bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Sialylation of IgG inhibits the formation of galactose-deficient IgA1-containing immune complexes and protects mesangial cells from injury in IgA nephropathy
Authors: Liu Youxia , Li Hongfen , Yu Huyan , Wang Fanghao , Jia Junya , Yan Tiekun
Published: January 2022

Background

The addition of sialic acid alters IgG from a pro-inflammatory state to an anti-inflammatory state. However, there is a lack of research on the changes of IgG sialylation in IgA nephropathy (IgAN).

Methods

This study included a total of 184 IgAN patients. The sialylated IgG (SA-IgG), IgG-galactose-deficient IgA1 complex (IgG-Gd-IgA1-IC), IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β were detected using commercial ELISA kits. SA-IgG, non-sialylated IgG (NSA-IgG), sialylated IgG-IgA1 complex (SA-IgG-IgA1), and non-sialylated IgG-IgA1 complex (NSA-IgG-IgA1) were purified from IgAN patients and healthy controls (HCs).

Results

The mean SA-IgG levels in plasma and B lymphocytes in IgAN patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls. A positive correlation was found between SA-IgG levels in plasma and B lymphocytes. In vitro, the results showed that the release of IgG-Gd-IgA1-IC was significantly decreased in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) cultured with SA-IgG from both IgAN patients and healthy controls. The proliferation ability and the release of IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β in human mesangial cells (HMCs) were measured after stimulating with SA-IgG-IgA1-IC and NSA-IgG-IgA1-IC. The mesangial cell proliferation levels induced by NSA-IgG-IgA1-IC derived from IgAN patients were significantly higher than those caused by SA-IgG-IgA1-IC derived from IgAN patients and healthy controls. Compared with NSA-IgG-IgA1 from healthy controls, IgAN-NSA-IgG-IgA1 could significantly upregulate the expression of IL-6 and TNF-α in mesangial cells. The data showed that there weren’t any significant differences in the levels of IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β when treated with IgAN-SA-IgG-IgA1 and HC-NSA-IgG-IgA1.

Conclusions

The present study demonstrated that the sialylation of IgG increased in patients with IgA nephropathy. It exerted an inhibitory effect on the formation of Gd-IgA1-containing immune complexes in PBMCs and the proliferation and inflammation activation in mesangial cells.
Development and validation of preconception care improvement scale (PCIS) in a resource-limited setting
Authors: Teshome Firanbon , Birhanu Zewdie , Kebede Yohannes
Published: January 2022

Background

Preconception care helps to close the gaps in a continuum of care. It is of paramount importance to reduce maternal and child adverse pregnancy outcomes, increase the utilization of services such as antenatal care, skilled delivery care, and post-natal care, and improve the lives of future generations. Therefore, a validated instrument is required. The purpose of this study was to develop and validate the preconception care improvement scale (PCIS) in a resource-limited setting.

Methods

A mixed-method study was carried out from 02, March to 10, April 2019 in Manna district, Oromia region, Ethiopia to test the reliability and validity of the scale. Items were generated from literatures review, in-depth interviews with different individuals, and focused group discussions with women of reproductive age groups. A pretested structured questionnaire was used and a survey was conducted among 623 pregnant women in the district. The collected data were entered into EPI-data version 3.1 software and exported to SPSS version 23 software and data were analyzed for internal consistency and validity using reliability analysis and factor analysis.

Results

The PCIS has 17 items loaded into six factors: Substance-related behaviors, screening for common non-communicable and infectious diseases, micronutrient supplementation and vaccination, seeking advice, decision and readiness for conception, and screening for sexually transmitted diseases. Factor analysis accounted for 67.51% of the observed variance. The internal consistency (Cronbach’s alpha) of the scale was 0.776. Diversified participants of the qualitative study and experts’ discussions assured the face and content validity of the scale. Factor loading indicated the convergent validity of the scale. Three of the PCIS subscale scores had a positive and significant association with the practice of preconception care and antenatal care visits, which confirmed the predictive validity of the scale.

Conclusion

The PCIS exhibited good reliability, face validity, content validity, convergent validity, and predictive validity. Thus, the scale is valid and helps to improve preconception care, especially in resource-limited settings.
Quantile regression analysis of the association between parental rearing and interpersonal sensitivity in Chinese adolescents
Authors: Zhang Yafeng , Tian Wei , Xin Yuqi , Zhou Quan , Yan Guangcan , Zhou Jianqiu , Wang Bin , Tao Yuchun , Fan Lihua , Wang Limin
Published: January 2022

Background

Parental rearing is well documented as an important influencing factor of interpersonal sensitivity (IS). However, little research has focused on the extent by which various aspects of parental rearing in fluence IS. This study aimed to analyze the effects of parental rearing on IS, using quantile regression. We analyzed the extent of the influence of parental rearing on IS by quantile regression to provide definitive evidence on the family education of adolescents with IS problems.

Methods

The multiple cross-sectional studies were conducted among 3345 adolescents from Harbin, China, in 1999, 2006, 2009 and 2016. Furthermore, a multistage sampling method (stratified random cluster) was used to select participants. IS was assessed using a subscale of the Symptom Checklist-90-Revision. Perceived parental rearing was assessed using the Egna Minnen av. Barndoms Uppfostran. The ordinary least squares (OLS) linear regression was used to determine the average effect of parental rearing on IS. The quantile regression was conducted to examine the established associations and to further explain the association.

Results

Paternal emotional warmth was found to be associated with IS across the quantile, especially after the 0.6 quantiles; however, this association was not found for maternal emotional warmth. Paternal punishment was associated with IS at the 0.22–0.27 and 0.60 quantile; however, maternal punishment had no significant effect on IS. QR method found that paternal overinvolvement was associated with IS at the 0.48–0.65 quantiles, but paternal overprotection was associated with IS across the quantile; however, maternal overinvolvement and overprotection was positively correlated with IS at the 0.07–0.95 quantiles. The correlation between paternal rejection and IS was found at the 0.40–0.75 and > 0.90 quantiles; maternal rejection was associated with IS within the 0.05–0.92 quantiles.

Conclusions

Parental rearing practices predict different magnitudes of IS at varying levels. This study provides suggestions for parents to assess purposefully and systematically, intervene, and ameliorate adolescent IS problems. We also highlight the role of paternal rearing in children’s IS problems, providing new ideas for family education.
Neurapraxia in patients with trigeminal neuralgia but no identifiable neurovascular conflict during microvascular decompression: a retrospective analysis of 26 cases
Authors: Li Juan , Zhou Min , Wang Yuhai , Kwok Sze Chai , Yin Jia
Published: January 2022

Background

Microvascular decompression (MVD) is the first choice in patients with classic trigeminal neuralgia (TGN) that could not be sufficiently controlled by pharmacological treatment. However, neurovascular conflict (NVC) could not be identified during MVD in all patients. To describe the efficacy and safety of treatment with aneurysm clips in these situations.

Methods

A total of 205 patients underwent MVD for classic TGN at our center from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2019. In patients without identifiable NVC upon dissection of the entire trigeminal nerve root, neurapraxia was performed using a Yasargil temporary titanium aneurysm clip (force: 90 g) for 40 s (or a total of 60 s if the process must be suspended temporarily due to bradycardia or hypertension).

Results

A total of 26 patients (median age: 64 years; 15 women) underwent neurapraxia. Five out of the 26 patients received prior MVD but relapsed. Immediate complete pain relief was achieved in all 26 cases. Within a median follow-up of 3 years (range: 1.0–6.0), recurrence was noted in 3 cases (11.5%). Postoperative complications included hemifacial numbness, herpes labialis, masseter weakness; most were transient and dissipated within 3–6 months.

Conclusions

Neurapraxia using aneurysm clip is safe and effective in patients with classic TGN but no identifiable NVC during MVD. Whether this method could be developed into a standardizable method needs further investigation.
Changes in glycemic variability, gastric emptying and vascular endothelial function after switching from twice-daily to once-weekly exenatide in patients with type 2 diabetes: a subpopulation analysis of the twin-exenatide study
Authors: Inaishi Jun , Saisho Yoshifumi , Watanabe Yuusuke , Tsuchiya Tami , Sasaki Hironobu , Masaoka Tatsuhiro , Itoh Hiroshi
Published: January 2022

Background

We investigated the changes in blood glucose fluctuation, gastric emptying, and vascular endothelial function by switching from an exenatide twice-daily formulation (BID) to a once-weekly formulation (QW) since the evaluation of postprandial glucose excursion and glycemic variability (GV) by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) after switching was lacking.

Methods

Twenty-nine patients with type 2 diabetes treated with exenatide BID were included in this study and switched to exenatide QW for 24 weeks. GV assessed by CGM, gastric emptying (by 13 C-acetate breath test) and vascular endothelial function (by reactive hyperemia - peripheral arterial tonometry) were evaluated at baseline and 24 weeks after switching.

Results

HbA1c decreased significantly from the baseline to week 24, while postprandial glucose levels after breakfast and dinner significantly increased (both P <0.05). However, the increases in GV indices were modest and not statistically significant at week 24. Vascular endothelial function was also not significantly changed after switching (P >0.05). Gastric emptying was significantly accelerated at week 24 (Tmax 83.4 ± 12.1 min vs. 58.2 ± 16.4 min) (P <0.001) and correlated with increased postprandial glucose levels after breakfast and dinner (both P <0.05).

Conclusions

Despite the increase in postprandial glucose associated with accelerated gastric emptying after switching from exenatide BID to QW, change in GV was modest and no significant deterioration in vascular endothelial function was observed after switching. These results support the superiority of treatment with exenatide QW over exenatide BID in clinical practice; however, attention should be paid to the monitoring and management of postprandial glucose levels when selecting exenatide QW.

Trial registration

Clinical trial registry number; UMIN000016390 and jRCTs031180320.

Approval date of Registry and the Registration: December 12, 2014.
Dignity therapy intervention fidelity: a cross-sectional descriptive study with older adult outpatients with cancer
Authors: Schoppee Tasha M. , Scarton Lisa , Bluck Susan , Yao Yingwei , Keenan Gail , Samuels Virginia , Fitchett George , Handzo George , Chochinov Harvey M. , Emanuel Linda L. , Wilkie Diana J.
Published: January 2022

Objectives

Intervention fidelity is imperative to ensure confidence in study results and intervention replication in research and clinical settings. Like many brief protocol psychotherapies, Dignity Therapy lacks sufficient evidence of intervention fidelity. To overcome this gap, our study purpose was to examine intervention fidelity among therapists trained with a systematized training protocol.

Methods

For preliminary fidelity evaluation in a large multi-site stepped wedge randomized controlled trial, we analyzed 46 early transcripts of interviews from 10 therapists (7 female; 7 White, 3 Black). Each transcript was evaluated with the Revised Dignity Therapy Adherence Checklist for consistency with the Dignity Therapy protocol in terms of its Process (15 dichotomous items) and Core Principles (6 Likert-type items). A second rater independently coded 26% of the transcripts to assess interrater reliability.

Results

Each therapist conducted 2 to 10 interviews. For the 46 scored transcripts, the mean Process score was 12.4/15 (SD = 1.2), and the mean Core Principles score was 9.9/12 (SD = 1.8) with 70% of the transcripts at or above the 80% fidelity criterion. Interrater reliability (Cohen’s kappa and weighted kappa) for all Adherence Checklist items ranged between .75 and 1.0. For the Core Principles items, Cronbach’s alpha was .92.

Conclusions

Preliminary findings indicate that fidelity to Dignity Therapy delivery was acceptable for most transcripts and provide insights for improving consistency of intervention delivery. The systematized training protocol and ongoing monitoring with the fidelity audit tool will facilitate consistent intervention delivery and add to the literature about fidelity monitoring for brief protocol psychotherapeutic interventions.
Exposure to different types of mass media and timing of antenatal care initiation: insights from the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey
Authors: Sserwanja Quraish , Mutisya Linet M. , Musaba Milton W.
Published: January 2022

Background

Early initiation of antenatal care (ANC) within the first trimester is highly recommended in the current 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Mass media has the potential to promote early initiation of ANC because it has been used successfully in several programs. However, there is paucity of literature on the effect of exposure to different types of media on the timing of ANC initiation in Uganda. Our study aimed at exploring associations between exposure to different types of mass media and timing of ANC initiation among women in Uganda.

Methods

We used a cross sectional study design, to conduct a secondary analysis of data collected in the 2016 Uganda Demographic and Health Survey (UDHS). We included weighted data of all the 10,152 women of reproductive age (15–49 years). Multistage stratified sampling was used to select study participants. Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine the association between exposure to different types of mass media and early initiation of ANC.

Results

Almost a third of the women (2953/10,152, 29.1%, 95% CI 27.9–29.6) initiated their first ANC contact in the first trimester. Women who listened to radio at least once a week (adjusted OR (aOR 1.14, 95% CI 1.01–1.30) and those who watched television less than once a week (aOR 1.28, 95% CI 1.07–1.53) had higher odds of initiating ANC earlier compared to their counterparts not exposed to radio and television respectively.

Conclusion

Exposure to radio and television is associated with timing of ANC initiation in Uganda. Importantly, the two types of mass media have the potential to reach women with low levels of education and encourage them to utilize maternal health services. The Ugandan government needs to prioritize and intensify the use of radio and television to promote the benefits associated with timing of ANC initiation.
Disease risk analysis for schizophrenia patients by an automatic AHP framework
Authors: Tan Wenyan , Weng Heng , Lin Haicheng , Ou Aihua , He Zehui , Jia Fujun
Published: January 2022

Background

Based on more than 15 million follow-up records of 404,426 patients from Guangdong Mental Health Center over the past 10 years, this study aims to propose a disease risk analysis and prediction model to support chronic disease management and clinical research for schizophrenia patients.

Methods

Based on a mental health information and intelligent data processing platform, we design an automatic AHP framework called AutoAHP to analyze and predict the disease risks of schizophrenia patients. Through automatic extraction, transformation and integration of follow-up data in the real world such as demography, treatment, and the disease course, a chronic database of patient status is established. In combination with age-period-cohort, logistic regression and Cox models, we apply the AutoAHP to assess disease risk and implement risk prediction in practice.

Results

A list of essential factors for risk prediction are identified, including annual changes in mental health policy, public support, regional difference, patient gender, compliance, and social function. After the verification of 1,222,038 complete disease course and treatment records of 256,050 patients, the AutoAHP framework achieves a precision of 0.923, a recall of 0.924, and a F1 of 0.923. The model is demonstrated to be superior to general models and has better performance in risk prediction.

Conclusions

Aiming at the risk assessment of patients with schizophrenia which is influenced by factors, such as time, region and complication, the AutoAHP framework is able to be applied as a model in combination with logistic regression and Cox models to support clinical analysis of disease risk related factors and assist decision-making in chronic disease management.
Conventional health care service utilization among cancer survivors that visit traditional and complementary providers in the Tromsø study: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Nakandi Kiwumulo , Mora Dana , Stub Trine , Kristoffersen Agnete E.
Published: January 2022

Background

Traditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is commonly used among cancer patients worldwide. Cancer patients in Norway mainly visit T&CM providers in addition to conventional health care services. It is not known how their utilization of T&CM providers influences their use of conventional health care services. The aim of this study was to investigate the difference between the utilization of conventional health care services among cancer survivors that visit T&CM providers and those that do not, and their associated factors.

Method

Health care service utilization data were obtained from cancer survivors 40 years and above participating in the Tromsø Study: Tromsø 7 conducted in 2015–2016. Data were collected from self-administered questionnaires. Pearson chi-square tests, Fisher exact tests, t-test, and logistic regression were used, with the significance level considered at p < 0.05.

Results

Of 1553 individuals, 10% (n = 155) reported visiting T&CM providers in the past 12 months. As both cancer survivors visiting and not visiting T&CM providers were frequent users of conventional health care, no significant differences were found in the overall use of conventional health care (98.1vs.94.5%, p = .056). Users of T&CM providers were however more likely to visit physiotherapists (40.1% vs 25%, p < .001), emergency rooms (29.2% vs 16.5%, p < .001), chiropractors (17% vs 6%, p < .001), and psychologist/psychiatrist (8.9% vs 3.4%, p < .001). They also had more frequent visits to conventional health care (11.45 vs 8.31 yearly visits, p = 0.014), particularly to general practitioners (5.21 visits vs. 3.94 visits, p = .002).

Conclusion

Results from this study show that visits to T&CM providers are associated with more visits to conventional health care services among cancer survivors. Further studies are needed to investigate the reasons for this high use behavior.
Circulating inflammatory cytokines and risk of five cancers: a Mendelian randomization analysis
Authors: Bouras Emmanouil , Karhunen Ville , Gill Dipender , Huang Jian , Haycock Philip C. , Gunter Marc J. , Johansson Mattias , Brennan Paul , Key Tim , Lewis Sarah J. , Martin Richard M. , Murphy Neil , Platz Elizabeth A. , Travis Ruth , Yarmolinsky James , Zuber Verena , Martin Paul , Katsoulis Michail , Freisling Heinz , Nøst Therese Haugdahl , Schulze Matthias B. , Dossus Laure , Hung Rayjean J. , Amos Christopher I. , Ahola-Olli Ari , Palaniswamy Saranya , Männikkö Minna , Auvinen Juha , Herzig Karl-Heinz , Keinänen-Kiukaanniemi Sirkka , Lehtimäki Terho , Salomaa Veikko , Raitakari Olli , Salmi Marko , Jalkanen Sirpa ,   The PRACTICAL consortium, CRUK  ,   BPC3, CAPS  , PEGASUS  , Jarvelin Marjo-Riitta , Dehghan Abbas , Tsilidis Konstantinos K.
Published: January 2022

Background

Epidemiological and experimental evidence has linked chronic inflammation to cancer aetiology. It is unclear whether associations for specific inflammatory biomarkers are causal or due to bias. In order to examine whether altered genetically predicted concentration of circulating cytokines are associated with cancer development, we performed a two-sample Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis.

Methods

Up to 31,112 individuals of European descent were included in genome-wide association study (GWAS) meta-analyses of 47 circulating cytokines. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) robustly associated with the cytokines, located in or close to their coding gene (cis), were used as instrumental variables. Inverse-variance weighted MR was used as the primary analysis, and the MR assumptions were evaluated in sensitivity and colocalization analyses and a false discovery rate (FDR) correction for multiple comparisons was applied. Corresponding germline GWAS summary data for five cancer outcomes (breast, endometrial, lung, ovarian, and prostate), and their subtypes were selected from the largest cancer-specific GWASs available (cases ranging from 12,906 for endometrial to 133,384 for breast cancer).

Results

There was evidence of inverse associations of macrophage migration inhibitory factor with breast cancer (OR per SD = 0.88, 95% CI 0.83 to 0.94), interleukin-1 receptor antagonist with endometrial cancer (0.86, 0.80 to 0.93), interleukin-18 with lung cancer (0.87, 0.81 to 0.93), and beta-chemokine-RANTES with ovarian cancer (0.70, 0.57 to 0.85) and positive associations of monokine induced by gamma interferon with endometrial cancer (3.73, 1.86 to 7.47) and cutaneous T-cell attracting chemokine with lung cancer (1.51, 1.22 to 1.87). These associations were similar in sensitivity analyses and supported in colocalization analyses.

Conclusions

Our study adds to current knowledge on the role of specific inflammatory biomarker pathways in cancer aetiology. Further validation is needed to assess the potential of these cytokines as pharmacological or lifestyle targets for cancer prevention.
Mycoplasma agalactiae ST35: a new sequence type with a minimal accessory genome primarily affecting goats
Authors: Filioussis George , Bramis Georgios , Petridou Evanthia , Giadinis Nektarios D. , Nouvel Laurent-Xavier , Citti Christine , Frey Joachim
Published: January 2022

Background

Mycoplasma agalactiae, causing agent of contagious agalactia, infects domestic small ruminants such as sheep and goats but also wild Caprinae. M. agalactiae is highly contagious and transmitted through oral, respiratory, and mammary routes spreading rapidly in an infected herd.

Results

In an outbreak of contagious agalactia in a mixed herd of sheep and goats, 80% of the goats were affected displaying swollen udders and loss of milk production but no other symptom such as kerato-conjunctivitis, arthritis or pulmonary distress commonly associated to contagious agalactia. Surprisingly, none of the sheep grazing on a common pasture and belonging to the same farm as the goats were affected. Whole genome sequencing and analysis of M. agalactiae strain GrTh01 isolated from the outbreak, revealed a previously unknown sequence type, ST35, and a particularly small, genome size of 841′635 bp when compared to others available in public databases. Overall, GrTh01 displayed a reduced accessory genome, with repertoires of gene families encoding variable surface proteins involved in host-adhesion and variable antigenicity being scaled down. GrTh01 was also deprived of Integrative Conjugative Element or prophage, and had a single IS element, suggesting that GrTh01 has a limited capacity to adapt and evolve.

Conclusions

The lack of most of the variable antigens and the Integrative Conjugative Element, both major virulence- and host specificity factors of a M. agalactiae strain isolated from an outbreak affecting particularly goats, indicates the implication of these factors in host specificity. Whole genome sequencing and full assembly of bacterial pathogens provides a most valuable tool for epidemiological and virulence studies of M. agalactiae without experimental infections.
Technical note: subscapularis-sparing approach to perform anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty using a multiplanar humeral osteotomy and angled glenoid instruments
Authors: Desai Sohil S. , Nelson Ryan A. , Korbel Kayla C. , Levine William N. , Goldberg Steven S.
Published: January 2022

Background

Anatomic total shoulder arthroplasty is typically performed through the deltopectoral approach followed by either a subscapularis tenotomy, tendon peel, or lesser tuberosity osteotomy to provide adequate exposure. These subscapularis-takedown methods have been associated with incomplete subscapularis healing, however, and as a result often lead to functional deficits and complications. Subscapularis-sparing approaches have been introduced to mitigate these complications, but thus far have either been limited to hemiarthroplasty or resulted in residual inferior humeral head osteophytes and humeral component size mismatch. The present technique demonstrates the possibility for surgeons to capitalize on the improved patient outcomes that are afforded by subscapularis-sparing approaches, while still utilizing the deltopectoral interval to perform a total glenohumeral joint arthroplasty.

Methods

This article describes in detail the placement of a stemless anatomic TSA with the use of angled glenoid instruments through a subscapularis-sparing deltopectoral approach. Postoperatively, patients are placed in a sling but are instructed to remove as tolerated, as early as the 1st postoperative week. Physical therapy is started at week 1 with a 4-phase progression.

Conclusions

This technique using a TSA system with a polyaxial glenoid reamer and angled pegs on the backside of the glenoid allows the potential for maintenance of the strong postoperative radiographic and patient-reported outcomes that are achieved using traditional TSA approaches, with the advantage of accelerated rehabilitation protocols and decreased risk of subscapularis insufficiency that result from the use of subscapularis-sparing approaches.
Incidence and risk factors associated with preoperative deep venous thrombosis in the young and middle-aged patients after hip fracture
Authors: Ding Kai , Wang Haicheng , Jia Yuxuan , Zhao Yan , Yang Weijie , Chen Wei , Zhu Yanbin
Published: January 2022

Objective

This study aims to investigate the incidence, occurrence timing and locations of preoperative DVT and identify the associated factors in this group.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of collected data in young and middle-aged (18–59 years) patients who presented with hip fracture between October 2015 and December 2018 was conducted. Before operation, patients were routinely examined for DVT by Duplex ultrasonography (DUS). Electronic medical records were retrieved to collect the data, involving demographics, comorbidities, injury and laboratory biomarkers after admission. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors that were independently associated with DVT.

Results

Eight hundred and fifty-seven patients were included, and 51 (6.0%) were diagnosed with preoperative DVT, with 2.5% for proximal DVT. The average age of patients with DVT is 48.7 ± 9.4 year, while that of patients without DVT is 45.0 ± 10.9 year. The mean time from injury to diagnosis of DVT was 6.8 ± 5.5 days, 43.1% cases occurring at day 2–4 after injury. Among 51 patients with DVT, 97 thrombi were found. Most patients had thrombi at injured extremity (72.5%), 19.6% at uninjured and 7.8% at bilateral extremities. There are significantly difference between patients with DVT and patients without DVT in term of prevalence of total protein (41.2% vs 24.4%, P = 0.008), albumin (54.9% vs 25.6%, P = 0.001), low lactate dehydrogenase (51.0% vs 30.3%, P = 0.002), lower serum sodium concentration (60.8% vs 29.9%, P = 0.001), lower RBC count (68.6% vs 37.0%, P = 0.001), lower HGB (51.0% vs 35.1%, P = 0.022), higher HCT (86.3% vs 35.1%, P = 0.022) and higher platelet count (37.3% vs 11.3%, P = 0.001). The multivariate analyses showed increasing age in year (OR 1.04, 95% CI; P = 0.020), delay to DUS (OR, 1.26; P = 0.001), abnormal LDH (OR, 1.45; P = 0.026), lower serum sodium concentration (OR, 2.56; P = 0.007), and higher HCT level (OR, 4.11; P = 0.003) were independently associated with DVT.

Conclusion

These findings could be beneficial in informed preventive of DVT and optimized management of hip fracture in specific group of young and mid-aged patients.
MiR-423-5p prevents MALAT1-mediated proliferation and metastasis in prostate cancer
Authors: Ferri Carmela , Di Biase Anna , Bocchetti Marco , Zappavigna Silvia , Wagner Sarah , Le Vu Pauline , Luce Amalia , Cossu Alessia Maria , Vadakekolathu Jayakumar , Miles Amanda , Boocock David J. , Robinson Alex , Schwerdtfeger Melanie , Tirino Virginia , Papaccio Federica , Caraglia Michele , Regad Tarik , Desiderio Vincenzo
Published: January 2022

Background

The long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), MALAT1, plays a key role in the development of different cancers, and its expression is associated with worse prognosis in patients. However, its mechanism of action and its regulation are not well known in prostate cancer (PCa). A general mechanism of action of lncRNAs is their interaction with other epigenetic regulators including microRNAs (miRNAs).

Methods

Using lentiviral stable miRNA transfection together with cell biology functional assays and gene expression/target analysis, we investigated the interaction between MALAT1 and miR-423-5p, defined as a target with in silico prediction analysis, in PCa.

Results

Through bioinformatic analysis of data available from TCGA, we have found that MALAT1 expression correlates with high Gleason grade, metastasis occurrence, and reduced survival in PCa patients. These findings were validated on a TMA of PCa showing a significant correlation between MALAT1 expression with both stage and grading. We report that, in PCa cells, MALAT1 expression and activity is regulated by miR-423-5p that binds MALAT1, downregulates its expression and inhibits its activity in promoting proliferation, migration, and invasion. Using NanoString analysis, we unraveled downstream cell pathways that were affected by miR-423-5p expression and MALAT1 downregulation and identified several alterations in genes that are involved in metastatic response and angiogenic pathways. In addition, we showed that the overexpression of miR-423-5p increases survival and decreases metastases formation in a xenograft mouse model.

Conclusions

We provide evidence on the role of MALAT1 in PCa tumorigenesis and progression. Also, we identify a direct interaction between miR-423-5p and MALAT1, which results in the suppression of MALAT1 action in PCa.
Contribution of 3D genome topological domains to genetic risk of cancers: a genome-wide computational study
Authors: Jablonski Kim Philipp , Carron Leopold , Mozziconacci Julien , Forné Thierry , Hütt Marc-Thorsten , Lesne Annick
Published: January 2022

Background

Genome-wide association studies have identified statistical associations between various diseases, including cancers, and a large number of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). However, they provide no direct explanation of the mechanisms underlying the association. Based on the recent discovery that changes in three-dimensional genome organization may have functional consequences on gene regulation favoring diseases, we investigated systematically the genome-wide distribution of disease-associated SNPs with respect to a specific feature of 3D genome organization: topologically associating domains (TADs) and their borders.

Results

For each of 449 diseases, we tested whether the associated SNPs are present in TAD borders more often than observed by chance, where chance (i.e., the null model in statistical terms) corresponds to the same number of pointwise loci drawn at random either in the entire genome, or in the entire set of disease-associated SNPs listed in the GWAS catalog. Our analysis shows that a fraction of diseases displays such a preferential localization of their risk loci. Moreover, cancers are relatively more frequent among these diseases, and this predominance is generally enhanced when considering only intergenic SNPs. The structure of SNP-based diseasome networks confirms that localization of risk loci in TAD borders differs between cancers and non-cancer diseases. Furthermore, different TAD border enrichments are observed in embryonic stem cells and differentiated cells, consistent with changes in topological domains along embryogenesis and delineating their contribution to disease risk.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that, for certain diseases, part of the genetic risk lies in a local genetic variation affecting the genome partitioning in topologically insulated domains. Investigating this possible contribution to genetic risk is particularly relevant in cancers. This study thus opens a way of interpreting genome-wide association studies, by distinguishing two types of disease-associated SNPs: one with an effect on an individual gene, the other acting in interplay with 3D genome organization.
Effects of snow manipulation on larch trees in the taiga forest ecosystem in northeastern Siberia
Authors: Shakhmatov Ruslan , Hashiguchi Shuhei , Maximov Trofim C. , Sugimoto Atsuko
Published: January 2022

Changes in winter precipitation (snow) may greatly affect vegetation by altering hydrological and biochemical processes. To understand the effects of changing snow cover depth and melt timing on the taiga forest ecosystem, a snow manipulation experiment was conducted in December 2015 at the Spasskaya Pad experimental larch forest in Eastern Siberia, which is characterized by a continental dry climate with extreme cold winters and hot summers. Variables including soil temperature and moisture, oxygen and hydrogen isotope ratios of soil moisture and stem water, foliar nitrogen and carbon contents and their isotopes, phenology, and soil inorganic nitrogen were observed at snow removal (SNOW−), snow addition (SNOW+), and CONTROL plots. After snow manipulation, the soil temperature at the SNOW− plot decreased significantly compared to the CONTROL and SNOW+ plots. At SNOW− plot, snowmelt was earlier and soil temperature was higher than at other plots during spring because of low soil moisture caused by less snowmelt water. Despite the earlier snowmelt and higher soil temperature in the SNOW− plot in the early growing season, needle elongation was delayed. Leaf chemistry also differed between the CONTROL and SNOW− plots. The needle nitrogen content in the SNOW− plot was lower in the middle of July, whereas no difference was observed among the three plots in August. The soil inorganic nitrogen content of each plot corresponded to these results. The amount of soil ammonium was lower in the SNOW− plot than in the other plots at the end of July, however, once production started in August, the amount of soil ammonium in the three plots was comparable. Extremely low soil temperatures in winter and freeze–thaw cycles in spring and dry soil condition in spring and early summer at the SNOW− plot may have influenced the phenology and production of soil inorganic nitrogen.
Physiotherapists perceived role in managing anxiety in patients with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Lucas Lauren , Parker Jack
Published: January 2022

Background

Anxiety is common for people with Multiple Sclerosis (PwMS) and is higher in those with relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) and in community-based samples. Anxiety can impact self-efficacy, pain, fatigue, engagement in physical activity and treatment adherence, all of which influence the rehabilitation process. Little is known about how physiotherapists manage anxiety in PwMS and the challenges associated with anxiety throughout the rehabilitation process, in community and outpatient settings.

Methods

A mixed-methods design, combining a cross-sectional survey and semi-structured interviews with UK-physiotherapists, was used to answer the research question. To inform the qualitative study, a cross-sectional survey collected data from physiotherapists working in neurology to understand the impact and management of anxiety in people with MS (PwMS) during rehabilitation. Analysis used descriptive statistics and the findings formed the interview guide. Semi-structured interviews with specialist physiotherapists explored barriers and facilitators to managing anxiety in PwMS in community and outpatient settings, identified perceived physiotherapy training needs and offered suggestions to develop physiotherapy research and practice. Themes were derived inductively.

Results

The survey suggested how PwMS present with anxiety, its impact during rehabilitation, physiotherapy management practices, and physiotherapist skills and training needs. Five semi-structured interviews with specialist physiotherapists expanded on the survey findings and identified five main themes: Understanding the MS journey, modifying assessment and treatment, anxiety management toolbox, lagging behind Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, and gaining knowledge and skills.

Conclusion

Physiotherapists encounter anxiety in PwMS in community and outpatient rehabilitation and perceive they have a role in managing it as it presents. Facilitators included communication, listening skills and opportunities to develop strong therapeutic relationships. Poor training and support, lack of clinical guidelines and limited research evidence were considered barriers. Clinically relevant learning opportunities, interprofessional working, and greater support through clinical supervision is recommended to better develop physiotherapy practice.
Insights into transmission dynamics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex in Nepal
Authors: Shah Yogendra , Paudel Sarad , Pandey Kishor , Gupta Govind Prasad , Solo Eddie Samuneti , Joshi Jagadish , Pant Dhan Kumar , Pandey Basu Dev
Published: January 2022

Tuberculosis (TB) is an infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) in humans and animals. Numbers of multi drug resistance TB (MDR-TB), extrapulmonary TB (EPTB) and zoonotic TB cases are increasingly being reported every year in Nepal posing a major public health problem. Therefore, the Government of Nepal should act immediately to strengthen the screening facilities across the country to be able to identify and treat the TB infected patients as well as detect zoonotic TB in animal species. Endorsement of One Health Act by the Government of Nepal is an opportunity to initiate the joint programs for TB surveillance among human and animal species using one health approach to reduce the TB burden in Nepal.
Toward a Realism of the World-System: John Lanchester’sCapitaland the Global City
Authors: Lanigan Liam
Published: January 2022

This essay explores how John Lanchester’s Capital adapts classical realism to represent the contemporary global city; it pays particular attention to how London’s position in the world-system disrupts Lukácsian totality. Because the novel attends to the complexity and extensiveness of the world-system, it depicts the city not as a representative totality but as embedded in the global circuits of capital, shaped by the influences of inward migration and global finance. In this the novel has affinities with many fictions of the global periphery, for instance portraying the city as at once socially fragmented and structurally connected. Furthermore, the novel departs from classical realism in its closure; though the 2008 financial crisis is omitted from the novel, it overshadows the entire plot, and its absence emphasizes the lack of finality in the story of this phase of capitalism itself. In demonstrating the temporal and spatial unknowability of contemporary capital, Lanchester’s novel both affirms the capacity of realism to trace deep systemic connections and reveals the fragility of its construction of a social totality, positing a realism attendant to its own perspectival limits within the world-system.
Photochemical Synthesis of Benzylisoquinoline Alkaloids Using Tetra-coordinate Benzylboron Reagents: Application to Berberine Type Alkaloids
Authors: Makiura Takumi , Nishigaichi Yutaka
Published: January 2022

Photochemical and selective synthesis of 1-benzyl-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines was achieved from isoquinolines, methyl chloroformate and electron-rich benzyltrifluoro-borates in the presence of pyridine that inhibited subsequent formation of possible cyclized pavine type products. The benzyl adducts were successfully transformed into berberine type skeletons by the cyclization at the carbamate moiety.
In Situ Carbon-coated Ni0.85Se@C Composite with High Performance for Sodium-ion Batteries
Authors: Gao Mingyue , Chen Yongming , Wang Jing , Yang Ru , Guo Xingmei , Cao Fu , Sun Shasha , Zhang Junhao , Kong Qinghong
Published: January 2022

Ni(benzimidazole)(2-methylimidazole) with two-dimensional structure is used as a self-template to synthesize carbon-coated Ni0.85Se (Ni0.85Se@C) composites. Ni0.85Se@C composites display a thin nanosheet structure (∼20 nm) with macropores (∼200 nm), which can effectively reduce the volume change. The carbon network can improve the electrical conductivity of the electrode material. When evaluated as anode material for sodium ion batteries (SIBs), Ni0.85Se@C composites deliver an excellent reversible capacity of 405 mA h g−1 at 200 mA g−1 after 100 cycles and a good rate performance with a capacity of 200 mA h g−1 at 3.0 A g−1.
Pre-Clinical Study: Immunohistochemical evaluation of matrix metalloproteinase-13 on rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) socket healing after application of platelet-rich fibrin with and without hydroxyapatite
Authors: Damayanti Meta Maulida , Rachmawati Meike
Published: January 2022

Background: Tissue engineering technology has been used globally and proven to accelerate wound healing. This study aimed to analyse the effect of adding hydroxyapatite (HA) as a scaffold to platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) as a growth factor in accelerating the wound healing process as seen from the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-13 (MMP-13).

Methods: This research is an animal experiment conducted on 18 rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus). Rabbits were randomly divided into the following three groups of treatment: (G1) the application of PRF group, (G2) the application of PRF+HA group and (C) the control group without any application. Furthermore, each treatment group was split randomly into three groups of observation time. Periodontal tissue biopsy was performed to analyse the histopathological features that were examined on the basis of the level of MMP-13 immunoexpression.

Results: MMP-13 immunoexpression in the PRF+HA group showed better histoscore results, indicating a substantial reduction in MMP-13 values compared with other groups. The healing process was shown to increase with increasing observation time (p<0.05), and the PRF+HA group outperformed the PRF and control groups. On day 3, MMP-13 exhibited a dark brown colour of Immunohistochemistry (IHC), which indicated an increase in the expression value of MMP-13 in the early stages of healing, namely, inflammation. On day 14, light brown IHC was seen, especially in group 2, as a reference that the remodeling process had begun.

Conclusions: This study indicates that the application of HA can accelerate the socket healing process by decreasing the level of immunoexpression of MMP-13. HA is an alloplastic material that has inherent bioactive properties that support osteoconduction, which functions as a scaffold in the form of a fibrin matrix that can bind MMPs so that it can accelerate the wound healing process.
Dataset: Knowledge and attitude retention following an implicit bias classroom workshop
Authors: Zhou Yuanyuan , Purkiss Joel , Juneja Malvika , Greely Jocelyn , Beasley Anitra , Gill Anne
Published: January 2022

Background: Baylor College of Medicine provides a classroom-based implicit bias workshop to all third-year medical students to increase students’ awareness of their unconscious bias and develop strategies for reducing health care disparities. The workshop meets our immediate goals and objectives. However, we are unsure if the benefit would be long-term or diminish over time.

Methods: To examine the concept retention from the implicit bias classroom workshop, we administered a self-developed seven-item seven-point Likert-scale survey to our medical students at pre-, post-, and one-year post-workshop attendance.

Results: The data set was comprised of survey results from two cohorts of our third and fourth-year medical students from 2018 to 2020 and included 289 completed records at three measurement points. The data included: Student Identifiers, Sex, Race/Ethnicity, Student Enrollment Type, Cohort, and three repeated measures results for each of the seven items, which were documented in wide format. The data may be of interest to those who wish to examine how factors including elapsed time, race, and sex may associate with attitudes and understandings of implicit bias following related training, and those interested in analytical methods on longitudinal research in general.
Bacterial and fungal co-infections among ICU COVID-19 hospitalized patients in a Palestinian hospital: a retrospective cross-sectional study
Authors: Naseef Hani A. , Mohammad Ula , Al-Shami Nimeh , Sahoury Yousef , Abukhalil Abdallah D. , Dreidi Mutaz , Alsahouri Ibrahim , Farraj Mohammad
Published: January 2022

Background: Diagnosis of co-infections with multiple pathogens among hospitalized coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients can be jointly challenging and essential for appropriate treatment, shortening hospital stays and preventing antimicrobial resistance. This study proposes to investigate the burden of bacterial and fungal co-infections outcomes on COVID-19 patients. It is a single center cross-sectional study of hospitalized COVID-19 patients at Beit-Jala hospital in Palestine.

Methods: The study included 321 hospitalized patients admitted to the ICU between June 2020 and March 2021 aged ≥20 years, with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 via reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction assay conducted on a nasopharyngeal swab. The patient's information was gathered using graded data forms from electronic medical reports.

Results: The diagnosis of bacterial and fungal infection was proved through the patient’s clinical presentation and positive blood or sputum culture results. All cases had received empirical antimicrobial therapy before the intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and different regimens during the ICU stay. The rate of bacterial co-infection was 51.1%, mainly from gram-negative isolates (Enterobacter species and K.pneumoniae). The rate of fungal co-infection caused by A.fumigatus was 48.9%, and the mortality rate was 8.1%. However, it is unclear if it had been attributed to SARS-CoV-2 or coincidental.

Conclusions: Bacterial and fungal co-infection is common among COVID-19 patients at the ICU in Palestine, but it is not obvious if these cases are attributed to SARS-CoV-2 or coincidental, because little data is available to compare it with the rates of secondary infection in local ICU departments before the pandemic. Comprehensively, those conclusions present data supporting a conservative antibiotic administration for severely unwell COVID-19 infected patients. Our examination regarding the impacts of employing antifungals to manage COVID-19 patients can work as a successful reference for future COVID-19 therapy.