bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Paraganglioma (pheochromocytoma) of the urinary bladder: A systematic review with a diagnostic, management and treatment algorithm
Authors: Hooshyari Ali , Tyson Matthew , Rice Michael
Published: June 2022

Introduction:

Paraganglioma of the urinary bladder is a rare but well-documented tumour. Herein, we provide the largest, comprehensive systematic review of the literature and aim to increase familiarity with this rare but significant neoplasm.

Methods:

A systematic review of the literature was conducted on the NCBI PubMed database. The search criteria were not limited to any specific years or languages. There were 418 articles between January 1953 and August 2020, of which 255 case reports were selected.

Results:

Paragangliomas of the urinary bladder most commonly occurred in Caucasians in the fifth decade of life, most commonly presenting with haematuria and variations of ‘micturition attacks’. Eighty percent of tumours were functionally active. The mucosa was normal in 91% of patients. In all, 25% of tumours were treated with transurethral resection alone, 65% had partial cystectomy and 5% had radical cystectomy. Alpha-blockers were administered pre-operatively in 38% of patients and the risk of intra-operative hypertensive crisis was over three times greater in those who did not receive an alpha-blocker. The tumour was confined to the bladder in 75% of cases. Metastasis occurred in 20% of cases, most commonly to iliac nodes. The mean follow-up time was 26.5 months. In cases that documented follow-up, 18.6% had recurrence, most commonly in lymph nodes and bone.

Conclusion:

All patients presenting with micturition attacks or haematuria with a computed tomography showing an enhancing, well-defined submucosal bladder lesion and/or cystoscopy showing a lesion with normal overlying mucosa should be worked up for a possible paraganglioma of the urinary bladder.

Level of evidence:

Not applicable
When the future meets the past: Can safety and cyber security coexist in modern critical infrastructures?
Authors: Michalec Ola , Milyaeva Sveta , Rashid Awais
Published: June 2022

Big data technologies are entering the world of ageing computer systems running critical infrastructures. These innovations promise to afford rapid Internet connectivity, remote operations or predictive maintenance. As legacy critical infrastructures were traditionally disconnected from the Internet, the prospect of their modernisation necessitates an inquiry into cyber security and how it intersects with traditional engineering requirements like safety, reliability or resilience. Looking at how the adoption of big data technologies in critical infrastructures shapes understandings of risk management, we focus on a specific case study from the cyber security governance: the EU Network and Information Systems Security Directive. We argue that the implementation of Network and Information Systems Security Directive is the first step in the integration of safety and security through novel risk management practices. Therefore, it is the move towards legitimising the modernisation of critical infrastructures. But we also show that security risk management practices cannot be directly transplanted from the safety realm, as cyber security is grounded in anticipation of the future adversarial behaviours rather than the history of equipment failure rates. Our analysis offers several postulates for the emerging research agenda on big data in complex engineering systems. Building on the conceptualisations of safety and security grounded in the materialist literature across Science and Technology Studies and Organisational Sociology, we call for a better understanding of the ‘making of’ technologies, standardisation processes and engineering knowledge in a quest to build safe and secure critical infrastructures.
“(It) Shouldn’t Be Funny But You Can’t Help But Laugh”: Black Twitter, #TweetLikeThe1600s, and Black Humor Online
Authors: Taylor Zari
Published: June 2022

In May 2014, comedian Leslie Jones faced backlash after making a joke about slavery during an episode of Saturday Night Live. During the “Weekend Update” sketch of the show, Jones, a Black woman, emphasized that although she was single now, she would have been a hot commodity during slavery. She added that after being hooked up with “the best brother on the plantation” by her massa, she would be popping out “superbabies” every 9 months. Although the show is known for testing the limits of comedy and poking fun at everything, Jones was criticized for making light of such a serious topic. In early 2018, however, Black Twitter picked up right where Jones left off and slavery became a topic of amusement online. Using words, gifs, memes, and videos, users reimagined the lives of enslaved African Americans during the 1600s in a comical manner. This online exchange was marked by the #TweetLikeThe1600s hashtag and went in a series of directions. In what follows, I locate the hashtag in a longer tradition of Black humor as well as analyze subsequent discussions about who is allowed in on the joke. Beyond the jokes themselves, these smaller and supplementary discourses inform my engagement with the subject.
An Exploratory Study of the Effect of Online Learning Readiness on Self-Regulated Learning
Authors: Lin Xi , Dai Yan
Published: June 2022

This exploratory quantitative study investigates the relationship between online learning readiness (OLR) and self-regulated learning (SRL), precisely the effect of OLR on SRL in an online learning context among 262 Chinese college students taking fully online courses. Results indicate that students’ OLR positively influences SRL. Specifically, communication competencies play the most significant role in affecting students’ online SRL, followed by technical and social competencies. Furthermore, Chinese college students with higher communication and technical competencies better manage their study time and self-evaluate their online learning. Likewise, students who are more capable of engaging in meaningful interactions with their instructor and peers are more likely to self-assess their learning. This exploratory study provides an overview of the correlation between OLR and SRL. It highlights the necessity of preparing college students in China, where face-to-face instruction was predominately used before the COVID-19 pandemic, to succeed in online learning.
Book review: Y. V. Reddy and G. R. Reddy, Indian Fiscal Federalism
Authors: Sinha Bakshi Amit Kumar
Published: June 2022

Y. V. Reddy and G. R. Reddy, Indian Fiscal Federalism. New Delhi: Oxford University Press, 2019, ₹695, XXVIII + 274 pp. (hardcover). ISBN: 0-19-949362-6.
Sustaining the public health intervention strategies in confronting the Covid-19 pandemic
Authors: Alsaqqa Hatem H.
Published: June 2022

The most effective strategies that any society has while fighting against confronting the pandemic Covid-19 is affecting not just health but also economics, politics, and social order while fighting against its spread. The main intervention strategies in preventing the spread in any society are hand hygiene, wearing masks, social distancing and quarantine. The purpose of this study was to examine the characteristics of strategies and actions aim to sustain the implementation and change of a public behavior intended for facing long-term pandemics or crises. A review-research was done between August and December 2020 on some papers considering the topic of sustainability of strategies, sustainable public health actions and strategies used to face the Covid-19 and similar pandemics in various countries. This study presents the necessity to focus on strategies sustainability especially in pandemic circumstances like Covid-19. The sustainability in implementing large public health strategies is categorized by primary flexibility and vitality. The foremost intervention strategies applied to influence the community in the target of daily activities were to use enhancement guidelines, interactive educating courses, monitoring and evaluations, and dynamic involvement of stakeholders that may sustain these strategies for longer periods. Public health intervention strategies comprise different approaches depending on types of actors, shifts in the pandemic situation, contextual aspects, progress over time, and the ability for sustainability. It is necessary to guarantee that public health strategies are effectively embedded in their settings, depending on more evidence-based approaches and understanding how valuable interventions can be sustainable.
Digital Sensory Marketing Factors Affecting Customers’ Intentions to Continue Organic Online Purchases during COVID in India
Authors: Kumra Rajeev , Arora Soma
Published: June 2022

Myriad studies have examined the effect of web aesthetics on consumer purchases. However, customers’ intention to continue organic beauty products online purchases during COVID in the Indian context has received little attention. The purchase of beauty products has been perceived as a non-essential product category during COVID times, especially in developing markets like India. The goal of this research is to present an integrated theoretical framework, extending the stimulus-organism-response (SOR) theory to determine the factors that influence the intention to continue organic beauty purchases during COVID times. Specifically, the role of artificial intelligence/virtual reality (AI/VR) based sensory-enabling technologies (SET) web aesthetics. We performed in-depth semi-structured interviews of 136 customers of 7 organic beauty brands in India. The results based on thematic analysis (using NVIVO) and MCA analysis indicates that telepresence, audiovisual (AV) congruency, dynamism, local robotics and ethnic chatbots are associated with SET-based web aesthetics. On the other hand, the country of origin, source, ingredient, nature, control, sense of belonging and dominance are associated with traditional web aesthetics. Based on the extended SOR research model, a future research agenda comprising four propositions has been drawn.
Relationship between ectopic calcifications and bone fragility depicted on computed tomography scan in 70 patients with systemic sclerosis
Authors: Fauny Marine , Bauer Elodie , Allado Edem , Albuisson Eliane , Deibener Joëlle , Chabot François , Mandry Damien , Huttin Olivier , Chary-Valckenaere Isabelle , Loeuille Damien
Published: June 2022

Background:

A higher risk of osteoporotic fracture was described in systemic sclerosis patients than in healthy patients.

Objective:

To evaluate the relation between osteoporotic fracture risk measured by the scanographic bone attenuation coefficient of the first lumbar vertebra (SBAC-L1) on computed tomography (CT) scan and the presence of ectopic calcifications: vascular, valvular and spinal.

Methods:

This monocentric retrospective study was performed on patients followed between 2000 and 2014 at Nancy University Hospital. Systemic sclerosis patients, according to ACR/EULAR 2013 criteria, followed from 2000 to 2014 and who underwent, during their follow-up, a CT including the first lumbar vertebra were included. The SBAC-L1 was measured with a threshold set at 145 Hounsfield units (HU). Vascular and spinal calcifications were studied on CT. For vascular calcifications, the Agatston score was used. Valvular calcifications were studied on echocardiography.

Results:

A total of 70 patients were included (mean age: 62.3 (±15.6) years, women 88.5%). The mean SBAC-L1 was 157.26 (±52.1) HU, and 35 patients (50%) presented an SBAC-L1 ⩽ 145 HU. The reproducibility of the calcification evaluation was good, with kappa coefficients varying between 0.63 and 1. In univariate analysis, spinal and vascular calcifications were associated with an SBAC-L1 ⩽ 145 HU, with ORs of 13.6 (1.6–113.3) and 8 (95%CI: 2.5–25.5), respectively. In multivariate analysis, the SBAC-L1 was not associated with the presence of any ectopic calcifications. The SBAC-L1 decreased with age (p = 0.0001).

Conclusion:

Patients with systemic sclerosis with an SBAC-L1 ⩽ 145 HU were older, but they did not have more ectopic calcification.

Trial registration:

The ethics committee of Nancy Hospital agreed with this study (referral file number 166). This study was designed in accordance with the general ethical principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki.
New political ecologies of renewable energy
Authors: Knuth Sarah , Behrsin Ingrid , Levenda Anthony , McCarthy James
Published: June 2022

The critique of fossil fuel regimes has been a foundational concern for the field of political ecology, in its drives to expose the injustices and harms of energy extractivism and its early warnings of the climate crisis. However, it is increasingly evident that renewable energy sources and their infrastructures will carry their own costs and trade-offs, and that critique, resistance and alternative movement-building are needed to forge a truly just renewable energy transition. This theme issue underlines the many ways in which political ecology is well-positioned to lead critical and engaged scholarship in support of energy/climate justice. In this introduction and survey, we draw on new research collected here to reflect on political ecology's distinctive analytical capacities and forms of praxis for this task. We argue that the collection advances political ecology's intellectual and political purchase on renewable transition in several crucial ways. These include (1) Theorizing Renewables-Driven Land Transformations, (2) Advancing Industrial Political Ecologies of Renewables, (3) Locating Power within Technical and Artifactual Politics and (4) Generating Knowledge and Tools for Just Transitions. We conclude with reflections on further pressing concerns for the field: for example, rising debates over scale, ownership and accountability models within renewable energy justice and democracy movements and critical conversations growing around renewable energy's own extraction geographies and diverse forms of racialization.
Csf1: A Putative Lipid Transport Protein Required for Homeoviscous Adaptation of the Lipidome
Authors: John Peter Arun T. , Cheung Ngaam J. , Kornmann Benoît
Published: June 2022

The non-vesicular transport of lipids between organelles mediated by lipid transport proteins (LTPs) is a key determinant of organelle biogenesis and function. Despite performing a vital function in organelle homeostasis, none of the LTP-encoding genes identified so far are truly essential, even in the simple genome of yeast, suggesting widespread redundancy. In line with this fact, it has been found that a number of LTPs have overlapping functions, making it challenging to assign unique roles for an individual LTP in lipid distribution. In our genetic screens under stringent conditions in which the distinct function of an LTP might become essential, we stumbled upon Csf1, a highly conserved protein with a Chorein-N motif found in other lipid transporters and unraveled a new function for Csf1 in lipid remodeling and homeoviscous adaptation of the lipidome. Here, we further speculate on the potential mechanisms of how the putative function of Csf1 in lipid transport could be intimately connected to its role in lipid remodeling across organelles.
Schools and neighborhoods: Moderating the counter-delinquency effect of school belonging with perceived collective efficacy
Authors: Walters Glenn D
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study was to determine whether perceived collective efficacy moderated the prospective relationship between school belonging and delinquency. Analyses were performed on a sample of 4048 youth (2020 boys, 1936 girls) from the Longitudinal Study of Australian Children (LSAC-K). Linear and negative binomial regression analyses performed with maximum likelihood (ML) and maximum likelihood with robust standard errors (MLR) estimators produced consistent results. Bootstrapped and normal theory analyses disclosed a significant interaction between school belonging and collective efficacy after age, sex, indigenous status, physical condition of dwelling, physical condition of surrounding housing, household income, weak parental monitoring, perceived peer delinquency, and prior delinquency were controlled. Further review of the significant interactive effect revealed that the increased levels of school belonging predicted decreased levels of future delinquency, but only when perceived collective efficacy was also elevated. These results support the presence of a small but significant conditional promotive effect.
Protein tyrosine phosphatase PTPN22 negatively modulates platelet function and thrombus formation
Authors: Wang Xiamin , Wei Guangyu , Ding Yangyang , Gui Xiang , Tong Huan , Xu Xiaoqi , Zhang Sixuan , Sun Zengtian , Ju Wen , Li Yue , Yao Ruosi , Wu Qingyu , Lu Zhihao , Fu Chunling , Li Zhenyu , Zhang Si , Gardiner Elizabeth E. , Andrews Robert K. , Hu Hu , Zeng Lingyu , Xu Kailin , Qiao Jianlin
Published: June 2022

Protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 22 (PTPN22) is a protein tyrosine phosphatase that negatively regulates T-cell signaling. However, whether it is expressed and functions in platelets remains unknown. Here we investigated the expression and role of PTPN22 in platelet function. We reported PTPN22 expression in both human and mouse platelets. Using PTPN22−/− mice, we showed that PTPN22 deficiency significantly shortened tail-bleeding time and accelerated arterial thrombus formation without affecting venous thrombosis and the coagulation factors VIII and IX. Consistently, PTPN22-deficient platelets exhibited enhanced platelet aggregation, granule secretion, calcium mobilization, lamellipodia formation, spreading, and clot retraction. Quantitative phosphoproteomic analysis revealed the significant difference of phosphodiesterase 5A (PDE5A) phosphorylation in PTPN22-deficient platelets compared with wild-type platelets after collagen-related peptide stimulation, which was confirmed by increased PDE5A phosphorylation (Ser92) in collagen-related peptide–treated PTPN22-deficient platelets, concomitant with reduced level and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein phosphorylation (Ser157/239). In addition, PTPN22 interacted with phosphorylated PDE5A (Ser92) and dephosphorylated it in activated platelets. Moreover, purified PTPN22 but not the mutant form (C227S) possesses intrinsic serine phosphatase activity. Furthermore, inhibition of PTPN22 enhanced human platelet aggregation, spreading, clot retraction, and increased PDE5A phosphorylation (Ser92). In conclusion, our study shows a novel role of PTPN22 in platelet function and arterial thrombosis, identifying new potential targets for future prevention of thrombotic or cardiovascular diseases.
Pathogenesis of tuberculosis: the 1930 Lübeck disaster revisited
Authors: Donald Peter , Kaufmann Stefan , Thee Stephanie , Mandalakas Anna Maria , Lange Christoph
Published: June 2022

During the 1930 LübeckMycobacterium bovisbacille Calmette–Guérin (BCG) disaster, 251 neonates received three oral BCG doses accidentally contaminated by virulentMycobacterium tuberculosis; 67 (26.7%) infants died of tuberculosis. BCG reversion to pathogenicity did not occur. Detailedpost mortemexaminations clarified contested aspects of tuberculosis pathogenesis. Gastrointestinal infection was seldom “silent” and did not cause typical primary pulmonary lesions. In 15 infants, primary pulmonary foci were found but these resulted from vaccine ingestion and aspiration and were not caused by gastrointestinal infection spreading to the lungs without trace of its journey, as claimed by prominent researchers such as Calmette and von Behring. Further, among 60 infants in whompost mortemevaluation was completed, a “silent” gastrointestinal infection without an intestinal primary focus was found in only one. Lymphohaematogenous-disseminated tuberculosis caused death in 24/67 (35.8%) infants and tuberculous meningitis in a further 17/67 (25.4%). Gastrointestinal tuberculosis complications caused death in 26/67 (38.8%) infants. Half of the tuberculosis-attributed deaths had occurred by 3 months, 93% by 6 months and 100% by 12 months; remarkably no further deaths or tuberculosis recurrences occurred within 5 years post-vaccination/infection. These findings provide graphic confirmation that the early introduction of chemoprophylaxis in recentlyM. tuberculosis-infected young children is critical and urgent.
Geographic range size and speciation in honeyeaters
Authors: Hay Eleanor M. , McGee Matthew D. , Chown Steven L.
Published: June 2022

Background

Darwin and others proposed that a species’ geographic range size positively influences speciation likelihood, with the relationship potentially dependent on the mode of speciation and other contributing factors, including geographic setting and species traits. Several alternative proposals for the influence of range size on speciation rate have also been made (e.g. negative or a unimodal relationship with speciation). To examine Darwin’s proposal, we use a range of phylogenetic comparative methods, focusing on a large Australasian bird clade, the honeyeaters (Aves: Meliphagidae).

Results

We consider the influence of range size, shape, and position (latitudinal and longitudinal midpoints, island or continental species), and consider two traits known to influence range size: dispersal ability and body size. Applying several analytical approaches, including phylogenetic Bayesian path analysis, spatiophylogenetic models, and state-dependent speciation and extinction models, we find support for both the positive relationship between range size and speciation rate and the influence of mode of speciation.

Conclusions

Honeyeater speciation rate differs considerably between islands and the continental setting across the clade’s distribution, with range size contributing positively in the continental setting, while dispersal ability influences speciation regardless of setting. These outcomes support Darwin’s original proposal for a positive relationship between range size and speciation likelihood, while extending the evidence for the contribution of dispersal ability to speciation.
Overexpression of GhABF3 increases cotton(Gossypium hirsutum L.) tolerance to salt and drought
Authors: Zhang Haijun , Mao Lili , Xin Ming , Xing Huixian , Zhang Yanan , Wu Jing , Xu Dongli , Wang Yiming , Shang Yongqi , Wei Liming , Cui Mingshuo , Zhuang Tao , Sun Xuezhen , Song Xianliang
Published: June 2022

Background

Plants suffer from various abiotic stresses during their lifetime, of which drought and salt stresses are two main factors limiting crop yield and quality. Previous studies have shown that abscisic acid (ABA) responsive element binding protein (AREB)/ ABRE binding factors (ABFs) in bZIP transcription factors are involved in plant stress response in an ABA-dependent manner. However, little is known about the properties and functions of AREB/ABFs, especiallyABF3, in cotton.

Results

Here, we reported the cloning and characterization ofGhABF3. Expression ofGhABF3was induced by drought,salt and ABA treatments. Silencing ofGhABF3sensitized cotton to drought and salt stress, which was manifested in decreased cellular antioxidant capacity and chlorophyll content. Overexpression ofGhABF3significantly improved the drought and salinity tolerance of Arabidopsis and cotton. Exogenous expression ofGhABF3resulted in longer root length and less leaf wilting under stress conditions inArabidopsis thaliana. OverexpressingGhABF3significantly improved salt tolerance of upland cotton by reducing the degree of cellular oxidation, and enhanced drought tolerance by decreasing leaf water loss rate. The increased expression ofGhABF3up-regulated the transcriptional abundance of downstream ABA-inducible genes under salt stress in Arabidopsis.

Conclusion

In conclusion, our results demonstrated thatGhABF3plays an important role in plant drought and salt tolerance. Manipulation ofGhABF3by biotechnology might be an important strategy to alter the stress resistance of cotton.
Economic and clinical burden from carbapenem-resistant bacterial infections and factors contributing: a retrospective study using electronic medical records in Japan
Authors: Imai Shinobu , Inoue Norihiko , Nagai Hideaki
Published: June 2022

Background

Antimicrobial resistance is a major threat to global health and the world economy. The economic burden of carbapenem-resistant infections has not previously been evaluated. We aimed to compare the potential economic burden and clinical outcomes between carbapenem-resistant infections and carbapenem-susceptible infections in Japan.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study using electronic medical records. Patients aged 15 years or older and with the diagnosis of pneumonia, urinary tract infection, biliary infection, and sepsis were included. Multivariable regression models with random effects were used to estimate the impact of carbapenem resistance on cost, length of hospital stay, and in-hospital mortality.

Results

Among the 9,517 patients, 86 (0.9%) had carbapenem-resistant (CR) infections. Compared to carbapenem-susceptible (CS) infections, the patients with the CR infections were significantly more likely to receive mechanical ventilation (37.2 vs. 21.2%, P-value = 0.003), antibiotics (88.4 vs. 63.0%, P-value < 0.001), and especially carbapenem (31.4 vs. 8.3%, P-value < 0.001), before the bacterial culture test positive. Significantly higher median costs were found for the CR infections than the CS infections in the categories of medications (3477 US dollars vs. 1609 US dollars), laboratory tests (2498 US dollars, vs. 1845 US dollars), and hospital stay (14,307 US dollars vs. 10,560 US dollars). In the multivariable regression analysis, the length of stay was 42.1% longer and the cost was 50.4% higher in the CR infections than in the CS infections. The risk of in-hospital mortality did not differ between the two groups (odds ratio 1.24, 95% CI 0.72–2.11), due to the small sample size. The result was robust with a similar trend in the analysis using the inverse probability treatment weighting method.

Conclusions

Compared to carbapenem-susceptible infections, carbapenem-resistant infections were associated with a higher cost and a longer length of stay. Detailed cost analysis showed significant differences in the categories of medication, laboratory tests, and hospital stay. To our knowledge, this study is the first to assess the potential economic burden of carbapenem-resistant infections using a large hospital-based database.
Ferroptosis-related long non-coding RNA signature predicts the prognosis of bladder cancer
Authors: Hou Jian , Lu Zhenquan , Cheng Xiaobao , Dong Runan , Jiang Yi , Wu Guoqing , Qu Genyi , Xu Yong
Published: June 2022

Background

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent programmed cell death modality that may have a tumor-suppressive function. Therefore, regulating ferroptosis in tumor cells could serve as a novel therapeutic approach. This article focuses on ferroptosis-associated long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and their potential application as a prognostic predictor for bladder cancer (BCa).

Methods

We retrieved BCa-related transcriptome information and clinical information from the TCGA database and ferroptosis-related gene sets from the FerrDb database. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression (LASSO) and Cox regression models were used to identify and develop predictive models and validate the model accuracy. Finally, we explored the inter-regulatory relationships between ferroptosis-related genes and immune cell infiltration, immune checkpoints, and m6A methylation genes.

Results

Kaplan–Meier analyses screened 11 differentially expressed lncRNAs associated with poor BCa prognosis. The signature (AUC = 0.720) could be utilized to predict BCa prognosis. Additionally, GSEA revealed immune and tumor-related pathways in the low-risk group. TCGA showed that the p53 signaling pathway, ferroptosis, Kaposi sarcoma − associated herpesvirus infection, IL − 17 signaling pathway, MicroRNAs in cancer, TNF signaling pathway, PI3K − Akt signaling pathway and HIF − 1 signaling pathway were significantly different from those in the high-risk group. Immune checkpoints, such as PDCD-1 (PD-1), CTLA4, and LAG3, were differentially expressed between the two risk groups. m6A methylation-related genes were significantly differentially expressed between the two risk groups.

Conclusion

A new ferroptosis-associated lncRNAs signature developed for predicting the prognosis of BCa patients will improve the treatment and management of BCa patients.
Age heterogeneities in child growth and its associated socio-demographic factors: a cross-sectional study in India
Authors: Yadav Suryakant , Bhandari Pravat
Published: June 2022

Background

The impacts of socio-demographic and environmental risk factors on child growth have been widely documented. However, it remains unclear whether the impacts of such risk factors on child growth have remained static or changed with child’s age. The present study aims to assess the underlying age heterogeneities in child growth and its potential determinants over age in under-five children.

Methods

Cross-sectional data on child height (measured as height-for-age z-score, i.e., HAZ) and weight (measured as weight-for-age z-score, i.e., WAZ) and potential confounding factors from India’s 2015–16 National Family Health Survey (NFHS) were used to construct anthropometric age-profiles by a number of bio-demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. Further, age-interacted multilevel regression analyses were performed to examine differential effects of such/those risk factors on child height and weight by age.

Results

Faltered height and weight growth during first two years of life was noticed in children of all socioeconomic groups studied, albeit with varying magnitude. In case of child’s height, factors such as short birth interval, higher birth order, maternal education, household wealth, district level mortality rate have shown strong interaction with child’s age during the first 23 months, signifying their age-varying role in different developmental stages of child growth. These factors explain the observed upward and downward shifts in height curve during first two years. Some of these variables (e.g., household wealth) have shown even stronger age interactions after the second birthday of children. For child’s weight, interactive effects of most socio-demographic risk factors attenuated parabolically with child’s age.

Conclusions

The impacts of several risk factors, measured at the child, mother, community, and district levels, on child growth indicators varied significantly with the child’s age. Nutritional interventions aimed at preventing poor linear growth in children in India should consider these underlying age heterogeneities for growth determinants into account.
Frequency of leisure activity engagement and health functioning over a 4-year period: a population-based study amongst middle-aged adults
Authors: Elsden Esme , Bu Feifei , Fancourt Daisy , Mak Hei Wan
Published: June 2022

Rationale

Leisure activities have wide-ranging benefits for physical and mental health. However, previous studies have often focused on “leisure” as a homogeneous group of activities. This study was therefore designed to take a prospective and comparative approach exploring different types of leisure activities, as well as investigating whether frequency of engagement is associated with strength of benefits.

Method

Data from the 1970 British Cohort Study Waves 9 (age 42) and 10 (age 46) were analysed (N = 5,639). Eight domains derived from the SF-36 health survey questionnaire were used to measure health functioning (general health, vitality, bodily pain, social functioning, physical functioning, mental health, role limitations due to emotional, and role limitations due to physical problems). Leisure activities included physical activity, culture engagement, arts participation, volunteering or community engagement, and literature activities. Both ordinary least squares and logistic regressions were applied.

Results

Physical activity was associated with greater levels of physical functioning, general health, and vitality at higher frequencies, while cultural engagement was associated with social functioning and physical functioning when engaged in several times a year. Arts participation and literature activities had a general negative association with health functioning. Engagements in volunteering/community groups showed varying associations with health functioning (both positive and negative) depending on the levels of engagements.

Conclusion

This research suggests that the types of leisure activities and levels of engagement can have differential associations with health amongst middle-aged adults. This may be helpful for public health initiatives and programmes such as social prescribing schemes when formulating programmes, especially regarding ‘dosage’ of engagement. Further, the overall benefits of high engagement frequency suggest that increasing leisure engagement could play an important role in supporting improving health and wellbeing at a population level.
Adherence to viral load testing guidelines, barriers, and associated factors among persons living with HIV on ART in Southwestern Uganda: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Lubega Polly , Nalugya Sylivia Juliet , Kimuli Angella Namyalo , Twinokusiima Majoreen , Khasalamwa Mercy , Kyomugisa Richard , Kabami Jane , Owaraganise Asiphas
Published: June 2022

Background

Uganda adapted Viral load (VL) testing for monitoring HIV treatment success and virologic failure. However, there is a paucity of data on how the VL testing guidelines are followed in practice in the HIV clinics. This study determined the adherence to national guidelines on VL testing, barriers, and associated factors in persons living with HIV (PLHIV) on ART in southwestern Uganda. 

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional mixed methods study from April to May 2021 at four HIV clinics in southwestern Uganda. Patient chart review using a checklist that captured age, gender, and level of a healthcare facility, dates of ART initiation, dates VL specimens were drawn, line of ART, patient adherence to ART was done. Continuous data were summarized using mean and median and Chi-square was used for categorical data. We performed regression analysis to determine factors associated with adherence to viral load testing guidelines at a 95% level of significance. Key informant interviews with managers of the health facility, ART clinic and laboratory were carried out, and thematic analysis was conducted to explore barriers to adherence to VL testing guidelines.

Results

The participants’ mean (SD) age was 39.9(± 13.1) years, 39.5% were male, 45.8% received care at a general hospital and median duration on ART was 5 years (IQR;3–7). Of the 395 patient charts reviewed, 317 had their VL testing (80.3%) per the guidelines (defined as up to one month post due date). Receiving care at a hospital (aOR = 2.20; 95%CI 1.30–3.70; p = 0.002) and increasing patient age (aOR = 1.02; 95%CI 1.02–1.06; p = 0.020) were the factors associated with adhering to VL testing guidelines. Long turnaround time of VL results and insufficient VL testing kits were cites by providers as barriers.

Conclusion

We found suboptimal adherence to VL testing guidelines in PLHIV on ART in southwestern Uganda. Increasing patient age and getting care at a higher-level health facility were associated with guideline-based viral VL testing. Long turnaround time of VL test results and inadequate test kits hindered compliance to VL monitoring guidelines. Strategies that target young PLHIV and lower-level health facilities, increase the stock of consumables and shorten VL results turnaround time are needed to improve adherence to VL testing guidelines.
Ceritinib is a novel triple negative breast cancer therapeutic agent
Authors: Dong Shengli , Yousefi Hassan , Savage Isabella Van , Okpechi Samuel C. , Wright Maryl K. , Matossian Margarite D. , Collins-Burow Bridgette M. , Burow Matthew E. , Alahari Suresh K.
Published: June 2022

Background

Triple-negative breast cancers (TNBCs) are clinically aggressive subtypes of breast cancer. TNBC is difficult to treat with targeted agents due to the lack of commonly targeted therapies within this subtype. Androgen receptor (AR) has been detected in 12–55% of TNBCs. AR stimulates breast tumor growth in the absence of estrogen receptor (ER), and it has become an emerging molecular target in TNBC treatment.

Methods

Ceritinib is a small molecule inhibitor of tyrosine kinase and it is used in the therapy of non-small lung cancer patients. Enzalutamide is a small molecule compound targeting the androgen receptor and it is used to treat prostate cancer. Combination therapy of these drugs were investigated using AR positive breast cancer mouse xenograft models. Also, combination treatment of ceritinib and paclitaxel investigated using AR− and AR low mouse xenograft and patient derived xenograft models.

Results

We screened 133 FDA approved drugs that have a therapeutic effect of AR+ TNBC cells. From the screen, we identified two drugs, ceritinib and crizotinib. Since ceritinib has a well- defined role in androgen independent AR signaling pathways, we further investigated the effect of ceritinib. Ceritinib treatment inhibited RTK/ACK/AR pathway and other downstream pathways in AR+ TNBC cells. The combination of ceritinib and enzalutamide showed a robust inhibitory effect on cell growth of AR+ TNBC cells in vitro and in vivo. Interestingly Ceritinib inhibits FAK-YB-1 signaling pathway that leads to paclitaxel resistance in all types of TNBC cells. The combination of paclitaxel and ceritinib showed drastic inhibition of tumor growth compared to a single drug alone.

Conclusions

To improve the response of AR antagonist in AR positive TNBC, we designed a novel combinational strategy comprised of enzalutamide and ceritinib to treat AR+ TNBC tumors through the dual blockade of androgen-dependent and androgen-independent AR signaling pathways. Furthermore, we introduced a novel therapeutic combination of ceritinib and paclitaxel for AR negative or AR-low TNBCs and this combination inhibited tumor growth to a great extent. All agents used in our study are FDA-approved, and thus the proposed combination therapy will likely be useful in the clinic.
A prospective study of peer victimization and depressive symptoms among left-behind children in rural China: the mediating effect of stressful life events
Authors: Zhang Xiaoqing , Hong Houlin , Hou Wei , Liu Xia
Published: June 2022

Background

The Ministry of Civil Affairs of the People’s Republic of China reported that in 2018, 6.97 million left-behind children (LBC), children who live in rural areas away from their parents, were being cared for by grandparents, relatives, elder siblings, or often living alone. Their parents have migrated to cities for better income opportunities. While a number of studies have detailed elevated depressive symptoms among LBC, relatively little is known about the causes of poorer mental health in LBC.

Methods

This study used longitudinal data to examine associations between peer victimization, stressful life events, and depressive symptom severity in LBC from four randomly-selected middle schools in Guizhou Province, China. A total of 862 children aged 11–18 years, with 472 LBC (54.76%) and 390 non-left-behind children (NLBC) (45.24%), were included in the analysis. T-test was used to compare the depressive symptoms, peer victimization, and stressful life events between LBC and NLBC at baseline and follow-up (6 months later). Multivariable linear regression models were used to examine the mediation effect of follow-up stressful life events on the relationship between baseline peer victimization and follow-up depressive symptoms among LBC.

Results

Results suggested that LBC had higher peer victimization and stressful life events than NLBC (β = 1.28, p = 0.04), and peer victimization and stressful life events at baseline were associated with increased follow-up depressive symptoms among LBC (Peer victimization: β = 0.25, p < 0.0001; Stressful life events: β = 0.15, p < 0.001). Peer victimization affected depressive symptoms partially through stressful life events for female LBC and completely through stressful life events for male LBC, controlling for age, perceived socioeconomic status, and school.

Conclusions

This study highlights the vulnerability of LBC exhibiting negative mental health outcomes as they were found to experience more peer victimization and feel more stressed when stressful life events happened, compared with NLBC. Results of this study suggested that protecting LBC from peer victimization experiences can potentially prevent LBC from experiencing an increased impact of other stressful life events, thus decreasing the likelihood of their depressive symptoms. Intervention design should consider the different mediating effects of stressful life events on the relationship between peer victimization and depressive symptoms among female and male LBC.
Using mHealth to improve adherence and reduce blood pressure in individuals with hypertension and bipolar disorder (iTAB-CV): study protocol for a 2-stage randomized clinical trial
Authors: Levin Jennifer B. , Moore David J. , Depp Colin , Montoya Jessica L. , Briggs Farren , Rahman Mahboob , Stange Kurt C. , Einstadter Douglas , Weise Celeste , Conroy Carla , Yala Joy , Radatz Ethan , Sajatovic Martha
Published: June 2022

Background

Cardiovascular disease in individuals with mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder is highly prevalent and often poorly managed. Individuals with bipolar disorder face significant medication adherence barriers, especially when they are prescribed multiple medications for other health conditions including hypertension. Poor adherence puts them at a disproportionate risk for poor health outcomes. As such, there is a need for effective interventions to improve hypertension medication adherence, particularly in patients that struggle with adherence due to mental health comorbidity.

Methods

This 5-year project uses a 2-stage randomized controlled trial design to evaluate a brief, practical adherence intervention delivered via interactive text messaging (iTAB-CV) along with self-monitoring of medication taking, mood, and home blood pressure (N = 100) compared to self-monitoring alone (N = 100). Prior to randomization, all participants will view an educational video that emphasizes the importance of medication for the treatment of hypertension and bipolar disorder. Those randomized to the texting intervention will receive daily text messages with predetermined content to address 11 salient domains as well as targeted customized messages for 2 months. This group will then be re-randomized to receive either a high (gradual taper from daily to weekly texts) or low booster (weekly texts) phase for an additional 2 months. All participants will be monitored for 52 weeks. The primary outcomes are systolic blood pressure and adherence to antihypertensive medication as determined by a self-reported questionnaire and validated with an automated pill-monitoring device. Secondary outcomes include adherence to bipolar disorder medications, psychiatric symptoms, health status, self-efficacy for medication-taking behavior, illness beliefs, medication attitudes, and habit strength.

Discussion

This study specifically targets blood pressure and mental health symptom control in people with bipolar and includes implementation elements in the study design intended to inform future scale-up. Promising pilot data and a theoretical model, which views sustained medication-taking behavior in the context of habit formation, suggests that this remotely delivered intervention may help advance care for this high-risk population and is amenable to both scale up and easy adaptation for other groups with poor medication adherence.

Trial registration

The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04675593) on December 19, 2020.
Experimental and Analytical Studies for the Size Effect on the Axial Strength of High-Strength Concrete Walls with Various Fire-Damaged Areas
Authors: Chun Yeonju , Ryu Eunmi , Lee Yeokyeong , Kim Heesun , Shin Yeongsoo
Published: June 2022

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of fire-damaged areas associated with wall width on the axial strength of fire-damaged reinforced concrete (RC) walls. Toward that goal, Finite Element (FE) models of RC walls in real scale are generated with various wall widths of (600, 1500, and 3000) mm and number of heated surfaces such as half-surface, single-surface and double-surfaces. For the analyses, experiments are used to obtain temperature distributions inside the walls depending on the fire-damaged areas, and to validate the FE models. The analytical results show that the axial strength of the fire-damaged wall increases linearly with the wall width, except that the ratios of axial force to wall width showed slightly off from the average for the case of walls heated on half of the surface. Using the axial strength data of fire-damaged concrete walls obtained from the current and previous studies, regression analysis is conducted to estimate axial strength reduction ratios of fire-damaged concrete walls, considering various influencing parameters, such as concrete strength, fire-damaged areas, wall width and height. As a conclusion, multiple linear regression formulations from the regressions analyses are able to estimate axial strength reduction ratios of the fire-damaged concrete walls considering various influencing parameters of the wall size, concrete strength and fire-damaged area and the estimations showed good agreements with the data collected from experiments and FE analyses.
Gut microbiome of century-old snail specimens stable across time in preservation
Authors: Chalifour Bridget N. , Elder Leanne E. , Li Jingchun
Published: June 2022

Background

Museum biological specimens provide a unique means of gathering ecological information that spans wide temporal ranges. Museum specimens can also provide information on the microbial communities that persist within the host specimen. Together, these provide researchers valuable opportunities to study long-term trends and mechanisms of microbial community change. The effects of decades-long museum preservation on host-microbial communities have not been systematically assessed. The University of Colorado’s Museum of Natural History has densely sampled Oreohelix strigosa (Rocky Mountainsnail) for the past century; many are preserved in ethanol, which provides an excellent opportunity to explore how the microbiome changes across time in preservation.

Results

We used 16S rRNA (ribosomal ribonucleic acid) gene amplicon sequencing to examine Oreohelix strigosa gut microbiomes from museum specimens across a 98-year range, as well as within short-term preservation treatments collected in 2018. Treatment groups included samples extracted fresh, without preservation; samples starved prior to extraction; and samples preserved for 1 month, 6 months, and 9 months. General microbiome composition was similar across all years. Sample groups belonging to specific years, or specific short-term treatments, showed unique associations with select bacterial taxa. Collection year was not a significant predictor of microbial richness, though unpreserved short-term treatments showed significantly higher richness than preserved treatments. While the year was a significant factor in microbiome composition, it did not explain much of the variation across samples. The location was a significant driver of community composition and explained more of the variability.

Conclusions

This study is the first to examine animal host-associated microbiome change across a period of nearly one century. Generally, geographic location was a greater factor in shaping gut microbiome composition, rather than a year collected. Consistent patterns across this temporal range indicate that historic specimens can answer many ecological questions surrounding the host-associated microbiome.