bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association of endometrial polyps with STC‐1 and STC‐2 in infertile patients
Authors: Kayacık Günday Özlem , Fırat Fatma , Yalçın Gülsüm Şeyma , Yılmazer Mehmet
Published: April 2023

Objective

The present study aimed to evaluate the impact of endometrial polyps (EPs) on the endometrium of patients with unexplained infertility using stanniocalcin‐1 and ‐2 proteins (STC), whose effects on endometrial receptivity have been reported recently.

Materials and Methods

A case–control study was performed, consisting of 26 patients who underwent endometrial sampling for diagnosis and/or treatment and diagnosed with EP on biopsy and/or excision material, and 23 patients with normal endometrial findings in the pathology, for a total of 49 patients with unexplained infertility. An immunohistochemistry examination was performed on paraffin‐embedded tissue samples from both groups to understand whether there was a relationship between EP and STC. Staining results of the polyp and control groups for STC‐1 and STC‐2 were compared, and it was investigated whether STCs were predictive for EP.

Results

In the comparison performed between the H‐score evaluation results of the control and polyp groups after the immunohistochemical staining method, the staining in the polyp group was significantly higher for both STC‐1 (p < 0.001) and STC‐2 (p < 0.001). There was more staining with STC‐1 than STC‐2 in all groups (STC‐1: 15.08; STC‐2: 8.27; p < 0.05). In the logistic regression analysis established with STC‐1, STC‐2, and age, the predictive effect of STC‐1 for EP was statistically significant (p = 0.040; odds ratio: 1.66; 95% confidence interval: 1.02–2.68). In EP, according to receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, area under the curve was 0.980 (likelihood ratio: 20.35; p < 0.05), and the cut‐off value was 18 for STC‐1.

Conclusion

In infertile patients, since STC‐1, which affects endometrial receptivity, is found to be significantly higher in polyps and has a predictive effect on polyps, in patients with unexplained infertility, routine uterine cavity evaluation and routine excision of polypoid lesions detected during this period may have a positive effect on endometrial receptivity.
Benign ureteral obstruction in cats: Outcome with medical management
Authors: Merindol Isabelle , Vachon Catherine , Juette Tristan , Dunn Marilyn
Published: April 2023

Background

Limited information is available regarding the outcome of medical management (MM) of benign ureteral obstruction in cats (BUO).

Hypothesis

Describe clinical characteristics and outcome of MM of BUO.

Animals

Seventy‐two client‐owned cats with 103 obstructed kidneys.

Methods

Medical records of cats diagnosed with BUO between 2010 and 2021 that received >72 hours of MM were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data, treatment, and outcome were reviewed. Outcome was classified as success, partial success, or failure based on ultrasound findings. Factors associated with outcome were assessed.

Results

Seventy‐two cats with 103 obstructed kidneys were enrolled. The causes of obstruction were uroliths in 73% (75/103), strictures in 13.5% (14/103), and pyonephrosis in 13.5% (14/103) of affected kidneys. Median serum creatinine concentration at presentation was 4.01 mg/dL (range, 1.30‐21.3 mg/dL). Outcome after MM was considered a success in 30% (31/103), partial success in 13% (13/103), and failure in 57% (59/103) of kidneys. Success was reported in 23% (17/75) of kidneys with uroliths, 50% (7/14) with pyonephrosis, and 50% (7/14) with strictures. Median time to a successful outcome was 16 days (range, 3‐115 days). Distal and smaller uroliths (median length, 1.85 mm) were significantly associated with success (P = .05 and P = .01, respectively). Median survival times were 1188 days (range, 60‐1700 days), 518 days (range, 7‐1812 days), and 234 days (range, 4‐3494 days) for success, partial success, and failure, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

We found a higher success rate for MM of BUO than previously reported. Smaller distal uroliths (<1‐2 mm) were more likely to pass.
A qualitative analysis of stigmatizing language in birth admission clinical notes
Authors: Barcelona Veronica , Scharp Danielle , Idnay Betina R. , Moen Hans , Goffman Dena , Cato Kenrick , Topaz Maxim
Published: April 2023

The presence of stigmatizing language in the electronic health record (EHR) has been used to measure implicit biases that underlie health inequities. The purpose of this study was to identify the presence of stigmatizing language in the clinical notes of pregnant people during the birth admission. We conducted a qualitative analysis on N = 1117 birth admission EHR notes from two urban hospitals in 2017. We identified stigmatizing language categories, such as Disapproval (39.3%), Questioning patient credibility (37.7%), Difficult patient (21.3%), Stereotyping (1.6%), and Unilateral decisions (1.6%) in 61 notes (5.4%). We also defined a new stigmatizing language category indicating Power/privilege. This was present in 37 notes (3.3%) and signaled approval of social status, upholding a hierarchy of bias. The stigmatizing language was most frequently identified in birth admission triage notes (16%) and least frequently in social work initial assessments (13.7%). We found that clinicians from various disciplines recorded stigmatizing language in the medical records of birthing people. This language was used to question birthing people's credibility and convey disapproval of decision‐making abilities for themselves or their newborns. We reported a Power/privilege language bias in the inconsistent documentation of traits considered favorable for patient outcomes (e.g., employment status). Future work on stigmatizing language may inform tailored interventions to improve perinatal outcomes for all birthing people and their families.
Effects of curcumin supplementation on quality of porcine spermatozoa irradiated with ultraviolet‐C at 228 nm during liquid preservation
Authors: Nagahara Megumi , Namula Zhao , Lin Qingyi , Takebayashi Koki , Torigoe Nanaka , Liu Bin , Aihara Mutsumi , Nii Masahiro , Otoi Takeshige
Published: April 2023

It is important to prevent microbial contamination during liquid preservation of semen in pigs. We examined the effects of curcumin supplementation on the quality of porcine spermatozoa irradiated with ultraviolet‐C (UV‐C) at 228 nm. UV‐C is used to disinfect gases and solid surfaces. In the first experiment, porcine semen was preserved with 0, 10, 25, 50 or 100 μM curcumin under UV‐C irradiation at 228 nm for 7 days at 15°C. The irradiation did not affect the motility and viability of preserved spermatozoa but decreased the percentage of plasma membrane integrity of spermatozoa. Curcumin supplementation at 25 μM significantly improved the plasma membrane and acrosome integrity of irradiated spermatozoa compared with spermatozoa preserved without curcumin (p < .05). In the second experiment, semen was preserved with or without 25 μM curcumin with UV‐C irradiation at 228 or 260 nm for 3 days at 15°C. Curcumin supplementation increased the percentages of total motility, sperm viability and plasma membrane integrity of preserved spermatozoa at both irradiation wavelengths (p < .05). All quality parameters of 260 nm irradiated spermatozoa decreased compared to those of the other groups, irrespective of curcumin supplementation. The collective findings indicate that porcine spermatozoa can retain their viability even after continuous long‐duration irradiation with 228 nm UV‐C. Curcumin supplementation improves the quality of UV‐C irradiated spermatozoa during semen preservation.
Foodborne disease outbreaks in flour and flour‐based food products from microbial pathogens in the United States, and their health economic burden
Authors: Rahman Rubait , Scharff Robert L. , Wu Felicia
Published: April 2023

The most comprehensive and inclusive estimates for the economic burden of foodborne illness yield values as high as $97.4 billion USD annually. However, broad incidence and cost estimates have limited use if they cannot be attributed to specific foods, for the purposes of food safety control. In this study, we estimated the economic burden of foodborne illnesses resulting from flour and flour‐based food products in the United States from the years 2001 to 2021. The outbreak, illness burden, and health economic data are combined to generate these estimates. Our model combined outbreak data with published Centers for Disease Control and Prevention multipliers to estimate the annual number of illnesses associated with flour‐borne pathogens. We then integrated illness severity data with an updated economic model that accounts for costs related to medical care, productivity loss, loss of life, along with the quality of life loss that entails pain and suffering. In total, 752 cases and 223 hospitalizations from flour‐related illnesses were reported from 2001 to 2021, with an average of 37.6 cases of reported cases annually. However, the actual number of cases, accounting for underreporting and underdiagnosis, can be as high as 19,440 annually. Pathogens involved in these outbreaks are Salmonella, E. coli O157:H7, and E. coli O121. Our estimates suggest average annual economic losses, including healthy years of life lost, of $108 and $258 million using two alternative models.
Working time arrangements and exhaustion: The role of recovery experiences and satisfaction with the schedule
Authors: Garraio Carolina , Matias Marisa , Matos Paula M.
Published: April 2023

Working time arrangements may be a source of strain and entail negative consequences for workers, one of which can be exhaustion. Based on the job demands‐resources and the conservation of resources theories, this study explores recovery experiences from work and satisfaction with the work schedule as possible resources that may prevent or minimize such negative consequences. With a sample of 386 workers (n = 287 women; 99 men) and using a cluster analysis, we identified five working time arrangements: fixed standardized, part‐time, irregular standardized, flexible standardized, and nonstandard work schedule (NWS). A one‐way ANOVA found that workers in the irregular standardized schedule report higher exhaustion compared to the fixed standardized and the part‐time. Exhaustion of workers in NWS is higher compared to the part‐time workers. A multiple linear regression analysis found that the link between recovery experiences and exhaustion varies according to the working time arrangement. Lastly, an interaction analysis confirmed the moderator effect of satisfaction with the work schedule in the relationship between recovery experiences and exhaustion for the whole sample. When this analysis was performed separately for each cluster, this effect was only significant for NWS and by disentangling this finding by recovery dimensions, only relaxation had a significant interaction effect. This study clarifies the links between different recovery experiences and exhaustion, and points to the importance of satisfaction with the work schedule in facilitating recovery under demanding working time arrangements. Results are discussed considering the complex nature of the work‐family interface.
Impact of time‐restricted feeding on kidney injury in male rats with experimental metabolic syndrome
Authors: Harishkumar Rajendran , Baranda‐Alonso Eva M. , Martin William P. , Docherty Neil G.
Published: April 2023

Disruptions to circadian rhythm may be implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome (Met‐S). For example, eating during an extended period of the day may negatively impact the circadian rhythms governing metabolic control, contributing, therefore, to Met‐S and associated end‐organ damage. Accordingly, time‐restricted eating (TRE)/feeding (TRF) is gaining popularity as a dietary intervention for the treatment and prevention of Met‐S. To date, no studies have specifically examined the impact of TRE/TRF on the renal consequences of Met‐S. The proposed study seeks to use a model of experimental Met‐S‐associated kidney disease to address this knowledge gap, disambiguating therein the effects of calorie restriction from the timing of food intake. Spontaneously hypertensive rats will consume a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks and then be allocated by stratified randomisation according to albuminuria to one of three groups. Rats will have free 24‐h access to HFD (Group A), access to HFD during the scheduled hours of darkness (Group B) or access to HFD provided in the form of two rations, one provided during the light phase and one provided during the dark phase, equivalent overall in quantity to that consumed by rats in Group B (Group C). The primary outcome measure will be a change in albuminuria. Changes in food intake, body weight, blood pressure, glucose tolerance, fasting plasma insulin, urinary excretion of C‐peptide and renal injury biomarkers, liver and kidney histopathology and inflammation, and fibrosis‐related renal gene expression will be assessed as secondary outcomes.
An Entropy Dynamics Approach for Deriving and Applying Fractal and Fractional Order Viscoelasticity to Elastomers
Authors: Pahari Basanta R. , Stanisauskis Eugenia , Mashayekhi Somayeh , Oates William
Published: April 2023

Entropy dynamics is a Bayesian inference methodology that can be used to quantify time-dependent posterior probability densities that guide the development of complex material models using information theory. Here, we expand its application to non-Gaussian processes to evaluate how fractal structure can influence fractional hyperelasticity and viscoelasticity in elastomers. We investigate how kinematic constraints on fractal polymer network deformation influences the form of hyperelastic constitutive behavior and viscoelasticity in soft materials such as dielectric elastomers, which have applications in the development of adaptive structures. The modeling framework is validated on two dielectric elastomers, VHB 4910 and 4949, over a broad range of stretch rates. It is shown that local fractal time derivatives are equally effective at predicting viscoelasticity in these materials in comparison to nonlocal fractional time derivatives under constant stretch rates. We describe the origin of this accuracy that has implications for simulating large-scale problems such as finite element analysis given the differences in computational efficiency of nonlocal fractional derivatives versus local fractal derivatives.
Manufacturing-Cost-Driven Topology Optimization of Welded Frame Structures
Authors: Gu Hongye , Smith Hollis , Norato Julián A.
Published: April 2023

This work presents a method for the topology optimization of welded frame structures to minimize the manufacturing cost. The structures considered here consist of assemblies of geometric primitives such as bars and plates that are common in welded frame construction. A geometry projection technique is used to map the primitives onto a continuous density field that is subsequently used to interpolate material properties. As in density-based topology optimization techniques, the ensuing ersatz material is used to perform the structural analysis on a fixed mesh, thereby circumventing the need for re-meshing upon design changes. The distinct advantage of the representation by geometric primitives is the ease of computation of the manufacturing cost in terms of the design parameters, while the geometry projection facilitates the analysis within a continuous design region. The proposed method is demonstrated via the manufacturing-cost-minimization subject to a displacement constraint of 2D bar, 3D bar, and plate structures.
Whitewashed and Blacked Out: Counter-Narratives as an Analytical Framework for Studies of Ice Hockey in Canada
Authors: McKenzie Alex I. , Joseph Janelle
Published: April 2023

Despite a longstanding relationship with hockey, Black Canadians are typically erased from dominant histories of Canada and sport. Erasure is detrimental to Black prosperity because it encourages social death, a process that socially marginalizes and dehumanizes Black Canadians. In response to Black erasure, we detail counter-narratives that challenge the historically whitewashed account of hockey’s origin in Canada. We celebrate the impact and contributions of Black Canadians, who transformed hockey while using it as a sport-for-development vehicle in the 19th and 20th century. Given the centrality of hockey to Canadian nationalism, we suggest that Black erasure within sport and society is an attempt at Black social death within Canada. By highlighting the sport development and sport-for-development work of Black Canadians, our objective is to confront Black erasure and exclusion. That way, Black presence becomes less surprising in the grand narrative of Canada, and Black social death becomes less certain.
Highly multicolored light-emitting arrays for compressive spectroscopy
Authors: Wang Vivian , Uddin Shiekh Zia , Park Junho , Javey Ali
Published: April 2023

Miniaturized, multicolored light-emitting device arrays are promising for applications in sensing, imaging, computing, and more, but the range of emission colors achievable by a conventional light-emitting diode is limited by material or device constraints. In this work, we demonstrate a highly multicolored light-emitting array with 49 different, individually addressable colors on a single chip. The array consists of pulsed-driven metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors, which generate electroluminescence from microdispensed materials spanning a diverse range of colors and spectral shapes, enabling facile generation of arbitrary light spectra across a broad wavelength range (400 to 1400 nm). When combined with compressive reconstruction algorithms, these arrays can be used to perform spectroscopic measurements in a compact manner without diffractive optics. As an example, we demonstrate microscale spectral imaging of samples using a multiplexed electroluminescent array in conjunction with a monochrome camera.
A scuticociliate causes mass mortality of
Diadema antillarum
in the Caribbean Sea
Authors: Hewson Ian , Ritchie Isabella T. , Evans James S. , Altera Ashley , Behringer Donald , Bowman Erin , Brandt Marilyn , Budd Kayla A. , Camacho Ruleo A. , Cornwell Tomas O. , Countway Peter D. , Croquer Aldo , Delgado Gabriel A. , DeRito Christopher , Duermit-Moreau Elizabeth , Francis-Floyd Ruth , Gittens Samuel , Henderson Leslie , Hylkema Alwin , Kellogg Christina A. , Kiryu Yasunari , Kitson-Walters Kimani A. , Kramer Patricia , Lang Judith C. , Lessios Harilaos , Liddy Lauren , Marancik David , Nimrod Stephen , Patterson Joshua T. , Pistor Marit , Romero Isabel C. , Sellares-Blasco Rita , Sevier Moriah L. B. , Sharp William C. , Souza Matthew , Valdez-Trinidad Andreina , van der Laan Marijn , Vilanova-Cuevas Brayan , Villalpando Maria , Von Hoene Sarah D. , Warham Matthew , Wijers Tom , Williams Stacey M. , Work Thierry M. , Yanong Roy P. , Zambrano Someira , Zimmermann Alizee , Breitbart Mya
Published: April 2023

Echinoderm mass mortality events shape marine ecosystems by altering the dynamics among major benthic groups. The sea urchin
Diadema antillarum
, virtually extirpated in the Caribbean in the early 1980s by an unknown cause, recently experienced another mass mortality beginning in January 2022. We investigated the cause of this mass mortality event through combined molecular biological and veterinary pathologic approaches comparing grossly normal and abnormal animals collected from 23 sites, representing locations that were either affected or unaffected at the time of sampling. Here, we report that a scuticociliate most similar to
Philaster apodigitiformis
was consistently associated with abnormal urchins at affected sites but was absent from unaffected sites. Experimentally challenging naïve urchins with a
Philaster
culture isolated from an abnormal, field-collected specimen resulted in gross signs consistent with those of the mortality event. The same ciliate was recovered from treated specimens postmortem, thus fulfilling Koch’s postulates for this microorganism. We term this condition
D. antillarum
scuticociliatosis.
Mammalian ANP32A and ANP32B Proteins Drive Differential Polymerase Adaptations in Avian Influenza Virus
Authors: Peacock Thomas P. , Sheppard Carol M. , Lister Margaret G. , Staller Ecco , Frise Rebecca , Swann Olivia C. , Goldhill Daniel H. , Long Jason S. , Barclay Wendy S.
Published: April 2023

Influenza viruses naturally reside in wild aquatic birds. However, the high mutation rate of influenza viruses allows them to rapidly and frequently adapt to new hosts, including mammals.
Associations among Milk Microbiota, Milk Fatty Acids, Milk Glycans, and Inflammation from Lactating Holstein Cows
Authors: Coates Laurynne C. , Durham Sierra D. , Storms David H. , Magnuson Andrew D. , Van Hekken Diane L. , Plumier Benjamin M. , Finley John W. , Fukagawa Naomi K. , Tomasula Peggy M. , Lemay Danielle G. , Picklo Matthew J. , Barile Daniela , Kalscheur Kenneth F. , Kable Mary E.
Published: April 2023

Bovine milk can harbor microbes that cause mastitis, milk spoilage, and foodborne illness. Fatty acids found in milk can be antimicrobial and milk oligosaccharides can have antiadhesive, prebiotic, and immune-modulatory effects.
Characterization of Three Novel IMP Metallo-β-Lactamases, IMP-89, IMP-91, and IMP-96, and Diverse
bla
IMP
-Carrying Accessory Genetic Elements from Chinese Clinical Isolates
Authors: Li Xinyue , Mu Xiaofei , Chen Fangzhou , Lu Xiuhui , He Jiaqi , Zheng Yali , Zhou Dongsheng , Yin Zhe , Wang Peng
Published: April 2023

The spread of IMP-type MBLs has increased dramatically in recent years. We discovered three novel IMP variants from three clinical isolates in China.
Diversity Analysis of Tick-Borne Viruses from Hedgehogs and Hares in Qingdao, China
Authors: Hu Geng , Jiang Fachun , Luo Qin , Zong Kexin , Dong Liyan , Mei Guoyong , Du Haijun , Dong Hongming , Song Qinqin , Song Juan , Xia Zhiqiang , Gao Chen , Han Jun
Published: April 2023

Thirty-six strains of 10 RNA viruses belonging to 4 viral families, including 3 viruses of
Iflaviridae
, 4 viruses of
Phenuiviridae
, 2 viruses of
Nairoviridae
, and 1 virus of
Chuviridae
, were identified from five tick species in Qingdao, China. A diversity of tick-borne viruses from hares and hedgehogs in Qingdao was found in this study.
Systemic absorption of intrathecal methotrexate
Authors: Singhal Ruchi , Daily Karen , Wheeler Sarah
Published: April 2023

Leptomeningeal spread of cancer is rare, difficult to both diagnostically confirm and treat, and associated with a poor prognosis. The blood–brain barrier largely prevents sufficient penetration of systemic therapy to be effective. Direct administration of intrathecal therapy has thus been used as an alternative treatment option. We present a case of breast cancer complicated by leptomeningeal spread. Intrathecal methotrexate was initiated, and the manifestation of systemic side effects suggested systemic absorption. This was subsequently confirmed by blood work showing detectable methotrexate levels following intrathecal administration as well as resolution of symptoms with reduction in the dose of methotrexate administered.
Association of rurality and identifying as black with receipt of specialty care among patients hospitalized with a diabetic foot ulcer: a Medicare cohort study
Authors: Taylor Lindsay , Gangnon Ronald , Powell W Ryan , Kramer Joseph , Kind Amy J H , Bartels Christie M , Brennan Meghan B
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Rural patients with diabetic foot ulcers, especially those identifying as black, face increased risk of major amputation. Specialty care can reduce this risk. However, care disparities might beget outcome disparities. We aimed to determine whether a smaller proportion of rural patients, particularly those identifying as black, receive specialty care compared with the national proportion.

Research design and methods

This 100% national retrospective cohort examined Medicare beneficiaries hospitalized with diabetic foot ulcers (2013–2014). We report observed differences in specialty care, including: endocrinology, infectious disease, orthopedic surgery, plastic surgery, podiatry, or vascular surgery. We used logistic regression to examine possible intersectionality between rurality and race, controlling for sociodemographics, comorbidities, and ulcer severity and including an interaction term between rurality and identifying as black.

Results

Overall, 32.15% (n=124 487) of patients hospitalized with a diabetic foot ulcer received specialty care. Among rural patients (n=13 100), the proportion decreased to 29.57%. For patients identifying as black (n=21 649), the proportion was 33.08%. Among rural patients identifying as black (n=1239), 26.23% received specialty care. This was >5 absolute percentage points less than the overall cohort. The adjusted OR for receiving specialty care among rural versus urban patients identifying as black was 0.61 (95% CI 0.53 to 0.71), which was lower than that for rural versus urban patients identifying as white (aOR 0.85, 95% CI 0.80 to 0.89). This metric supported a role for intersectionality between rurality and identifying as black.

Conclusions

A smaller proportion of rural patients, particularly those identifying as black, received specialty care when hospitalized with a diabetic foot ulcer compared with the overall cohort. This might contribute to known disparities in major amputations. Future studies are needed to determine causality.
Paediatric Obesity Evaluation for Metabolic Susceptibility (POEMS)
Authors: Chan Daniel , Chua Cherie , Loh Carin , Sultana Rehena , Vasanwala Rashida Farhad
Published: April 2023

Introduction

Our aim was to determine whether there are risk factors which increase the risk of developing dysglycemia in a child who has increased body mass index (BMI) (overweight/obese).

Research design and methods

This was a retrospective cohort study of 715 children who had increased BMI (overweight/obese). They presented to tertiary care at KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Singapore, for metabolic risk assessment. Subjects who had more than one oral glucose tolerance test were included in order to track and analyze risk factors associated with worsening glycemic status from a previously normal glucose tolerance, impaired fasting glucose, or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) state. Demographic characteristics, birth history, family history of metabolic syndrome, metabolic comorbidities, and interventions received were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed to determine odds ratio (OR) of worsening glycemic status progression in association with an analyzed variable, adjusted for intervention received.

Results

Risk factors of developing dysglycemia can be present right from birth, as participants who were born preterm had increased odds of IGT (OR: 3.49 (1.10 to 11.03)), and a greater proportion of large-for-gestational-age (LGA)/small-for-gestational-age (SGA) babies had dysglycemia (SGA-IGT: 8.8%, SGA-diabetes mellitus (DM): 5.9%, LGA-IGT: 10.6%, LGA-DM: 11.8%) even at baseline. Being born preterm (OR: 3.49 (1.10 to 11.03)), with comorbidities of hypertension (OR: 1.61 (1.01 to 2.57)), hyperlipidemia (OR: 1.80 (1.19 to 2.72)), and fatty liver disease (OR: 2.08 (1.39 to 3.13)), was significantly associated with an increased OR of developing IGT. Risk factors for developing a worsening glycemic status, either to IGT or DM, included age >10 years (OR 4.94 (1.21 to 20.25)), BMI rise (OR 1.71 (1.17 to 2.49)), BMI increase >1.08 kg/m2(OR 1.71 (1.16 to 2.51)), comorbidities of hyperlipidemia (OR 1.67 (1.12 to 2.50)), and fatty liver disease (OR 2.11 (1.43 to 3.12)).

Conclusions

A child who has increased BMI (overweight/obese) and possesses risk factors for worsening glycemic status, if intervened with routine lifestyle modification advice, may still have increased risk of developing dysglycemia and type 2 DM. Therefore, understanding their risk profile provides opportunities to have a tiered and individualized approach.
Case studies in adaptation: centring equity in global health education during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond
Authors: Pancheshnikov Anna , Cuneo C Nicholas , Matias Wilfredo R , Cázares-Adame Rebeca , Santos López Abner Gamaliel , Paxton Ryan M , Chen Chi Chiung Grace
Published: April 2023

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted all aspects of life globally and laid bare the pervasive inequities in access to education, employment, healthcare and economic security in both high-resource and low-resource settings. The global health field’s brittle attempts of addressing global health inequities, through efforts that in some cases have evoked the colonialist forces implicated in shaping these disparities, have been further challenged by the pandemic. COVID-19 has forced global health leaders to reimagine their field through innovation such as shifting the application of global health to a local focus, collaborating with community organisations and exploring virtual education technologies. We present four case studies illustrating this promising movement towards a more sustainable, ethical and equitable model of global health education practice.

Case 1: trainees from the Massachusetts General Hospital Center for Global Health partnered with the Board of Health of Holyoke, a majority Latinx city with high poverty levels, to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic through research and intervention. Case 2: Prevencasa, a community health organisation in Tijuana, Mexico, providing healthcare to local underserved communities, shifted its focus from hosting international trainees to developing a multidisciplinary training programme for Mexican healthcare professionals. Case 3: the Johns Hopkins Global Health Leadership Program adapted its curriculum into a hybrid online and in-person migrant health and human rights elective, collaborating with local organisations. Case 4: a US-based and a Latin American-based organisation collaborated to create a longitudinal, virtual urogynaecology training programme with hybrid simulation practice to increase accessibility of procedural-based training.
Diagnostic models predicting paediatric viral acute respiratory infections: a systematic review
Authors: Rankin Danielle A , Peetluk Lauren S , Deppen Stephen , Slaughter James Christopher , Katz Sophie , Halasa Natasha B , Khankari Nikhil K
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To systematically review and evaluate diagnostic models used to predict viral acute respiratory infections (ARIs) in children.

Design

Systematic review.

Data sources

PubMed and Embase were searched from 1 January 1975 to 3 February 2022.

Eligibility criteria

We included diagnostic models predicting viral ARIs in children (<18 years) who sought medical attention from a healthcare setting and were written in English. Prediction model studies specific to SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19 or multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children were excluded.

Data extraction and synthesis

Study screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed by two independent reviewers. Study characteristics, including population, methods and results, were extracted and evaluated for bias and applicability using the Checklist for Critical Appraisal and Data Extraction for Systematic Reviews of Prediction Modelling Studies and PROBAST (Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool).

Results

Of 7049 unique studies screened, 196 underwent full text review and 18 were included. The most common outcome was viral-specific influenza (n=7; 58%). Internal validation was performed in 8 studies (44%), 10 studies (56%) reported discrimination measures, 4 studies (22%) reported calibration measures and none performed external validation. According to PROBAST, a high risk of bias was identified in the analytic aspects in all studies. However, the existing studies had minimal bias concerns related to the study populations, inclusion and modelling of predictors, and outcome ascertainment.

Conclusions

Diagnostic prediction can aid clinicians in aetiological diagnoses of viral ARIs. External validation should be performed on rigorously internally validated models with populations intended for model application.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022308917.
Danish Pathology Life Course (PATHOLIFE) cohort: a register based cohort extending upon a national tissue biobank
Authors: Nielsen Pernille Yde , Bartholdy Andreas , Gjerdrum Lise Mette Rahbek , Westendorp Rudi Gerardus Johannes , Mortensen Laust Hvas , Bhatt Samir , Jensen Majken Karoline
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The Danish Pathology Life Course (PATHOLIFE) cohort was established to facilitate epidemiological research relating histological and cytological features extracted from patient tissue specimens to the rich life course histories, including both prior and future register data, of the entire Danish population. Research results may increase quality of diagnosis, prognosis and stratification of patient subtypes, possibly identifying novel routes of treatment.

Participants

All Danish residents from 1 January 1986 to 31 December 2019, totalling 8 593 421 individuals.

Findings to date

We provide an overview of the subpopulation of Danish residents who have had a tissue specimen investigated within the Danish healthcare system, including both the primary sector and hospitals. We demonstrate heterogeneity in sociodemographic and prognostic factors between the general Danish population and the above mentioned subpopulation, and also between the general Danish population and subpopulations of patients with tissue specimens from selected anatomical sites. Results demonstrate the potential of the PATHOLIFE cohort for integrating many different factors into identification and selection of the most valuable tissue blocks for studies of specific diseases and their progression. Broadly, we find that living with a partner, having higher education and income associates with having a biopsy overall. However, this association varies across different tissue and patient types, which also display differences in time-to-death and causes of death.

Future plans

The PATHOLIFE cohort may be used to study specified patient groups and link health related events from several national health registries, and to sample patient groups, for which stored tissue specimens are available for further research investigations. The PATHOLIFE cohort thereby provides a unique opportunity to prospectively follow people that were characterised and sampled in the past.
Association of lactate detection with in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients with acute myocardial infarction: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Li Hongwu , Chen Jingyi , Xing Xinyue , Lou Danfei
Published: April 2023

Objectives

To assess the associations of lactate level or lactate clearance at different time points with in-hospital mortality in critically ill patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Design

A cohort study.

Setting

The Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care III database.

Participant

490 AMI patients.

Intervention

None.

Primary and secondary outcome measures

In-hospital mortality of patients.

Results

In total, 120 (24.49%) patients died at the end of follow-up. After adjusting for confounders, increased risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI was observed in those with high lactate level (24 hours) (HR=1.156, 95%CI: 1.002 to 1.333). Increased lactate clearance (24 hours) was correlated with a decreased risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI (HR=0.995, 95% CI: 0.994 to 0.997). The area under the curves (AUCs) of lactate level (24 hours) and lactate clearance (24 hours) were 0.689 (95% CI: 0.655 to 0.723) and 0.672 (95% CI: 0.637 to 0.706), respectively. The AUC of lactate level (24 hours) and lactate clearance (24 hours) was higher than lactate level (baseline).

Conclusions

Increased lactate level (24 hours) was associated with an elevated risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI and increased lactate clearance (24 hours) was correlated with a decreased risk of in-hospital mortality in patients with AMI despite the age and genders.
Cohort study examining associations between ceramide levels and risk of multimorbidity among persons participating in the Mayo Clinic Biobank
Authors: St Sauver Jennifer L , LeBrasseur Nathan K , Rocca Walter A , Olson Janet E , Bielinski Suzette J , Sohn Sunghwan , Weston Susan A , McGree Michaela E , Mielke Michelle M
Published: April 2023

Objective

Ceramides have been associated with several ageing-related conditions but have not been studied as a general biomarker of multimorbidity (MM). Therefore, we determined whether ceramide levels are associated with the rapid development of MM.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Mayo Clinic Biobank.

Participants

1809 persons in the Mayo Clinic Biobank ≥65 years without MM at the time of enrolment, and with ceramide levels assayed from stored plasma.

Primary outcome measure

Persons were followed for a median of 5.7 years through their medical records to identify new diagnoses of 20 chronic conditions. The number of new conditions was divided by the person-years of follow-up to calculate the rate of accumulation of new chronic conditions.

Results

Higher levels of C18:0 and C20:0 were associated with a more rapid rate of accumulation of chronic conditions (C18:0 z score RR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.10 to 1.53; C20:0 z score RR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.07 to 1.49). Higher C18:0 and C20:0 levels were also associated with an increased risk of hypertension and coronary artery disease.

Conclusions

C18:0 and C20:0 were associated with an increased risk of cardiometabolic conditions. When combined with biomarkers specific to other diseases of ageing, these ceramides may be a useful component of a biomarker panel for predicting accelerated ageing.
Job satisfaction in sport science and sports medicine, an international cross-sectional survey
Authors: Breitbach Anthony Paul , Ulrich Gert
Published: April 2023

Background/Aim

Job satisfaction (JS) and professional burnout among health professionals have been shown to affect several factors: healthcare quality, patient safety, patient satisfaction, turnover/reduction of work effort, healthcare costs and other personal consequences. In general, factors that impact JS for health professionals include professional autonomy, workplace conditions, rewards/recognition, compensation and work–life balance. However, less is known about JS of professions working in sport science and sports medicine (SSSM) especially from an international perspective. This paper addresses JS among SSSM professionals in an international context.

Methods

In a cross-sectional study design, the Interprofessional Collaboration (IPC) in SSSM survey, an online survey which included the Warr-Cook-Wall JS questionnaire for international respondents working in fields associated with SSSM, was distributed globally to persons working in SSSM. Data from 320 respondents with complete data sets from USA (n=83), Canada (n=179) and Europe (n=58) were collected.

Results

High values were detected in the overall JS of the total sample with some differences in variables relevant for JS internationally and a relationship between positive perceptions of IPC and overall JS. The most important determinant for overall JS in professionals working in SSSM is the opportunity to use abilities.

Conclusion

JS has an important influence on the work and services provided by SSSM professionals and experience with IPC can have a positive effect on JS which, in turn, can improve quality of life for clients, patients and professionals. Employers should regard most impactful determinants of overall JS when designing working conditions for their employees.
Isopropyl alcohol inhalation for the treatment of nausea in adult emergency department patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Stefanie Y , Tamale John R
Published: April 2023

Background

Nausea and vomiting is a common ED chief complaint. However, randomised trials comparing antiemetic agents to placebo have not demonstrated superiority. This systematic review investigates the efficacy of inhaled isopropyl alcohol (IPA) compared with usual care or placebo in adults presenting to the ED with nausea and vomiting.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, other relevant trial registries, journals, and conference proceedings up to September 2022. Randomised controlled trials using IPA to treat adult ED patients with nausea and vomiting were included. The primary outcome was change in severity of nausea, measured by a validated scale. A secondary outcome was vomiting during the ED stay. We used a random-effects model for the meta-analysis, and assessed certainty of evidence using the Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system.

Results

Two trials comparing inhaled IPA to saline placebo and including a total of 195 patients were pooled for meta-analysis of the primary outcome. A third study comparing a group receiving inhaled IPA and oral ondansetron to another group receiving inhaled saline placebo and oral ondansetron did not qualify for the original registered protocol, but was included in a secondary analysis. All studies were judged to be at low or unclear risk of bias. The pooled mean difference for the primary analysis was a reduction in reported nausea of 2.18 on a 0–10 scale (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60 to 2.76), favouring IPA over placebo, where the minimum clinically significant difference was defined as 1.5. The evidence level was graded as moderate, due to imprecision from low patient numbers. Only the study included in the secondary analysis assessed the secondary outcome of vomiting, and did not find a difference between intervention and control.

Conclusion

This review suggests that IPA likely has a modest effect in reducing nausea in adult ED patients, compared with placebo. Larger multicentre trials are needed, as the evidence is limited by few trials and patients.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022299815
Intratumor childhood vaccine-specific CD4+T-cell recall coordinates antitumor CD8+T cells and eosinophils
Authors: Brown Michael C , Beasley Georgia M , McKay Zachary P , Yang Yuanfan , Desjardins Annick , Randazzo Dina M , Landi Daniel , Ashley David M , Bigner Darell D , Nair Smita K , Gromeier Matthias
Published: April 2023

Background

Antitumor mechanisms of CD4+T cells remain crudely defined, and means to effectively harness CD4+T-cell help for cancer immunotherapy are lacking. Pre-existing memory CD4+T cells hold potential to be leveraged for this purpose. Moreover, the role of pre-existing immunity in virotherapy, particularly recombinant poliovirus immunotherapy where childhood polio vaccine specific immunity is ubiquitous, remains unclear. Here we tested the hypothesis that childhood vaccine-specific memory T cells mediate antitumor immunotherapy and contribute to the antitumor efficacy of polio virotherapy.

Methods

The impact of polio immunization on polio virotherapy, and the antitumor effects of polio and tetanus recall were tested in syngeneic murine melanoma and breast cancer models. CD8+T-cell and B-cell knockout, CD4+T-cell depletion, CD4+T-cell adoptive transfer, CD40L blockade, assessments of antitumor T-cell immunity, and eosinophil depletion defined antitumor mechanisms of recall antigens. Pan-cancer transcriptome data sets and polio virotherapy clinical trial correlates were used to assess the relevance of these findings in humans.

Results

Prior vaccination against poliovirus substantially bolstered the antitumor efficacy of polio virotherapy in mice, and intratumor recall of poliovirus or tetanus immunity delayed tumor growth. Intratumor recall antigens augmented antitumor T-cell function, caused marked tumor infiltration of type 2 innate lymphoid cells and eosinophils, and decreased proportions of regulatory T cells (Tregs). Antitumor effects of recall antigens were mediated by CD4+T cells, limited by B cells, independent of CD40L, and dependent on eosinophils and CD8+T cells. An inverse relationship between eosinophil and Treg signatures was observed across The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) cancer types, and eosinophil depletion prevented Treg reductions after polio recall. Pretreatment polio neutralizing antibody titers were higher in patients living longer, and eosinophil levels increased in the majority of patients, after polio virotherapy.

Conclusion

Pre-existing anti-polio immunity contributes to the antitumor efficacy of polio virotherapy. This work defines cancer immunotherapy potential of childhood vaccines, reveals their utility to engage CD4+T-cell help for antitumor CD8+T cells, and implicates eosinophils as antitumor effectors of CD4+T cells.
New signal priority strategies to improve public transit operations in an urban corridor
Authors: Mazaheri Arash , Alecsandru Ciprian
Published: April 2023

By facilitating public busesʼ movement through traffic signal-controlled intersections, a transit signal priority (TSP) strategy can contribute to the reduction of queuing time at intersections. However, the traditional TSP also has a significant downside; it is detrimental to non-prioritized movements and other transport modes. This research proposes new TSP strategies that account for optimization for the person delay at an intersection along a corridor. This research focused both on major arterial roads and minor arterial roads, whereas the majority of the publications only addressed the major arterial approach. As part of this research, the bus schedule was also taken into consideration, whereas in other studies, the measure of giving priority was only the approach to the intersection. The proposed method is described in detail and also is implemented on arterial corridor in VISSIM. The study area simulation results indicated that the proposed TSP methods performed better than the conventional TSP.
Precessing and periodic orbits around hairy black holes in Horndeski’s Theory
Authors: Lin Hou-Yu , Deng Xue-Mei
Published: April 2023

We investigate the dynamics of neutral timelike particles around a hairy black hole in Horndeski’s theory, which is characterized by a coupling parameter with the dimension of length. With deriving the particles’ relativistic periastron precessions, a preliminary bound on the hairy black hole is obtained by using the result of the S2 star’s precession with GRAVITY. It is tighter than the previous result constrained by the shadow size from EHT observations of M87* by about 3–4 orders of magnitude. We also analyse the particles’ periodic motions around the hole in the strong gravitational field. It clearly shows that small variations in the coupling parameter can make the neutral particles’ motions back and forth from the quasi-periodic orbits to the periodic orbits or no bound orbit. Our present work might provide hints for distinguishing the hairy black hole in Horndeski’s theory from the classical hole by using the particles’ dynamics in the strong gravitational field.