bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Maternal Childhood Maltreatment, Internal Working Models, and Perinatal Substance Use: Is There a Role for Hyperkatifeia? A Systematic Review
Authors: Olsavsky Aviva K. , Chirico Isabella , Ali Diab , Christensen Hannah , Boggs Brianna , Svete Lillian , Ketcham Katherine , Hutchison Kent , Zeanah Charles , Tottenham Nim , Riggs Paula , Epperson C. Neill
Published: July 2023

The parent-infant relationship is critical for socioemotional development and is adversely impacted by perinatal substance use. This systematic review posits that the mechanisms underlying these risks to mother-infant relationships center on 3 primary processes: (1) mothers’ childhood maltreatment experiences; (2) attachment styles and consequent internal working models of interpersonal relationships; and (3) perinatal substance use. Further, the review considers the role of hyperkatifeia, or hypersensitivity to negative affect which occurs when people with substance use disorders are not using substances, and which drives the negative reinforcement in addiction. The authors performed a systematic review of articles (published 2000-2022) related to these constructs and their impact on mother-infant relationships and offspring outcomes, including original clinical research articles addressing relationships between these constructs, and excluding case studies, reviews, non-human animal studies, intervention studies, studies with fewer than 30% female-sex participants, clinical guidelines, studies limited to obstetric outcomes, mechanistic/biological studies, and studies with methodological issues precluding interpretation. Overall 1844 articles were screened, 377 were selected for full text review, and data were extracted from 157 articles. Results revealed strong relationships between mothers’ childhood maltreatment experiences, less optimal internal working models, and increased risk for perinatal substance use, and importantly, all of these predictors interacted with hyperkatifeia and exerted a marked impact on mother-infant relationships with less data available on offspring outcomes. These data strongly support the need for future studies addressing the additive impact of maternal childhood maltreatment experiences, suboptimal internal working models, and perinatal substance use, with hyperkatifeia as a potential moderator, and their interacting effects on mother-infant socioemotional outcomes.
Corresponding measurement-based patternmaking method for customized gloves to support smart wearables
Authors: Kim Hye Suk , Hong Yujin , Choi Hee Eun
Published: July 2023

This study developed a corresponding measurement-based patternmaking (CMP) method for customized gloves applicable to different hand shapes to support the manufacturing of smart wearables. This method can be used directly to implement a 2D block pattern of gloves by hand measuring and 3D scanning alone. Our customized glove prototype was manufactured considering the glove’s functionality and usability and in accordance with the protocol designed, targeting individual participants. The CMP method for customized gloves was verified by checking the function and functional fit of the customized glove prototype through a wear test that compared the prototype with a commercial glove. In the process, the rules of the existing CMP method for customized leggings were adjusted for the protocol to comply with the structural specificity of the hand. Accordingly, a guideline for customized gloves’ patternmaking was proposed to help future developers. The originality of the CMP method lies in the pattern construction of a perfectly matched size, a side panel structure of C-curve fingers, and patterns for a trapezoid hand proximal part structure. Furthermore, the newly devised CMP method for customized gloves can be used as a baseline for smart wearable devices to offer high functionality and usability for individuals with unique hand shapes who need customized gloves.
µAVR: Endoscopic Microinvasive Aortic Valve Surgery With Automated Suturing Technology for Enhanced Patient Outcomes
Authors: Bakhtiary Farhad
Published: July 2023

Modern heart surgery should strive toward the most durable therapeutic results and enhanced patient recoveries. Novel customized technology is available to advance the evolution of less invasive heart valve replacement surgery and ultimately facilitate “microinvasive” techniques utilizing very small bone-sparing incisions and endoscopy. In this article, we present our approach to aortic valve replacement, including the use of automated suturing devices to improve the surgical ergonomics and reliability of these procedures. This patient-centered approach can be safely performed by surgeons interested in offering the benefits of truly minimally invasive cardiac surgery to improve patient outcomes. We believe that each patient should be offered personalized surgery to provide the optimized procedure and aortic valve replacement to suit their individual needs and preferences.
Including people with intellectual and other cognitive disabilities in research and evaluation teams: A scoping review of the empirical knowledge base
Authors: Ghaderi Golnaz , Milley Peter , Lysaght Rosemary , Cobigo Virginie
Published: July 2023

We conducted a rapid scoping review of empirical studies to identify how persons with intellectual and other cognitive disabilities have been engaged as active members of research and evaluation teams. We conducted a literature search using a systematic method that accessed peer reviewed studies in relevant library databases and all major evaluation journals. The search resulted in 6,624 potential articles, of which 32 met the inclusion criteria for this study. The findings address three categories of interest: 1) methodological underpinnings and practical justifications for using inclusive approaches, 2) different inclusion processes, and 3) reflections by researchers with and without intellectual and other cognitive disabilities. Findings provide conceptual and practical insights for researchers and evaluators when designing inclusive methods involving persons with intellectual and other cognitive disabilities. Gaps in inclusive research and evaluation are discussed and suggestions for future research are proposed.
Complete remission of central nervous system manifestations of IgG4-related disease with rituximab – a case report
Authors: Sihvonen Aleksi J. , Laakso Sini M. , Tynninen Olli , Saaren-Seppälä Heikki , Löfberg Mervi
Published: July 2023

IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is an emerging immune-mediated chronic fibrotic disease characterized by tumour-like mass formation. Reports of brain parenchymal involvement in IgG4-RD are rare and complete treatment-related remission of lesions has never been reported. Here, we present a woman in her mid-50s who developed headache and seizures. Brain magnetic resonance imaging revealed frontal bilateral pachymeningitis and a left frontal lobe parenchymal lesion, and pathologic findings were consistent with an IgG4-RD central nervous system manifestation. She had a history of tumour-like growth around the right optic nerve, orbital and maxillary cavities treated successfully with corticosteroids 28 years ago, and was receiving infliximab as a maintenance therapy for uveitis for the last 14 years. After initial high-dose corticosteroid treatment, the patient was treated with rituximab, and after 3 months, the patient presented with complete remission of IgG4-RD lesions and associated symptoms. This case illustrates the chronic, decades-spanning nature of IgG4-RD, and a complete response to rituximab even with intracerebral mass lesions that had emerged despite the use of infliximab, a therapy previously reported successful in IgG4-RD.
Small bowel obstruction secondary to metastatic urothelial bladder cancer
Authors: Wasfie Tarik , Atherton Joshua M , Villegas Sergio J , Korbitz Holland , Henke Andrew
Published: July 2023

Small bowel obstruction secondary to primary cancer, such as carcinoid and adenocarcinoma, is not unusual. Less frequently, hematological metastasis from breast, lung, and melanoma can occur. However, metastasis from urothelial bladder carcinoma is extremely rare. In this index case, we describe a 71-year-old Caucasian man with a prior history of urothelial bladder carcinoma. He was treated successfully with chemoradiation and local resection a year prior to his current presentation with small bowel obstruction which required surgical resection of a loop of jejunum, which was found to be caused by obstructive, metastatic urothelial bladder carcinoma on pathology. Therefore, one should consider the possibility of secondary obstructive malignant lesions arising from the urinary bladder in such a patient when presented with bowel obstruction and a history of urothelial bladder carcinoma.
Need of Point of Care Ultrasound Training in Pediatric Emergency Medicine Practice: A Wake-Up Call for the Low-Income Countries
Authors: Ali Noman , Shakeel Erum , Soomar Salman Muhammad
Published: July 2023

POCUS is the acquisition, interpretation, and rapid clinical integration of ultrasonographic imaging performed by the treating physician at the patient’s bedside. It is used in the field Emergency Medicine to assist in diagnosing and managing various clinical conditions ranging from undifferentiated shock, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrest, which have shown a positive impact on clinical decision-making, resulting in a decreased emergency department and hospital length of stay. POCUS is also a valuable diagnostic tool in managing pediatric patients for whom radiation exposure is a significant concern. It is used to aid in diagnosing and managing various pediatric medical and surgical emergencies. Despite the evident literature regarding the utility of POCUS in Pediatric Emergency Medicine (PEM) practice, there is a lack of specialized training for pediatric emergency physicians, especially in low-income countries. Therefore, this comment emphasizes the need for POCUS training in PEM.
Examining a Phased Planning Approach to Support Elementary Preservice Teachers in Disciplinary Literacy-Focused Instruction
Authors: Colwell Jamie , Hutchison Amy , Woodward Lindsay
Published: July 2023

This study reports qualitative findings related to elementary preservice teachers’ perceptions and use of a six-phased planning approach, titled Planning for Elementary Digitally-Supported Disciplinary Literacy, to integrate digitally supported disciplinary literacy into lesson planning. Preservice teachers in this study were seeking PK-6 licensure and were enrolled in a semester-long graduate-level course focused on disciplinary and content literacy, with an emphasis on the integration of digital tools to support disciplinary literacy. The phased approach considered Core Disciplinary Practices to scaffold preservice teachers’ planning. An inductive qualitative approach was used to collect and analyze data. Thematic results explore preservice teachers’ negotiations of knowledge of print and digital texts and tools to plan for disciplinary literacy, preservice teachers’ perceptions regarding complexities of disciplinary literacy in elementary grades, and the idea of core disciplinary practices as a gateway for a reconsideration of literacy. These results provide implications for how elementary teachers might be supported in integrating disciplinary literacy into their classrooms in a manner that aligns with the goals and constructs of elementary education.
Digital Evidence in Police Investigation: A Comparative Analysis of Challenges Faced in India, the UK and the United States
Authors: Gupta Gunjan , Husain Aquib
Published: July 2023

This research explores the challenges posed by the use of digital evidence in criminal investigations, particularly in the context of fair trial and the presumption of innocence. The article identifies three key issues that could compromise the impartiality and presumption of innocence in investigations, namely, improper and inconsistent use of technology, outdated procedural assurances and a lack of reliability testing in practice. The findings highlight the need for legislative intervention, enforcement of standards and implementation of validation procedures for digital evidence to protect innocent individuals and all parties involved in criminal proceedings. The article also examines how digital evidence practices adhere to fair trial standards and how technology-assisted investigations affect criminal procedures. The study draws on data obtained from a project conducted by the Economic and Social Research Council on the application of digital forensics in police forces in England and the United States. The research provides insights into the evolving nature of investigations in connection to the rising demand for digital expertise and the distribution and coordination of related resources in the police forces.
Negative Responses to Child Sexual Abuse: A Manifestation of Intolerance
Authors: de Roos Melissa S. , Ryan Tara , Chang Jessie C. H.
Published: July 2023

Recently, there has been an increased societal focus on the boundaries of sexual behaviours. During a time when victims and survivors of unwanted sexual experiences are encouraged to come forward, it is vital to understand what makes people respond negatively to such disclosures. This study aimed to examine how endorsement of stereotypical ideas of Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) and response to CSA disclosures are related to various forms of attitudinal intolerance (i.e., racism, sexism and sexual prejudice). We used a survey and vignette methodology with a sample (N = 160) of undergraduate students. Results indicated that endorsement of CSA myths was positively related to all other variables of attitudinal intolerance. With regards to a response to a CSA disclosure, belief in the disclosure decreased as attitudinal intolerance increased. Similar to rape myth endorsement, endorsement of CSA myths may represent another form of intolerance, which only partially translates into a negative response to a CSA disclosure. Implications for intervention are discussed.
Impact of the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic on Treatment Pathways and Outcomes of Esophagogastric Cancer: A Pre- Versus Post-Pandemic Comparison of International Prospective Cohort Data
Authors: Griffiths Ewen A. , Kamarajah Sivesh K.
Published: July 2023

Introduction:

This study aimed to characterize the outcomes of esophagogastric (OG) cancer patients and compare perioperative outcomes with pre-pandemic data.

Methods:

Three international prospective cohort studies were included in this analysis. First, COVIDSurg-Cancer (n = 1999) included patients with an OG cancer planned for surgery from the start of the pandemic up to 14th April 2020 with follow-up until 31st August 2020. Treatment pathways and outcomes were compared against patients undergoing treatment for OG cancers before the pandemic, Oesophagogastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA, n = 2246) and GlobalSurg 3 (n = 1256) study. The surgical composite outcome was defined as in patients achieving margin negative resection, resectability and no postoperative mortality.

Results:

This study included 1999 patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, of which 32.4% had a change from standard pre-pandemic management. Patients with delay to surgery had significantly higher rates of no surgery (24.7%vs 7.5%, P < .001) and less likely to have achieve a composite outcome (57.8%vs 73.4%, P < .001) than those without any delay in surgery. There was no significant difference in 30-day mortality (3.5% vs 3.4%; OR: 0.98, CI95%: 0.69-1.37) or anastomotic leak rate (10.9% vs 10.2%%; OR: 1.11, CI95%: 0.90-1.37) but higher reoperation rates (13.6% vs 10.4%; OR: 1.59, CI95%: 1.30-1.92) in patients between pre-pandemic and pandemic cohorts.

Conclusion:

The pandemic appears to have led to widespread changes in management pathways affecting one-third of patients. Developing elective surgical pathways resilient to periods of system “stress” are key to minimizing future harm from treatment delay for OG cancer patients.
Operative Facial Fracture Patterns in Cannabis Users: A Propensity Score-Matched Analysis
Authors: Oleru Olachi , Sicard Ryan M. , Seyidova Nargiz , Horn Callie , Brozynski Martina , Taub Peter J.
Published: July 2023

Introduction:

Cannabis is the third most used recreational substance in the United States. Each year, more and more states pass legislation to legalize it for both medical and recreation use. As the prevalence of cannabis use increases, it is important to study the implications for patient care, not simply the potential interactions with wound healing, and perioperative analgesia. Facial fractures are among the most common traumatic presentations for the plastic surgeon. As such, the present study aims to characterize the operative facial fracture patterns in cannabis users.

Methods:

The IBM MarketScan Research Databases were queried from the years 2017 to 2021. Cohorts were identified in the inpatient dataset using International Classification for Disease, 10th Revision Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-PCS) codes for facial fracture repair procedures. The cannabis cohort was separated based on presence of ICD-10 codes pertaining to cannabis use diagnoses. The cohorts were propensity-score matched using an approximate 4:1 matching ratio. Baseline cohort demographics were reported and compared including age, gender, geographic region, employment status, insurance plan type, and fracture repair type. Multivariate regression analysis was used to determine the relationship between cannabis use and fracture repair patterns.

Results:

There were 104 patients in the cannabis cohort and 480 in the control cohort after propensity score matching. The cannabis group had a higher proportion of male patients (80.8%vs 69.0%, P = .016) and a lower proportion of the age range from 18 to 34 years (4.8%vs 15.8%, P = .035). Employment types were different between the 2 cohorts, with more patients in the control cohort working full time (82.3%vs 69.2%, P = .045). Cannabis users had significantly less maxillary fracture repairs (1.9%vs 19.4%, P < .001). Cannabis users also had significantly more frontal fracture repairs (1.9%vs 0.2%, P = .027) and mandibular fracture repairs (76.9%vs 63.8%, P = .010). Multivariate regression revealed that cannabis users have 1.8 times greater odds of undergoing mandibular fracture repair ( P = .020) and significantly lower odds of undergoing maxillary (OR 0.07, P = .001).

Conclusion:

There are significant differences in the fracture patterns for cannabis users undergoing operative management and those who do not use cannabis. While mandibular fractures were the most common fracture repair type overall, cannabis users had significantly higher odds of undergoing mandibular fracture repair. This may indicate that cannabis users are more likely to sustain injuries that require operative intervention. Further study is needed to identify the relative incidences of facial fractures among cannabis users and its implications on operative considerations.
Early application of metagenomics next-generation sequencing may significantly reduce unnecessary consumption of antibiotics in patients with fever of unknown origin
Authors: Chen Hongmei , Tang Mingze , Yao Lemeng , Zhang Di , Zhang Yubin , Zhao Yingren , Xia Han , Chen Tianyan , Zheng Jie
Published: July 2023

Background

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) is a novel nucleic acid method for the detection of unknown and difficult pathogenic microorganisms, and its application in the etiological diagnosis of fever of unknown origin (FUO) is less reported. We aimed to comprehensively assess the value of mNGS in the etiologic diagnosis of FUO by the pathogen spectrum and diagnostic performance, and to investigate whether it is different in the time to diagnosis, length of hospitalization, antibiotic consumption and cost between FUO patients with and without early application of mNGS.

Methods

A total of 149 FUO inpatients underwent both mNGS and routine pathogen detection was retrospectively analyzed. The diagnostic performance of mNGS, culture and CMTs for the final clinical diagnosis was evaluated by using sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and total conforming rate. Patients were furtherly divided into two groups: the earlier mNGS detection group (sampling time: 0 to 3 days of the admission) and the later mNGS detection group (sampling time: after 3 days of the admission). The length of hospital stay, time spent on diagnosis, cost and consumption of antibiotics were compared between the two groups.

Results

Compared with the conventional microbiological methods, mNGS detected much more species and had the higher negative predictive (67.6%) and total conforming rate (65.1%). Patients with mNGS sampled earlier had a significantly shorter time to diagnosis (6.05+/-6.23 vs. 10.5+/-6.4 days, P < 0.001) and days of hospital stay (13.7+/-20.0 vs. 30.3 +/-26.9, P < 0.001), as well as a significantly less consumption (13.3+/-7.8 vs. 19.5+/-8.0, P < 0.001) and cost (4543+/-7326 vs. 9873 +/- 9958 China Yuan [CNY], P = 0.001) of antibiotics compared with the patients sampled later.

Conclusions

mNGS could significantly improve the detected pathogen spectrum, clinical conforming rate of pathogens while having good negative predictive value for ruling out infections. Early mNGS detection may shorten the diagnosis time and hospitalization days and reduce unnecessary consumption of antibiotics.
Hospitalization burden and epidemiology of the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain (2020–2021)
Authors: Garcia-Carretero Rafael , Vazquez-Gomez Oscar , Gil-Prieto Ruth , Gil-de-Miguel Angel
Published: July 2023

Background

Spain had some of Europe’s highest incidence and mortality rates for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Here we describe the epidemiology and trends in hospitalizations, the number of critical patients, and deaths in Spain in 2020 and 2021.

Methods

We performed a descriptive, retrospective, nationwide study using an administrative database, the Minimum Basic Data Set at Hospitalization, which includes 95–97% of discharge reports for patients hospitalized in Spain in 2020 and 2021. We analyzed the number of hospitalizations, admissions to intensive care units, and deaths and their geographic distribution across regions of Spain.

Results

As of December 31, 2021, a total of 498,789 patients (1.04% of the entire Spanish population) had needed hospitalization. At least six waves of illness were identified. Men were more prone to hospitalization than women. The median age was 66. A total of 54,340 patients (10.9% of all hospitalizations) had been admitted to the intensive care unit. We identified 71,437 deaths (mortality rate of 14.3% among hospitalized patients). We also observed important differences among regions, with Madrid being the epicenter of hospitalizations and mortality.

Conclusions

We analyzed Spain’s response to COVID-19 and describe here its experiences during the pandemic in terms of hospitalizations, critical illness, and deaths. This research highlights changes over several months and waves and the importance of factors such as vaccination, the predominant variant of the virus, and public health interventions in the rise and fall of the outbreaks.
Evaluation of laboratory values affecting mortality of end-stage renal disease patients: a competing risks approach
Authors: Malek Rayka , Baghestani Ahmadreza , Rashid-Farokhi Farin , Shafaghi Shadi , Minoo Farzanehsadat , Eghbali Foolad , Chandra Navin , Shafaghi Masoud , Bonyadi Kaveh , Hosseini-Baharanchi Fatemeh Sadat
Published: July 2023

Background

Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is a prevalent and life-threatening situation recognized as an emerging health issue. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of demographic and laboratory parameters on the survival of patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) in a hemodialysis (HD) center in Iran.

Materials and methods

This study was conducted on patients receiving chronic HD in Iran Helal Pharmaceutical and Clinical Complex between 2014 and 2018. The survival time was considered as the time interval between HD initiation and death. Receiving kidney transplantation was regarded as a competing risk, and an improper form of two-parameter Weibull distribution was utilized to simultaneously model the time to both death and renal transplantation. The Bayesian approach was conducted for parameters estimation.

Results

Overall, 29 (26.6%) patients expired, and 19 (17.4%) received kidney transplants. The male gender was related to poor survival, having nearly 4.6 folds higher hazard of mortality (90% HPD region: 1.36–15.49). Moreover, Serum calcium levels $$\ge$$9.5 mg/dL (adjusted Sub-hazard ratio (S-HR)=2.33, 90% HPD region: 1.05–5.32) and intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH) $$\le$$150 pg/mL (adjusted S-HR = 2.56, 90% HPD region: 1.09–6.15) were associated with an elevated hazard of mortality. The cumulative incidence function (CIF) for transplantation was greater than death in the first two years of the study. Subsequently, the CIF for death exceeded transplantation in the following two years. The 4-year cumulative incidence of death and kidney transplantation was 63.7% and 36.3%, respectively.

Conclusion

Male gender, hypercalcemia, and hypoparathyroidism were associated with worse outcomes. Correcting mentioned laboratory parameters may improve patients’ survival in the HD population.
Different words for stroke: the same concept? an analysis of associated symptoms and intended reaction in Brazil
Authors: de Mélo Silva Júnior Mário Luciano , Oliveira Ana Gabriella Camelo , Gois Weslley Medeiros , Oliveira Matheus Franco Andrade , de Góis Lourdes Maria Dantas , Ferreira Lucas Pereira , Vilanova Marcos Vinícius de Souza
Published: July 2023

Background

Different names for stroke might mislead physicians and emergency medical service workers. This study aimed to assess the different words for stroke in Brazil and both intended response and related symptoms associated with those names.

Methods

Cross-sectional study enrolling healthy individuals from urban areas in Northeast of Brazil for an open-ended survey. We presented a typical clinical case of a stroke (an elderly who had sudden onset of hemiparalysis and slurred speech) and asked “what is happening?”, “what would you do?” and “which other symptoms could happen in this condition?”.

Resuts

From 1,475 interviewed individuals, 1,220 (82,7%) recognized the scenario as a stroke. There were 3 words to correctly identify (based on correct intended response and spontaneously evoked associated symptoms) the stroke, which were “AVC” (acronym for cerebrovascular accident, in Portuguese), “derrame” (spillage) and “trombose” (thrombosis). There were significant differences among them concerning demographic, economic, educational and geographical aspects, but there was no difference according to the intended reaction among them. The most cited associated symptoms (excluding those present in the case) were impaired consciousness (10.6%), headache (8.9%) and dysesthesia (7.7%). “Aneurisma” (aneurism) was also cited, by 3 individuals.

Conclusion

There are at least three words for stroke in Portuguese (“AVC”, “derrame” and “trombose”); they were similar in terms of correct intended responses and spontaneously cited accompanying symptoms. Stroke campaigns should apply different names to reach a broader audience and to improve stroke recognition.
Potential prognostic and therapeutic value of ANXA8 in renal cell carcinoma: based on the comprehensive analysis of annexins family
Authors: Wang Li-Hui , Cao Bo , Li Yun-Long , Qiao Bao-Ping
Published: July 2023

Background

Annexins are a family of proteins involved in a wide variety of cellular processes such as inflammation, proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, migration and membrane repair. However, the role of most Annexins in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) remained unclear.

Methods

The differentially expressed Annexins in RCC compared with normal controls were screened applying the TCGA database. The correlation of differentially expressed Annexins with clinical stages, grades and overall survival was analyzed to explore the clinical significance of Annexins in RCC. Then ANXA8 was selected and further stained in the discover and validation RCC cohort. The correlation of ANXA8 expression with clinical parameter was verified at the protein level. To explore the potential function of ANXA8, ANXA8 was knockdown in the RCC cell line and further analyzed using transcriptome and bioinformatic analysis.

Results

mRNA expression of ANXA1, ANXA2R, ANXA4, ANXA8, ANXA8L1 and ANXA13 were significantly upregulated in RCC compared with normal kidney tissues. In contrast, ANXA3 and ANXA9 mRNA expression was significantly downregulated. Higher expression of ANXA2R, ANXA8 and ANXA8L1 were correlated with worse overall survival, while lower expression of ANXA3, ANXA9 and ANXA13 were associated with worse clinical outcomes in RCC patients. We further demonstrated that ANXA8 expression was significantly increased in RCC compared with normal renal tissues at the protein level. And higher protein expression of ANXA8 was associated with higher clinical grades. Through the bioinformatics analysis and cell cycle analysis, we found knockdown of ANXA8 mainly influenced the cell cycle and DNA replication. The top ten hub genes consist of CDC6, CDK2, CHEK1, CCNB1, ORC1, CHEK2, MCM7, CDK1, PCNA and MCM3.

Conclusions

Multiple members of Annexins were abnormally expressed and associated with the prognosis of RCC. The expression of ANXA8 was significantly increased in RCC and associated with poor prognosis. ANXA8 might influence the cell cycle and could be a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for RCC.
Low cognitive functioning and depressive symptoms in patients with rheumatoid arthritis and systemic sclerosis: a clinical study
Authors: Alexopoulos Panagiotis , Skondra Maria , Charalampopoulou Marina , Georgiou Eliza Eleni-Zacharoula , Demertzis Antonios Alexandros , Aligianni Suzana Ιoanna , Gourzis Philippos , Politis Antonios , Εconomou Polychronis , Daoussis Dimitrios
Published: July 2023

Background

Recently, cognitive deficits occurring in rheumatic diseases have attracted scientific attention. Cognitive symptoms in patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) have not been thoroughly studied. This study aimed to assess cognitive function and its relationship with depressive symptoms in RA and SSc and compare it to mild neurocognitive disorder due to Alzheimer’s disease (MiND) and to individuals without cognitive impairment.

Methods

Cognitive function and depressive symptoms were tapped with the Cognitive Telephone Screening Instrument plus (COGTEL+), the Serial Seven Test (SST), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Geriatric Depression scale-15 (GDS), respectively. Statistical analyses included between groups-, correlation- and regression analyses. Demographic characteristics were considered in the regression models.

Results

The study included 30 individuals with RA, 24 with SSc, 26 adults without cognitive impairment and 33 individuals with MiND. Lower performance in verbal short-term memory, concentration/attention, verbal fluency and MMSE in patients with RA compared to individuals without cognitive impairment was detected. Of note, performance on verbal fluency, concentration/attention, inductive reasoning and MMSE was lower in RA compared to MiND. Individuals with SSc performed worse in verbal fluency and in MMSE in comparison to adults without cognitive deficits. Verbal fluency deficits in SSc exceeded that in MiND. Performance on MMSE, COGTEL+, prospective memory, working memory, verbal fluency and concentration/attention was related to GDS scores, which did not vary across the groups.

Conclusions

Patients with RA and SSc encountered cognitive dysfunction, which partially pertains to depressive symptoms. Of note, the severity of cognitive dysfunction in many cases exceeded that of MiND.
Blended smartphone intervention for patients in opioid maintenance treatment in Iran: protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Boumparis Nikolaos , Noroozi Alireza , Naghizadeh Eisa , Meyer Andreas , Wenger Andreas , Rahimi-Movaghar Afarin , Schaub Michael P.
Published: July 2023

Background

The pattern of substance use in Iran is characterized by a high prevalence of opioid use and opioid use disorder (OUD). Although opioid maintenance therapy (OMT) has been introduced in Iran, approximately 50% of people with opioid use disorder remain unreached. Moreover, psychosocial treatment of OUD and common mental health symptoms during OMT is limited. Digital interventions have been shown to improve psychological distress, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. In addition, providing psychoeducation and risk reduction counseling to prevent communicable diseases like HIV and infectious hepatitis is common via the Internet. However, despite these promising advances, no smartphone intervention in OMT has been investigated for the treatment of OUD and common comorbid mental health symptoms.

Objective

We examine the effectiveness of adding a blended smartphone intervention based on community reinforcement approach, motivational interviewing- and cognitive behavioral therapy compared to OMT as usual that aims to improve OMT outcomes and addresses common mental health symptoms in OMT patients in Iran.

Method

Adults with opioid dependence entering 8 treatment centers in Tehran, Iran will be randomly assigned to receive either OMT plus a smartphone intervention or OMT as usual. The primary outcomes will be the percentage of negative urine tests for illicit, non-prescribed use of opioids (opium, heroin, tramadol) and treatment retention. Secondary outcomes will include the longest period of abstinence from the illicit, non-prescribed use of opioids (opium, heroin, and tramadol) confirmed by urine samples, changes in communicable disease risk-taking behaviors, changes in stress and common mental health symptoms, and client satisfaction. Data analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle and employ (generalized) linear mixed models.

Discussion

This study will provide substantial knowledge for designing effective blended interventions for OUD. Moreover, it will investigate if treatment retention and OMT-related outcomes and common mental health symptoms can be improved by adding a smartphone intervention to OMT.

Trial Registration

https://en.irct.ir/trial/53578.
Racial disparities in conditional survival of patients with bladder cancer: a population-based study
Authors: Liu Wei , Xiong Jie , Wang Honghao , Li Shuo , Lei Zhentao , Jiang Lili , Cao Jin , Yang Lin , Guo Hongfeng , Gao Qiang , Wang Shenghan , Zhang Bao
Published: July 2023

Background

Traditional estimates can only provide static predictions of cancer outcomes and cannot assess the evolving effect of race on patient survival. This study aims to reveal the dynamic survival of patients with bladder cancer and to explore the evolving effect of race on patient prognosis.

Methods

Using data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) registry, 99,590 white, 6,036 African American, and 4,685 Asian/Pacific Islander (API) patients with bladder cancer were identified. Conditional cancer-specific survival (CSS) rates, which could reflect the dynamic survival prediction of cancer patients, represented the primary outcomes, and were estimated by the Kaplan-Meier algorithm. The evolving effect of race on patient survival was evaluated by multivariable Cox regression in combination with conditional survival (CS) estimates.

Results

The 5-year CSS for African American patients who had survived 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 years after definitive therapy improved from the baseline calculation by + 5.8 (84.4%), + 9.5 (87.4%), + 12.8 (90.0%), + 14.4 (91.3%), and + 14.7% (91.5%), respectively. The increasing trend also held for overall white and API patients, and for all patient subsets when CS was calculated according to different levels of sex, age, and disease stage. African Americans, despite having the worst survival at baseline, could have CSS comparable to their white and API counterparts after 4 years of survivorship. In addition, the risk of death for African Americans tended to decrease with increasing survival, and the risk was no longer significantly different from that of whites after 4 years of survival.

Conclusions

While having the worst initial predicted outcomes, African Americans may eventually achieve comparable survival to white and API patients given several years of survivorship. As patient survival increases, African American race may lose its role as an indicator of poorer prognosis.
Predictors of applicant pool racial and ethnic diversity among physician assistant education programs: a national cross-sectional cohort study
Authors: Honda Trenton J. , Sturges Daytheon , Mills Daphne C. , Yuen Cynthia X. , Chitwood Ryan W. , Rodríguez José E.
Published: July 2023

Background

Numerous studies have demonstrated that the increasing racial and ethnic diversity of the US population benefits from access to healthcare providers from similarly diverse backgrounds. Physician assistant (PA) education programs have striven to increase the diversity of the profession, which is predominantly non-Hispanic white, by focusing on admitting students from historically excluded populations. However, strategies such as holistic admissions are predicated on the existence of racially and ethnically diverse applicant pools. While studies have examined correlates of matriculation into a medical education program, this study looks earlier in the pipeline and investigates whether applicant – not matriculant – pool diversity varies among PA programs with different characteristics.

Methods

Data were drawn from the 2017–2018 Central Application Service for PAs admissions cycle. Applications to programs with pre-professional tracks and applicants missing race/ethnicity data were excluded, resulting in data from 26,600 individuals who applied to 189 PA programs. We summarized the racial and ethnic diversity of each program’s applicant pools using: [1]the proportion of underrepresented minority (URM) students, [2]the proportion of students with backgrounds underrepresented in medicine (URiM), and [3]Simpson’s diversity index of a 7-category race/ethnicity combination. We used multiple regressions to model each diversity metric as a function of program characteristics including class size, accreditation status, type of institution, and other important features.

Results

Regardless of the demographic diversity metric examined, we found that applicant diversity was higher among provisionally accredited programs and those receiving more applications. We also identified trends suggesting that programs in more metropolitan areas were able to attract more diverse applicants. Programs that did not require the GRE were also able to attract more diverse applicants when considering the URM and SDI metrics, though results for URiM were not statistically significant.

Conclusions

Our findings provide insights into modifiable (e.g., GRE requirement) and non-modifiable (e.g., provisionally accredited) program characteristics that are associated with more demographically diverse applicant pools.
Contribution of the World Health Organization/ the special program for research and training in tropical disease (WHO/TDR’s) in institution building: lessons from Ethiopia
Authors: Kaba Mirgissa , Solomon Kalkidan , Kitaw Yayehyirad , Berhe Derbew Fikadu , Abdissa Alemseged
Published: July 2023

Background

World Health Organization/Tropical Disease Research (WHO/TDR) has enduring investment in transfers of skills critical to sustaining resilient health research systems through postgraduate training, clinical research and development fellowship (CRDF), bioethics, and grants to neglected tropical disease research. TDR has a long history of partnership with Armauer Hansen Research Institute (AHRI) in Ethiopia. The collaboration started with individuals and lead to institution survival and success. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the impact and lessons learned of TDR initiatives in Ethiopia.

Method

This study was guided by the ‘TDR Impact Pathways’. A total of thirteen in-depth, and five key informant interviews were conducted with individuals who are currently working in Addis Ababa, Gondar, Jimma Universities and AHRI. In addition to the interviews, reports, written communications and publications were reviewed. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed verbatim, inductively coded, and analyzed thematically. The results were presented following the themes with supportive verbatim quotes.

Conclusion

TDR’s seed grants, training opportunities and technical support catalyzed individual, institutional and national research capacity in Ethiopia. This is a useful indication of how long-term collaboration between individuals could have broader institutional implication as evidenced from the TDR-AHRI complementary partnership.
TEAS, DHEA, CoQ10, and GH for poor ovarian response undergoing IVF-ET: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Zhu Fengya , Yin Shao , Yang Bin , Li Siyun , Feng Xia , Wang Tianyu , Che Deya
Published: July 2023

Background

Assisted reproductive technology (ART) has brought good news to infertile patients, but how to improve the pregnancy outcome of poor ovarian response (POR) patients is still a serious challenge and the scientific evidence of some adjuvant therapies remains controversial.

Aim

Based on previous evidence, the purpose of this systematic review and network meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of DHEA, CoQ10, GH and TEAS on pregnancy outcomes in POR patients undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation (IVF-ET). In addition, we aimed to determine the current optimal adjuvant treatment strategies for POR.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, The Cochrane Library and four databases in China (CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed) were systematically searched up to July 30, 2022, with no restrictions on language. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of adjuvant treatment strategies (DHEA, CoQ10, GH and TEAS) before IVF-ET to improve pregnancy outcomes in POR patients, while the control group received a controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) regimen only. This study was reported in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) was used to provide a pooled measure of cumulative ranking for each outcome.

Results

Sixteen RCTs (2323 women) with POR defined using the Bologna criteria were included in the network meta-analysis. Compared with the control group, CoQ10 (OR 2.22, 95% CI: 1.05 to 4.71) and DHEA (OR 1.92, 95% CI: 1.16 to 3.16) had obvious advantages in improving the clinical pregnancy rate. CoQ10 was the best in improving the live birth rate (OR 2.36, 95% CI: 1.07 to 5.38). DHEA increased the embryo implantation rate (OR 2.80, 95%CI: 1.41 to 5.57) and the high-quality embryo rate (OR 2.01, 95% CI: 1.07 to 3.78) and number of oocytes retrieved (WMD 1.63, 95% CI: 0.34 to 2.92) showed a greater advantage, with GH in second place. Several adjuvant treatment strategies had no significant effect on reducing the cycle canceling rate compared with the control group. TEAS was the least effective of the four adjuvant treatments in most pooled results, but the overall effect appeared to be better than that of the control group.

Conclusion

Compared with COS regimen, the adjuvant use of CoQ10, DHEA and GH before IVF may have a better clinical effect on the pregnancy outcome of POR patients. TEAS needs careful consideration in improving the clinical pregnancy rate. Future large-scale RCTs with direct comparisons are needed to validate or update this conclusion.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42022304723
Engineered Escherichia coli platforms for tyrosine-derivative production from phenylalanine using phenylalanine hydroxylase and tetrahydrobiopterin-regeneration system
Authors: Satoh Yasuharu , Fukui Keita , Koma Daisuke , Shen Ning , Lee Taek Soon
Published: July 2023

Background

Aromatic compounds derived from tyrosine are important and diverse chemicals that have industrial and commercial applications. Although these aromatic compounds can be obtained by extraction from natural producers, their growth is slow, and their content is low. To overcome these problems, many of them have been chemically synthesized from petroleum-based feedstocks. However, because of the environmental burden and depleting availability of feedstock, microbial cell factories are attracting much attention as sustainable and environmentally friendly processes.

Results

To facilitate development of microbial cell factories for producing tyrosine derivatives, we developed simple and convenient tyrosine-producing Escherichia coli platforms with a bacterial phenylalanine hydroxylase, which converted phenylalanine to tyrosine with tetrahydromonapterin as a cofactor, using a synthetic biology approach. By introducing a tetrahydrobiopterin-regeneration system, the tyrosine titer of the plasmid-based engineered strain was 4.63 g/L in a medium supplemented with 5.00 g/L phenylalanine with a test tube. The strains were successfully used to produce industrially attractive compounds, such as tyrosol with a yield of 1.58 g/L by installing a tyrosol-producing module consisting of genes encoding tyrosine decarboxylase and tyramine oxidase on a plasmid. Gene integration into E. coli chromosomes has an advantage over the use of plasmids because it increases genetic stability without antibiotic feeding to the culture media and enables more flexible pathway engineering by accepting more plasmids with artificial pathway genes. Therefore, we constructed a plasmid-free tyrosine-producing platform by integrating five modules, comprising genes encoding the phenylalanine hydroxylase and tetrahydrobiopterin-regeneration system, into the chromosome. The platform strain could produce 1.04 g/L of 3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine, a drug medicine, by installing a gene encoding tyrosine hydroxylase and the tetrahydrobiopterin-regeneration system on a plasmid. Moreover, by installing the tyrosol-producing module, tyrosol was produced with a yield of 1.28 g/L.

Conclusions

We developed novel E. coli platforms for producing tyrosine from phenylalanine at multi-gram-per-liter levels in test-tube cultivation. The platforms allowed development and evaluation of microbial cell factories installing various designed tyrosine-derivative biosynthetic pathways at multi-grams-per-liter levels in test tubes.
Math anxiety affects career choices during development
Authors: Eidlin-Levy Hili , Avraham Elad , Fares Laurain , Rubinsten Orly
Published: July 2023

Background

Links between math anxiety and the choice of a math-intensive career might change over development and differ by gender. The study included three research populations: primary school (N = 87, 48 females, mean age = 10.2), high school (N = 107, 61 females, mean age = 15.7), and university students (N = 100, 53 females, mean age = 27.4). Students completed a math anxiety questionnaire and reported their desired career choice.

Results

Findings suggest that math anxiety directly predicted the career choice math intensity for high school and university students, but not primary school students. Gender had a direct effect on younger students, as female students attending primary and high school preferred careers with a lower math intensity. The effect of gender on career choice math intensity for university students was not direct but mediated by math anxiety.

Conclusions

It is crucial to identify young students with math anxiety and provide appropriate math anxiety reduction programs to reduce the cumulative effect of math anxiety on academic achievement and career choice.