bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Scaling relations between seismic moment and rupture area of earthquakes in stable continental regions
Authors: Somerville Paul
Published: February 2021

This article describes the development of scaling relations between seismic moment and rupture area of earthquakes in stable continental regions (SCRs). The article reviews the relations developed by Somerville and compares them with relations developed by other investigators. It also compares the scaling relations of SCR earthquakes with those in tectonically active continental regions (TCRs). Three different methods of estimating rupture area, based on aftershocks, slip models, and duration methods were used by Somerville to analyze the relation between seismic moment and rupture area, using earthquake source parameters compiled from published literature. For each category of data, the relations obtained were not significantly different from those obtained by constraining them to be self-similar (scale-invariant), so self-similar relations were adopted. The stress drops corresponding to these scaling relations range from 51 to 86 bars, with an average of 65 bars. This value is comparable with the value of 58 bars obtained by Leonard, and it is recommended that the Leonard scaling relations for SCR earthquakes be used for the NGA East Project. To a first approximation, the results of Somerville and those of Somerville et al. indicate that the rupture areas of SCR earthquakes are about half those of TCR earthquakes, and their stress drops are about 2.8 times higher. Allmann and Shearer find less of a difference, presumably because their intraplate category includes some earthquakes that we would assign to TCR instead of SCR. Their study indicates that the rupture areas of intraplate earthquakes are about two-thirds those of TCR earthquakes, and their stress drops are about 2 times higher.
Impaired adhesion of neutrophils expressing Slc44a2/HNA-3b to VWF protects against NETosis under venous shear rates
Authors: Zirka Gaïa , Robert Philippe , Tilburg Julia , Tishkova Victoria , Maracle Chrissta X. , Legendre Paulette , van Vlijmen Bart J. M. , Alessi Marie-Christine , Lenting Peter J. , Morange Pierre-Emmanuel , Thomas Grace M.
Published: February 2021

Genome-wide association studies linked expression of the human neutrophil antigen 3b (HNA-3b) epitope on the Slc44a2 protein with a 30% decreased risk of venous thrombosis (VT) in humans. Slc44a2 is a ubiquitous transmembrane protein identified as a receptor for von Willebrand factor (VWF). To explain the link between Slc44a2 and VT, we wanted to determine how Slc44a2 expressing either HNA-3a or HNA-3b on neutrophils could modulate their adhesion and activation on VWF under flow. Transfected HEK293T cells or neutrophils homozygous for the HNA-3a– or HNA-3b–coding allele were purified from healthy donors and perfused in flow chambers coated with VWF at venous shear rates (100 s−1). HNA-3a expression was required for Slc44a2-mediated neutrophil adhesion to VWF at 100 s−1. This adhesion could occur independently of β2 integrin and was enhanced when neutrophils were preactivated with lipopolysaccharide. Moreover, specific shear conditions with high neutrophil concentration could act as a “second hit,” inducing the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps. Neutrophil mobilization was also measured by intravital microscopy in venules from SLC44A2-knockout and wild-type mice after histamine-induced endothelial degranulation. Mice lacking Slc44a2 showed a massive reduction in neutrophil recruitment in inflamed mesenteric venules. Our results show that Slc44a2/HNA-3a is important for the adhesion and activation of neutrophils in veins under inflammation and when submitted to specific shears. The fact that neutrophils expressing Slc44a2/HNA-3b have a different response on VWF in the conditions tested could thus explain the association between HNA-3b and a reduced risk for VT in humans.
Impact of concurrency on the performance of a whole exome sequencing pipeline
Authors: Dall’Olio Daniele , Curti Nico , Fonzi Eugenio , Sala Claudia , Remondini Daniel , Castellani Gastone , Giampieri Enrico
Published: February 2021

Background

Current high-throughput technologies—i.e. whole genome sequencing, RNA-Seq, ChIP-Seq, etc.—generate huge amounts of data and their usage gets more widespread with each passing year. Complex analysis pipelines involving several computationally-intensive steps have to be applied on an increasing number of samples. Workflow management systems allow parallelization and a more efficient usage of computational power. Nevertheless, this mostly happens by assigning the available cores to a single or few samples’ pipeline at a time. We refer to this approach as naive parallel strategy (NPS). Here, we discuss an alternative approach, which we refer to as concurrent execution strategy (CES), which equally distributes the available processors across every sample’s pipeline.

Results

Theoretically, we show that the CES results, under loose conditions, in a substantial speedup, with an ideal gain range spanning from 1 to the number of samples. Also, we observe that the CES yields even faster executions since parallelly computable tasks scale sub-linearly. Practically, we tested both strategies on a whole exome sequencing pipeline applied to three publicly available matched tumour-normal sample pairs of gastrointestinal stromal tumour. The CES achieved speedups in latency up to 2–2.4 compared to the NPS.

Conclusions

Our results hint that if resources distribution is further tailored to fit specific situations, an even greater gain in performance of multiple samples pipelines execution could be achieved. For this to be feasible, a benchmarking of the tools included in the pipeline would be necessary. It is our opinion these benchmarks should be consistently performed by the tools’ developers. Finally, these results suggest that concurrent strategies might also lead to energy and cost savings by making feasible the usage of low power machine clusters.
lncEvo: automated identification and conservation study of long noncoding RNAs
Authors: Bryzghalov Oleksii , Makałowska Izabela , Szcześniak Michał Wojciech
Published: February 2021

Background

Long noncoding RNAs represent a large class of transcripts with two common features: they exceed an arbitrary length threshold of 200 nt and are assumed to not encode proteins. Although a growing body of evidence indicates that the vast majority of lncRNAs are potentially nonfunctional, hundreds of them have already been revealed to perform essential gene regulatory functions or to be linked to a number of cellular processes, including those associated with the etiology of human diseases. To better understand the biology of lncRNAs, it is essential to perform a more in-depth study of their evolution. In contrast to protein-encoding transcripts, however, they do not show the strong sequence conservation that usually results from purifying selection; therefore, software that is typically used to resolve the evolutionary relationships of protein-encoding genes and transcripts is not applicable to the study of lncRNAs.

Results

To tackle this issue, we developed lncEvo, a computational pipeline that consists of three modules: (1) transcriptome assembly from RNA-Seq data, (2) prediction of lncRNAs, and (3) conservation study—a genome-wide comparison of lncRNA transcriptomes between two species of interest, including search for orthologs. Importantly, one can choose to apply lncEvo solely for transcriptome assembly or lncRNA prediction, without calling the conservation-related part.

Conclusions

lncEvo is an all-in-one tool built with the Nextflow framework, utilizing state-of-the-art software and algorithms with customizable trade-offs between speed and sensitivity, ease of use and built-in reporting functionalities. The source code of the pipeline is freely available for academic and nonacademic use under the MIT license athttps://gitlab.com/spirit678/lncrna_conservation_nf.
High genetic diversity and strong genetic structure of Strongyllodes variegatus populations in oilseed rape production areas of China
Authors: Zhan Hai-Xia , Hao Zhong-Ping , Tang Rui , Zhu Li-Ni , Zhou Jing-Jiang , Hou Shu-Min
Published: February 2021

Background

Strongyllodes variegatus (Fairmaire) is a major insect pest of oilseed rape in China. Despite its economic importance, the contribution of its population genetics in the development of any suitable protection control strategy for the management of oilseed rape crops is poorly studied. It is a much urgent need to prevent its spread to the rest of the world.

Results

Using the sequences of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) and cytochrome b (Cytb) as genetic markers, we analyzed the population genetic diversity and structure of 437 individuals collected from 15 S. variegatus populations located in different oilseed rape production areas in China. In addition, we estimated the demographic history using neutrality test and mismatch distribution analysis. The high level of genetic diversity was detected among the COI and Cytb sequences of S. variegatus. The population structure analyses strongly suggested three distinct genetic and geographical regions in China with limited gene flow. The Mantel test showed that the genetic distance was greatly influenced by the geographical distance. The demographic analyses showed that S. variegatus had experienced population fluctuation during the Pleistocene Epoch, which was likely to be related to the climatic changes.

Conclusion

Overall, these results demonstrate that the strong genetic structure of S. variegatus populations in China, which is attributed by the isolation through the geographical distance among populations, their weak flight capacity and subsequent adaptation to the regional ecological conditions.
Adaptive evolution driving the young duplications in six Rosaceae species
Authors: Zhong Yan , Zhang Xiaohui , Shi Qinglong , Cheng Zong-Ming
Published: February 2021

Background

In plant genomes, high proportions of duplicate copies reveals that gene duplications play an important role in the evolutionary processes of plant species. A series of gene families under positive selection after recent duplication events in plant genomes indicated the evolution of duplicates driven by adaptive evolution. However, the genome-wide evolutionary features of young duplicate genes among closely related species are rarely reported.

Results

In this study, we conducted a systematic survey of young duplicate genes at genome-wide levels among six Rosaceae species, whose whole-genome sequencing data were successively released in recent years. A total of 35,936 gene families were detected among the six species, in which 60.25% were generated by young duplications. The 21,650 young duplicate gene families could be divided into two expansion types based on their duplication patterns, species-specific and lineage-specific expansions. Our results showed the species-specific expansions advantaging over the lineage-specific expansions. In the two types of expansions, high-frequency duplicate domains exhibited functional preference in response to environmental stresses.

Conclusions

The functional preference of the young duplicate genes in both the expansion types showed that they were inclined to respond to abiotic or biotic stimuli. Moreover, young duplicate genes under positive selection in both species-specific and lineage-specific expansions suggested that they were generated to adapt to the environmental factors in Rosaceae species.
Left ventricular deformation mechanics over time in patients with thalassemia major with and without iron overload
Authors: Bonios Michael J. , Fountas Epameinontas , Delaporta Polyxeni , Kyrzopoulos Stamatis , Kattamis Antonis , Adamopoulos Stamatis N. , Tsiapras Dimitris
Published: February 2021

Background

Myocardial iron overload in patients with thalassemia major (TM) is one of the most important complications. The purpose of the study was to identify advanced echocardiography parameters for early identification of myocardial dysfunction during follow-up of patients with TM.

Methods

Forty TM patients who were 41 ± 5 years old were included in the study and divided into two groups according to cardiac magnetic resonance T2* results (Group 1: Τ2* > 25 ms, Group 2: Τ2* ≤ 25 ms). Liver T2* parameters were also measured. Conventional and deformational echocardiographic parameters were measured at baseline and approximately 2 years later.

Results

Thirty-two patients had Τ2* = 34 ± 4 ms (Group 1), and 8 had Τ2* = 17 ± 9 ms (Group 2). Blood consumption was 185 ± 60 and 199 ± 37 ml/kg/yr (p = 0.64), and liver T2* was 4 ± 5 and 17 ± 21 ms (p = 0.01) in Groups 1 and 2, respectively. At baseline, Group 1 had better left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) (− 22 ± 3 vs. − 18 ± 5, p = 0.01) and similar left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) (62 ± 5% vs. 58 ± 10%, p = 0.086) than Group 2. At the 28 ± 11-month follow-up, LVEF, GLS, and T2* values in Group 1 (63 ± 3%, − 21 ± 3%, 34 ± 4 ms) and Group 2 (56 ± 11%, − 17 ± 4%, 17 ± 9 ms) did not change significantly compared to their corresponding baseline values. In 8 patients from Group 1, a worsening (> 15%) in LS (p = 0.001) was detected during follow-up, with a marginal reduction in LVEF.

Conclusions

GLS seems to be an efficient echocardiographic parameter for detecting hemochromatosis-related cardiac dysfunction earlier than LVEF. It also seems to be affected by other factors (free radical oxygen, immunogenetic mechanisms or viral infections) in a minority of patients, underscoring the multifactorial etiology of cardiomyopathy.
Cervical lymph node enlargement as the initial manifestation of rectal cancer
Authors: Xie Tong-Hui , Su Peng , Hong Jian-Guo , Zhang Hui
Published: February 2021

Background

Colorectal cancer is a very common malignant tumor worldwide. The clinical manifestations of advanced colorectal cancer include the changes in bowel habits, hematochezia, diarrhea, local abdominal pain and other symptoms. However, the colorectal cancer with an initial symptom of cervical lymph node enlargement is extremely rare. In this article, we report a case of rectal cancer presenting with cervical lymph nodes enlargement as the initial symptom.

Case presentation

A 57-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital for cervical lymph node enlargement which was accidentally detected during physical examination. Computed tomography scan revealed multiple enlarged lymph nodes in the neck. Cervical ultrasound showed normal thyroid gland and multiple left supraclavicular lymph nodes enlargement. The patient underwent lymph nodes biopsy and pathologic results showed metastatic adenocarcinoma. The subsequent lower gastrointestinal endoscopy revealed a mucosal bulge lesion located at rectus and biopsy revealed adenocarcinoma. The patient underwent rectal cancer resection. She is alive with no evidence of recurrence or new tumors 2 years after surgery.

Conclusions

Cervical lymph node metastasis is a rare metastatic way in colorectal cancer. This is the first case of rectal cancer presenting with cervical lymph nodes metastases as the initial symptom. Surgical resection combined with postoperative chemotherapy improved long-term prognosis of the patient. This rare metastatic way of rectal cancer should be paid attention for clinicians.
Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation treatment for peripartum depression: systematic review & meta-analysis
Authors: Lee Hyune June , Kim Sung Min , Kwon Ji Yean
Published: February 2021

Background

Peripartum depression is a common disorder with very high potential hazards for both the patients and their babies. The typical treatment options include antidepressants and electroconvulsive therapy. However, these treatments do not ensure the safety of the fetus. Recently, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation has emerged as a promising treatment for neuropathies as well as depression. Nevertheless, many studies excluded pregnant women. This systematic review was conducted to confirm whether repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation was a suitable treatment option for peripartum depression.

Methods

We performed a systematic review that followed the PRISMA guidelines. We searched for studies in the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Cochrane library databases published until the end of September 2020. Eleven studies were selected for the systematic review, and five studies were selected for quantitative synthesis. Data analysis was conducted using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis 3 software. The effect size was analyzed using the standardized mean difference, and the 95% confidence interval (CI) was determined by the generic inverse variance estimation method.

Results

The therapeutic effect size of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for peripartum depression was 1.394 (95% CI: 0.944–1.843), and the sensitivity analysis effect size was 1.074 (95% CI: 0.689–1.459), indicating a significant effect. The side effect size of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for peripartum depression was 0.346 (95% CI: 0.214–0.506), a meaningful result. There were no severe side effects to the mothers or fetuses.

Conclusions

From various perspectives, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can be considered an alternative treatment to treat peripartum depression to avoid exposure of fetuses to drugs and the severe side effects of electroconvulsive therapy. Further research is required to increase confidence in the results.
Association of term isolated microcephaly with mode of delivery and perinatal outcome - a retrospective case-control analysis
Authors: Bardin Ron , Krispin Eyal , Salman Lina , Navon Inbal , Shmueli Anat , Perlman Sharon , Gilboa Yinon , Hadar Eran
Published: February 2021

Background

We aimed to evaluate the association of isolated fetal microcephaly measured by ultrasound prior to delivery at term with mode of delivery and perinatal outcome.

Methods

A single-center retrospective study was conducted in 2012–2016. Fetal microcephaly was defined as head circumference > 2 standard deviations of the mean for gestational age and sex. We compared the obstetric, delivery, and outcome parameters of women in whom ultrasound performed up to 10 days prior to term delivery showed isolated fetal microcephaly (study group) or normal head circumference (reference group). Exclusion criteria were intrauterine fetal death, birthweight below the 10th percentile, and antepartum cesarean delivery for any indication.

Results

Of 3677 women included in the study, 26 (0.7%) had a late ultrasound finding of isolated fetal microcephaly. Baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups except for estimated fetal weight based on abdominal circumference and biparietal diameter, which was lower in the microcephaly group (3209.8 ± 557.6 vs. 2685.8 ± 420.8 g, p < .001). There was no significant between-group difference in rate of vaginal operative deliveries (11.7% vs 14.8%, respectively, p = 0.372). The study group had no intrapartum cesarean deliveries compared to 6.3% of the reference group (NS). Compared to controls, neonates in the study group were smaller (3323.2 ± 432.2 vs. 2957.0 ± 330.4 g, p < .001), with lower birthweight percentile (60.5 ± 26.5 vs. 33.6 ± 21.5%, p < .001) and were more often males (48.2 vs. 90.0%, p < .001). No significant differences were noted in perinatal outcomes between the groups, including admission to neonatal intensive care unit, intraventricular hemorrhage, 5-min Apgar score < 7, asphyxia, seizures, and sepsis.

Conclusions

Isolated microcephaly in term fetuses is not advantageous for a vaginal delivery, nor does it does not pose a greater than normal risk of adverse perinatal outcome.
Working memory deficits in schizophrenia are associated with the rs34884856 variant and expression levels of the NR4A2 gene in a sample Mexican population: a case control study
Authors: Ruiz-Sánchez Elizabeth , Jiménez-Genchi Janet , Alcántara-Flores Yessica M. , Castañeda-González Carlos J. , Aviña-Cervantes Carlos L. , Yescas Petra , del Socorro González-Valadez María , Martínez-Rodríguez Nancy , Ríos-Ortiz Antonio , González-González Martha , López-Navarro María E. , Rojas Patricia
Published: February 2021

Background

Cognitive functions represent useful endophenotypes to identify the association between genetic variants and schizophrenia. In this sense, the NR4A2 gene has been implicated in schizophrenia and cognition in different animal models and clinical trials. We hypothesized that the NR4A2 gene is associated with working memory performance in schizophrenia. This study aimed to analyze two variants and the expression levels of the NR4A2 gene with susceptibility to schizophrenia, as well as to evaluate whether possession of NR4A2 variants influence the possible correlation between gene expression and working memory performance in schizophrenia.

Methods

The current study included 187 schizophrenia patients and 227 controls genotyped for two of the most studied NR4A2 genetic variants in neurological and neuropsychiatric diseases. Genotyping was performed using High Resolution Melt and sequencing techniques. In addition, mRNA expression of NR4A2 was performed in peripheral mononuclear cells of 112 patients and 118 controls. A group of these participants, 54 patients and 87 controls, performed the working memory index of the WAIS III test.

Results

Both genotypic frequencies of the two variants and expression levels of the NR4A2 gene showed no significant difference when in patients versus controls. However, patients homozygous for the rs34884856 promoter variant showed a positive correlation between expression levels and auditory working memory.

Conclusions

Our finding suggested that changes in expression levels of the NR4A2 gene could be associated with working memory in schizophrenia depending on patients’ genotype in a sample from a Mexican population.
Shared decision making from reintegration professionals’ perspectives to support return to work: a qualitative study
Authors: Vooijs Marloes , van Kesteren Nicole M. C. , Hazelzet Astrid M. , Otten Wilma
Published: February 2021

Background

Work participation is an important determinant of public health; being unemployed leads to a decrease in an individual’s health. In the Netherlands, people with a work disability can apply for disability benefits, in which people also receive support to return to work (RTW). A method, currently used in the medical sector, that can include both the perspective of the reintegration professional and of the individual in the process of RTW, is shared decision making (SDM). In this article we explore to what extent reintegration professionals currently use SDM, and to what extent they prefer to use SDM in their ideal interaction with clients.

Methods

We performed semi-structured interviews with fourteen reintegration professionals from four different municipalities. The transcripts were coded according to content analysis, applying open and axial coding.

Results

Reintegration professionals emphasised the importance of having a good relationship with clients, of building trust and collaborating as a team. They did not inform their clients that they could be part of the decision-making process, or discussed a shared goal. Although professionals did emphasise the importance of aligning their approach with the preferences of the client and though they tried to offer some choice options, they did not mention available options, discussed the pros and cons of these options or evaluated decisions with their clients. Furthermore, they did not mention any of these aspects in their ideal interaction with clients.

Conclusions

SDM has a potential value, because all professionals underline the importance of having an alliance with clients, collaborating as a team, and striving to align their approach with the preferences of the client. However, professionals currently perform a limited set of SDM steps. Additional knowledge and skills are needed for both reintegration professionals and municipalities so that professionals can consider and reflect on the value of using SDM, or SDM steps, in supporting RTW. Providing clients with knowledge and skills seems necessary to facilitate both self-management and SDM.
Prematurity and body composition at 6, 18, and 30 years of age: Pelotas (Brazil) 2004, 1993, and 1982 birth cohorts
Authors: Bortolotto Caroline Cardozo , Santos Iná S. , dos Santos Vaz Juliana , Matijasevich Alicia , Barros Aluísio J. D. , Barros Fernando C. , Santos Leonardo Pozza , Munhoz Tiago Neuenfeld
Published: February 2021

Background

We aimed to investigate the association between preterm birth and body composition at 6, 18, and 30 years of age using data from three population-based birth cohort studies.

Methods

Gestational age (GA), defined by the date of the last menstrual period (categorized in ≤33, 34–36, and ≥ 37 weeks), was gathered in the first 24-h after delivery for all live births occurring in the city of Pelotas, Brazil, in 2004, 1993 and 1982. Body composition was assessed by air-displacement plethysmography. Outcomes included fat mass (FM, kg), percent FM (%FM), FM index (FMI, kg/m2), fat-free mass (FFM, kg); percent FFM (%FFM), FFM index (FFMI, kg/m2), body mass index (BMI, kg/m2 at 18 years in the 1993 cohort and 30 years in the 1982 cohort), and BMI Z-score (at 6 years in the 2004 cohort). We further explored the association of birth weight for GA with body composition indicators and BMI. Crude and adjusted linear regressions provided beta coefficients with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI).

Results

A total of 3036, 3027, and 3369 participants, respectively, from the 2004, 1993, and 1982 cohorts were analyzed. At 6 years, preterm boys (born at 34–36 weeks) presented lower adjusted mean of FM (β = − 0.80 kg, − 1.45;-0.16, p = 0.046), %FM (β = − 2.39%, − 3.90;-0.88, p = 0.008), FMI (β = − 0.70 kg/m2, − 1.13;-0.27, p = 0.004) as well as lower FFM (β = − 0.4 kg, − 0.77; − 0.12, p = 0.010) and FFMI (β = − 0.3 kg/m2, − 0.46;-0.10, p < 0.001), and BMI Z-score (β = − 0.69,; − 0.99;-0.40, p < 0.001); but higher %FFM (β = 2.4%, 0.87;-3.90, p = 0.008), when compared to boys born at term (≥37). At 30 years, FM (15.7 kg, 0.25;31.1, p = 0.102) was higher among males born at ≤33 weeks. No association was observed for females from the three cohorts and for 18-year-old males. The association of birth weight for GA with body composition and BMI was not significant in any cohort. At 6 years, SGA boys had lower FFMI than boys AGA.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that preterm birth is associated with decreased body fat and fat-free mass in childhood but higher fat mass in adulthood. Nevertheless, results were only significant for males. SGA boys also showed lower FFMI.
Perspectives of parents of working adolescents in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Shankar Viswanathan , Runyan Carol W. , Harpin Scott B. , Lewko John
Published: February 2021

Background

More than half of adolescents have jobs in summer or sometime during the year. While employers are ultimately responsible for their safety, parents are often important in helping their children navigate the work environment. Our study examines the attitudes, beliefs and types of involvement parents have in their children’s work.

Methods

We modeled a telephone survey of 507 English-speaking parents of working adolescents in Ontario, Canada on a US study and examined their perspectives, comparing to earlier findings from the U.S. parents.

Results

Most Ontario parents helped their teens consider questions to ask about work, for example, work hours (90.7%) and job tasks (78.2%) and fewer about workplace safety (57.9%). Parents overall were concerned about their teens, especially younger teens, getting behind on schoolwork (69.3%), being rushed on the job (60.1%) and doing hazardous tasks (58.3%) or working alone (51.9%), or being at work during a robbery (74.5%). Parents of 14–17-year-old daughters were more concerned about their child being assaulted than were parents of sons (62.4% vs. 51.4%), particularly if the teen was in the 18–19 age group (74.3% vs. 52.5%). Half the parents indicated 10–19 h per week was the right amount of work time for their teen, and most agreed that laws should limit the number of hours of youth work.

Conclusions

Overall, Ontario parents appear to be more concerned about the safety and also more involved in the work of their adolescent children than U.S. parents previously surveyed. Parents are engaged with their children about their work and may serve as valuable assets to helping to advocate for safe work policies and environments.
Comparing two interdisciplinary occupational rehabilitation programs for employees on sick leave: a mixed-method design study protocol
Authors: Eftedal Monica , Tveito Torill H. , Gensby Ulrik , Islam M. Kamrul , Lie Stein Atle , Aasland Gro , Kostveit Svein , Jensen Chris
Published: February 2021

Background

Musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) and common mental disorders (CMDs) are the most frequent reasons for long-term sick leave and work disability. Occupational rehabilitation programs are used to help employees return to work (RTW). However, knowledge regarding the effect of these programs is scarce, and even less is known about which programs are best suited for which patients. This study aims to compare the RTW results of two interdisciplinary occupational rehabilitation programs in Norway, as well as to examine the delivery and reception of the two programs and explore the active mechanisms of the participants’ RTW processes.

Methods/design

We will use a mixed-method convergent design to study the main outcome. Approximately 600 participants will be included in the study. Eligible study participants will be aged 18–60 years old and have been on sick leave due to MSDs, CMDs, or both for at least 6 weeks. Interdisciplinary teams at both participating clinics will deliver complex occupational rehabilitation programs. The inpatient rehabilitation program has a duration of 4 weeks and is full time. The outpatient program has a duration of 3 months and involves weekly sessions. The primary outcome is RTW. Secondary outcomes are differences in the incremental cost for an averted sick leave day, cost utility/benefit, and differences between the programs regarding improvements in known modifiable obstacles to RTW. Subgroup analyses are planned. The researchers will be blinded to the intervention groups when analyzing the quantitative RTW data.

Discussion

This study aims to provide new insights regarding occupational rehabilitation interventions, treatment targets, and outcomes for different subgroups of sick-listed employees and to inform discussions on the active working mechanisms of occupational rehabilitation and the influence of context in the return-to-work process.

Trial registration

Current controlled trials ISRCTN12033424, 15.10.2014, retrospectively registered.
Predicting the quality of life based on pain dimensions and psychiatric symptoms in patients with Painful diabetic neuropathy: a cross-sectional prevalence study in Iranian patients
Authors: Davoudi Mohammadreza , Rezaei Parnian , Rajaeiramsheh Fereshteh , Ahmadi Seyed Majid , Taheri Amir Abbas
Published: February 2021

Background

This study aimed to predict the quality of life (QOL) in patients with Painful Diabetic Neuropathy (PDN) based on pain severity, pain catastrophizing, pain acceptance, depression, anxiety, and sleep disturbance. Also, this study was aimed to assess the prevalence of psychiatric symptoms in Iranian patients with PDN.

Method

1120 patients (mean age, 53.6 ± 12.6 years) participated in the research. Data were collected by the Quality of life questionnaire (NeuroQoL); Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, the visual analog scale for pain severity, Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), Chronic Pain Acceptance Questionnaire (CPAQ) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Finally, the data were analyzed using SPSS-26 by multiple regression analysis.

Results

The results showed the regression models’ significance, and the dependent variables predicted 42% of total changes in the QOL. The most significant predicting factors were depression, pain catastrophizing, pain acceptance, pain severity, sleep disturbance, and anxiety in order. In patients with PDN, the prevalence of sleep disturbances, depression, and anxiety were 85.5%, 68.2%, and 62.1%, respectively. Also, comorbid depression and anxiety were found in 47% of patients.

Conclusion

Results demonstrated a significant relationship between pain-related and psychiatric dimensions with QOL. Thus, it is suggested to design more specific psychological-based rehabilitation interventions in which these variables are considered. They should focus on more significant variables (such as depression and pain catastrophizing) to reach better treatment outcomes. Furthermore, this research shows a high level of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance in Iranian patients with PDN. Thus, experts and clinicians are suggested to focus on reducing these psychiatric symptoms.
Exogenous bacterial DnaK increases protein kinases activity in human cancer cell lines
Authors: Benedetti Francesca , Curreli Sabrina , Gallo Robert C. , Zella Davide
Published: February 2021

Background

Studies of molecular mechanisms underlying tumor cell signaling highlighted a critical role for kinases in carcinogenesis and cancer progression. To this regard, protein kinases regulates a number of critical cellular pathways by adding phosphate groups to specific substrates. For this reason, their involvement in the complex interactions between the human microbiota and cancer cells to determine therapy and tumor progression outcome is becoming increasingly relevant. Mycoplasmas are components of the normal human microbiota, and several species have also been associated to human diseases, including certain cancers. It is also important to note that Mycoplasmas and their proteins are a component of the common tumor microenvironment. In addition, several epidemiological, in vivo and in vitro studies indicate a close involvement of Mycoplasmas in cellular transformation and cancer progression.

Methods

In this study, we investigate the effect of exogenous Mycoplasma DnaK on kinases activity by treating in vitro four different eukaryotic cancer cell lines, namely lung and prostate cancer, colon adenocarcinoma, and neuroblastoma. Phosphorylation of kinases and specific substrates was measured at 20 and 60 min.

Results

Kinome analysis of our data indicates that Mycoplasma DnaK promotes the dysregulation of the activity of specific kinases and their substrates, with a known involvement in carcinogenesis and cancer progression.

Conclusions

Given the similarity in structure and amino acid composition of this protein with other bacterial DnaKs we provide a novel mechanism whereby components of the human microbiota and present in the tumor microenvironment are able to deregulate phosphorylation events occurring during carcinogenesis and cancer progression.
Hookworm infection in infants: a case report and review of literature
Authors: Umbrello G. , Pinzani R. , Bandera A. , Formenti F. , Zavarise G. , Arghittu M. , Girelli D. , Maraschini A. , Muscatello A. , Marchisio P. , Bosis S.
Published: February 2021

Background

Hookworm infections (Necator americanus, Ancylostoma duodenale) are common in rural areas of tropical and subtropical countries. Human acquisition results from direct percutaneous invasion of infective larvae from contaminated soil.

Overall, almost 472 million people in developing rural countries are infected. According to simulation models, hookworm disease has a global financial impact of over US$100 billion a year. Hookworm infection in newborn or infancy is rare, and most of the cases reported in literature are from endemic countries.

Here, we describe the case of an infant with an Ancylostoma duodenale infection and review the literature currently available on this topic.

Case presentation

An Italian 2-month-old infant presented with vomit and weight loss. Her blood exams showed anemia and eosinophilia and stool analysis resulted positive for hookworms’ eggs, identified as Ancylostoma duodenale with real time-PCR. Parasite research on parents’ stools resulted negative, and since the mother travelled to Vietnam and Thailand during pregnancy, we assumed a transplacental transmission of the infection. The patient was treated successfully with oral Mebendazole and discharged in good conditions.

Discussion

Hookworm helminthiasis is a major cause of morbidity in children in the tropics and subtropics, but rare in developed countries.

Despite most of the patients is usually asymptomatic, children are highly exposed to negative sequelae such as malnutrition, retarded growth and impaired cognitive development. In infants and newborns, the mechanism of infection remains unclear. Although infrequent, vertical transmission of larvae can occur through breastfeeding and transplacentally. Hookworm infection should be taken into account in children with abdominal symptoms and unexplained persistent eosinophilia. The treatment of infants infected by hookworm has potential benefit, but further studies are needed to define the best clinical management of these cases.
Alterations of RNA splicing patterns in esophagus squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Ding Jiyu , Li Chunquan , Cheng Yinwei , Du Zepeng , Wang Qiuyu , Tang Zhidong , Song Chao , Xia Qiaoxi , Bai Wenjing , Lin Ling , Liu Wei , Xu Liyan , Li Enmin , Wu Bingli
Published: February 2021

Alternative splicing (AS) is an important biological process for regulating the expression of various isoforms from a single gene and thus to promote proteome diversity. In this study, RNA-seq data from 15 pairs of matched esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and normal tissue samples as well as two cell lines were analyzed. AS events with significant differences were identified between ESCC and matched normal tissues, which were re-annotated to find protein coding genes or non-coding RNAs. A total of 45,439 AS events were found. Of these, 6019 (13.25%) significant differentially AS events were identified. Exon skipping (SE) events occupied the largest proportion of abnormal splicing events. Fifteen differential splicing events with the same trends of ΔΨ values in ESCC tissues, as well in the two cell lines were found. Four pathways and 20 biological processes related to pro-metastasis cell junction and migration were significantly enriched for the differentially spliced genes. The upregulated splicing factor SF3B4, which regulates 92 gene splicing events, could be a potential prognostic factor of ESCC. Differentially spliced genes, including HNRNPC, VCL, ZNF207, KIAA1217, TPM1 and CALD1 are shown with a sashimi plot. These results suggest that cell junction- and migration-related biological processes are influenced by AS abnormalities, and aberrant splicing events can be affected by splicing factor expression changes. The involved splicing factor SF3B4 was found to be a survival-related gene in ESCC and is presumed to regulate AS in multiple cancers. In summary, we identified significant differentially expressed AS events which may be related to the development of ESCC.
Non-invasive ventilation alternating with high-flow nasal oxygen versus high-flow nasal oxygen alone after extubation in COPD patients: a post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial
Authors:   for the HIGH-WEAN Study Group, for the REVA Research Network, Thille Arnaud W. , Coudroy Rémi , Nay Mai-Anh , Gacouin Arnaud , Decavèle Maxens , Sonneville Romain , Beloncle François , Girault Christophe , Dangers Laurence , Lautrette Alexandre , Levrat Quentin , Rouzé Anahita , Vivier Emmanuel , Lascarrou Jean-Baptiste , Ricard Jean-Damien , Razazi Keyvan , Barberet Guillaume , Lebert Christine , Ehrmann Stephan , Massri Alexandre , Bourenne Jeremy , Pradel Gael , Bailly Pierre , Terzi Nicolas , Dellamonica Jean , Lacave Guillaume , Robert René , Ragot Stéphanie , Frat Jean-Pierre
Published: February 2021

Background

Several randomized clinical trials have shown that non-invasive ventilation (NIV) applied immediately after extubation may prevent reintubation in patients at high-risk of extubation failure. However, most of studies included patients with chronic respiratory disorders as well as patients without underlying respiratory disease. To date, no study has shown decreased risk of reintubation with prophylactic NIV after extubation among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We hypothesized that prophylactic NIV after extubation may decrease the risk of reintubation in COPD patients as compared with high-flow nasal oxygen. We performed a post hoc subgroup analysis of COPD patients included in a multicenter, randomized, controlled trial comparing prophylactic use of NIV alternating with high-flow nasal oxygen versus high-flow nasal oxygen alone immediately after extubation.

Results

Among the 651 patients included in the original study, 150 (23%) had underlying COPD including 86 patients treated with NIV alternating with high-flow nasal oxygen and 64 patients treated with high-flow nasal oxygen alone. The reintubation rate was 13% (11 out of 86 patients) with NIV and 27% (17 out of 64 patients) with high-flow nasal oxygen alone [difference, − 14% (95% CI − 27% to − 1%); p = 0.03]. Whereas reintubation rates were significantly lower with NIV than with high-flow nasal oxygen alone at 72 h and until ICU discharge, mortality in ICU did not differ between groups: 6% (5/86) with NIV vs. 9% (6/64) with high-flow nasal oxygen alone [difference − 4% (95% CI − 14% to 5%); p = 0.40].

Conclusions

In COPD patients, prophylactic NIV alternating with high-flow nasal oxygen significantly decreased the risk of reintubation compared with high-flow nasal oxygen alone.

Trial registration The study was registered at http://www.clinicaltrials.gov with the trial registration number NCT03121482 (20 April 2017)
Effectiveness and harms of clinical decision support systems for referral within chronic pain practice: protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Zomahoun Hervé Tchala Vignon , Visca Regina , George Nicole , Ahmed Sara
Published: February 2021

Background

Chronic pain is a common public health problem with negative consequences for individuals and societies. Fortunately, interdisciplinary chronic pain management has been shown to be effective for improving patients’ outcomes and strongly recommended in clinical practice guidelines. Appropriate referral within the healthcare system based on individuals’ needs and available services is essential to optimise health-related outcomes and maximise resources. Clinical decision support systems have been shown to be effective for supporting healthcare professionals in different practices. However, there is no knowledge synthesis on clinical decision support systems for referral within chronic pain practice. We aim to identify the clinical decision support systems for referral within chronic pain practices and assess their content, effectiveness, harms, and validation parameters.

Methods

Using the methodology of Cochrane reviews, we will perform a systematic review and meta-analysis based on studies meeting the following criteria: Population, patients with chronic pain and/or healthcare professionals working in chronic pain; Intervention, clinical decision support systems for referral within chronic pain practice; Comparison, any other clinical tool, any usual care or practices; Outcomes, clinical outcomes of patients measuring how patients feel, function or survive including benefits, adverse effects, continuity of care, care appropriateness, care satisfaction, quality of life, healthcare professional performance, and cost outcomes; and Study design: randomized controlled trials, non-randomized controlled trials, before and after controlled studies and interrupted time series. We will search relevant literature with the support of an information specialist using Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, CINHAL, Web of Science and Cochrane Library from their inception onwards. Two reviewers will independently complete study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment. We will analyse data to perform both narrative syntheses and meta-analysis if appropriate.

Discussion

Findings of this review will contribute to enhancing chronic pain care and research. Clinical decision support systems identified as effective in this review can be investigated for implementation in clinical practice and impact on improving patient, clinical and health system outcomes. Clinical decision support systems not yet ready for implementation that require further improvement will also be identified.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO registration: CRD42020158880.
“Pour Saulver Ladicte Parroisse”
Authors: Nelson Eric
Published: February 2021

This study examines how eighteen rural communities in the Touraine, Blésois, and Sologne navigated the treacherous waters of religious civil war. Drawing on over a hundred parish account books, it explores how communities engaged with the threats of war by gathering information, protecting the possessions of the parish church, and dealing with the demands of troops and the royal government. In many ways their experiences were similar to those of other communities across France—both urban and rural—as they relied on their own resources and relationships to mitigate the threats of armed confessional conflict. While these communities offer evidence of resilience and agency in the face of war, comparison with other rural communities that endured more sustained and intense warfare reminds us of the fragility of their resilience, which depended on factors outside their control.

Cette étude examine comment dix-huit communautés rurales en Touraine, Blésois et Sologne ont pu traverser la guerre civile religieuse. S'appuyant sur plus d'une centaine de comptes de procureurs fabriciers paroissiaux, elle analyse comment ces communautés s'affrontaient aux menaces de la guerre par le rassemblement des informations, la mise à l'abri des biens de l'église paroissiale, et le traitement de toute demande militaire ou royale. A bien des égards, leurs expériences reflétaient celles d'autres communautés—urbaines et rurales—en France, faisant appel à leurs propres ressources et relations pour atténuer les menaces de guerre. Quoique ces dix-huit communautés offrent des preuves de résilience et d'agentivité face à la guerre, la comparaison à d'autres communautés ayant subi des méthodes de guerre plus soutenues et plus intenses rappelle la fragilité de leur résilience qui dépendait de facteurs indépendants de leur volonté.
Design of a 3D printed, motorized, uniaxial cell stretcher for microscopic and biochemical analysis of mechanotransduction
Authors: Al-Maslamani Noor A. , Khilan Abdulghani A. , Horn Henning F.
Published: February 2021

Cells respond to mechanical cues from their environment through a process of mechanosensing and mechanotransduction. Cell stretching devices are important tools to study the molecular pathways responsible for cellular responses to mechanobiological processes. We describe the development and testing of a uniaxial cell stretcher that has applications for microscopic as well as biochemical analyses. By combining simple fabrication techniques with adjustable control parameters, the stretcher is designed to fit a variety of experimental needs. The stretcher can be used for static and cyclic stretching. As a proof of principle, we visualize stretch induced deformation of cell nuclei via incremental static stretch, and changes in IEX1 expression via cyclic stretching. This stretcher is easily modified to meet experimental needs, inexpensive to build, and should be readily accessible for most laboratories with access to 3D printing.