bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The temporal trend of placebo response in migraine prevention from 1990 to 2021: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis with regression
Authors: Tepper Stewart J. , Cirillo Jessica , Kim Edward , L’Italien Gil , Tweedie Julie M. , Lodaya Kunal , Riley Dushon , Pathan Farah , Antaki Nicholas , Nathanson Brian H. , McAllister Peter
Published: May 2023

Background

Migraine affects 1.1 billion people globally and is the second leading cause of disability worldwide. In clinical trials, treatment efficacy is evaluated by comparing the differential responses in the treatment and placebo arms. Although placebo response in preventive migraine trials has been studied, there is limited research examining temporal trends. This study evaluates the trend of placebo response over thirty years in migraine prevention trials and investigates the association of potential confounders, such as patient, treatment, and study characteristics on placebo response using meta-analysis with regression.

Methods

We conducted literature searches from January 1990 to August 2021 in bibliographical databases (PubMed, Cochrane Library, and EMBASE). Studies were selected according to PICOS criteria and included randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials evaluating preventive migraine treatments in adult patients diagnosed with episodic or chronic migraine, with or without aura. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42021271732). Migraine efficacy outcomes included were either continuous (e.g., monthly migraine days) or dichotomous (e.g., ≥ 50% responder rate (yes/no)). We assessed the correlation of the change in outcome from baseline in the placebo arm, with the year of publication. The relationship between placebo response and year of publication was also assessed after accounting to confounders.

Results

A total of 907 studies were identified, and 83 were found eligible. For the continuous outcomes, the change from baseline in mean placebo response showed an increase over the years (rho = 0.32, p = 0.006). The multivariable regression analysis also showed an overall increase in placebo response over the years. The correlation analysis of dichotomous responses showed no significant linear trend between publication year and mean placebo response (rho = 0.08, p = 0.596). Placebo response also varied by route of administration.

Conclusion

Placebo response increased over the past 30 years in migraine preventive trials. This phenomenon should be considered when designing clinical trials and conducting meta-analyses.
Genetic Diversity and Breeding Signatures for Regional Indica Rice Improvement in Guangdong of Southern China
Authors: Hang Yu , Yue Liu , Bingrui Sun , Qing Liu , Xingxue Mao , Liqun Jiang , Shuwei Lyu , Jing Zhang , Pingli Chen , Dajian Pan , Wenfeng Chen , Zhilan Fan , Chen Li
Published: May 2023

As the pioneer of the Green Revolution in China, Guangdong province witnessed the improvement and spread of semi-dwarf Xian/Indica rice cultivars and possessed diverse rice germplasm of landrace and cultivars. A total of 517 accessions containing a core germplasm of 479 newly sequenced landraces and modern cultivars were used to reveal breeding signatures and key variations for regional genetic improvement of indica rice from Guangdong. Four subpopulations were identified in the collection, which including Ind IV as a novel subpopulation that not covered by previously released accessions. Modern cultivars of subpopulation Ind II were inferred to have less deleterious variations, especially in yield related genes. About 15 Mb genomic segments were identified as potential breeding signatures by cross-population likelihood method (XP-CLR) of modern cultivars and landraces. The selected regions spanning multiple yield related QTLs (quantitative trait locus) which identified by GWAS (genome-wide association studies) of the same population, and specific variations that fixed in modern cultivars of Ind II were characterized. This study highlights genetic differences between traditional landraces and modern cultivars, which revealed the potential molecular basis of regional genetic improvement for Guangdong indica rice from southern China.
Drug repurposing and prediction of multiple interaction types via graph embedding
Authors: Amiri Souri E. , Chenoweth A. , Karagiannis S. N. , Tsoka S.
Published: May 2023

Background

Finding drugs that can interact with a specific target to induce a desired therapeutic outcome is key deliverable in drug discovery for targeted treatment. Therefore, both identifying new drug–target links, as well as delineating the type of drug interaction, are important in drug repurposing studies.

Results

A computational drug repurposing approach was proposed to predict novel drug–target interactions (DTIs), as well as to predict the type of interaction induced. The methodology is based on mining a heterogeneous graph that integrates drug–drug and protein–protein similarity networks, together with verified drug-disease and protein-disease associations. In order to extract appropriate features, the three-layer heterogeneous graph was mapped to low dimensional vectors using node embedding principles. The DTI prediction problem was formulated as a multi-label, multi-class classification task, aiming to determine drug modes of action. DTIs were defined by concatenating pairs of drug and target vectors extracted from graph embedding, which were used as input to classification via gradient boosted trees, where a model is trained to predict the type of interaction. After validating the prediction ability of DT2Vec+, a comprehensive analysis of all unknown DTIs was conducted to predict the degree and type of interaction. Finally, the model was applied to propose potential approved drugs to target cancer-specific biomarkers.

Conclusion

DT2Vec+ showed promising results in predicting type of DTI, which was achieved via integrating and mapping triplet drug–target–disease association graphs into low-dimensional dense vectors. To our knowledge, this is the first approach that addresses prediction between drugs and targets across six interaction types.
Colony-level aggression escalates with the value of food resources
Authors: Han Shaolin , Phillips Ben L. , Elgar Mark A.
Published: May 2023

Background

Theory predicts that the level of escalation in animal contests is associated with the value of the contested resource. This fundamental prediction has been empirically confirmed by studies of dyadic contests but has not been tested experimentally in the collective context of group-living animals. Here, we used the Australian meat ant Iridomyrmex purpureus as a model and employed a novel field experimental manipulation of the value of food that removes the potentially confounding effects of nutritional status of the competing individual workers. We draw on insights from the Geometric Framework for nutrition to investigate whether group contests between neighbouring colonies escalate according to the value to the colony of a contested food resource.

Results

First, we show that colonies of I. purpureus value protein according to their past nutritional intake, deploying more foragers to collect protein if their previous diet had been supplemented with carbohydrate rather than with protein. Using this insight, we show that colonies contesting more highly valued food escalated the contest, by deploying more workers and engaging in lethal ‘grappling’ behaviour.

Conclusion

Our data confirm that a key prediction of contest theory, initially intended for dyadic contests, is similarly applicable to group contests. Specifically, we demonstrate, through a novel experimental procedure, that the contest behaviour of individual workers reflects the nutritional requirements of the colony, rather than that of individual workers.
Magnesium chelatase subunit D is not only required for chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosynthesis, but also affecting starch accumulation in Manihot esculenta Crantz
Authors: Yang Xingai , Cai Jie , Xue Jingjing , Luo Xiuqin , Zhu Wenli , Xiao Xinhui , Xue Maofu , An Feifei , Li Kaimian , Chen Songbi
Published: May 2023

Background

Magnesium chelatase plays an important role in photosynthesis, but only a few subunits have been functionally characterized in cassava.

Results

Herein, MeChlD was successfully cloned and characterized. MeChlD encodes a magnesium chelatase subunit D, which has ATPase and vWA conservative domains. MeChlD was highly expressed in the leaves. Subcellular localization suggested that MeChlD:GFP was a chloroplast-localized protein. Furthermore, the yeast two-hybrid system and BiFC analysis indicated that MeChlD interacts with MeChlM and MePrxQ, respectively. VIGS-induce silencing of MeChlD resulted in significantly decreased chlorophyll content and reduction the expression of photosynthesis-related nuclear genes. Furthermore, the storage root numbers, fresh weight and the total starch content in cassava storage roots of VIGS-MeChlD plants was significantly reduced.

Conclusion

Taken together, MeChlD located at the chloroplast is not only required for chlorophyll biosynthesis and photosynthesis, but also affecting the starch accumulation in cassava. This study expands our understanding of the biological functions of ChlD proteins.
Effects of N and P additions on twig traits of wild apple (Malus sieversii) saplings
Authors: Zhang Yuan-Yuan , Yan Jing-Ming , Zhou Xiao-Bing , Zhang Yuan-Ming , Tao Ye
Published: May 2023

Background

Wild apple (Malus sieversii) is under second-class national protection in China and one of the lineal ancestors of cultivated apples worldwide. In recent decades, the natural habitation area of wild apple trees has been seriously declining, resulting in a lack of saplings and difficulty in population regeneration. Artificial near-natural breeding is crucial for protecting and restoring wild apple populations, and adding nitrogen (N) and phosphorous (P) is one of the important measures to improve the growth performance of saplings. In this study, field experiments using N (CK, N1, N2, and N3: 0, 10, 20, and 40 g m− 2 yr− 1, respectively), P (CK, P1, P2, and P3: 0, 2, 4, and 8 g m− 2 yr− 1, respectively), N20Px (CK, N2P1, N2P2, and N2P3: N20P2, N20P4 and N20P8 g m− 2 yr− 1, respectively), and NxP4 (CK, N1P2, N2P2, and N3P2: N10P4, N20P4, and N40P4 g m− 2 yr− 1, respectively) treatments (totaling 12 levels, including one CK) were conducted in four consecutive years. The twig traits (including four current-year stem, 10 leaf, and three ratio traits) and comprehensive growth performance of wild apple saplings were analyzed under different nutrient treatments.

Results

N addition had a significantly positive effect on stem length, basal diameter, leaf area, and leaf dry mass, whereas P addition had a significantly positive effect on stem length and basal diameter only. The combination of N and P (NxP4 and N20Px) treatments evidently promoted stem growth at moderate concentrations; however, the N20Px treatment showed a markedly negative effect at low concentrations and a positive effect at moderate and high concentrations. The ratio traits (leaf intensity, leaf area ratio, and leaf to stem mass ratio) decreased with the increase in nutrient concentration under each treatment. In the plant trait network, basal diameter, stem mass, and twig mass were tightly connected to other traits after nutrient treatments, indicating that stem traits play an important role in twig growth. The membership function revealed that the greatest comprehensive growth performance of saplings was achieved after N addition alone, followed by that under the NxP4 treatment (except for N40P4).

Conclusions

Consequently, artificial nutrient treatments for four years significantly but differentially altered the growth status of wild apple saplings, and the use of appropriate N fertilizer promoted sapling growth. These results can provide scientific basis for the conservation and management of wild apple populations.
Efficacy of perioperative duloxetine as a part of multimodal analgesia in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgeries
Authors: Fuad Hetta Diab , Abdelfatah Mohamed Montaser , Elmorabaa Hany Ahmed , Ahmed Mirna Ismail , Elgalaly Nourhan Alaa , Kamal Shereen Mamdouh
Published: May 2023

Background

Although laparoscopic surgery provides earlier recovery, less morbidity and hospital stay, however, severe pain is still a problem after it. Duloxetine has been recently used in postoperative pain management. We tested perioperative duloxetine to evaluate its effect on patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.

Methods

Sixty patients were enrolled in this study divided into two equal groups; duloxetine group each patient received an oral duloxetine capsule (60 mg) 1st dose at night before surgery, the 2nd dose 1 h preoperative, and the 3rd dose 24 h postoperative. Placebo group received placebo capsules at the same times. The cumulative morphine consumption in 48 h, postoperative VAS score, quality of recovery (QoR-40 score), sedation, and adverse effects were evaluated.

Results

Duloxetine group had lower VAS scores compared to placebo group, (3 ± 0.69) VS. (4.17 ± 0.83), (2.5 ± 0.6) VS. (4.3 ± 0.9), (2.2 ± 0.7) VS. (3.9 ± 0.6), (1.6 ± 0.7) VS. (3.6 ± 0.8), (1.1 ± 0.8) VS. (3.7 ± 0.7), (0.7 ± 0.7) VS. (3.5 ± 0.8), (0.6 ± 0.7) VS. (3.5 ± 0.8) respectively, P ˂0.01. The cumulative morphine consumption was significantly reduced in the Duloxetine group compared to the placebo group (4.6 ± 2.9 vs. 11.3 ± 1.7 mg), P < 0.01. The total QoR-40 score for duloxetine group was (180.8 ± 4.5) vs. (156 ± 5.9) in placebo group (P < 0.01). Patients in Duloxetine group were more sedated in all the 48 h postoperatively in comparison to placebo group.

Conclusions

Perioperative duloxetine had reduced postoperative pain, decreased opioid consumption, and improved the quality of recovery in patients undergoing laparoscopic colorectal surgery.
Myocardial infarction in a 33-year-old with inflammatory bowel disease: a case report
Authors: Bengel Christopher Paul , Müller-Gastell Denisa , Al-Najjar Bassam , Cherednichenko Irina , Kacapor Rifat
Published: May 2023

Background

ST elevation myocardial infarction is defined as acute myocardial injury with necrosis due to myocardial ischemia. The frequent cause is thrombotic occlusion of atherosclerotic coronary arteries. In particular situations, thromboembolism can cause myocardial infarction in patients with normal coronary arteries.

Case presentation

We report a particular case of myocardial infarction in a young, previously healthy patient with non-atherosclerotic coronary arteries and inflammatory bowel disease. Although we performed an extensive work up, no clear pathophysiological cause could be diagnosed. Most likely, myocardial infarction was associated with a hypercoagulative state related to systemic inflammation.

Conclusion

The mechanisms of coagulation disturbances in the context of acute and chronic inflammation are not yet fully understood. A better understanding of cardiovascular events in patients with inflammatory bowel disease might lead to new treatment approaches of cardiovascular disease.
Postoperative serum interleukin-6 levels correlate with survival in stage I-III colorectal cancer
Authors: Feng Shouhan , Li Zeshi , Liu Mei , Ye Qianwen , Xue Tianhui , Yan Bing
Published: May 2023

Aims

The preoperative serum levels of inflammatory mediators, including C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT) and interleukin-6 (IL-6), have been demonstrated to be correlated with patient outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, the prognostic role of these levels has been less well-studied in postoperative settings.

Materials and methods

A total of 122 stage I-III CRC patients were retrospectively enrolled. Serum levels of CRP, PCT and IL-6 were measured after surgery, and their prognostic value was evaluated. Kaplan-Meier analysis was used to determine the differences in disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) between patients with different levels of these mediators, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the risk factors.

Results

In contrast to CRP and PCT, only the level of IL-6 was significant in predicting DFS (P = 0.01) but not OS (P = 0.07). A total of 66.39% (81/122) of patients were assigned to the low IL-6 group and no significant differences were found in the collected clinicopathological parameters among the low or high IL-6 subgroups. The level of IL-6 was negatively correlated with postoperative (1 w) (R=-0.24, P = 0.02) absolute lymphocyte counts. Patients with low levels of IL-6 had better DFS (log rank = 6.10, P = 0.01) but not OS (log rank = 2.28, P = 0.13). Finally, the level of IL-6 was an independent risk factor for DFS (HR: 1.81, 95% CI: 1.03–3.15, P = 0.04).

Conclusions

Compared to CRP and PCT, the level of IL-6 was observed to be the only significant factor in predicting the prognosis of stage I-III CRC patients after surgery, and a low level of IL-6 was associated with good DFS.
Lessons drawn from Shanghai for controlling highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants: insights from a modelling study
Authors: Wang Hao , Li Tangjuan , Gao Huan , Huang Chenxi , Tang Biao , Tang Sanyi , Cheke Robert A. , Zhou Weike
Published: May 2023

Background

The continuous emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants with markedly increased transmissibility presents major challenges to the zero-COVID policy in China. It is critical to adjust aspects of the policy about non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) by searching for and implementing more effective ways. We use a mathematical model to mimic the epidemic pattern of the Omicron variant in Shanghai to quantitatively show the control challenges and investigate the feasibility of different control patterns in avoiding other epidemic waves.

Methods

We initially construct a dynamic model with a core step-by-step release strategy to reveal its role in controlling the spread of COVID-19, including the city-based pattern and the district-based pattern. We used the least squares method and real reported case data to fit the model for Shanghai and its 16 districts, respectively. Optimal control theory was utilized to explore the quantitative and optimal solutions of the time-varying control strength (i.e., contact rate) to suppress the highly transmissible SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Results

The necessary period for reaching the zero-COVID goal can be nearly 4 months, and the final epidemic size was 629,625 (95%CI: [608,049, 651,201]). By adopting the city-based pattern, 7 out of 16 strategies released the NPIs more or earlier than the baseline and ensured a zero-resurgence risk at the average cost of 10 to 129 more cases in June. By adopting the district-based pattern, a regional linked release can allow resumption of social activity to ~ 100% in the boundary-region group about 14 days earlier and allow people to flow between different districts without causing infection resurgence. Optimal solutions of the contact rate were obtained with various testing intensities, and higher diagnosis rate correlated with higher optimal contact rate while the number of daily reported cases remained almost unchanged.

Conclusions

Shanghai could have been bolder and more flexible in unleashing social activity than they did. The boundary-region group should be relaxed earlier and more attention should be paid to the centre-region group. With a more intensive testing strategy, people could return to normal life as much as possible but still ensure the epidemic was maintained at a relatively low level.
PD-L1 stimulation can promote proliferation and survival of leukemic cells by influencing glucose and fatty acid metabolism in acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Soltani Mojdeh , Ghanadian Mustafa , Ghezelbash Behrooz , Shokouhi Abolfazl , Zamyatnin Andrey A. , Bazhin Alexandr V. , Ganjalikhani-Hakemi Mazdak
Published: May 2023

Background

Leukemic cell metabolism plays significant roles in their proliferation and survival. These metabolic adaptations are under regulation by different factors. Programmed Death Ligand -1 (CD-274) is one of the immune checkpoint ligands that do not only cause the immune escape of cancer cells, but also have some intracellular effects in these cells. PD-L1 is overexpressed on leukemic stem cells and relates with poor prognosis of AML. In this study, we investigated effects of PD-L1 stimulation on critical metabolic pathways of glucose and fatty acid metabolisms that have important roles in proliferation and survival of leukemic cells.

Methods

After confirmation of PD-L1 expression by flow cytometry assay, we used recombinant protein PD-1 for stimulation of the PD-L1 on two AML cell lines, HL-60 and THP-1. Then we examined the effect of PD-L1 stimulation on glucose and fatty acid metabolism in cells at the genomic and metabolomic levels in a time dependent manner. We investigated expression changes of rate limiting enzymes of theses metabolic pathways (G6PD, HK-2, CPT1A, ATGL1 and ACC1) by qRT-PCR and also the relative abundance changes of free fatty acids of medium by GC.

Results

We identified a correlation between PD-L1 stimulation and both fatty acid and glucose metabolism. The PD-L1 stimulated cells showed an influence in the pentose phosphate pathway and glycolysis by increasing expression of G6PD and HK-2 (P value = 0.0001). Furthermore, PD-L1 promoted fatty acid β-oxidation by increasing expression of CPT1A (P value = 0.0001), however, their fatty acid synthesis was decreased by reduction of ACC1 expression (P value = 0.0001).

Conclusion

We found that PD-L1 can promote proliferation and survival of AML stem cells probably through some metabolic changes in leukemic cells. Pentose phosphate pathway that has a critical role in cell proliferation and fatty acids β-oxidation that promote cell survival, both are increased by PD-L1 stimulation on AML cells.
The outcomes of endoscopic orbital decompression combined with fat decompression for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy
Authors: Ye Yunyan , Hu Feng , Ji Yuanfei , Wang Ruijun , Zhu Kexuan , Kong Qiao
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To present the clinical features of thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) with different CT types, and to report the outcomes of endoscopic orbital decompression combined with fat decompression (EOD-FD).

Patients and methods

Thirty-four patients with TAO who underwent EOD-FD between December 2020 and March 2022 in the Ophthalmology Department of Li Huili Hospital Affiliated with Ningbo University, were included in this retrospective interventional case series. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the results of computerized tomography (CT) scans: muscle expansion type and fat hyperplasia type.

Results

Thirty-four TAO patients (55 eyes) were included in this study, and the mean age was 38.62 years (range 22–60 years). The average eye protrusion (EP) reduced from preoperative 23.20 mm to postoperative 19.66 mm (p < 0.0001). Mean intraocular pressure (IOP) decreased from 20.11 mmHg at baseline to 17.29 mmHg postoperatively (p < 0.0001), with a reduction of 2.84 mmHg (14.12%). Twenty cases of muscle expansion and fourteen cases of fat hyperplasia were definite by CT imaging. The mean IOP in the muscle expansion group was higher than that in the fat hyperplasia group (p < 0.05). Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) occurred in 23 eyes (36.11%), and it was associated with extraocular muscle involvement, gender, and EP. In 3 cases of impaired vision, the mean best corrected visual acuity (VA) improved from 0.4 preoperatively to 0.84 postoperatively (p < 0.01). There were 8 cases with visual field (VF) damage and/or corneal epithelium damage, and all these damages were reversible.

Conclusion

In this study, we describe the clinical features and experience of EOD-FD in patients with TAO. EOD-FD is an effective technique in reducing IOP and proptosis, with a low incidence of postoperative diplopia.
Evaluation and comparison of ocular biometric parameters obtained with Tomey OA-2000 in silicone oil-filled aphakic eyes
Authors: Xiong Yongqun , Lin Yongdong , Zhao Zifeng , Wang Hongxi , Zhang Guihua
Published: May 2023

Purpose

To evaluate a new non-contact instrument (OA-2000) measuring the ocular biometry parameters of silicone oil (SO)-filled aphakic eyes, as compared with IOLMaster 700.

Methods

Forty SO-filled aphakic eyes of 40 patients were enrolled in this cross-sectional clinical trial. The axial length (AL), central corneal thickness (CCT), keratometry ((flattest keratometry) Kf and (steep keratometry, 90° apart from Kf) Ks), and axis of the Kf (Ax1) were measured with OA-2000 and IOLMaster 700. The coefficient of variation (CoV) was calculated to assess the repeatability. The correlation was evaluated by the Pearson coefficient. Bland-Altman analysis and paired t test were used to analyze the agreements and differences of parameters measured by the two devices, respectively.

Results

The mean AL obtained with the OA-2000 was 23.57 ± 0.93 mm (range: 21.50 to 25.68 mm), and that obtained with the IOLMaster 700 was 23.69 ± 0.94 mm (range: 21.85 to 25.86 mm), resulting in a mean offset of 0.124 ± 0.125 mm (p < 0.001). The mean offset of CCT measured by OA-2000 and IOLMaster 700 was 14.6 ± 7.5 μm (p < 0.001). However, the Kf, Ks and Ax1 values from the two devices were comparable (p > 0.05). All the measured parameters of the two devices showed strong linear correlations (all r ≥ 0.966). The Bland-Altman analysis showed a narrow 95% limits of agreement (LoA) of Kf, Ks and AL, but 95%LoA of CCT and Ax1 was wide, which were − 29.3 ~ 0.1 μm and-25.9 ~ 30.7°respectively. The CoVs of the biometric parameters obtained with OA-2000 were lower than 1%.

Conclusion

In SO-filled aphakic eyes, the ocular parameters (including AL, Kf, Ks, Ax1, and CCT) measured by the OA-2000 and IOLMaster 700 had a good correlation. Two devices had an excellent agreement on ocular biometric measurements of Kf, Ks and AL. The OA-2000 provided excellent repeatability of ocular parameters in SO-filled aphakic eyes.
SARS-CoV-2 infection prevention and control measures in Belgian schools between December 2020 and June 2021 and their association with seroprevalence: a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort study
Authors: Callies Milena , Kabouche Ines , Desombere Isabelle , Merckx Joanna , Roelants Mathieu , Vermeulen Melissa , Duysburgh Els
Published: May 2023

Background

To protect school-aged children from the potential consequences of a new viral infection, public health authorities recommended to implement infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in school settings. Few studies evaluated the implementation of these measures and their effect on SARS-CoV-2 infection rates among pupils and staff. The aim of this study was to describe the implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures in Belgian schools and assess its relation to the prevalence of anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies among pupils and staff.

Methods

We conducted a prospective cohort study in a representative sample of primary and secondary schools in Belgium between December 2020 and June 2021. The implementation of IPC measures in schools was assessed using a questionnaire. Schools were classified according to their compliance with the implementation of IPC measures as ‘poor’, ‘moderate’ or ‘thorough’. Saliva samples were collected from pupils and staff to determine the SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence. To assess the association between the strength of implementation of IPC measures and SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among pupils and staff, we conducted a cross-sectional analysis using the data collected in December 2020/January 2021.

Results

A variety of IPC measures (ventilation, hygiene and physical distancing) was implemented by more than 60% of schools, with most attention placed on hygiene measures. In January 2021, poor implementation of IPC measures was associated with an increase in anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody prevalence among pupils from 8.6% (95%CI: 4.5 – 16.6) to 16.7% (95%CI: 10.2 – 27.4) and staff from 11.5% (95%CI: 8.1 – 16.4) to 17.6% (95%CI: 11.5 – 27.0). This association was only statistically significant for the assessment of all IPC measures together in the population comprised of pupils and staff.

Conclusions

Belgian schools were relatively compliant with recommended IPC measures at the school level.

Higher SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence among pupils and staff was found in schools with poor implementation of IPC measures, compared to schools with thorough implementation.

Trial registration

This trial is registered under the NCT04613817 ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier on November 3, 2020.
From farm to table: exploring food handling and hygiene practices of meat and milk value chain actors in Ethiopia
Authors: Nyokabi Ndungu S. , Phelan Lisette , Gemechu Gizachew , Berg Stefan , Lindahl Johanna F. , Mihret Adane , Wood James L. N. , Moore Henrietta L.
Published: May 2023

Livestock value chains constitute a source of livelihood for meat and milk value chain actors in Ethiopia, from dairy farmers to other associated value chain actors such as milk traders, abattoir workers, public health officials, veterinarians, butcheries selling meats, milk cooperatives, artisanal milk processors, and transporters. The development of these livestock value chains, however, is constrained by poor food safety and quality, while consumers are also exposed to public health risks due to milk and meat value chain actors’ food handling and hygiene practices.

This study used Photovoice and participant observation to explore meat and milk value chain actors’ food handling and hygiene practices in suburban areas of Addis Ababa and neighbouring Oromia in Ethiopia. The results of this study reveal that milk and meat value chain actors’ food handling practices are not aligned with the recommended Ethiopian food safety and quality standards. Low compliance with food safety and quality standards reflected a combination of factors such as lack of incentives, poor road infrastructure and low enforcement of food safety standards.

Participatory and visual research methods enable a researcher to collect context-aware data that can lead to the development of policies and intervention strategies that reflect local needs and priorities. The results of this study affirm the need to identify socially acceptable and economically viable policies and intervention strategies that are acceptable to all chain actors; and suggest there is an imperative to train milk and meat value chain actors on good hygiene handling practices, improve road infrastructure, and facilitate access equipment such as fridges and freezers that can contribute to maintaining food safety and quality.
A pilot study on pyroptosis related genes in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of non-small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Song Ruoyu , Wu Yongbin , He Shijun , Chen Wanxin , Chen Huan , Wang Qianlu , Wang Shouman , Xiao Lan , Tan Sichuang , Tan Sipin
Published: May 2023

Objective

To investigate the GSDMD, CASP1, CASP4 and CASP5 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of non-small cell lung cancer patients and analyze their clinical significance.

Methods

71 non-small cell lung cancer patients were selected as the study group and 50 healthy individuals as the control group. The GSDMD, CASP1, CASP4 and CASP5 expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of the two groups were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR. The GSDMD, CASP1, CASP4, CASP5 expression and their relationship with the clinical characteristics of the patients were analyzed.

Results

Compared with the control group, the GSDMD, CASP4 and CASP5 expression in PBMCs of lung cancer patients was significantly higher(P < 0.05). Lymph node metastasis had significant difference with the CASP4 and GSDMD expression (P < 0.05); tumor volume had significant difference with CASP1 and CASP5 expression (P < 0.05). The areas under predictive ROC curve of the GSDMD, CASP1, CASP4, and CASP5 mRNA expression were 0.629(P < 0.05), 0.574(p > 0.05), 0.701(P < 0.05) and 0.628(P < 0.05), the sensitivity values were 84.5%, 67.6% 43.7%, and 84.3%;the specificity values were 42%, 52%, 84% and 64%, respectively.

Conclusion

GSDMD, CASP1, CASP4 and CASP5 gene expression are highly increased in PBMCs of non-small cell lung cancer patients and their expression are closely related to the clinical characteristics of patients. The early enhanced pyroptosis-related gene expression may be potential molecular markers for early diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer.
Utility of robotic surgery for Siewert type II/III adenocarcinoma of esophagogastric junction: transhiatal robotic versus laparoscopic approach
Authors: Nishi Masaaki , Wada Yuma , Yoshikawa Kozo , Takasu Chie , Tokunaga Takuya , Nakao Toshihiro , Kashihara Hideya , Yoshimoto Toshiaki , Shimada Mitsuo
Published: May 2023

Background

Robotic surgery (RS) has been rapidly adopted for gastric cancer and adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction (AEG). However, the utility of RS for Siewert type II/III AEG remains unclear.

Methods

Forty-one patients who underwent either transhiatal RS (n = 15) or laparoscopic surgery (LS) (n = 26) for Siewert type II/III AEG were enrolled in this study. The surgical outcomes of the two groups were compared.

Results

In the entire cohort, there were no significant intergroup differences in the operative time, blood loss volume, or number of retrieved lymph nodes. The length of the postoperative hospital stay was shorter in the RS group than in the LS group (14.20 ± 7.10 days vs. 18.73 ± 17.82 days, respectively; p = 0.0388). The morbidity rate (Clavien–Dindo grade ≥ 2) was similar between the groups. In the Siewert II cohort, there were no significant intergroup differences in short-term outcomes. In the entire cohort, there was no significant difference between the RS and LS groups in the 3-year overall survival rate (91.67% vs. 91.48%, N.S.) or 3-year disease-free survival rate (91.67% vs. 91.78%, N.S.), respectively. Likewise, in the Siewert type II cohort, there was no significant difference between the RS and LS groups in the 3-year overall survival rate (80.00% vs. 93.33%, N.S.) or 3-year disease-free survival rate (80.00% vs. 94.12%, N.S.), respectively.

Conclusions

Transhiatal RS for Siewert II/III AEG was safe and contributed to similar short-term and long-term outcomes compared with LS.
Prominent osteolysis in the maxilla: case report of an odontogenic fibroma mimicking a cyst
Authors: Raabe Clemens , Dettmer Matthias , Baumhoer Daniel , Suter Valerie G. A.
Published: May 2023

Background

Odontogenic fibroma (OF) is a rare benign odontogenic tumor of ectomesenchymal origin, mostly affecting the tooth-bearing portions of the jaws in middle-aged patients. Whilst small lesions tend to be clinically asymptomatic, varying unspecific clinical symptoms occur with an increase in size and may mimic odontogenic or other maxillofacial bone tumors, cysts, or fibro-osseous lesions of the jaws.

Case presentation

A 31-year-old female patient presented with a hard, non-fluctuating protrusion in the vestibule of the upper right maxilla. It was visualized on cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) as space-occupying osteolysis with the displacement of the floor and facial wall of the maxillary sinus, mimicking a cyst-like lesion. The tissue was surgically removed and identified as an OF in the histopathological examination. One year after the surgery, restitution of regular sinus anatomy and physiological intraoral findings were observed.

Conclusions

This case report emphasizes that rare entities, like the maxillary OF presented, often demonstrate nonspecific clinical and radiological findings. Nevertheless, clinicians need to consider rare entities as possible differential diagnoses and plan the treatment accordingly. Histopathological examination is essential to conclude the diagnosis. OF rarely recur after proper enucleation.
Protocol for the promoting resilience in stress management (PRISM) intervention: a multi-site randomized controlled trial for adolescents and young adults with advanced cancer
Authors: O’Daffer Alison , Comiskey Liam , Scott Samantha R. , Zhou Chuan , Bradford Miranda C. , Yi-Frazier Joyce P. , Rosenberg Abby R.
Published: May 2023

Background

Adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with cancer are at high risk of poor psychosocial outcomes, and evidence-based interventions designed to meet their psychosocial and communication needs are lacking. The main objective of this project is to test the efficacy of a new adaptation of the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management intervention for AYAs with Advanced Cancer (PRISM-AC).

Methods/design

The PRISM-AC trial is a 2-arm, parallel, non-blinded, multisite, randomized controlled trial. 144 participants with advanced cancer will be enrolled and randomized to either usual, non-directive, supportive care without PRISM-AC (“control” arm) or with PRISM-AC (“experimental” arm). PRISM is a manualized, skills-based training program comprised of four 30–60 min, one-on-one sessions targeting AYA-endorsed resilience resources (stress-management, goal-setting, cognitive-reframing, and meaning-making). It also includes a facilitated family meeting and a fully equipped smartphone app. The current adaptation includes an embedded advance care planning module. English- or Spanish-speaking individuals 12–24 years old with advanced cancer (defined as progressive, recurrent, or refractory disease, or any diagnosis associated with < 50% survival) receiving care at 4 academic medical centers are eligible. Patients’ caregivers are also eligible to participate in this study if they are able to speak and read English or Spanish, and are cognitively and physically able to participate. Participants in all groups complete surveys querying patient-reported outcomes at the time of enrollment and 3-, 6-, 9-, and 12-months post-enrollment. The primary outcome of interest is patient-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and secondary outcomes of interest include patient anxiety, depression, resilience, hope and symptom burden, parent/caregiver anxiety, depression and health-related quality of life, and family palliative care activation. We will conduct intention-to-treat analysis to compare the group means of primary and secondary outcomes between PRISM-AC arm and control arm with regression models.

Discussion

This study will provide methodologically rigorous data and evidence regarding a novel intervention to promote resilience and reduce distress among AYAs with advanced cancer. This research has the potential to offer a practical, skills-based curriculum designed to improve outcomes for this high-risk group.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier NCT03668223, September 12, 2018.
Structure and integration of specialty palliative care in three NCI-designated cancer centers: a mixed methods case study
Authors: Schifferdecker Karen E. , Butcher Rebecca L. , Murray Genevra F. , Knutzen Kristin E. , Kapadia Nirav S. , Brooks Gabriel A. , Wasp Garrett T. , Eggly Susan , Hanson Laura C. , Rocque Gabrielle B. , Perry Amanda N. , Barnato Amber E.
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Early access to specialty palliative care is associated with better quality of life, less intensive end-of-life treatment and improved outcomes for patients with advanced cancer. However, significant variation exists in implementation and integration of palliative care. This study compares the organizational, sociocultural, and clinical factors that support or hinder palliative care integration across three U.S. cancer centers using an in-depth mixed methods case study design and proposes a middle range theory to further characterize specialty palliative care integration.

Methods

Mixed methods data collection included document review, semi-structured interviews, direct clinical observation, and context data related to site characteristics and patient demographics. A mixed inductive and deductive approach and triangulation was used to analyze and compare sites’ palliative care delivery models, organizational structures, social norms, and clinician beliefs and practices.

Results

Sites included an urban center in the Midwest and two in the Southeast. Data included 62 clinician and 27 leader interviews, observations of 410 inpatient and outpatient encounters and seven non-encounter-based meetings, and multiple documents. Two sites had high levels of “favorable” organizational influences for specialty palliative care integration, including screening, policies, and other structures facilitating integration of specialty palliative care into advanced cancer care. The third site lacked formal organizational policies and structures for specialty palliative care, had a small specialty palliative care team, espoused an organizational identity linked to treatment innovation, and demonstrated strong social norms for oncologist primacy in decision making. This combination led to low levels of specialty palliative care integration and greater reliance on individual clinicians to initiate palliative care.

Conclusion

Integration of specialty palliative care services in advanced cancer care was associated with a complex interaction of organization-level factors, social norms, and individual clinician orientation. The resulting middle range theory suggests that formal structures and policies for specialty palliative care combined with supportive social norms are associated with greater palliative care integration in advanced cancer care, and less influence of individual clinician preferences or tendencies to continue treatment. These results suggest multi-faceted efforts at different levels, including social norms, may be needed to improve specialty palliative care integration for advanced cancer patients.
Prevalence of child marriage and associated factors among reproductive age women in Harari regional state, eastern Ethiopia, 2022: a community-based study
Authors: Lami Magarsa , Negash Abraham , Eyeberu Addis , Birhanu Abdi , Debella Adera , Getachew Tamirat , Berhanu Bekelu , Balis Bikila , Bete Tilahun , Abdeta Tilahun , Nigussie Shambel , Bogale Kasahun , Bekele Dechasa Deribe , Sertsu Addisu , Gemechu Kabtamu , Wodaje Dawud , Nigussie Kabtamu , Alemu Ayichew , Kibret Haregeweyn , Bayu Kefelegn , Meseret Fentahun , Abinew Yideg , Wondimneh Fenta , Dirirsa Gebisa , Gobena Abduro , Husen Jemal , Alemu Addisu , Dessie Yadeta
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Child marriage is a union before the age of 18 and a violation of human right. Around 21% of young women in the world married before reaching the age of 18. Every year, 10 million girls under the age of 18 are married. Child marriage causes lifetime suffering, and its abolition was one component of the Sustainable Development Goal to achieve gender equality and empower women and girls. However; abolition of child marriage by 2030 will not happen because its prevalence in the community has remained stable.

Objective

To assess the prevalence of child marriage and its associated factors among reproductive-age women from March 7 to April 5, 2022 in Harari Regional State, eastern Ethiopia.

Methods

Community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March 7 to April 5, 2022 among the reproductive age group in the Harari Region state, Eastern Ethiopia. A systematic random sampling technique was used to find study participants. Data were obtained by face-to-face interview using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, input into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using Stata version 16. The proportion with 95% confidence interval (CI) and the summery measure were used to report the prevalence. A multivariable logistic regression analysis model was used to examine associated factors, and the results were provided as an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval.

Result

In this study 986 were responded to the interview, making response rate of 99.6%. The median age of study participants was 22 years. The prevalence of child marriage was 33.7% [95% CI: 30.8–36.7] in this study. Being a Muslim (AOR = 2.30, 95% CI = 1.26, 4.19), diploma or higher level of education (AOR = 0.26, 95%CI = .10, 0.70), rural residence (AOR = 5.39, 95% CI = 3.71, 7.82), a marriage arranged by others (AOR = 2.68, 95% CI = 1.49, 4.82) and not knowing legal age of marriage (AOR = 4.49, 95% CI = 2.57, 7.85) were significantly associated with child marriage.

Conclusion

According to this report, nearly one out of every three women engages in child marriage. The practice was more common among those with lower educational attainment, those who lived in rural areas, people who were unaware of the legal age of marriage, and those whose engagement was decided by others. Focusing on strategies that allow for intervention in these factors is beneficial in ending child marriage, which has a direct and indirect impact on women's health and educational achievement.
Effects of informal learner handover in clinical dental education
Authors: Shahid Mehvish , Khan Rehan Ahmad , Arooj Mahwish
Published: May 2023

Background

It is currently under discussion whether Learner Handovers (LH) are beneficial, disadvantageous, or useful in Health Professions Education. Research has not been conducted to determine the extent of existing informal learner handover (ILH) through faculty discussions. In addition to providing stakeholders with added context, examining the nature of ILH may also provide insight into the bias associated with Learner Handover.

Methods

Transcripts from a series of semi-structured Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and interviews (from January to March 2022) were iteratively reviewed to identify relevant patterns and correlations. The study involved the voluntary participation of 16 active clinical dental faculty members with a variety of designations. We did not discard any opinions.

Results

It was found that ILH had a mild impact on students' training. ILH effects can be categorized into four key areas: (1) faculty behavior with students, (2) faculty expectations from students, 3) teaching approach, and 4) faculty feedback practices. Furthermore, five additional factors were identified as having a greater influence on ILH practices.

Conclusions

In clinical dental training, ILH has a minor effect on faculty-student interactions. Faculty perceptions and ILH are strongly influenced by other factors contributing to the student's 'academic reputation. As a result, student-faculty interactions are never free of prior influences, so stakeholders need to take them into consideration when creating a formal LH.