bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rif1 regulates telomere length through conserved HEAT repeats
Authors: Shubin Calla B , Mayangsari Rini , Swett Ariel D , Greider Carol W
Published: March 2021

In budding yeast, Rif1 negatively regulates telomere length, but the mechanism of this regulation has remained elusive. Previous work identified several functional domains of Rif1, but none of these has been shown to mediate telomere length. To define Rif1 domains responsible for telomere regulation, we localized truncations of Rif1 to a single specific telomere and measured telomere length of that telomere compared to bulk telomeres. We found that a domain in the N-terminus containing HEAT repeats, Rif1177–996, was sufficient for length regulation when tethered to the telomere. Charged residues in this region were previously proposed to mediate DNA binding. We found that mutation of these residues disrupted telomere length regulation even when Rif1 was tethered to the telomere. Mutation of other conserved residues in this region, which were not predicted to interact with DNA, also disrupted telomere length maintenance, while mutation of conserved residues distal to this region did not. Our data suggest that conserved amino acids in the region from 436 to 577 play a functional role in telomere length regulation, which is separate from their proposed DNA binding function. We propose that the Rif1 HEAT repeats region represents a protein-protein binding interface that mediates telomere length regulation.
Second-Language Reading
Authors: Bernhardt Elizabeth B.
Published: March 2021

The field of second-language reading holds important connections to both reading and literacy scholarship focused on first language and to the field of second language acquisition. Each must be considered in researching second-language reading because reading in a second language is both a language process and a literacy process. Second-language reading distinguishes itself from bilingual reading in that it focuses on readers who are already literate in a first language while bilingual often refers to a simultaneous acquisition. As a language process, second-language reading interfaces with languages that realize themselves in an array of alphabets as well as character systems that may or may not be identical or even like a first language. The phonology attached to each of these systems is also critical and whether a second-language reader needs a relatively accurate sound system to reach automaticity in word recognition and syntactic processing is paramount. A section of the field concerns itself with these differences in processing, reminding researchers of micro-level, text-based features that must be acknowledged in understanding the second-language reading process. As a literacy process, second-language reading involves how a reader uses knowledge from first-language literacy to understand and interpret second language. The nature of conventions such as size and type of print as well as how texts are physically configured with directional devices such as subheadings are cultural practices that can be misinterpreted and misused. Literacy processes also include understandings of how readers develop interpretations of what they read. Often referred to as strategic processes, these processes, such as suspending interpretation until the later stages of a passage or a belief in understanding every word in a passage or a willingness to skip certain words, are learned processes from first-language literacy. The key research questions about strategies is whether there are strategies unique to reading in a second language and how readers do or do not impose these strategies on the second-language processes. Another level of literacy processing centers on world knowledge. Indeed, world knowledge is often acquired through reading, but also through non-print modalities. The second-language reader carries this knowledge into the second-language text and includes it in the interpretive arsenal achieving successful and unsuccessful results. The most important feature of recognizing language, literacy, and knowledge processes in second-language reading is that they do not function independently of one another or in a sequential fashion. They operate simultaneously during reading, interacting with and buttressing each other. Known as interactive, compensatory processing, a central question is whether and how second-language readers learn or can be taught to use these processes; how these can be measured as part of the comprehension process; and how proficiency in comprehension evolves over time.
The 2020 Rourke Baby Record release: A time for reflection and looking forward
Authors: Rowan-Legg Anne , Bayoumi Imaan , Kwok Bruce , Leduc Denis , Rourke Leslie L , Rourke James , Li Patricia
Published: March 2021

The Rourke Baby Record (RBR) is a health supervision guide for providing care and anticipatory guidance to children aged 0 to 5 years in Canada. First developed in 1979, it has been revised regularly to ensure that it remains current and evidence-informed. The RBR has a longstanding relationship with the Canadian Paediatric Society (CPS), and relies on this organization for its expertise to inform the RBR guide’s content. The 2020 edition of the RBR includes many recommendations based on evidence provided in current CPS position statements. The RBR Working Group is planning to develop app-based resources and an adapted RBR for clinical care provision in this challenging pandemic time to ensure that Canadian infants and children continue to receive high-quality care.
Isolating an active and inactive CACTA transposon from lettuce color mutants and characterizing their family
Authors: Gurdon Csanad , Kozik Alexander , Tao Rong , Poulev Alexander , Armas Isabel , Michelmore Richard W , Raskin Ilya
Published: March 2021

Dietary flavonoids play an important role in human nutrition and health. Flavonoid biosynthesis genes have recently been identified in lettuce (Lactuca sativa); however, few mutants have been characterized. We now report the causative mutations in Green Super Lettuce (GSL), a natural light green mutant derived from red cultivar NAR; and GSL-Dark Green (GSL-DG), an olive-green natural derivative of GSL. GSL harbors CACTA 1 (LsC1), a 3.9-kb active nonautonomous CACTA superfamily transposon inserted in the 5′ untranslated region of anthocyanidin synthase (ANS), a gene coding for a key enzyme in anthocyanin biosynthesis. Both terminal inverted repeats (TIRs) of this transposon were intact, enabling somatic excision of the mobile element, which led to the restoration of ANS expression and the accumulation of red anthocyanins in sectors on otherwise green leaves. GSL-DG harbors CACTA 2 (LsC2), a 1.1-kb truncated copy of LsC1 that lacks one of the TIRs, rendering the transposon inactive. RNA-sequencing and reverse transcription quantitative PCR of NAR, GSL, and GSL-DG indicated the relative expression level of ANS was strongly influenced by the transposon insertions. Analysis of flavonoid content indicated leaf cyanidin levels correlated positively with ANS expression. Bioinformatic analysis of the cv Salinas lettuce reference genome led to the discovery and characterization of an LsC1 transposon family with a putative transposon copy number greater than 1,700. Homologs of tnpA and tnpD, the genes encoding two proteins necessary for activation of transposition of CACTA elements, were also identified in the lettuce genome.
Associations of Coexisting Pain and Fatigue Severity with Physical Performance and Quality of Life Among Middle-Aged and Older Individuals with Chronic Knee Pain: Secondary Analysis of a Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Chen Yen Tzu , Murphy Susan Lynn
Published: March 2021

Objective

To examine associations of combined pain and fatigue severity with physical performance and quality of life in people with chronic knee pain.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

General community.

Participants

Adults (N = 193) ≥50 years of age with chronic knee pain.

Methods

Physical performance measures included the Six-Minute Walk test, Timed Up and Go test, and 20-foot timed walk test. Quality of life (QOL) was measured by the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-12 Health Survey. The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) were used to evaluate pain and fatigue. Multiple linear regression analyses were conducted to examine associations of coexisting pain and fatigue severity with physical performance and QOL.

Results

Participants were categorized by BPI and BFI scores into four severity groups: mild pain / mild fatigue; moderate pain / mild fatigue; mild pain / moderate fatigue; and moderate pain / moderate fatigue (which included severe pain / severe fatigue). The moderate pain / moderate fatigue group had significantly worse physical performance on the Six-Minute Walk (standardized beta [β] = −0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI] −0.38 to −0.06, P < 0.05) and poorer physical (β = −0.41, 95% CI −0.61 to −0.20, P < 0.001) and mental QOL (β = −0.26, 95% CI −0.46 to −0.07, P < 0.05) than the mild pain / mild fatigue group. Moreover, the mild pain / moderate fatigue group had significantly lower levels of mental QOL (β = −0.27, 95% CI −0.44 to −0.10, P < 0.05) than those of the mild pain / mild fatigue group. The moderate pain / mild fatigue group did not differ statistically from the mild pain / mild fatigue group.

Conclusions

Coexisting moderate pain and moderate fatigue were related to worse physical performance and QOL. Fatigue contributed to lower levels of mental QOL. Clinical assessment of fatigue in addition to pain should be included as a standard examination for chronic knee pain.
TEXT4myBACK: A Text Message Intervention to Improve Function in People With Low Back Pain—Protocol of a Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Fritsch Carolina G , Ferreira Paulo H , Prior Joanna L , Clavisi Ornella , Chow Clara K , Redfern Julie , Thiagalingam Aravinda , Lung Thomas , McLachlan Andrew J , Ferreira Manuela Loureiro
Published: March 2021

Objective

The authors sought to describe the protocol of a randomized controlled trial that will investigate the effects of the TEXT4myBACK self-management text message intervention compared with control in people with low back pain (LBP).

Methods

A single-blind (assessor and statistician), randomized controlled trial with economic analysis and process evaluation will be conducted. A total of 304 people with non-specific LBP of less than 12 weeks will be enrolled and randomly allocated either to TEXT4myBACK intervention or control groups. The TEXT4myBACK intervention group will receive 4 semi-personalized text messages per week providing advice, motivation, and information about LBP, physical activity, sleep, mood, use of care, and medication during 12 weeks. The control group will receive 1 text message with a link to a LBP and diet online information package. Outcomes will be assessed at baseline and 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome will be function assessed with the Patient-Specific Functional Scale. Secondary outcomes will include pain intensity, physical activity participation, sedentary behavior, global impression of change, health-related quality of life, and eHealth literacy. Data on demographic characteristics, smallest worthwhile change (ie, smallest function scored needed to be achieved at the end of the intervention to consider it to be worthwhile), health care utilization, and adverse events (ie, any new health issue that occurs during participation in the study) will be collected. An economic and process evaluation will also be conducted.

Impact

This study will assess if a self-management text message intervention is effective and cost-effective in improving function of people with LBP. This study can inform clinical practice of a simple, scalable, and affordable intervention for managing LBP.
Suicide and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic in Japan
Authors: Ueda Michiko , Nordström Robert , Matsubayashi Tetsuya
Published: March 2021

Background

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is an unprecedented public health crisis, but its effect on suicide deaths is little understood.

Methods

We analyzed data from monthly suicide statistics between January 2017 and October 2020 and from online surveys on mental health filled out by the general population in Japan.

Results

Compared to the 2017–19 period, the number of suicide deaths during the initial phase of the pandemic was lower than average but exceeded the past trend from July 2020. Female suicides, whose numbers increased by approximately 70% in October 2020 (incidence rate ratio: 1.695, 95% confidence interval: 1.558–1.843), were the main source of this increase. The largest increase was found among young women (less than 40 years of age). Our survey data indicated that the status of young women’s mental health has been deteriorating in recent months and that young female workers were more likely to have experienced a job or income loss than any other group, suggesting adverse economic conditions surrounding them.

Conclusions

Continuous monitoring of mental health, particularly that of the most vulnerable populations identified in this study, and appropriate suicide prevention efforts are necessary during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Implications of Interrelated Assumptions on Estimates of Divergence Times and Rates of Diversification
Authors: Carruthers Tom , Scotland Robert W
Published: March 2021

Phylogenies are increasingly being used as a basis to provide insight into macroevolutionary history. Here, we use simulation experiments and empirical analyses to evaluate methods that use phylogenies as a basis to make estimates of divergence times and rates of diversification. This is the first study to present a comprehensive assessment of the key variables that underpin analyses in this field—including substitution rates, speciation rates, and extinction, plus character sampling and taxon sampling. We show that in unrealistically simplistic cases (where substitution rates and speciation rates are constant, and where there is no extinction), increased character and taxon sampling lead to more accurate and precise parameter estimates. By contrast, in more complex but realistic cases (where substitution rates, speciation rates, and extinction rates vary), gains in accuracy and precision from increased character and taxon sampling are far more limited. The lack of accuracy and precision even occurs when using methods that are designed to account for more complex cases, such as relaxed clocks, fossil calibrations, and models that allow speciation rates and extinction rates to vary. The problem also persists when analyzing genomic scale data sets. These results suggest two interrelated problems that occur when the processes that generated the data are more complex. First, methodological assumptions are more likely to be violated. Second, limitations in the information content of the data become more important.[Divergence time estimation; diversification rates; macroevolution; phylogeny.]
Community-Acquired Neonatal SARS-CoV-2 Infection Associated with Neurological Symptoms in Colombia
Authors: Alvarado-Socarras Jorge L , Theurel-Martin Delia , Cruz-Hernandez Monica , Rodriguez-Morales Alfonso J
Published: March 2021

Introduction

The SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 may produce neurological manifestations, including its occurrence in children, and newborns, which has been little reported so far in newborns with COVID-19.

Case

We present a case in Colombia, of community-acquired neonatal infection of SARS-CoV-2, with suggestive symptoms, such as fever, and showing neurological findings, such as drowsiness, poor suction and mild hypotonia for a short time.

Discussion

The clinical manifestations of SARS-COV-2 in neonates are beginning to be described in detail. We report a case of SARS-COV-2-associated neurological compromise in a newborn, with features of drowsiness, poor suction and hypotonia.
High-Quality Genome Resource of Diaporthe destruens Causing Foot Rot Disease of Sweet Potato
Authors: Huang Lifei , Zhang Xinxin , Yang Yiling , Zou Hongda , Fang Boping , Liu Weiming
Published: March 2021

Foot rot of sweet potato caused by Diaporthe destruens severely affects yield and quality worldwide. Research on this pathogen is limited due to nonavailability of genome resources. Here, we report a high-quality genome sequence of D. destruens isolate CRI 305-2, which was originally isolated from infected stem of sweet potato in Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, China. The genome comprised a total length of 56,108,228 bp, consisted of 47 scaffolds with an overall G+C content of 48.7% and an N50 of 2,479,481 bp. This resource can be used as a reference for evolution mechanisms and comparative genomic research.
The Long-term Costs and Effects of Tubal Flushing With Oil-Based Versus Water-Based Contrast During Hysterosalpingography
Authors: van Welie Nienke , Pham Clarabelle T. , van Rijswijk Joukje , Dreyer Kim , Verhoeve Harold R. , Hoek Annemieke , de Bruin Jan Peter , Nap Annemiek W. , van Hooff Machiel H. A. , Goddijn Mariëtte , Hooker Angelo B. , Gijsen Anna P. , Traas Maaike A. F. , Smeenk Jesper M. J. , Sluijmer Alexander V. , Lambers Marieke J. , van Unnik Gijsbertus A. , de Koning Cornelia H. , Mozes Alexander , Timmerman Catharina C. M. , Lambalk Cornelis B. , Karnon Jonathan D. , Mijatovic Velja , Mol Ben Willem J.
Published: March 2021

(Abstracted from Reprod Biomed Online 2021;42(1):150–157)

Hypersalpingography (HSG) is a common outpatient clinical examination of the fallopian tubes and is an important part of the fertility workup in infertile women. Although introduced for diagnostic purposes, therapeutic benefits of tubal flushing and positive cost-benefit analyses have been presented in literature for several years.
Early Prophylactic Enoxaparin for the Prevention of Preeclampsia and Intrauterine Growth Restriction: A Randomized Trial
Authors: Llurba Elisa , Bella Miriam , Burgos Jorge , Mazarico Edurne , Gómez-Roig María Dolores , de Diego Raül , Martínez-Astorquiza Txanton , Alijotas-Reig Jaume , Sánchez-Durán María Ángeles , Sánchez Olga , Carreras Elena , Cabero Lluís
Published: March 2021

(Abstracted from Fetal Diagn Ther 2020;47:824–833)

Preeclampsia (PE) and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) are among the many causes of maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Prior studies have shown that introduction of low-dose aspirin before 16 weeks of gestation can lead to a reduction in the prevalence of preterm PE and IUGR.
Association Between Epidural Analgesia During Labor and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring
Authors: Qiu Chunyuan , Lin Jane C. , Shi Jiaxiao M. , Chow Ting , Desai Vimal N. , Nguyen Vu T. , Riewerts Robert J. , Feldman R. Klara , Segal Scott , Xiang Anny H.
Published: March 2021

(Abstracted from JAMA Pediatr 2020;174(12):1168–1175)

More than 70% of pregnant women receive neuraxial anesthesia to manage labor pain in the United States. However, its long-term effects on offspring are largely unknown.
Magnesium Sulphate for Fetal Neuroprotection at Imminent Risk for Preterm Delivery: A Systematic Review With Meta-analysis and Trial Sequential Analysis
Authors: Wolf H. T. , Huusom L. D. , Henriksen T. B. , Hegaard H. K. , Brok J. , Pinborg A.
Published: March 2021

(Abstracted from BJOG 2020;127:1180–1188)

Preterm delivery puts infants at risk of developing cerebral palsy (CP). Conventional meta-analyses have shown that administering magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) at imminent preterm birth may help decrease this risk.
Characteristics and Outcome of Severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae Pneumonia Admitted to PICU in Shanghai: A Retrospective Cohort Study
Authors: Zhou Yiping , Shan Yijun , Cui Yun , Shi Jingyi , Wang Fei , Miao Huijie , Wang Chunxia , Zhang Yucai
Published: March 2021

Objectives:

We aimed to describe the characteristics and outcome in children with severe Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in a Chinese PICU.

Design:

A retrospective observational study from 2017 to 2019.

Setting:

A 36-bed university tertiary PICU at Shanghai Children’s Hospital.

Patients:

Patients admitted to a tertiary PICU 29 days to 18 years old screened for laboratory-confirmed severe M. pneumoniae pneumonia.

Interventions:

None.

Measurements and Main Results:

Descriptive analysis of baseline characteristics for patients included hospital mortality, organ dysfunctions, use of mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy, and/or extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. A total of 817 children with severe pneumonia were admitted to PICU, and 203 of 817 cases (24.8%) with severe M. pneumoniae pneumonia were included in this study. The median age was 41 months (interquartile range, 20–67 mo), of which 77.3% (157/203) were younger than 6 years old. Among 163 patients with the test for macrolide resistance, 90.2% cases (147/163) were macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae. Severe M. pneumoniae pneumonia-associated organ dysfunction included acute respiratory failure (203 cases, 100%), followed by cardiovascular disorder (79/203, 38.9%), gastrointestinal dysfunction (24/203, 11.8%). The main complications were pleural effusion (79/203, 38.9%), capillary leak syndrome (58/203, 28.6%), and plastic bronchitis (20/203, 9.9%). All patients needed respiratory support, including 64.5% patients (131/203) who received mechanical ventilation and 35.5% patients (72/203) who received high-flow nasal oxygen. Twenty-five patients (12.3%) treated with continuous renal replacement therapy and nine cases (4.4%) received extracorporeal membrane oxygenation. The case fatality rate was 3.9% (8/203). Furthermore, cardiovascular dysfunction, liver injury, or multiple organ dysfunction syndrome were associated with longer mechanical ventilation duration, delayed PICU discharge, and high hospital mortality. Coinfection was a risk factor of delayed PICU discharge.

Conclusions:

Children with severe M. pneumoniae pneumonia mainly occur under the age of 6 years, showing a high proportion of extrapulmonary organ dysfunction and macrolide resistances. Extrapulmonary organ dysfunction and coinfection are associated with worse outcomes. The overall mortality is relatively low after treated with appreciate antibiotics, respiratory support, and extracorporeal life support.
Clinical study of Dendrobium Nobile Lindl intervention on patients with metabolic syndrome
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyan , Wang Miao , Zhang Chengbo , Liu Zhidong , Zhou Shigao
Published: March 2021

Background:

Metabolic syndrome (MS) is a common chronic disease in modern society, and the etiology and pathogenesis of it is still unknown. For its main symptoms: disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism, the usual treatment is applying statin and hypoglycemic drugs. Comparing to the long-term application of these drugs which may cost great side effects, Dendrobium Nobile Lindl (DN) has been proved for its hypoglycemic and lipid-lowering effects without obvious side effects. So this trial is aim to evaluate the efficacy and safety of DN-powder in intervention of MS, and to explore the mechanism of action of DN through multi-group correlation analysis.

Methods:

This clinical trial is a single-arm, non-randomized, open, exploratory trial. A total of 30 participants who are suffering from MS will be assigned into therapy group (n = 30). The treatment course will last for 8 weeks, and a follow-up period for 4 weeks. The participants will receive DN-powder for 6 g, twice a day during the study period. The primary outcome will be the change of lipid and glucose metabolism. Other outcomes will be the body weight and body mass index (BMI) which will be assessments record in every 2 weeks. Participants who quit the trial due to untolerable reactions or uncontrollable conditions will enter into a follow-up period after the last treatment. All participants will enter into a follow-up period for 4 weeks after the last treatment. Adverse events will be recorded during the whole study.

Discussion:

The results of the trial are aim to provide evidence of the safety and efficacy of DN-powder in intervention of MS which may be potential to become an important alternative therapy for certain patients.

Trial registration:

It has been registered at http://www.chictr.org.cn/showprojen.aspx?proj=55914. (Identifier: ChiCTR2000034550), Registered 9 July 2020.
Carcinosarcoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma of the stomach
Authors: Li Youpeng , Cui Li , Chen Ying , Wang Furong
Published: March 2021

Rationale:

Carcinosarcoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma of the stomach are rare, malignant, and biphasic tumors with high mortality. The differential diagnosis of these 2 diseases remains challenging. In the present study, we present 2 cases of carcinosarcoma and sarcomatoid carcinoma of the stomach.

Patient concerns:

A 54-year-old woman was admitted with complaints of epigastric pain for 4 months, but she became serious for 10 days accompanied by melena. A 75-year-old man was admitted with complaints of epigastric pain for 1 month.

Diagnosis:

The female had a Borrmann type III irregular ulcerative lesion (5.0 × 4.0 × 1.0 cm) originating from the gastric antrum. The male had Borrmann type I tumor polypoid exophytic (5.0 × 4.0 × 2.0 cm) in the fundus of stomach near the cardia. Both cases were identified as malignant neoplasms by endoscopic biopsy and further confirmed by performing laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy, esophagogastrostomy, and palliative distal subtotal gastrectomy. The postoperative histopathological morphology and immunohistochemistry studies revealed sarcomatoid carcinoma for the female and gastric carcinosarcoma for the male respectively.

Interventions:

The female patient subsequently underwent laparoscopy-assisted radical distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer followed by systemic chemotherapy with oxaliplatin plus tegafur. The male patient underwent laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy and esophagogastrostomy were performed.

Outcomes:

The female had a mixture of a little poorly-differentiated adenocarcinoma and abundant sarcomatoid spindle cell elements, and is still alive healthy up to date for 2 and a half years after surgery by phone follow-up. The male patient had both adenocarcinoma and fibrosarcoma in a single tumor, and died 1 month after the operation.

Lessons:

The present study provides insight into the clinical findings, differential diagnosis, and prognosis of carcinosarcomas and sarcomatoid carcinomas of the stomach. More cases are needed for further studies in the future.
Pharmaceutical company payments to authors of the Japanese guidelines for the management of hypertension
Authors: Senoo Yuki , Saito Hiroaki , Ozaki Akihiko , Sawano Toyoaki , Shimada Yuki , Yamamoto Kana , Suzuki Yosuke , Tanimoto Tetsuya
Published: March 2021

Antihypertensive drugs have been of significant interest to the pharmaceutical industry due to increasing sales opportunities in a global market. The financial relationships between pharmaceutical companies and the Japanese Society of Hypertension (JSH) have a possible influence on clinical practices in Japan. This study examined the distribution of pharmaceutical payments made to the authors of the revised Guidelines for the Management of Hypertension (JSH2019) and the transparency of the Conflict of Interest disclosure that each author made.

We retrospectively obtained publicly available data regarding payments made by Japanese pharmaceutical companies to all authors of the JSH2019 in 2016. We also collected data on individual financial disclosure of JSH2019 authors to investigate whether their self-reported financial relationship with companies were compliant to the financial disclosure policy of JSH2019.

The total and mean payment values reported by pharmaceutical companies were $4,246,436 and $21,447, respectively. Of the 198 authors, 171 (86.4%) authors received at least 1 payment. Of 74 authors required to disclose their conflict of interest (COI) the authors, one-third failed to follow the COI policy covering the clinical guidelines.

Major pharmaceutical companies selling antihypertensive drug products in the Japanese market had a significant financial connection with the JSH2019 authors. Financial relationships between pharmaceutical companies and authors or Japanese medical societies are raising significant concerns about the credibility of clinical guidelines and the potentially biases and undue influences that they may cause, especially with respect to adverse prescription patterns.
Effectiveness and safety of music-supported therapy on mood in post-stroke rehabilitation patients
Authors: Ding Jie , Xiao Yuanyi , Yuan Fuqiang , Luo Zhaona , Hu Jinyu
Published: March 2021

Background:

Music-supported therapy has been widely used clinically to relieve post-stroke rehabilitation. However, the efficacy of Music-supported therapy in the treatment of Mood in post-stroke rehabilitation Patients is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness and safety of Music-supported therapy in the treatment of Mood in post-stroke rehabilitation Patients.

Methods:

Search PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database, Wanfang Database, China Science and Technology Journal Database, China Biomedical Literature Database, and search related randomized controlled trials. Two reviewers will independently select studies, collect data, and evaluate methodological quality through the Cochrane Deviation Risk Tool. Revman V.5.3 will be used for meta-analysis.

Results:

This study will evaluate the current status of Music-supported therapy treatment for mood in post-stroke rehabilitation Patients, aiming to illustrate the effectiveness and safety of Music-supported therapy treatment.

Conclusion:

This study will provide a basis for judging whether Music-supported therapy is effective in treating mood in post-stroke rehabilitation Patients.

INPLASY registration number:

INPLASY202120011.
His bundle pacing therapy for patients with chronic heart failure
Authors: Zhang Yongzheng , Ding Mingwang , Pu Zhihong , Peng Wenjia
Published: March 2021

Introduction:

A considerable amount of studies have been published with the results of clinical benefit from his bundle pacing (HBP) for chronic heart failure (CHF) patients and these researches led a uncertain conclusion for clinics. Thus, we will conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the effect of his bundle pacing therapy for chronic heart failure.

Methods:

Pubmed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science and Chinese online databases including Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Biology Medicine disc, Chinese Scientifific Journals Database (VIP), and Wanfang Database will be searched from these databases construction to the end of November, 2020. The STATA 13.0 will be used for data synthesis and meta-analysis.

Results:

The outcome measures included QRS duration, left ventricular ejection fraction, pacing threshold, New York Heart Association (NYHA), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, left ventricular end-systolic diameter, mitral regurgitation, tricuspid regurgitation, and BNP will be analyzed and synthesized.

Conclusion:

This meta-analysis will evaluate the effect of his bundle pacing therapy for chronic heart failure.

Registration number:

INPLASY202110109.
Comparison of efficacy and safety of complementary and alternative therapies for coronary heart disease complicated with anxiety or depression disorder
Authors: Han Xueyan , Liu Xinxin , Zhong Fengxing , Wang Yiguo , Guan Hui , Zhang Qiming
Published: March 2021

Background:

With the acceleration of the pace of life, the phenomenon of anxiety and depression in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) is more and more common, and “psycho-cardiology” arises spontaneously. At present, the drug treatments of psycho-cardiology are difficult to achieve satisfactory results, and the side effects are obvious. Complementary and replacement therapies of CHD complicated with anxiety or depression disorder play an increasingly positive role, but there is a lack of comparison among different complementary and alternative therapies. In this study, Bayesian network meta-analysis (NMA) analysis method will be used for the first time to synthesize all the evidences of direct and indirect comparison among a variety of interventions, and rank their effectiveness and safety.

Methods:

Two independent researchers will search from the beginning to January 2021 mainly including randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and closely related ongoing RCTs of complementary and alternative therapies for CHD complicated with anxiety or depression disorder. And then identify, select and extract the data. The primary outcome measures are frequency of acute attack angina, severity of angina pectoris; the changed score in the validated scales, which can assess severity of anxiety or depression. Secondary outcomes include total efficacy rate, electrocardiogram improvement, traditional Chinese medicine symptoms score, changes of dosage of nitroglycerin and adverse effects. Using softwares WinBUGS 1.4.3 and STATA 16.0 for pairwise meta-analysis and NMA to comprehensively evaluate various interventions. The quality of evidences will be evaluated through the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.

Results:

This NMA will comprehensively compare and rank the efficacy and safety of a series of complementary and alternative therapies in the treatment of CHD complicated with anxiety or depression disorder.

Conclusion:

Supplementary and replacement therapies play an essential role in improving CHD complicated with anxiety or depression disorder. We expect that the NMA will provide reliable evidences of evidence-based medicine for treatment of CHD complicated with anxiety or depression disorder.

Protocol registration number:

INPLASY202120046.

Ethical approval:

This review does not require ethical approval.
Efficacy and safety of qiming granule combined with laser in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Zhou Chuiren , Long Bi , Huang Wei , Jiang Ling
Published: March 2021

Background:

Diabetic retinopathy is not only the most common complication of diabetes, but also 1 of the main causes of blindness, which seriously affects the physical and mental health of patients. Panretinal photocoagulation is a common method for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, but it has some defects. Qiming granule has advantages in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, but there is a lack of standard clinical research to verify it. Therefore, the purpose of this randomized controlled trial is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of qiming granule combined with laser in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Methods:

This is a prospective randomized controlled trial to study the efficacy and safety of Qiming granule combined with laser in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Approved by the Clinical Research Society of our hospital. The patients are randomly divided into a treatment group (Qiming granule combined with laser treatment group) or control group (simple laser treatment group). The patients are followed up for 12 months after 6 months of treatment. Observation indexes include total effective rate, corrected visual acuity, macular fovea thickness, adverse reactions and so on. Data are analyzed using the statistical software package SPSS version 18.0 (Chicago, IL).

Discussion:

This study will evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of qiming granule combined with laser in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. The experimental results of this study will provide a reliable reference basis for clinical use of qiming granule combined with laser in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Trial registration:

OSF Registration number: DOI 10.17605/OSF.IO/ZEQPB.
Pathogenic variants of PROC gene caused type II activity deficiency in a Chinese family
Authors: Zhu Hui , Liu Hongchao , Liu Jingyao
Published: March 2021

Rationale:

Hereditary Protein C (PC) deficiency is a rare genetic disorder caused by PROC gene mutation. In this article, we report a case of PC deficiency in a Chinese family due to a novel PROC gene mutation.

Study Subject:

The proband presented with recurrent cerebral infarction over the course of the previous 3 years. He was admitted to the hospital due to signs of mental retardation.

Diagnoses:

Physical examination, laboratory tests, and magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated that the proband had a manifestation of PC deficiency that included acute cerebral infarction. DNA sequencing analysis revealed a missense variant, c.1015G > A (p.V339 M from valine to methionine) in exon 9 of the PROC gene. In addition, Sanger sequencing confirmed that the proband's son was heterozygous for the same variant. Therefore, the PROC gene mutation was transmitted in an autosomal dominant inheritance manner.

Interventions:

The patient was treated with a daily dosage of Warfarin (3.5 mg) and was scheduled to undergo regular blood coagulation tests.

Outcomes:

At the 3-month follow-up appointment, the patient showed improvements in his overall health condition.

Lessons:

We identified a novel missense mutation in the PROC gene in a Chinese family which caused a decrease in the PC antigen level and recurrent cerebral infarction.
Pilonidal sinus involving the breast in a man
Authors: Shi Rong , Liu Peng , Zhang Xuan-Fen
Published: March 2021

Rationale:

Pilonidal sinus disease (PSD) involving the breast is extremely rare and has not been described in man.

Patient concerns:

This current case report presents a case of a pilonidal cyst in a 46-year-old man which was surgically treated. He had intermittent pain in his left breast for 2 months and came for local rupture and discharge for 1 week.

Diagnosis:

The initial diagnosis is male mastitis, on the basis of the histological features of H&E-stained specimens and immunohistochemistry of the resected lump, this case was diagnosed as PSD.

Interventions:

The patient underwent “enlarged resection of the left breast lesion” under local anesthesia.

Outcomes:

The patient's surgical area healed well, without any signs of recurrence.

Conclusion:

PSD involving the breast is extremely rare in man, with no typically clinical manifestations, and could be easily ignored. This disease requires great attentions from clinicians.
Radiological manifestation of familial acute necrotizing encephalopathy with RANBP2 mutation in a Far-East Asian family
Authors: Park Yu-Jung , Hwang Jae-Yeon , Kim Yong-Woo , Lee Yun-Jin , Ko Ara
Published: March 2021

Rationale:

Acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) is a specific type of encephalopathy usually followed by febrile infection. It has an aggressive clinical course; however, it usually does not recur after recovery in cases of spontaneous ANE. Nevertheless, there are several studies reporting recurrences in familial ANE with RAN-binding protein 2 (RANBP2) mutation. There are few cases of familial ANE with RANBP2 mutation in Asian populations.

Patient's concerns:

A 21-month-old Korean boy who was previously healthy, presented with seizure following parainfluenza – a virus and bocavirus infection, followed by 2 recurrent seizure episodes and encephalitis after febrile respiratory illnesses. Meanwhile, his 3-year-old sister had focal brain lesions on neuroimaging studies when evaluated for head trauma. The siblings also had an older brother who presented status epilepticus after febrile respiratory illness at the age of 10 months old.

Diagnosis:

Brain magnetic resonance imaging was performed to evaluate the seizure and neurologic symptoms. Imaging findings showed variable spectrum – from non-specific diffuse white matter injury pattern to typical “tricolor pattern” of the ANE on diffusion-weighted images. The other 2 siblings showed focal lesions in both external capsules and severe diffuse brain edema. Genetic tests identified a heterozygous missense mutation in the RANBP2 [c.1754C>T (p.Thr585Met)] in 2 siblings and their mother.

Interventions:

Patients were treated conservatively with anticonvulsive agents, intravascular immunoglobulin, and steroids.

Outcomes:

Among the 3 siblings, 2 male siblings died from familial ANE, whereas the female sibling was asymptomatic.

Lessons:

These cases highlight the radiological aspects of familial ANE with incomplete penetrance of the RANBP2 gene in 3 family members, showing variable involvements of the brain and natural history on magnetic resonance images. Radiologists should be aware of the typical and atypical imaging findings of familial ANE for prompt management of affected patients.
Role of tocilizumab for concomitant systemic fungal infection in severe COVID-19 patient
Authors: Sari Anggraini Permata , Darnindro Nikko , Yohanes Aryan , Mokoagow Muhammad Ikhsan
Published: March 2021

Rationale:

Bacterial and fungal infections in Coronavirus Disease-19 (COVID-19) patients have been inadequately investigated and reported thus far. The safety profile of tocilizumab (TCZ) administration in candidemia patient still debatable.

Patient concerns:

A 54 year-old woman presenting with weakness on the left side of her body was diagnosed with COVID-19. After 7 days of admission, her condition worsened and developed respiratory distress and was having respiratory distress despite standard treatment.

Diagnoses:

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) in COVID 19 was diagnoses based on real time-PCR swab, deterioration of PaO2/FiO2 and increased of acute phase reactants.

Interventions:

Anti Interleukin–6 (IL-6) was considered to tackle her inflammatory condition. Prior to TCZ administration, blood culture was performed and the result came with Candida tropicalis in the absence of bacterial growth.

Outcomes:

No major complications associated with intravenous antifungal or TCZ occurred. After 40 days of hospitalization, the patient's clinical condition improved and was finally discharged.

Lessons:

This case underscores the safety profile of giving TCZ in candidemia as a secondary infection in severe COVID-19 patient.
Overexpression of macrophage-colony stimulating factor-1 receptor as a prognostic factor for survival in cancer
Authors: Mo Huaqing , Hao Yanrong , Lv Yanru , Chen Zenan , Shen Jingyi , Zhou Shu , Yin MengJie
Published: March 2021

Background:

The relation between the expression of macrophage-colony stimulating factor-1 receptor (CSF-1R) and prognosis of cancer patients has been evaluated in multiple studies, but the results remain controversial. We, therefore, performed a meta-analysis and systematic review to figure out the role of CSF-1R in the prognosis of patients with cancer.

Methods:

Several databases were searched, including Web of Science, PubMed, and EMBASE. All human studies were published as full text. The Newcastle–Ottawa risk of bias scale was applied to evaluate the research. We extracted hazard ratios (HRs) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) which assessed progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) in order to assess the impacts of CSF-1R on the prognosis of cancer patients.

Results:

A total of 12 citations were identified, with studies including 2260 patients in different cancer types that met the eligibility criteria. It was suggested in a pooled analysis that the over-expression of CSF-1R was significantly related to worse PFS (HR: 1.68; P < .001, 1.25–2.10, 95% CI) and also poorer OS (HR=1.28; P < .001, 1.03–1.54, 95% CI). Analysis in subgroups indicated over-expressed CSF-1R was significantly associated with worse OS in hematological malignancy (HR = 2.29; P < .001, 1.49–3.09, 95% CI; model of fixed-effects; I
2 = 0.0%, P < .001). Sensitivity analysis suggested that there was no study influencing the stability of the results.

Conclusions:

The overexpression of CSF-1R was significantly predictive of worse prognosis in those who suffer from different kinds of malignancies, particularly in hematological malignancy, which indicates that it might be a potential biomarker of prognosis in cancer survival and a potential molecular target in the treatment of malignant tumors.
Epidemiology of asymptomatic and symptomatic Coronavirus Disease 2019 confirmed cases in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Authors: Hosani Farida Al , Aden Bashir , Memari Shammah Al , Mazrouei Shereena Al , Ajab Suad , Abid Muhammad , Alsuwaidi Ahmed R. , Grivna Michal , Paulo Marília Silva , Sheek-Hussein Mohamud
Published: March 2021

This study was conducted to describe demographics, clinical features, and outcomes of 3827 confirmed cases of Coronavirus Disease 2019 between March 12 and April 22, 2020 in the Emirates of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Data were extracted from the Infectious Diseases Notification Surveillance System of the Department of Health. The descriptive analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Sciences v26 and reported according to Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement.

We analyzed 3827 cases; 82% were men, 18% women, 14% UAE citizens, and 86% were of other nationalities. Most cases (72%) had lower exposure to low-risk occupations of infectious disease as per the classification of the department of health while high exposure risk occupations, which included healthcare worker accounts only for 3%. While 43% of cases were asymptomatic, 57% displayed symptoms, which were mostly mild. Only 12% of patients had comorbidities, which were significantly higher in men (9%) than women (3%). Among those who have comorbid conditions; hypertension (27%) and diabetes (21%) were the most common comorbidities. Viral pneumonia (11%) was the most common sequela documented in records. Only 51 patients (4%) required admission to the intensive care units, and 4 patients died (0.1%).

The significant number of asymptomatic patients was identified by active case finding and contact tracing from the early period of the epidemic. A small percentage of severe, critical cases, and death reported in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi which may have been due to public health measures implemented for early detection, contact tracing, and treatment.
MRGBP is a potential novel prognostic biomarker and is correlated with immune infiltrates in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Huang Juanjun , Chen Xiaoli , Zhu Wei
Published: March 2021

This study investigated the expression change, prognostic values, and potential regulatory mechanisms of mortality factor on chromosome 4 (MORF4)-related gene-binding protein (MRGBP) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

MRGBP expression and clinical data from The Cancer Genome Atlas were used to evaluate the associations between MRGBP expression and clinicopathological characteristics. Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the factors contributing to prognosis. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to identify pathways associated with MRGBP expression. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) was used to comprehensively analyze the relative immune infiltration levels.

High MRGBP expression was significantly associated with a higher T stage, pathologic stage, histologic grade, vascular invasion, tumor protein p53 status, and worse overall survival. MRGBP exhibited high diagnostic accuracy with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve value of 0.980. GSEA revealed the enrichment of pathways related to tumorigenesis in the MRGBP high-expression phenotype, such as cell cycle and DNA replication pathways. ssGSEA revealed that MRGBP expression was significantly correlated with 15 types of immune cell infiltration levels. The Wilcoxon rank sum test revealed significantly high T helper (Th), T follicular helper, CD56 bright natural killer, and Th2 cell enrichment scores in the high MRGBP expression group and significantly low neutrophil, Th17, dendritic cell (DC), gamma delta T, cytotoxic cell, regulatory T cell, plasmacytoid DC, and immature DC enrichment scores.

MRGBP may be a novel prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target correlated with immune infiltrates in HCC.