bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio-based prognostic model to predict mortality in patients with HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure
Authors: Sun Jian , Guo Hongying , Yu Xueping , Zhu Haoxiang , Zhang Xueyun , Yang Jianghua , Wang Jiefei , Qian Zhiping , Shen Zhongliang , Mao Richeng , Zhang Jiming
Published: November 2021

Background

Although the Asian Pacific Association for the Study of the Liver acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) research consortium (AARC) ACLF score is easy to use in patients with hepatitis b virus-related ACLF (HBV-ACLF), serum lactate is not routinely tested in primary hospitals, and its value may be affected by some interference factors. Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is used to assess the status of bacterial infection (BI) or outcomes in patients with various diseases. We developed an NLR-based AARC ACLF score and compared it with the existing model.

Methods

A total of 494 HBV-ACLF patients, enrolled in four tertiary academic hospitals in China with 90-day follow-up, were analysed. Prognostic performance of baseline NLR and lactate were compared between cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic subgroups via the receiver operating curve and Kaplan–Meier analyses. A modified AARC ACLF (mAARC ACLF) score using NLR as a replacement for lactate was developed (n = 290) and validated (n = 204).

Results

There were significantly higher baseline values of NLR in non-survivors, patients with admission BI, and those with higher grades of ACLF compared with the control groups. Compared with lactate, NLR better reflected BI status in the cirrhotic subgroup, and was more significantly correlated with CTP, MELD, MELD-Na, and the AARC score. NLR was an independent predictor of 90-day mortality, and was categorized into three risk grades (< 3.10, 3.10–4.78, and > 4.78) with 90-day cumulative mortalities of 8%, 21.2%, and 77.5% in the derivation cohort, respectively. The mAARC ACLF score, using the three grades of NLR instead of corresponding levels of lactate, was superior to the other four scores in predicting 90-day mortality in the derivation (AUROC 0.906, 95% CI 0.872–0.940, average P < 0.001) and validation cohorts (AUROC 0.913, 95% CI 0.876–0.950, average P < 0.01), with a considerable performance in predicting 28-day mortality in the two cohorts.

Conclusions

The prognostic value of NLR is superior to that of lactate in predicting short-term mortality risk in cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients with HBV-ACLF. NLR can be incorporated into the AARC ACLF scoring system for improving its prognostic accuracy and facilitating the management guidance in patients with HBV-ACLF in primary hospitals.
Early argatroban and antiplatelet combination therapy in acute non-lacunar single subcortical infarct associated with mild intracranial atherosclerosis
Authors: Wang Peng-Fei , Sun Zhuo-Ran , Yu Jin-Chao , Geng Na , Liu Ling-Yun , Zhu Li-Na , Li Jing , Yuan Hai-Cheng , Zhao Guo-chen , Li Zhen-Guang
Published: November 2021

Background

Patients with acute non-lacunar single subcortical infarct (SSI) associated with mild intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAS) have a relatively high incidence of early neurological deterioration (END), resulting in unfavorable functional outcomes. Whether the early administration of argatroban and aspirin or clopidogrel within 6–12 h after symptom onset is effective and safe in these patients is unknown.

Methods

A review of the stroke database of Weihai Municipal Hospital, Cheeloo College of Medicine, Shandong University and Qingdao Center Hospital, Qingdao University Medical College in China was undertaken from May 2017 to January 2020 to identify all patients with non-lacunar SSI caused by ICAS within 6–12 h of symptom onset based on MRI screening. Patients were divided into two groups, one comprising those who received argatroban and mono antiplatelet therapy with aspirin or clopidogrel on admission (argatroban group), and the other those who received dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) with aspirin and clopidogrel during hospitalization (DAPT group). The primary outcome was recovery by 90 days after stroke based on a modified Rankin scale (mRS) score (0 to 1). The secondary outcome was END incidence within 120 h of admission. Safety outcomes were intracranial hemorrhage (ICH) and major extracranial bleeding. The probability of clinical benefit (mRS score 0–1 at 90 days) was estimated using multivariable logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 304 acute non-lacunar SSI associated with mild ICAS patients were analyzed. At 90 days, 101 (74.2%) patients in the argatroban group and 80 (47.6%) in the DAPT group had an mRS score that improved from 0 to 1 (P < 0.001). The relative risk (95% credible interval) for an mRS score improving from 0 to 1 in the argatroban group was 1.50 (1.05–2.70). END occurred in 10 (7.3%) patients in the argatroban group compared with 37 (22.0%) in the DAPT group (P < 0.001). No patients experienced symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation.

Conclusions

Early combined administration of argatroban and an antiplatelet agent (aspirin or clopidogrel) may be beneficial for patients with non-lacunar SSI associated with mild ICAS identified by MRI screening and may attenuate progressive neurological deficits.

Trial registration

Our study is a retrospectively registered trial.
Acute posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) in setting of interferon-beta use: case presentation with reduction of edema in 72 h after cessation of interferon-beta therapy with sub-clinical inflammation
Authors: Dietz Nicholas , Mufti Zarmina , Yousaf Muhammed , Brown Randal , Counts Christopher , Bjurström Martin F. , Williams Brian J. , Robertson David
Published: November 2021

Background

Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES) represents a transient change in mental status with associated vasogenic edema of cortical and subcortical brain structures. It is often attributed to multifactorial etiology including hypertension and altered hemodynamics and disruption of vessel integrity. Patients with autoimmune disease and certain immune modulator therapies are at greater risk.

Case presentation

A 54-year-old female with past medical history of well-controlled multiple sclerosis on interferon-beta since 2013, presented with witnessed tonic colonic seizure. She also was noted to demonstrate left gaze deviation and left-sided hemiparesis. MRI fluid-attenuated inversion recovery sequence showed hyperintensity of the subcortical U fibers, concentrated in the occipital, parietal lobes and frontal lobes. Systolic blood pressure was 160 mmHg on arrival. The patient was started on seizure prophylxis and Interferon beta was discontinued. The patient’s mentation, seizures and hemiapresis significantly improved in next 72 h with tight blood pressure control, and had notble improvement on MRI imaging and inflammatory markers. Lumbar puncture CSF results were devoid of infectious and autoimmune pathology.

Conclusions

A middle-aged female with multiple sclerosis who was on chronic IFN-beta presented to the emergency room with a witnessed tonic-clonic seizure, with MRI T2 FLAIR imaging consistent with PRES. She had notable clinical improvement with decreased edema on imaging and improved inflammatory markers 72 h after cessation of IFN-beta therapy.
Obesity and metabolic comorbidity in bipolar disorder: do patients on lithium comprise a subgroup? A naturalistic study
Authors: Prillo Jake , Soh Jocelyn Fotso , Park Haley , Beaulieu Serge , Linnaranta Outi , Rej Soham
Published: November 2021

Background

Bipolar disorders (BD) are associated with increased prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Nevertheless, there is a wide range in prevalence estimates, with little known about the contributions of pharmacotherapy. It has been suggested that lithium might have a more favorable metabolic profile. We hypothesized that lithium use is associated with less increased body mass index (BMI), MetS, and type II diabetes, when compared with non-lithium users (those on anticonvulsants, second-generation antipsychotics).

Methods

Cross-sectional study of 129 patients aged 18–85 with bipolar disorder, followed at tertiary care clinics in Montreal. Patients using lithium were compared with those not on lithium, for body mass index and metabolic syndrome.

Results

The prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome in the sample of lithium-using patients with BD was 42.4 and 35.7% respectively, with an average BMI of 29.10 (+/− 6.70). Lithium and non-lithium groups did not differ in BMI or prevalence of MetS. However, compared to the non-lithium group, lithium users had lower hemoglobin A1C (5.24 +/− 0.53 versus 6.01 +/− 1.83, U = 753.5, p = 0.006) and lower triglycerides (1.46 +/− 0.88 versus 2.01 +/− 1.25, U = 947, p = 0.020).

Conclusions

There is a high prevalence of obesity and metabolic syndrome among patients with bipolar disorder. However, this did not appear to be associated with lithium use, when compared to those not on lithium. The lithium subgroup was also associated with lower prevalence of type II diabetes. Future prospective and intervention studies with larger sample sizes are necessary to further explore the association between lithium and insulin resistance, as well as its underlying mechanisms.
Aging safely in Alentejo – understanding for action - preventing falls and violence against older people: study rationale, aims, design, and preliminary results
Authors: Pereira Catarina , Bravo Jorge , Reis Gorete , Mendes Felismina
Published: November 2021

Background

Falls and violence against older people might represent a joint public health problem, as both may result in injury, fear, social isolation, sedentary behavior and dependence or even death. The ESACA project “Aging safely in Alentejo - Understanding for action” was designed to promote the healthy aging of older people in Alentejo by preventing the occurrence of falls and violence. This study aimed to report the ESACA protocol and the preliminary outcomes.

Methods

The ESACA study has a twofold design as a cross-sectional study that included retrospective and prospective surveys. The participants were 508 community-dwelling older people. Assessments included falls, the risk of violence against older people, sociodemographic characteristics, health-related measurements, fear of falling, anthropometric measures and body composition, functional physical fitness, physical activity, and environmental hazards.

Results

Among the participants, 43% were fallers, 21% were recurrent fallers, and 22% were victims of one or more kinds of violence (psychological: 17.1%, physical: 5.6%, and patrimonial: 3.0%). Moreover, the cumulative results suggested high risk on several risk factors for falling (7 factors: 0.6% to 2 factors: 17.4%) and of  violence (26.7%).

Conclusions

In the ESACA project, a wide range of potential influencing factors on falls and violence risk factors were measured, and comprehensive quality control measures were applied. Overall, the results suggest that for falls and violence prevention strategies to be effective, it is essential to evaluate, diagnose, and inform all stakeholders in a directed and useful way. Moreover, we believe that our project outcomes may help change mindsets and behaviors by involving people in active aging and well-being programs that promote exercise and avoid isolation.
Determinant factors for loss to follow-up in drug-resistant tuberculosis patients: the importance of psycho-social and economic aspects
Authors: Soedarsono Soedarsono , Mertaniasih Ni Made , Kusmiati Tutik , Permatasari Ariani , Juliasih Ni Njoman , Hadi Cholichul , Alfian Ilham Nur
Published: November 2021

Background

Drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) is the barrier for global TB elimination efforts with a lower treatment success rate. Loss to follow-up (LTFU) in DR-TB is a serious problem, causes mortality and morbidity for patients, and leads to wide spreading of DR-TB to their family and the wider community, as well as wasting health resources. Prevention and management of LTFU is crucial to reduce mortality, prevent further spread of DR-TB, and inhibit the development and transmission of more extensively drug-resistant strains of bacteria. A study about the factors associated with loss to follow-up is needed to develop appropriate strategies to prevent DR-TB patients become loss to follow-up. This study was conducted to identify the factors correlated with loss to follow-up in DR-TB patients, using questionnaires from the point of view of patients.

Methods

An observational study with a cross-sectional design was conducted. Study subjects were all DR-TB patients who have declared as treatment success and loss to follow-up from DR-TB treatment. A structured questionnaire was used to collect information by interviewing the subjects as respondents. Obtained data were analyzed potential factors correlated with loss to follow-up in DR-TB patients.

Results

A total of 280 subjects were included in this study. Sex, working status, income, and body mass index showed a significant difference between treatment success and loss to follow-up DR-TB patients with p-value of 0.013, 0.010, 0.007, and 0.006, respectively. In regression analysis, factors correlated with increased LTFU were negative attitude towards treatment (OR = 1.2; 95% CI = 1.1–1.3), limitation of social support (OR = 1.1; 95% CI = 1.0–1.2), dissatisfaction with health service (OR = 2.1; 95% CI = 1.5–3.0)), and limitation of economic status (OR = 1.1; 95% CI = 1.0–1.2)).

Conclusions

Male patients, jobless, non-regular employee, lower income, and underweight BMI were found in higher proportion in LTFU patients. Negative attitude towards treatment, limitation of social support, dissatisfaction with health service, and limitation of economic status are factors correlated with increased LTFU in DR-TB patients. Non-compliance to treatment is complex, we suggest that the involvement and support from the combination of health ministry, labor and employment ministry, and social ministry may help to resolve the complex problems of LTFU in DR-TB patients.
The accuracy of digital templating in cementless total hip arthroplasty in dysplastic hips
Authors: Kristoffersson Emelie , Otten Volker , Crnalic Sead
Published: November 2021

Background

Total hip arthroplasty (THA) for developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is a complex procedure due to associated anatomical abnormalities. We studied the extent to which preoperative digital templating is reliable when performing cementless THA in patients with DDH.

Methods

We templated and compared the pre- and postoperative sizes of the acetabular and femoral components and the center of rotation (COR), and analysed the postoperative cup coverage, leg length discrepancy (LLD), and stem alignment in 50 patients (56 hips) with DDH treated with THA.

Results

The implant size exactly matched the template size in 42.9% of cases for the acetabular component and in 38.2% of cases for the femoral component, whereas the templated ±1 size was used in 80.4 and 81.8% of cases for the acetabular and femoral components, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences between templated and used component sizes among different DDH severity levels (acetabular cup: p = 0.30 under the Crowe classification and p = 0.94 under the Hartofilakidis classification; femoral stem: p = 0.98 and p = 0.74, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between the planned and postoperative COR (p = 0.14 horizontally and p = 0.52 vertically). The median postoperative LLD was 7 (range 0–37) mm.

Conclusion

Digital preoperative templating is reliable in the planning of cementless THA in patients with DDH.
A comparative study of the clinical efficacy of supination-adduction type II ankle fracture surgery based on the medial pilon fracture concept versus the ankle fracture concept
Authors: Ma Zhida , Zhan Junfeng , Zhu Nan , Zheng Liujie , Hu Yao , Liu Wei , Li Jinxin , Jing Juehua
Published: November 2021

Background

A supination-adduction (SAD) ankle fracture is a special type of ankle fracture that results in collapse of the distal tibial articular surface; as such, orthopaedic surgeons require greater awareness of this type of fracture. The severity of this injury lies between that of an ordinary ankle fracture and a pilon fracture, and the treatment of such fractures based on the ankle fracture concept leads to extremely high rates of postoperative complications and a poor prognosis. In this retrospective study, we aimed to explore the treatment of SAD fractures based on the pilon fracture concept.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed the clinical data of 67 patients with Lauge-Hansen supination-adduction type II (SAD-II) ankle fractures, most of whom had a 44-A AO classification. Patients underwent surgical treatment at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from January 2009 to June 2019. The patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical concept employed: 43 patients were included in the ankle fracture surgical concept group, and 24 patients were included in the medial pilon fracture surgical concept group. The therapeutic effect was evaluated based on the Burwell-Charnley radiological reduction standard, the American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (AOFAS) ankle-hindfoot score and postoperative visual analogue scale (VAS) pain score 1 year after surgery using regression with adjustment for confounding factors.

Results

All 67 patients were followed up. Twenty-four patients were treated according to the medial pilon fracture concept, and forty-three patients were treated according to the ankle fracture concept. The AOFAS score 1 year after surgery in the medial pilon group (89.83 ± 2.77) was higher than that in the ankle fracture group (83.63 ± 7.97) (p < 0.05). The VAS score 1 year after surgery in the medial pilon fracture group (1.17 ± 0.96) was significantly better than that in the ankle fracture group (2.28 ± 0.96) (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with Lauge-Hansen SAD-II ankle fractures treated based on the medial pilon fracture surgical concept had better postoperative outcomes than those treated based on the ankle fracture surgical concept.

Level of evidence

Level III, retrospective cohort study.
Operating room nurses’ experiences of limited access to daylight in the workplace – a qualitative interview study
Authors: Golvani Jenny , Roos Linda , Henricson Maria
Published: November 2021

Background

The operating room nurse is, among other things, responsible for patient safety and maintaining an aseptic environment. For hygienic reasons unnecessary traffic in the operating room should be avoided, which may mean that the operating room nurse works long shifts without relief. Operating departments are usually separated, where there might be no daylight opportunities in the operating room. The purpose of the study was to describe operating room nurses’ experiences of limited access to daylight in the workplace.

Method

Qualitative design with four semi-structured focus groups of totally 15 operating room nurses. The analysis was performed with a content analysis with an inductive approach.

Results

The study generated two main categories, difference in light and contact with the outer world. Operating room nurses felt that daylight affected them differently from the light from lamps, where daylight was considered important for experiencing well-being. Daylight could lead to a sensation of joy but also increased awareness and energy which seemed to improve the ability to perform at work. The limited access to daylight contributed to fatigue and led to an internal stress that affected the nurses even after work. Having opportunities to look out through windows under a workday was important to experience contact with the outside world and created a sense of time.

Conclusion

To look out can reduce the feeling of being trapped in the closed context that the operating department entails. It can also lead to increased well-being and comfort in the workplace. We consider that daylight is an important component in the physical work environment that needs to be taken into consideration in further research as well as in new construction of operations departments.
Proteasome inhibitors restore the STAT1 pathway and enhance the expression of MHC class I on human colon cancer cells
Authors: Liang Yi-Hsin , Chen Kuo-Hsing , Tsai Jia-Huei , Cheng Yung-Ming , Lee Chang-Cheng , Kao Chiu-Hwa , Chan Kuang-Yu , Chen Yeh-Ting , Hsu Wen-Ling , Yeh Kun-Huei
Published: November 2021

Background

A new strategy, particularly a novel combination, for immunotherapy in microsatellite stable metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) treatment needs to be formulated. Studies on the interferon-γ (IFN-γ)/ Janus kinase (JAK)/ signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT)1 pathway provide new directions in this regard.

Methods

Our study applies three colon cancer cell lines, including microsatellite stable (MSS) cell lines, which are SW480 and SW620, and microsatellite instability-high (MSI-H) cell line, which is DLD-1. We compared the expressions of immune surface markers on colon cancer cells in response to IFN-γ. We elucidated these mechanisms, which involved the upregulation of immune surface markers. Furthermore, we examined real-world clinical samples using the PerkinElmer Opal multiplex system and NanoString analysis.

Results

We established that the baseline expression of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I alleles and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) were generally low in cell line models. The immune surface markers were significantly increased after IFN-γ stimulation on SW480 but were notably unresponsive on the SW620 cell line. We discovered that STAT1 and phosphorylated STAT1 (pSTAT1) were downregulated in the SW620 cell line. We verified that the STAT1/pSTAT1 could be restored through the application of proteasome inhibitors, especially bortezomib. The expression of MHC class I as downstream signals of STAT1 was also up-regulated by proteasome inhibitors. The similar results were reproduced in DLD-1 cell line, which was also initially unresponsive to IFN-γ. In real-world samples of patients with mCRC, we found that higher STAT1 expression in tumor cells was strongly indicative of a highly immunogenic microenvironment, with significantly higher expression levels of MHC class I and PD-L1, not only on tumor cells but also on non-tumor cells. Furthermore, tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) were increased in the positive-STAT1 group. Through NanoString analysis, we confirmed that the mRNA expressions of IFN-γ, human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A, HLA-E, and HLA-G were also significantly higher in the positive-STAT1 group than those in the negative-STAT1 group.

Conclusion

Our study provides a novel rationale for the addition of bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, into new immunotherapy combinations.
Down-regulation of EPB41L4A-AS1 mediated the brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases via damaging synthesis of NAD+ and ATP
Authors: Yang Tingpeng , Wang Yanzhi , Liao Weijie , Zhang Shikuan , Wang Songmao , Xu Naihan , Xie Weidong , Luo Cheng , Wang Yangyang , Wang Ziqiang , Zhang Yaou
Published: November 2021

Background

Aging and neurodegenerative diseases are typical metabolic-related processes. As a metabolism-related long non-coding RNA, EPB41L4A-AS has been reported to be potentially involved in the development of brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, we sought to reveal the mechanisms of EPB41L4A-AS in aging and neurodegenerative diseases.

Methods

Human hippocampal gene expression profiles downloaded from the Genotype-Tissue Expression database were analyzed to obtain age-stratified differentially expressed genes; a weighted correlation network analysis algorithm was then used to construct a gene co-expression network of these differentially expressed genes to obtain gene clustering modules. Gene Ontology, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes, protein–protein interaction network, and correlation analysis were used to reveal the role of EPB41L4A-AS1. The mechanism was verified using Gene Expression Omnibus dataset GSE5281 and biological experiments (construction of cell lines, Real-time quantitative PCR, Western blot, measurement of ATP and NAD+levels, nicotinamide riboside treatment, Chromatin Immunoprecipitation) in neurons and glial-derived cells.

Results

EPB41L4A-AS1 was downregulated in aging and Alzheimer's disease. EPB41L4A-AS1 related genes were found to be enriched in the electron transport chain and NAD+synthesis pathway. Furthermore, these genes were highly associated with neurodegenerative diseases and positively correlated with EPB41L4A-AS1. In addition, biological experiments proved that the downregulation of EPB41L4A-AS1 could reduce the expression of these genes via histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation, resulting in decreased NAD+and ATP levels, while EPB41L4A-AS1 overexpression and nicotinamide riboside treatment could restore the NAD+and ATP levels.

Conclusions

Downregulation of EPB41L4A-AS1 not only disturbs NAD+biosynthesis but also affects ATP synthesis. As a result, the high demand for NAD+and ATP in the brain cannot be met, promoting the development of brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases. However, overexpression of EPB41L4A-AS1 and nicotinamide riboside, a substrate of NAD+synthesis, can reduce EPB41L4A-AS1 downregulation-mediated decrease of NAD+and ATP synthesis. Our results provide new perspectives on the mechanisms underlying brain aging and neurodegenerative diseases.
Real-world experience of how chlorhexidine bathing affects the acquisition and incidence of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) in a medical intensive care unit with VRE endemicity: a prospective interrupted time-series study
Authors: Suh Jin Woong , Kim Nam Hee , Lee Min Jung , Lee Seoung Eun , Chun Byung Chul , Lee Chang Kyu , Lee Juneyoung , Kim Jong Hun , Kim Sun Bean , Yoon Young Kyung , Sohn Jang Wook , Kim Min Ja
Published: November 2021

Background

Critically ill patients in intensive care units (ICUs) often acquire opportunistic infections or are colonized by vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), which limits therapeutic options and results in high case-fatality rates. In clinical practice, the beneficial effects of universal chlorhexidine gluconate (CHG) bathing on the control of VRE remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether 2% CHG daily bathing reduced the acquisition of VRE in the setting of a medical ICU (MICU) with VRE endemicity.

Methods

This quasi-experimental intervention study was conducted in a 23-bed MICU of a tertiary care hospital in Korea from September 2016 to December 2017. In a prospective, interrupted time-series analysis (ITS) with a 6-month CHG bathing intervention, we compared the acquisition and incidence of VRE and the incidence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) between the pre-intervention and intervention periods. The primary and secondary outcomes were a change in the acquisition of VRE and incidence of VRE, MRSA, or CRAB between the two periods, respectively.

Results

All the adult patients admitted to the MICU were enrolled in the pre-intervention (n = 259) and intervention (n = 242). The overall CHG daily bathing compliance rate was 72.5%. In the ITS, there was a significant intervention effect with a 58% decrease in VRE acquisition (95% CI 7.1–82.1%, p = 0.038) following the intervention. However, there was no significant intervention effects on the incidence trend of VRE, MRSA, and CRAB determined by clinical culture between the pre-intervention and intervention periods.

Conclusion

In this real-world study, we concluded that daily bathing with CHG may be an effective measure to reduce VRE cross-transmission among patients in MICU with a high VRE endemicity.
Offline crime bounces back to pre-COVID levels, cyber stays high: interrupted time-series analysis in Northern Ireland
Authors: Buil-Gil David , Zeng Yongyu , Kemp Steven
Published: November 2021

Much research has shown that the first lockdowns imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic were associated with changes in routine activities and, therefore, changes in crime. While several types of violent and property crime decreased immediately after the first lockdown, online crime rates increased. Nevertheless, little research has explored the relationship between multiple lockdowns and crime in the mid-term. Furthermore, few studies have analysed potentially contrasting trends in offline and online crimes using the same dataset. To fill these gaps in research, the present article employs interrupted time-series analysis to examine the effects on offline and online crime of the three lockdown orders implemented in Northern Ireland. We analyse crime data recorded by the police between April 2015 and May 2021. Results show that many types of traditional offline crime decreased after the lockdowns but that they subsequently bounced back to pre-pandemic levels. In contrast, results appear to indicate that cyber-enabled fraud and cyber-dependent crime rose alongside lockdown-induced changes in online habits and remained higher than before COVID-19. It is likely that the pandemic accelerated the long-term upward trend in online crime. We also find that lockdowns with stay-at-home orders had a clearer impact on crime than those without. Our results contribute to understanding how responses to pandemics can influence crime trends in the mid-term as well as helping identify the potential long-term effects of the pandemic on crime, which can strengthen the evidence base for policy and practice.
The impact of stress management training on stress-related coping strategies and self-efficacy in hemodialysis patients: a randomized controlled clinical trial
Authors: Ghasemi Bahraseman Zohreh , Mangolian Shahrbabaki Parvin , Nouhi Esmat
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Dialysis causes many psychological and social problems, such as stress and inefficiency in patients, which should be considered in health promotion interventions. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the impact of stress management training on stress coping strategies and the self-efficacy of these patients in southeastern Iran.

Methods

This quasi-experimental study was a randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on hemodialysis patients from December 2019 to January 2020. Patients who met inclusion criteria were selected with the convenience sampling method and divided into the two groups of intervention (n = 30) and control (n = 30) by using the block randomization method. Participants in the intervention group were trained in a stress management training program in 8 one-and-a-half-hour sessions, held twice a week. Data were measured with stress coping strategies and general self-efficacy questionnaires before, immediately, and 1 month after the intervention. SPSS18 was used for data analysis.

Results

The study results showed that the scores of stress coping strategies and the self-efficacy score in all their dimensions were significantly different between the intervention and control groups (P < 0.001).

Conclusion

The present study results showed that stress management training programs promoted stress coping strategies and self-efficacy in hemodialysis patients. Health planners and nurses are recommended to use these easy, feasible, and inexpensive interventions to reduce stress and increase self-efficacy.

Trial registrationIranian Registry of Clinical Trials (IRCT): IRCT20160914029817N10. Date of registration: October 7, 2021. URL:https://en.irct.ir/trial/58540. Registration timing: a retrospective.
Biostimulative effect of amino acids and green algae extract on capsaicinoid and other metabolite contents in fruits of Capsicum spp.
Authors: Zamljen Tilen , Hudina Metka , Veberič Robert , Slatnar Ana
Published: November 2021

Background

Biostimulants, such as algae extracts or amino acids, are becoming more common in agriculture because the mentality is to make plants more resistant or tolerant to negative environmental factors, rather than using synthetic chemicals (herbicides, insecticides and fungicides), whose use is decreasing year by year, forcing farmers and companies to develop new environmentally friendly products.

Results

In a field experiment, green algae and amino acids were tested as biostimulants on three hot pepper cultivars. A large variability was observed between the effects of the two biostimulants on the cultivars. Green algae-treated ‘Somborka’ and ‘Habanero Red Caribbean’ cultivars had 10% and 5% higher dry matter in seeds compared to control treatment. Total sugar content was negatively affected by green algae extract and amino acids in pericarp in cultivars ‘Chili AS-Red’ and ‘Habanero Red Caribbean’. Total organic acids content was positively affected by amino acid treatment in ‘Habanero Red Caribbean’ pericarp and placenta, with an increase of 5.5 g and 2.1 g/100 g DW, respectively. In terms of total phenolics, all three cultivars were positively affected by amino acid treatment, but not in each fruit part. In terms of capsaicinoid content, the greatest effect of the two stimulants was on ‘Somborka’, which varied from four (pericarp, seed) to 16 (placenta) times compared to the control. Amino acid extract decreased ‘Habanero Red Caribbean’ capsaicinoid content in placenta by about 40%.

Conclusion

Amino acids were found to be superior to algal extract, although the effect of both was mostly cultivar specific. For a wider use of biostimulants, it should first be tested whether they are suitable for the cultivar in order to increase and optimize the results.

Graphic abstract
Propofol postconditioning ameliorates hypoxia/reoxygenation induced H9c2 cell apoptosis and autophagy via upregulating forkhead transcription factors under hyperglycemia
Authors: Han Rong-Hui , Huang He-Meng , Han Hong , Chen Hao , Zeng Fei , Xie Xiang , Liu Dan-Yong , Cai Yin , Zhang Liang-Qing , Liu Xin , Xia Zheng-Yuan , Tang Jing
Published: November 2021

Background

Administration of propofol, an intravenous anesthetic with antioxidant property, immediately at the onset of post-ischemic reperfusion (propofol postconditioning, P-PostC) has been shown to confer cardioprotection against ischemia–reperfusion injury, while the underlying mechanism remains incompletely understood. The FoxO transcription factors are reported to play critical roles in activating cardiomyocyte survival signaling throughout the process of cellular injuries induced by oxidative stress and are also involved in hypoxic postconditioning mediated neuroprotection, however, the role of FoxO in postconditioning mediated protection in the heart and in particular in high glucose condition is unknown.

Methods

Rat heart-derived H9c2 cells were exposed to high glucose (HG) for 48 h (h), then subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R, composed of 8 h of hypoxia followed by 12 h of reoxygenation) in the absence or presence of postconditioning with various concentrations of propofol (P-PostC) at the onset of reoxygenation. After having identified the optical concentration of propofol, H9c2 cells were subjected to H/R and P-PostC in the absence or presence of FoxO1 or FoxO3a gene silencing to explore their roles in P-PostC mediated protection against apoptotic and autophagic cell deaths under hyperglycemia.

Results

The results showed that HG with or without H/R decreased cell viability, increased lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) leakage and the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in H9c2 cells, all of which were significantly reversed by propofol (P-PostC), especially at the concentration of 25 µmol/L (P25) (all P < 0.05, NC vs. HG; HG vs. HG + HR; HG + HR + P12.5 or HG + HR + P25 or HG + HR + P50 vs. HG + HR). Moreover, we found that propofol (P25) decreased H9c2 cells apoptosis and autophagy that were concomitant with increased FoxO1 and FoxO3a expression (all P < 0.05, HG + HR + P25 vs. HG + HR). The protective effects of propofol (P25) against H/R injury were reversed by silencing FoxO1 or FoxO3a (all P < 0.05, HG + HR + P25 vs. HG + HR + P25 + siRNA-1 or HG + HR + P25 + siRNA-5).

Conclusion

It is concluded that propofol postconditioning attenuated H9c2 cardiac cells apoptosis and autophagy induced by H/R injury through upregulating FoxO1 and FoxO3a under hyperglycemia.
Fermented fish products in South and Southeast Asian cuisine: indigenous technology processes, nutrient composition, and cultural significance
Authors: Narzary Yutika , Das Sandeep , Goyal Arvind Kumar , Lam Su Shiung , Sarma Hemen , Sharma Dolikajyoti
Published: November 2021

The cleaner production of biomass into value-added products via microbial processes adds uniqueness in terms of food quality. The microbe-mediated traditional process for transforming biomass into food is a sustainable practice in Asian food industries. The 18 fermented fish products derived through this process as well as the associated micro-flora and nutritional composition have been focused. This review aims to update the process of green conversion biomass into value-added food products for a more sustainable future. Fish products are classified based on the substrate and source of the enzymes used in fermentation, which includes the three types of technology processing discussed. According to the findings, these fermented fish contain a plethora of beneficial microbiota, making them a valuable source of probiotics that may confer nutritional and health benefits.Bacillus(12 products),Lactobacillus(12 products),Micrococcus(9 products), andStaphylococcus(9 products) were the most common bacterial genera found in 18 fermented fish products. Consuming fermented fish products is beneficial to human health due to their high levels of carbohydrate, protein, fat, and lactic acid. However, biogenic amines, which are produced by certain bacteria as a by-product of their catabolic activity, are a significant potential hazard in traditionally fermented fish.
Social distancing using IoT approach
Authors: Kulkarni Mayuri Diwakar , Alfatmi Khalid , Deshmukh Nikhil Sunil
Published: November 2021

In the coronavirus outbreak pandemic by COVID-19, the World Health Organization (WHO) has been issuing several guidelines through all government agencies. In line with those guidelines, social distancing in the population has been a major prevention practice, compelled by all government agencies worldwide. Despite strong recommendations to maintain at least one-and-a-half-meter distance between the persons, the guideline is not scrupulously followed. To overcome this situation, an IoT-based technical solution is proposed through this paper. PIR sensor is used for the detection of a target in the vicinity (1.5 m). Upon violation of social distancing norms, the system will trigger an audio alarm after the detection of the target object. The research paper model is prepared by considering the needs of the people. Many researchers are focusing on tracking affected persons, but few are focusing on the social distancing preventive. The suggested portable device will always notify the person who is violating the norm of 1.5 m. The proposed device will minimize the possibility of transmission and reduce the infection rate of COVID-19. The device uses a PIR sensor depending upon the applicability area of the human being.
Ghost Meat
Authors: Belling Catherine
Published: November 2021

The ambivalent attraction of feeling horror might explain some paradoxes regarding the consumption of representations of atrocities committed in the real world, in the past, on actual other people. How do horror fictions work in the transmission or exploitation of historical trauma? How might they function as prosthetic memories, at once disturbing and informative to readers who might otherwise not be exposed to those histories at all? What are the ethical implications of horror elicited by fictional representations of historical suffering? This article engages these questions through the reading of Mo Hayder’s 2004 novel The Devil of Nanking. Hayder exploits horror’s appeal and also—by foregrounding the acts of representation, reading, and spectatorship that generate this response—opens that process to critique. The novel may productively be understood as a work of posttraumatic fiction, both containing and exposing the concentric layers of our representational engagement with records of past atrocity. Through such a reading, a spherical rather than linear topology emerges for history itself, a structure of haunted and embodied consumption.
Sweet-and-Sour Soup for the Psyche
Authors: Estok Simon C.
Published: November 2021

Excess signals uncontrolled natural agency and thus provides a key ingredient in horror and ecohorror. Because excess ultimately threatens our agency over matter and meaning, nature comes to threaten the fall and dissolution of humanity, offer an erasure of what it means to be human, and exert a muffling of the very agency that defines our sense of our exceptionalism. Yet horror and ecohorror also enthrall. They do so precisely because they provide a perversely traumatophilic/traumatophobic sensation, a paradoxical presence of opposites that somehow, like sweet-and-sour soup for the psyche, tastes good. We watch or read ecohorror for the attraction and repulsion its various traumas offer. Horror and the disgusting captivate us, reminding us at the same time of our corporeality and its fragility. Slime is central here. Slime is the horror of boundary transgressions, of indefinability, of unstoppability, of corporeal and natural agency. Reactions to slime reveal not only a fear of nature but a fear of women, and understanding theoretical connections between sexism and ecophobia is a critical step toward ending both. Central here is understanding how the balancing between attraction and repulsion, traumatophilia and traumatophobia, produces compelling spectacle that is entertaining but stimulates no activist engagement.
target: an R package to predict combined function of transcription factors
Authors: Ahmed Mahmoud , Kim Deok Ryong
Published: November 2021

Researchers use ChIP binding data to identify potential transcription factor binding sites. Similarly, they use gene expression data from sequencing or microarrays to quantify the effect of the factor overexpression or knockdown on its targets. Therefore, the integration of the binding and expression data can be used to improve the understanding of a transcription factor function. Here, we implemented the binding and expression target analysis (BETA) in an R/Bioconductor package. This algorithm ranks the targets based on the distances of their assigned peaks from the factor ChIP experiment and the signed statistics from gene expression profiling with factor perturbation. We further extend BETA to integrate two sets of data from two factors to predict their targets and their combined functions. In this article, we briefly describe the workings of the algorithm and provide a workflow with a real dataset for using it. The gene targets and the aggregate functions of transcription factors YY1 and YY2 in HeLa cells were identified. Using the same datasets, we identified the shared targets of the two factors, which were found to be, on average, more cooperatively regulated.
Factors associated with knowledge, attitudes and preventive practices towards COVID-19 in health care professionals in Lima, Peru
Authors: Rivera-Lozada Oriana , Galvez Cesar Augusto , Castro-Alzate Elvis , Bonilla-Asalde Cesar Antonio
Published: November 2021

Background: Nowadays, we are facing a disease caused by SARS-CoV- 2, known globally as COVID-19, which is considered a threat to global health due to its high contagiousness and rapid spread.

Methods: Analytical cross-sectional study in 302 health professionals. An online questionnaire consisting of questions about knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) towards COVID-19 was applied. Socio- demographic, occupational and comorbidities factors were explored. Simple and multiple logistic regression models were used to identify factors associated with KAP.

Results: Of the total, 25.2%, 31.5% and 37.4% had high levels of knowledge, preventive practices and risk perception attitudes respectively. Being married aOR=6.75 CI(1.46-31.2) p=0.014, having a master's degree aOR=0.4, CI(0.21-0.80) p=0.009, having a working day with less than ten hours ORa=0.49 CI(0.25-0.95) p=0.036 and obesity aOR=0.38 CI (0.15-0.95) p=0.039 were associated with a low level of knowledge of COVID-19. The variables associated with preventive practices were being over the age of 50 aOR=0.52 CI(0.27-0.98) p=0.007, working in the hospitalization area aOR=1.86 CI(1.08-3.18) p= 0.018 and having comorbidities such as arterial hypertension aOR=0.28 CI(0.081-0.99) p=0.02 and obesity aOR=0.35 CI(0.14-0.83) p=0.019. In relation to negative attitudes towards COVID-19, it was found that physical contact with patients with a confirmed diagnosis aOR=1.84 CI (1.14-2.97) p=0.006 and having asthma aOR=2.13 CI(1.081-4.22) p=0.029 were associated with these attitudes.

Conclusion: Our study revealed that health professionals have an insufficient level of knowledge of COVID-19. This is why we

recommend implementing strategies such as health literacy programs among health care workers. Thus, they can help develop positive
Spectrophotometric study of Solvent extraction of Pb (II) and Cd (II) by aminooctyldiphosphonic acid
Authors: Djamila IKHOU , Kaid M'hamed , Hanane ZIANI , Villemein Didier
Published: November 2021

This study has investigated the solvent extraction of cadmium and lead ions from an aqueous solution in nitrate medium using aminooctyldiphosphonic acid (AODPA) as extractant in chloroform. In order to establish spectrophotometrically the concentration of metal ion in the aqueous phase before and after extraction, the Arsenazo III method was used. The effects of several extraction parameters on the extraction of these metals ions  including volume ratio between the aqueous and organic phases (1–5), extraction kinetic time (0–30 min), molar ratio Q (1–5), addition of HNO3 (pH =2–6), addition of KNO3 (0.01 – 1M), temperature (10–40°C) and the synergetic effect by adding TOPO (solvating agent) were evaluated. Thermodynamic parameters including the Gibbs free energy (ΔG0),enthalpy (ΔH0), and entropy (ΔS0) were calculated. Performed experiments showed that Pb (II) can be extracted till 73% when Cd (II) can be recovered completely after two cycles. The extraction of both metallic ions was spontaneous, endothermic and with a slight randomness.  Positive synergetic effect was observed at  a chelating agent/TOPO ratio of 3. It is a very encouraging result which can lead us to recover cadmium and lower the concentration of lead from wastewater.
Variation at Spike position 142 in SARS-CoV-2 Delta genomes is a technical artifact caused by dropout of a sequencing amplicon
Authors: Sanderson Theo , Barrett Jeffrey C.
Published: November 2021

Public SARS-CoV-2 genomes from the Delta lineage show complex and confusing patterns of mutations at Spike codon 142, and at another nearby position, Spike codon 95. It has been hypothesised that these represent recurrent mutations with interesting evolutionary dynamics, and that these mutations may affect viral load. Here we show that these patterns, and the relationship with viral load, are artifacts of sequencing difficulties in this region of the Delta genome caused be a deletion in the binding site for the 72_RIGHT primer of the ARTIC V3 schema. Spike G142D should be considered a lineage-defining mutation of Delta.
The genome sequence of the drone fly, Eristalis tenax (Linnaeus, 1758)
Authors: Hawkes William , Wotton Karl ,   University of Oxford and Wytham Woods Genome Acquisition Lab,   Darwin Tree of Life Barcoding collective,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Tree of Life programme,   Wellcome Sanger Institute Scientific Operations: DNA Pipelines collective,   Tree of Life Core Informatics collective,   Darwin Tree of Life Consortium
Published: November 2021

We present a genome assembly from an individual female Eristalis tenax (the drone fly; Arthropoda; Insecta; Diptera; Syriphidae). The genome sequence is 487 megabases in span. The majority of the assembly (96.50%) is scaffolded into six chromosomal pseudomolecules, with the X sex chromosome assembled.