bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Black girls and referrals: racial and gender disparities in self-reported referral to substance use disorder assessment among justice-involved children
Authors: Johnson Micah E. , Lloyd Shawnta L. , Bristol Skye C. , Elliott Amy L. , Cottler Linda B.
Published: October 2022

Background

There is a higher prevalence of substance use disorder (SUD) among justice-involved children (JIC). It is critical to ensure that JIC who report current use are referred for SUD assessment and potentially life-saving treatment services. Prior research suggests that certain minoritized groups may be less likely to have ever been referred for screening, and research on intersectionality suggests that these disparities may be exacerbated for racially minoritized females.

Methods

Multivariate logistic regression and interaction effects were employed to analyze longitudinal data from the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice on 12,128 JIC who reported SU in the past 6 months. The main and interaction effects of race and gender on the odds of having a history of reporting a referral to SUD assessment were tested. The primary outcome variable was a self-reported measure of a youth’s history of being referred to service. The control variables included substance type, household income, current SU problems, history of mental health problems, number of misdemeanors, risk to recidivate, and age at first offense.

Results

There were no significant differences in the likelihood of having a history of reporting being referred to SUD assessment between White females, White males, and Latinx females. However, Black females (AOR = 0.62), Latinx males (AOR = 0.71), and Black males (AOR = 0.65) were significantly less likely to self-report having a history of being referred than White males. Black females were 34% likely to report a history of being referred as White males and females.

Conclusion

In this sample, Black females who use substances were substantially less likely to self-report being referred to SUD screening. According to officials, FLDJJ has solid process to ensure referrals are made. Therefore, the results are likely to be due to external factors and alternative explanations. Community leaders and stakeholders may consider culturally relevant and gender-sensitive programs to expand access to services for minoritized adolescents in their communities, schools, and other institutions.
Measuring results of humanitarian action: adapting public health indicators to different contexts
Authors: Altare Chiara , Weiss William , Ramadan Marwa , Tappis Hannah , Spiegel Paul B.
Published: October 2022

Humanitarian crises represent a significant public health risk factor for affected populations exacerbating mortality, morbidity, disabilities, and reducing access to and quality of health care. Reliable and timely information on the health status of and services provided to crisis-affected populations is crucial to establish public health priorities, mobilize funds, and monitor the performance of humanitarian action. Numerous efforts have contributed to standardizing and presenting timely public health information in humanitarian settings over the last two decades. While the prominence of process and output (rather than outcome and impact) indicators in monitoring frameworks leads to adequate information on resources and activities, health outcomes are rarely measured due to the challenges of measuring them using gold-standard methods that are difficult to implement in humanitarian settings.

We argue that challenges in collecting the gold-standard performance measures should not be a rationale for neglecting outcome measures for critical health and nutrition programs in humanitarian emergencies. Alternative indicators or measurement methods that are robust, practical, and feasible in varying contexts should be used in the interim while acknowledging limitations or interpretation constraints. In this paper, we draw from existing literature, expert judgment, and operational experience to propose an approach to adapt public health indicators for measuring performance of the humanitarian response across varied contexts.

Contexts were defined in terms of parameters that capture two of the main constraints affecting the capacity to obtain performance information in humanitarian settings: (i) access to population or health facilities; and (ii) availability of resources for measurement. Consequently, 2 × 2 tables depict four possible scenarios: (A) a situation with accessible populations and with available resources; (B) a situation with available resources but limited access to affected populations; (C) a situation with accessible populations and limited resources; and (D) a situation with both limited access and limited resources.

Methods and data sources can vary from large population-based surveys, rapid assessments of populations or health facilities, routine health management information systems, or data from sentinel sites in the community or among facilities. Adapting indicators and methods to specific contexts of humanitarian settings increases the potential for measuring the performance of humanitarian programs beyond inputs and outputs by assessing health outcomes, and consequently improving program impact, reducing morbidity and mortality, and improving the quality of lives amongst persons affected by humanitarian emergencies.
PARP1-MGMT complex underpins pathway crosstalk in O6-methylguanine repair
Authors: Cropper Jodie D. , Alimbetov Dauren S. , Brown Kevin T. G. , Likhotvorik Rostislav I. , Robles Andrew J. , Guerra James T. , He Boxue , Chen Yidong , Kwon Youngho , Kurmasheva Raushan T.
Published: October 2022

DNA lesions induced by alkylating agents are repaired by two canonical mechanisms, base excision repair dependent on poly(ADP) ribose polymerase 1 (PARP1) and the other mediated by O6-methylguanine (O6meG)-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT) in a single-step catalysis of alkyl-group removal. O6meG is the most cytotoxic and mutagenic lesion among the methyl adducts induced by alkylating agents. Although it can accomplish the dealkylation reaction all by itself as a single protein without associating with other repair proteins, evidence is accumulating that MGMT can form complexes with repair proteins and is highly regulated by a variety of post-translational modifications, such as phosphorylation, ubiquitination, and others. Here, we show that PARP1 and MGMT proteins interact directly in a non-catalytic manner, that MGMT is subject to PARylation by PARP1 after DNA damage, and that the O6meG repair is enhanced upon MGMT PARylation. We provide the first evidence for the direct DNA-independent PARP1-MGMT interaction. Further, PARP1 and MGMT proteins also interact via PARylation of MGMT leading to formation of a novel DNA damage inducible PARP1-MGMT protein complex. This catalytic interaction activates O6meG repair underpinning the functional crosstalk between base excision and MGMT-mediated DNA repair mechanisms. Furthermore, clinically relevant ‘chronic’ temozolomide exposure induced PARylation of MGMT and increased binding of PARP1 and MGMT to chromatin in cells. Thus, we provide the first mechanistic description of physical interaction between PARP1 and MGMT and their functional cooperation through PARylation for activation of O6meG repair. Hence, the PARP1-MGMT protein complex could be targeted for the development of advanced and more effective cancer therapeutics, particularly for cancers sensitive to PARP1 and MGMT inhibition.
The molecular and functional characterization of ferritins in the hard tick Hyalomma rufipes
Authors: Gao Zhihua , Zheng Peijing , Wang Kuang , Ji Xin , Shi Yanqing , Song Xuecheng , Liu Jingze , Yu Zhijun , Yang Xiaolong
Published: October 2022

Background

The protein ferritin, which plays an important role in the maintenance of iron homeostasis, is indispensable for iron detoxification, resistance to oxidative stress and innate immunity. Ticks, which are obligate blood-sucking ectoparasites, have to deal with a large amount of iron when they take a blood meal.

Methods

Sequence analysis was undertaken using bioinformatics. A recombinant (r) expression vector, rferritin, was constructed for a prokaryotic expression system. A quantitative polymerase chain reaction platform was used to detect the spatial and temporal expression patterns of target genes and their responses to a low temperature environment. Knockdown of the ferritin genes through RNA interference was used to analyze their effects on physiological parameters of ticks.

Results

Two ferritin genes, HrFer1 and HrFer2, were cloned from the tick Hyalomma rufipes. Their open reading frames are 519 base pairs (bp) and 573 bp in length, and number of coding amino acids 170 and 190, respectively. The phylogenetic tree showed that HrFer1 and HrFer2 have a close evolutionary relationship with the H subunit of ferritin. In vitro experiments showed that rHrFer1 and rHrFer2 had concentration-dependent iron chelating activity. The relative expression of the two ferritin genes was higher in the ovary and midgut of H. rufipes. RNA interference results demonstrated that HrFer1 and HrFer2 expression had a significant effect on engorged body weight, number of eggs laid, and mortality of H. rufipes, and that HrFer2 also had a significant effect on feeding duration. Furthermore, the relative expression of ferritin decreased significantly in a low temperature environment, suggesting that HrFer1 and HrFer2 play a regulatory role in the cold stress response of H. rufipes.

Conclusions

The results of the present study improve our understanding of the involvement of ferritins in tick blood-feeding.

Graphical Abstract
The association between adult-onset Still’s disease and collapsing glomerulopathy: a case report
Authors: Orentas Matas , Patel Nilam , Rodby Roger , Hassan Sobia
Published: October 2022

Background

Collapsing glomerulopathy, characterized by marked hypertrophy and hyperplasia of the podocytes with eventual collapse of the glomerular tuft, is an important cause of end-stage renal disease. Among the many causes of collapsing glomerulopathy, autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus, have been implicated. There are also rare reports of adult-onset Still’s disease, an autoinflammatory condition characterized by fever, rash, and inflammatory arthritis being associated with collapsing glomerulopathy.

Case presentation

Herein, we present a review of three published cases, and present a new case of a 15-year-old African American female patient with collapsing glomerulopathy who was diagnosed with adult-onset Still’s disease 12 years later when she presented with fevers, arthralgias, sore throat, lymphadenopathy, hepatocellular injury, and elevated serum ferritin. Her collapsing glomerulopathy was initially well controlled following induction therapy with cyclosporine and prednisone and maintenance therapy with losartan. However, after developing adult-onset Still’s disease, she had multiple flare-ups despite various immunosuppressive therapies and developed worsening renal function, eventually progressing to end-stage renal disease.

Conclusions

Our case-based review highlights a rare but important association between adult-onset Still’s disease and collapsing glomerulopathy, and postulates a possible pathophysiological link.
The percutaneous spinal endoscopy “isolation zone” technique for discogenic low back pain: a case series study
Authors: Wang Lu , Li Lingxia , Cheng Cai , Xue Yuan
Published: October 2022

Background

This study aimed to explore the clinical values of the percutaneous spinal endoscopy “isolation zone” technique for discogenic low back pain (DLBP).

Methods

This retrospective case series study enrolled patients with intervertebral DLBP treated with the percutaneous spinal endoscopy “isolation zone” technique in the department of Orthopedics, Cangzhou central Hospital affiliated to TianJin Medical University between September 2017 and September 2020.

Results

Forty-five patients with DLBP were enrolled. The mean operation time was 94.7 ± 17.7 min. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score of lumbosacral pain was 6.95 ± 1.02 before operation, 2.64 ± 0.71, 1.80 ± 0.54, 1.42 ± 0.50, and 1.27 ± 0.45 at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, respectively. The Oswestry disability index (ODI) score of low back pain was 72.84 ± 5.95 before operation, 35.1 ± 5.30, 25.22 ± 4.85, 16.78 ± 4.63, and 10.91 ± 2.36 at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after operation, respectively. At final follow-up, the treatment effect based on modified MacNab criteria was excellent in 24 cases, good in 13 cases, and fair in 8 cases. The excellent/good rate was 82.2%.

Conclusion

The percutaneous spinal endoscopic “isolation zone” technique seems to be a promising surgical alternative for DLBP.
Cardioprotective effects of enteral vs. parenteral lactoferrin administration on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in a rat model of stunned myocardium
Authors: Omiya Keisuke , Nakadate Yosuke , Oguchi Takeshi , Sato Tamaki , Matsuoka Toru , Abe Masako , Kawakami Akiko , Matsukawa Takashi , Sato Hiroaki
Published: October 2022

Background:

Lactoferrin, an iron-binding glycoprotein, is known to have protective effects against intestinal and cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injuries; however, its cardioprotective effects against the stunned myocardium are unknown. This study aimed to test the hypothesis that lactoferrin has cardioprotective effects against stunned myocardium.

Methods:

Using isolated rat hearts (Langendorff system), we determined the effects of lactoferrin administered enterally and by direct cardiac perfusion. Rat hearts were perfused using the Langendorff system, and two experiments were performed. In experiment 1, the hearts were divided into the enteral lactoferrin (E-LF) 7.5 m, 15 m, 30 m, and 60 m groups, where lactoferrin (1000 mg/kg) was administered enterally 7.5, 15, 30, and 60 min, respectively, before perfusion; and a control group, where saline was administered 30 min before perfusion. In experiment 2, hearts were allocated to the perfusate lactoferrin (P-LF) 15 and 100 groups, where 15 mg/L and 100 mg/L lactoferrin were respectively added to the perfusate, and a control group. Each group was perfused for 20 min prior to 15 min of no-flow ischemia with pacing, followed by 20 min of reperfusion. The primary outcome was the maximum left ventricular derivative of pressure development (LV dP/dt max) 15 min after reperfusion. Myocardial phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt) was assayed using western blotting.

Results:

The LV dP/dt max 15 min after reperfusion in the E-LF 15 and 30 m groups was significantly higher than that in the control group. However, the effects disappeared in the E-LF 60 m group. In the second experiment, there were no significant differences in LV dP/dt max. Myocardial p-Akt was not significantly activated in any lactoferrin group.

Conclusion:

Cardioprotection was observed 15–30 min after enteral lactoferrin but not by direct cardiac perfusion with lactoferrin. Myocardial p-Akt was not associated with the cardioprotective effect. The cardioprotective effect may be induced by enteral lactoferrin-induced substances.
The effect of touch simulation in virtual reality shopping
Authors: Lee Ha Kyung , Yoon Namhee , Choi Dooyoung
Published: October 2022

This study aims to explore the effect of touch simulation on virtual reality (VR) store satisfaction mediated by VR shopping self-efficacy and VR shopping pleasure. The moderation effects of the autotelic and instrumental need for touch between touch simulation and VR store satisfaction are also explored. Participants wear a head-mounted display VR device (Oculus Go) in a controlled laboratory environment, and their VR store experience is recorded as data. All participants’ responses (n = 58) are analyzed using SPSS 20.0 for descriptive statistics, reliability analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and the Process macro model analysis. The results show that touch simulation positively influences VR store satisfaction, which is mediated by the self-efficacy and by the dual path of the self-efficacy and the pleasure. Furthermore, the relation between touch simulation and pleasure is moderated by need for touch. For individuals with a high level of autotelic need for touch, the effect of touch simulation on the pleasure is heightened. However, instrumental need for touch does not moderate the path of touch simulation on the self-efficacy.
Neurobrucellosis: report of 54 cases
Authors: Naderi HamidReza , Sheybani Fereshte , Parsa Ashkan , Haddad Mahboubeh , khoroushi Farzaneh
Published: October 2022

Background

Brucellosis is among the most widespread zoonotic diseases worldwide. Although rare, nervous system involvement due to Brucella infection is a major diagnostic challenge in endemic regions.

Patients and methods

This study was a cross-sectional investigation of hospitalized adults with neurobrucellosis from March 2007 to February 2017. We described the clinical characteristics, radiographical and laboratory features, and clinical outcomes of patients with neurobrucellosis.

Results

Fifty-four patients with neurobrucellosis were included. The median age was 35 (interquartile range, 25–50) years, and 32 (59%) cases were male. Thirty-four (63%) patients were stockmen or shepherds. The most common clinical manifestations were fever in 49 (91%) cases, headache in 47 (87%), decreased consciousness in 12 (22%), and seizures in 6 (11%). Meningeal signs were detected in 36 (67%) cases. Brucella species were isolated in five cases from blood or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). The median of CSF leukocytes was 75 per µL, CSF protein 83 mg/dL, and CSF glucose 39 mg/dL. Only two cases had severe hypoglycorrhachia and one CSF protein ≥ 500 mg/dL. No patient died during hospitalization.

Conclusions

The symptoms of neurobrucellosis could be mild and nonspecific and the classic triad of meningitis is uncommon. Mild CSF pleocytosis of fewer than 50 leukocytes per microliter of CSF was common but severe hyperproteinorrhachia and severe hypoglycorrhachia were rare in neurobrucellosis. Differentiation between neurobrucellosis and systemic brucellosis is important, because more prolonged treatment is indicated for neurobrucellosis, and it could be associated with a broad spectrum of complications that require close follow-up.
Impact of Merging Into a Comprehensive Cancer Center on Health Care Teams and Subsequent Team-Member and Patient Experiences
Authors: Majumdar Debarati , Reynolds Kueny Clair , Anderson Morgan
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE:

Comprehensive health care centers are increasingly popular as they offer inclusive health care services under one roof. Often, these centers are formed by merging previously separate clinics. However, there is a lack of systematic guidance on the interprofessional, and interteam and intrateam dynamics that may develop during such an organizational change process. Using team process literature, we identify a possible model to explain how merging into a comprehensive cancer center (CCC) might influence health care teams and their subsequent outcomes, including patient experience.

METHODS:

We used a mixed-method research design. Qualitative data were collected via semistructured interviews from 20 health care professionals employed at a recently merged CCC. During the time frame the interviews were collected, quantitative data were collected from 50 patients receiving treatment at the cancer center through anonymous paper-pencil surveys. Qualitative interviews were analyzed using thematic analysis, on the basis of the input-process-output team dynamics framework. Descriptive statistics were calculated for patient experience data. Trends between data collections were identified.

RESULTS:

On the basis of our qualitative analysis, we provide an input-process-output framework that documents positive and negative aspects of interteam and intrateam dynamics associated with the merger process. Additionally, a number of connections were found between health care professional perceptions and quality patient experiences (eg, merger impacts on interteam and patient communication).

CONCLUSION:

Our findings and model may assist in future merging efforts. Future CCCs may use the proposed framework to better understand and visualize their postmerger progress, in particular from the aspects of interprofessional, and interteam and intrateam dynamics.
Histology-Specific Prognostication for Radiation-Associated Soft Tissue Sarcoma
Authors: Bartlett Edmund K. , Sharma Avinash , Seier Kenneth , Antonescu Cristina R. , Agaram Narasimhan P. , Jadeja Bhumika , Rosenbaum Evan , Chi Ping , Brennan Murray F. , Qin Li-Xuan , Alektiar Kaled M. , Singer Samuel
Published: October 2022

PURPOSE

Radiation-associated sarcomas (RAS) are rare but aggressive malignancies. We sought to characterize the histology-specific presentation and behavior of soft tissue RAS to improve individualized prognostication.

METHODS

A single-institutional prospectively maintained database was queried for all patients with primary, nonmetastatic RAS treated with surgical resection from 1982 to 2019. Patients presenting with the five most common RAS histologies were propensity-matched to those with sporadic tumors of the same histology. Incidence of disease-specific death (DSD) was modeled using cumulative incidence analyses.

RESULTS

Among 259 patients with RAS, the five most common histologies were malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST; n = 19), myxofibrosarcoma (n = 20), leiomyosarcoma (n = 24), undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma (UPS; n = 55), and angiosarcoma (AS; n = 62). DSD varied significantly by histology ( P = .002), with RAS MPNST and UPS having the highest DSD. In unadjusted analysis, RAS MPNST was associated with increased DSD compared with sporadic MPNST (75% v 38% 5-year DSD, P = .002), as was RAS UPS compared with sporadic UPS (49% v 28% 5-year DSD, P = .004). Unadjusted DSD was similar among patients with RAS AS, leiomyosarcoma, or myxofibrosarcoma and sporadic sarcoma of the same histology. After matching RAS to sporadic patients within each histology, DSD only differed between RAS and sporadic MPNST (83% v 46% 5-year DSD, P = .013). Patients with RAS AS presented in such a distinct manner to those with sporadic AS that a successful match was not possible.

CONCLUSION

The aggressive presentation of RAS is histology-specific, and DSD is driven by RAS MPNST and UPS histologies. Despite the aggressive presentation, standard prognostic factors can be used to estimate risk of DSD among most RAS. In MPNST, radiation association should be considered to independently associate with markedly higher risk of DSD.
CRABP2 Is Associated With Thyroid Cancer Recurrence and Promotes Invasion via the Integrin/FAK/AKT Pathway
Authors: Liu Chien-Liang , Hsu Yi-Chiung , Kuo Chi-Yu , Jhuang Jie-Yang , Li Ying-Syuan , Cheng Shih-Ping
Published: October 2022

Cellular retinoic acid-binding protein 2 (CRABP2) participates in retinoid partitioning between different nuclear receptors. Recently, we identified that CRABP2 is one of the progression-associated genes in thyroid cancer. To explore the prognostic and functional significance of CRABP2, immunohistochemical analysis was performed in thyroid tissues and neoplasms. Overexpression of CRABP2 was observed in malignant thyroid neoplasms but not in benign thyroid lesions. CRABP2 expression was an independent predictive factor for recurrence-free survival in patients with differentiated thyroid cancer. Knockdown of CRABP2 reduced the sensitivity of thyroid cancer cells to retinoic acid. Importantly, CRABP2 expression in thyroid cancer cells was associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition properties, including anoikis resistance, migration, and invasion capacity. Furthermore, invasion promoted by CRABP2 was mediated at least partly by the integrin/focal adhesion kinase/AKT pathway. In summary, CRABP2 expression is upregulated in thyroid cancer with adverse prognostic implications. The invasion-stimulating effects appear independent of canonical retinoic acid signaling and may serve as a potential therapeutic target.
A Systematic Review of Neuropsychological Outcomes After Treatment of Intracranial Aneurysms
Authors: Nasra Mohamed , Weerakkody Dumindu , Maingard Julian Tam , Hall Jonathan , Mitreski Goran , Kok Hong Kuan , Smith Paul D. , Russell Jeremy H. , Jhamb Ashu , Brooks Duncan Mark , Asadi Hamed
Published: October 2022

BACKGROUND:

Aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage is a cause of profound morbidity and mortality. Its effects extend beyond functional neurological status to neurocognitive and psychological functioning. Endovascular treatment is becoming more prevalent after increasing evidence for its safety and efficacy; however, there is a relative paucity of evidence specific to neurocognitive status after treatment.

OBJECTIVE:

To assess and compare neuropsychological outcomes after the treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms.

METHODS:

A systematic review of the literature was conducted searching for articles assessing the neuropsychological and cognitive outcomes after the treatment of ruptured and unruptured intracranial aneurysms. Inclusion criteria were English language, publication between January 2000 and October 2020, and discussion of neuropsychological outcomes in adequate detail. Outcomes were categorized into 8 domains: 5 Neurocognitive (Language, Executive Function, Complex Attention, Memory and Learning, and Perceptual motor function), Intelligence Quotient, Affect, and Quality of Life.

RESULTS:

Twenty-four articles were included comprising 2236 patients (924 surgical clipping, 1095 endovascular coiling, and 217 controls). These studies reported that most tests revealed no significant difference [n = 356/421 (84.56%)] between treatment modalities. More studies reported significantly superior test scores in the fields of language, executive function, and memory and learning after coiling [n = 53/421 tests (12.59%)] compared with clipping [n = 12/421 tests (2.85%)].

CONCLUSION:

The current available data and published studies demonstrate a trend toward improved neurocognitive and psychological outcomes after endovascular treatment. Although these findings should be considered when deciding on the optimal treatment method for each patient, drawing definitive conclusions is difficult because of heterogeneity between patients and studies.
Exploiting the potential of lung stem cells to develop pro-regenerative therapies
Authors: Hynds Robert E.
Published: October 2022

Acute and chronic lung diseases are a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Unfortunately, these diseases are increasing in frequency and we have limited treatment options for severe lung diseases. New therapies are needed that not only treat symptoms or slow disease progression, but also enable the regeneration of functional lung tissue. Both airways and alveoli contain populations of epithelial stem cells with the potential to self-renew and produce differentiated progeny. Understanding the mechanisms that determine the behaviour of these cells, and their interactions with their niches, will allow future generations of respiratory therapies that protect the lungs from disease onset, promote regeneration from endogenous stem cells or enable regeneration through the delivery of exogenous cells. This review summarises progress towards each of these goals, highlighting the challenges and opportunities of developing pro-regenerative (bio)pharmaceutical, gene and cell therapies for respiratory diseases.
Cardiac performance and heat shock response variation related to shell colour morphs in the mudflat snail Batillaria attramentaria
Authors: Han Guodong , Du Yinghui , Du Lina , Qu Furui , Zhao Zhenjun
Published: October 2022

Gastropods exhibit remarkable variation in shell colour within and among populations, but the function of shell colour is often not clear. In the present study, body temperature in the field and physiological and transcriptomic responses to thermal stress were investigated in different shell colour morphs of the mudflat snail Batillaria attramentaria. Using biomimetic models, we found that the body temperature of snails with a dark unbanded shell (D-type morph) was slightly higher than that of snails with a white line on the upper side of each whorl (UL-type morph) when exposed to sunlight. Despite no differences in upper lethal temperature among shell colour morphs, their Arrhenius breakpoint temperature (ABT) for cardiac thermal performance differed significantly, and the ABT of snails with the D-type morph was higher than that of snails with the UL-type morph. Transcriptomic analysis showed that D-type snails exhibit higher levels of four heat shock proteins (HSPs) than UL-type snails at control temperature. The unfolded protein response was activated in UL-type snails but not in D-type snails under moderate thermal stress. And 11 HSPs showed an increase in UL-type snails in contrast to 1 HSP in D-type snails, suggesting a ‘preparative defence’ strategy of the heat shock response in D-type snails under moderate thermal stress. When exposed to sublethal temperature, eight molecular chaperones were uniquely upregulated in D-type snails, suggesting these genes may allow D-type snails to improve their cardiac thermal tolerance. Our results suggest that the preparative defence strategies and higher ABT for cardiac thermal performance may allow the dark shell snails to adapt to rapid and stronger thermal stress in the field.
The role of ADC value and Ki-67 index in predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in advanced stages of olfactory neuroblastoma
Authors: Wang Yuan , Zhang Shurong , Yu Wenling , Wang Yongzhe , Yan Fei , Yang BenTao
Published: October 2022

Objectives:

To investigate the efficacy of pretreatment ADC and Ki-67 index in the prediction of the response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in advanced olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB) patients.

Methods:

A total of 21 advanced ONB patients (mean 43.48 years ± 14.26; range 25–69 years; 13 men and 8 women) with diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) before NACT between June 2015 and October 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were categorized into responders and non-responders according to RECIST 1.1 after two cycles of NACT. The clinical data, ADCmean value, and Ki-67 index were analyzed.

Results:

Kadish stage, ADCmean value, and Ki-67 index showed statistical significance between responders and non-responders. Patients with Kadish C stage were more likely to respond to platinum-based NACT (p = 0.035). Patients with the lower ADCmean value showed response to NACT (p = 0.002) and the cutoff point was 1.04 × 10−3 mm2/s. Patients with the higher Ki-67 index showed response to NACT (p = 0.003) and the cutoff point was 17.5%. Predictive performance of Ki-67 index and ADCmean value showed no significance between responders and non-responders (p = 0.865). A significant negative correlation was found between ADCmean value and Ki-67 index (r = −0.539, p = 0.038).

Conclusions:

The pretreatment ADCmean value, Ki-67 index and Kadish stage have the potential to predict the response to NACT in advanced ONB patients.

Advances in knowledge:

This is the first study that investigated the feasibility of DWI in predicting the response to NACT in ONB patients and showed that Kadish stage, pretreatment ADCmean and Ki-67 index may play an important role in the prediction.
Effect of TEAS combined with general anesthesia on early postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy
Authors: Chen Xi , Cai Haoliang , Guo Jun
Published: October 2022

Objective: To investigate the effect of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) on early cognitive function in elderly patients after single port thoracoscopic lobectomy.

Methods: One hundred and nine patients who underwent single whole thoracoscopic lobectomy in Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to October 2021 were included in this single-center, retrospective observational study. According to the treatment records, before anesthesia, 56 patients received TEAS (TEAS-group), and 53 patients applied electrodes at the same acupoint without electrical stimulation (control-group). Preoperative and postoperative cognitive function (Mini mental state examination, MMSE score), serum neuron specific enolase (NSE), S100β protein and p-tau protein levels and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.

Results: After operation, the MMSE of the TEAS-group was significantly better than that of the Control-group, with the MMSE of the TEAS-group returned to the preoperative level 72 hours after operation. Serum NSE, S100β and p-tau concentrations 24 hours and 72 hours after operation in the TEAS-group returned to their preoperative level and were significantly lower than those in the control-group. Hospitalization time of the TEAS-group was significantly shorter and hospitalization expenses were significantly lower comparing to the control-group.

Conclusion: TEAS treatment could promote improved early postoperative cognitive function of elderly patients undergoing single port thoracoscopic lobectomy and could accelerate the recovery.

doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.6927

How to cite this:Chen X, Cai H, Guo J. Effect of TEAS combined with general anesthesia on early postoperative cognitive function in elderly patients undergoing single-port thoracoscopic lobectomy. Pak J Med Sci. 2022;38(8):2118-2124.  doi: https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.38.8.6927

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Συνοδά μη καρδιολογικά νοσήματα σε ηλικιωμένους νοσηλευόμενους καρδιοπαθείς
Authors: Σίμου Ανθή
Published: October 2022

Εισαγωγή: Η γήρανση, οι καρδιαγγειακές παθήσεις (CVD) και η καρδιακή ανεπάρκεια (HF) αυξάνουν το συνυφασμένο φορτίο/βάρος της συνυπάρχουσας συννοσηρότητας (CM). Αυτή η μελέτη συνέκρινε τη συμβολή της Καρδιακής Ανεπάρκειας (HF) με αυτή την αύξηση των ηλικιωμένων ασθενών που νοσηλεύονται για καρδιαγγειακές παθήσεις (CVD) συγκρίνοντας ασθενείς με και χωρίς Καρδιακή Ανεπάρκεια (HF).Μέθοδοι: Συμπεριλήφθηκαν διαδοχικοί ασθενείς ηλικίας > 65 ετών, που νοσηλεύτηκαν με καρδιαγγειακές παθήσεις (104 με και 100 χωρίς καρδιακή ανεπάρκεια). Εξετάστηκε ο επιπολασμός 10 κοινών συννοσηροτήτων (υπέρταση, στεφανιαία νόσος, κολπική μαρμαρυγή, σακχαρώδης διαβήτης, δυσλιπιδαιμία, αναιμία, χρόνια νεφρική νόσος, χρόνια αποφρακτική πνευμονοπάθεια, υπνική άπνοια και καρκίνος). Η επιβάρυνση των συνννοσηροτήτων αξιολογήθηκε με τον δείκτη συννοσηροτήτων (αριθμός CM/ασθενής) και την πολυνοσηρότητα (≥2 CM/ασθενή).Αποτελέσματα: Ο δείκτης συννοσηροτήτων ήταν σημαντικά υψηλότερος [5(3-6) έναντι 3(2-4), p<0,0001], ενώ η πολυνοσηρότητα [94,2% έναντι 86%, p=0,06] οριακά υψηλότερη σε ασθενείς με καρδιαγγειακές παθήσεις με καρδιακή ανεπάρκεια από εκείνους χωρίς καρδιακή ανεπάρκεια. Η τακτική παλινδρόμηση με δοκιμή αναλογικών γραμμών αποκάλυψε ότι σε ασθενείς με καρδιαγγειακές παθήσεις με καρδιακή ανεπάρκεια οι πιθανότητες για υψηλό δείκτη συννοσηροτήτων ήταν περίπου 8 φορές υψηλότερος σε σύγκριση με τους ασθενείς με καρδιαγγειακές παθήσεις (CVD) χωρίς καρδιακή ανεπάρκεια, δεδομένου ότι η ηλικία και το κλάσμα εξώθησης της αριστερής κοιλίας (LVEF) διατηρούνταν σταθερά.Συμπέρασμα: Η ανάπτυξη καρδιακής ανεπάρκειας συσχετίστηκε με μια δραματική αύξηση του δείκτη συννοσηροτήτων σε ηλικιωμένους ασθενείς με καρδιαγγειακές παθήσεις που έχουν ήδη υψηλό επιπολασμό πολυνονοσηρότητας.
The Role and Impact of Tariff Regulation on the Sustainable Development of the Electric Power Industry
Authors: Kirillova O. , Pal'yanov M.
Published: October 2022

The article develops the fundamental principles of tariff regulation in the Russian Federation: the author argues for the expansion of the composition of general and specific principles of tariff regulation in accordance with the requirements of the concept of sustainable development and risk orientation. A retrospective analysis of approaches to the formation of tariff policy and the calculation of the amount of cross-subsidization, as well as the formation of its organizational and legal foundations since the entry of the Russian Federation into the market economy. The essence is revealed and the author's interpretation of the concept of «the amount of cross-subsidization» is given. The main features of the formation of cross-subsidization across the subjects of the Russian Federation are revealed. A set of measures to minimize the impact of cross-subsidization in the electric power industry on the development of the industry and the country's economy as a whole is systematically presented. The volume of cross-subsidization is analyzed and the dynamics of their changes in the context of the subjects of the Russian Federation is shown. A list of factors that can lead to an increase in the volume of cross-subsidization in subsequent regulatory periods has been formed. It is concluded that it is necessary to gradually reduce the volume of cross-subsidization in the electric grid complex of the Russian Federation in order to preserve the unified energy system of the Russian Federation.
Policy Analytics in Public School Operations
Authors: Bertsimas Dimitris , Delarue Arthur
Published: October 2022

Optimizing School Operations, Holistically

School districts in the United States face a variety of operational problems, often treated in isolation due to their inherent complexity: for instance, school assignment and school transportation are rarely considered jointly. We develop an optimization-based approach to three key problems in school operations: school assignment, school bus routing, and school start time selection. Our methodology improves upon the state of the art in two ways: by leveraging a simplifying assumption of fixed route arrival times to tractably optimize school bus schedules and school start times simultaneously, and by proposing a postimprovement heuristic to jointly optimize assignment, bus routing, and scheduling. We evaluate our approach on a practical case study.
Sertifikasi CPPOB dan Halal pada Produk Makanan Minuman: Upaya Meningkatkan Keunggulan Ekonomi Suatu Produk
Authors: Kusumahati Sari , Juliastuti Sri Rachmania , Hendrianie Nuniek , Darmawan Raden , Rahmawati Yeni , Oktavianingrum Eva , Rachmaniah Orchidea
Published: October 2022

Makanan dan minuman merupakan kebutuhan dasar manusia. Seiring perkembangan zaman, sentuhan kreatifitas dan inovasi yang mengikuti selera konsumen dan pasar mewujudkan suatu produk dengan potensi usaha tersendiri. Seluk beluk mengenai bahan baku, peralatan, dan tenaga kerja sebagai komponen biaya produksi menumbuhkan motivasi untuk memulai merintis usaha. Tentunya, disertai kolaborasi antara pengusaha dengan stake holder terutama terkait perijinan, sertifikasi CPPOB, dan HALAL. Ketiga hal tersebut merupakan keunggulan tersendiri produk terutama bagi produk makanan-minuman (mamin); sekaligus menambah nilai ekonomis produk yang perlu diketahui oleh calon pelaku usaha. Oleh karena itu, pembinaan dan bimbingan pengetahuan tentang produk, cara pengolahan produk secara aman, bermutu, dan berkualitas mulai hulu hingga hilir ke konsumen tanpa mengurangi nilai gizi pangan penting untuk dibekalkan kepada calon pelaku usaha. Tata cara terkait pengajuan sertifikasi pangan sesuai dengan regulasi PemerintahRepublik Indonesia, kiat-kiat memulai bisnis mamin, dan pentingnya pengembangan produk dalam siklus hidup produk juga penting untuk diketahui calon pelaku usaha.
Urgensi Perawatan Sepeda Motor bagi Masyarakat Desa Pojok Kecamatan Campurdarat Kabupaten Tulungagung
Authors: Yuwono Triyogi , Sasongko Herman , Sutardi Sutardi , Ikhwan Nur , Suhardjono Suhardjono , Yuniarto Nur , Bunyamin Is , Sidharta Indra
Published: October 2022

Sebagai desa berkembang, penduduk Desa Pojok, Kecamatan Campurdarat, Kabupaten Tulungagung umumnya telah menggunakan sepeda motor sebagai sarana transportasi dan terutama untuk akivitas pertanian mereka. Sebagai sarana transportasi untuk menopang kehidupan perekonomian mereka maka pemahaman akan perawatan sepeda motor secara berkala menjadi sebuah keharusan. Hal ini, di satu sisi, untuk menjaga umur ekonomi sepeda motor dan di sisi lain menjaga lingkungan udara yang bersih, bila sepeda motor terawat dengan baik tentu akan menghasilkan gas buang yang relatif lebih bersih. Oleh karena itu, dalam program pengabdian masyarakat ini akan dilakukan program servis sepeda motor gratis dan juga pelatihan perawatan sepeda motor bagi pemuda Karang Taruna Desa Pojok. Berkat antusiasme masyarakat membuat program ini berhasil melakukan servis gratis bagi 105 sepeda motor dari target 100 sepeda motor dan melatih 12 orang pemuda Karang Taruna Desa sebagai pionir perawatan sepeda motor di masa datang. Dengan kegiatan servis sepeda motor gratis dan selanjutnya perawatan berkala yang baik dipastikan sepedamotor akan berumur relatif lebih panjang dan aman digunakan dalam mendukung kehidupan perekonomian masyarakat setempat.
An approach in itself or outdoor learning?
Authors: Goldenberg Gemma
Published: October 2022

As forest schools flourish is it time to ask…what's the evidence? And does it need to be ‘true’ forest school to make an impact?
Connecting
Authors: Grimmer Tamsin
Published: October 2022

Schematic play is vital for early years educators to understand and also communicate with parents and carers in order to support each child's individual development in the best ways possible. This article is the first in a series on schematic play, illustrating examples through case studies.
Graduate recruitment
Authors: Mason Gill , Marsh Sian
Published: October 2022

With recruitment and retention issues across the early years sector it would be wrong not to open up career opportunities to as wide a base of people as possible, including graduates. The sector has traditionally sought its new recruits from school leavers and non-graduate career changers, however we need to expand the field of candidates into the graduate field and let them know what an exciting and rewarding career they can have in early years.
Burden of informal caregivers of patients with pressure ulcers in a primary care setting
Authors: Ramos Paulo , Borges Cátia , Azevedo Isabel , Almeida Pedro , Soares António , Alves Paulo , Magalhães Assunção
Published: October 2022

Objective:

The aim of this study was to assess the burden experienced by the caregivers of patients with pressure ulcers (PUs) and the variables that might contribute to its manifestation.

Method:

This cross-sectional study enrolled primary care patients and their informal caregivers. To assess the burden experienced by the caregivers, the Zarit Burden Interview, short-form version (ZBI) was used. This instrument was self-applied by the caregiver. We assessed PU status, demographic and clinical variables. The Kolmogorov–Smirnov test was used to test for normality, the Spearman's rank correlation coefficient (rs) test to assess the correlation between variables, and paired Student's t-test to compare the difference between the groups, with and without burden.

Results:

Patients (n=54) were older, mean age 82±9.92 years, mainly female (64.8%), with an average of 1.47±0.73 PUs. The informal caregivers (n=46) were: primarily female (84.8%); mean age 57.13±11.87 years; 20.8% were unemployed; 14.6% were retired; 60.4% were the patient's offspring and 14.8% were spouses. Informal caregivers reported that they spent on average 10.20±8.10 hours each day taking care of their patient. The caregivers' (n=46) ZBI score was, on average, 14.63±9.60, and 37.0% reported a high burden. We did not find any correlation between caregiver burden and number of PUs (p=0.148), number of hours spent taking care of the patient (p=0.364) and age of the caregiver (p=0.259).

Conclusion:

Over one-third of the informal caregivers of the PU patients in this study reported a high burden. We did not find any correlation with the variables analysed, probably due to the small sample size.
Usefulness of preoperative extracranial imaging in radiologically suspicious glioblastoma in the West of Scotland and proposal of an imaging diagnostic pathway
Authors: Lammy S , McPartlin R , Bridgman E , Bouttell J , Brown J
Published: October 2022

Introduction

A computed tomography chest, abdomen and pelvis scan (CT CAP) is probably unnecessary if a glioblastoma is detected on the initial CT brain (CTB) before more radiologically definitive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). We audited its frequency to develop and improve our diagnostic management pathway.

Methods

Twelve-month retrospective case series from 2018 of patients having an initial CTB suspicious for glioblastoma. We dichotomised patients into two groups: Group 1, tissue proven; and Group 2, non-tissue proven, owing to increased extracranial comorbidity in Group 2, which might influence a medical decision to request a CT CAP despite the radiological diagnosis of a glioblastoma being obvious on an initial CT. We quantified the frequencies of plain and contrast CTBs, CT CAPs and extracranial malignancy.

Results

In total, 131 patients had a CTB suspicious for glioblastoma; of these, 72% had a CT CAP and 17% had extracranial malignancy. In Group 1 (n = 84 [mean age 59 years]), 64% had a CT CAP. Plain CTB was undertaken in 24% of patients and contrast CTB in 76%. Extracranial malignancy was present in 8% and 12%. In Group 2 (n = 47 [mean age 73 years]), 85% had a CT CAP. Plain CTB was undertaken in 22% of patients and contrast CTB in 78%. Extracranial malignancy was present in 33% and 23%. Negative CT CAPs were found in ∼88% of CTBs in Group 1 and ∼75% of CTBs in Group 2.

Conclusions

Patients having an initial contrast CTB suggestive of glioblastoma, prior to definitive MRI, who are going to be managed surgically, having no history of extracranial malignancy, do not necessarily need a CT CAP unless MRI is non-diagnostic.