bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intimate partner violence among young women in Ibadan, Nigeria: are there slum and non-slum differences?
Authors: Okedare Omowumi O. , Fawole Olufunmilayo I.
Published: May 2023

This study determined the past-year prevalence of physical, sexual and psychological intimate partner violence (IPV) and associated factors among young women in urban slums and non-slums of Ibadan, Nigeria.

A cross-sectional study, using a multistage cluster sampling method was used to select 1050 ever-partnered young women aged between 18 and 24 years from the five Local Government Areas (LGAs) in Ibadan municipal. All localities were classified into slums and non-slums using the UN-Habitat 2003 criterion. Independent variables were respondents' and partners’ characteristics. Dependent variables were physical, sexual and psychological IPV. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model (α0.05).

Prevalence of physical (31.4%, 13.4%), sexual (37.1%, 18.3%), and psychological IPV (58.6%, 31.5%) were significantly higher in the slum than non-slum communities. Multivariate analysis showed that secondary education (aOR:0.45, 95%CI: 0.21 – 0.92) reduced IPV experience while being unmarried (aOR:2.83, 95%CI: 1.28 – 6.26), partner’s alcohol use (aOR:1.97, 95%CI: 1.22 – 3.18), and partner’s relationship with other women (aOR:1.79, 95%CI: 1.10 -2.91) increased IPV experience in slum communities. In non-slum communities, having children (aOR:2.99, 95%CI: 1.05–8.51), non-consensual sexual debut (aOR: 1.88, 95%CI: 1.07–3.31) and witness of abuse in childhood (aOR:1.82: 95%CI: 1.01 – 3.28) increased experience of IPV. Acceptance of IPV and partner’s witness of abuse in childhood increased experience of IPV in both settings.

This study confirms that IPV is common among young women in Ibadan, Nigeria, but higher among women in slum communities. Findings also showed different factors associated with IPV in slum and non-slum communities. Therefore, targeted interventions for each urban stratum are recommended.
Evaluating the effectiveness of a new student-centred laboratory training strategy in clinical biochemistry teaching
Authors: Xu Guoying , Zhao Chuanxiang , Yan Mengdan , Zhang Xiaoxian , Zhu Ling , Liu Jiaxiu , Zhao Yaping , Zhang Yuling , Cai Weili , Xie Hongxiang , Jiang Yuzhang , Shao Qixiang
Published: May 2023

Background

The error-proneness in the preanalytical and postanalytical stages is higher than that in the analytical stage of the total testing process. However, preanalytical and postanalytical quality management has not received enough attention in medical laboratory education and tests in clinical biochemistry courses.

Methods/approach

Clinical biochemistry teaching program aim to improve students’ awareness and ability of quality management according to international organization for standardization 15,189 requirements. We designed a student-centred laboratory training program, according to case-based learning that included 4 stages: “establish an overall testing process based on the patient’s clinical indicator, clarify principles, improve operational skills, and review process and continuous improvement”. The program was implemented in our college during the winter semesters of 2019 and 2020. A total of 185 undergraduate students majoring in medical laboratory science participated in the program as a test group, and the other 172 students were set up as the control group and adopted the conventional method. The participants were asked to finish an online survey to evaluate the class at the end.

Results/outcomes

The test group had significantly better examination scores not only in experimental operational skills (89.27 ± 7.16 vs. 77.51 ± 4.72,p < 0.05 in 2019 grade, 90.31 ± 5.35 vs. 72.87 ± 8.41 in 2020 grade) but also in total examination (83.47 ± 6.16 vs. 68.90 ± 5.86 in 2019 grade, 82.42 ± 5.72 vs. 69.55 ± 7.54 in 2020 grade) than the control group. The results of the questionnaire survey revealed that the students in the test group better achieved classroom goals than those in the control group (allp < 0.05).

Conclusions

The new student-centred laboratory training program based on case-based learning in clinical biochemistry is an effective and acceptable strategy compared with the conventional training program.
Compliance with national snakebite treatment guidelines in rural Sri Lankan hospitals: a cluster randomized controlled trial of a brief educational intervention
Authors: Shahmy Seyed , Kularatne Senanayake A. M. , Gawarammana Indika B. , Rathnayake Shantha S. , Dawson Andrew H.
Published: May 2023

Background

Snakebite is a global health problem that predominantly occurs in rural areas. In Sri Lanka, the majority of snakebite patients first present to smaller rural primary hospitals. Improving care delivered at rural hospitals has the potential to reduce morbidity and mortality from snakebites.

Objective

In this study, we evaluated whether an educational intervention would increase compliance with national snakebite treatment guidelines in primary hospitals.

Methods

The hospitals were randomized into educational intervention (n = 24) and control groups (n = 20). The intervention hospitals received a brief educational intervention based on Sri Lankan Medical Association (SLMA) guidelines on the management of snakebites. Control hospitals had free access to the guidelines but no additional promotion. Four outcomes were assessed: pre- and post-test knowledge at the completion of a one-day workshop of educational intervention (intervention group only); improvement in the quality of the patient’s medical records; appropriateness of transfers to higher hospitals; and quality of overall management graded by a blinded expert. The data was collected over a period of 12 months.

Results

All case notes of snakebite hospital admissions were reviewed. There were 1021 cases in the intervention group hospitals and 1165 cases in the control hospitals. Four hospitals in the intervention group and three hospitals in the control group did not have snakebite admissions and were excluded from the cluster analysis. The absolute quality of care was high in both groups. Post-test knowledge was improved (p < 0.0001) following the intervention group’s educational workshop. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of clinical data documentation in hospital notes (scores, p = 0.58) or transfer appropriateness (p = 0.68)—both of which were significantly different from the guidelines.

Conclusion

Education of primary hospital staff improved the immediate knowledge gained but did not improve record-keeping or the appropriateness of inter-hospital patient transfer.

Trial registration

The study was registered with Sri Lanka Medical Associations’ clinical trial registry. Reg. No SLCTR-2013–023. Registered: 30/07/2013.
Comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of the expression and prognostic significance of TSC22D domain family genes in adult acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Xu XiaoQiang , Sun Rui , Li YuanZhang , Wang JiaXi , Zhang Meng , Xiong Xia , Xie DanNi , Jin Xin , Zhao MingFeng
Published: May 2023

Background

TSC22D domain family genes, including TSC22D1-4, play a principal role in cancer progression. However, their expression profiles and prognostic significance in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML) remain unknown.

Methods

The online databases, including HPA, CCLE, EMBL-EBI, GEPIA2, BloodSpot, GENT2, UCSCXenaShiny, GSCALite, cBioportal, and GenomicScape, utilized the data of TCGA and GEO to investigate gene expression, mutation, copy number variation (CNV), and prognostic significance of the TSC22D domain family in adult AML. Computational analysis of resistance (CARE) was used to explore the effect of TSC22D3 expression on drug response. Functional enrichment analysis of TSC22D3 was performed in the TRRUST Version 2 database. The STRING, Pathway Commons, and AnimalTFDB3.0 databases were used to investigate the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network of TSC22D3. Harmonizome was used to predict target genes and kinases regulated by TSC22D3. The StarBase v2.0 and CancermiRNome databases were used to predict miRNAs regulated by TSC22D3. UCSCXenaShiny was used to investigate the correlation between TSC22D3 expression and immune infiltration.

Results

Compared with normal adult hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), the expression of TSC22D3 and TSC22D4 in adult AML tissues was markedly up-regulated, whereas TSC22D1 expression was markedly down-regulated. The expression of TSC22D1 and TSC22D3 was significantly increased in adult AML tissues compared to normal adult tissues. High TSC22D3 expression was significantly associated with poor overall survival (OS) and event-free survival (EFS) in adult AML patients. Univariate and multivariate Cox analysis showed that overexpression of TSC22D3 was independently associated with adverse OS of adult AML patients. High TSC22D3 expression had a adverse impact on OS and EFS of adult AML patients in the chemotherapy group. TSC22D3 expression correlated with drug resistance to BCL2 inhibitors. Functional enrichment analysis indicated that TSC22D3 might promote AML progression. MIR143-3p sponging TSC22D3 might have anti-leukemia effect in adult AML.

Conclusions

A significant increase in TSC22D3 expression was observed in adult AML tissues compared to normal adult HSCs and tissues. The prognosis of adult AML patients with high TSC22D3 expression was unfavorable, which could severe as a new prognostic biomarker and potential target for adult AML.
The inhibitory receptors PD1, Tim3, and A2aR are highly expressed during mesoCAR T cell manufacturing in advanced human epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Akbari Behnia , Soltantoyeh Tahereh , Shahosseini Zahra , Yarandi Fariba , Hadjati Jamshid , Mirzaei Hamid Reza
Published: May 2023

Background

Chemotherapy and surgery have been the mainstays of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) treatment so far. Cellular immunotherapies such as CAR T cell therapy have recently given hope of a cure for solid tumors like EOC. However, extrinsic factors associated with the CAR T cell manufacturing process and/or intrinsic dysregulation of patient-derived T cells, which could be associated with cancer itself, cancer stage, and treatment regimen, may hamper the efficacy of CAR T cell therapy and promote their exhaustion or dysfunction.

Methods

To investigate the association of these factors with CAR T cell exhaustion, the frequency of T and CAR T cells expressing three immune inhibitory receptors (i.e., TIM3, PD1, A2aR) generated from T cells of EOC patients and healthy controls was measured during each stage of CAR T cell production.

Results

Our findings revealed that primary T cells from EOC patients show significantly elevated expression of immune inhibitory receptors, and this increase was more prominent in patients undergoing chemotherapy and those with advanced cancer. In addition, the CAR T cell manufacturing process itself was found to upregulate the expression of these inhibitory receptors and more importantly increase the population of exhausted mesoCAR T cells.

Conclusions

Our observations suggest that intrinsic characteristics of patient-derived T cells and extrinsic factors in CAR T cell production protocols should be considered and properly counteracted during CAR T cell manufacturing process. In addition, mitigating the signaling of immune inhibitory receptors through pharmacological/genetic perturbation during CAR T cell manufacturing might profoundly improve CAR T cells function and their antitumor activity in EOC and other solid tumors.
A novel incision technique of a totally implanted venous access port in the upper arm for patients with breast cancer
Authors: Song Xue , Chen Shengying , Dai Yan , Sun Yang , Lin Xiaojie , He Jiafa , Xu Rui
Published: May 2023

Background

A totally implanted venous access port (TIVAP) in the upper arm is a safe and cost-effective vascular access device and is widely used in breast cancer patients. Traditional tunnelling technique increases the operation time and has an unsatisfied cosmetic effect, so we explored the feasibility, cosmetic effect and complications of an upper arm port with a novel incision in this retrospective study.

Methods

We reviewed 489 cases of totally implantable venous access port implantation in the upper arm with two types of incisions in our centre from 1 January 2018 to 30 January 2022. The patients were divided into two different incision groups including the puncture site incision group (n = 282) and the conventional tunnelling group (n = 207). The comparison of the results was collected between the two groups, and contributing factors were analyzed for major complications.

Results

A total of 489 patients were successfully implanted with arm ports using the puncture site incision technique (n = 282, 57.7%) and conventional tunnelling technique (n = 207, 42.3%). The average operation time of the two types of incisions was 36.5 ± 15 min in the puncture site incision group and 55 ± 18.1 min in the tunnel needle group (P < 0.05). In terms of complications, 33 catheter-related complications occurred (6.4%), including 9 cases of infection, 15 cases of catheter-related thrombosis and 7 cases of skin exposure. Fourteen patients in the puncture site incision group developed complications compared with 17 in the traditional incision group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in terms of overall complication events (5.0% and 8.2%, P = 0.145) while the same result was found in each complication event. Weight, total cholesterol and diabetes were found to be associated with device-related infections in the univariate Cox proportional hazard regression models. Diabetes was found to be associated with device-related infections in multivariate analysis while hypertension was associated with thrombosis.

Conclusions

The puncture site incision method is a novel technique with a better cosmetic appearance and less operation time than the traditional tunnelling technique, providing a comparable overall rate of complications. It offers a preferable choice for clinicians when dealing with different situations of patients. It is worthy of being used and promoted for patients requiring the totally implanted venous access port in the upper arm.
Cerebellar connectome alterations and associated genetic signatures in multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Yang Yuping , Li Junle , Li Ting , Li Zhen , Zhuo Zhizheng , Han Xuemei , Duan Yunyun , Cao Guanmei , Zheng Fenglian , Tian Decai , Wang Xinli , Zhang Xinghu , Li Kuncheng , Zhou Fuqing , Huang Muhua , Li Yuxin , Li Haiqing , Li Yongmei , Zeng Chun , Zhang Ningnannan , Sun Jie , Yu Chunshui , Shi Fudong , Asgher Umer , Muhlert Nils , Liu Yaou , Wang Jinhui
Published: May 2023

Background

The cerebellum plays key roles in the pathology of multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD), but the way in which these conditions affect how the cerebellum communicates with the rest of the brain (its connectome) and associated genetic correlates remains largely unknown.

Methods

Combining multimodal MRI data from 208 MS patients, 200 NMOSD patients and 228 healthy controls and brain-wide transcriptional data, this study characterized convergent and divergent alterations in within-cerebellar and cerebello-cerebral morphological and functional connectivity in MS and NMOSD, and further explored the association between the connectivity alterations and gene expression profiles.

Results

Despite numerous common alterations in the two conditions, diagnosis-specific increases in cerebellar morphological connectivity were found in MS within the cerebellar secondary motor module, and in NMOSD between cerebellar primary motor module and cerebral motor- and sensory-related areas. Both diseases also exhibited decreased functional connectivity between cerebellar motor modules and cerebral association cortices with MS-specific decreases within cerebellar secondary motor module and NMOSD-specific decreases between cerebellar motor modules and cerebral limbic and default-mode regions. Transcriptional data explained > 37.5% variance of the cerebellar functional alterations in MS with the most correlated genes enriched in signaling and ion transport-related processes and preferentially located in excitatory and inhibitory neurons. For NMOSD, similar results were found but with the most correlated genes also preferentially located in astrocytes and microglia. Finally, we showed that cerebellar connectivity can help distinguish the three groups from each other with morphological connectivity as predominant features for differentiating the patients from controls while functional connectivity for discriminating the two diseases.

Conclusions

We demonstrate convergent and divergent cerebellar connectome alterations and associated transcriptomic signatures between MS and NMOSD, providing insight into shared and unique neurobiological mechanisms underlying these two diseases.
Suicide gene therapy using allogeneic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cell gene delivery vehicles in recurrent glioblastoma multiforme: a first-in-human, dose-escalation, phase I clinical trial
Authors: Oraee-Yazdani Saeed , Tavanaei Roozbeh , Rostami Fatemeh , Hajarizadeh Atieh , Mehrabadi Marzieh , Akhlaghpasand Mohammadhosein , Tamaddon Mona , Khannejad Samin , Yazdani Kaveh Oraii , Zali Alireza
Published: May 2023

Background

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is associated with remarkably poor prognosis, and its treatment is challenging. This investigation aimed to evaluate the safety of suicide gene therapy using allogeneic adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) carrying herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-TK) gene for the first time in patients with recurrent GBM.

Methods

This study was a first-in-human, open-label, single-arm, phase I clinical trial with a classic 3 + 3 dose escalation design. Patients who did not undergo surgery for their recurrence were included and received this gene therapy protocol. Patients received the intratumoral stereotactic injection of ADSCs according to the assigned dose followed by prodrug administration for 14 days. The first dosing cohort (n = 3) received 2.5 × 105 ADSCs; the second dosing cohort (n = 3) received 5 × 105 ADSCs; the third dosing cohort (n = 6) received 10 × 105 ADSCs. The primary outcome measure was the safety profile of the intervention.

Results

A total of 12 patients with recurrent GBM were recruited. The median follow-up was 16 (IQR, 14-18.5) months. This gene therapy protocol was safe and well tolerated. During the study period, eleven (91.7%) patients showed tumor progression, and nine (75.0%) died. The median overall survival (OS) was 16.0 months (95% CI 14.3–17.7) and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 11.0 months (95% CI 8.3–13.7). A total of 8 and 4 patients showed partial response and stable disease, respectively. Moreover, significant changes were observed in volumetric analysis, peripheral blood cell counts, and cytokine profile.

Conclusions

The present clinical trial, for the first time, showed that suicide gene therapy using allogeneic ADSCs carrying the HSV-TK gene is safe in patients with recurrent GBM. Future phase II/III clinical trials with multiple arms are warranted to validate our findings and further investigate the efficacy of this protocol compared with standard therapy alone.

Trial registration: Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT), IRCT20200502047277N2. Registered 8 October 2020, https://www.irct.ir/.
Stressor control and regional inflammatory responses in the brain: regulation by the basolateral amygdala
Authors: Adkins Austin M. , Colby Emily M. , Kim Woong-Ki , Wellman Laurie L. , Sanford Larry D.
Published: May 2023

Increasing evidence has connected the development of certain neuropsychiatric disorders, as well as neurodegenerative diseases, to stress-induced dysregulation of the immune system. We have shown that escapable (ES) and inescapable (IS) footshock stress, and memories associated with ES or IS, can differentially alter inflammatory-related gene expression in brain in a region dependent manner. We have also demonstrated that the basolateral amygdala (BLA) regulates stress- and fear memory-induced alterations in sleep, and that differential sleep and immune responses in the brain to ES and IS appear to be integrated during fear conditioning and then reproduced by fear memory recall. In this study, we investigated the role of BLA in influencing regional inflammatory responses within the hippocampus (HPC) and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) by optogenetically stimulating or inhibiting BLA in male C57BL/6 mice during footshock stress in our yoked shuttlebox paradigm based on ES and IS. Then, mice were immediately euthanized and RNA extracted from brain regions of interest and loaded into NanoString® Mouse Neuroinflammation Panels for compilation of gene expression profiles. Results showed differential regional effects in gene expression and activated pathways involved in inflammatory-related signaling following ES and IS, and these differences were altered depending on amygdalar excitation or inhibition. These findings demonstrate that the stress-induced immune response, or “parainflammation”, is affected by stressor controllability and that BLA influences regional parainflammation to ES or IS in HPC and mPFC. The study illustrates how stress-induced parainflammation can be regulated at the neurocircuit level and suggests that this approach can be useful for uncovering circuit and immune interactions in mediating differential stress outcomes.
“Evaluation of ROS1 expression and rearrangements in a large cohort of early-stage lung cancer”
Authors: Dyrbekk Anne Pernille Harlem , Warsame Abdirashid Ali , Suhrke Pål , Ludahl Marianne Odnakk , Moe Joakim Oliu , Eide Inger Johanne Zwicky , Lund-Iversen Marius , Brustugun Odd Terje
Published: May 2023

Background

ROS1 fusion is an infrequent, but attractive target for therapy in patients with metastatic non- small-cell lung cancer. In studies on mainly late-stage disease, the prevalence of ROS1 fusions is about 1–3%. In early-stage lung cancer ROS1 might also provide a fruitful target for neoadjuvant or adjuvant therapy. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of ROS1 fusion in a Norwegian cohort of early-stage lung cancer. We also explored whether positive ROS1 immunohistochemical (IHC) stain was associated with certain mutations, clinical characteristics and outcomes.

Methods

The study was performed using biobank material from 921 lung cancer patients including 542 patients with adenocarcinoma surgically resected during 2006–2018. Initially, we screened the samples with two different IHC clones (D4D6 and SP384) targeting ROS1. All samples that showed more than weak or focal staining, as well as a subgroup of negative samples, were analyzed with ROS1 fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) with a comprehensive NGS DNA and RNA panel. Positive ROS1-fusion was defined as those samples positive in at least two of the three methods (IHC, FISH, NGS).

Results

Fifty cases were IHC positive. Of these, three samples were both NGS and FISH-positive and considered positive for ROS1 fusion. Two more samples were FISH positive only, and whilst IHC and NGS were negative. These were also negative with Reverse Transcription quantitative real time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). The prevalence of ROS1 fusion in adenocarcinomas was 0.6%. All cases with ROS1 fusion had TP53 mutations. IHC-positivity was associated with adenocarcinoma. Among SP384-IHC positive cases we also found an association with never smoking status. There was no association between positive IHC and overall survival, time to relapse, age, stage, sex or pack-year of smoking.

Conclusions

ROS1 seems to be less frequent in early-stage disease than in advanced stages. IHC is a sensitive, but less specific method and the results need to be confirmed with another method like FISH or NGS.
The impact of variable illumination on vegetation indices and evaluation of illumination correction methods on chlorophyll content estimation using UAV imagery
Authors: Wang Yuxiang , Yang Zengling , Kootstra Gert , Khan Haris Ahmad
Published: May 2023

Background

The advancements in unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology have recently emerged as an effective, cost-efficient, and versatile solution for monitoring crop growth with high spatial and temporal precision. This monitoring is usually achieved through the computation of vegetation indices (VIs) from agricultural lands. The VIs are based on the incoming radiance to the camera, which is affected when there is a change in the scene illumination. Such a change will cause a change in the VIs and subsequent measures, e.g., the VI-based chlorophyll-content estimation. In an ideal situation, the results from VIs should be free from the impact of scene illumination and should reflect the true state of the crop’s condition. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of various VIs computed on images taken under sunny, overcast and partially cloudy days. To improve the invariance to the scene illumination, we furthermore evaluated the use of the empirical line method (ELM), which calibrates the drone images using reference panels, and the multi-scale Retinex algorithm, which performs an online calibration based on color constancy. For the assessment, we used the VIs to predict leaf chlorophyll content, which we then compared to field measurements.

Results

The results show that the ELM worked well when the imaging conditions during the flight were stable but its performance degraded under variable illumination on a partially cloudy day. For leaf chlorophyll content estimation, The$$r^2$$r2of the multivariant linear model built by VIs were 0.6 and 0.56 for sunny and overcast illumination conditions, respectively. The performance of the ELM-corrected model maintained stability and increased repeatability compared to non-corrected data. The Retinex algorithm effectively dealt with the variable illumination, outperforming the other methods in the estimation of chlorophyll content. The$$r^2$$r2of the multivariable linear model based on illumination-corrected consistent VIs was 0.61 under the variable illumination condition.

Conclusions

Our work indicated the significance of illumination correction in improving the performance of VIs and VI-based estimation of chlorophyll content, particularly in the presence of fluctuating illumination conditions.
Iodine-supported implants in prevention and treatment of surgical site infections for compromised hosts: a prospective study
Authors: Shirai Toshiharu , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki , Terauchi Ryu , Tsuchida Shinji , Shimomura Seiji , Kajino Yoshitomo , Takahashi Kenji
Published: May 2023

Background

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a common complication following orthopedic implantation. We developed an iodine coating for titanium implants to reduce implant-related infections and conducted a prospective clinical study to evaluate the efficacy and potential drawbacks of iodine-supported implants.

Patients and methods

Between July 2008 and July 2017, 653 patients (377 male and 27 female patients; mean age, 48.6) with postoperative infection or a compromised status were treated using iodine-loaded titanium implants. The mean follow-up period was 41.7 months. In 477 patients, iodine-supported implants were used to prevent infection and in 176 patients, to treat active infection (one-stage surgery, 89 patients; two-stage surgery, 87 patients). In the limbs and pelvis, the primary diagnoses included the following: 161 tumors, 92 deformities/shortening, 47 pseudarthrosis, 42 fractures, 32 infected TKA, 25 osteoarthritis, 21 pyogenic arthritis, 20 infected THA, and 6 osteomyelitis. In the spinal cases, there were 136 cases of tumors, 36 cases of pyogenic spondylitis, and 35 cases of degeneration. Five modes of implant failure were identified and classified as follows: soft tissue failure (type 1), aseptic loosening (type 2), structural failure (type 3), infection (type 4), and tumor progression (type 5).

Results

The overall failure rate in our series was 26.3% (172/653). There were 101 mechanical failures, including 22 type 1, 20 type 2, and 59 type 3 failures. Non-mechanical causes accounted for 71 failures, including 45 type 4 and 26 type 5 failures. The overall incidence of infections was 6.8%. The mean time to the onset of infection after implantation was 9.1 months. The overall infection rate was 3.7% in the prevention cases and 15.3% in the treatment cases. There was no difference between one-stage replacement (14.6%) and two-stage replacement (16.0%). There were 11 cases of treatment for SSI of spine surgery, and the re-infection rate was 0% using iodine-coated instruments.

Conclusions

The five modes of failure of the iodine-supported implant were satisfactory compared with previous reports. In particular, because the infection rate of iodine-coated implants used for compromised hosts is low compared with other methods, postoperative infection is more easily controlled. It can be considered highly effective for spinal infections that require one-stage revision surgery.

Level of evidence IV.

Trial registration Prospective, Observation study.
Comparison of minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion and endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion for lumbar degenerative diseases: a retrospective observational study
Authors: Chen Hao , Zheng Goudi , Bian Zhenyu , Hou Changju , Li Maoqiang , Zhang Zhen , Zhu Liulong , Wang Xuepeng
Published: May 2023

Background

Minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) and endoscopic lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-LIF) are both minimally invasive interbody fusion procedures for lumbar degenerative diseases. In this study, we attempted to compare the clinical efficacy and postoperative outcomes of MIS-TLIF and Endo-LIF for lumbar degenerative diseases.

Methods

The study cohort comprised 99 patients with lumbar degenerative diseases treated by MIS-TLIF or Endo-LIF from January 2019 to July 2021. The clinical outcomes (visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI), and MacNab criteria) preoperatively, 1 month postoperatively, 3 months postoperatively, and 1 year postoperatively were compared between the two groups.

Results

There were no significant differences between the two groups in sex, age, disease duration, affected spine segment, and complications (P > 0.05). The operation time was significantly longer in the Endo-LIF group than the MIS-TLIF group (155.25 ± 12.57 vs. 123.14 ± 14.50 min; P < 0.05). However, the Endo-LIF group had a significantly smaller blood loss volume (61.79 ± 10.09 vs. 259.97 ± 14.63 ml) and shorter hospital stay (5.46 ± 1.11 vs. 7.06 ± 1.42 days) than the MIS-TLIF group. In both groups, the ODI and VAS scores for lower back pain and leg pain were significantly lower at each postoperative timepoint than preoperatively (P < 0.05). Although there were no significant differences between the two groups in the ODI and VAS scores for lower back pain and leg pain (P > 0.05), the VAS for lower back pain was lower in the Endo-LIF group than the MIS-TLIF group at each postoperative timepoint. The MacNab criteria showed that the improvement rate was 92.2% in the MIS-TLIF group and 91.7% in the Endo-LIF group, with no significant difference between the two groups (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

There were no significant differences in short-term surgical outcomes between the MIS-TLIF and Endo-LIF groups. Compared with the MIS-TLIF group, the Endo-LIF group incurred less damage to surrounding tissues, experienced less intraoperative blood loss, and had less lower back pain, which is more conducive to recovery.
Evaluation of an information booklet for adolescents on depression: evidence from a randomized controlled study
Authors: Primbs Regine , Feldmann Lisa , Iglhaut Lucia , Allgaier Antje-Kathrin , Schulte-Körne Gerd , Greimel Ellen
Published: May 2023

Background

Adolescents with depression often show barriers to seek treatment offers due to various reasons, including limited knowledge about the manifestation of the disorder, its treatment options, or fear of stigmatization. Psychoeducational approaches might reduce these barriers by increasing depression literacy. The aim of the present randomized controlled study was to evaluate whether an innovative and age-appropriate evidence-based information booklet about youth depression increases depression-specific knowledge in adolescents with depression and is also appealing to the target group.

Methods

50 adolescents with a history of depression (current/remitted) aged 12–18 years participated in the study including a pre-, post- and follow-up assessment. Participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups. The experimental group received a target group-specific information booklet about youth depression including seven subdomains. The active control group received an information booklet about asthma in youth that was highly comparable to the depression booklet in terms of format and length. Before and after reading, and at a four-week follow-up, we assessed knowledge about youth depression based on a questionnaire. Furthermore, participants evaluated the acceptability of the information booklets.

Results

Unlike the active control group, the experimental group showed a significant increase in depression-specific knowledge from pre to post and from pre to follow-up across all subdomains. This increase was evident in four subdomains (“symptoms”, “treatment”, “antidepressants”, and “causes”). The overall reception of the information booklet about depression was positive and participants stated that they would recommend the information booklet about depression to their peers.

Conclusion

This is the first randomized controlled study to demonstrate that an information booklet about youth depression effectively imparts depression-specific knowledge to participants with a history of depression and shows high acceptance. Information booklets that are appealing and increase depression-specific knowledge might be a promising low-threshold and cost-effective approach to reduce barriers to treatment and raise awareness.
Improved bioenergy value of residual rice straw by increased lipid levels from upregulation of fatty acid biosynthesis
Authors: Jin Yunkai , Hu Jia , Su Jun , Aslan Selcuk , Lin Yan , Jin Lu , Isaksson Simon , Liu Chunlin , Wang Feng , Schnürer Anna , Sitbon Folke , Hofvander Per , Sun Chuanxin
Published: May 2023

Background

Rice (Oryza sativa) straw is a common waste product that represents a considerable amount of bound energy. This energy can be used for biogas production, but the rate and level of methane produced from rice straw is still low. To investigate the potential for an increased biogas production from rice straw, we have here utilized WRINKLED1 (WRI1), a plant AP2/ERF transcription factor, to increase triacylglycerol (TAG) biosynthesis in rice plants. Two forms of Arabidopsis thaliana WRI1 were evaluated by transient expression and stable transformation of rice plants, and transgenic plants were analyzed both for TAG levels and biogas production from straw.

Results

Both full-length AtWRI1, and a truncated form lacking the initial 141 amino acids (including the N-terminal AP2 domain), increased fatty acid and TAG levels in vegetative and reproductive tissues of Indica rice. The stimulatory effect of the truncated AtWRI1 was significantly lower than that of the full-length protein, suggesting a role for the deleted AP2 domain in WRI1 activity. Full-length AtWRI1 increased TAG levels also in Japonica rice, indicating a conserved effect of WRI1 in rice lipid biosynthesis. The bio-methane production from rice straw was 20% higher in transformants than in the wild type. Moreover, a higher producing rate and final yield of methane was obtained for rice straw compared with rice husks, suggesting positive links between methane production and a high amount of fatty acids.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that heterologous WRI1 expression in transgenic plants can be used to improve the metabolic potential for bioenergy purposes, in particular methane production.
Association of hemoglobin levels with radiographic progression in patients with rheumatoid arthritis: an analysis from the BRASS registry
Authors: Shadick Nancy , Hagino Owen , Praestgaard Amy , Fiore Stefano , Weinblatt Michael , Burmester Gerd
Published: May 2023

Background

To evaluate baseline hemoglobin (Hb) and radiographic progression over time in patients enrolled in the Brigham and Women’s Rheumatoid Arthritis Sequential Study (BRASS) registry.

Methods

The BRASS is a prospective observational registry of patients with rheumatoid arthritis. BRASS Hb data and total sharp score data were matched with the main BRASS patients. Hb at baseline was categorized per the World Health Organization guidelines. Mean Hb, mean total sharp score, and mean changes over time from baseline to month 120 were summarized (overall, by low/normal Hb, and by current medication at baseline). All analyses were descriptive.

Results

Out of the total (N = 1114) rheumatoid arthritis patients included in the analysis, patients with low Hb at baseline (n = 224 [20%]) had longer disease duration and higher disease activity and reported more pain compared with patients with normal Hb at baseline (n = 890 [80%]). Patients with low Hb at baseline continued to have lower Hb than patients with normal Hb throughout 10 years; although, on average, patients in the low Hb subgroup exhibited a steady increase in Hb levels. A larger increase in total sharp score over time was observed for patients with low Hb than for patients with normal Hb. No meaningful differences potentially attributable to medication at baseline were detected.

Conclusions

Patients with low Hb levels at baseline tended to have increased radiographic progression as measured by total sharp score compared with patients with rheumatoid arthritis having normal Hb levels. Patients with low Hb experienced sustained improvements in Hb levels over time, regardless of the class of medication used.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01793103.
A prognosis prediction chromatin regulator signature for patients with severe asthma
Authors: Gao Yaning , Chen Liang , Li Jian , Wen Zhengjun
Published: May 2023

Severe asthma imposes a physical and economic burden on both patients and society. As chromatin regulators (CRs) influence the progression of multiple diseases through epigenetic mechanisms, we aimed to study the role of CRs in patients with severe asthma. Transcriptome data (GSE143303) from 47 patients with severe asthma and 13 healthy participants was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Enrichment analysis was performed to investigate the functions of differentially expressed CRs between the groups. We identified 80 differentially expressed CRs; they were mainly enriched in histone modification, chromatin organization, and lysine degradation. A protein–protein interaction network was then constructed. The analyzed immune scores were different between sick and healthy individuals. Thus, CRs with a high correlation in the immune analysis, SMARCC1, SETD2, KMT2B, and CHD8, were used to construct a nomogram model. Finally, using online prediction tools, we determined that lanatoside C, cefepime, and methapyrilene may be potentially effective drugs in the treatment of severe asthma. The nomogram constructed using the four CRs, SMARCC1, SETD2, KMT2B, and CHD8, may be a useful tool for predicting the prognosis of patients with severe asthma. This study provided new insights into the role of CRs in severe asthma.
Point-of-care detection of Neisseria gonorrhoeae based on RPA-CRISPR/Cas12a
Authors: Tu Qianrong , Cao Xiaoying , Ling Chao , Xiang Lili , Yang Ping , Huang Shifeng
Published: May 2023

Gonorrhea, caused by Neisseria gonorrhoeae (N. gonorrhoeae), is a persistent global public health threat. The development of low-cost, point-of-care testing is crucial for gonorrhea control, especially in regions with limited medical facilities. In this study, we integrated CRISPR/Cas12a reaction with recombinase polymerase amplification (RPA) to provide a simple and adaptable molecular detection method for N. gonorrhoeae. The RPA-Cas12a-based detection system developed in this study enables rapid detection of N. gonorrhoeae within 1 h without the use of specialized equipment. This method is highly specific for identifying N. gonorrhoeae without cross-reactivity with other prevalent pathogens. Furthermore, in the evaluation of 24 clinical samples, the detection system demonstrates a 100% concordance rate with traditional culture, which is being used clinically as a reference method. Overall, the RPA-Cas12a-based N. gonorrhoeae detection has the advantages of rapidity, portability, low-cost, no special equipment required, and strong operability, and has a high potential for application as a self-testing and point-of-care diagnosis, which is critical for the clinical management of gonorrhea in developing countries lacking medical equipment.

Graphical Abstract
A phase I study comparing the biosimilarity of the pharmacokinetics and safety of recombinant humanized anti-vascular endothelial growth factor monoclonal antibody injection with Avastin® in healthy Chinese male subjects
Authors: Li Hongtao , Zhao Xiangdi , Xie Jing , Zhu Xingyu , Su Yue , He Cuixia , Ding Jiaxiang , Zhu Minhui , Xu Yuanyuan , Wang Ying , Shan Rongfang , Liu Bingyan , Ding Yuzhou , Liu Yuanyuan , Zhou Huan , Xie Yunqiu
Published: May 2023

Background

The biosimilar landscape for malignancies continues to grow, with several biosimilars for reference product bevacizumab currently available. Bevacizumab has been shown to be well tolerated; however, the safety of recombinant humanized anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) monoclonal antibody injection remains unclear. This study aimed to compare the pharmacokinetics (PK), safety, and immunogenicity of recombinant humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody injection to that of Avastin® in healthy Chinese male volunteers.

Methods

A randomized, double-blind, single-dose, and parallel-group study was performed on 88 healthy men who randomly (1:1) received either the test drug as an intravenous infusion of 3 mg/kg or Avastin®. The primary PK parameter was area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUC) from time zero to last quantifiable concentration (AUC0–t). Secondary endpoints included maximum observed serum concentration (Cmax), AUC from 0 extrapolated to infinity (AUCinf), safety, and immunogenicity. Serum bevacizumab concentrations were measured using a validated enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

Results

The baseline characteristics were similar among the two groups. The 90% confidence interval (CI) for the geometric mean ratio of AUC0–t, Cmax and AUCinf between the test group and reference group were 91.71%–103.18%, 95.72%–107.49% and 91.03%–103.43%, respectively. These values were within the predefined bioequivalence margin of 80.00%–125.00%, demonstrating the biosimilarity of the test drug and Avastin®. Eighty-one treatment-emergent adverse events were reported, with a comparable incidence among the test group (90.91%) and the reference group (93.18%). No serious adverse events were reported. The incidence of ADA antibodies in the two groups was low and similar.

Conclusion

In healthy Chinese men, PK similarity of recombinant humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody injection to Avastin® was confirmed, with comparable safety and immunogenicity. Subsequent studies should investigate recombinant humanized anti-VEGF monoclonal antibody injection in patients setting.

Trial registration

Registered 08/10/2019, CTR20191923.
Transcriptome profiles reveal gene regulation of ginger flowering induced by photoperiod and light quality
Authors: Deng Qinyu , Zhang Yangtao , Liu Kang , Zheng Guo , Gao Longyan , Li Zhexin , Huang Mengjun , Jiang Yusong
Published: May 2023

Background

Under natural conditions, ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) rarely blossom and has seed, which limits new variety breeding of ginger and industry development. In this study, the effects of different photoperiods and light quality on flowering induction in ginger were performed, followed by gene expression analysis of flower buds differentiation under induced treatment using RNA-seq technology.

Results

First, both red light and long light condition (18 h light/6 h dark) could effectively induce differentiation of flower buds in ginger. Second, a total of 3395 differentially expressed genes were identified from several different comparisons, among which nine genes, including CDF1, COP1, GHD7, RAV2-like, CO, FT, SOC1, AP1 and LFY, were identified to be associated with flowering in induced flower buds and natural leaf buds. Aside from four down-regulated genes (CDF1, COP1, GHD7 and RAV2-like), other five genes were all up-regulated expression. These differentially expressed genes were mainly classified into 2604 GO categories, which were further enriched into 120 KEGG metabolic pathways. Third, expression change of flowering-related genes in ginger indicated that the induction may negatively regulated expression of CDF1, COP1, GHD7 and RAV2-like, and subsequently positively regulated expression of CO, FT, SOC1, LFY and AP1, which finally led to ginger flowering. In addition, the RNA-seq results were verified by qRT-PCR analysis of 18 randomly selected genes, which further demonstrated the reliability of transcriptome analysis.

Conclusion

This study revealed the ginger flowering mechanism induced by light treatment and provided abundant gene information, which contribute to the development of hybrid breeding of ginger.
Ursodeoxycholic acid induces sarcopenia associated with decreased protein synthesis and autophagic flux
Authors: Orozco-Aguilar Josué , Tacchi Franco , Aguirre Francisco , Valero-Breton Mayalen , Castro-Sepulveda Mauricio , Simon Felipe , Cabello-Verrugio Claudio
Published: May 2023

Background

Skeletal muscle generates force and movements and maintains posture. Under pathological conditions, muscle fibers suffer an imbalance in protein synthesis/degradation. This event causes muscle mass loss and decreased strength and muscle function, a syndrome known as sarcopenia. Recently, our laboratory described secondary sarcopenia in a chronic cholestatic liver disease (CCLD) mouse model. Interestingly, the administration of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), a hydrophilic bile acid, is an effective therapy for cholestatic hepatic alterations. However, the effect of UDCA on skeletal muscle mass and functionality has never been evaluated, nor the possible involved mechanisms.

Methods

We assessed the ability of UDCA to generate sarcopenia in C57BL6 mice and develop a sarcopenic-like phenotype in C2C12 myotubes and isolated muscle fibers. In mice, we measured muscle strength by a grip strength test, muscle mass by bioimpedance and mass for specific muscles, and physical function by a treadmill test. We also detected the fiber’s diameter and content of sarcomeric proteins. In C2C12 myotubes and/or isolated muscle fibers, we determined the diameter and troponin I level to validate the cellular effect. Moreover, to evaluate possible mechanisms, we detected puromycin incorporation, p70S6K, and 4EBP1 to evaluate protein synthesis and ULK1, LC3 I, and II protein levels to determine autophagic flux. The mitophagosome-like structures were detected by transmission electron microscopy.

Results

UDCA induced sarcopenia in healthy mice, evidenced by decreased strength, muscle mass, and physical function, with a decline in the fiber’s diameter and the troponin I protein levels. In the C2C12 myotubes, we observed that UDCA caused a reduction in the diameter and content of MHC, troponin I, puromycin incorporation, and phosphorylated forms of p70S6K and 4EBP1. Further, we detected increased levels of phosphorylated ULK1, the LC3II/LC3I ratio, and the number of mitophagosome-like structures. These data suggest that UDCA induces a sarcopenic-like phenotype with decreased protein synthesis and autophagic flux.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that UDCA induces sarcopenia in mice and sarcopenic-like features in C2C12 myotubes and/or isolated muscle fibers concomitantly with decreased protein synthesis and alterations in autophagic flux.