bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seed Myco-priming improves crop yield and herbivory induced defenses in maize by coordinating antioxidants and Jasmonic acid pathway
Authors: Batool Raufa , Umer Muhammad Jawad , Shabbir Muhammad Zeeshan , Wang Yangzhou , Ahmed Muhammad Afaq , Guo Jingfei , He Kanglai , Zhang Tiantao , Bai Shuxiong , Chen Jie , Wang Zhenying
Published: December 2022

Background

Seed Myco-priming based on consortium of entomopathogenic fungi is very effective seed treatment against Ostrinia furnacalis herbivory. Maize regulates defense responses against herbivory by the production of defense-related enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, phytohormones, and their corresponding genes. Jasmonic acid (JA) plays a key role in plant-entomopathogenic fungi-herbivore interaction.

Results

To understand how a consortium of the entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana and Trichoderma asperellum induce changes in the response of maize to herbivory and increase the crop yield, 2-year field experiment, antioxidant enzymes, leaf transcriptome, and phytohormone were performed. Fungal inoculation enhanced the production of antioxidant enzymes and JA signaling pathway more than the normal herbivory. The comparison between single inoculated, consortium inoculated, and non-inoculated plants resulted in distinct transcriptome profiles representing a considerable difference in expression of antioxidant- and JA- responsive genes identified through Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) and expression analysis, respectively. Seed priming with a consortium of B. bassiana and T. asperellum significantly enhanced the expression of genes involved in antioxidants production and JA biosynthesis cascade, with the highest expression recorded at 24-h post O. furnacalis larval infestation. They reduced the larval nutritional indices and survival up to 87% and enhancing crop yield and gross return up to 82-96% over the year 2018 and 2019.

Conclusion

From our results we suggest that a consortium of B. bassiana and T. asperellum can be used synergistically against O. furnacalis in maize under field condition and can mediate antioxidants- and JA- associated maize defense response by boosting up the expression of their responsive genes, thereby enhancing crop yield.
Comparison of assessment of diaphragm function using speckle tracking between patients with successful and failed weaning: a multicentre, observational, pilot study
Authors: Xu Qiancheng , Yang Xiao , Qian Yan , Hu Chang , Lu Weihua , Cai Shuhan , Hu Bo , Li Jianguo
Published: December 2022

Background

Diaphragmatic ultrasound has been increasingly used to evaluate diaphragm function. However, current diaphragmatic ultrasound parameters provide indirect estimates of diaphragmatic contractile function, and the predictive value is controversial. Two-dimensional (2D) speckle tracking is an effective technology for measuring tissue deformation and can be used to measure diaphragm longitudinal strain (DLS) to assess diaphragm function. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and reproducibility of DLS quantification by 2D speckle tracking and to determine whether maximal DLS could be used to predict weaning outcomes.

Methods

This study was performed in the intensive care unit of two teaching hospitals, and was divided into two studies. Study A was a prospective study to evaluate the feasibility, reliability, and repeatability of speckle tracking in assessing DLS in healthy subjects and mechanically ventilated patients. Study B was a multicentre retrospective study to assess the use of maximal DLS measured by speckle tracking in predicting weaning outcomes.

Results

Twenty-five healthy subjects and twenty mechanically ventilated patients were enrolled in Study A. Diaphragmatic speckle tracking was easily accessible. The intra- and interoperator reliability were good to excellent under conditions of eupnoea, deep breathing, and mechanical ventilation. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) ranged from 0.78 to 0.95. Ninety-six patients (fifty-nine patients were successfully weaned) were included in Study B. DLS exhibited a fair linear relationship with both the diaphragmatic thickening fraction (DTF) (R2 = 0.73, p < 0.0001) and diaphragmatic excursion (DE) (R2 = 0.61, p < 0.0001). For the prediction of successful weaning, the areas under the ROC curves of DLS, diaphragmatic thickening fraction DTF, RSBI, and DE were 0.794, 0.794, 0.723, and 0.728, respectively. The best cut-off value for predicting the weaning success of DLS was less than -21%, which had the highest sensitivity of 89.19% and specificity of 64.41%.

Conclusions

Diaphragmatic strain quantification using speckle tracking is easy to obtain in healthy subjects and mechanically ventilated patients and has a high predictive value for mechanical weaning. However, this method offers no advantage over RSBI. Future research should assess its value as a predictor of weaning.

Trial registration

This study was registered in the Chinese Clinical Trial Register (ChiCTR), ChiCTR2100049816. Registered 10 August 2021. http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=131790
Musical therapy attenuates neuroma pain by modifying leptin expression
Authors: Lv Yingying , Wu Junzhen , Xu Yongming , Pu Shaofeng , Li Chen , Du Dongping
Published: December 2022

Background

Accumulating evidence reveals that music therapy appears to help patients with pain. However, there is a limited understanding of the underlying mechanisms. Several studies indicate that leptin level has a crucial relationship with acute and chronic pain. Herein, we evaluated the effects of music stimulation and the potential roles of adipokines (leptin) in pain behaviors.

Methods

We used a tibial neuroma transposition (TNT) rat model to mimic neuroma pain. Adult male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly assigned to one of the three groups (n = 6):group 1 (GC), TNT with white noise; group 2(GM), TNT with music; and group 3(GH), TNT. White noise and music stimulation was given once a day following surgery until the end of the study (42nd day). Pain behavioral tests were carried out before surgery and on the 3rd, 10th, 14th, 21st, 28th, 35th, and 42nd days after surgery. At the end of the observation period, we analyzed the histological samples of blood, spinal cord, and prefrontal cortex to investigate the role of leptin in pain behaviors modulated by white noise and sound stimulation.

Result

Music therapy might improve the pain of TNT rats. Music stimulation ameliorated paw withdrawal thermal latency (PWTL) from the 3rd day after the surgery while the mechanical pain was improved 21 days after the operation.Music stimulation also increased leptin expression in the spinal cord, prefrontal cortex.White noise had no obvious effect.

Conclusion

Music therapy might improve the pain of TNT rats. Besides, music stimulation ameliorated TNT-induced pain behaviors and affected leptin expression.
Did the general practice residents well adapt to real public health prevention ——a study from the COVID-19 prevention training in China
Authors: Rao Xin , Luo Li , Su Qiaoli , Wang Xingyue
Published: December 2022

Object

GP residents’s has the obligation to take task with the public health prevetion. GP residents receive the public health training during their college study period and the residents training.

The sudden outbreak of the COVID-19 epidemic, highlight the importance and competence of the community prevention as the front line of epidemic prevention and control, pushing the general practitioner (GP) residents into the front team of epidemic prevention and control. Residents’ participation in epidemic prevention and control is not only a field workload participation in public health disease prevention and control, but also a rare and value-oriented training experience. This study aims to explores the research on the training content, ability improvement and cognitive load of the resident, and to demonstrate past and future training effects of epidemic prevention and control.

Methods

Object cognitive load scale (NASA-TLX scale) and self-developed questionnaires were adopted to conduct a questionnaire survey on resident doctors who were in GP training program from West China Hospital of Sichuan University, and finally 190 questionnaires were collected. SPSS 23.0 statistical software for statistical analysis of data.

Result

Most indicators of cognitive load NASA scale are at a “moderate” level by the GP residents, generally indicating that the intensity of on-site epidemic prevention and control (training) can be tolerated. The chi-square test is used to study the status of “How responsible you are for epidemic prevention and control in a community in the future”, the residents grade shows no significant difference while “ how many months after the outbreak when you participated in the epidemic prevention” shows significant difference, the result show that GP residents already have konwledge and skills for the public health prevetion, they need more attitude and mental preparation. Continuing education will have a significant positive relationship with the GP residents’s confidence of the prevetion ofpublic health prevetion.

Conclusion

Former medical school education and training at the regulatory training stage have a good effect for residents to master the ability of epidemic prevention and control, and to prepare for the needs of epidemic prevention and control physically and mentally. After this stage, the epidemic prevention and control training under the real situation will make a great contribution to the self-assessment and performance improvement of the final general practitioners.
Mediating roles of patient safety knowledge and motivation in the relationship between safety climate and nurses’ patient safety behaviors: a structural equation modeling analysis
Authors: Seo Ja-Kyung , Lee Seung Eun
Published: December 2022

Background

Few studies have examined the relationship between patient safety climate and two forms of patient safety behavior (i.e., safety compliance and safety participation) among nurses. Better understanding of factors contributing to nurses’ safety behaviors could enhance patient safety. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the effect of patient safety climate on nurses’ patient safety behavior and to explore whether patient safety knowledge and motivation mediate this relationship.

Methods

This correlational, cross-sectional study used survey data from 1,053 staff nurses working at a general hospital located in a metropolitan area of South Korea. Structural equation modeling was employed to test a hypothesized multiple mediation model that was guided by Griffin and Neal’s model of safety performance.

Results

The results indicated that patient safety climate was directly related to both patient safety compliance behavior (β = 0.27, p < 0.001) and patient safety participation behavior (β = 0.25, p < 0.001). Concerning indirect effects, patient safety climate was associated with patient safety compliance behavior through both patient safety knowledge (β = 0.26, p < 0.001) and patient safety motivation (β = 0.04, p = 0.038), whereas patient safety climate was related to patient safety participation behavior only through patient safety knowledge (β = 0.27, p < 0.001) and not through patient safety motivation (β = 0.00, p = 0.985).

Conclusion

Based on this study’s findings, building an organizational climate focused on patient safety is vital for improving nurses’ patient safety behavior. Improving an organization’s patient safety climate could promote both safety knowledge and motivation in nurses and thereby potentially enhance their patient safety behavior. Hence, healthcare organizations should implement practical interventions to improve their patient safety climate. Also, nursing management interventions designed to transfer patient safety knowledge to nurses would be particularly effective in improving their safety behavior.
Live birth rate and neonatal outcomes following interventional embolization of hydrosalpinx
Authors: Guo Haiyan , Du Tong , Lyu Qifeng , Wu Ling , Chai Weiran , Zhu Qianqian
Published: December 2022

Background

Hydrosalpinx has a negative effect on the pregnancy outcomes of in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET), and the pretreatment for hydrosalpinx play an important role in improving the outcomes of IVF-ET. This study aimed to investigate the impacts of interventional embolization of hydrosalpinx on the live birth rate and neonatal outcome after in-vitro fertilization.

Method

In the present retrospective study, 3351 women receiving the first frozen embryo transfer (FET) after freeze-all policy were reviewed. Patients who received interventional embolization of hydrosalpinx (n = 1268) were included in the study group and those with hydrosalpinx-free bilateral fallopian tube obstruction (n = 2083) in the control group. The primary outcome was live birth (LB) rate; the secondary endpoints included rates of implantation, clinical pregnancy (CP), multiple pregnancy, and pregnancy loss.

Results

The LB rate was similar between embolization group (39.91%) and control group (43.21%) (P > 0.05). The rate of implantation (35.81% vs. 32.24%), CP (50.84% vs. 47%) and multiple pregnancy rate (28.71% vs. 24.16%) in the control group were significantly higher than in the embolization group (P < 0.05). The miscarriage rate (39.91%, vs 43.21%, P > 0.05), ectopic gestation rate (2.35% vs 2.83%, P > 0.05), and ongoing pregnancy rate (41.56% vs 44.89%, P > 0.05) were comparable between two groups. After adjustment for confounding factors, interventional embolization of hydrosalpinx was found to have no influence on the LB rate. The thicker endometrium, more embryos transferred, and transfer of blastocyst stage embryos significantly increased the LB rate and CP rate.

Conclusion

The interventional embolization of hydrosalpinx can achieve the LB rate similar to that of hydrosalpinx-free obstruction patients with less risk, less pain and reduced medical cost. Thus, embolization of hydrosalpinx is one of the preferable clinical treatments for patients with hydrosalpinx.
Assessing parental marital quality and divorce related to youth sexual experiences and adverse reproductive health outcomes among 50,000 Chinese college students
Authors: Wang Wen , Yin Ruoyu , Cao Wenzhen , Wang Yu , Zhang Tingkai , Yan Yan , Tang Kun
Published: December 2022

Background

This study aimed to investigate the associations between parental marital quality, divorce, and sexual and reproductive health outcomes among Chinese young people.

Methods

The study included 51,124 students from a large-scale cross-sectional study in China from 2019 to 2020. The exposures were parental marital quality and legal marital status reported by students. The dichotomous outcomes included sexual experiences, high-risk sexual behaviors, unintended health outcomes, and sexual abuse. Multivariate logistic regression models adjusting for socio-demographic factors were used to assess the relationship between parental marital quality, divorce, and sexual and reproductive health outcomes, stratified by sex.

Results

A total of 10.72% of the surveyed students’ parents had divorced. Participants from divorced family rated perceived parental marital quality less than half of the ratings on a 10-point scale of those from intact family (3.22 vs. 7.44). Parental divorce was associated with a higher likelihood of sexual abuse, high-risk sexual behaviors, and unintended health outcomes. A higher perceived parental marital quality was associated with a lower probability of adverse sexual and reproductive health experiences and outcomes, such as forced penetrative vaginal or anal intercourse (male: OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.64–0.83; female: OR:0.71, 95% CI: 0.65–0.77), casual sexual intercourse (male: OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.73–0.83; female: OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.72–0.83), and sexually transmitted infections (male: OR: 0.79, 95% CI: 0.70–0.89; female: OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73–0.91).

Conclusions

Parental marital quality and status are associated with poorer sexual and reproductive health outcomes among young adults, suggesting that specific intervention programs should be implemented for children from unharmonious families or divorced families to prevent adverse sexual and reproductive health outcomes.
Microfluidic chip and isothermal amplification technologies for the detection of pathogenic nucleic acid
Authors: Gao Dongli , Guo Xudong , Yang Yi , Shi Hua , Hao Rongzhang , Wang Shengqi , Li Zhen Jun , Zhao Rongtao , Song Hongbin
Published: December 2022

The frequency of outbreaks of newly emerging infectious diseases has increased in recent years. The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in late 2019 has caused a global pandemic, seriously endangering human health and social stability. Rapid detection of infectious disease pathogens is a key prerequisite for the early screening of cases and the reduction in transmission risk. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) is currently the most commonly used pathogen detection method, but this method has high requirements in terms of operating staff, instrumentation, venues, and so forth. As a result, its application in the settings such as poorly conditioned communities and grassroots has been limited, and the detection needs of the first-line field cannot be met. The development of point-of-care testing (POCT) technology is of great practical significance for preventing and controlling infectious diseases. Isothermal amplification technology has advantages such as mild reaction conditions and low instrument dependence. It has a promising prospect in the development of POCT, combined with the advantages of high integration and portability of microfluidic chip technology. This study summarized the principles of several representative isothermal amplification techniques, as well as their advantages and disadvantages. Particularly, it reviewed the research progress on microfluidic chip–based recombinase polymerase isothermal amplification technology and highlighted future prospects.
Double knockout CRISPR screen for cancer resistance to T cell cytotoxicity
Authors: Park Jonathan J. , Codina Adan , Ye Lupeng , Lam Stanley , Guo Jianjian , Clark Paul , Zhou Xiaoyu , Peng Lei , Chen Sidi
Published: December 2022

Immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatments; however, a large fraction of patients encounter resistance. Such resistance is mediated by complex factors, often involving interactions between multiple genes. Thus, it is crucially important to identify genetic interactions between genes that are significantly mutated in cancer patients and those involved in immune responses, ideally the ones that currently have chemical compounds for direct targeting. To systematically interrogate such genetic interactions that mediate cancer cells’ response to T cell killing, we designed an asymmetric dual perturbation library targeting the matched combinations between significantly mutated tumor suppressors and immune resistance genes. We performed a combinatorial double knockout screen on 1159 gene pairs and identified those where joint loss-of-function renders altered cellular response to T cell cytotoxicity. We also performed comparative transcriptomics-based analyses on tumor and normal samples from TCGA and GTEx cohorts, mutational profiling analyses, and survival analyses to further characterize the significance of identified hits in clinical patients. Interactions between significantly mutated tumor suppressors and potentially druggable immune resistance genes may offer insights on potential new concepts of how to target clinically relevant cancer mutations with currently available agents. This study also provides a technology platform and an asymmetric double knockout library for interrogating genetic interactions between cancer mutations and immune resistance pathways under various settings.
Electrostatic anti-CD33-antibody–protamine nanocarriers as platform for a targeted treatment of acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Bäumer Nicole , Scheller Annika , Wittmann Lisa , Faust Andreas , Apel Mara , Nimmagadda Subbaiah Chary , Geyer Christiane , Grunert Katharina , Kellmann Neele , Peipp Matthias , Kailayangiri Sareetha , Gutierrez Suburu Matias Ezequiel , Strassert Cristian A. , Schenk Mathias , Greune Lilo , Rüter Christian , Dersch Petra , Hartmann Wolfgang , Rossig Claudia , Neri Dario , Müller-Tidow Carsten , Schwöppe Christian , Schliemann Christoph , Khandanpour Cyrus , Lenz Georg , Berdel Wolfgang E. , Bäumer Sebastian
Published: December 2022

Background

Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is a fatal clonal hematopoietic malignancy, which results from the accumulation of several genetic aberrations in myeloid progenitor cells, with a worldwide 5-year survival prognosis of about 30%. Therefore, the development of more effective therapeutics with novel mode of action is urgently demanded. One common mutated gene in the AML is the DNA-methyltransferase DNMT3A whose function in the development and maintenance of AML is still unclear. To specifically target “undruggable” oncogenes, we initially invented an RNAi-based targeted therapy option that uses the internalization capacity of a colorectal cancer specific anti-EGFR-antibody bound to cationic protamine and the anionic siRNA. Here, we present a new experimental platform technology of molecular oncogene targeting in AML.

Methods

Our AML-targeting system consists of an internalizing anti-CD33-antibody–protamine conjugate, which together with anionic molecules such as siRNA or ibrutinib-Cy3.5 and cationic free protamine spontaneously assembles into vesicular nanocarriers in aqueous solution. These nanocarriers were analyzed concerning their physical properties and relevant characteristics in vitro in cell lines and in vivo in xenograft tumor models and patient-derived xenograft leukemia models with the aim to prepare them for translation into clinical application.

Results

The nanocarriers formed depend on a balanced electrostatic combination of the positively charged cationic protamine-conjugated anti-CD33 antibody, unbound cationic protamine and the anionic cargo. This nanocarrier transports its cargo safely into the AML target cells and has therapeutic activity against AML in vitro and in vivo. siRNAs directed specifically against two common mutated genes in the AML, the DNA-methyltransferase DNMT3A and FLT3-ITD lead to a reduction of clonal growth in vitro in AML cell lines and inhibit tumor growth in vivo in xenotransplanted cell lines. Moreover, oncogene knockdown of DNMT3A leads to increased survival of mice carrying leukemia patient-derived xenografts. Furthermore, an anionic derivative of the approved Bruton’s kinase (BTK) inhibitor ibrutinib, ibrutinib-Cy3.5, is also transported by this nanocarrier into AML cells and decreases colony formation.

Conclusions

We report important results toward innovative personalized, targeted treatment options via electrostatic nanocarrier therapy in AML.
Sleep to Reduce Incident Depression Effectively (STRIDE): study protocol for a randomized controlled trial comparing stepped-care cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia versus sleep education control to prevent major depression
Authors: Drake Christopher L. , Kalmbach David A. , Cheng Philip , Ahmedani Brian K. , Peterson Edward L. , Joseph Christine L. M. , Roth Thomas , Kidwell Kelley M. , Sagong Chaewon
Published: December 2022

Background

Prevention of major depressive disorder (MDD) is a public health priority. Strategies targeting individuals at elevated risk for MDD may guide effective preventive care. Insomnia is a reliable precursor to depression, preceding half of all incident and relapse cases. Thus, insomnia may serve as a useful entry point for preventing MDD. Cognitive-behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is recommended as the first-line treatment for insomnia, but widespread implementation is limited by a shortage of trained specialists. Innovative stepped-care approaches rooted in primary care can increase access to CBT-I and reduce rates of MDD.

Methods/design

We propose a large-scale stepped-care clinical trial in the primary care setting that utilizes a sequential, multiple assignment, randomized trial (SMART) design to determine the effectiveness of dCBT-I alone and in combination with clinician-led CBT-I for insomnia and the prevention of MDD incidence and relapse. Specifically, our care model uses digital CBT-I (dCBT-I) as a first-line intervention to increase care access and reduce the need for specialist resources. Our proposal also adds clinician-led CBT-I for patients who do not remit with first-line intervention and need a more personalized approach from specialty care. We will evaluate negative repetitive thinking as a potential treatment mechanism by which dCBT-I and CBT-I benefit insomnia and depression outcomes.

Discussion

This project will test a highly scalable model of sleep care in a large primary care system to determine the potential for wide dissemination and implementation to address the high volume of population need for safe and effective insomnia treatment and associated prevention of depression.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03322774. Registered on October 26, 2017
Condyloma acuminatum of the urinary bladder with underlying squamous cell carcinoma: a case report
Authors: Whitaker John A.
Published: December 2022

Background

Condyloma acuminatum is a rare finding of the urinary bladder. There are many morphological variants that exist. It has been previously reported that some of these variants were found to be associated with subsequent or concurrent squamous cell carcinoma. However, there are limited cases that describe this underlying malignancy found in patients with bladder condyloma.

Case presentation

A 38-year-old African American female presented with condyloma acuminatum of the urinary bladder and underlying squamous cell carcinoma, which also invaded the neighboring uterus, urethra, and anterior vagina. Initial attempts at treatment began with cystoscopic resection of the condyloma; however, due to diffuse transformation, we pursued radical cystectomy with adjuvant chemotherapy and radiation.

Conclusion

As such a finding is rare in the urinary bladder, with few reports discussing its association with ensuing squamous cell carcinoma, we hope that this continues to generate awareness and consideration in the treatment of affected individuals.
Evaluation of factors affecting epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor-induced hepatotoxicity in Japanese patients with non-small cell lung cancer: a two-center retrospective study
Authors: Nagai Hirofumi , Shimada Tsutomu , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Nishikawa Mikako , Tozuka Hiroyuki , Yamamoto Yasuto , Niwa Osamu , Takahara Yutaka , Fujita Arimi , Nagase Katsuhiko , Kasahara Kazuo , Yano Seiji , Sai Yoshimichi
Published: December 2022

Background

Gefitinib and erlotinib, are epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors, and are currently recommended for non-small cell lung cancer stage IV in the elderly and in patients with decreased performance status in the Japanese Lung Cancer Society Guideline, but they occasionally caused severe hepatotoxicity requiring postponement or modification of treatment. However, little is known about the risk factors for hepatotoxicity in patients receiving gefitinib and erlotinib. In this study, we investigated the factors influencing hepatotoxicity in Japanese non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients treated with gefitinib or erlotinib monotherapy.

Methods

Japanese patients with NSCLC who started gefitinib or erlotinib monotherapy from January 2005 to December 2017 at Kanazawa University Hospital or Kanazawa Medical University Hospital were included in this study. Factors affecting hepatotoxicity were retrospectively investigated by multiple logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 102 patients who received gefitinib and 95 patients who received erlotinib were included in the analysis. In the gefitinib group, a body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 was associated with an increased risk of hepatotoxicity (OR = 4.571, 95% CI = 1.486–14.056, P = 0.008). In the erlotinib group, concomitant use of acid-suppressing medications (AS), namely proton pump inhibitors or histamine-2 receptor antagonists, was associated with a reduced risk of hepatotoxicity (OR = 0.341, 95% CI = 0.129–0.900, P = 0.030).

Conclusions

BMI ≥ 25 in patients treated with gefitinib increased the risk of hepatotoxicity. In contrast, AS combination with erlotinib reduced the risk of hepatotoxicity. Thus, because different factors influence the risk of hepatotoxicity, monitoring for adverse events should take into account patient background factors and concomitant medications.
Cytokines and cytokine receptors as targets of immune-mediated inflammatory diseases—RA as a role model
Authors: Takeuchi Tsutomu
Published: December 2022

Recent advances in our understanding in the immune-mediated inflammatory diseases (IMID) are explored and promoted by the targeted treatment. Among these targets, cytokines and cytokine receptors have become the good candidates for the drug development. In this review, the cytokine and cytokine receptors, which are approved in IMID, are overviewed, and modalities of the treatment, the role of cytokines and cytokine receptors in each disease, and the updated molecular information by modern technologies in rheumatoid arthritis as a role model are shown and discussed for the future perspectives.
Health literacy of pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Mansoura district, Egypt
Authors: Essam Noha , Khafagy Mohamad Azmy , Alemam Doaa Shokry
Published: December 2022

Background

Health literacy (HL) is an important maternal factor that is involved in the engagement of a mother and her children with health promotion and preventive activities. Studies have found poor HL in large proportions of the population of both developed and developing countries. This study measures the HL of pregnant women and explores its associated factors.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted on 382 pregnant women attending antenatal care clinics in Mansoura district, Egypt, using an interviewer-administered questionnaire. The Arabic version of the European Health Literacy Survey Questionnaire-short version (HLS-EU-Q16) was used to assess the HL of the participants.

Results

The study showed that 79.8% of studied pregnant women had limited HL (34.5% insufficient HL and 45.3% problematic HL), and only 20.2% of them had sufficient HL. Limited HL was independently predicted by unsatisfactory income (OR = 6.9; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.2–15.3; P ≤ 0.05), lower than university education (OR = 5.3; 95% CI: 1.6–17.2; P ≤ 0.05), and having unplanned pregnancy (OR = 3.7; 95% CI: 1.6–8.5; P ≤ 0.05).

Conclusion

The majority of pregnant women in this study had limited HL. It was more frequent among women with lower levels of education, insufficient incomes, and unplanned pregnancies. Antenatal care programs should provide services that respond to the HL level and needs of pregnant women.
Characterization of the Illumina EPIC array for optimal applications in epigenetic research targeting diverse human populations
Authors: Zhang Zhou , Zeng Chang , Zhang Wei
Published: December 2022

The Illumina EPIC array is widely used for high-throughput profiling of DNA cytosine modifications in human samples, covering more than 850,000 modification sites across various genomic features. The application of this platform is expected to provide novel insights into the epigenetic contribution to human complex traits and diseases. Considering the diverse inter-population genetic and epigenetic variation, it will benefit the research community with a comprehensive characterization of this platform for its applicability to major global populations. Specifically, we mapped 866,836 CpG probes from the EPIC array to the human genome reference. We detected 91,034 CpG probes that did not align reliably to the human genome reference. In addition, 21,256 CpG probes were found to ambiguously map to multiple loci in the human genome, and 448 probes showing inaccurate genomic information from the original Illumina annotations. We further characterized those uniquely mapped CpG probes in terms of whether they contained common genetic variants, i.e., single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), in major global populations, by utilizing the 1000 Genomes Project data. A list of optimal CpG probes on the EPIC array was generated for major global populations, with the aim of providing a resource to facilitate future studies of diverse human populations. In conclusion, our analysis indicated that studies of diverse human populations using the EPIC array would be benefited by taking into account of the technical features of this platform.
Integration of seismic data in reservoir modeling through seismically constrained facies models
Authors: Amaru Maisha , Li Lewis , Tyshkanbayeva Aigul
Published: December 2022

Seismic data are an important source of information to guide and constrain reservoir modeling as it samples the subsurface in 3D away from wells. Seismic interpretations are used to constrain the structure of reservoir models. Different seismic attributes can support the identification and definition of stratigraphic features, and seismic inversion products can help constrain the rock properties. Different methods exist for integration of seismic data in the modeling process. Here, we present two new methods. The first method constrains facies definition and modeling with seismic data through a geobody earth modeling approach. The second method updates existing facies models with new seismic data using a Bayesian approach. Both methods are applied to a case study with good quality seismic data. The results show that the reservoir model becomes more consistent with the observed field seismic data when these fast and repeatable methods are applied (compared to not integrating seismic constraints or using time-intensive manual integration approaches), thus enabling more robust reservoir models and forecasts.
Seismic Soundoff: Integrating digital transformation to improve business processes
Authors: Geary Andrew
Published: December 2022

In this episode, Steve Darnell, the president and CEO of Katalyst Data Management, discusses how digital transformation improves business processes. He describes the importance of cybersecurity, how to start the digitalization process, and the common obstacles companies face when embracing digital transformation. He also comments on the common misperceptions and the hidden benefits of embracing digital advancements. This conversation connects to all parts of the oil and gas workflow and showcases the value proposition for companies. Hear the full episode at https://seg.org/podcast/post/15881 .
Non-suicidal self-injury and emotional burden among university students during the COVID-19 pandemic: cross-sectional online survey
Authors: Schleicher Daniel , Heidingsfelder Elisa , Kandsperger Stephanie , Jarvers Irina , Ecker Angelika , Brunner Romuald
Published: December 2022

Owing to restrictions of the COVID-19 pandemic, increased stress is evident in university students with a lifetime history of non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI). Therefore, we examined two groups of university students (n= 174) in an online survey, one that exhibited early NSSI in adolescence (n= 51) and another that exhibited continuous NSSI beyond the age of 18 (n= 123) (German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00023731). We compared the two groups in terms of depressive symptoms in the previous 2 weeks as well as self-perceived changes in emotional burden, urge to self-injure and NSSI frequency in the first year of the pandemic compared with the year before (pre-pandemic). Among other findings, both groups showed an increase in emotional burden and urge to self-injure.
Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cervical Cancer Incidence, Survival, and Mortality by Histologic Subtype
Authors: Cohen Camryn M. , Wentzensen Nicolas , Castle Philip E. , Schiffman Mark , Zuna Rosemary , Arend Rebecca C. , Clarke Megan A.
Published: December 2022

PURPOSE

We conducted an integrated population-based analysis of histologic subtype–specific cervical cancer incidence, survival, and incidence-based mortality by race and ethnicity, with correction for hysterectomy prevalence.

METHODS

Using the SEER 21 and 18 registries, we selected primary cases of malignant cervical cancer diagnosed among women ≥ 15 years. We evaluated age-adjusted incidence rates among cases diagnosed between 2000 and 2018 (SEER21) and incidence-based mortality rates among deaths from 2005 to 2018 (SEER18), per 100,000 person-years. Rates were stratified by histologic subtype and race/ethnicity (incidence and mortality), and stage, age at diagnosis, and county-level measures of social determinants of health (incidence only). Incidence and mortality rates were corrected for hysterectomy using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. We estimated 5-year relative survival by histologic subtype and stratified by stage at diagnosis.

RESULTS

Incidence rates of cervical squamous cell carcinoma were highest in Black and Hispanic women, while incidence rates of cervical adenocarcinoma (ADC) were highest among Hispanic and White women, particularly for localized ADC. County-level income and education variables were inversely associated with squamous cell carcinoma incidence rates in all racial and ethnic groups but had less influence on ADC incidence rates. Black women had the highest overall mortality rates and lowest 5-year relative survival, irrespective of subtype and stage. Disparities in survival were particularly pronounced for Black women with regional and distant ADC, compared with other racial/ethnic groups.

CONCLUSION

Although Black women are less likely to be diagnosed with ADC compared with all other racial/ethnic groups, they experience the highest mortality rates for this subtype, likely attributed to the poor survival observed for Black women with regional and distant ADC.
Comparison of different ratios of cefoperazone/sulbactam in patients with pyelonephritis
Authors: Jiang Weizhong , Cai Lili
Published: December 2022

Objective: To compare the clinical efficacy of different ratios of cefoperazone/sulbactam in the treatment of patients with pyelonephritis.

Methods: In this retrospective study clinical records of patients with pyelonephritis treated in Huzhou Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital from July 2020 to July 2021 were collected. It included 55 patients who received cefoperazone/sulbactam 2:1 treatment (Control group) and 57 patients who received 1 cefoperazone/sulbactam 1:1 treatment (Observation group). Clinical response, inflammatory reaction and bacterial clearance were compared between the two groups.

Results: The levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8) and leukocyte count (WBC) in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total efficacy of the Observation-group was 92.98%, higher than 80.00% of the control group (P<0.05). Fifty-eight strains of bacteria were isolated from the Control-group and 59 strains from the Observation-group. The bacterial clearance rates were 65.52% (38/58) and 83.05% (49/59), respectively. The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).

Conclusions: The clinical efficacy of 1:1 ratio of cefoperazone/sulbactam in the treatment of patients with pyelonephritis was superior that of 2:1 ratio. This ratio allows to fully utilize the antibacterial effect of cefoperazone, with a significant decrease in inflammation markers and an improvement in bacterial clearance.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6850

How to cite this: Jiang W, Cai L. Comparison of different ratios of cefoperazone/sulbactam in patients with pyelonephritis. Pak J Med Sci. 2023;39(1):55-59. doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.39.1.6850

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Επίγνωση πλαισίου και αλληλεπίδραση στο διαδίκτυο των πραγμάτων
Authors: Μιχαλάκης Κωνσταντίνος
Published: December 2022

Ο άνθρωπος, τη σημερινή εποχή, έχει αποκτήσει μια σημαντική εξάρτηση με υπολογιστικές συσκευές για την διεκπεραίωση πολλών καθημερινών εργασιών. Περιτριγυρισμένος από πλήθος έξυπνων συσκευών, ο άνθρωπος αλληλεπιδρά μαζί τους για να προετοιμάσει τη λίστα με τα ψώνια του, να ορίσει ειδοποιήσεις και συναντήσεις, θα πραγματοποιήσει πληρωμές ή να επικοινωνήσει με επαφές προσωπικές ή εργασιακές. Επιπρόσθετα, πολλές έξυπνες συσκευές λειτουργούν αυτόνομα χωρίς ανθρώπινη παρέμβαση, συλλέγοντας δεδομένα, επεξεργάζοντάς τα και ενεργώντας κατάλληλα, είτε προβλέποντας τις ανάγκες των χρηστών είτε εξυπηρετώντας ανάγκες μεταξύ μηχανών.
The adverse effects of long-term exposure to antipsychotics among older people with intellectual disabilities: a scoping review
Authors: Turner Jemima , Barry Aisling , Doyle Jack , Hogg Jane , Hynes Alanna , Mahon Emma , Moloney Cora , Shortt Emma , O’Dwyer Máire
Published: December 2022

Background

Antipsychotics are among the medications most prescribed to older adults with intellectual disabilities despite limited evidence to support their safety and efficacy in this population. Antipsychotics are associated with a significant burden of long-term adverse effects including movement disorders, metabolic and cardiovascular adverse effects, sedation and anticholinergic effects. This scoping review aims to evaluate the current extent of the literature relating to adverse effects of long-term antipsychotic use in older adults with intellectual disabilities and identify any existing gaps. 

Methods

The review was conducted in line with the framework for scoping reviews proposed by Arksey and O’Malley. A systematic literature search was carried out, including searches of PubMed, Cochrane Library, ScienceDirect, Embase, PsycINFO and grey literature databases. Reference lists of studies were also reviewed as part of the search. Studies were included in the review if they related to adults over 40 years of age with an intellectual disability who had been taking antipsychotic medication for at least 3 months.

Results

A total of 13 studies were identified for inclusion in the review. These included retrospective reviews,observational studies, case reports, cohort studies and cross-sectional studies. Adverse effects reported include extrapyramidal symptoms, cardiovascular and metabolic effects, and case reports of rhinorrhoea, hypothermia and ischaemic colitis. Increasing age was associated with a greater burden of adverse effects in some studies.

Conclusion

The available evidence on the adverse effects of long-term antipsychotic use in older adults with intellectual disabilities is weak and conflicting. The studies included were generally of poor quality with numerous limitations including small sample sizes and lack of control groups. More research is needed to inform understanding of adverse effects associated with long-term antipsychotic use in this population.
Predicting perineal trauma during childbirth using data from a general obstetric population
Authors: Maher Gillian M. , O'Byrne Laura J. , McKernan Joye , Corcoran Paul , Greene Richard A. , Khashan Ali S. , McCarthy Fergus P.
Published: December 2022

Background: Perineal trauma is a common complication of childbirth and can have serious impacts on long-term health. Few studies have examined the combined effect of multiple risk factors. We developed and internally validated a risk prediction model to predict third and fourth degree perineal tears using data from a general obstetric population.

Methods: Risk prediction model using data from all singleton vaginal deliveries at Cork University Maternity Hospital (CUMH), Ireland during 2019 and 2020. Third/fourth degree tears were diagnosed by an obstetrician or midwife at time of birth and defined as tears that extended into the anal sphincter complex or involved both the anal sphincter complex and anorectal mucosa. We used univariable and multivariable logistic regression with backward stepwise selection to develop the models. Candidate predictors included infant sex, maternal age, maternal body mass index, parity, mode of delivery, birthweight, post-term delivery, induction of labour and public/private antenatal care. We used the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve C-statistic to assess discrimination, and bootstrapping techniques were used to assess internal validation.

Results: Of 8,403 singleton vaginal deliveries, 8,367 (99.54%) had complete data on predictors for model development. A total of 128 women (1.53%) had a third/fourth degree tear. Three variables remained in the final model: nulliparity, mode of delivery (specifically forceps delivery or ventouse delivery) and increasing birthweight (per 100 gram increase) (C-statistic: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.71, 0.79). We developed a nomogram to calculate individualised risk of third/fourth degree tears using these predictors. Bootstrapping indicated good internal performance.

Conclusions: Use of our nomogram can provide an individualised risk assessment of third/fourth degree tears and potentially aid counselling of women on their potential risk.
ONLINE STATISTICS SYSTEM FOR PARTICIPANTS IN THE DISCORD MESSENGER USING PYTHON AND POSTGRESQL
Authors: Krapivin Roman R. , Akhmetov Linar M. , Khamidullin Marat R. , Gareeva Gulnara A.
Published: December 2022

The relevance of the topic under consideration is since in one of the Discord channel communities there was a need to collect the activity of channel members for a certain time and duration.

To solve this problem, it was decided to develop a database and a special bot to interact with this database and the Discord API to collect information.

The goal: development of a system for analyzing, collecting, and displaying information on the activity of participants, developing a database to store all information.

The method or methodology of the work: the article considers a project for collecting, storing, and displaying information about the activity of participants.

Results: a Python discord bot was developed that keeps statistics on the activity of channel members, a PostgreSQL database was developed that stores data on all participants and their activity.

Scope of the results: the functionality of the bot can be used to manage channel members, highlight the most active and allocate incentives for greater activity
La urgente necesidad del enfoque de género en los recursos sugeridos por el estado para la clase de lenguaje y comunicación.
Authors: Browne Sartori Rodrigo , Rojas Carolina
Published: December 2022

Hemos escrito el presente texto para orientar la consideración del enfoque de género en la discusión sobre educación en el proceso constituyente que Chile está enfrentado. Nuestro interés es provocar la reflexión a partir del caso de las lecturas que el Estado sugiere leer a los y las estudiantes de 7° básico a 4° medio del sistema educacional chileno mediante las bases curriculares de la asignatura de Lenguaje y Comunicación y Lengua y Literatura. A través de este último, evidenciaremos la violenta ausencia de voces de mujeres escritoras en el canon literario al que se sugiere recurrir a establecimientos educacionales para formar ciudadanas y ciudadanos. Con este trabajo, esperamos dejar en evidencia que esta invisibilización y silenciamiento de las escritoras no es inocuo, no es natural y que es urgente considerar la revisión de este aspecto del currículo escolar de la planificación estatal para que se observe y analice críticamente con enfoque de género, para mejorarla acortando las brechas existentes (no más del 18% de las obras sugeridas están escritas por escritoras) y que esta mejora se replique en los establecimientos educacionales del país.