bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Depression among physicians and other medical employees involved in the COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: ALGhasab Naif Saad , ALJadani Ahmed Hamed , ALMesned Sulaman Saud , Hersi Ahmad Salah
Published: April 2021

Health care employees are the front liners whom are directly involved in the management of COVID-19 at high risk of developing psychological distress and other mental health illness. We aim to assess the burden of depression during this pandemic on health care employees treating COVID-19 in Saudi Arabia. We also will shed the light on the best solutions of how to encounter depression.

A cross-sectional, hospital-based survey conducted via a region-stratified, 2-stage cluster sample was conducted for 554 participants in >15 hospitals from April 29, 2020, to June 30, 2020. Depression is measured using the established PHQ9 score system. We grade PHQ9 depression scores as: normal, 0 to 4, mild, 5 to 9, significant (moderate or severe), 10 to 27. χ
2/Fisher exact test was used; significant association between level of depression and survey characteristics were made. P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

A total of 554 participants completed the survey. A total of 18.9% (n = 105) were aged <29 years, 51.2% (n = 284) were between 30 to 39 years and female represent 70% of all participants. Of all participants, 53.7% (n = 298) were nurses, and 38.6% (n = 214) were physicians; 68.5% (n = 380) worked in central area hospitals in Saudi Arabia. No significant (P = .432, 95% confidence interval [CI]) association was observed between sex and depression classifications. However, female had high proportion of significant depression 75.0% (n = 76) was observed as compared to male 24.8% (n = 25). Depression was significant in Saudis 61.4% (n = 62) (P < .001, 95% CI) and medical staff who encountered corona patients 51.5% (n = 52) (P < .002, 95% CI). Hospital preparedness associated with more freedom of depression symptoms 69.1% (n = 199/288) (P < .001, 95% CI).

Frontline young health care workers especially physician in Saudi Arabia reported a high rate of depression symptoms. Countermeasures for health care workers represent a key component for the mental and physical well-being as part of public health measures during this pandemic. Attention to hospital preparedness and adequacy of personal protective equipment contributed to milder depression symptoms. Further studies need to be conducted on crisis management and depression.
Study on the gene signature related to immune microenvironment on viral and nonviral infections of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Qian Hong , Song Shanglin , Tian Yunling , Qi Lei , Gao Haihong , Yuan Lingyan
Published: April 2021

The pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can be divided into viral infection (VIR) and nonviral (NVIR) infection. Two types of HCC performed different tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) which directly affected prognosis of HCC. This study aimed to identify an effective 2 types of HCC prognostic gene signature that related to immune TIME.

The differential expression genes (DEGs) were analyzed by Limma R package from the Cancer Genome Atlas. Immune related genes getting from IMMport database were matched to DEGs for testing prognosis. Prognostic index (PI) consisted of prognostic immune related genes was calculated in different types of HCC by COX regression and the correlation with the abundance of immune infiltrates, including 6 type cells, via gene modules. Tumor immune estimation resource database was applied to analyze TIME. Finally, the correlations between PI of DEGs and TIICs were analyzed by the Spearman method.

Results showed that PI consisted of 11 messenger RNAs in VIR and 12 messenger RNAs in NVIR groups. The PI related to HCC prognosis has different correlations with immune infiltrating cells in VIR and NVIR groups. The PI value of DEGs has significant correlations with neutrophils (R = 0.22, P-value = .029) and dendritic (R = 0.21, P-value = .036) infiltration levels in VIR group. However, in NVIR group, the result showed there were no significant correlations between PI and other 5 type cell infiltration levels (P-value > .05).

The 11-gene signature in VIR and 12-gene signature in NVIR group selected based on data from the Cancer Genome Atlas database had a different correlation with immune infiltrating cells of HCC patients.
Nomogram for predicting the survival of patients with small cell carcinoma of the esophagus
Authors: Qie Shuai , Wang Xue-feng , Ran Yu-ge , Liu Miao-ling , Cui Gui-min , Shi Hong-yun
Published: April 2021

This study aims to establish an effective prognostic nomogram for small cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE).

A total of 552 patients with SCCE from 1975 to 2016 were extracted from the surveillance, epidemiology, and end results (SEER) database. A Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to analyze the prognostic factors of patients, and a nomogram was constructed. The nomogram was then validated internally by using a consistency index (C-index) and a correction curve to evaluate its predictive value.

The Cox proportional hazard regression model showed that age, stage, surgery, primary site, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy were the prognostic factors of SCCE (P < .1), and they were used to construct the nomogram. The C-index of the nomogram for predicting survival was 0.749 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.722–0.776). The data were randomly divided into a modeling group and a validation group based on 7:3 for internal validation. The C-indices of the modeling and validation groups were 0.753 and 0.725, respectively, and they were close to 0.749. The calibration curves exhibited good consistency between the predicted and actual survival rates.

The nomogram of the survival and prognosis of patients with SCCE in this study had a good predictive value and could provide clinicians with accurate and practical predictive tools. It could also be used to facilitate a rapid and accurate assessment of patients’ survival and prognosis on an individual basis.
Prognostic and clinicopathological significance of miR-638 in cancer patients
Authors: Hu Lixia , Huang Mengqin , Yuan Qianqian , Kong Fanliang
Published: April 2021

Introduction:

MiR-638 is believed to be involved in human cancers. However, the prognostic value of miR-638 in human carcinomas is controversial and inconclusive. Therefore, we conducted this meta-analysis to investigate the association between miR-638 expression and clinical outcomes in the patients with various cancers.

Methods:

We searched Pubmed, Embase, Wanfang, and the China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) up to September 1, 2020 to identify relevant studies. Hazard ratios (HRs) and odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to correlate expression of miR-638 with prognosis and clinicopathological features.

Results:

A total of 18 studies involving 1886 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The results revealed that low miR-638 expression was significantly correlated with poor overall survival (OS) (HR = 2.09, 95% CI: 1.46–2.98, P < .001), but not with disease-free survival (DFS) (HR = 1.71, 95% CI: 0.31–9.56, P = .540). Subgroup analysis found that low miR-638 expression was associated with worse OS in patients with digestive system cancer (HR = 2.47, 95% CI: 1.85–3.30, P < .001), the reported directly from articles group (HR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.34–3.33, P < .001), survival curves group (HR = 2.02, 95% CI: 1.07–3.80, P = .029), in studies with sample size ≥100 (HR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.34–3.35, P = .001), and in studies with sample size <100 (HR = 2.02, 95%CI: 1.09–3.75, P = .025). Moreover, cancer patients with low miR-638 expression were prone to tumor size (OR = 1.47, 95% CI: 1.03–2.09, P = .035), earlier lymph node metastasis (present vs absent, OR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.63–3.14, P < .001), earlier distant metastasis (present vs absent, OR = 2.60, 95% CI: 1.45–4.67, P < .001), TNM stage (III-IV vs I-II, OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.35–2.99, P = .001), and portal vein invasion (present vs absent, OR = 4.39, 95% CI:2.23–8.64, P < .001), but not associated with age, gender, tumor differentiation, and vascular invasion.

Conclusions:

MiR-638 may serve as a promising indicator in the prediction of prognosis and clinicopathological features in patients with different kinds of cancers.
Plasma S100β and neuron-specific enolase, but not neuroglobin, are associated with early cognitive dysfunction after total arch replacement surgery
Authors: Wan Zilin , Li Yaxiong , Ye Huishun , Zi Yunfeng , Zhang Guojing , Wang Xiaoyan
Published: April 2021

To investigate whether plasma concentrations of S100β protein, neuron-specific enolase (NSE), and neuroglobin (NGB) correlate with early postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in patients undergoing total arch replacement.

This prospective study analyzed 40 patients who underwent total arch replacement combined with stented elephant trunk implantation at our hospital between March 2017 and January 2019. Cognitive function was assessed using the Mini-mental State Examination (MMSE) preoperatively, on the day after extubation and on day 7 after surgery. Plasma levels of S100β, NSE, and NGB POCD were assayed preoperatively and at 1, 6, and 24 hours after cardiopulmonary bypass. POCD was defined as a decrease of at least 1 unit in the MMSE score from before surgery until day 7, and patients were stratified into those who experienced POCD or not. The 2 groups were compared in clinicodemographic characteristics and plasma levels of the 3 proteins.

Plasma levels of all 3 biomarkers increased significantly during and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Levels of S100β and NSE, but not NGB, were significantly higher in the 15 patients who showed POCD than in the remainder who did not. For prediction of early POCD, S100β showed an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.71 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.55–0.87), sensitivity of 48%, and specificity of 87%. The corresponding values for NSE were 0.77 (95%CI 0.60–0.94), 92%, and 67%. Together, S100β and NSE showed an AUC of 0.81 (95%CI 0.66–0.96), sensitivity of 73%, and specificity of 80%. NGB did not significantly predict early POCD (AUC 0.62, 95%CI 0.43–0.80).

Plasma S100β protein and NSE, but not NGB, may help predict early POCD after total arch replacement.
Traditional East Asian herbal medicines for the treatment of poststroke constipation
Authors: Jin Chul , Jang Bo-Hyoung , Jeon Jin Pyeong , Lee Ye-Seul , Yang Seung-Bo , Kwon Seungwon
Published: April 2021

Background:

Post-stroke constipation is a major complication of stroke and increases the incidence of poor neurological outcomes and infectious complications and, therefore, warrants active and prompt treatment. In East Asian countries, several types of herbal medicines have been used for the treatment of post-stroke constipation because they are considered safer than existing pharmacotherapies. However, no systematic review has investigated the efficacy and safety of traditional East Asian herbal medicine in the treatment of post-stroke constipation. With this systematic review and meta-analysis, we aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional East Asian herbal medicines for the treatment of post-stroke constipation.

Methods and analysis:

Eight electronic databases will be searched for relevant studies published from inception to April 2021. Only randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assess the efficacy and safety of traditional East Asian herbal medicines for the treatment of post-stroke constipation will be included in this study. The methodological qualities, including the risk of bias, will be evaluated using the Cochrane risk of bias assessment tool. After screening the studies, a meta-analysis of the RCTs will be performed, if possible.

Results:

This study is expected to generate high-quality evidence of the efficacy and safety of herbal medicines to treat post-stroke constipation.

Conclusion:

Our systematic review will provide evidence to determine whether herbal medicines can be effective interventions for patients with post-stroke constipation.

Ethics and dissemination:

Ethical approval is not required, as this study was based on a review of published research. This review will be published in a peer-reviewed journal and disseminated electronically and in print.

Trial registration number:

Research registry reviewregistry1117
Efficacy of cognitive behavioral therapy on mood and quality of life for patients with COVID-19
Authors: Zheng Youxiang , Wang Lu , Zhu Yimei , Zeng Yan
Published: April 2021

Background:

There is no study that has conducted a review or meta-analysis investigating a cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) intervention to patients with COVID19, with the aim of improving their psychological health. Therefore, in order to provide new evidence-based medical evidence for clinical treatment, we undertook a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the effectiveness of CBT in relieving patients’ psychological distress and improving quality of life during the COVID-19 epidemic.

Methods:

Seven electronic databases including Web of Science, Embase, PubMed, Wanfang Data, Scopus, Science Direct, Cochrane Library will be searched in April 2021 by 2 independent reviewers. For search on PubMed, the following search terms will be used: “COVID-19, 2019 Coronavirus Disease, 2019-nCoV, cognitive behavioral therapy, CBT, cognitive behavioral treatment.” In order to achieve a consistency (at least 80%) of extracted items, the data extractors will extract data from a sample of eligible studies. The outcomes include any rating scale describing stress, mood, and quality of life. Review Manager software (v 5.4; Cochrane Collaboration) will be used for the meta-analysis. Two independent reviewers will assess the risk of bias of the included studies at study level. Any disagreements will be discussed and resolved in discussion with a third reviewer.

Results:

The results of our review will be reported strictly following the PRISMA criteria.

Conclusions:

The review will add to the existing literature by showing compelling evidence and improved guidance in clinic settings.

OSF registration number:

10.17605/OSF.IO/DCRPJ.

Ethics and dissemination:

Ethical approval and patient consent are not required because this study is a literature-based study. This systematic review and meta-analysis will be published in a peer-reviewed journal.
Successful treatment of cardiac arrest following hysteroscopic surgery using extracorporeal membrane oxygenation
Authors: Chen Ting , Yao Li , Tong Fei , Zhu Chunyan
Published: April 2021

Rationale:

Cardiac arrest caused by water intoxication syndrome following hysteroscopic surgery is a rare but life-threatening occurrence. Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is rarely used to treat water intoxication syndrome in hysteroscopic surgery. Here, we successfully treated a patient with water intoxication syndrome following hysteroscopic surgery with ECMO.

Patient concerns:

We report a rare case of cardiac arrest during hysteroscopic surgery treated with veno-venous (VV) ECMO.

Diagnosis:

Water poisoning syndrome was diagnosed by electrolyte examination, the lowest value of serum sodium was 110.7 mmol/L.

Interventions:

VV-ECMO was prescribed as a measure after traditional cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Results:

ECMO was successfully evacuated on day 5 and the patient was discharged on day 45.

Conclusion:

Mastering the hysteroscopic operative techniques and using a bipolar hysteroscopic generator, isotonic fluid, perfusion pressures less than 100 mm Hg, and local anesthesia may reduce the risk of hysteroscopic water intoxication syndrome. During hysteroscopic surgery, patients may experience cardiac arrest and fatal water intoxication syndrome. Even when traditional cardiopulmonary resuscitation is successful, VV ECMO may contribute to the recovery of brain function if oxygenation is not maintained.
Physiotherapeutic assessment and management of chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Authors: Burzynski Bartlomiej , Jurys Tomasz , Burzynski Kamil , Cempa Katarzyna , Paradysz Andrzej
Published: April 2021

Introduction:

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is difficult for the diagnosis and therapy and that means the patient attending the physician or physiotherapist may present various symptoms. There are no guidelines concern physiotherapy diagnosis and treatment of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. This study presents the physiotherapeutic assessment and management in men with pelvic pain symptoms.

Patient concerns:

Forty-six-year-old man attended the physiotherapy consulting room due to symptoms of pain in the perineum, lower abdomen, urethra, and scrotum for a year. Earlier, the patient had consulted a urologist who made a diagnosis of cystitis and prescribed medications that did not get results.

Diagnosis:

Ultrasound imaging and manual inspection (per rectum) of the pelvic floor was conducted by physiotherapist. Also, the abdominal and lower extremities muscles were assessed. Patient reported pain symptoms during examination of the musculus ischiocavernosus, puboanalis, pubococcygeus, iliococcygeus, coccygeus, and canalis pudentalis seu Alcocki.

Interventions:

The patient was given physiotherapeutic interventions consisting in the manual therapy of the lumbopelvic hip complex and the manual therapy per rectum.

Outcomes:

During 10th session of the physiotherapeutic treatment, patient reported improvement in pain symptoms. A month later, patient reported total alleviation of the pain symptoms during control visit.

Conclusion:

Therapy of chronic pelvic pain syndrome is a process that involves application of different therapies and different approaches. Functional and structural assessment and also therapy conducted by physiotherapist is becoming an integral part of urology and represents 1 possible conservative treatment form.
Pure erythroid leukemia subsequent to acute myelomonocytic leukemia
Authors: Ji Jiamei , Li Yating , Fan Lei , Lu Hua , Qu Xiaoyan
Published: April 2021

Rationale:

Pure erythroid leukemia is a rare subcategory of acute myeloid leukemia characterized by predominant immature erythroid population. Its occurrence subsequent to acute myelomonocytic leukemia has not been reported before. We reported this rare case to call attention because it may pose a diagnostic challenge.

Patient's concerns:

A 54-year-old female patient presented to our hospital in March 2018 with symptoms of easy fatigability.

Diagnosis:

Bone marrow aspiration was hypercellular showing 67.2% blasts mainly including moderate myeloblasts and monoblasts. There was mild dysplasia with some cells having round, oval, or bizarre nuclei which containing 1 to 3 nucleolus. Erythroid lineage was hypoplasia and mature erythrocytes were generally normal. Conventional cytogenetics of bone marrow cells revealed complex karyotype (44, XX, del (5) (q14q34) del (5) (q14q34), del (14) t (11;14) (q10; q10), −16, del (17), −18[10]).

Interventions:

The patient was treated with second line chemotherapy but did not respond.

Qutcomes:

She died of cardiopulmonary failure 19days after starting of therapy.

Lessons:

This unexpected and relatively uncommon occurrence was associated with a universally rapid and fatal clinical course with survival measured in <2 months despite intensive chemotherapy. We call attention to this rare phenomenon because it may pose a diagnostic challenge.
Analgesic comparison of dezocine plus propofol versus fentanyl plus propofol for gastrointestinal endoscopy
Authors: Zhang Lin , Li Chun , Zhao Chuncheng , Zhao Zhengzhong , Feng Yi
Published: April 2021

Introduction:

As the adjunctive anesthesia to propofol, both dezocine and fentanyl showed some potential for gastrointestinal endoscopy. This meta-analysis aimed to compare their efficacy and safety.

Methods:

PubMed, EMbase, Web of science, EBSCO, and Cochrane library databases were systematically searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) assessing the effect of dezocine versus fentanyl for the anesthesia of patients undergoing gastrointestinal endoscopy were included.

Results:

Five RCTs involving 677 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, compared with fentanyl plus propofol for gastrointestinal endoscopy, dezocine plus propofol resulted in the reduction in propofol dose(mean difference [MD] = −11.72; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −22.83 to −0.61; P = .04), awakening time (std. MD = −1.79; 95% CI = −3.31 to −0.27; P = .02) and hypopnea (risk ratio [RR] = 0.16; 95% CI = 0.06–0.41; P = .0002), but had no remarkable effect on induction time (MD = 1.20; 95% CI = −0.98 to 3.39; P = .28), postoperative pain score (MD = −0.38; 95% CI = −1.00 to 0.24; P = .24), nausea or vomiting (RR = 0.45; 95% CI = 0.10–1.98; P = .29).

Conclusion:

Dezocine plus propofol may be better for the anesthesia of gastrointestinal endoscopy than fentanyl plus propofol.
Role of Imaging in Childhood Arthritis
Authors: Jana Manisha , Mittal Disha , Bagri Neha , Yadav Richa , Parihar Vivek , Bagri Narendra Kumar
Published: April 2021

Imaging plays a pivotal role in the management of various childhood arthritis. Conventional radiography is the most commonly ordered imaging modality for the evaluation of arthritis. Owing to their higher sensitivity for detecting synovitis, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography are increasingly being used to guide clinical management of various forms of arthritis, especially juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Magnetic resonance imaging is a preferred modality for evaluating more complex sites such as the sacroiliac joint. In this review, we have discussed the rational use and the characteristic imaging features of common childhood arthritis.
Epidemiology of Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathies in Africa
Authors: Essouma Mickael , Noubiap Jean Jacques , Singwe-Ngandeu Madeleine , Hachulla Eric
Published: April 2021

Background

The epidemiology of idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) has been extensively studied in America, Europe, and Asia, but remains unclear in Africa.

Objective

The aim of this review was to summarize available data on the epidemiology of IIMs in Africa.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, EMBASE, and African Journals Online for studies published up to December 30, 2020, and reporting epidemiological data on IIMs in Africa. Data were combined through narrative synthesis. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO, CRD42020186781.

Results

We included 39 studies reporting 683 cases (71.7% adults) of IIMs. Incidence rates of ~7.5/1,000,000 person-years and 1.2/1,000,000 person-years were estimated for dermatomyositis (DM), whereas polymyositis (PM) had an incidence rate of 8.8/1,000,000 person-years. Prevalence estimates of 11.49/100,000 and 11/100,000 (95% confidence interval, 0–32) were provided for IIMs and the PM subtype, respectively. Mean age at diagnosis ranged from 7.9 to 57.2 years, and 50% to 100% of the patients were females. Main subtypes of adult-onset IIMs were DM (21%–93%) and PM (12%–79%), whereas the commonest juvenile subtype was juvenile DM (5.8%–9%). Skeletal muscle involvement (56%–100%) was the main disease feature, and esophagus was the most commonly affected internal organ (6%–65.2%). Anti-Jo1/histidyl tRNA synthetase (7%–100%) and anti-Mi2 (17%–45%) antibodies were the most frequent myositis specific antibodies. Early mortality was high (7.8%–45%), and main death causes were infections, cancers and organ damage in respiratory and cardiovascular domains.

Conclusions

Apart from a potential younger age at onset of adult IIMs in Africa, current sparse data mostly suggest a similar epidemiology between Africa and other regions. Further high-quality studies are required to validate these findings.
Features and Clinical Course of Infantile Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis
Authors: Campbell Julie A. , Shenoi Susan
Published: April 2021

Background

Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is a heterogeneous group of 7 chronic arthritides categories that affects children younger than 16 years. This case series elucidates the characteristics of patients from a single center diagnosed with JIA at younger than 12 months.

Methods

We included patients who presented to the rheumatology clinic for JIA with symptom onset at younger than 1 year. Chart review was conducted to complete case report forms that included demographics, historical features, examination features, laboratory results, imaging results, and treatment courses.

Results

We identified 12 patients who met our inclusion criteria. Eight of our patients were diagnosed with oligoarticular JIA, 3 had polyarticular JIA, and 1 was diagnosed with systemic JIA. Overall, 58% (7/12) of patients had joint contractures at their initial visit. Of the patients with oligoarticular JIA, 50% (4/8) required a disease-modifying antirheumatic drug to achieve disease remission; 12.5% (1/8) required biologic therapy. All of the polyarticular JIA patients had highly positive antinuclear antibodies, as well as elevated inflammatory markers.

Conclusions

Children with infantile JIA are overall similar to the larger population of patients with JIA. Disease severity may not be different compared with that of older children with JIA; however, there is likely a larger delay in diagnosis and the presence of contractures, which occurred in more than half of our patients.
Textbook Outcome
Authors: Halpern Samantha E. , Moris Dimitrios , Gloria Jared N. , Shaw Brian I. , Haney John C. , Klapper Jacob A. , Barbas Andrew S. , Hartwig Matthew G.
Published: April 2021

Objective:

To define textbook outcome (TO) for lung transplantation (LTx) using a contemporary cohort from a high-volume institution.

Summary Background Data:

TO is a standardized, composite quality measure based on multiple postoperative endpoints representing the ideal “textbook” hospitalization.

Methods:

Adult patients who underwent LTx at our institution between 2016 and 2019 were included. TO was defined as freedom from intraoperative complication, postoperative reintervention, 30-day intensive care unit or hospital readmission, length of stay >75th percentile of LTx patients, 90 day mortality, 30-day acute rejection, grade 3 primary graft dysfunction at 48 or 72 hours, postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, tracheostomy within 7 days, inpatient dialysis, reintubation, and extubation >48 hours post-transplant. Recipient, operative, financial characteristics, and post-transplant outcomes were recorded from institutional data and compared between TO and non-TO groups.

Results:

Of 401 LTx recipients, 97 (24.2%) achieved TO. The most common reason for TO failure was extubation >48 hours post-transplant (N = 119, 39.1%); the least common was mortality (N = 15, 4.9%). Patient and graft survival were improved among patients who achieved versus failed TO (patient survival: log-rank P < 0.01; graft survival: log-rank P < 0.01). Rejection-free and chronic lung allograft dysfunction-free survival were similar between TO and non-TO groups (rejection-free survival: log-rank P = 0.07; chronic lung allograft dysfunction-free survival: log-rank P = 0.3). On average, patients who achieved TO incurred approximately $638,000 less in total inpatient charges compared to those who failed TO.

Conclusions:

TO in LTx was associated with favorable post-transplant outcomes and significant cost-savings. TO may offer providers and patients new insight into transplant center quality of care and highlight areas for improvement.
The modulation of attentional deployment on regret: an event-related potential study
Authors: Li Shuang , Liu Sijia , Huang Pujiang , Liu Siyi , Zhang Wenxuan , Guo Xiuyan , Liu Zhiyuan
Published: April 2021

Adopting a sequential risk-taking task, this study explored the modulation of attentional deployment on regret. Attentional deployment was manipulated during outcome feedback of the task by highlighting different parts to induce participants to focus on collected gains (GF context) or missed chances (MF context). The control context without attentional deployment manipulation was also set. Behaviorally, compared to the control context, participants felt less regret in the GF context but more regret in the MF context. Event-related potential results showed that the GF context elicited stronger reward positivity and late positive potential (LPP) than the control context. Furthermore, openness (NEO Five-Factor Inventory) negatively predicted the amplitude of LPP in the GF context. Source localization indicated that the superior frontal gyrus showed stronger activation in the GF context than in the control context during the time window of LPP. These results suggested that focusing on collected gains was an effective way to repress regret and that the LPP component played a key role in this process.
Ageing genetic signature of hypersomatotropism
Authors: Elbialy Abdalla
Published: April 2021

Acromegaly is a pathological condition that is caused by over-secretion of growth hormone (GH) and develops primarily from a pituitary adenoma. Excess GH exposure over a prolonged period of time leads to a wide range of systemic manifestations and comorbidities. Studying the effect of excess GH on the cellular level could help to understand the underlying causes of acromegaly health complications and comorbidities. In our previous publications, we have shown that excess GH reduces body side population (SP) stem cells and induces signs of premature ageing in an acromegaly zebrafish model. Here, we study acromegaly ageing in greater depth at the level of gene expression. We investigated whether acromegaly induces an ageing genetic signature in different organs. Using the GenAge database, our acromegaly model showed a significant enrichment of ageing genetic datasets in the muscle but not in other organs. Likewise, the hierarchical clustering of wild type (WT), acromegaly and aged RNA data from various organs revealed the similarity of gene expression profiles between the acromegaly and the aged muscles. We therefore identified overlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in different organs between acromegaly and aged zebrafish. Importantly, about half of the muscle, liver and brain acromegaly DEGs overlapped with aged zebrafish DEGs. Interestingly, overlapping was observed in the same way; acromegaly-up DEGs overlapped with aged zebrafish up DEGs, not down DEGs, and
vice versa
. We then identified the biological functions of overlapping DEGs. Enrichment database analysis and gene ontology showed that most overlapping muscle genes were involved in ageing metabolism, while overlapping liver DEGs were involved in metabolic pathways, response to hypoxia and endoplasmic reticulum stress. Thus, this study provides a full ageing genetic signature of acromegaly at the gene expression level.
Suppression of shot noise in a spin–orbit coupled quantum dot
Authors: Wang Zhimei , Mao Lijun , Xue Naitao , Lu Wenting
Published: April 2021

We study theoretically the transport properties of electrons in a quantum dot system with spin–orbit coupling. By using the quantum master equation approach, the shot noise and skewness of the transport electrons are calculated. We obtain super-Poisson noise behaviour by investigating the full counting statistics of the transport system. We discover super-Poisson behaviour is more obvious with the spin polarization increasing. More importantly, we discover the suppression of shot noise induced by spin–orbit coupling. The value of shot noise is gradually decreasing when spin–orbit coupling strength increases.
Optimized culture systems for the preimplantation ICR mouse embryos with wide range of EDTA concentrations
Authors: Thapa Seema , Kang Seung Hee , Heo Yun Seok
Published: April 2021

In this study,
in vitro
preimplantation embryo culture media especially for outbred stock mice (Institute of Cancer Research (ICR)) were optimized with different concentrations of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA). A plot with embryo development rates against EDTA concentrations ranging from 0 to 500 µM showed a unique pattern with two characteristic peaks. Two hundred micromolar was adopted as an optimal concentration of EDTA. The optimized media were also evaluated with two culture systems: conventional large volume culture system (1 ml) and micro-droplet culture system. In the conventional large volume culture system, the blastocyst development rates were compared among three different media (F-10, KSOM and KSOM with the optimized 200 µM EDTA). The rates were 0.4%, 16.7% and 57.6%, respectively. The development rates for the micro-droplet (10 µl) culture system were 73.9%. In conclusion, 200 µM EDTA concentration in 10 µl droplets in the KSOM medium was found as the most suitable culture conditions for ICR mouse embryos, as the blastocyst development rate was higher in the micro-droplet culture system than in the traditional conventional large volume culture system.
How do sentiments affect virality on Twitter?
Authors: Jiménez-Zafra Salud María , Sáez-Castillo Antonio José , Conde-Sánchez Antonio , Martín-Valdivia María Teresa
Published: April 2021

Virality on Twitter is catching the attention of researchers, trying to identify factors which increase or decrease the probability of retweeting. We study how terms expressing sentiments affect retweeting frequencies by means of a regression model on the number of retweets, which is specially accurate to deal with virality. We focus on the Spanish political situation during the pseudo-referendum held in Catalonia on 1 October 2017. We have found that the use of negativity in a tweet increases the probability of retweeting and that iSOL lexicon is the one that better determines the relationship between polarity and virality.
Natural history collections recapitulate 200 years of faunal change
Authors: Ewers-Saucedo Christine , Allspach Andreas , Barilaro Christina , Bick Andreas , Brandt Angelika , Fiege Dieter , Füting Susanne , Hausdorf Bernhard , Hayer Sarah , Husemann Martin , Joger Ulrich , Kamcke Claudia , Küster Mathias , Lohrmann Volker , Martin Ines , Michalik Peter , Reinicke Götz-Bodo , Schwentner Martin , Stiller Michael , Brandis Dirk
Published: April 2021

Changing species assemblages represent major challenges to ecosystems around the world. Retracing these changes is limited by our knowledge of past biodiversity. Natural history collections represent archives of biodiversity and are therefore an unparalleled source to study biodiversity changes. In the present study, we tested the value of natural history collections for reconstructing changes in the abundance and presence of species over time. In total, we scrutinized 17 080 quality-checked records for 242 epibenthic invertebrate species from the North and Baltic Seas collected throughout the last 200 years. Our approaches identified eight previously reported species introductions, 10 range expansions, six of which are new to science, as well as the long-term decline of 51 marine invertebrate species. The cross-validation of our results with published accounts of endangered species and neozoa of the area confirmed the results for two of the approaches for 49 to 55% of the identified species, and contradicted our results for 9 to 10%. The results based on relative record trends were less validated. We conclude that, with the proper approaches, natural history collections are an unmatched resource for recovering early species introductions and declines.
Croceimicrobium hydrocarbonivorans gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel marine bacterium isolated from a bacterial consortium that degrades polyethylene terephthalate
Authors: Liu Renju , Lai Qiliang , Gu Li , Yan Peisheng , Shao Zongze
Published: April 2021

A novel Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, gliding, rod-shaped and carotenoid-pigmented bacterium, designated A20-9T, was isolated from a microbial consortium of polyethylene terephthalate enriched from a deep-sea sediment sample from the Western Pacific. Growth was observed at salinities of 1–8 %, at pH 6.5–8 and at temperatures of 10–40 °C. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on the genome indicated that A20-9T formed a monophyletic branch affiliated to the family

Schleiferiaceae

, and the 16S rRNA gene sequences exhibited the maximum sequence similarity of 93.8 % with

Owenweeksia hongkongensis

DSM 17368T, followed by similarities of 90.4, 90.1 and 88.8 % with

Phaeocystidibacter luteus

MCCC 1F01079T,

Vicingus serpentipes

DSM 103558T and

Salibacter halophilus

MCCC 1K02288T, respectively. Its complete genome size was 4 035 598 bp, the genomic DNA G+C content was 43.2 mol%. Whole genome comparisons indicated that A20-9T and

O. hongkongensis

DSM 17368T shared 67.8 % average nucleotide identity, 62.7 % average amino acid identity value, 46.6% of conserved proteins and 17.8 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity. A20-9T contained MK-7 as the major respiratory quinone. Its major polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine and phospatidylcholine; and the major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (37.5 %), iso-C16 : 0 3-OH (12.4 %), and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c /C16 : 1ω6c, 11.6 %). Combining the genotypic and phenotypic data, A20-9T could be distinguished from the members of other genera within the family

Schleiferiaceae

and represents a novel genus, for which the name Croceimicrobium hydrocarbonivorans gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is A20-9T (=MCCC 1A17358T =KCTC 72878T).
Nisin- and ripcin-derived hybrid lanthipeptides display selective antimicrobial activity againstStaphylococcus aureus
Authors: Zhao Xinghong , Kuipers Oscar P.
Published: April 2021

Lanthipeptides are (methyl)lanthionine ring-containing ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs). Many lanthipeptides show strong antimicrobial activity against bacterial pathogens, including antibiotic-resistant bacterial pathogens. The group of disulfide bond-containing antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is well known in nature and forms a rich source of templates for the production of novel peptides with corresponding (methyl)lanthionine analogues instead of disulfides. Here, we show that novel macrocyclic lanthipeptides (termed thanacin and ripcin) can be synthesized using the known antimicrobials thanatin and rip-thanatin as templates. Notably, the synthesized nisin(1-20)-ripcin hybrid lanthipeptides (ripcin B-G) showed selective antimicrobial activity againstS. aureus, including an antibiotic-resistant MRSA strain. Interestingly, ripcin B-G, which are hybrid peptides of nisin(1-20) and ripcin, respectively, that are each inactive against Gram-negative pathogens, showed substantial antimicrobial activity against the tested Gram-negative pathogens. Moreover, ripcin B-G was highly resistant against the nisin resistance protein (NSR; a protease could cleave nisin and strongly reduce its activity), opposed to nisin itself. Mode of action studies show that ripcin C exerts its antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive pathogens by binding to the cell wall synthesis precursor lipid II and thereafter arrests cell growth. In addition, ripcin C exerts its antimicrobial activity against Gram-negative pathogens by binding to LPS and the cell wall synthesis precursor lipid II. This study provides an example of converting disulfide bond-based AMPs into (methyl)lanthionine-based macrocyclic hybrid lanthipeptides and can yield antimicrobial peptides with selective antimicrobial activity againstS. aureus.

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Resistance training rejuvenates the mitochondrial methylome in aged human skeletal muscle
Authors: Ruple Bradley A. , Godwin Joshua S. , Mesquita Paulo H. C. , Osburn Shelby C. , Vann Christopher G. , Lamb Donald A. , Sexton Casey L. , Candow Darren G. , Forbes Scott C. , Frugé Andrew D. , Kavazis Andreas N. , Young Kaelin C. , Seaborne Robert A. , Sharples Adam P. , Roberts Michael D.
Published: April 2021

Resistance training (RT) alters skeletal muscle nuclear DNA methylation patterns (or the methylome). However, no study has examined if RT affects the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) methylome. Herein, ten older untrained males (65±7 years old) performed six weeks of full-body RT (twice weekly). Body composition and knee extensor torque were assessed prior to and 72 hours following the last RT session. Vastus lateralis (VL) biopsies were also obtained. VL DNA was subjected to reduced representation bisulfite sequencing providing excellent coverage across the ~16-kilobase mtDNA methylome (254 CpG sites). Various biochemical assays were also performed, and older male data were compared to younger trained males (22±2 years old, n=7). RT increased whole-body lean tissue mass (p=0.017), VL thickness (p=0.012), and knee extensor torque (p=0.029) in older males. RT also profoundly affected the mtDNA methylome in older males, as 63% (159/254) of the CpG sites demonstrated reduced methylation (p<0.05). Notably, several mtDNA sites presented a more “youthful” signature after RT in older males when comparisons were made to younger males. The 1.12 kilobase D-loop/control region on mtDNA, which regulates mtDNA replication and transcription, possessed enriched hypomethylation in older males following RT. Enhanced expression of mitochondrial H- and L-strand genes and increases in mitochondrial complex III and IV protein levels were also observed (p<0.05). This is the first study to show RT alters the mtDNA methylome in skeletal muscle. Observed methylome alterations may enhance mitochondrial transcription, and RT remarkably evokes mitochondrial methylome profiles to mimic a more youthful signature in older males.
Combined Inhibition of AKT and KIT Restores Expression of Programmed Cell Death 4 (PDCD4) in Gastrointestinal Stromal Tumor
Authors: Kozinova Marya , Joshi Shalina , Ye Shuai , Belinsky Martin G. , Sharipova Dinara , Farma Jeffrey M. , Reddy Sanjay , Litwin Samuel , Devarajan Karthik , Campos Alex Rosa , Yu Yi , Schwartz Brian , von Mehren Margaret , Rink Lori
Published: April 2021

The majority of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) patients develop resistance to the first-line KIT inhibitor, imatinib mesylate (IM), through acquisition of secondary mutations inKITor bypass signaling pathway activation. AKT is a relevant target for inhibition, in addition to KIT, since the PI3K/AKT pathway is crucial for IM-resistant GIST survival. We evaluated the activity of a novel pan-AKT inhibitor, MK-4440 (formerly ARQ 751), as monotherapy and in combination with IM in GIST cell lines and preclinical models with varying IM sensitivities. Dual inhibition of KIT and AKT demonstrated significant synergistic effects in IM-sensitive and -resistant GIST cell lines. Proteomic analyses revealed upregulation of the tumor suppressor, PDCD4, in combination treated cells. Enhanced PDCD4 expression correlated to cell cycle arrest and cell death.In vivostudies revealed superior efficacy of MK-4440/IM combination in an IM-sensitive preclinical model of GIST compared with either single agent. The combination demonstrated limited efficacy in two IM-resistant models, including a GIST patient-derived xenograft model possessing an exon 9KITmutation. These studies provide strong rationale for further use of AKT inhibition in combination with IM in primary GIST; however, alternative agents will need to be tested in combination with AKT inhibition in the resistant setting.
tiRNA signaling via stress-regulated vesicle transfer in the hematopoietic niche
Authors: Kfoury Youmna S. , Ji Fei , Mazzola Michael , Sykes David B. , Scherer Allison K. , Anselmo Anthony , Akiyama Yasutoshi , Mercier Francois , Severe Nicolas , Kokkaliaris Konstantinos D. , Brouse Thomas , Saez Borja , Seidl Jefferson , Papazian Ani , Ivanov Pavel , Mansour Michael K. , Sadreyev Ruslan I. , Scadden David T.
Published: April 2021

Extracellular vesicles transfer complex biologic material between cells, whose role inin-vivoorganismal physiology is poorly defined. Here, we demonstrate that osteoblastic cells in the bone marrow elaborate extracellular vesicles that are taken up by hematopoietic progenitor cellsin vivo. Genotoxic or infectious stress rapidly increased stromal-derived extracellular vesicle transfer to granulocyte-monocyte progenitors. Stimulating osteoblastic cells with parathyroid hormone or activating its receptor enhanced extracellular vesicle transfer, myeloid recovery post radiation and improved animal survival fromCandidasepsis. The extracellular vesicles contained tiRNAs known to modulate protein translation. 5’-ti-Pro-CGG-1 was preferentially abundant in osteoblast-derived extracellular vesicles and when transferred to granulocyte macrophage progenitors, increased protein translation, cell proliferation and myeloid differentiation. Therefore, EV-mediated tiRNA transfer provides a stress modulated signaling axis distinct from conventional cytokine-driven stress responses.

One sentence summary

Stress regulated tiRNA transfer alters hematopoiesis
CytoSet: Predicting clinical outcomes via set-modeling of cytometry data
Authors: Yi Haidong , Stanley Natalie
Published: April 2021

Abstract

Single-cell flow and mass cytometry technologies are being increasingly applied in clinical settings, as they enable the simultaneous measurement of multiple proteins across millions of cells within a multi-patient cohort. In this work, we introduce CytoSet, a deep learning model that can directly predict a patient’s clinical outcome from a collection of cells obtained through a blood or tissue sample. Unlike previous work, CytoSet explicitly models the cells profiled in each patient sample as a set, allowing for the use of recently developed permutation invariant architectures. We show that CytoSet achieves state-of-the-art classification performance across a variety of flow and mass cytometry benchmark datasets. The strong classification performance is further complemented by demonstrated robustness to the number of sub-sampled cells per patient and the depth of model, enabling CytoSet to scale adequately to hundreds of patient samples. The strong performance achieved by the set-based architectures used in CytoSet suggests that clinical cytometry data can be appropriately interpreted and studied as sets. The code is publicly available athttps://github.com/CompCy-lab/cytoset.
Electronic Cigarettes in the EU: The Political Economy of Product Regulation
Authors: Cheng Chen , Persico Nicola , Scocchi Nicola
Published: April 2021

You are the CEO of an e-cigarette company that has just been acquired by a major tobacco company. Your company operates in the European market. The July 2013 draft of the EU Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) recently has been crafted by the European Commission, but it has not yet been examined by the EU Parliament and its Council. The draft proposes that all e-cigarette products be classified as medical devices, regardless of nicotine content. This is the strictest available mode of regulation. If the directive goes into effect as written, e-cigarettes would have to undergo costly and lengthy clinical trials to receive approval and face much stricter marketability restrictions.

The case details the state of the e-cigarette industry in 2013, including consumer data, distribution, competition from similar products, and public health concerns. Students will analyze the current regulatory environment, determine what outcome would be most favorable to the e-cigarette industry, and identify the ways to achieve that goal.