bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Production losses attributable to suicide deaths in European Union
Authors: Łyszczarz Błażej
Published: May 2021

Background

Suicide is an important public health problem with multidimensional consequences for societies. One of the under-researched areas of suicide consequences are cross-country analyses of production losses associated with these deaths. The aim of this study was to estimate the production losses (indirect cost) of suicide deaths in 28 European Union states (EU-28) in 2015.

Methods

The study used societal perspective and human capital approach to investigate production losses due to suicide mortality at working age. Eurostat’s data on the number of deaths was used to identify suicide mortality burden in terms of years of potential productive life lost. Labour and economic indicators were applied to proxy the discounted value of potential economic output lost. A one-way deterministic sensitivity analysis was conducted to test the robustness of the estimates.

Results

The production losses attributable to suicide deaths in EU-28 in 2015 were €9.07 billion. The per suicide indirect cost of these deaths was €231,088 for the whole EU-28 population; Luxembourg experienced the highest per suicide burden of €649,148. The per capita production losses of suicides in EU-28 was €17.80 and Ireland experienced the highest per capita burden of €48.57. The losses constituted an economic burden of 0.061% of EU-28’s GDP and this share ranged from 0.018% in Cyprus to 0.161% in Latvia. Most of the losses (71–91%) were due to men’s deaths. The results of the sensitivity analysis exhibit a large variation of losses; the highest (lowest) cost was identified with no adjustment for lower employment rates among those dying by suicide (adjustment for minimum productivity) and was 92.3% higher (59.7% lower) on average than in the base scenario.

Conclusion

Public health actions aimed at prevention of suicides might reduce their health burden but also contribute to the economic welfare of European societies.
Life-threatening hemoptysis accompanied by internal thoracic artery aneurysms in a 28-year-old perinatal woman: a case report
Authors: Li Yujun , Wang Yuyao , Liang Zhike , Pan Chuzhi , Huang Xiaomei , Mo Zexun , Chen Guodong , Zhu Dongliang , Zhao Ziwen , Wei Shuquan
Published: May 2021

Background

Life-threatening hemoptysis presents an immediate diagnostic and therapeutic challenge, especially during the perinatal period.

Case presentation

A 28-year-old perinatal woman with no significant past medical or surgical history presented with repeating hemoptysis and respiratory failure. Computed tomography revealed a 2.1 × 3.2  cm2 inhomogeneous tumorous lesion in the right superior mediastinum and a right main bronchus obstruction along with atelectasis of the right lung. Bronchoscopy showed a tumorous protrusion blocking the right main bronchus with active hemorrhage, and malignancy was suspected. Bronchial artery embolization (BAE) was performed to control the bleeding. The arteriogram revealed tortuosity, dilation and hypertrophy of the right bronchial arteries and aneurysms of the internal thoracic artery (ITA). The bleeding completely stopped after BAE. Bronchoscopy was performed again to remove residual blood clots. The patient recovered soon after the procedure and was discharged.

Conclusions

Life-threatening hemoptysis concomitant with ITA aneurysms, which may have a misleading clinical diagnosis and treatment options, has not been reported previously in perinatal women. BAE could be used as a first-line treatment irrespective of the underlying causes.
Evaluations of the curative efficacy of G. fruticosus solvent extracts in experimentally induced nephrolithiatic Wistar male rats
Authors: Alelign Tilahun , Tessema Tesfaye Sisay , Debella Asfaw , Petros Beyene
Published: May 2021

Background

In Ethiopian folk medicine, there is a claim that medicinal plants can treat urolithiasis although there is insufficient scientific evidence. The objective of this study was to evaluate the curative efficacy ofGomphocarpus fruticosusextracts in experimentally induced nephrolithiatic rats.

Methods

Urolithiasis was induced in male Wistar rats by feeding ethylene glycol in drinking water for 28 days. The curative effects were evaluated after oral administrations of 200 mg/kg of the extracts from 15 to 28 days. Urine samples were collected 1 day before sacrificing the rats. Blood, liver and kidney samples were gathered under anaesthetic condition at day 28. Crystals in the urine were also analyzed by light microscopy.

Results

G. fruticosusEtOAc extract reduced significantly the level of sodium (P < 0.001), whereas it was significantly elevated the levels of magnesium and citrate (P < 0.01) compared to lithiatic control.G. fruticosusBuOH extract lowered the levels of potassium (P < 0.01), calcium and phosphate in urolithiatic rats. It was also observed thatG. fruticosusEtOAc extract decreased the level of oxalate in the urine (P < 0.001), whereas it was increased the levels of magnesium (P < 0.05) and citrate (P < 0.01) in serum analysis after exposure to BuOH extract. In the kidneys, CaOx crystal deposits were reduced significantly byG. fruticosusEtOAc extract (P < 0.01).

Conclusion

It has been noted thatG. fruticosusEtOAc extract was potent in treating urolithiasis. However, further study is required to assess the efficacy of the active compounds against urolithiasis.
Multicopy targets for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum detection by colorimetric LAMP
Authors: Nolasco Oscar , Montoya Jhoel , Rosales Rosas Ana L. , Barrientos Scarlett , Rosanas-Urgell Anna , Gamboa Dionicia
Published: May 2021

Background

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) for malaria diagnosis at the point of care (POC) depends on the detection capacity of synthesized nucleic acids and the specificity of the amplification target. To improve malaria diagnosis, new colorimetric LAMP tests were developed using multicopy targets for Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum detection.

Methods

The cytochrome oxidase I (COX1) mitochondrial gene and the non-coding sequence Pvr47 for P. vivax, and the sub-telomeric sequence of erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (EMP1) and the non-coding sequence Pfr364 for P. falciparum were targeted to design new LAMP primers. The limit of detection (LOD) of each colorimetric LAMP was established and assessed with DNA extracted by mini spin column kit and the Boil & Spin method from 28 microscopy infections, 101 malaria submicroscopic infections detected by real-time PCR only, and 183 negatives infections by both microscopy and PCR.

Results

The LODs for the colorimetric LAMPs were estimated between 2.4 to 3.7 parasites/µL of whole blood. For P. vivax detection, the colorimetric LAMP using the COX1 target showed a better performance than the Pvr47 target, whereas the Pfr364 target was the most specific for P. falciparum detection. All microscopic infections of P. vivax were detected by PvCOX1-LAMP using the mini spin column kit DNA extraction method and 81% (17/21) were detected using Boil & Spin sample preparation. Moreover, all microscopic infections of P. falciparum were detected by Pfr364-LAMP using both sample preparation methods. In total, PvCOX1-LAMP and Pfr364-LAMP detected 80.2% (81 samples) of the submicroscopic infections using the DNA extraction method by mini spin column kit, while 36.6% (37 samples) were detected using the Boil & Spin sample preparation method.

Conclusion

The colorimetric LAMPs with multicopy targets using the COX1 target for P. vivax and the Pfr364 for P. falciparum have a high potential to improve POC malaria diagnosis detecting a greater number of submicroscopic Plasmodium infections.
What are the factors influencing the aversion of students towards reptiles?
Authors: da Silva Moacyr Xavier Gomes , Braga-Pereira Franciany , da Silva Mikaela Clotilde , de Oliveira José Valberto , de Faria Lopes Sérgio , Alves Rômulo Romeu Nóbrega
Published: May 2021

Background

Reptiles form a paraphyletic group with significant roles for human society, including species that are considered important for food, medicinal and mystical use and as pets. Some species are considered to be aversive, whereas others are captivating among people. Aversion is an important factor which should be considered in the conservation policies of these animals. As such, here, we investigate the demographic, educational, perceptives and behavioural factors of students related to their aversion and non-conservationist attitudes directed towards different reptile species and evaluated the effect of educational exhibition of animals as a strategy of mitigating these attitudes.

Methods

The data were obtained through forms on the aversion and conservation of reptiles represented by three species, a chelonian, a snake and a lizard. The form was given in two instances, before and after a visit to a private zoo (Museu Vivo Répteis da Caatinga), where the students had contact with the aforementioned species. A total of 133 students participated in the study, among these, 43 from elementary school (21 females and 22 males), 29 from high school (16 females and 13 males), 37 from university biology students (22 females and 15 males) and 24 university mathematics students (6 females and 18 males).

Results

Among all evaluated species, snakes were considered to be the most aversive species. The aversion attitudes differed between the three evaluated species when correlated to age and type of university courses. However, this pattern did not differ between student sexes. Older students had a lower aversion to the chelonian compared to the younger ones, but for snakes and lizards, the aversion was high among students of all ages. The university biology students had a lower aversion compared to the university mathematics students for the three species. The recognition and handle of the tested species and previous visits to educational exhibitions of animals were negatively related to aversion. The comparative analysis of the forms applied before and after the visit to the Museu Vivo Répteis da Caatinga showed that this visit influenced the decrease of aversion, but not in non-conservationist attitudes, for which the attitude scores had always been low.

Conclusions

We conclude that reptile aversion varies in accordance with the taxon, being snakes the most disliked by students. The visit to the educational exhibition of animals contributed to the reduction of the observed aversion. This is especially true when the acquisition of educational information about species is associated with practical activities which includes contact with the animals. Finally, the fact that non-conservationist attitudes had been low towards all species perhaps demonstrates a conservationist tendency even for the most aversive species.
Single-cell characterization of macrophages in glioblastoma reveals MARCO as a mesenchymal pro-tumor marker
Authors: Chen Andrew X. , Gartrell Robyn D. , Zhao Junfei , Upadhyayula Pavan S. , Zhao Wenting , Yuan Jinzhou , Minns Hanna E. , Dovas Athanassios , Bruce Jeffrey N. , Lasorella Anna , Iavarone Antonio , Canoll Peter , Sims Peter A. , Rabadan Raul
Published: May 2021

Background

Macrophages are the most common infiltrating immune cells in gliomas and play a wide variety of pro-tumor and anti-tumor roles. However, the different subpopulations of macrophages and their effects on the tumor microenvironment remain poorly understood.

Methods

We combined new and previously published single-cell RNA-seq data from 98,015 single cells from a total of 66 gliomas to profile 19,331 individual macrophages.

Results

Unsupervised clustering revealed a pro-tumor subpopulation of bone marrow-derived macrophages characterized by the scavenger receptor MARCO, which is almost exclusively found in IDH1-wild-type glioblastomas. Previous studies have implicated MARCO as an unfavorable marker in melanoma and non-small cell lung cancer; here, we find that bulk MARCO expression is associated with worse prognosis and mesenchymal subtype. Furthermore, MARCO expression is significantly altered over the course of treatment with anti-PD1 checkpoint inhibitors in a response-dependent manner, which we validate with immunofluorescence imaging.

Conclusions

These findings illustrate a novel macrophage subpopulation that drives tumor progression in glioblastomas and suggest potential therapeutic targets to prevent their recruitment.
Liver development is restored by blastocyst complementation of HHEX knockout in mice and pigs
Authors: Ruiz-Estevez M. , Crane A. T. , Rodriguez-Villamil P. , Ongaratto F. L. , You Yun , Steevens A. R. , Hill C. , Goldsmith T. , Webster D. A. , Sherry L. , Lim S. , Denman N. , Low W. C. , Carlson D. F. , Dutton J. R. , Steer C. J. , Gafni O.
Published: May 2021

Background

There are over 17,000 patients in the US waiting to receive liver transplants, and these numbers are increasing dramatically. Significant effort is being made to obtain functional hepatocytes and liver tissue that can for therapeutic use in patients. Blastocyst complementation is a challenging, innovative technology that could fundamentally change the future of organ transplantation. It requires the knockout (KO) of genes essential for cell or organ development in early stage host embryos followed by injection of donor pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) into host blastocysts to generate chimeric offspring in which progeny of the donor cells populate the open niche to develop functional tissues and organs.

Methods

The HHEX gene is necessary for proper liver development. We engineered loss of HHEX gene expression in early mouse and pig embryos and performed intraspecies blastocyst complementation of HHEX KO embryos with eGFP-labeled PSCs in order to rescue the loss of liver development.

Results

Loss of HHEX gene expression resulted in embryonic lethality at day 10.5 in mice and produced characteristics of lethality at day 18 in pigs, with absence of liver tissue in both species. Analyses of mouse and pig HHEX KO fetuses confirmed significant loss of liver-specific gene and protein expression. Intraspecies blastocyst complementation restored liver formation and liver-specific proteins in both mouse and pig. Livers in complemented chimeric fetuses in both species were comprised of eGFP-labeled donor-derived cells and survived beyond the previously observed time of HHEX KO embryonic lethality.

Conclusions

This work demonstrates that loss of liver development in the HHEX KO can be rescued via blastocyst complementation in both mice and pigs. This complementation strategy is the first step towards generating interspecies chimeras for the goal of producing human liver cells, tissues, and potentially complete organs for clinical transplantation.
Linking changes of forage production and digestibility with grassland community assembly under nitrogen enrichment
Authors: Lü Xiao-Tao , Liu Zhuo-Yi , Sistla Seeta , Yang Guo-Jiao , Hu Yan-Yu , Zhang Zhi-Wei , Hou Shuang-Li , Ding Cong
Published: May 2021

Background

Forage production is the fundamental ecosystem service of grasslands. Although forage consumption occurs at community level, most studies focused on species-level changes of forage quality. The quantitative and qualitative changes of forage production are driven by species-specific trait, intra-specific plasticity, and species turnover. We examined the changes in forage production and digestibility after 5-year factorial treatments of nitrogen (N) addition and mowing in a temperate steppe and linked such changes to community assembly under the Price equation framework.

Results

Nitrogen addition significantly reduced species richness, increased forage production, but did not change forage digestibility (indicated by the total Ca+Mg concentrations). Mowing did not affect forage production and digestibility. The positive effects of N addition on forage production were driven by the enhancement of abundance of the remaining species following N enrichment, rather than by species loss or species gain. The species identity effects could offset the effects of species richness loss or gain on forage production and digestibility.

Conclusions

Our results highlight the importance of a community perspective in addressing the quantitative and qualitative changes of forage production under global change pressure of N enrichment. Species identity is important in determining the contribution of different processes of community assembly to ecosystem services.
The Compendium of U.S. jails: creating and conducting research with the first comprehensive contact database of U.S. jails
Authors: Foudray Chelsea M. A. , Kramer Camille , Rudes Danielle S. , Sufrin Carolyn , Burr Eliza , Parayil Trisha
Published: May 2021

Background

Millions of people pass through U.S. jails annually. Conducting research about these public institutions is critical to understanding on-the-ground policies and practices, especially health care services, affecting millions of people. However, there is no existing database of the number, location, or contact information of jails. We created the National Jails Compendium to address this gap. In this paper, we detail our comprehensive methodology for identifying jail locations and contact information. We then describe the first research project to use the Compendium, a survey assessing jails’ treatment practices for incarcerated pregnant people with opioid use disorder.

Results

This study sent surveys electronically or in paper form to all 2986 jails in the Compendium, with 1139 surveys returned. We outline the process for using the Compendium, highlighting challenges in reaching contacts through case examples, cataloging responses and non-responses, and defining what counts as a jail.

Conclusion

We aim to provide tools for future researchers to use the Compendium as well as a pathway for keeping it current. The Compendium provides transparency that aids in understanding jail policies and practices. Such information may help devise interventions to ensure humane, evidence-based treatment of incarcerated people.
The fermentation characteristics of Sparassis crispa polysaccharides and their effects on the intestinal microbes in mice
Authors: Liu Meng-yang , Yun Shao-jun , Cao Jin-ling , Cheng Feier , Chang Ming-chang , Meng Jun-long , Liu Jing-yu , Cheng Yan-fen , Xu Li-jing , Geng Xue-ran , Feng Cui-ping
Published: May 2021

Background

Sparassis crispa polysaccharides (SCPs) have multiple pharmacological activities. Fermentation characteristics of SCPs and its effects on the intestinal microbes in mice remain inconclusive.

Results

In this study, SCPs were fermented by the human feces and used to administer the Kunming mice to explore the fermentation characteristics of SCPs in the intestinal tract and the effects on the intestinal microbes in mice. Results from in vitro experiments revealed that SCPs were utilized by intestinal microbiota to produce short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). The specific monosaccharide composition of SCPs determines which SCFAs are produced. Furthermore, the colon index and villi length of the SCPs-treated mice were significantly higher compared with the control group. In addition, SCPs exhibited beneficial effect on the relative abundance and diversity of dominant bacteria in the intestinal tract, such as increasing Bacteroidetes/Firmicutes ratio and up-regulating SCFA-producing bacteria, including Bacteroidales_S24-7_group, Alloprevotella, Alistipes, Bacteroides, Butyricimonas, Parabacteroides, Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136_group and Oscillibacter. SCPs increased the abundance of genes in carbohydrate, amino acid, and energy metabolism.

Conclusion

Our results indicate SCPs can improve the physiological indices of the colon in mice, which is likely to be associated with the increase in the relative abundance and diversity of SCFA-producing bacteria and SCFAs level produced by intestinal microbiota.

Graphic abstract
Use of triamcinolone-soaked absorbable gelatin foam (gelfoam) as a treatment for recurrent sinonasal polyposis after FESS in poor candidates for revision surgery
Authors: ElSheikh Mohamed M.
Published: May 2021

Background

Chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps recurs frequently after functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS), with resultant poor quality of life with persistence of nasal obstruction, sinus aches, and discharge as well anosmia and dysgysia; revision FESS is usually the treatment of choice referred to relief patients’ suffering, yet it is not always the case, patients preference as well as fitness for general hypotensive anesthesia, patients age, cardiopulmonary status, and concurrent bronchial asthma might render unfit for an elective procedure. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of triamcinolone-soaked absorbable gelatin foam (gelfoam) as a treatment for recurrent sinonasal polyposis after FESS in poor candidates for revision surgery.

Results

Thirty patients suffering from recurrent sinonasal polyposis after single or multiple FESS procedures were selected; all patients were subjected to intranasal application of gelfoam soaked with triamcinolone as a conservative medical office procedure using triamcinolone-soaked absorbable gelatin foam (gelfoam) weekly for a period of 8 weeks followed by intranasal steroid nasal spray for maintenance and as anti-recurrence measure. Patients were followed up for 4 months post-intervention; Meltzer Clinical Scoring System was used to analyze the patients’ pre- and post-intervention via office endoscopy (0° 4-mm Hopkins endoscope). All patients tolerated the procedure well. The study group showed no statistical significance pre-intervention which comprised 17 (56.7%) patients with grade 4 sinonasal polyposis extent and 13 (43.3%) patients with grade 3 sinonasal polyposis extent (P=0.795), denoting no difference between patients pending treatment option. Post-treatment, both groups showed a significant reduction in the extent of polyposis (P<0.001) where post-treatment showed 21 (70%) patients with grades 0 no polyps and 9 (30%) patients with grade 1 sinonasal polyposis extent.

Conclusion

Triamcinolone-soaked gelfoam packing is an effective and safe method for managing recurrent sinonasal polyposis after FESS. Intervention contributed to a successful result, decreased the need for surgery in poor candidates for hypotensive anesthesia, and could be used as a sole treatment of recurrent sinonasal polypsis in elderly patients whose general condition could not tolerate invasive procedures.
Time-lapse seismic data reconstruction using compressive sensing
Authors: Zhang Mengli
Published: May 2021

The time-lapse seismic method plays a critical role in reservoir monitoring and characterization. However, time-lapse data acquisitions are costly. Sparse acquisitions combined with postacquisition data reconstruction could reduce costs and facilitate more frequent applications of the time-lapse seismic monitoring. We have developed a sparse time-lapse seismic data reconstruction methodology based on compressive sensing. The method works with a hybrid of repeated and nonrepeated sample locations. To make use of the additional information from nonrepeated locations, we develop a view that nonrepeated samples in space are equivalent to irregular samples in calendar time. Therefore, we use these irregular samples in time coming from nonrepeated samples in space to improve the performance of compressive sensing reconstruction. The tests on synthetic and field data sets indicate that our method can achieve a sufficiently accurate reconstruction by using as few as 10% of the receivers or traces. The method not only works with spatially irregular sampling for dealing with the land accessibility problem and for reducing the number of nodal sensors, but it also uses the nonrepeated measurements to improve reconstruction accuracy.
How to Treat High-Risk Myeloma at Diagnosis and Relapse
Authors: Caro Jessica , Al Hadidi Samer , Usmani Saad , Yee Andrew J. , Raje Noopur , Davies Faith E.
Published: May 2021

Survival in multiple myeloma has improved greatly during the past 2 decades, but this change has primarily benefited patients who have standard-risk disease. Patients with high-risk disease remain a challenge to diagnose and treat. To improve their clinical outcomes, it is imperative to develop tools to readily identify them and to provide them with the most effective available treatments. The most widely used stratification system, the revised International Staging System, incorporates serum β-2 microglobulin, albumin, lactate dehydrogenase, and high-risk chromosomal abnormalities [del(17p), t(4;14), and t(14;16)]. Recent updates have included mutational status and chromosome 1q abnormalities. Plasma cell leukemia, extramedullary disease, circulating plasma cells, renal failure, and frailty are also associated with poor outcome. The treatment approach for a newly diagnosed patient with high-risk multiple myeloma should include induction therapy, autologous stem cell transplantation if appropriate, and maintenance therapy. Triplet therapy with a proteasome inhibitor, immunomodulatory drug, and steroid, with or without an anti-CD38 antibody, should be considered for induction, along with a proteasome inhibitor and/or immunomodulatory drug for maintenance. Aiming for a deep and sustained response is important. Similar principles apply at relapse, with close monitoring of response, especially extramedullary disease and active management of side effects, so that patients can continue therapy and benefit from treatment. Immune-based therapies, including autologous CAR T-cell–based therapies and bispecific antibodies, show promising activity in relapsed disease and are being actively explored in earlier disease settings. As the prognosis for high-risk disease remains poor, the future goal for this patient group is to develop specific clinical trials to explore novel approaches and therapies efficiently.
Expanding Our Impact in Cervical Cancer Treatment: Novel Immunotherapies, Radiation Innovations, and Consideration of Rare Histologies
Authors: Randall Leslie M. , Walker Amanda J. , Jia Angela Y. , Miller Devin T. , Zamarin Dmitriy
Published: May 2021

Cervical cancer is a socially and scientifically distinguishable disease. Its pathogenesis, sexual transmission of high-risk HPV to a metaplastic portion of the uterine cervix, makes cervical cancer preventable by safe and effective HPV vaccines commercially available since 2006. Despite this, cervical cancer remains the deadliest gynecologic cancer in the world. Regrettably, global incidence and mortality rates disproportionately affect populations where women are marginalized, where HIV infection is endemic, and where access to preventive vaccination and screening for preinvasive disease are limited. In the United States, cervical cancer incidence has gradually declined over the last 25 years, but mortality rates remain both constant and disparately higher among communities of color because of the adverse roles that racism and poverty play in outcome. Until these conditions improve and widespread prevention is possible, treatment innovations are warranted. The last standard-of-care treatment changes occurred in 1999 for locally advanced disease and in 2014 for metastatic and recurrent disease. The viral and immunologic nature of HPV-induced cervical cancer creates opportunities for both radiation and immunotherapy to improve outcomes. With the advent of T cell–directed therapy, immune checkpoint inhibition, and techniques to increase the therapeutic window of radiation treatment, an overdue wave of innovation is currently emerging in cervical cancer treatment. The purpose of this review is to describe the contemporary developmental therapeutic landscape for cervical cancer that applies to most tumors and to discuss notable rare histologic subtypes that will not be adequately addressed with these treatment innovations.
Survival in Cervical Cancer and Its Predictors at Ocean Road Cancer Institute From January to December 2012
Authors: Khamis Salama Iddy , Mrema Alita S. , Katanga Johnson , Lugina Emmanuel L.
Published: May 2021

PURPOSE

In Tanzania, cancer of cervix is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. There are very little data about survival of patients with cervical cancer after treatment in Tanzania. The aims of this study were to determine 5-year overall survival (OS) rate and its predictors among patients with cervical cancer treated at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) from January to December 2012.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was retrospective study done at ORCI by reviewing medical charts of 202 patients with cervical cancer treated at ORCI from January to December 2012. A structured questionnaire was used to extract information about characteristics of the respondents. Survival curves were estimated by using Kaplan-Meir analysis and were compared by using log-rank test.

RESULTS

The 5-year OS rate was 26%. The mean and median survival times were 33.9 and 19 months, respectively. Factors that were positively associated with 5-year OS rate include the hemoglobin level more than 9 g/dL at presentation, early International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage at presentation, high dose of radiotherapy, and use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy. Histology type and HIV status were not associated with survival.

CONCLUSION

The 5-year overall survival rate was 26%. Predictors of OS were hemoglobin level, stage at presentation, radiotherapy dose, and the use of concurrent chemoradiotherapy.
Utilization of Systemic Therapy in Patients With Cancer Near the End of Life in the Pre- Versus Postimmune Checkpoint Inhibitor Eras
Authors: Khaki Ali Raza , Chennupati Shasank , Fedorenko Catherine , Li Li , Sun Qin , Grivas Petros , Ramsey Scott D. , Schwartz Stephen M. , Shankaran Veena
Published: May 2021

PURPOSE:

Systemic therapy use in the last 30 days of life (DOL) for patients with advanced cancer is a low-value medical practice. We hypothesized that systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL increased after approval of antiprogrammed cell death protein 1 immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and has contributed to increased health care utilization and spending.

METHODS:

We investigated the change in prevalence of any systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL among patients with advanced solid tumors in the 4 years before and after antiprogrammed cell death protein 1 ICI approval in 2014. We used cases from the Western Washington Cancer Surveillance System linked to commercial and Medicare insurance. We calculated the difference in prevalence between the pre- and post-ICI periods. We also calculated the annual prevalence of any systemic therapy and ICI use in the last 30 DOL and measured health care utilization (emergency department visits and hospitalizations) and costs during the last 30 DOL.

RESULTS:

Eight thousand eight hundred seventy-one patients (median age 73 years) were included; 34% and 66% in the pre-and post-ICI period, respectively. Systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL was lower in the post-ICI versus pre-ICI period (12.4% v 14.4%; difference −2.0% [95% CI, −3.5 to −0.5]). The annual prevalence of systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL also declined, although ICI use rose. Patients treated with ICIs in last 30 DOL had more emergency department visits, hospitalizations, and higher costs.

CONCLUSION:

Systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL was lower in the period after ICI approval. However, ICI use rose over time and had higher utilization and costs in the last 30 DOL. Systemic therapy use in the last 30 DOL warrants monitoring, especially as more ICI indications are approved.
Normal Adrenal and Thyroid Function in Patients Who Survive COVID-19 Infection
Authors: Clarke Sophie A , Phylactou Maria , Patel Bijal , Mills Edouard G , Muzi Beatrice , Izzi-Engbeaya Chioma , Choudhury Sirazum , Khoo Bernard , Meeran Karim , Comninos Alexander N , Abbara Ali , Tan Tricia , Dhillo Waljit S
Published: May 2021

Context

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to exert an immense burden on global health services. Moreover, up to 63% of patients experience persistent symptoms, including fatigue, after acute illness. Endocrine systems are vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19 as many glands express the ACE2 receptor, used by the SARS-CoV-2 virion for cellular access. However, the effects of COVID-19 on adrenal and thyroid gland function after acute COVID-19 remain unknown.

Objective

Our objectives were to evaluate adrenal and thyroid gland function in COVID-19 survivors.

Methods

A prospective, observational study was undertaken at the Clinical Research Facility, Imperial College NHS Healthcare Trust, including 70 patients ≥18 years of age, at least 3 months after diagnosis of COVID-19. Participants attended a research study visit (8:00-9:30 am), during which a short Synacthen test (250 µg IV bolus) and thyroid function assessments were performed.

Results

All patients had a peak cortisol ≥450 nmol/L after Synacthen, consistent with adequate adrenal reserve. Basal and peak serum cortisol did not differ according to disease severity or history of dexamethasone treatment during COVID-19. There was no difference in baseline or peak cortisol after Synacthen or in thyroid function tests, or thyroid status, in patients with fatigue (n = 44) compared to those without (n = 26).

Conclusion

Adrenal and thyroid function ≥3 months after presentation with COVID-19 was preserved. While a significant proportion of patients experienced persistent fatigue, their symptoms were not accounted for by alterations in adrenal or thyroid function. These findings have important implications for the clinical care of patients after COVID-19.
A hub-and-spoke nuclear lamina architecture in trypanosomes
Authors: Padilla-Mejia Norma E. , Koreny Ludek , Holden Jennifer , Vancová Marie , Lukeš Julius , Zoltner Martin , Field Mark C.
Published: May 2021

The nuclear lamina supports many functions, including maintaining nuclear structure and gene expression control, and correct spatio-temporal assembly is vital to meet these activities. Recently, multiple lamina systems have been described that, despite independent evolutionary origins, share analogous functions. In trypanosomatids the two known lamina proteins, NUP-1 and NUP-2, have molecular masses of 450 and 170 kDa, respectively, which demands a distinct architecture from the ∼60 kDa lamin-based system of metazoa and other lineages. To uncover organizational principles for the trypanosome lamina we generated NUP-1 deletion mutants to identify domains and their arrangements responsible for oligomerization. We found that both the N- and C-termini act as interaction hubs, and that perturbation of these interactions impacts additional components of the lamina and nuclear envelope. Furthermore, the assembly of NUP-1 terminal domains suggests intrinsic organizational capacity. Remarkably, there is little impact on silencing of telomeric variant surface glycoprotein genes. We suggest that both terminal domains of NUP-1 have roles in assembling the trypanosome lamina and propose a novel architecture based on a hub-and-spoke configuration.
La traducción alemán-español de los prospectos de medicamentos: análisis textual y terminológico
Authors: Ramírez Almansa Isidoro
Published: May 2021

El presente trabajo aborda la traducción (alemán-español) del prospecto de medicamento como género textual dentro del ámbito de la traducción médica. Para ello, se ha estudiado su importancia dentro del sector farmacéutico y su valor tanto en el ámbito de la enseñanza como en el mercado laboral de la traducción. En primer lugar, se ha llevado un análisis de su macroestructura, y en segundo lugar, se ha analizado, desde un punto de vista comparativo, su terminología y fraseología. Dicho análisis ha dado como resultado la creación de dos glosarios bilingües DE-ES, en el primero se recoge la terminología propia del prospecto, y en el segundo su fraseología. Los glosarios pretenden ser una herramienta didáctica, además de una herramienta profesional para aquellos que necesiten conocer y saber aplicar la terminología y fraseología del texto que nos ocupa.
Nuevas tecnologías y traducción de textos sobre terrorismo global: el uso de AntConc para la gestión terminológica (alemán-español)
Authors: Balbuena Torezano María del Carmen , Montes Sánchez Alba
Published: May 2021

El presente estudio aborda el léxico y la terminología propias de un ámbito, el del terrorismo global, en alemán, con el objetivo fundamental de estudiarlo desde perspectivas contrastivas y aplicarlo a la traducción al español; por ello, teniendo en cuenta ambas lenguas de trabajo, hemos empleado textos pertenecientes a los ámbitos periodístico, político, legal, policial y religioso en lengua alemana para extraer términos y estudiar sus concordancias, colocaciones, y los agrupamientos posibles mediante el uso del software libre AntConc.
La presencia del mito clásico en “To Helen” (I y II) de Edgar Allan Poe
Authors: Mariño Mexuto Marta
Published: May 2021

Los dos poemas de E. A. Poe titulados "To Helen", a pesar de estar dedicados a mujeres distintas, comparten una clara base clásica, en la que el ideal de mujer representado por Elena de Troya se entrecruza con otros mitos y se funde con las personas reales que inspiraron ambas obras. Al margen de las referencias míticas y geográficas que podemos encontrar, lo primordial es la idea que del mundo clásico tenía Poe y cómo la plasmaba en su obra, aspecto a menudo pasado por alto.
Jax Warrior Lover: la perfecta unión de lo erótico y lo distópico
Authors: Rubio Jiménez Ana
Published: May 2021

Jax Warrior Lover es el inicio de una saga de libros de la autora alemana Inka Loreen Minden. Bajo este pseudónimo escribe novelas eróticas, aunque en el caso de la saga Warrior Lover, entremezcla erotismo y distopía creando un género original y novedoso al que podríamos denominar erotismo distópico o distopia erótica. En esta primera entrega encontramos una crítica a la sociedad, pero también una novela romántica con un alto grado de pornografía para llegar a un público más amplio. En el siguiente trabajo se diseccionan las partes más importantes que caracterizan este género dentro de la obra.
El terrorismo y los medios de comunicación: un enfoque traductológico (EN-ES)
Authors: Montes Sánchez Alba
Published: May 2021

El terrorismo, un problema de repercusión mundial, se ha convertido en una forma de violencia verdaderamente compleja de delimitar. El presente estudio aborda el léxico y la terminología del ámbito del terrorismo desde una perspectiva traductológica, con el objetivo fundamental de analizarlos terminológicamente en inglés y aplicar su traducción al español. Para ello, partimos de un breve análisis sobre el tratamiento que hacen los medios de comunicación de este léxico, así como de las expresiones que derivan de este tipo de discursos. Consideramos que la homogeneización de esta terminología y su correcto equivalente en español, podrían ser de utilidad para profesionales que trabajan en la investigación o en la transferencia de información sobre contenidos terroristas.
La situación de la investigación y la formación en turismo y estudios lingüísticos en España
Authors: Rodríguez-Tapia Sergio , González Fernández Adela
Published: May 2021

En este estudio se pretende conocer la situación actual de la investigación y la formación de los estudios universitarios que integran turismo y lenguas en España, partiendo de la relevancia con la que cuenta el sector turístico en este país y teniendo en cuenta la importancia de la formación e investigación en estudios lingüísticos de aquellos profesionales que se dedican a este sector. Para estudiar la investigación, se han recopilado 367 trabajos de investigación entre 1967 y 2018 a partir de Dialnet con la conjunción de diversas palabras clave. Para analizar la formación (principalmente los estudios de Turismo y de Traducción e Interpretación), se ha empleado la base de datos del RUCT para identificar los tipos de asignaturas que se incluyen en todos los planes de estudio. Como conclusión, se esboza que la preocupación investigadora en torno al turismo desde una perspectiva lingüística ha aumentado desde 2016.
Inventario de Habilidades Socioemocionales y Salud Mental para Profesores de Educación Superior: validez de contenido.
Authors: Jiménez-Macías Iván Ulianov , César Vázquez-González Guillermo , Juárez-Hernández Luis Gibran , Bracamontes-Ceballos Edith
Published: May 2021

Considerando que las habilidades socioemocionales y la salud mental tienen gran incidencia en todos los procesos educativos, se reporta la construcción de un instrumento de evaluación denominado Inventario de Habilidades Socioemocionales y Salud Mental para Profesores (IHSM-P) de educación superior. Se realizó un análisis documental para la definición de dos dimensiones, cada una con 40 ítems y seis áreas. Posterior a su construcción, el inventario fue sujeto de la revisión de cinco expertos, juicio de 20 expertos y pilotaje del instrumento con 21 docentes. A partir de la revisión de los expertos se realizó la mejora del instrumento y mediante el juicio de expertos se reveló la validez de contenido (V de Aiken>0.80; ICI>0.75), en términos de pertinencia y redacción de los ítems. A través del pilotaje se identificó buen grado de comprensión de instrucciones e ítems. Con fines orientativos se realizó el análisis de consistencia donde se obtuvo una adecuada confiabilidad (Alfa de Cronbach: 0.84). Se reconoce que la validez de contenido es una propiedad psicométrica relevante, sin embargo, se precisa la necesidad de ampliar la muestra para proseguir con el proceso de análisis de propiedades psicométricas, en específico confirmar la confiabilidad y analizar la propiedad de validez de constructo, la cual es referida como la principal de los tipos de validez
Mapeo sistemático sobre la aplicación de la obra de Pierre en la Educación Superior.
Authors: George-Reyes Carlos Enrique
Published: May 2021

La obra de Bourdieu, en especial los conceptos campo, capital y habitus han trascendido en las ciencias sociales para comprender lo que sucede en el proceso educativo. En este artículo se presentan los resultados de un mapeo sistemático desde el criterio metodológico de Petersen et al. (2008) para identificar la aplicación bibliográfica de estos conceptos en la Educación Superior. Se analizaron 104 documentos alojados en las bases bibliográficas Scopus y Web of Science entre 2009-2019. Las variables de estudio fueron los idiomas, países, accesibilidad, tipos de trabajo, trabajos de mayor impacto y líneas de investigación. Se encontró que existen algunas investigaciones sobre el tema, con un número reducido de documentos en acceso abierto, la mayor parte se encuentra en inglés y proviene de Reino Unido. Las líneas de investigación resultaron ser variadas, con una tendencia a estudiar los principios de elección y las trayectorias de los estudiantes, las prácticas docentes, la influencia del habitus y el capital en la transición del campo universitario al laboral, así como los estudios de género. Se concluye que el mapeo elaborado ofrece a los investigadores una selección detallada de la producción científica de alto impacto internacional que puede servir para determinar sus rutas investigativas.
El impacto de las tecnologías en el ocio de la primera infancia.
Authors: Díaz-Herrera Laura , Salcines-Talledo Irina , González-Fernández Natalia
Published: May 2021

En los últimos años, se advierte un incremento considerable en la importancia que toman las Tecnologías de la Información y de la Comunicación (TIC) dentro del tiempo de ocio de la primera infancia. En este contexto, es fundamental atender al papel de las familias a la hora de regular su uso, convirtiéndose así en las responsables últimas de orientar a los menores para prevenir sus riesgos y beneficiarse de sus potencialidades. El objetivo de esta investigación es reconocer el impacto de las TIC en las actividades de ocio durante el tiempo libre de los menores de 3-6 años de una localidad de Cantabria. Para ello, se emplea un cuestionario diseñado ad hoc, el cual ha sido aplicado a 149 familias seleccionadas mediante muestreo no probabilístico de tipo incidental. Los resultados señalan que las actividades que recurren al soporte tecnológico se configuran como un pilar fundamental del tiempo de ocio de los más pequeños, constituyendo la diversión y el aprendizaje recreativo las principales intenciones que se plantean las familias a la hora de exponer a los niños a las TIC. Las conclusiones apuntan a la necesidad de concienciar a los progenitores de su importancia como modeladores del uso tecnológico desarrollado por sus hijos, dotándoles de algunas claves para emprender esta labor de manera eficaz.
Perspectivas de los maestros en formación sobre una estrategia formativa para aprender a enseñar ciencias por investigación escolar.
Authors: Fernández Arroyo Jorge , Rodríguez-Marín Fátima , Rivero García Ana , Solís-Espallargas Carmen
Published: May 2021

El presente trabajo se encuentra englobado dentro de la investigación sobre la enseñanza-aprendizaje de las ciencias y más concretamente en la búsqueda de las propuestas óptimas para la formación de futuros docentes. Para ello se han recogido y analizado las valoraciones que futuros maestros hacen de la propuesta formativa en didáctica de las ciencias por la que han pasado durante un curso de formación inicial titulado: Aprender a enseñar ciencias en Primaria (APENCIP). Este curso tiene como referente didáctico la investigación escolar (Inquiry- Based Science Education) y está fundamentado en la integración de estrategias basadas en la investigación profesional y el contraste con la práctica innovadora. Con esta investigación se pretende ofrecer una estrategia de análisis desde y con los estudiantes así como recoger sus aportaciones para la retroalimentación de la estrategia formativa.
Journal scan
Authors: Welyczko Nikki
Published: May 2021

A brief overview of recently published articles on gastroenterology, hepatology and stoma care
Career talk: gastrointestinal consultant nurse
Authors: Santos Sara , Watson Harriet
Published: May 2021

In this interview, part of a series about the career pathways of experienced gastrointestinal specialists, Sara Santos speaks with consultant nurse Harriet Watson
Intermittent epidural boluses vs continuous epidural infusion for labour analgesia: which is superior?
Authors: Davis Stephanie , Hird Samuel
Published: May 2021

Epidurals are considered the gold standard for labour analgesia. The possibility of newer pumps reducing staff workload has reignited interest in the advantages of the intermittent bolus technique, but is this superior to a continuous epidural infusion?
Non-medical prescribing by paramedics in emergency, urgent and critical care
Authors: Bedson Adam
Published: May 2021

This article considers some of the unique considerations and challenges that are associated with non-medical prescribing in the context of paramedic emergency care. In contrast to primary care, advanced paramedics practicing in emergency settings are more likely to encounter patients who require an immediate supply or administration of medication and access to a range of controlled drugs. Furthermore, access to medical support for prescribing decision-making, restrictions on the prescribing of controlled drugs and potential challenges in obtaining access to patient records, may also impact non-medical prescribing in these settings. Currently, very little empirical evidence has been published on the topic of non-medical prescribing in paramedic practice. Further research is required to understand whether the anticipated benefits are being realised for patients and NHS services. This is particularly the case in the context of prehospital emergency, urgent and critical care settings.