bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How Youth of Color Create Communities of Hope: Connecting Advocacy, Activity, and Neighborhood Change
Authors: Kim Anna J. , Jones-Bynes Jasmine , Botchwey Nisha , Conway Terry L.
Published: March 2021

The primary aim of this paper was to assess the association of after-school club characteristics with changes in physical activity, nutrition, and attitudes in students of color after participating in the “YEAH!” Advocacy-based Physical Activity Program. We examine the strengths of school-based vs. non-school based programs in promoting feelings of self-efficacy and empowerment among students learning to become more physically active—and importantly, also test the strength of how programs that are more connected (to community-based partners) may contribute to students’ optimism around policy and public health as it directly affects them. This study examined differences in the youth advocacy training impact across four after-school club types: school-based with community partnerships, school-based without partnerships, non-school-based with community partners, and non-school-based clubs without partnerships. We measured improvements in youth’s “optimism for change”, “assertiveness” and “decision-making” as related to after school activities and found that non-school-based programs with community partners showed highest positive impact.
Faith as a Mechanism for Health Promotion among Rural African American Prostate Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Examination
Authors: Adams Raymond D. , Johnson Waldo E.
Published: March 2021

Conceptualized using critical race theory as a theoretical underpinning, this study analyzed the lived experiences of older, rural, African American male prostate cancer (hereafter referenced as PrCA) survivors’ faith and health promotion practices within Northeast Louisiana. Qualitative data from journaling, observations, and semi-structured interviews were obtained from ten older, African American male PrCA survivors residing in four rural parishes of Louisiana. The data analysis employed a two-stage approach known as Polkinghorne’s analysis of narratives and narrative analysis using an art-based methodological approach. Framed as composite character counterstories, survivors’ narratives revealed how survivors made sense of and gave meaning to their PrCA diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and survivorship. Specifically, their counterstories indicate that centering and honoring the unique and often taken-for-granted perspectives of older, rural, African American male PrCA survivors offered a deeper understanding of the multiple factors influencing their quality of life, as well as the sociostructural mechanisms impacting their survivorship care. Faith was examined as both a secular and sacred source of support that these men viewed as central to the acceptance of their diagnosis, treatment, recovery, and survivorship.
Decreased Administration of Life-Sustaining Treatment just before Death among Older Inpatients in Japan: A Time-Trend Analysis from 2012 through 2014 Based on a Nationally Representative Sample
Authors: Sakai Michi , Ohtera Shosuke , Iwao Tomohide , Neff Yukiko , Uchida Tomoe , Takahashi Yoshimitsu , Kato Genta , Kuroda Tomohiro , Nishimura Shuzo , Nakayama Takeo ,   on behalf of BiDAME (Big Data Analysis of Medical Care for the Elderly in Kyoto)
Published: March 2021

The administration of intensive end-of-life care just before death in older patients has become a major policy concern, as it increases medical costs; however, care intensity does not necessarily indicate quality. This study aimed to describe the temporal trends in the administration of life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) and intensive care unit (ICU) admissions just before death in older inpatients in Japan. We utilized the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB). Inpatients who were aged ≥65 years and died in October of 2012, 2013, or 2014 were analyzed. The numbers of decedents in 2012, 2013, and 2014 were 3362, 3473, and 3516, respectively. The frequencies of receiving cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) (11.0% to 8.3%), mechanical ventilation (MV) (13.1% to 9.8%), central venous catheter (CVC) insertion (10.6% to 7.8%), and ICU admission (9.1% to 7.8%), declined between 2012 and 2014. After adjusting for age, sex, and type of ward, the declining trends persisted for CPR, MV, and CVC insertion relative to the frequencies in 2012. Our results indicate that the administration of LST just before death in older inpatients in Japan decreased from 2012 to 2014.
Epicardial Adipose Tissue and Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Ultra-Marathon Runners: A Pilot Study
Authors: Konwerski Michał , Postuła Marek , Barczuk-Falęcka Marzena , Czajkowska Anna , Mróz Anna , Witek Katarzyna , Bakalarski Wawrzyniec , Gąsecka Aleksandra , Małek Łukasz A. , Mazurek Tomasz
Published: March 2021

Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) volume is associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). Data regarding the influence of extremely intensive training on CVD are scarce. We compared EAT volume among ultra-marathon runners and in the sedentary control group, and assessed the correlations between EAT and risk factors of coronary artery disease (CAD). EAT volume around three main coronary vessels and right ventricle (RV) was measured in 30 healthy amateur ultrarunners and 9 sex- and age-matched sedentary controls using cardiac magnetic resonance. In addition, body composition, lipid profile, interleukin-6 (IL-6) plasma concentration, and intima-media thickness (IMT) were measured as well. The EAT volume was lower in all measured locations in the ultrarunners’ group compared to control group (p < 0.001 for all). Ultrarunners had lower BMI and fat percentage (FAT%) and more favorable lipid profile compared to the control group (p < 0.05 for all). Ultrarunners had lower rate of pathologically high levels of plasma IL-6 (>1 pg/mL) compared to the control group (17% vs. 56%, p < 0.05). IMT was similar in both groups. In the ultrarunners’ group, there was a positive correlation between EAT surrounding left anterior descending artery, circumflex artery, and RV and FAT%, and between EAT around circumflex artery and LDL and non-HDL cholesterol (p < 0.05 for all). In summary, extremely intensive training may decrease the risk of cardiovascular events in adult population of amateur athletes by reducing the amount and pro-inflammatory activity of EAT. However, more research is needed to draw firm conclusions regarding the anti- and pro-inflammatory effects of intensive training.
Evolving Disaster Response Practices during COVID-19 Pandemic
Authors: Potutan Gerald , Arakida Masaru
Published: March 2021

When a disaster occurs during a pandemic, it would be a case of concurrent crises (synonymous to cascading disasters or compounding disasters). The single-hazard approach to disaster response system is not suited for this scenario. As shown from the experiences of the Philippines, India, Japan, and the Republic of Korea, the conventional single-hazard approach needed to integrate new measures, including basic skills training on handling COVID-19 for disaster responders; additional stockpiles of face coverings, disinfectants, tents, and personal protective equipment (PPE); social distancing at evacuation centers; updating of standard operation procedures (SOPs) and guidelines for disaster response to adapt to the concurrent crises situations. Building on the reports presented by the member countries of Asian Disaster Reduction Center (ADRC), this paper highlights three evolving disaster response practices during the COVID-19 pandemic: (i) digitalization of some aspects of disaster response, including early warning, surveillance, and impact assessment; (ii) dispersed evacuation to enforce social distancing, including other measures such as testing, tracing, and isolating infected individuals; (iii) remote psychological first aid to disaster-impacted individuals who are already experiencing anxieties from the pandemic. Indicative outcomes of the evolving response practices are discussed, including whether these could serve as entry points to transition the disaster response system from a single-hazard approach towards a multihazard approach.
Proposal for a Fitness Program in the School Setting during the COVID 19 Pandemic: Effects of an 8-Week CrossFit Program on Psychophysical Well-Being in Healthy Adolescents
Authors: Cataldi Stefania , Francavilla Vincenzo Cristian , Bonavolontà Valerio , De Florio Ornella , Carvutto Roberto , De Candia Michele , Latino Francesca , Fischetti Francesco
Published: March 2021

Background: The Italian government promoted social distancing, in which the suspension of any social event, suspension of all activities practiced in gyms, sports centers and their closure was ordered. The social distancing in the school environment and the use of strategies to limit viral infection are not very compatible with group motor activity and team sports. The aim of this study is to verify the effectiveness of a CrossFit program in order to mitigate the deficits in fitness caused by COVID-19 prevention measures and to evaluate the effects on self-efficacy in a group of young adolescents. Methodsː 30 healthy participants were randomly allocated into an intervention group (IG) that performed the 8 weeks CrossFit training program or control group (CG). Physical fitness tests (i.e., Squat, push-up, lunge, and 20 m run) and psychological measures Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy scale (RESE) were performed at baseline and after 8 weeks. Resultsː After 8 weeks, the intervention group showed significant improvements for all fitness tests (p < 0.0001). Additionally, higher scores for the RESE negative and positive (p < 0.0001) scales were found in the intervention group. No statistical differences were found in the control group except for the push up test. Conclusionsː the 8-week CrossFit intervention program could positively affect the general physical well-being and improve the emotional perceived self-efficacy in healthy adolescents.
Gender Differences on Motor Competence in 5-Year-Old Preschool Children Regarding Relative Age
Authors: Navarro-Patón Rubén , Lago-Ballesteros Joaquín , Arufe-Giráldez Víctor , Sanmiguel-Rodríguez Alberto , Lago-Fuentes Carlos , Mecías-Calvo Marcos
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences on motor competence between 5-year-old boys and girls and to investigate the existence of Relative Age Effect (RAE) on their motor competence. A total of 232 preschool children were evaluated of whom 134 (57.8%) were boys and 98 (42.2%) were girls. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2) was used to collect data. The data show a main effect on gender factor; there was a main effect in total score of manual dexterity (MD; p = 0.010), in total score of balance (Bal; p < 0.001), in total test score (TTS; p < 0.001), and in total percentile score (TPS, p < 0.001). In the semester of birth factor, there were differences in aiming and catching (A&C, p < 0.001), in Bal (p = 0.029) and in total percentile score (TPS, p = 0.010). Girls perform better in MD, Bal, TTS, and TPS than boys. Preschool children born in the first semester obtain, in general, a higher percentage and a higher percentile than their peers born in the second one. RAE is present in A&C, Bal, and TPS, with higher scores obtained by preschool children born in the first semester compared to those born in the second one.
Revisiting the Concept of Quietness in the Urban Environment—Towards Ecosystems’ Health and Human Well-Being
Authors: Tsaligopoulos Aggelos , Kyvelou Stella , Votsi Nefta-Eleftheria , Karapostoli Aimilia , Economou Chris , Matsinos Yiannis G.
Published: March 2021

There is plenty of proof that environmental noise is a major pollutant in the urban environment. Several approaches were successfully applied for its calculation, visualization, prediction and mitigation. The goal of all strategy plans regards its reduction and the creation of quietness. This study aims to revisit the concept of quietness in the urban environment and attempts to portray a new understanding of the specific phenomena. “Quietness” as a term retains an ambiguity, and so far, it can be described as the lack of something, meaning the lack of noise that is portrayed by means of intensity. Several studies describe quietness as the combination of perceptual soundscape elements and contextual factors that can be quantified, combined, weighed and used as indicators of healthy soundscapes. In this research, the focus is on setting aside all indicators, either measuring the intensity or contextual ones and use solely quantifiable metrics regarding the acoustic environment, thus introducing a new composite index called the composite urban quietness index (CUQI). After testing the CUQI, in order to verify the results of previous research regarding the identification of quiet Areas in the city of Mytilene (Lesbos Island, Greece), the study concludes that CUQI is efficiently functioning even in this early stage of development.
Daily Tasks and Willingness to Work of Dental Hygienists in Nursing Facilities Using Japanese Dental Hygienists’ Survey 2019
Authors: Ohara Yuki , Nomura Yoshiaki , Yamamoto Yuko , Okada Ayako , Hosoya Noriyasu , Hanada Nobuhiro , Hirano Hirohiko , Takei Noriko
Published: March 2021

Oral health care by dental hygienists contributes to the maintenance of nutritional and general health for older people in nursing facilities. This study aimed to investigate daily tasks and willingness to work among dental hygienists working in nursing facilities in Japan. In 2019, using a self-administered questionnaire, a postal cross-sectional survey was conducted among members of the Japanese Dental Hygienists’ Association. Questionnaires were distributed to all 16,722 Association members (responses, n = 8932; return rate, 53.4%). We analysed data from 368 dental hygienists currently working in nursing facilities. Item response theory and correspondence analyses were performed. In total, >90% of dental hygienists undertook oral examinations and provided oral hygiene instructions to residents and facility staff. In contrast, the implementation rate of tasks related to interprofessional collaboration was relatively low (approximately 50%), and 72.6% of dental hygienists indicated that they wanted to continue working in nursing facilities. Their willingness to work was closely associated with work involving interprofessional collaboration. Our study findings showed that dental hygienists’ work content in nursing facilities was diverse, but that there was variation in implemented tasks. Willingness to continue working in nursing facilities was associated with interprofessional collaboration among dental hygienists.
The Airman’s Edge Project: A Peer-Based, Injury Prevention Approach to Preventing Military Suicide
Authors: Baker Justin C. , Bryan Craig J. , Bryan AnnaBelle O. , Button Christopher J.
Published: March 2021

In light of data indicating military personnel are more likely to reach out to peers during times of need, peer-to-peer (P2P) support programs have been implemented for military suicide prevention. Often designed to reduce suicidal thoughts and behaviors by reducing mental health symptom severity, existing data suggest that P2P programs have little to no effect on mental health symptoms. Conceptualizing suicide prevention from an occupational safety and injury prevention perspective to promote positive health-related behavior change at both the group and individual level may enhance the effectiveness of P2P programs and military suicide prevention efforts more broadly. To illustrate these concepts, the present article provides an overview of the Airman’s Edge project, a P2P program design based upon the occupational safety and injury prevention model of suicide prevention, and describes a program evaluation effort designed to test the effectiveness of this approach.
EmERGE mHealth Platform: Implementation and Technical Evaluation of a Digital Supported Pathway of Care for Medically Stable HIV
Authors: Gárate Francisco , Chausa Paloma , Whetham Jennifer , Jones Christopher , García Felipe , Cáceres César , Sánchez-González Patricia , Wallitt Edward , Gómez Enrique , on behalf of the EmERGE Consortium
Published: March 2021

In this article, we described a new mobile-Health (mHealth) supported clinical pathway of care for people living with medically stable HIV in terms of platform acceptability, usability and technical feasibility. The EmERGE mHealth platform was codesigned with clinicians and the community, developed using Scrum agile methodology, integrated with hospital information systems and validated in a large prospective cohort study of 2251 participants. The evaluation of this new paradigm of care was conducted using a tailored Health Technology Assessment: the Model for Assessment of Telemedicine Applications. Usability and acceptability were assessed through the System Usability Score and a Patient Reported Experience Measure. The EmERGE platform was successfully deployed across diverse care settings in five European countries and used by 2251 patients and more than 20 clinicians for up to 30 months. Results from the formal evaluation demonstrated that the EmERGE platform is feasible and acceptable, with a high level of usability (median System Usability Score (SUS) 85.0%) and very positive patient-reported experiences (94.2% would recommend to a friend). The EmERGE platform is a secure and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)-compliant system with a complete set of functionalities that could be easily adapted to other clinical conditions, clinical sites and health systems thanks to its modular technical architecture.
Time in Nature Associated with Decreased Fatigue in UK Truck Drivers
Authors: Longman Daniel P. , Shaw Colin N. , Varela-Mato Veronica , Sherry Aron P. , Ruettger Katharina , Sayyah Mohsen , Guest Amber , Chen Yu-Ling , Paine Nicola J. , King James A. , Clemes Stacy A.
Published: March 2021

Heavy goods vehicle (HGV) driving is recognised as a highly hazardous occupation due to the long periods of sedentary behaviour, low levels of physical activity and unhealthy food options when working. These risk factors combine with shift work and concomitant irregular sleep patterns to increase the prevalence of fatigue. Fatigue is closely linked with stress and, subsequently, poor physiological and psychological health. In parallel, a wealth of evidence has demonstrated the health and wellbeing benefits of spending time in nature. Here, we sought to examine whether spending time in nature was associated with lower levels of fatigue, anxiety and depression in HGV drivers. 89 long-distance drivers (98.9% male, mean ± SD age: 51.0 ± 9 years, body mass index: 29.8 ± 4.7 kg/m2) participating in a wider health promotion programme reported time spent in nature (during and before the Covid-19 pandemic) and symptoms of occupational fatigue, depression and anxiety. After controlling for covariates, truck drivers who visited nature at least once a week exhibited 16% less chronic fatigue prior to the pandemic, and 23% less chronic fatigue and 20% less acute fatigue during the pandemic. No significant differences were observed for either anxiety or depression. As fatigue has a range of physical and mental health sequelae, we propose that increased exposure to natural settings may make a valuable contribution to interventions to promote the health and wellbeing of this underserved group.
Coaxial Alginate Hydrogels: From Self-Assembled 3D Cellular Constructs to Long-Term Storage
Authors: Gryshkov Oleksandr , Mutsenko Vitalii , Tarusin Dmytro , Khayyat Diaa , Naujok Ortwin , Riabchenko Ekaterina , Nemirovska Yuliia , Danilov Arseny , Petrenko Alexander Y. , Glasmacher Birgit
Published: March 2021

Alginate as a versatile naturally occurring biomaterial has found widespread use in the biomedical field due to its unique features such as biocompatibility and biodegradability. The ability of its semipermeable hydrogels to provide a favourable microenvironment for clinically relevant cells made alginate encapsulation a leading technology for immunoisolation, 3D culture, cryopreservation as well as cell and drug delivery. The aim of this work is the evaluation of structural properties and swelling behaviour of the core-shell capsules for the encapsulation of multipotent stromal cells (MSCs), their 3D culture and cryopreservation using slow freezing. The cells were encapsulated in core-shell capsules using coaxial electrospraying, cultured for 35 days and cryopreserved. Cell viability, metabolic activity and cell–cell interactions were analysed. Cryopreservation of MSCs-laden core-shell capsules was performed according to parameters pre-selected on cell-free capsules. The results suggest that core-shell capsules produced from the low viscosity high-G alginate are superior to high-M ones in terms of stability during in vitro culture, as well as to solid beads in terms of promoting formation of viable self-assembled cellular structures and maintenance of MSCs functionality on a long-term basis. The application of 0.3 M sucrose demonstrated a beneficial effect on the integrity of capsules and viability of formed 3D cell assemblies, as compared to 10% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) alone. The proposed workflow from the preparation of core-shell capsules with self-assembled cellular structures to the cryopreservation appears to be a promising strategy for their off-the-shelf availability.
Till Death Do Us Part—The Multifaceted Role of Platelets in Liver Diseases
Authors: Mussbacher Marion , Brunnthaler Laura , Panhuber Anja , Starlinger Patrick , Assinger Alice
Published: March 2021

Platelets are tightly connected with the liver, as both their production and their clearance are mediated by the liver. Platelets, in return, participate in a variety of liver diseases, ranging from non-alcoholic fatty liver diseases, (viral) hepatitis, liver fibrosis and hepatocellular carcinoma to liver regeneration. Due to their versatile functions, which include (1) regulation of hemostasis, (2) fine-tuning of immune responses and (3) release of growth factors and cellular mediators, platelets quickly adapt to environmental changes and modulate disease development, leading to different layers of complexity. Depending on the (patho)physiological context, platelets exert both beneficial and detrimental functions. Understanding the precise mechanisms through which platelet function is regulated at different stages of liver diseases and how platelets interact with various resident and non-resident liver cells helps to draw a clear picture of platelet-related therapeutic interventions. Therefore, this review summarizes the current knowledge on platelets in acute and chronic liver diseases and aims to shed light on how the smallest cells in the circulatory system account for changes in the (patho)physiology of the second largest organ in the human body.
Hyaluronan Synthases’ Expression and Activity Are Induced by Fluid Shear Stress in Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells
Authors: Reiprich Sebastian , Akova Elif , Aszódi Attila , Schönitzer Veronika
Published: March 2021

During biomineralization, the cells generating the biominerals must be able to sense the external physical stimuli exerted by the growing mineralized tissue and change their intracellular protein composition according to these stimuli. In molluscan shell, the myosin-chitin synthases have been suggested to be the link for this communication between cells and the biomaterial. Hyaluronan synthases (HAS) belong to the same enzyme family as chitin synthases. Their product hyaluronan (HA) occurs in the bone and is supposed to have a regulatory function during bone regeneration. We hypothesize that HASes’ expression and activity are controlled by fluid-induced mechanotransduction as it is known for molluscan chitin synthases. In this study, bone marrow-derived human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were exposed to fluid shear stress of 10 Pa. The RNA transcriptome was analyzed by RNA sequencing (RNAseq). HA concentrations in the supernatants were measured by ELISA. The cellular structure of hMSCs and HAS2-overexpressing hMSCs was investigated after treatment with shear stress using confocal microscopy. Fluid shear stress upregulated the expression of genes that encode proteins belonging to the HA biosynthesis and bone mineralization pathways. The HAS activity appeared to be induced. Knowledge about the regulation mechanism governing HAS expression, trafficking, enzymatic activation and quality of the HA product in hMSCs is essential to understand the biological role of HA in the bone microenvironment.
Beta-1,3 Oligoglucans Specifically Bind to Immune Receptor CD28 and May Enhance T Cell Activation
Authors: Comer Jeffrey , Bassette Molly , Burghart Riley , Loyd Mayme , Ishiguro Susumu , Azhagiya Singam Ettayapuram Ramaprasad , Vergara-Jaque Ariela , Nakashima Ayaka , Suzuki Kengo , Geisbrecht Brian V. , Tamura Masaaki
Published: March 2021

Beta glucans are known to have immunomodulatory effects that mediated by a variety of mechanisms. In this article, we describe experiments and simulations suggesting that beta-1,3 glucans may promote activation of T cells by a previously unknown mechanism. First, we find that treatment of a T lymphoblast cell line with beta-1,3 oligoglucan significantly increases mRNA levels of T cell activation-associated cytokines, especially in the presence of the agonistic anti-CD3 antibody. This immunostimulatory activity was observed in the absence of dectin-1, a known receptor for beta-1,3 glucans. To clarify the molecular mechanism underlying this activity, we performed a series of molecular dynamics simulations and free-energy calculations to explore the interaction of beta-1,3 oligoglucans with potential immune receptors. While the simulations reveal little association between beta-1,3 oligoglucan and the immune receptor CD3, we find that beta-1,3 oligoglucans bind to CD28 near the region identified as the binding site for its natural ligands CD80 and CD86. Using a rigorous absolute binding free-energy technique, we calculate a dissociation constant in the low millimolar range for binding of 8-mer beta-1,3 oligoglucan to this site on CD28. The simulations show this binding to be specific, as no such association is computed for alpha-1,4 oligoglucan. This study suggests that beta-1,3 glucans bind to CD28 and may stimulate T cell activation collaboratively with T cell receptor activation, thereby stimulating immune function.
TRAIL and Cardiovascular Disease—A Risk Factor or Risk Marker: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kakareko Katarzyna , Rydzewska-Rosołowska Alicja , Zbroch Edyta , Hryszko Tomasz
Published: March 2021

Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a pro-apoptotic protein showing broad biological functions. Data from animal studies indicate that TRAIL may possibly contribute to the pathophysiology of cardiomyopathy, atherosclerosis, ischemic stroke and abdominal aortic aneurysm. It has been also suggested that TRAIL might be useful in cardiovascular risk stratification. This systematic review aimed to evaluate whether TRAIL is a risk factor or risk marker in cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) focusing on major adverse cardiovascular events. Two databases (PubMed and Cochrane Library) were searched until December 2020 without a year limit in accordance to the PRISMA guidelines. A total of 63 eligible original studies were identified and included in our systematic review. Studies suggest an important role of TRAIL in disorders such as heart failure, myocardial infarction, atrial fibrillation, ischemic stroke, peripheral artery disease, and pulmonary and gestational hypertension. Most evidence associates reduced TRAIL levels and increased TRAIL-R2 concentration with all-cause mortality in patients with CVDs. It is, however, unclear whether low TRAIL levels should be considered as a risk factor rather than a risk marker of CVDs. Further studies are needed to better define the association of TRAIL with cardiovascular diseases.
Ex-Vivo Pharmacological Defatting of the Liver: A Review
Authors: Goumard Claire , Turco Célia , Sakka Mehdi , Aoudjehane Lynda , Lesnik Philippe , Savier Eric , Conti Filomena , Scatton Olivier
Published: March 2021

The ongoing organ shortage has forced transplant teams to develop alternate sources of liver grafts. In this setting, ex-situ machine perfusion has rapidly developed as a promising tool to assess viability and improve the function of organs from extended criteria donors, including fatty liver grafts. In particular, normothermic machine perfusion represents a powerful tool to test a liver in full 37 °C metabolism and add pharmacological corrections whenever needed. In this context, many pharmacological agents and therapeutics have been tested to induce liver defatting on normothermic machine perfusion with promising results even on human organs. This systematic review makes a comprehensive synthesis on existing pharmacological therapies for liver defatting, with special focus on normothermic liver machine perfusion as an experimental ex-vivo translational model.
Integrative Biology of Diabetic Retinal Disease: Lessons from Diabetic Kidney Disease
Authors: Pan Warren W. , Gardner Thomas W. , Harder Jennifer L.
Published: March 2021

Diabetic retinal disease (DRD) remains the most common cause of vision loss in adults of working age. Progress on the development of new therapies for DRD has been limited by the complexity of the human eye, which constrains the utility of traditional research techniques, including animal and tissue culture models—a problem shared by those in the field of kidney disease research. By contrast, significant progress in the study of diabetic kidney disease (DKD) has resulted from the successful employment of systems biology approaches. Systems biology is widely used to comprehensively understand complex human diseases through the unbiased integration of genetic, environmental, and phenotypic aspects of the disease with the functional and structural manifestations of the disease. The application of a systems biology approach to DRD may help to clarify the molecular basis of the disease and its progression. Acquiring this type of information might enable the development of personalized treatment approaches, with the goal of discovering new therapies targeted to an individual’s specific DRD pathophysiology and phenotype. Furthermore, recent efforts have revealed shared and distinct pathways and molecular targets of DRD and DKD, highlighting the complex pathophysiology of these diseases and raising the possibility of therapeutics beneficial to both organs. The objective of this review is to survey the current understanding of DRD pathophysiology and to demonstrate the investigative approaches currently applied to DKD that could promote a more thorough understanding of the structure, function, and progression of DRD.
Assessing Interventions against Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Osaka, Japan: A Modeling Study
Authors: Nakajo Ko , Nishiura Hiroshi
Published: March 2021

Estimation of the effective reproduction number, R(t), of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in real-time is a continuing challenge. R(t) reflects the epidemic dynamics based on readily available illness onset data, and is useful for the planning and implementation of public health and social measures. In the present study, we proposed a method for computing the R(t) of COVID-19, and applied this method to the epidemic in Osaka prefecture from February to September 2020. We estimated R(t) as a function of the time of infection using the date of illness onset. The epidemic in Osaka came under control around 2 April during the first wave, and 26 July during the second wave. R(t) did not decline drastically following any single intervention. However, when multiple interventions were combined, the relative reductions in R(t) during the first and second waves were 70% and 51%, respectively. Although the second wave was brought under control without declaring a state of emergency, our model comparison indicated that relying on a single intervention would not be sufficient to reduce R(t) < 1. The outcome of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rely on political leadership to swiftly design and implement combined interventions capable of broadly and appropriately reducing contacts.
Variable Expressivity in Type 2 Familial Partial Lipodystrophy Related to R482 and N466 Variants in the LMNA Gene
Authors: Araújo-Vilar David , Sánchez-Iglesias Sofía , Castro Ana I. , Cobelo-Gómez Silvia , Hermida-Ameijeiras Álvaro , Rodríguez-Carnero Gemma , Casanueva Felipe F. , Fernández-Pombo Antía
Published: March 2021

Patients with Dunnigan disease (FPLD2) with a pathogenic variant affecting exon 8 of the LMNA gene are considered to have the classic disease, whereas those with variants in other exons manifest the “atypical” disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the degree of variable expressivity when comparing patients carrying the R482 and N466 variants in exon 8. Thus, 47 subjects with FPLD2 were studied: one group of 15 patients carrying the N466 variant and the other group of 32 patients with the R482 variant. Clinical, metabolic, and body composition data were compared between both groups. The thigh skinfold thickness was significantly decreased in the R482 group in comparison with the N466 group (4.2 ± 1.8 and 5.6 ± 2.0 mm, respectively, p = 0.002), with no other differences in body composition. Patients with the N466 variant showed higher triglyceride levels (177.5 [56–1937] vs. 130.0 [55–505] mg/dL, p = 0.029) and acute pancreatitis was only present in these subjects (20%). Other classic metabolic abnormalities related with the disease were present regardless of the pathogenic variant. Thus, although FPLD2 patients with the R482 and N466 variants share most of the classic characteristics, some phenotypic and metabolic differences suggest possible heterogeneity even within exon 8 of the LMNA gene.
Impact of the 1st and 2nd Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Primary or Revision Total Hip and Knee Arthroplasty—A Cross-Sectional Single Center Study
Authors: Simon Sebastian , Frank Bernhard J.H. , Aichmair Alexander , Manolopoulos Philip P. , Dominkus Martin , Schernhammer Eva S. , Hofstaetter Jochen G.
Published: March 2021

The aim of this study was to evaluate the number of primary and revision total joint arthroplasties (TJA/rTJA) in 2020 compared to 2019. Specifically, the first and the second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated as well as the pre-operative COVID-19 test. A cross-sectional single-center study of our prospectively maintained institutional arthroplasty registry was performed. The first COVID-19 wave and the second COVID-19 wave led to a socioeconomic lockdown in 2020. Performed surgeries, cause of revision, age, gender, and American Society of Anesthesiologists-level were analyzed. Preoperative COVID-19 testing was evaluated and nationwide COVID-19 data were compared to other countries. In 2020, there was a decrease by 16.2% in primary and revision TJAs of the hip and knee compared to 2019. We observed a reduction of 15.8% in primary TJAs and a reduction of 18.6% on rTJAs in 2020 compared to 2019. There is an incline in total hip arthroplasties (THAs) and a decline in total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) comparing 2019 to 2020. During the first wave, there was a reduction in performed primary TJAs of 86%. During the second wave, no changes were observed. This is the first study quantifying the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on primary and revision TJAs regarding the first and second wave.
External Validation and Extension of a Clinical Score for the Discrimination of Type 2 Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Nestelberger Thomas , Lopez-Ayala Pedro , Boeddinghaus Jasper , Strebel Ivo , Rubini Gimenez Maria , Huber Iris , Wildi Karin , Wussler Desiree , Koechlin Luca , Prepoudis Alexandra , Gualandro Danielle M. , Puelacher Christian , Glarner Noemi , Haaf Philip , Frey Simon , Bakula Adam , Wick Rupprecht , Miró Òscar , Martin-Sanchez F. Javier , Kawecki Damian , Keller Dagmar , Twerenbold Raphael , Mueller Christian
Published: March 2021

Background: The early non-invasive discrimination of Type 2 versus Type 1 Myocardial Infarction (T2MI, T1MI) is a major unmet clinical need. We aimed to externally validate a recently derived clinical score (Neumann) combing female sex, no radiating chest pain, and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) concentration ≤40.8 ng/L. Methods: Patients presenting with acute chest discomfort to the emergency department were prospectively enrolled into an international multicenter diagnostic study. The final diagnoses of T2MI and T1MI were centrally adjudicated by two independent cardiologists using all information including cardiac imaging and serial measurements of hs-cTnT/I according to the fourth universal definition of MI. Model performance for T2MI diagnosis was assessed by formal tests and graphical means of discrimination and calibration. Results: Among 6684 enrolled patients, MI was the adjudicated final diagnosis in 1079 (19%) patients, of which 242 (22%) had T2MI. External validation of the Neumann Score showed a moderate discrimination (C-statistic 0.67 (95%CI 0.64–0.71)). Model calibration showed underestimation of the predicted probabilities of having T2MI for low point scores. Model extension by adding the binary variable heart rate >120/min significantly improved model performance (C-statistic 0.73 (95% CI 0.70–0.76, p < 0.001) and had good calibration. Patients with the highest score values of 3 (Neumann Score, 9.9%) and 5 (Extended Neumann Score, 3.3%) had a 53% and 91% predicted probability of T2MI, respectively. Conclusion: The Neumann Score provided moderate discrimination and suboptimal calibration. Extending the Neumann Score by adding heart rate >120/min improved the model’s performance.
The COVID-19 Pandemic Has Had Negative Effects on Baseline Clinical Presentation and Outcomes of Patients with Newly Diagnosed Treatment-Naïve Exudative AMD
Authors: Borrelli Enrico , Battista Marco , Vella Giovanna , Grosso Domenico , Sacconi Riccardo , Querques Lea , Zucchiatti Ilaria , Prascina Francesco , Bandello Francesco , Querques Giuseppe
Published: March 2021

Purpose: To investigate whether the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic-associated postponement in care had effects on the baseline clinical presentation of patients with newly diagnosed treatment-naïve exudative neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods: We included the first 50 consecutive patients referred within the COVID-19 pandemic with a diagnosis of treatment-naïve exudative neovascular AMD. Two groups of fifty consecutive patients with newly diagnosed neovascular exudative AMD presenting in 2018 and 2019 (control periods) were also included for comparisons. Results: Baseline visual acuity was statistically worse in patients referred during the COVID-19 pandemic period (0.87 ± 0.51 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR)) as compared with both the “2019” (0.67 ± 0.48 LogMAR, p = 0.001) and “2018” (0.69 ± 0.54 LogMAR, p = 0.012) control periods. Data on the visual function after a loading dose of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was available in a subset of patients (43 subjects in 2020, 45 in 2019 and 46 in 2018, respectively). Mean ± SD best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) at the 1-month follow-up visit after the third anti-VEGF injection was still worse in patients referred during the COVID-19 pandemic (0.82 ± 0.66 LogMAR) as compared with both the “2019” (0.60 ± 0.45 LogMAR, p = 0.021) and “2018” (0.55 ± 0.53 LogMAR, p = 0.001) control periods. On structural optical coherence tomography (OCT), the maximum subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM) height and width were significantly greater in the COVID-19 pandemic patients. Conclusions: We demonstrated that patients with newly diagnosed treatment-naïve exudative neovascular AMD referred during the COVID-19 pandemic had worse clinical characteristics at presentation and short-term visual outcomes.
Efficacy of Removing Thermafil and GuttaCore from Straight Root Canal Systems Using a Novel Non-Surgical Root Canal Re-Treatment System: A Micro-Computed Tomography Analysis
Authors: Faus-Llácer Vicente , Pérez Rubén Linero , Faus-Matoses Ignacio , Ruiz-Sánchez Celia , Zubizarreta-Macho Álvaro , Sauro Salvatore , Faus-Matoses Vicente
Published: March 2021

The present study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of an XP-endo non-surgical root canal re-treatment system in removing both GuttaCore and Thermafil gutta-percha carrier-based root canal filling materials from straight root canal systems using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis. The study was performed on 20 single-rooted upper teeth, which were randomly allocated into the following study groups: Group A, Thermafil and AH Plus sealer (n = 10); Group B, GuttaCore and AH Plus sealer (n = 10). Before and after the non-surgical root canal re-treatment procedure, the samples were submitted for a micro-CT analysis. The volume of the root canal filling material (mm3), the volume of the remaining root canal filling material (mm3) and the time (minutes) needed to remove the root canal filling material were also recorded. Student’s t-test was used to analyze the results. No statistically significant differences were found between the volume of the remaining root canal filling material in the GuttaCore and Thermafil root canal filling systems at the coronal third (p = 0.782), middle third (p = 0.838) or apical third (p = 0.882) of the straight root canal systems; however, the GuttaCore required a statistically significant (p = 0.037) shorter amount of time (4.72 ± 0.76 min) to be removed than the Thermafil carrier-based root canal filling material (5.92 ± 1.42 min). The XP-endo Finisher non-surgical endodontic re-treatment system removes both GuttaCore and Thermafil gutta-percha carrier-based root canal filling materials from straight root canal systems, although removal of the GuttaCore gutta-percha carrier-based root canal filling material required less time.
Indications of Peptide Receptor Radionuclide Therapy (PRRT) in Gastroenteropancreatic and Pulmonary Neuroendocrine Tumors: An Updated Review
Authors: Camus Baptiste , Cottereau Anne-Ségolène , Palmieri Lola-Jade , Dermine Solène , Tenenbaum Florence , Brezault Catherine , Coriat Romain
Published: March 2021

Radionuclide therapy for neuroendocrine tumors is a form of systemic radiotherapy that allows the administration of targeted radionuclides into tumor cells that express a large quantity of somatostatin receptors. The two most commonly used radio-peptides for radionuclide therapy in neuroendocrine tumors are 90Y-DOTATOC and 177Lu-DOTATATE. Radio-peptides have been used for several years in the treatment of advanced neuroendocrine tumors. Recently, the randomized Phase III study NETTER-1 compared177Lu-DOTATATE versus high-dose (double-dose) octreotide LAR in patients with metastatic midgut neuroendocrine tumors, and demonstrated its efficacy in this setting. Strong signals in favor of efficiency seem to exist for other tumors, in particular for pancreatic and pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors. This focus on radionuclide therapy in gastroenteropancreatic and pulmonary neuroendocrine tumors addresses the treatment modalities, the validated and potential indications, and the safety of the therapy.
Emergence of Candida auris in Brazil in a COVID-19 Intensive Care Unit
Authors: de Almeida João N. , Francisco Elaine C. , Hagen Ferry , Brandão Igor B. , Pereira Felicidade M. , Presta Dias Pedro H. , de Miranda Costa Magda M. , de Souza Jordão Regiane T. , de Groot Theun , Colombo Arnaldo L.
Published: March 2021

In December 2020, Candida auris emerged in Brazil in the city of Salvador. The first two C. auris colonized patients were in the same COVID-19 intensive care unit. Antifungal susceptibility testing showed low minimal inhibitory concentrations of 1 µg/mL, 2 µg/mL, 0.03 µg/L, and 0.06 µg/mL for amphotericin B, fluconazole, voriconazole, and anidulafungin, respectively. Microsatellite typing revealed that the strains are clonal and belong to the South Asian clade C. auris. The travel restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic and the absence of travel history among the colonized patients lead to the hypothesis that this species was introduced several months before the recognition of the first case and/or emerged locally in the coastline Salvador area.
Enzyme Activities of Five White-Rot Fungi in the Presence of Nanocellulose
Authors: Reyes Carolina , Poulin Alexandre , Nyström Gustav , Schwarze Francis , Ribera Javier
Published: March 2021

White-rot fungi can degrade all lignocellulose components due to their potent lignin and cellulose-degrading enzymes. In this study, five white-rot fungi, Trametes versicolor, Trametes pubescens, Ganoderma adspersum, Ganoderma lipsiense, and Rigidoporus vitreus were tested for endoglucanase, laccase, urease, and glucose-6-phosphate (G6P) production when grown with malt extract and nanocellulose in the form of TEMPO (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl radical) oxidized cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC). Results show that temperature plays a key role in controlling the growth of all five fungi when cultured with malt extract alone. Endoglucanase activities were highest in cultures of G. adspersum and G. lipsiense and laccase activities were highest in cultures of T. versicolor and R. vitreus. Urease activities were highest in cultures of G. adspersum, G. lipsiense, and R. vitreus. Glucose-6-phosphate levels also indicate that cells were actively metabolizing glucose present in the cultures. These results show that TEMPO-oxidized CNF and CNC do not inhibit the production of specific lignocellulose enzymes by these white-rot fungi. The apparent lack of enzymatic inhibition makes TEMPO-oxidized CNF and CNC excellent candidates for future biotechnological applications in combination with the white-rot fungi studied here.
Differential Antimycotic and Antioxidant Potentials of Chemically Synthesized Zinc-Based Nanoparticles Derived from Different Reducing/Complexing Agents against Pathogenic Fungi of Maize Crop
Authors: Kalia Anu , Kaur Jashanpreet , Tondey Manisha , Manchanda Pooja , Bindra Pulkit , Alghuthaymi Mousa A. , Shami Ashwag , Abd-Elsalam Kamel A.
Published: March 2021

The present study aimed for the synthesis, characterization, and comparative evaluation of anti-oxidant and anti-fungal potentials of zinc-based nanoparticles (ZnNPs) by using different reducing or organic complexing-capping agents. The synthesized ZnNPs exhibited quasi-spherical to hexagonal shapes with average particle sizes ranging from 8 to 210 nm. The UV-Vis spectroscopy of the prepared ZnNPs showed variation in the appearance of characteristic absorption peak(s) for the various reducing/complexing agents i.e., 210 (NaOH and NaBH4), 220 (albumin, and thiourea), 260 and 330 (starch), and 351 nm (cellulose) for wavelengths spanning over 190–800 nm. The FT-IR spectroscopy of the synthesized ZnNPs depicted the functional chemical group diversity. On comparing the antioxidant potential of these ZnNPs, NaOH as reducing agent, (NaOH (RA)) derived ZnNPs presented significantly higher DPPH radical scavenging potential compared to other ZnNPs. The anti-mycotic potential of the ZnNPs as performed through an agar well diffusion assay exhibited variability in the extent of inhibition of the fungal mycelia with maximum inhibition at the highest concentration (40 mg L−1). The NaOH (RA)-derived ZnNPs showcased maximum mycelial inhibition compared to other ZnNPs. Further, incubation of the total genomic DNA with the most effective NaOH (RA)-derived ZnNPs led to intercalation or disintegration of the DNA of all the three fungal pathogens of maize with maximum DNA degrading effect on Macrophomina phaseolina genomic DNA. This study thus identified that differences in size and surface functionalization with the protein (albumin)/polysaccharides (starch, cellulose) diminishes the anti-oxidant and anti-mycotic potential of the generated ZnNPs. However, the NaOH emerged as the best reducing agent for the generation of uniform nano-scale ZnNPs which possessed comparably greater anti-oxidant and antimycotic activities against the three test maize pathogenic fungal cultures.