatic glycolipid metabolism (involved primarily in glycogen formation and gluconeogenesis), and oxidative stress (mainly involved in antioxidant change).

Conclusion

Overall, our results indicated that mitochondrial energy metabolism impairment, hepatic glycolipid metabolism disorder, and excessive oxidative stress injury might explain the comprehensive mechanism underlying PNALD. Moreover, we have provided multiple potential targets for further exploring the PNALD mechanism.
Increased circulating total bile acid levels were associated with organ failure in patients with acute pancreatitis
Authors: Li Weiqin , Xie Xiaochun , Dong Jie , Lu Guotao , Gao Kun , Li Xiaoyao , Mao Wenjian , Chen Faxi , Tong Zhihui , Li Baiqiang
Published: March 2020

Background: Recent studies have shown that bile acids (BAs) are closely related to metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Our study aimed to investigate whether circulating total bile acid (TBA) levels were associated with the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods: We retrospectively collected data on patients diagnosed with AP in a tertiary center from 01 January 2014 to 31 December 2016. The highest TBA value during the first 1,2,3,5,7 days after admission was determined as D1, D2, D3, D5, D7 TBAmax. Patients were divided into the high TBA (HTBA) group and the normal TBA (NTBA) group according to whether the TBAmax was ≥10μmol/L. The prognosis and complications, including death, organ failure (OF) and pancreatic necrosis, were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis and receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to evaluate the relationship between circulating TBA and organ failure in AP patients.Results: Through stratified analysis of each time period, we found that the incidence of OF in the HTBA group was significantly higher than that in the NTBA group, and the AP severity classification in the HTBA group was more serious than that in the NTBA group. In addition, according to the D7 TBAmax values, the pancreatic necrosis rate, percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) rate and mortality in the HTBA group were higher than those in the NTBA group. Multivariate regression analysis showed that HTBA (odds ratio (OR), 4.894; P = 0.002) was an independent risk factor for AP complicated with OF, which was verified in the grouping based on D7 TBAmax. ROC analysis revealed that a circulating D7 TBAmax cutoff point of 6.450 umol/L had optimal predictive value for the development of OF in AP patients with an area under the curve of the ROC curve (AUCROC) of 0.777. Conclusions: The increase of circulating TBA in early stage of AP is independently related to organ failure, which indicates the adverse prognosis of AP patients.
DLI-IT: A Deep Learning Approach to Drug Label Identification Through Image and Text Embedding
Authors: Liu Xiangwen , Meehan Joe , Tong Weida , Wu Leihong , Xu Xiaowei , Xu Joshua
Published: March 2020

[Background] Drug label, or packaging insert play a significant role in all the operations from production through drug distribution channels to the end consumer. Image of the label also called Display Panel or label could be used to identify illegal, illicit, unapproved and potentially dangerous drugs. Due to the time-consuming process and high labor cost of investigation, an artificial intelligence-based deep learning model is necessary for fast and accurate identification of the drugs. [Methods] In addition to image-based identification technology, we take advantages of rich text information on the pharmaceutical package insert of drug label images. In this study, we developed the Drug Label Identification through Image and Text embedding model (DLI-IT) to model text-based patterns of historical data for detection of suspicious drugs. In DLI-IT, we first trained a Connectionist Text Proposal Network (CTPN) to crop the raw image into sub-images based on the text. The texts from the cropped sub-images are recognized independently through the Tesseract OCR Engine and combined as one document for each raw image. Finally, we applied universal sentence embedding to transform these documents into vectors and find the most similar reference images to the test image through the cosine similarity. [Results] We trained the DLI-IT model on 1749 opioid and 2365 non-opioid drug label images. The model was then tested on 300 external opioid drug label images, the result demonstrated our model achieves up-to 88% of the precision in drug label identification, which outperforms previous image-based or text-based identification method by up-to 35% improvement. [Conclusion] To conclude, by combining Image and Text embedding analysis under deep learning framework, our DLI-IT approach achieved a competitive performance in advancing drug label identification.
Minocycline prevents and repairs the skin disorder associated with afatinib, one of the epidermal growth factor receptor-tyrosine kinase inhibitors for non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Sano Kazumi , Nakadate Kazuhiko , Hanada Kazuhiko
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Background
While epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) exert a breakthrough effect, the incidence of skin disorders as a side effect has significantly reduced patients’ quality of life.
Objective
This study aimed to develop a treatment for inflammatory ulcers as one of the side effects of afatinib (Geotrif®), a second-generation EGFR-TKI, and established a skin disorder mouse model to investigate the protective effect of minocycline.
Methods
First, under inhalation anesthesia with isoflurane, the back of a male ddy mouse was shaved, and afatinib petrolatum was applied alone or in combination with minocycline to observe the state of the skin and measure transepidermal water transpiration (TEWL). Next, afatinib was administered orally to mice, and minocycline petrolatum was applied to observe whether the skin disorder was prevented and its effect on repair of the skin disorder.
Results
Skin injury occurred on the back of the mouse following afatinib (1 mg/g in petrolatum) application, and scab formation was observed. Application of minocycline prevented and improved the skin disorder caused by afatinib. When the minocycline-petrolatum mixture was applied to the mouse that developed the skin disorder, a significant improvement in TEWL was observed, and skin repair was observed macroscopically.
Discussion
These results suggest that minocycline petrolatum applied locally prevents and repairs afatinib-induced skin disorders of non-small cell lung cancer patients. Histological examination of skin has provided insights into the mechanism of the occurrence of afatinib-related skin disorder and suggested the efficacy of minocycline topical application in clinical practice.
A Scientometric Analysis of Neuroblastoma Research
Authors: Martynov Illya , Klima-Frysch Jessica , Schoenberger Joachim
Published: March 2020

Background: Thousands of research articles on neuroblastoma have been published over the past few decades; however, the heterogeneity and variable quality of scholarly data may challenge scientists or clinicians to survey all of the available information. Hence, holistic measurement and analyzation of neuroblastoma-related literature with the help of sophisticated mathematical tools could provide deep insights into global research performance and the collaborative architectonical structure within the neuroblastoma scientific community. In this scientometric study, we aim to determine the extent of the scientific output related to neuroblastoma research between 1980 and 2018. Methods: We applied novel scientometric tools, including Bibliometrix R package, biblioshiny, VOSviewer, and CiteSpace IV for comprehensive science mapping analysis of extensive bibliographic metadata, which was retrieved from the Web of ScienceTM Core Collection database. Results: We demonstrate the enormous proliferation of neuroblastoma research during last the 38 years, including 12,435 documents published in 1,828 academic journals by 36,908 authors from 86 different countries. These documents received a total of 316,017 citations with an average citation per document of 28.35 ± 7.7. We determine the proportion of highly cited and never cited papers, “occasional” and prolific authors and journals. Further, we show 12 (13.9%) of 86 countries were responsible for 80.4% of neuroblastoma-related research output. Conclusions: These findings are crucial for researchers, clinicians, journal editors, and others working in neuroblastoma research to understand the strengths and potential gaps in the current literature and to plan future investments in data collection and science policy. This first scientometric study of global neuroblastoma research performance provides valuable insight into the scientific landscape, co-authorship network architecture, international collaboration, and interaction within the neuroblastoma community.
Analyses of the association between sialolithiasis and smoking, alcohol drinking and obesity: A nested case-control study using national health screening in Korean adults
Authors: Jin Young Ju , Han Young Eun , Choi Hyo Geun
Published: March 2020

Background: Smoking and alcohol consumption are the most common social habits in patients with sialolithiasis. Moreover, obesity has been reported to have a significant association with poor oral hygiene, one of the causes of sialolithiasis. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships among tobacco smoking, drinking alcohol, obesity and sialolithiasis in a Korean population.

Methods: The Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort, which includes patients ≥ 40 years old, was assessed from 2002 to 2013. A total of 947 sialolithiasis participants were matched with 3,788 control subjects at a ratio of 1:4 with respect to age group, sex, income group, region of residence, hypertension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia. We analyzed the participants’ previous histories of smoking (current or past smokers compared to nonsmokers) and alcohol consumption (≥ 1 time per week compared to < 1 time per week) in the sialolithiasis and control groups. Obesity was measured using body mass index (BMI, kg/m 2 ), which was categorized as < 18.5 (underweight), ≥ 18.5 and < 23 (normal), ≥ 23 and < 25 (overweight), ≥ 25 and < 30 (obese I), and ≥ 30 (obese II). Crude and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using conditional logistic regression analyses.

Results: The rate of smoking was higher in the sialolithiasis group (32.4% [307/947]) than in the control group (29.1% [1,103/3,788], P = 0.047). The adjusted OR of smoking for the sialolithiasis group was 1.31 (95% CI = 1.08-1.59, P = 0.006). Alcohol consumption and obesity were not statistically significantly related to sialolithiasis.

Conclusion: The odds of smoking were increased in sialolithiasis patients compared with control subjects in the population ≥ 40 years of age.
Predicting Non-elective hospital readmission or Death using a Composite Assessment of Cognitive and Physical Frailty in Elderly inpatients with Cardiovascular Disease
Authors: Yao Simin , Zheng Peipei , Liang Yaodan , Wan Yuhao , Sun Ning , Luo Yao , Yang Jiefu , Wang Hua
Published: March 2020

Background: We aimed to assess the utility of the combination of the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) + clock drawing test (CDT) and the Fried phenotype for predicting non-elective hospital readmission or death within six months in elderly inpatients with cardiovascular disease (CVD).
Methods : A single-center prospective cohort was conducted from September 2018 to February 2019. Inpatients ≥65 years old were recruited. Predictive validity was tested using a Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis, and the discriminative ability was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.
Results : A total of 542 patients were included. Overall, 12% (64/542) screened positive for cognitive impairment, 16% (86/542) were physically frail and 8% (44/542) had cognitive impairment combined with physical frailty, showing an older age (P<0.001) and a lower education level (P<0.001) than physically frail patients. A total of 113 patients (20.9%) died or were readmitted at six months. Frail participants with a normal (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.73, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06-2.82, P=0.028) or impaired cognition (HR: 2.50, 95% CI: 1.27-4.91, P=0.008) had a higher risk of non-elective hospital readmission or death than robust patients after adjusting for the age, sex, education level, marital status, the presence of diabetes mellitus, heart failure, and history of stroke. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) showed that the discriminative ability in relation to six months readmission and death for the MMSE + CDT + Fried phenotype was 0.65 (95% CI: 0.60-0.71), and the AUC for men was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.63-0.78), while that for women was 0.60 (95% CI: 0.51-0.69).
Conclusions : Accounting for cognitive impairment in the frailty phenotype may allow for the better prediction of non-elective hospital readmission or death in elderly inpatients with CVD in the short term.
Trial registration: ChiCTR1800017204; date of registration: 07/18/2018.
Psychometric properties of the Czech Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale: Reliability and content validity analysis
Authors: Vlckova Karolina , Hoschlova Eva , Chroustova Eva , Loucka Martin
Published: March 2020

Background: Outcome measurement is an essential part of the evaluation of palliative care and the measurements need to be reliable, valid and adapted to the culture in which they are used. The Integrated Palliative Outcome Scale (IPOS) is a widely used tool for assessing personal-level outcomes in palliative care. The aim of this study was to provide Czech version of IPOS and asses its psychometric properties. Methods: Patients receiving palliative care in hospice or hospitals completed the IPOS. The reliability of Czech IPOS was tested with Cronbach alpha (for internal consistency), the intraclass correlation coefficient for total IPOS score and weighted Kappa (for test-retest reliability of individual items). Factor analysis was used for elucidating the construct (Exploratory Factor Analysis). Convergent validity was tested with correlation analysis (Spearman correlation) in a part of the sample, who completed also the Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) and the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS). Results: The sample consisted of 140 patients (mean age 72; 90 women; 81 % oncological disease). The Cronbach alpha was 0.789; intraclass correlation was 0.88. The correlations of IPOS with ESAS was R= 0.4 and PPS R= -0.2. Exploratory factor analysis revealed a 2-factor solution on our data. The first factor covers emotional and information needs and the second factor covers physical symptoms. Conclusion: Czech IPOS has very good reliability regarding both internal consistency and test-retest reliability. Together with an item analysis results, we can conclude that the Czech adaptation of the tool was successful. The convergent validity needs to be assessed on the larger sample and the proposed 2-factor internal structure of the questionnaire has to be confirmed by using CFA.
WITHDRAWN: High Failure Rate after Beta-tricalcium Phosphate Grafting for the Treatment of Femoral Head Osteonecrosis: a Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Liu Pei , Mu Xiao-hong , Yu Hua-chen , Jian-lei Guan , Liu Zhao-hui , Wang Wei-guo , Zhang Qi-dong , Guo Wanshou
Published: March 2020

Background: Non-vascularized bone grafting is a promising head-preserving technique for younger patients diagnosed as non-traumatic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (NONFH). Among the various types of bone grafting techniques, “light-bulb” procedure grafting with synthetic bone substitute is an attractive option. We aimed to assess the effectiveness of using beta-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) for the treatment of pre-collapse and early post-collapse lesions NONFH. Methods: From April 2010 to June 2014, 33 patients (47 hips) with NONFH were treated using the afore-mentioned technique. The clinical and radiological outcomes were recorded and compared statistically between pre- and post-operation. Harris hip score (HHS) was used to evaluate the clinical results, and Association Research Circulation Osseous (ARCO) stage was applied to assess the radiological outcomes. Results: The 5-years survival rate of using β-TCP grafting was accounting for 25.5%. HHS was decreased from 78.47 to 52.87 points, and a very significant worsening of radiological results were revealed ( P < 0.05). 2 hips collapsed more than 2 mm were awaiting for THA, and 33 of the 47 hips had converted to THAs in an average time to failure of 24.24 months postoperatively. Meanwhile, only 4 hips survived without collapse, and 8 hips collapsed less than 2 mm. After surgery, the time onset of head collapse was 3.65 months on average, and the first conversion to THA was performed at 5 months postoperative. Conclusions: Our results suggest that “light-bulb” procedure grafting with β-TCP sticks presented with a high failure rate in the early postoperative period. It is not proposed for the treatment of pre-collapse and early post-collapse lesions NONFH.
Dynamic compression locking system versus multiple cannulated compression screw for the treatment of femoral neck fractures: a comparative study
Authors: Shu Dong-Ping , Xiao Ya-Ping , Bei Ming-Jian , Ji Tao , Peng Yong-Jun , Ma Bing , Li Shao-Gang
Published: March 2020

Background

Femoral neck fractures are one of the problems in orthopedic treatment. The prognosis is uncertain. Currently, there is no one internal fixation for the treatment of femoral neck fractures that shows superiority over other internal fixations. Therefore, the internal fixation system needs to be further explored. The aim of this study was to compare clinical outcomes of femoral neck dynamic compression locking system (DCLS)and multiple cannulated compression screws(MCCS) in the treatment of femoral neck fractures.

Methods

A prospective analysis of 54 cases of femoral neck fractures treated with either a DCLS (n=28) or MCCS (n=26) was conducted between December 2015 and November 2017 in authors’ hospitals. The perioperative and postoperative parameters of the two groups were recorded and evaluated.

Results

Fifty-four patients were followed up for 24-47 months. The etiology was caused by a fall. There was no significant difference in follow-up time, operation time, incision length, surgical blood loss, the incidence of perioperative and postoperative healing complications, and mobility in the two groups ( P > 0.05). The Harris score, fracture healing time, femoral neck shortening, partial weight-bearing time and complete weight-bearing time were significantly better in the DCLS group than in the MCS group ( P < 0.05). The fracture healing rate in the DCLS group was higher than that in the MCS group.

Conclusion

The DCLS and MCCS might be equally effective in terms of operation time, incision length, surgical blood loss, the incidence of perioperative and postoperative healing complications, and mobility in the treatment of femoral neck fractures. However, the DCLS is superior to the MCCS in Harris score, fracture healing time, femoral neck shortening, weight-bearing time and fracture healing rate. So, DCLS deserves further study.
HDL functions and their interaction in patients with ST Elevation Myocardial Infarction: a case control study
Authors: Thakkar Himani , Vincent Vinnyfred , Roy Ambuj , Singh Sandeep , Ramakrishnan Lakshmy , Kalaivani Mani , Singh Archna
Published: March 2020

Background : Recent studies emphasize the importance of HDL function over HDL cholesterol measurement, as an important risk for cardiovascular diseases (CVD). We compared the HDL function of patients with Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS) and healthy controls. Methods : We measured cholesterol efflux capacity of HDL using THP-1 macrophages labelled with fluorescently tagged (BODIPY) cholesterol. Paraoxonase and arylesterase activity of PON1 enzyme were assessed by spectrophotometric methods. Results : We recruited 151 ACS patients and 110 controls. The HDL function of all patients during acute phase and at six month follow-up was measured. The mean age of the patients and controls was 51.7 and 43.6 years respectively. The mean HDL cholesterol/apolipoprotein A-I levels (ratio) of patients during acute phase, follow-up and of controls were 40.2 mg/dl/ 112.5 mg/dl (ratio= 0.36), 38.3 mg/dl/ 127.2 mg/dl (ratio= 0.30) and 45.4 mg/dl/ 142.1 mg/dl (ratio=0.32) respectively. The cholesterol efflux capacity (CEC) of HDL was positively correlated with apolipoprotein A-I levels during acute phase (r = 0.19, p = 0.019), follow-up (r = 0.26, p = 0.007) and of controls (r = 0.3, p = 0.0012) but not with HDL-C levels (acute phase: r = 0.07, p = 0.47; follow-up: r = 0.1 , p = 0.2; control: r = 0.02, p = 0.82). Higher levels of cholesterol efflux capacity, PON1 activity and apolipoprotein A-I were associated with lower odds of development of ACS. We also observed that low CEC is associated with higher odds of having ACS if PON1 activity of HDL is also low and vice versa. Conclusion : ACS is associated with reduced HDL functions which improves at follow-up. The predicted probability of ACS depends upon individual HDL functions and the interactions between them.
Effectiveness and Safety of Surgical Interventions for Treating Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis: a Bayesian Meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Long , Sun Zeyu , He Jingming , Xu Yunwen , Li Zhuhai , Zou Qian , Li Bo
Published: March 2020

BackgroundAdolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common form of spinal deformity in children and adolescents which presents as complex three-dimensional (3D) deformity of the spine and rib cage. This study aimed to estimate the effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions for AIS using Bayesian meta-analysis. MethodsThe PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Controlled Register of Trials were searched through Oct 1, 2019, without language restrictions. Relevant studies evaluating combined effectiveness and safety of surgical interventions for AIS were included according to eligibility criteria. The primary outcome measures included pulmonary function (change of absolute forced vital capacity and forced expiratory volume in one second from pre-operation to post-operation) and incidence of complications. The secondary outcome measure was change of Cobb angle from pre-operation to post-operation. Data was pooled using a random effects model in pairwise meta-analysis. Bayesian meta-analysis combined direct and indirect evidence using a Bayesian framework. Results28 case-controlled studies with totally 1970 participants were included. This Bayesian meta-analysis combining direct and indirect evidences indicated that posterior fusion with instrumentation without thoracoplasty (PSF) had the highest probability to achieve better pulmonary function and lower complication rate; video assisted anterior fusion with instrumentation without thoracoplasty (VAT) had the highest probability to obtain better Cobb angle correction based on analysis of rank probability. ConclusionThis Bayesian meta-analysis demonstrated that PSF had the highest probability to achieve better post-surgical pulmonary function and lower complication rate, which gives a practical recommendation of PSF as a primary surgical treatment for AIS. The results also support statistics that current surgeries adopted more PSF but less open anterior approach surgery and thoracoplasty. More research work is required to address the effectiveness and safety of VAT for treating AIS more convincingly.
Oncolytic Newcastle disease virus delivered by Mesenchymal stem cells-engineered system enhances the therapeutic effects altering tumor microenvironment
Authors: Keshavarz mohsen , Ebrahimzadeh Mir Saeed , Miri Seyed Mohammad , Dianat-Moghadam Hassan , Ghorbanhosseini Seyedeh Sara , Mohebbi Seyed Reza , Keyvani Hossein , Ghaemi Amir
Published: March 2020

Background: Human papillomavirus (HPV)-associated malignancy remain a main cause of cancer in men and women. Cancer immunotherapy has represented great potential as a new promising cancer therapeutic approach. Here, we report Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) as a carrier for the delivery of oncolytic Newcastle disease virus (NDV) for the treatment of HPV-associated tumor.Methods: For this purpose, MSCs obtained from the bone marrow of C57BL mice, then cultured and characterized subsequently by the flow cytometry analysis for the presence of cell surface markers. In this study, we sought out to determine the impacts of MSCs loaded with oncolytic NDV on splenic T cell and cytokine immune responses, caspase-3 and -9 expression, and myeloid and myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) by histological and immunohistochemical studies in the tumor microenvironment (TME).Results: our findings proved that MSCs possess both migratory capacity and tumor tropism toward transplanted tumor tissue after peritumoral administration. Tumor therapy experiments indicated that oncolytic NDV delivered by MSCs-engineered system significantly reduces tumor growth, which is associated with the enhancement of E7-specific lymphocyte proliferation, CD8+ T cell cytolysis responses, and splenic IFN-γ, IL-4 and IL-12 responses compared with control groups. Moreover, the treatment upregulated the concentration of apoptotic proteins (caspase 9) and increased infiltration of tumor microenvironment with CD11b+myeloid and Gr1+MDSCs cells.Conclusions: Our data suggest MSCs carrying oncolytic NDV as a potentially effective strategy for cancer immunotherapy through inducing splenic Th1 immune responses and apoptosis in the tumor microenvironment.
“Kunika women are always sick”: Views from community focus groups on short birth interval (kunika) in Bauchi State, Northern Nigeria
Authors: Ansari Umaira , Pimentel Juan , Omer Khalid , Gidado Yagana , Baba Muhd Chadi , Andersson Neil , Cockcroft Anne
Published: March 2020

Background : In Northern Nigeria, short birth interval is common; the word kunika in the Hausa language describes a woman becoming pregnant before weaning her last child. A sizeable literature confirms an association between short birth interval and adverse perinatal and maternal health outcomes. Yet there are few reported studies about how people view short birth interval and its consequences. In support of culturally safe child spacing in Bauchi State, in North East Nigeria, we explored local perspectives about kunika and its consequences. Methods : A qualitative descriptive study included 12 gender-segregated focus groups facilitated by local men and women in six communities from the Toro Local Government Area in Bauchi State. Facilitators conducted the groups in the Hausa language and translated the reports of the discussions into English. After an inductive thematic analysis, the local research team reviewed and agreed the themes in a member-checking exercise.Results : Some 49 women and 48 men participated in the 12 focus groups, with an average of eight people in each group. All participants were married with ages ranging from 15-45 years. They explained their understanding of kunika, often in terms of pregnancy while breastfeeding. They described many disadvantages of kunika, including health complications for the mother and children, economic consequences, and adverse impact on men’s health and family dynamics. The groups concluded that some people still practise kunika, either intentionally (for example, in order to increase family size or because of competition between co-wives) or unintentionally (for example, because of frequent unprotected sex), and explained the roles of men and women in this. Conclusion : Men and women in our study had a clear understanding of the concept of kunika. They recognized many adverse consequences of kunika beyond the narrow health concerns reported in quantitative studies. Their highlighted impacts of kunika on men’s wellbeing can inform initiatives promoting the role of men in addressing kunika.
Musculoskeletal pain in other body sites is associated with new-onset low back pain: A longitudinal study among survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake
Authors: Yabe Yutaka , Hagiwara Yoshihiro , Sekiguchi Takuya , Sugawara Yumi , Tsuchiya Masahiro , Yoshida Shinichirou , Sogi Yasuhito , Yano Toshihisa , Onoki Takahiro , Takahashi Tadahisa , Iwatsu Jun , Tsuji Ichiro , Itoi Eiji
Published: March 2020

Background: Low back pain (LBP) is a common health problem experienced after natural disasters. LBP is often concurrent with other musculoskeletal pain; however, the effects of preexisting musculoskeletal pain on the development of LBP are not clear. The purpose of this study was to elucidate the association of musculoskeletal pain in other body sites with new-onset LBP among survivors of the Great East Japan Earthquake (GEJE).
Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted with survivors of the GEJE. The survivors who did not have LBP at the three year time period after the GEJE were followed up one year later (n = 1,782). Musculoskeletal pain, such as low back, hand and/or foot, knee, shoulder, and neck pain, were assessed with self-reported questionnaires. The outcome of interest was new-onset LBP, which was defined as LBP absent at three years but present at four years after the disaster. The main predictor was musculoskeletal pain in other body sites three years after the GEJE, which was categorized according to the number of pain sites (0, 1, ≥ 2). Multiple regression analyses were performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for new-onset LBP due to musculoskeletal pain in other body sites.
Results: The incidence of new-onset LBP was 14.1% (251/1,782). Musculoskeletal pain in other body sites was significantly associated with new-onset LBP. Including people without other musculoskeletal pain as a reference, the adjusted OR and 95% CI for new-onset LBP were 1.73 (1.16-2.57) for people with one musculoskeletal pain site and 3.20 (2.01-5.09) for people with ≥ 2 sites (p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Preexisting musculoskeletal pain in other body sites was associated with new-onset LBP among survivors in the recovery period after the GEJE .
Cefaclor as a first-line treatment for acute uncomplicated cystitis: a retrospective single-center study
Authors: Koguchi Dai , Murakami Yasukiyo , Ikeda Masaomi , Dobashi Masato , Ishii Junichiro
Published: March 2020

Background: Wide-spectrum antibiotics have been favored to treat acute uncomplicated cystitis (AUC) for a long time, leading to the emergence of multi-drug resistant bacteria. We hypothesize that narrow-spectrum antibiotics might mitigate the issue and aim to investigate the clinical efficacy of cefaclor in patients with AUC.
Methods : We retrospectively reviewed the clinical data of female outpatients with AUC treated with cefaclor and evaluated the safety and clinical efficacy. Clinical cure was defined as the elimination of clinical symptom under 4 white blood cells (WBCs) per high power field on microscopy.
Results : Overall, 223 women with AUC were enrolled. Escherichia coli was the dominant pathogen (n=160; 68.6%), followed by Klebsiella species and E. coli -extended spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL) (n=19; 8.1% and n=18; 7.7%). Overall success rate was 94.0% (n=219) and susceptibility rate of cefazolin was 84.1%, which was close to that of levofloxacin (82.9%). Ampicillin showed the lowest rate of 63.7% with a significantly greater resistance rate of 35.3% among all antibiotics (P<0.001). In the subgroup analysis, the success rate in patients with resistance to levofloxacin or cefazolin was 100% (n=24) or 93.3% (n=14). The rate in patients with resistance to both antibiotics was 60.0% (n=9), and the pathogens in the other 40.0% (n=6) of patients with treatment failure were E. coli -ESBL.
Conclusion : Cefaclor showed excellent efficacy in AUC patients, even in those with in vitro resistance to cefazolin or levofloxacin. Cefaclor may be considered as a first-line option in patients with AUC and a second-line option for those with levofloxacin treatment failure.
The effects of Enhanced Primary Healthcare interventions on primary care providers’ job satisfaction
Authors: Wong Wen Jun , Norzi Aisyah Mohd , Ang Swee Hung , Chan Chee Lee , Jaafar Faeiz Syezri Adzmin , Sivasampu Sheamini
Published: March 2020

Background:
In response to the rising burden of cardiovascular risk factors, the Malaysian government has implemented Enhanced Primary Healthcare (EnPHC) interventions in July 2017 at public clinic level to improve management and clinical outcomes of type 2 diabetes and hypertensive patients. Healthcare providers (HCPs) play crucial roles in healthcare service delivery and health system reform can influence HCPs’ job satisfaction. However, studies evaluating HCPs’ job satisfaction following primary care transformation remain scarce in low- and middle-income countries. This study aims to evaluate the effects of EnPHC interventions on HCPs’ job satisfaction.

Methods:
This is a quasi-experimental study conducted in 20 intervention and 20 matched control clinics. We surveyed all HCPs who were directly involved in patient management. A self-administered questionnaire which included six questions on job satisfaction were assessed on a scale of 1-4 at baseline (April and May 2017) and post-intervention phase (March and April 2019). Unadjusted intervention effect was calculated based on absolute differences in mean scores between intervention and control groups after implementation. Difference-in-differences analysis was used in the multivariable linear regression model and adjusted for providers and clinics characteristics to detect changes in job satisfaction following EnPHC interventions. A negative estimate indicates relative decrease in job satisfaction in the intervention group compared with control group.

Results:
A total of 1042 and 1215 HCPs responded at baseline and post-intervention respectively. At post-intervention, the intervention group reported higher level of stress with adjusted differences of -0.139 (95% CI -0.266,-0.012; p=0.032). Nurses, being the largest workforce in public clinics were the only group experiencing dissatisfaction at post-intervention. In subgroup analysis, nurses from intervention group experienced increase in work stress following EnPHC interventions with adjusted differences of -0.223 (95% CI -0.419,-0.026; p=0.026). Additionally, the same group were less likely to perceive their profession as well-respected at post-intervention (β= -0.175; 95% CI -0.331,-0.019; p=0.027]).

Conclusions:
Our findings suggest that EnPHC interventions had resulted in some untoward effect on HCPs’ job satisfaction. Job dissatisfaction can have detrimental effects on the organisation and healthcare system. Therefore, provider experience and well-being should be considered before introducing healthcare delivery reforms to avoid overburdening of HCPs.
Immunogenicity analysis of conserved fragments in Plasmodium ovale species merozoite surface protein 4
Authors: Uwase Juliette , Chu Ruilin , Kassegne Kokouvi , Lei Yao , Shen Feihu , Fu Haitian , Sun Yifan , Xuan Yinghua , Cao Jun , Cheng Yang
Published: March 2020

Background : There is an urgent need for an effective vaccine to control and eradicate malaria, one of the most serious global infectious diseases. Plasmodium merozoite surface protein 4 (MSP4) has been listed as a blood-stage subunit vaccine candidate for malaria. Plasmodium ovale species (spp.) infection is also a source of malaria burden in tropical regions where it is sometimes mixed with other Plasmodium species. However, little is known about P. ovale spp. MSP4. Methods : The msp4 gene was amplified through polymerase chain reaction using genomic DNA extracted from blood samples of 46 patients infected with P. ovale spp. and amplified products were sequenced. Open reading frames predicted as immunogenic peptides consisting of 119 and 97 amino acids of P. ovale curtisi MSP4 (PocMSP4) and P. ovale wallikeri MSP4 (PowMSP4), respectively, were selected for protein expression. Recombinant proteins (rPoMSP4) were expressed in Escherichia coli , purified, analyzed, and immunized in BALB/c mice. The specificity of anti-MSP4-immunoglubulin (Ig) G antibodies was evaluated by Western blot and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and cellular immune responses were analyzed via lymphocyte proliferation assays. Results : Full peptide sequences of PocMSP4 and PowMSP4 were completely conserved in all clinical isolates, except in the epidermal growth factor-like domain at the carboxyl terminus where only one mutation was observed in one P. ovale wallikeri isolate. Furthermore, we successfully expressed the truncated pocmsp4 and powmsp4 and purified as ~32 kDa proteins. Our results showed that PocMSP4 and PowMSP4 induced high antibody responses with end-point titers ranging from 1:10,000 to 1:2,560,000 in all immunized mouse groups and with high IgG avidity to PocMSP4 (80.5%) and PowMSP4 (92.3%). Furthermore, rPocMSP4 and rPowMSP4 cross-reacted with anti-PowMSP4-specific or anti-PocMSP4-specific antibodies. Additionally, anti-PoMSP4 IgG antibodies showed broad immuno-specificity in reacting against rPoMSP1 and rPoAMA1. Lastly, PocMSP4- and PowMSP4-immunized mice induced cellular immune responses with PocMSP4 (36%) and PowMSP4 cells (15.8%) as observed through splenocyte proliferation assays. Conclusion : Our study suggested conservation in PoMSP4 protein sequences and high immunogenicity was observed in rPoMSP4. Furthermore, PocMSP4- and PowMSP4-immunized mice induced cellular immune responses, suggesting that both humoral and cellular immune responses play crucial roles in the protection against any antigen.
Impact of perioperative hemodynamic optimization therapies in surgical patients: Economic study and Meta-analysis
Authors: Silva João M , Menezes Pedro Ferro L , Lobo Suzana M , Carvalho Flavia Helena S , Oliveira Mariana Augusta N , Filho Francisco Nilson F Cardoso , Fernando Bruna N , Carmona Maria Jose C , Teich Vanessa D , Malbouisson Luiz Marcelo S
Published: March 2020

Background: Several studies suggest that hemodynamic optimization therapies can reduce complications, the length of hospital stay and costs. However, Brazilian data are scarce. Therefore, the objective of this analysis was to evaluate whether the improvement demonstrated by hemodynamic optimization therapy in surgical patients could result in lower costs from the perspective of the Brazilian public unified health system.
Methods: A meta-analysis was performed comparing surgical patients who underwent hemodynamic optimization therapy (intervention) with patients who underwent standard therapy (control) in terms of complications and hospital costs. The cost-effectiveness analysis evaluated the clinical and financial benefits of hemodynamic optimization protocols for surgical patients. The analysis considered the clinical outcomes of randomized studies published in the last 20 years that involved surgeries and hemodynamic optimization therapy. Indirect costs (equipment depreciation, estate and management activities) were not included in the analysis.
Results: A total of 21 clinical trials with a total of 4872 surgical patients were selected. Comparison of the intervention and control groups showed lower rates of infectious (RR=0.66; 95% CI=0.58-0.74), renal (RR=0.68; 95% CI=0.54-0.87), and cardiovascular (RR=0.87; 95% CI=0.76-0.99) complications and a nonstatistically significant lower rate of respiratory complications (RR=0.82; 95% CI=0.67-1.02). There was no difference in mortality (RR=1.02; 95% CI=0.80-1.3) between groups. In the analysis of total costs, the intervention group showed a cost reduction of R$396,024.83-BRL ($90,161.38-USD) for every 1000 patients treated compared to the control group. The patients in the intervention group showed greater effectiveness, with 1.0 fewer days in the intensive care unit and hospital. In addition, there were 333 fewer patients with complications, with a consequent reduction of R$1,630,341.47-BRL ($371,173.27-USD) for every 1000 patients treated.
Conclusions: Hemodynamic optimization therapy is cost-effective and would increase the efficiency of and decrease the burden of the Brazilian public health system.