bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CuS-PNIPAm nanoparticles with the ability to initiatively capture bacteria for photothermal treatment of infected skin
Authors: Wang Zizhen , Hou Zishuo , Wang Peiwen , Chen Fan , Luo Xianglin
Published: April 2022

Copper sulfide nanoparticles (CuS NPs) have shown great potential in various application fields, especially in biomedical engineering fields. CuS NPs, with the ability to actively capture and kill bacteria and without the worry of biocompatibility, will greatly expand their applications. Herein, a four-arm star thermo-sensitive polyisopropylacrylamide (4sPNIPAm) was used to modify CuS NPs (CuS-PNIPAm NPs). The obtained NPs displayed the controlled release of copper ions and higher photothermal conversion ability in comparison with contrast materials CuS-PEG NPs and CuS NPs. Aggregation of CuS-PNIPAm NPs at above 34°C resulted in capturing bacteria by forming the aggregates of NPs-bacteria. Both Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli co-cultured with CuS-PNIPAm NPs were completely killed upon near-infrared irradiation in minutes. Furthermore, CuS-PNIPAm NPs were verified to be a photothermal agent without toxic effect. In in vivo experiment, the NPs effectively killed the bacteria in the wound and accelerated the process of wound repairment. Overall, photothermal treatment by CuS-PNIPAm NPs demonstrates the ability to actively capture and kill bacteria, and has a potential in the treatment of infected skin and the regeneration of skin tissues. The therapy will exert a far-reaching impact on the regeneration of stubborn chronic wounds.
Musculoskeletal ultrasound for treating rheumatoid arthritis to target—a systematic literature review
Authors: Silvagni Ettore , Zandonella Callegher Sara , Mauric Eleonora , Chiricolo Sofia , Schreiber Nikolaus , Tullio Annarita , Zabotti Alen , Scirè Carlo Alberto , Dejaco Christian , Sakellariou Garifallia
Published: April 2022

Objective

We aimed to systematically review the literature to retrieve evidence on the diagnostic and prognostic value of musculoskeletal ultrasound for a treat to target (T2T) approach in RA.

Methods

Eight research questions were developed addressing the role of ultrasound (including different ultrasound scores and elementary lesions) for diagnosis, monitoring and prognosis of RA. PubMed and EMBASE were searched (2005–2020). Articles on RA and reporting data on musculoskeletal ultrasound were included and extracted according to the underlying questions, and risk of bias assessed according to the study design.

Results

Out of 4632 records, 60 articles were included. Due to clinical heterogeneity, meta-analysis was not possible. Ultrasound better predicted disease relapses with respect to clinical examination in patients in remission, while both methods performed similarly in predicting response to therapy, achievement of remission and radiographic progression. Ultrasound was superior to clinical examination in diagnosing joint involvement using another imaging modality, such as magnetic resonance imaging, as reference. Limited ultrasound scores performed like more extensive evaluations for the detection of joint inflammation and for outcome prediction. Higher ultrasound scores of synovitis were linked to poor outcomes at all disease stages, but a specific cut-off distinguishing between low- and high-risk groups did not emerge.

Conclusions

These data confirm the pivotal role of ultrasound when evaluating synovial inflammation and when identifying RA patients at higher risk of relapse. Further research is needed to better define the role of ultrasound in a T2T management strategy in moderately-to-highly active RA.
Descriptive epidemiology of biliary tract cancer incidence and geographic variation in Japan
Authors: Makiuchi Takeshi , Sobue Tomotaka
Published: April 2022

Objective

The epidemiologic features of each biliary tract cancer (BTC) subtype have not been studied and disclosed in detail. The objective of this study was to provide an up-to-date description of the epidemiologic features of BTC by subtypes, especially in terms of the geographic variation of its incidence.

Methods

We calculated the age-standardized incidence rate (ASR) of each BTC subtype at national and prefectural levels using the data from the national cancer registry in 2016 and 2017. The geographic distribution of each BTC subtype incidence was assessed by calculating the ASR ratio (ASRR) against median ASR at the prefectural level and reflecting them on the Japanese map.

Results

A total of 58 438 people diagnosed with malignant BTC were registered in the national cancer registry in 2016 and 2017 [12 497 for intrahepatic bile duct cancer (IHBDC), 16 568 for gallbladder cancer (GBC), 24 602 for extrahepatic bile duct cancer (EHBDC), 4613 for ampulla of Vater cancer (AVC) and 158 for others]. ASR was higher in men than in women for IHBDC, EHBDC and AVC, and similar between men and women for GBC. The ASR of EHBDC was approximately 2 times higher than those of the other subtypes for men and similar to that of GBC for women. The geographic distribution of ASRR was different among BTC subtypes, with larger variability in EHBDC, which was remarkably higher in the north-eastern region in both men and women.

Conclusion

The pattern of the geographic distribution of incidence in each BTC subtype was different, which suggests different etiology among subtypes.
Expanding the Informatics Competencies of Nurse Practitioners Through Online Learning
Authors: Galacio Brian
Published: April 2022

Nurse practitioners' informatics competencies are not well-understood. Limited evidence alludes to the potential need to improve the informatics competencies of nurse practitioners. The primary purpose of this study was to analyze the informatics competencies of nurse practitioners, including nurses training to become nurse practitioners, before and after completing an online learning module in nursing informatics. Six topics were covered in the investigator-developed learning module. A pretest-posttest, one-group, quasi-experimental design was used in the study. The link to the study was emailed to members of a local nurse practitioners' association in California and graduate nursing students at a public university in Missouri. The study was also shared on a professional networking Web site, LinkedIn. Data were collected from 15 nurse practitioners and two nurse practitioner students, using a demographic questionnaire and an 18-item self-assessment of informatics competency scale. A related-samples Sign test was conducted to compare the pretest and posttest scores. Statistically significant median increases (P = .001 to <.001) were found in five areas. Findings suggest that the online learning module expanded the participants' competencies in specific areas of informatics. The results also provide an initial understanding of nurse practitioners' informatics competencies and inform future iterations of the study.
Adjuvant chemotherapy after radical cystectomy: Do all patients who need chemotherapy after surgery actually receive it?
Authors: Croock Roy , Modai Jonathan , Avda Yuval , Shpunt Igal , Jaber Morad , Peretz Yamit , Shilo Yaniv , Leibovici Dan
Published: April 2022

Background

Compliance with the guideline recommendations for neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer is incomplete. The adjuvant chemotherapy approach has the advantage of pathology-based decision-making, allowing for patient selection. In addition, radical surgery is not delayed and treatment-related toxicity does not impair surgical fitness. The proportion of patients who completed chemotherapy after cystectomy among those who were fit and in need of treatment were evaluated. The reasons for not completing adjuvant chemotherapy were determined.

Materials and methods

We retrospectively evaluated all patients who had undergone radical cystectomy at our center over the last 7 years. Indications for adjuvant chemotherapy included pathological T > 2, any node+, or surgical margin involvement. Only patients who were fit for chemotherapy before surgery were included in the study.

Results

Of the 52 patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, 14 received neoadjuvant chemotherapy or unfit for chemotherapy were excluded. Of the remaining 38 patients, 14 (37%) had bladder-confined cancers and did not require additional chemotherapy. Of the 24 patients who needed chemotherapy and were fit to receive it, 8 patients completed treatment (33%), and 3 discontinued treatment due to toxicity. Twelve patients (50%) declined chemotherapy, whereas 1 patient became unfit for chemotherapy after surgery.

Conclusions

While the adjuvant chemotherapy approach could save unnecessary treatment in 37% of patients, two-thirds of those who needed chemotherapy did not complete it. Patient refusal was the primary reason for not receiving treatment.
18F-FDG and 68Ga-FAPI-04 in the Evaluation of Aggressive Perivascular Epithelioid Cell Tumor
Authors: Zhang Zeyu , Yu Yongwei , Zhang Lu , Cheng Chao , Zuo Changjing
Published: April 2022

A 10-year-old girl with a right renal mass underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT and 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET/MRI for presurgical assessment of tumor invasion and malignant potential. The mass showed low 18F-FDG uptake and intense 68Ga-FAPI-04 uptake. Nephrectomy was performed, and the histopathologic diagnosis was aggressive PEComa (perivascular epithelioid cell tumor). This case showed that 68Ga-FAPI-04 PET outperformed 18F-FDG PET in detecting aggressive PEComa.
Retroperitoneal Chronic Expanding Hematoma Mimicking Malignancy on FDG PET/CT
Authors: Narita Haruki , Takenaka Junki , Watanabe Shiro , Abe Takashige , Kudo Kohsuke
Published: April 2022

A 49-year-old Japanese man had a chief complaint of left hypochondrium pain, and a CT scan revealed a mass in the left retroperitoneal space. CT and MRI scans revealed a hemorrhagic component and surrounding fibrous tissues. FDG PET/CT images showed increased uptake in the peripheral rim of the mass, indicating a malignant tumor. The SUVmax was 7.6. We surgically resected the mass. The pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of chronic expanding hematoma. It is difficult to differentiate CEH from malignant tumors on imaging; this should be recognized as a diagnostic pitfall.
An 18F-FDG-PET–Positive Mucoid Impaction With Ring Enhancement on CT Mimicking Lung Cancer
Authors: Hatakeyama Nobuo , Hino Hiroyuki , Takeuch Eiji , Sakiyama Shoji , Shinohara Tsutomu
Published: April 2022

We encountered a case of an 18F-FDG PET–positive solitary nodule with ring enhancement on CT mimicking lung cancer in the left S6 region of an 80-year-old woman. Since transbronchial biopsy by endobronchial ultrasonography with a guide sheath could not obtain sufficient material, despite the guide sheath being placed within the lesion, the patient underwent thoracoscopic partial left S6 resection. The nodule was diagnosed as acquired cystic bronchiectasis and mucoid impaction associated with chronic inflammation. The ring-shaped enhancement and the 18F-FDG uptake may reflect angiogenesis in the cystic wall and accumulation of viable inflammatory cells in the wall and inner space, respectively.
Home-Based Pulmonary Rehabilitation in Aged Individuals With Lung Tumor After Thoracoscopic Surgery
Authors: Kuo Nai-Ying , Liu Jui-Fang , Lu Hung-I , Lo Chien-Ming , Hsien Li-Chiu , Chang Chia-Ling , Hsu Miaoju
Published: April 2022

Background:

Objective of this study was to investigate the effect of home-based pulmonary rehabilitation in older individuals with lung tumors after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery.

Method:

Thirty-six subjects were recruited. The control group received standard care, whereas the experimental group underwent a 6-week home-based pulmonary rehabilitation additionally. Assessments were conducted at 2, 6, and 12 weeks after discharge from the hospital.

Results:

Exercise capacity significantly improved in the rehabilitation group at 2-week follow-up. Inspiratory muscle strength and lung expansion capacity significantly improved at 2- and 6-week follow-ups.

Conclusion:

Home-based pulmonary rehabilitation could shorten the recovery time of certain physical functions.
Multidomain Integrated Exercises Decreased the Risk of Falls of Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Authors: Lee Chun-Feng , Hsiao Shih-Fen
Published: April 2022

Aims:

To determine effects of a multidomain health promotion (MDHP) scheme for the community elderly in reducing fall risks.

Methods:

Database from older persons using the scheme was analyzed and categorized as high and low risk of fall groups retrospectively. The main measures included the 30-second chair-stand, 8-ft Up-and-Go, and single-leg stance tests. The effects of training were examined and compared across different age groups.

Results:

Balance was significantly improved in the high-risk group, especially the young-old and old-old groups.

Conclusions:

The MDHP program at least 1 hour per week for the older people was promising in reducing the risk of falls.
Impact of the additional/booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine against severe disease during the epidemic phase characterized by the predominance of the Omicron variant in Italy, December 2021 - May 2022
Authors: Branda Francesco
Published: April 2022

Vaccine effectiveness (VE) against emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants is a growing issue. The aim of this work is to evaluate the impact of the COVID-19 additional/booster dose against COVID-19-related symptoms, hospitalization, and death using surveillance data (December 2021-May 2022) from the Italian National Institute of Health (ISS). As of 18 May 2022, for people fully vaccinated with three doses, VE was 87.8% (95% confidence interval (CI): 87.6-88.0), whereas VE decreased from 71.5% (95% CI: 71.0–72.0) in those vaccinated > 120 days to 69.6% (95% CI: 68.3-70.8) within 91-120 days. Results support the importance of receiving a third dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Enterprise healthcare physician services in Canada: an environmental scan
Authors: Spithoff Sheryl , Mogic Lana
Published: April 2022

Background

Employers in Canada are increasingly offering physician services to their employees, often through third party workplace “enterprise healthcare” platforms. To date however, little work has been done to understand this method of organizing and delivering care.

Objective

To understand the nature, extent and implications of enterprise healthcare physician services in Canada.

Methods

We conducted structured internet and database searches to identify enterprise healthcare platforms that provided physician services and their public websites. To answer our research question, We extracted data from company websites and linked company documents as well as information from Mergent Intellect, a web-based application with business data on Canadian companies.

Results

We identified nine companies offering enterprise physician services to employees in Canada via 11 enterprise software platforms. According to company claims, over four million Canadian employees and their family members have access to enterprise physician services. All platforms offer virtual physician services and five also facilitate in person visits. Ten of the platforms provide primary care services and one offers only addiction medicine services. Four of the platforms offer to communicate and share information with an employee’s regular primary care provider. Five state they share aggregate or de-identified health data with employers.

Conclusions

Enterprise healthcare companies provide millions of Canadian employees and their families with rapid access to virtual physician services and, in some cases, in person care. These services may disrupt continuity of care (care by the same provider over time) and pose risks to employee privacy. As other Canadians do not have access to these services, enterprise healthcare is also introducing two-tiered healthcare across Canada potentially affecting the sustainability of the public healthcare system.
A comparison of different methods for handling measurements affected by medication use
Authors: Choi Jungyeon , Dekkers Olaf M. , Cessie Saskia le
Published: April 2022

In epidemiological research it is common to encounter measurements affected by medication use, such as blood pressure lowered by antihypertensive drugs. When one is interested in the relation between the variables not affected by medication, ignoring medication use can cause bias. Several methods have been proposed, but the problem is often ignored or handled with generic methods, such as excluding individuals on medication or adjusting for medication use in the analysis. This study aimed to investigate methods for handling measurements affected by medication use when one is interested in the relation between the unaffected variables and to provide guidance for how to optimally handle the problem. We focused on linear regression and distinguish between the situation where the affected measurement is an exposure, confounder or outcome. In the Netherlands Epidemiology of Obesity study and in several simulated settings, we compared generic and more advanced methods, such as substituting or adding a fixed value to the treated values, regression calibration, censored normal regression, Heckman’s treatment model and multiple imputation methods. We found that often-used methods such as adjusting for medication use could result in substantial bias and that methods for handling medication use should be chosen cautiously.
Real-world study of the effectiveness of BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) COVID-19 vaccine in the Kingdom of Morocco
Authors: Zhang Yaowen , Belayachi Jihane , Yang Yunkai , Fu Qiang , Rodewald Lance , Li Hongling , Yan Bing , Wang Ying , Shen Yanna , Yang Qian , Mu Weiyun , Tang Rong , Su Chen , Xu Tianfang , Obtel Majdouline , Mhayi Abdelkader , Razine Rachid , Abouqal Redouane , Zhang Yuntao , Yang Xiaoming
Published: April 2022

The Kingdom of Morocco approved BBIBP-CorV (Sinopharm) COVID-19 vaccine for emergency use on 22 January 2021 in a two-dose, three-to-four-week interval schedule. We conducted a case-control study to determine real-world BBIBP-CorV vaccine effectiveness (VE) against serious or critical hospitalization of individuals RT-PCR-positive for SARS-CoV-2 during the first five months of BBIBP-CorV use in Morocco.

The study was conducted among adults 18-99 years old who were tested by RT-PCR for SARS-CoV-2 infection between 1 February and 30 June 2021. RT-PCR results were individually linked with outcomes from the COVID-19 severe or critical hospitalization dataset and with vaccination histories from the national vaccination registration system. Individuals with partial vaccination (<2 weeks after dose two) or in receipt of any other COVID-19 vaccine were excluded. Unadjusted and adjusted VE estimates against hospitalization for serious or critical illness were made by comparing two-dose vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in logistic regression models, calculated as (1-odds ratio) * 100%.

There were 348,190 individuals able to be matched across the three databases. Among these, 140,892 were fully vaccinated, 206,149 were unvaccinated, and 1,149 received homologous BBIBP-CorV booster doses. Unadjusted, full-series, unboosted BBIBP-CorV VE against hospitalization for serious or critical illness was 90.2% (95%CI: 87.8% - 92.0%). Full-series, unboosted VE, adjusted for age, sex, and calendar day of RT-PCR test, was 88.5% (95%CI: 85.8% - 90.7%). Calendar day- and sex-adjusted VE ranged from 93.9% to 100% for individuals <60 years, and was 53.3% for individuals 60 years and older. There were no serious or critical illnesses among BBIBP-CorV-boosted individuals.

Effectiveness of Sinopharm’s BBIBP-CorV was consistent with phase III clinical trial results. Two doses of BBIBP-CorV was highly protective against COVID-19-associated serious or critical hospitalization in working-age adults under real-world conditions and moderately effective in older adults. Booster dose VE should be evaluated, as booster doses of BBIBP-CorV are recommended and are being used.
Precise Language Responses Challenge Easy Rating Scales - Comparing Clinicians’ and Respondents’ Views
Authors: Sikström Sverker , Höök Alfred Pålsson , Kjell Oscar
Published: April 2022

Background

Closed-ended rating scales are the most used response format for researchers and clinicians to quantify mental states, whereas in natural contexts people communicate with natural language. The reason for using such scales is that they are typically argued to be more precise in measuring mental constructs, whereas the respondents’ views as to what best communicates mental states are frequently ignored.

Methods

We assessed respondents’ (N = 304) degree of depression using rating scales, descriptive words, selected words, and free text responses and probed the respondents and clinicians (N = 40) for their attitudes to the response formats across twelve dimensions related to the precision of communicating their mental states and the ease of responding.

Results

Respondents found free text to be more precise (e.g., precision d’ = .88, elaboration d’ = 2.0) than rating scales, whereas rating scales were rated as easier to respond to (e.g., easier d’ = – .67, faster d’ = –1.13). Respondents preferred the free text responses to a greater degree than rating scales compared to clinicians.

Conclusions

These finding supports the idea that future assessment of mental health can be aided by computational method based on text data.
Does living in major towns favor institutional delivery in Somalia?
Authors: Sheikh Naima Said , Hussein Ahmed M. , Mohamed Shukri Said , Gele Abdi
Published: April 2022

Background

An institutional delivery is a childbirth that takes place at a health facility in which the birth is assisted by a skilled healthcare provider. Institutional delivery could reduce approximately 33% of maternal deaths. However, the use of institutional healthcare is failing in many Sub-Saharan African countries because of many factors, including poverty, a lack of access, distance, a lack of transport and other socio-cultural factors. In Somalia, only 32% of births are delivered in a health facility with the assistance of a skilled healthcare provider. We aim to investigate the factors hindering women from giving birth at health facilities in major towns in Somalia, where most of the health facilities in the country are concentrated.

Methods

A community-based health survey was carried out from 11 major towns in Somalia between October and December 2021. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect data from 430 women who gave birth last five years. A logistic regression analysis was carried out to establish the association between the covariates of interest and the outcome variable.

Results

The overall prevalence of institutional delivery was 57%. Approximately 38% of women who live in Mogadishu and 53% of women living in another ten towns give birth at home. Women who had a poor knowledge of the importance of health facility delivery had nearly four times higher odds of delivering at home (OR 3.645 CI: 1.488-8.928). Similarly, those who did not receive antenatal care (OR 2.551, CI: 1.017-6.399), and those who did not receive a consultation on the place of delivery (OR 2.145, CI: 1.167-3.942) were more likely to give birth at home. The reasons for home delivery included financial reasons, must use transport to reach the nearest health facility and it is easier to deliver at home.

Conclusion

The study shows that home delivery is high in major towns in Somalia. It is important for health providers to communicate with women and men about the risks related to pregnancy and educate them about the importance of a health facility delivery. Antenatal care should be considered universal for pregnant women, while central and federal governments should guarantee access to free and within-reach ANC for women and girls. In conflict settings in Somalia, this should be done by training community health workers and auxiliary nurses who provide ANC for women through home visits.
Barriers to access to HIV care services in host countries: views and experiences of Indonesian male ex-migrant workers living with HIV
Authors: Fauk Nelsensius Klau , Seran Alfonsa Liquory , Raymond Christopher , Tahir Roheena , Ward Paul Russell
Published: April 2022

This study aimed to understand barriers to accessing HIV care services in host countries among Indonesian, male, former (returned) migrant workers living with HIV. The study utilised a qualitative design employing in-depth interviews to collect data from twenty-two returned migrant workers from Eastern Indonesia, recruited using the snowball sampling technique. A qualitative data analysis framework was used to guide a step-by-step analysis of the findings. Findings demonstrated that limited host-country language proficiency, lack of knowledge regarding healthcare systems in host countries and having ‘undocumented’ worker status were barriers to accessing HIV care services. Data also revealed unavailability of HIV care services nearby migrants’ work locations, long distance travel to healthcare facilities, and challenges in accessing public transportation as barriers that impeded their access to the services. Other factors limiting the participants’ access to HIV services were identified as the transient and mobile nature of migrant work requiring frequent relocation and disrupting work life stability. Additionally, in lieu of formal HIV services, many participants self-medicated by using over-the-counter herbal or ‘traditional’ medicines, often because of peer or social group influence regarding selection of informal treatment options. Recommendations arising from this study demonstrate the need to improve pre-departure information for migrant workers regarding healthcare system and access procedure in potential host countries. Data from this study also indicate that social services should be available to assist potential migrants to access legal channels for migrant work overseas, to ensure that Indonesian migrants can safely access healthcare services in the countries for which they are providing migrant labour. Future studies to understand barriers to accessing HIV care services among various migrant groups living with HIV are warranted to build evidence for potential social policy change.
Towards Equitable Patient Subgroup Performance by Gene-Expression-Based Diagnostic Classifiers of Acute Infection
Authors: Mayhew Michael B. , Midic Uros , Choi Kirindi , Khatri Purvesh , Buturovic Ljubomir , Sweeney Timothy E.
Published: April 2022

Host-response gene expression measurements may carry confounding associations with patient demographic characteristics that can induce bias in downstream classifiers. Assessment of deployed machine learning systems in other domains has revealed the presence of such biases and exposed the potential of these systems to cause harm. Such an assessment of a gene-expression-based classifier has not been carried out and collation of requisite patient subgroup data has not been undertaken. Here, we present data resources and an auditing framework for patient subgroup analysis of diagnostic classifiers of acute infection. Our dataset comprises demographic characteristics of nearly 6500 patients across 49 studies. We leverage these data to detect differences across patient subgroups in terms of gene-expression-based host response and performance with both our candidate pre-market diagnostic classifier and a standard-of-care biomarker of acute infection. We find evidence of variable representation with respect to patient covariates in our multi-cohort datasets as well as differences in host-response marker expression across patient subgroups. We also detect differences in performance of multiple host-response-based diagnostics for acute infection. This analysis marks an important first step in our ongoing efforts to characterize and mitigate potential bias in machine learning-based host-response diagnostics, highlighting the importance of accounting for such bias in developing diagnostic tests that generalize well across diverse patient populations.
Delayed booster dosing improves human antigen-specific Ig and B cell responses to the RH5.1/AS01B malaria vaccine
Authors: Nielsen CM , Barrett JR , Davis C , Fallon JK , Goh C , Michell AR , Griffin C , Kwok A , Loos C , Darko S , Laboune F , Silk SE , Tekman M , Francica JR , Ransier A , Payne RO , Minassian AM , Lauffenburger DA , Seder RA , Douek DC , Alter G , Draper SJ
Published: April 2022

Background

Antibodies are crucial for vaccine-mediated protection against many pathogens. Modifications to vaccine delivery that increase antibody magnitude, longevity, and/or quality are therefore of great interest for maximising efficacy. We have previously shown that a delayed fractional (DFx) dosing schedule (0-1-6mo) – using AS01B-adjuvanted RH5.1 malaria antigen – substantially improves serum IgG durability as compared to monthly dosing (0-1-2mo; NCT02927145). However, the underlying mechanism and whether there are wider immunological changes with DFx dosing was unclear.

Methods

Immunokinetics of PfRH5-specific Ig across multiple isotypes were compared between DFx and monthly regimen vaccinees. Peak responses were characterised in-depth with a systems serology platform including biophysical and functional profiling. Computational modelling was used to define the humoral feature set associated with DFx dosing. PfRH5-specific B cells were quantified by flow cytometry and sorted for single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Differential gene expression between DFx and monthly dosing regimens was explored with Seurat, DESeq2 and gene set enrichment analysis.

Results

DFx dosing increases the frequency of circulating PfRH5-specific B cells and longevity of PfRH5-specific IgG1, as well as other isotypes and subclasses. At the peak antibody response, DFx dosing was distinguished by a systems serology feature set comprising increased FcRn-binding, IgG avidity, and proportion of G2B and G2S2F IgG Fc glycans, alongside decreased IgG3, antibody-dependent complement deposition, and proportion of G1S1F IgG Fc glycan. At the same time point, scRNA-seq of PfRH5-specific B cells revealed enriched plasma cell and Ig / protein export signals in the monthly dosing group as compared to DFx vaccinees.

Conclusions

DFx dosing of the RH5.1/AS01B vaccine had a profound impact on the humoral response. Our data suggest plausible mechanisms relating to improved FcRn-binding (known to improve Ig longevity) and a potential shift from short-lived to long-lived plasma cells. Recent reports of the positive impact of delayed boosting on SARS-CoV-2 vaccine immunogenicity highlight the broad relevance of these data.
Medical Students Perception of Anatomage: A 3D Interactive (Virtual) Anatomy Dissection Table
Authors: Memudu A. Elizabeth , Anna Idaguko C. , Gabriel M. Oluwatosin , Oviosun Augustine , Vidona W. Barinem , Odetola A. Amoo , Ehehba S. Ehizokhale , Ebeye O. Abimbola , Nwaopara A. Obioma , Dare N. Willi , Olusegun Akinyinka O.
Published: April 2022

Introduction

The rising number of Medical Schools and the increasing demand for cadavers, amid its scarcity, has prompted the search for alternatives in Anatomy Education. This study assessed students’ thought of the use of Anatomage as an Anatomy teaching and learning tool in medical school.

Methods

A five-point scale questionnaire with a free hand comment section was completed by 50 medical students exposed to the use of Anatomage alongside the traditional cadaveric dissection for 2 academic sessions.

Results

Our results findings showed that there were preference pattern variations in the use of the Anatomage for various fields of anatomy such as Gross Anatomy (48%), Histology (46%), and Neuroanatomy (2%) respectively. Furthermore, 66% opined that Anatomage and Cadaveric dissection should be complementary in teaching and learning anatomy. However, been satisfied with Anatomage was 76% (52% completely and 24% generally agreed respectively), while Anatomage increasing their interest in Anatomy was 66% (40% completely agreed and 26% generally agreed) and 74% (40% completely agreed and 34% generally agreed) of learning outcomes been achieved using Anatomage. Also, 68% stated that the micrographs were well displayed for histology teaching. Overall, 60% of the students agreed that Anatomage should be encouraged in teaching and learning Anatomy, along with other teaching aids.

Discussion

Anatomage increased students’ interest in Anatomy as its 3D-image display enabled better visualization of relevant anatomical structures. Anatomage has the potential to be a beneficial supplement to standard learning methods in the acquisition of 3D anatomy information.
Higher contact among vaccinated can be a mechanism for negative vaccine effectiveness
Authors: Bodner Korryn , Knight Jesse , Hamilton Mackenzie A. , Mishra Sharmistha
Published: April 2022

Evidence from early observational studies suggested negative vaccine effectiveness for the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Using transmission modeling, we illustrated how increased contact between vaccinated individuals, vaccinated contact heterogeneity, paired with lower vaccine efficacies could produce negative measurements and how we can identify this mechanism via a key temporal signature.
Risk of COVID-19 breakthrough infection and hospitalization in individuals with comorbidities
Authors: Smits Peter D , Gratzl Samuel , Simonov Michael , Nachimuthu Senthil K , Goodwin Cartwright Brianna M , Wang Michael D , Baker Charlotte , Rodriguez Patricia , Bogiages Mackenzie , Althouse Benjamin M. , Stucky Nicholas L
Published: April 2022

Background

The successful development of multiple COVID-19 vaccines has led to a global vaccination effort to reduce severe COVID-19 infection and mortality. However, the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines wane over time leading to breakthrough infections where vaccinated individuals experience a COVID-19 infection. Here we estimate the risks of break-through infection and subsequent hospitalization in individuals with common comorbidities who had completed an initial vaccination series.

Methods

Our study population included vaccinated patients between January 1, 2021 to March 31, 2022 who are present in the Truveta patient population. Models were developed to describe 1) time from completing primary vaccination series till breakthrough infection; and 2) if a patient was hospitalized within 14 days of breakthrough infection. We adjusted for age, race, ethnicity, sex, and year-month of vaccination.

Results

Of 1,192,135 patients in the Truveta Platform who had completed an initial vaccination sequence between January 1, 2021 and March 31, 2022, 2.84, 3.42, 2.76, and 2.89 percent of patients with CKD, chronic lung disease, diabetes, or are in an immunocompromised state experienced breakthrough infection, respectively, compared to 1.35 percent of the population without any of these four comorbidities. We found an increased risk of breakthrough infection and subsequent hospitalization in individuals with any of the four comorbidities when compared to individuals without these four comorbidities.

Conclusions

Vaccinated individuals with comorbidities experienced an increased risk of breakthrough COVID-19 infection and subsequent hospitalizations compared to the general population. Individuals with immunocompromising conditions and chronic lung disease were most at risk of breakthrough infection, while people with CKD were most at risk of hospitalization following breakthrough infection. Individuals with comorbidities should remain vigilant against infection even if vaccinated.
The Association of Marital/Partner Status with Patient-Reported Health Outcomes Following Acute Myocardial Infarction or Stroke: Protocol for a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Cenjing , Tran Phoebe M , Leifheit Erica C , Spatz Erica S , Dreyer Rachel P , Nyhan Kate , Wang Shi-Yi , Goldstein Larry B , Lichtman Judith H
Published: April 2022

Introduction

Marital/Partner support is associated with lower mortality and morbidity following acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and stroke. Despite an increasing focus on the effect of patient-centered factors on health outcomes, little is known about the impact of marital/partner status on patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs).

Objective

To synthesize evidence of the association between marital/partner status and PROMs after AMI and stroke and to determine whether associations differ by sex.

Methods and analysis

We will search MEDLINE (via Ovid), Web of Science Core Collection (as licensed by Yale University), Scopus, EMBASE (via Ovid), and PsycINFO (via Ovid) from inception to January 10, 2022. Two authors will independently screen titles, abstracts, and then full texts as appropriate, extract data, and assess risk of bias. Conflicts will be resolved by discussion with a third reviewer. The primary outcomes will be the associations between marital/partner status and PROMs. Meta-analysis will be conducted if appropriate. Subgroup analysis by sex and meta-regression with a covariate for the proportion of male participants will be performed to explore differences by sex.

Ethics and dissemination

This research is exempt from ethics approval because the study will be conducted using published data. We will disseminate the results of the analysis in a related peer-reviewed journal.

PROSPERO registration number

CRD42022295975
Interest of seroprevalence surveys for the epidemiological surveillance of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic in African populations: insights from the ARIACOV Project in Benin
Authors: Houngbégnon Parfait , Nouatin Odilon , Yadouleton Anges , Hounkpatin Benjamin , Fievet Nadine , Atindegla Eloïc , Deschavanne Sebastien , Guichet Emilande , Ayouba Ahidjo , Pelloquin Raphaël , Maman David , Thaurignac Guillaume , Peeters Martine , Aviansou Annonciat , Sourakafou Salifou , Delaporte Eric , Massougbodji Achille , Cottrell Gilles
Published: April 2022

Background

Many SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveys since the end of 2020 have disqualified the first misconception that Africa had been spared by the pandemic. Through the analysis of three SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence surveys carried out in Benin as part of the ARIACOV project, we argue that the integration of epidemiological serosurveillance of the SARS-COV2 infection in the national surveillance package would be of great use to refine the understanding of the COVID-19 pandemic in Africa.

Methods

Three repeated cross-sectional surveys have been carried out in Benin, two in Cotonou, the economic capital in March and May 2021, and one in Natitingou, a semi-rural city in North in August 2021. The global and by age-groups weighted seroprevalences have been estimated and the risk factors of the infection by SARS-COV-2 have been assessed by using logistic regression.

Results

In Cotonou, a slight increase in overall age-standardized SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence from 29.77% (95% CI: 23.12-37.41%) at the first survey to 34.86% (95% CI: 31.57-38.30%) at the second survey was observed. In Natitingou the global adjusted seroprevalence was 33.34% (95% CI: 27.75-39.44%), much higher than expected. Adults over 40 seemed to be more at risk than the youngest during the first survey in Cotonou but no longer in the second survey, showing the persistence of the SARS-COV-2 virus circulation outside the epidemic waves.

Conclusions

A routine serological surveillance on strategic sentinel sites and / or populations could constitute a cost / effective compromise to better anticipate the onset of new waves and define public health strategies.
Network analysis reveals a major role for 14q32 cluster miRNAs in determining transcriptional differences between IGHV-mutated and unmutated CLL
Authors: Bryant Dean , Smith Lindsay , Rogers-Broadway Karly Rai , Karydis Laura , Woo Jeongmin , Blunt Matthew D , Forconi Francesco , Stevenson Freda K , Goodnow Christopher , Russell Amanda , Humberg Peter , Packham Graham , Steele Andrew J , Strefford Jonathan C
Published: April 2022

Tumour cells from patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) can express unmutated (U-CLL) or mutated (M-CLL) immunoglobulin heavy chain (IGHV) genes with differing clinical behaviours, variable B cell receptor (BCR) signalling capacity and distinct transcriptional profiles. As it remains unclear to what extent these differences reflect the tumour cells’ innate pre/post germinal centre origin or their BCR signalling competence, we applied RNA sequencing, small RNA sequencing and DNA methylation array analysis to 38 CLL cases categorised into three groups by IGHV mutational status and BCR signalling capacity. We identified 492 mRNAs and 38 miRNAs differentially expressed between U-CLL and M-CLL, but only 9 mRNAs and 0 miRNAs associated with BCR competence within M-CLL. A significant proportion of the IGHV-associated miRNAs derived from chr14q32 clusters (14/38 (37%)), where all miRNAs were co-expressed with theMEG3lncRNA, as part of the DLK1-DIO3 genomic imprinted region, a locus of known importance in the pathogenesis of other human tumours. Integrativein silicoanalysis of miRNA/mRNA data revealed pronounced regulatory potential for the 14q32 miRNAs, potentially accounting for up to 25% of the IGHV-related transcriptome signature. GAB1, a positive regulator of BCR signalling, was predicted to be regulated by five 14q32 miRNAs and we confirmed that two of these (miR-409-3p and miR-411-3p) significantly repressed activity of theGAB13’UTR. Our analysis demonstrates a potential key role of the 14q32 miRNA locus in the regulation of CLL-related gene regulation.
Hydrothermal sulphur bacteria enhance mercury availability for coastal marine organisms
Authors: Ruiz Eliot , Lacoue-Labarthe Thomas , Brault-Favrou Maud , Pascal Pierre-Yves
Published: April 2022

The hydrothermal compounds massively released into the sea by the geothermal power plant of Bouillante (Guadeloupe, Lesser Antilles) support the growth of sulphur-oxidising bacteria like around black smokers. Opportunistic animals of the bay were previously shown to actively seek and consume the bacterial biofilm. To investigate the role of these bacterial mats in enhancing the transfer of Hg, a highly toxic heavy metal, its concentrations were assessed in sediments, bacteria, and 6 low trophic levels animals from the Bouillante Bay and a Control Site nearby containing only natural sources of Hg. Concentrations of Hg in all samples from Bouillante were greater than those from the Control Site (2 to 627 times higher). A comparison with the Hg concentrations reported in the literature for similar samples types reveals that they are abnormally high in most Bouillante samples. Although bacterial biofilm contained high levels of Hg, the link between bacteria contribution to diet and Hg concentration was more complex than expected, which might be due to interspecific differences in Hg uptake and elimination rates. Species not consuming bacteria (i.e. filter feeders) still presented higher levels of Hg, suggesting that significant amounts of Hg are released along with discharge waters from the Bouillante geothermal plant, and are integrated through diffusion. Differences in Hg concentrations between tissues do not indicate that Hg contained in samples from animals was under the form of MeHg, lowering the biomagnification potential of Hg in the Bouillante Bay trophic food web. Overall, the Bouillante case study emphasises for the first time an important role played by sulphur bacteria mats as a vector of hydrothermal inorganic Hg, and potentially other trace metals emitted in vents area, through dietary pathways.
Genome Report: Chromosome-level draft assemblies of the snow leopard, African leopard, and tiger (Panthera uncia, Panthera pardus pardus, and Panthera tigris)
Authors: Armstrong Ellie E. , Campana Michael G. , Solari Katherine A. , Morgan Simon R. , Ryder Oliver A. , Naude Vincent N. , Samelius Gustaf , Sharma Koustubh , Hadly Elizabeth A. , Petrov Dmitri A.
Published: April 2022

The big cats (genus Panthera) represent some of the most popular and charismatic species on the planet. Although some reference genomes are available for this clade, few are at the chromosome level, inhibiting high-resolution genomic studies. Here, we assemble genomes from three members of the genus, the tiger (Panthera tigris), the snow leopard (Panthera uncia), and the African leopard (Panthera pardus pardus), at chromosome or near-chromosome level. We used a combination of short- and long-read technologies, as well as proximity ligation data from Hi-C technology, to achieve high continuity and contiguity for each individual. We hope these genomes will aid in further evolutionary and conservation research of this iconic group of mammals.
Pre-analytical processing of plasma and serum samples for combined proteome and metabolome analysis
Authors: Gegner Hagen M. , Naake Thomas , Dugourd Aurélien , Müller Torsten , Czernilofsky Felix , Kliewer Georg , Jäger Evelyn , Helm Barbara , Kunze-Rohrbach Nina , Klingmüller Ursula , Hopf Carsten , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Dietrich Sascha , Saez-Rodriguez Julio , Huber Wolfgang , Hell Rüdiger , Poschet Gernot , Krijgsveld Jeroen
Published: April 2022

Metabolomic and proteomic analyses of human plasma and serum samples harbour the power to advance our understanding of disease biology. Pre-analytical factors may contribute to variability and bias in the detection of analytes, especially when multiple labs are involved, caused by sample handling, processing time, and differing operating procedures. To better understand the impact of pre-analytical factors that are relevant to implement a unified proteomic and metabolomic approach in a clinical setting, we assessed the influence of temperature, sitting times, and centrifugation speed on the plasma and serum metabolomes and proteomes from six healthy volunteers.

We used targeted metabolic profiling (497 metabolites) and data-independent acquisition (DIA) proteomics (572 proteins) on the same samples generated with well-defined pre-analytical conditions to evaluate criteria for pre-analytical SOPs for plasma and serum samples. Time and temperature showed the strongest influence on the integrity of plasma and serum proteome and metabolome. While rapid handling and low temperatures (4°C) are imperative for metabolic profiling, the analysed proteome showed variability when exposed to temperatures of 4°C for more than 2 hours, highlighting the need for compromises in a combined analysis. We formalised a quality control scoring system to objectively rate sample stability and tested this score using external data sets from other pre-analytical studies.

Stringent and harmonised standard operating procedures (SOPs) are required for pre-analytical sample handling when combining proteomics and metabolomics of clinical samples to yield robust and interpretable data on a longitudinal scale and across different clinics. To ensure an adequate level of practicability in a clinical routine for metabolomics and proteomics studies we suggest to keep blood samples up to 2 hours on ice (4°C) prior to snap-freezing as a compromise between stability and operability. Finally, we provide the methodology as an open source R package allowing the systematic scoring of proteomics and metabolomics datasets to assess the stability of plasma and serum samples.