bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
An epigenome-wide association study of insulin resistance in African Americans
Authors: Chilunga Felix P. , Meeks Karlijn A. C. , Henneman Peter , Agyemang Charles , Doumatey Ayo P. , Rotimi Charles N. , Adeyemo Adebowale A.
Published: July 2022

Background

African Americans have a high risk for type 2 diabetes (T2D) and insulin resistance. Studies among other population groups have identified DNA methylation loci associated with insulin resistance, but data in African Americans are lacking. Using DNA methylation profiles of blood samples obtained from the Illumina Infinium® HumanMethylation450 BeadChip, we performed an epigenome-wide association study to identify DNA methylation loci associated with insulin resistance among 136 non-diabetic, unrelated African American men (mean age 41.6 years) from the Howard University Family Study.

Results

We identified three differentially methylated positions (DMPs) for homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) at 5% FDR. One DMP (cg14013695, HOXA5) is a known locus among Mexican Americans, while the other two DMPs are novel—cg00456326 (OSR1; beta = 0.027) and cg20259981 (ST18; beta = 0.010). Although the cg00456326 DMP is novel, the OSR1 gene has previously been found associated with both insulin resistance and T2D in Europeans. The genes HOXA5 and ST18 have been implicated in biological processes relevant to insulin resistance. Differential methylation at the significant HOXA5 and OSR1 DMPs is associated with differences in gene expression in the iMETHYL database. Analysis of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) did not identify any epigenome-wide DMRs for HOMA-IR. We tested transferability of HOMA-IR associated DMPs from five previous EWAS in Mexican Americans, Indian Asians, Europeans, and European ancestry Americans. Out of the 730 previously reported HOMA-IR DMPs, 47 (6.4%) were associated with HOMA-IR in this cohort of African Americans.

Conclusions

The findings from our study suggest substantial differences in DNA methylation patterns associated with insulin resistance across populations. Two of the DMPs we identified in African Americans have not been reported in other populations, and we found low transferability of HOMA-IR DMPs reported in other populations in African Americans. More work in African-ancestry populations is needed to confirm our findings as well as functional analyses to understand how such DNA methylation alterations contribute to T2D pathology.
Urinary tract tuberculosis misdiagnosed and treated as renal carcinoma in the presence of diffuse interstitial nephritis: a case report
Authors: Swed Sarya , Barazi Mais , Chawa Yamane , Alswij Mahmoud Alhamadeh , Alshareef Leena Abdelwahab , Bitar Sami , Ghaith Hazem S. , Motawea Karam R.
Published: July 2022

Background

Urinary tract tuberculosis (UTTB) is a common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis (TB) which can infrequently present as renal carcinoma, leading to serious errors in the diagnosis and treatment of UTTB.

Case presentation

A 76-year-old Syrian man presented with gross hematuria as the main symptom. A urinary endoscopic examination and pelvic multi-slice computed tomography imaging increased the suspicion of a speared renal mass in the right urinary tract. The patient was treated for renal cancer. After nephrectomy and ureterctomy, the histopathology of the resected mass confirmed the diagnosis of UTTB and interstitial nephritis.

Conclusion

This case should serve to increase the attention of clinicians to perform an accurate diagnosis step by step. This is especially important if they have a patient similar to the case described here who presents with a renal mass, to avoid serious results such as the loss of an essential organ system.
Spatial and spatio-temporal epidemiological approaches to inform COVID-19 surveillance and control: a review protocol
Authors: Odhiambo Julius Nyerere , Dolan Carrie B.
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection that cause coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) have afflicted millions worldwide. Understanding the underlying spatial and temporal dynamics can help orient timely public health policies and optimize the targeting of non-pharmaceutical interventions and vaccines to the most vulnerable populations, particularly in resource-constrained settings. The review systematically summarises important methodological aspects and specificities of spatial approaches applied to COVID-19 in Africa.

Methods

Thematically selected keywords will be used to search for refereed studies in the following electronic databases PubMed, SCOPUS, MEDLINE, CINHAL, and Coronavirus Research Database from January 2020 to February 2022. Two independent reviewers will screen the title, abstracts, and full texts against predefined eligibility criteria based on the study’s characteristics, methodological relevance, and quality. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) 2020 procedures will be adhered to during the reporting process.

Discussion

COVID-19 modeling remains in its infancy, and research is needed to characterize uncertainty and validate various modeling regimes appropriately. It is anticipated that the review will aid spatial, spatio-temporal modeling decisions necessary for mitigating the current and future pandemics.

Systematic review registration

CRD42021279767
Holistic antenatal education class interventions: a systematic review of the prioritisation and involvement of Indigenous Peoples’ of Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States over a 10-year period 2008 to 2018
Authors: Barrett Nikki M. , Burrows Lisette , Atatoa-Carr Polly , Smith Linda T. , Masters-Awatere Bridgette
Published: July 2022

Background

Research into the effectiveness of antenatal education classes is crucial for Indigenous Peoples from Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States who experience poorer maternal and infant health outcomes compared to non-Indigenous populations. Our systematic review questions were intended to determine the extent of Indigenous Peoples prioritisation and involvement in antenatal education classes, and to understand the experience of Indigenous Peoples from these countries in antenatal education classes.

Methods

Using a standardised protocol, we systematically searched five electronic databases for primary research papers on antenatal education classes within the four countries noted and identified 17 papers that met the criteria. We undertook a qualitative meta-synthesis using a socio-critical lens.

Results

Systematic review of the academic literature demonstrates that Indigenous Peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States are not prioritised in antenatal education classes with only two of 17 studies identifying Indigenous participants. Within these two studies, Indigenous Peoples were underrepresented. As a result of poor engagement and low participation numbers of Indigenous Peoples in these antenatal education classes, it was not possible to understand the experiences of Indigenous Peoples.

Conclusion

Given that Indigenous Peoples were absent from the majority of studies examined in this review, it is clear little consideration is afforded to the antenatal health needs and aspirations of Indigenous Peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, Canada and the United States. To address the stark antenatal health inequities of Indigenous Peoples, targeted Indigenous interventions that consider culture, language, and wider aspects of holistic health must be privileged.

Trial registration

PROSPERO Registration ID: CRD4202017658
Mitochondrial genomic variation in dementia with Lewy bodies: association with disease risk and neuropathological measures
Authors: Valentino Rebecca R. , Ramnarine Chloe , Heckman Michael G. , Johnson Patrick W. , Soto-Beasley Alexandra I. , Walton Ronald L. , Koga Shunsuke , Kasanuki Koji , Murray Melissa E. , Uitti Ryan J. , Fields Julie A. , Botha Hugo , Ramanan Vijay K. , Kantarci Kejal , Lowe Val J. , Jack Clifford R. , Ertekin-Taner Nilufer , Savica Rodolfo , Graff-Radford Jonathan , Petersen Ronald C. , Parisi Joseph E. , Reichard R. Ross , Graff-Radford Neill R. , Ferman Tanis J. , Boeve Bradley F. , Wszolek Zbigniew K. , Dickson Dennis W. , Ross Owen A.
Published: July 2022

Dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) is clinically diagnosed when patients develop dementia less than a year after parkinsonism onset. Age is the primary risk factor for DLB and mitochondrial health influences ageing through effective oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Patterns of stable polymorphisms in the mitochondrial genome (mtDNA) alter OXPHOS efficiency and define individuals to specific mtDNA haplogroups. This study investigates if mtDNA haplogroup background affects clinical DLB risk and neuropathological disease severity. 360 clinical DLB cases, 446 neuropathologically confirmed Lewy body disease (LBD) cases with a high likelihood of having DLB (LBD-hDLB), and 910 neurologically normal controls had European mtDNA haplogroups defined using Agena Biosciences MassARRAY iPlex technology. 39 unique mtDNA variants were genotyped and mtDNA haplogroups were assigned to mitochondrial phylogeny. Striatal dopaminergic degeneration, neuronal loss, and Lewy body counts were also assessed in different brain regions in LBD-hDLB cases. Logistic regression models adjusted for age and sex were used to assess associations between mtDNA haplogroups and risk of DLB or LBD-hDLB versus controls in a case-control analysis. Additional appropriate regression models, adjusted for age at death and sex, assessed associations of haplogroups with each different neuropathological outcome measure. No mtDNA haplogroups were significantly associated with DLB or LBD-hDLB risk after Bonferroni correction.Haplogroup H suggests a nominally significant reduced risk of DLB (OR=0.61, P=0.006) but no association of LBD-hDLB (OR=0.87, P=0.34). The haplogroup H observation in DLB was consistent after additionally adjusting for the number of APOE ε4 alleles (OR=0.59, P=0.004). Haplogroup H also showed a suggestive association with reduced ventrolateral substantia nigra neuronal loss (OR=0.44, P=0.033). Mitochondrial haplogroup H may be protective against DLB risk and neuronal loss in substantia nigra regions in LBD-hDLB cases but further validation is warranted.
Tumor antigens and immune subtypes of glioblastoma: the fundamentals of mRNA vaccine and individualized immunotherapy development
Authors: Wu Changwu , Qin Chaoying , Long Wenyong , Wang Xiangyu , Xiao Kai , Liu Qing
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary brain tumor in adults and is notorious for its lethality. Given its limited therapeutic measures and high heterogeneity, the development of new individualized therapies is important. mRNA vaccines have exhibited promising performance in a variety of solid tumors, those designed for glioblastoma (GBM) need further development. The aim of this study is to explore tumor antigens for the development of mRNA vaccines against GBM and to identify potential immune subtypes of GBM to identify the patients suitable for different immunotherapies.

Methods

RNA-seq data and the clinical information of 143 GBM patients was extracted from the TCGA database; microarray data and the clinical information of 181 GBM patients was obtained from the REMBRANDT cohort. A GBM immunotherapy cohort of 17 patients was obtained from a previous literature. GEPIA2, cBioPortal, and TIMER2 were used to identify the potential tumor antigens. Immune subtypes and gene modules were identified using consensus clustering; immune landscape was constructed using graph-learning-based dimensionality reduction analysis.

Results

Nine potential tumor antigens associated with poor prognosis and infiltration of antigen-presenting cells were identified in GBM: ADAMTSL4, COL6A1, CTSL, CYTH4, EGFLAM, LILRB2, MPZL2, SAA2, and LSP1. Four robust immune subtypes and seven functional gene modules were identified and validated in an independent cohort. Immune subtypes had different cellular and molecular characteristics, with IS1, an immune cold phenotype; IS2, an immune hot and immunosuppressive phenotype; IS3, a relatively immune cold phenotype, second only to IS1; IS4, having a moderate tumor immune microenvironment. Immune landscape revealed the immune distribution of the GBM patients. Additionally, the potential value of immune subtypes for individualized immunotherapy was demonstrated in a GBM immunotherapy cohort.

Conclusions

ADAMTSL4, COL6A1, CTSL, CYTH4, EGFLAM, LILRB2, MPZL2, SAA2, and LSP1 are the candidate tumor antigens for mRNA vaccine development in GBM, and IS1 GBM patients are best suited for mRNA vaccination, IS2 patients are best suited for immune checkpoint inhibitor. This study provides a theoretical framework for GBM mRNA vaccine development and individualized immunotherapy strategies.
Effect of polymer water retaining agent on physical properties of silty clay
Authors: Huang Wei , Lai Haoqiang , Du Jiaxin , Zhou Cuiying , Liu Zhen , Ni Qian
Published: July 2022

Background

Ecological protection of slope surfaces by vegetation is one of the effective methods to reduce soil erosion. However, the surface soil of slope often has the problems of poor structure and low water use efficiency, which is not conducive to plant growth. Super absorbent resin (SAR) as a new type of water retention agent can effectively improve the surface soil of slopes. The study was designed to evaluate the effect and mechanism of SAR on aggregate stability, soil water characteristics and mechanical strength by analyzing the aggregate characteristics, moisture characteristics, microstructure and mechanical properties of SAR-treated soil.

Results

The results show that (1) the volume expansion and shrinkage in the process of water absorption and release of SAR loosened the soil, which improved the microstructure of the soil and increased the aggregate content, while the change of soil pore distribution significantly affected the soil–water characteristics; (2) the fractal dimension and stability of aggregates, the cohesion and internal friction angle of soils all tend to decrease with increasing SAR; and (3) the strong water absorption and retention of SAR increases the water holding capacity of the soil, thus increasing the water availability.

Conclusions

The above research is conducive to further revealing the good role of SAR in improving the surface soil of slope, promoting plant growth and improving the environmental protection effect. It can provide experimental and data support for the application of polymer water retaining agents.

Graphical Abstract
Pretreatment visceral metastases in castration resistant metastatic prostate cancer: role in prediction versus actual site of disease progression
Authors: Ruchalski Kathleen , Kim Hyun J. , Douek Michael , Raman Steven , Patel Maitraya , Sai Victor , Gutierrez Antonio , Levine Benjamin , Fischer Cheryce , Allen-Auerbach Martin , Gupta Pawan , Coy Heidi , Villegas Bianca , Brown Matthew , Goldin Jonathan
Published: July 2022

Background

To evaluate the anatomic site(s) of initial disease progression in patients with castration resistant metastatic prostate cancer (mCRPC) in the presence or absence of pre-treatment visceral metastases while on systemic therapy.

Methods

This is a retrospective cohort study of mCRPC patients who have baseline and at least one follow up bone scan and CT chest, abdomen and pelvis (CAP). Disease progression was determined by RECIST and/or ≥ 30% increase in automated bone scan lesion area score. Kaplan–Meier plot was used to estimate the median progression free survival and log-rank tests were used to compare anatomic sites.

Results

Of 203 patients, 61 (30%) had pre-treatment visceral metastases. Patients with baseline visceral disease were 1.5 times more likely to develop disease progression (HR = 1.53; 95% CI, 1.03–2.26). Disease progression was a result of worsening bone scan disease (42% (16/38)) versus visceral (32% (12/38)) or lymph node disease (3% (1/38)) by CT or a combination thereof (23% (9/38)). Median time to progression (TTP) did not differ by anatomic location of initial progression (p = 0.86). Development of new lesions occurred in 50% of those visceral patients with soft tissue only progression and was associated with a significantly longer TTP (3.1 months (2.8–4.3 months) than those with worsening of pre-existing lesions (1.8 months (1.6–2.7 months); p = 0.04.

Conclusions

Patients with pre-treatment visceral metastases in mCRPC are more likely to experience disease progression of bone disease with the initial anatomic site of progression similar to those without baseline visceral involvement.
Cross-platform mobile app development for disseminating public health information to travelers in Thailand: development and usability
Authors: Meankaew Pongthep , Lawpoolsri Saranath , Piyaphanee Watcharapong , Wansatid Peerawat , Chaovalit Pimwadee , Lawawirojwong Siam , Kaewkungwal Jaranit
Published: July 2022

Background

The risk of disease is a key factor that travelers have identified when planning to travel abroad, as many people are concerned about getting sick. Mobile devices can be an effective means for travelers to access information regarding disease prevalence in their planned destinations, potentially reducing the risk of exposure.

Methods

We developed a mobile app, ThaiEpidemics, using cross-platform technology to provide information about disease prevalence and status for travelers to Thailand. We aimed to assess the app’s usability in terms of engagement, search logs, and effectiveness among target users. The app was developed using the principle of mobile application development life cycle, for both iOS and Android. As its data source, the app used weekly data from national disease-surveillance reports. We conduced our study among visitors to the Travel Clinic in the Hospital for Tropical Diseases, Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. The participants were informed that the app would collect usage and search logs related to their queries. After the second log-in, the app prompted participants to complete an e-survey regarding their opinions and preferences related to their awareness of disease prevalence and status.

Results

We based our prototype of ThaiEpidemics on a conceptualized framework for visualizing the distribution of 14 major diseases of concern to tourists in Southeast Asia. The app provided users with functions and features to search for and visualize disease prevalence and status in Thailand. The participants could access information for their current location and elsewhere in the country. In all, 83 people installed the app, and 52 responded to the e-survey. Regardless of age, education, and continent of origin, almost all e-survey respondents believed the app had raised their awareness of disease prevalence and status when travelling. Most participants searched for information for all 14 diseases; some searched for information specifically about dengue and malaria.

Conclusions

ThaiEpidemics is evidently potentially useful for travelers. Should the app be adopted for use by travelers to Thailand, it could have an impact on wider knowledge distribution, which might result in decreased exposure, increased prophylaxis, and therefore a potential decreased burden on the healthcare system. For app developers who are developing/implementing this kind of app, it is important to address standardization of the data source and users’ concerns about the confidentiality and safety of their mobile devices.
The Effect of Shoulder and Knee Exercise Programmes on the Risk of Shoulder and Knee Injuries in Adolescent Elite Handball Players: A Three-Armed Cluster Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Asker Martin , Hägglund Martin , Waldén Markus , Källberg Henrik , Skillgate Eva
Published: July 2022

Background

The risk of injury in adolescent handball is high, and shoulder and knee injuries are among the most frequent and burdensome. The Swedish Knee Control programme reduced the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in female youth football players and traumatic knee injuries in male and female youth floorball players. However, to date, Knee Control has not been evaluated in an elite youth sport setting. The literature on the prevention of shoulder injuries in sport is scarce, and there are to our knowledge no previous studies evaluating the preventative efficacy of injury prevention exercise programmes (IPEPs) on shoulder injuries in adolescent handball players.

Objectives

To study the preventive efficacy of IPEPs on shoulder and knee injuries in adolescent elite handball players.

Methods

Eighteen Swedish handball-profiled secondary schools (clusters) with players aged 15–19 years, 54% males were randomised into either the Shoulder Group or Knee Group (interventions) or a Control Group. Players in the Shoulder Group were instructed to perform the Shoulder Control programme, and  players in the Knee Group to perform the Knee Control programme, three times per week during May 2018 to May 2019. Control Group players continued their usual training. Outcomes were shoulder and knee injuries defined by the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Center Overuse Injury Questionnaire. Intention-to-treat analyses were performed using Cox regression models with hazard rate ratios (HRRs) with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI).

Results

Six clusters (199 players) in the Shoulder Group, six clusters (216 players) in the Knee Group and six clusters (212 players) in the Control Group were included. There were 100 shoulder injuries and 156 knee injuries. The Shoulder Group had a 56% lower shoulder injury rate, HRR 0.44 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.68), and the Knee Group had a 31% lower knee injury rate, HRR 0.69 (95% CI 0.49 to 0.97) than the Control Group. The absolute risk reduction was 11% and 8%, and the number needed to treat was 9 and 13, respectively.

Conclusions

Adolescent elite handball players who performed the Shoulder Control and the Knee Control programmes had a lower risk of shoulder and knee injuries, respectively, than players who continued their usual training. Further research on how these two programmes can be combined to reduce knee and shoulder injuries in a time effective way is warranted.

Trial registration ISRCTN15946352.

Key points

The burden of knee and shoulder injuries in handball is high.

The Shoulder Control programme reduces the risk and overall burden of shoulder injuries in adolescent elite handball players.

The Knee Control programme reduces the risk and overall burden of knee injuries in adolescent elite handball players.
Arecoline promotes proliferation and migration of human HepG2 cells through activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Xie Hai , Jing Ren , Liao Xiaoting , Chen Haishao , Xie Xianlong , Dai Huijun , Pan Linghui
Published: July 2022

Background

Arecoline is a well-known risk factor for oral submucosal fibrosis and cancer. However, the mechanistic correlation between arecoline and hepatocellular cancer remains elusive. Here, we investigated the effect of arecoline on the proliferation and migration of human HepG2 hepatoma cells and its potential oncogenic mechanisms.

Methods

Bioinformatic technologies were used to identify the deferentially expressed miRNAs (DE-miRNAs) and hub target genes of arecoline-induced cancers. These DE-miRNAs, hub genes and pathway were proved in arecoline-treated HepG2 cells.

Results

A total of 86 DE-miRNAs and 460 target genes were identified. These target genes are associated with DNA-templated regulation of transcription and other biological processes. Significant molecular functions were protein binding, calcium ion binding, and enrichment in the nucleus and cytoplasm. These genes are involved in the PI3K-AKT pathway. CDK1, CCND1, RAF1, CDKN1B and BTRC were defined as the top 5 hub target genes, and patients with high expression of CDK1 showed poor prognosis. Compared with control group, 2.5 µM arecoline treatment increased the proliferation and migration ability of the HepG2 cells. Treatment with 2.5 µM arecoline increased the levels of miR-21-3p, miR-21-5p and miR-1267, upregulated the expression of PI3K-AKT pathway factors, CDK1, CCND1 but decreased RAF1 expression.

Conclusion

A low concentration arecoline can induce the proliferation and migration of HepG2 cells, with the potential mechanism of action linked to high levels of exosomal miR-21 and miR-1267, activation of the PI3K-AKT pathway, upregulation of CDK1 and CCND1, and downregulation of RAF1.
A case of Moesziomyces antarcticus peritonitis in a patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis
Authors: Nishioka Satoshi , Yamanaka Masahito , Kunisho Yasushi , Aoki Yuhei , Higasitani Masato , Yokoyama Tomoko , Oyama Tomoyo , Ohkusu Misako , Kamei Katuhiko , Sofue Tadashi
Published: July 2022

Background

Fungal peritonitis is a common and serious complication associated with peritoneal dialysis (PD), and it is often refractory to treatment.

Case presentation

A 70-year-old patient undergoing peritoneal dialysis was admitted to our hospital with fever and cloudy PD fluid. A diagnosis of yeast-like fungal peritonitis was made by examining the PD fluid. After starting intravenous caspofungin acetate, the PD catheter was removed. A fungal pathogen was isolated from the peritoneal fluid and identified as Cryptococcus sp. Based on the results of antifungal susceptibility testing, the treatment was changed to oral voriconazole and continued for 6 weeks. However, because of the discrepancy between the morphological findings and culture results, we performed genetic analysis, which uncovered Moesziomyces antarcticus. This patient was diagnosed with PD-related peritonitis caused by M. antarcticus and was successfully treated with voriconazole and removal of the PD catheter.

Conclusions

Reports of human infection by M. antarcticus are rare, and only two cases have been recognized. This may be the first case of infection detected in PD fluid.
Effects of Promove – Saúde da Mulher on anxiety, depression, social skills, and satisfaction: A single-subject design
Authors: Victuri Alexandre Aguiar , Bolsoni-Silva Alessandra Turini
Published: July 2022

Terapia Analítico-Comportamental (TAC) (in English, behavioral-analytic therapy, behavior therapy, or clinical behavior analysis) is a possible intervention for cases of anxiety and depression, but it still has much to advance in terms of efficacy and clinical utility evidence. This article aims to describe the effects of a semi-structured intervention in the model of TAC regarding anxiety and depression, behavior, complaints, and satisfaction indicators. Participants included three women with children, marital relationships, and work, aged between 34 and 41 with complaints compatible with anxiety and depression disorders. The intervention usedPromove – Saúde da Mulher(PSM) (in English, Promote Women’s Health), which included 17 topics, most of them related to social skills. Instruments included the GAD-7 for anxiety, PHQ-9 for depression, IHS-2 Del Prette for social skills, a Complaints Checklist for monitoring clinical demands, and an Evaluation of the Therapeutic Process to describe clients’ satisfaction rates. The results from the standardized instruments were statistically analyzed via the JT method. All three participants showed reliable improvements in anxiety and/or depression, improvement in most complaints, and satisfaction with the intervention and its outcomes. Acquisition of social skills occurred in two cases. One participant dropped out and another one relapsed at follow-up. The efficacy criteria were used to evaluate the internal validity of the present study. The study collected the first evidences of outcome and satisfaction for PSM, thus enabling future investigations on the efficacy and clinical utility of this intervention program.
Modulation of Trace Metal Accumulation in the Liver and Intestine of Amphibian Host Sclerophrys regularis by the Enteric Parasite Cosmocerca spp. Sampled in Lagos Metropolis, Nigeria
Authors: Okeagu Okechukwu Martin , Bamidele Akinsanya , Omoregie Isibor Patrick , Benedict Onadeko Abiodun , Adekoya Khalid
Published: July 2022

Background

Recent studies have shown parasites as accumulation indicators that give critical information about the bioavailability of pollutants. To further buttress parasites in the assessment of metal sink potentials, the parasite Cosmocerca sp. was analyzed in a total of 168 host toads, Sclerophrys regularis, from three (3) study stations sampled around dumpsites and natural habitats in selected parts of Lagos Metropolis.

Method

Concentrations of Zn, Ni, Co, Cu, and Pb in the soil, parasite, intestine, and liver of toads at each location were analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry.

Results

Comparison based on the concentrations of metals in S. regularis liver regardless of the collection site (dumpsite and natural habitat) showed that the most accumulated metal was zinc. Zinc significantly accumulated in the liver of the uninfected toad at the dumpsite, followed by the infected counterparts. There was also significant bioaccumulation of lead in the liver of the uninfected toads followed by the infected toads at the dumpsites. The accumulation of lead in the toads in their natural habitats was insignificant. The significant biota-sediment accumulation of copper in the liver was in the order of infected toad at dumpsite > infected toad at natural habitat > uninfected toad at habitat. Copper accumulation in the uninfected toad at the dumpsites was insignificant. As for cobalt, the significant biota-sediment accumulation in the liver was in the order of uninfected toad at dumpsite > infected toad at dumpsite > infected toad at habitat. Insignificant bioaccumulation occurred only in the uninfected toad at the natural habitat. A strong positive correlation (0.9546) between the concentrations of metals in the liver and the intestine indicated a common source of contamination and relatively proportional accumulation rates. Although there was a significant positive correlation between the concentrations of metals in the intestine and the parasites, a significantly negative correlation relationship, however, occurred between the concentrations of metals in the liver and the parasites.

Conclusions

This current study has demonstrated the possibility of employing Cosmocerca sp. as a bio-sink and bioindicator for zinc contamination. The parasites may therefore be promising in protecting S. regularis and safeguarding the health of the associated populace.
The effect of cladoceran, Daphnia magna, on the growth and pupation of Aedes aegypti L. mosquito larvae
Authors: Thakur Ankita , Kocher Devinder Kaur
Published: July 2022

Background

Dengue and chikungunya are two mosquito-borne viruses transmitted by the mosquito, Aedes aegypti, and are responsible for great public health concerns in India. The present study tested the effect of Daphnia magna, a freshwater cladoceran, on the growth and pupation of Ae. aegypti larvae.

Results

Ae. aegypti third instar larvae and adult, D. magna, were introduced in the ratios 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 into beakers and placed in an illuminated BOD incubator at a temperature of 26 ± 1 °C. The delay in the duration of larval stages (the time taken from third instar stage until their emergence as adults) was measured. The emergence of adults was delayed for 3–4 days in the treatments where the ratio of D. magna was thrice the number of Ae. aegypti larvae. The L3 larval stage was found to be more prone to mortality than later instars, with 51.66% larval mortality. The sex ratio of males to females emerged was only 5:5 in the 1:3 ratio. Body size of both males and females was significantly reduced in all the treatment sets in the ratios: 1:1, 1:2 and 1:3 when compared with the control set. Longevity of adult was also reduced from 8–15 to 4–7 days in the case of males, and in the case of females it was reduced from 14–25 to 5–9 days in the treatment set when Daphnia was introduced thrice the number of Aedes larvae.

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence that D. magna affects the growth and pupation of Aedes larvae and consequentially the life history parameters that affect the fitness of the population.
COVID-19 infection control protocol and acceptance in an ART in vitro fertilization hospital
Authors: Horibe Yu , Nakabayashi Akira , Murata Shuko , Hashimoto Tomomi , Tabata Tsutomu
Published: July 2022

Purpose

In Tokyo, where the highest coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection rates have been reported nationally, we introduced and performed polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing on the patients prior to them coming for oocyte retrieval (OR) or embryo transfer (ET) procedures. In addition, we recommended that patients self-inject ovarian stimulation drugs to reduce the number of hospital visits required. We aimed to assess the patient acceptance of these measures and the change of treatment number.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective study examining the patients coming for OR or ET, from the first time a state of emergency was declared in Japan, May 2020, until September 2021.

Results

A total of 79 out of 94 (94%) patients complied with the measures. This may reflect that PCR universal screening was accepted by most patients as necessary for reducing infection spread. In addition, the number of patients receiving OR and ET increased. The widespread adoption of work-from-home practices during the pandemic has made outpatient visits more acceptable to the general public.

Conclusions

Universal screening and self-injection are accepted and effective infection measures in patients presenting for OR and ET.
Retrieving useful signals from highly corrupted erratic noise using robust residual dictionary learning
Authors: Chen Wei , Oboué Yapo Abolé Serge Innocent , Chen Yangkang
Published: July 2022

Seismic denoising will inevitably cause signal leakage, which is seen as coherent signal energy in the removed noise profile. Most traditional methods either ignore the signal leakage while maintaining clean denoised data or adjust parameters to decrease the signal leakage while causing more residual noise in the denoised data. The local signal-and-noise orthogonalization method can help retrieve the leaked signals without bringing significant residual noise. However, when seismic data contain erratic noise, the local orthogonalization method does not work properly because of the unstable inversion when solving the local orthogonalization weight due to the large-amplitude erratic noise. We propose a robust dictionary learning and sparse coding algorithm to retrieve the leaked signals. In this robust method, we substitute the L2-norm regularized sparse coding model with a Huber-norm sparse coding model, which is solved iteratively via a robust algorithm. The dictionary atoms used to retrieve the leaked signals are first learned from the initial estimate of signals and then updated during the robust iterations. Synthetic and field data examples containing erratic noise are used to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
The Road Less Traveled: Transportation Barriers to Cancer Care Delivery in the Rural Patient Population
Authors: Wercholuk Ashley N. , Parikh Alexander A. , Snyder Rebecca A.
Published: July 2022

Patients with cancer residing in geographically rural areas experience lower rates of preventative screening, more advanced disease at presentation, and higher mortality rates compared with urban populations. Although multiple factors contribute, access to transportation has been proposed as a critical barrier affecting timeliness and quality of health care delivery in rural populations. Patients from geographically rural regions may face a variety of transportation barriers, including lack of public transportation, limited access to private vehicles, and increased travel distance to specialized oncologic care. A search using PubMed was conducted to identify articles pertaining to transportation barriers to cancer care and tested interventions in rural patient populations. Studies demonstrate that transportation barriers are associated with delayed follow-up after abnormal screening test results, decreased access to specialized oncology care, and lower rates of receipt of guideline-concordant treatment. Low clinical trial enrollment and variability in survivorship care are also linked to transportation barriers in rural patient populations. Given the demonstrated impact of transportation access on equitable cancer care delivery, several interventions have been tested. Telehealth visits and outreach clinics appear to reduce patient travel burden and increase access to specialized care, and patient navigation programs are effective in connecting patients with local resources, such as free or subsidized nonemergency medical transportation. To ensure equal access to high-quality cancer care and reduce geographic disparities, the design and implementation of tailored, multilevel interventions to address transportation barriers affecting rural communities is critical.
Cost-Effectiveness of Parallel Versus Sequential Testing of Genetic Aberrations for Stage IV Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer in the Netherlands
Authors: Wolff Henri B. , Steeghs Elisabeth M.P. , Mfumbilwa Zakile A. , Groen Harry J.M. , Adang Eddy M. , Willems Stefan M. , Grünberg Katrien , Schuuring Ed , Ligtenberg Marjolijn J.L. , Tops Bastiaan B.J. , Coupé Veerle M.H.
Published: July 2022

PURPOSE

A large number of targeted treatment options for stage IV nonsquamous non–small-cell lung cancer with specific genetic aberrations in tumor DNA is available. It is therefore important to optimize diagnostic testing strategies, such that patients receive adequate personalized treatment that improves survival and quality of life. The aim of this study is to assess the efficacy (including diagnostic costs, turnaround time (TAT), unsuccessful tests, percentages of correct findings, therapeutic costs, and therapeutic effectiveness) of parallel next generation sequencing (NGS)–based versus sequential single-gene–based testing strategies routinely used in patients with metastasized non–small-cell lung cancer in the Netherlands.

METHODS

A diagnostic microsimulation model was developed to simulate 100,000 patients with prevalence of genetic aberrations, extracted from real-world data from the Dutch Pathology Registry. These simulated patients were modeled to undergo different testing strategies composed of multiple tests with different test characteristics including single-gene and panel tests, test accuracy, the probability of an unsuccessful test, and TAT. Diagnostic outcomes were linked to a previously developed treatment model, to predict average long-term survival, quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs), costs, and cost-effectiveness of parallel versus sequential testing.

RESULTS

NGS-based parallel testing for all actionable genetic aberrations is on average €266 cheaper than single-gene–based sequential testing, and detects additional relevant targetable genetic aberrations in 20.5% of the cases, given a TAT of maximally 2 weeks. Therapeutic costs increased by €8,358, and 0.12 QALYs were gained, leading to an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of €69,614/QALY for parallel versus sequential testing.

CONCLUSION

NGS-based parallel testing is diagnostically superior over single-gene–based sequential testing, as it is cheaper and more effective than sequential testing. Parallel testing remains cost-effective with an incremental cost-effectiveness ratio of 69,614 €/QALY upon inclusion of therapeutic costs and long-term outcomes.
Integrated analysis of Wnt signalling system component gene expression
Authors: Murphy Paula , Armit Chris , Hill Bill , Venkataraman Shanmugasundaram , Frankel Patrick , Baldock Richard A. , Davidson Duncan R.
Published: July 2022

Wnt signalling controls patterning and differentiation across many tissues and organs of the developing embryo through temporally and spatially restricted expression of multi-gene families encoding ligands, receptors, pathway modulators and intracellular components. Here, we report an integrated analysis of key genes in the 3D space of the mouse embryo across multiple stages of development. We applied a method for 3D/3D image transformation to map all gene expression patterns to a single reference embryo for each stage, providing both visual analysis and volumetric mapping allowing computational methods to interrogate the combined expression patterns. We identify territories where multiple Wnt and Fzd genes are co-expressed and cross-compare all patterns, including all seven Wnt paralogous gene pairs. The comprehensive analysis revealed regions in the embryo where no Wnt or Fzd gene expression is detected, and where single Wnt genes are uniquely expressed. This work provides insight into a previously unappreciated level of organisation of expression patterns, as well as presenting a resource that can be utilised further by the research community for whole-system analysis.
Functional analysis of the Vsx2 super-enhancer uncovers distinct cis-regulatory circuits controlling Vsx2 expression during retinogenesis
Authors: Bian Fuyun , Daghsni Marwa , Lu Fangfang , Liu Silvia , Gross Jeffrey M. , Aldiri Issam
Published: July 2022

Vsx2 is a transcription factor essential for retinal proliferation and bipolar cell differentiation, but the molecular mechanisms underlying its developmental roles are unclear. Here, we have profiled VSX2 genomic occupancy during mouse retinogenesis, revealing extensive retinal genetic programs associated with VSX2 during development. VSX2 binds and transactivates its enhancer in association with the transcription factor PAX6. Mice harboring deletions in the Vsx2 regulatory landscape exhibit specific abnormalities in retinal proliferation and in bipolar cell differentiation. In one of those deletions, a complete loss of bipolar cells is associated with a bias towards photoreceptor production. VSX2 occupies cis-regulatory elements nearby genes associated with photoreceptor differentiation and homeostasis in the adult mouse and human retina, including a conserved region nearby Prdm1, a factor implicated in the specification of rod photoreceptors and suppression of bipolar cell fate. VSX2 interacts with the transcription factor OTX2 and can act to suppress OTX2-dependent enhancer transactivation of the Prdm1 enhancer. Taken together, our analyses indicate that Vsx2 expression can be temporally and spatially uncoupled at the enhancer level, and they illuminate important mechanistic insights into how VSX2 is engaged with gene regulatory networks that are essential for retinal proliferation and cell fate acquisition.
Decentralizacja – podstawowe zagadnienia teoretyczne
Authors: Siekulicki Dominik
Published: July 2022

DECENTRALIZATION: BASIC THEORETICAL ISSUES

The article examines decentralization as a feature of organizational structures. In order to show the complexity of decentralization, the analysis comprises four perspectives. In the subject perspective, the structural characteristic of decentralization is indicated and its specificity in public organizations is pointed out. The object perspective distinguishes components of the concept of decentralization and forms (types) of decentralization of the state and implementation of public tasks. In the teleological perspective, the objectives of decentralization, its advantages and disadvantages as well as limitations are indicated. The last perspective – processual – allows to demonstrate two additional features of decentralization, i.e., its gradualness and dynamics.
Las múltiples hibridaciones del posfranquismo populista de Vox
Authors: Aranda Bustamante Gilberto , Escribano Rocca Rodrigo
Published: July 2022

El artículo explora las raíces intelectuales de las narrativas construidas por vox. El foco de atención se sitúa en las continuidades y rupturas ideológicas que son apreciables en el imaginario político voxista con respecto a sus precedentes ideológicos de los siglos xix y xx. En este sentido, se identifican dos genealogías esenciales que forman parte del arco de este nacionalismo populista: el tradicionalismo antiliberal y el liberalismo conservador, y el nacionalcatolicismo. Se pretende explorar la cuestión de hasta qué punto está enraizado el radicalismo de derechas del vox en las culturas políticas del tradicionalismo español y hasta qué punto es una respuesta sincrónica a los desafíos específicos que ha enfrentado la democracia española en la última década. La hipótesis es que el discurso voxista es resultado de múltiples hibridaciones, y constituye una adaptación en clave de palimpsesto al canon de la democracia liberal contemporánea.
A Multiarmed Bandit Approach for House Ads Recommendations
Authors: Aramayo Nicolás , Schiappacasse Mario , Goic Marcel
Published: July 2022

A multiarmed bandit approach that uses a deep neural network to decide personalized recommendations for display in the homepage of an online retailer.
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a clinical review
Authors: Coutts Alison
Published: July 2022

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming increasingly common. While it can be a non-progressive disorder with minimal impact, for some people, it develops into a serious disorder with significant implications for their life and health. This article outlines the pathology, epidemiology and progression of NAFLD, and it examines how people diagnosed with the disease can be advised.
Severe acute hepatitis in children
Authors: Clayton Michelle
Published: July 2022

Michelle Clayton explores a growing trend of children being hospitalised with severe acute hepatitis in 2022
The role of the hepatology clinical nurse specialist in caring for patients with alcohol-related liver disease
Authors: Hayes Isobel , McDonagh Joanne , Bardell Sara
Published: July 2022

There are many types of liver disease, 60% of patient referred to hepatology services in the UK are diagnosed with alcohol-related liver disease. The hepatology clinical nurse specialist (CNS) is responsible for assessing these patients, providing education and helping manage their symptoms. Liver disease tends to be complex and variable, and so management presents many challenges. For example, it can be difficult to balance provision of every feasible treatment with patients' need to make end-of-life plans. This article aims to offer a personal insight into the role of a hepatology CNS working in a quaternary liver centre.
Age-related difference in muscle metabolism patterns during upper limb's encircling exercise: a near-infrared spectroscopy study
Authors: Chen Hucheng , Liang Jianbin , Huang Wenzhu , Yang Anping , Pang Richong , Zhao Chaochao , Wu Kai , Wang Chong , Yan Kecheng , Zhang YiZheng , Lin Shuoshu , Xie Yuanrong , Wu Yuxiang , Sun Jinyan
Published: July 2022

Aging is usually accompanied by decrease in limb motor function and change in muscle metabolism patterns. However, few studies have investigated the aging effect on muscle hemodynamics of the upper extremity. This study aims to explore the aging effect on muscle metabolism patterns during upper limb's exercise. Twelve middle-aged and elderly subjects and 12 young subjects were recruited, and muscle oxygenation signals from these subjects’ biceps brachii muscles were collected during active and passive upper limb's encircling exercise with near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). The old group showed stronger muscle hemodynamic metabolism than the young group. The multiscale fuzzy approximate entropy and multiscale transfer entropy analyses indicated higher complexity and stronger interlimb coupling of the muscle oxygenation signals for the old group. Based on the selected muscle metabolism features, the constructed support vector machine model showed a high accuracy rate for classifying the two groups of subjects: 91.6% for the passive mode and 87.5% for the active mode. Our results proved the specific muscle metabolism patterns in the upper limb's exercise for old subjects, promoting the understanding of the aging effect on muscle hemodynamics.