bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Spinopelvic Imbalance Is Associated With Increased Sway in the Center of Gravity: Validation of the “Cone of Economy” Concept in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Segi Naoki , Nakashima Hiroaki , Ando Kei , Kobayashi Kazuyoshi , Seki Taisuke , Ishizuka Shinya , Takegami Yasuhiko , Machino Masaaki , Ito Sadayuki , Koshimizu Hiroyuki , Tomita Hiroyuki , Hasegawa Yukiharu , Imagama Shiro
Published: September 2021

Study Design:

Cross-sectional study.

Objectives:

To investigate the effects of pelvic compensation on standing balance in healthy volunteers.

Methods:

The 180 healthy volunteers were recruited at a basic health checkup. The inclusion criteria were: 1) age ≥ 65 years, 2) underwent a whole spine radiograph and stabilometry, 3) well-balanced standing posture with a sagittal vertical axis <50 mm, and 4) a visual analog scale of lower back pain of <20 mm. Based on the pelvic incidence (PI) and lumbar lordosis (LL) mismatch, subjects were divided into harmonious (PI–LL ≤ 10°) or unharmonious (PI–LL > 10°) groups.

Results:

Participants in the unharmonious group were significantly older compared with the harmonious group (70.2 ± 4.4 vs. 72.0 ± 4.6 years, P < .01). The PI minus LL values were −2.2° ± 7.5° and 16.6° ± 7.0° in the harmonious and unharmonious groups, respectively ( P < .001). Anteroposterior LNG/TIME (average center of pressure sway speed) was significantly greater in the unharmonious group with both open and closed eyes (1.04 ± 0.38 cm/s vs. 1.25 ± 0.47 cm/s, P < .001 and 1.22 ± 0.54 cm/s vs. 1.58 ± 0.77 cm/s, P < .001, respectively). Lateral LNG/TIME was significantly greater in the unharmonious group only with closed eyes (1.24 ± 0.54 cm/s vs. 1.47 ± 0.79 cm/s, P = .03).

Conclusions:

Healthy elderly subjects with poor spinopelvic harmony had relatively unstable standing balance. The “cone of economy” was demonstrated, showing that unharmonious spinopelvic balance had a non-economic effect on standing.
Retrospective Analysis of Causes and Risk Factors of 30-Day Readmission After Spine Surgery for Thoracolumbar Trauma
Authors: Camacho Jael E. , Kung Justin E. , Thomson Alexandra E. , Ye Ivan B. , Gonzalez Nicolas , Usmani M F. , Sokolow Michael J , Bruckner Jacob J , Cavanaugh Daniel L. , Buraimoh Kendall , Koh Eugene Y , Gelb Daniel E , Ludwig Steven C
Published: September 2021

Study Design

Retrospective Case Series.

Objective

This study aims to evaluate readmission rates, risk factors, and reason for unplanned 30-day readmissions after thoracolumbar spine trauma surgery.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was conducted for patients undergoing operative treatment for thoracic or lumbar trauma with open or minimally invasive surgical approach at a Level 1 urban trauma center. Patients were divided into two groups based on 30-day readmission status. Reason for readmission, reoperation rates, injury type, trauma severity, and incidence of polytrauma were compared between the two groups.

Results

A total of 312 patients, 69.9% male with an average age of 47 ± 19 years were included. The readmitted group included 16 patients (5.1%) of which 9 (56%) were readmitted for medical complications and 7 for surgical complications. Wound complications (31.3% of readmissions) were the most common cause of readmission, followed by non-wound related sepsis (18.9% of readmissions). A total of 6 patients (37.5%) required reoperation; 2 instrumentation failures underwent revision surgery, and 4 wound complications underwent irrigation and debridement. Patients with higher Injury Severity Scale (ISS) were more likely to be readmitted (27.8% vs 22.1%, P = .045). Concomitant lower limb surgery increased odds of readmission (OR, 4.40; 95% CI, 1.10–17.83; P = .037).

Conclusion

Spine trauma 30-day readmission rate was 5.1%, comparable to those reported in the elective spine surgery literature. Readmitted patients were more likely to sustain concomitant operative lower limb trauma. Wound complications were the most common cause of readmission, and almost half of the patients were readmitted due to surgery-related complications.
Multicenter Outcomes After Hip Arthroscopy: Comparative Analysis of Patients Undergoing Concomitant Labral Repair and Ligamentum Teres Debridement Versus Isolated Labral Repair
Authors: Bodendorfer Blake M. , Alter Thomas D. , DeFroda Steven F. , Wolff Andrew B. , Carreira Dominic S. , Cristoforetti John J. , Matsuda Dean K. , Salvo John P. , Kivlan Benjamin R. , Nho Shane J.
Published: September 2021

Background:

Increased attention has been directed toward the ligamentum teres (LT) and its association with acetabular coverage, labral pathology, and hip microinstability; however, few studies have evaluated whether LT pathology influences the rate of clinically significant outcome improvement after hip arthroscopy.

Purpose:

To determine if patients with femoroacetabular impingement syndrome (FAIS) undergoing labral repair and concomitant LT debridement achieve outcomes similar to patients without LT pathology undergoing labral repair.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

We conducted a retrospective review of a prospectively maintained multicenter database for hip arthroscopy. Included were patients with FAIS who underwent primary labral repair and who had preoperative and minimum 2-year postoperative outcome scores. Patients diagnosed with concomitant partial LT tear were identified and matched 1:3 according to age, sex, and body mass index (BMI) to patients without LT pathology. The following clinical outcomes were compared between groups: modified Harris Hip Score, Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living, Hip Outcome Score–Sport Subscale, International Hip Outcome Tool, and visual analog scale for pain and satisfaction. Achievement of the minimal clinically important difference and patient acceptable symptomatic state was also compared between groups.

Results:

This study included 124 patients with FAIS with labral tear and concomitant partial LT tear and 372 patients with labral tear and no LT pathology. The age, BMI, and sex of the matched cohort were 38.0 ± 12.0 years (mean ± SD), 24.3 ± 3.6 kg/m2, and 62.0% female, respectively. No significant difference in age, BMI, sex, workers’ compensation status, or duration of pain was observed at baseline. Analysis of radiographic parameters indicated that patients who underwent isolated labral repair had a lower preoperative Tönnis angle (4.8° ± 4.4° vs 6.3° ± 5.4°; P = .006). There were no significant differences between groups on any pre- or postoperative outcome measure, and there were no significant differences in the proportion of patients who achieved the minimal clinically important difference or patient acceptable symptomatic state on any outcome measure.

Conclusion:

Patients with labral tear and concomitant partial LT tear experienced similar preoperative scores and achieved similar outcomes as patients with isolated labral tears after hip arthroscopy.
Morphological, physiological, and transcriptional responses to low nitrogen stress in Populus deltoides Marsh. clones with contrasting nitrogen use efficiency
Authors: Chen Cun , Chu Yanguang , Huang Qinjun , Zhang Weixi , Ding Changjun , Zhang Jing , Li Bo , Zhang Tengqian , Li Zhenghong , Su Xiaohua
Published: September 2021

Background

Nitrogen (N) is one of the main factors limiting the wood yield in poplar cultivation. Understanding the molecular mechanism of N utilization could play a guiding role in improving the nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) of poplar.

Results

In this study, three N-efficient genotypes (A1-A3) and three N-inefficient genotypes (C1-C3) of Populus deltoides were cultured under low N stress (5 μM NH4NO3) and normal N supply (750 μM NH4NO3). The dry matter mass, leaf morphology, and chlorophyll content of both genotypes decreased under N starvation. The low nitrogen adaptation coefficients of the leaves and stems biomass of group A were significantly higher than those of group C (p < 0.05). Interestingly, N starvation induced fine root growth in group A, but not in group C. Next, a detailed time-course analysis of enzyme activities and gene expression in leaves identified 2062 specifically differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in group A and 1118 in group C. Moreover, the sensitivity to N starvation of group A was weak, and DEGs related to hormone signal transduction and stimulus response played an important role in the low N response this group. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis identified genes related to membranes, catalytic activity, enzymatic activity, and response to stresses that might be critical for poplar’s adaption to N starvation and these genes participated in the negative regulation of various biological processes. Finally, ten influential hub genes and twelve transcription factors were identified in the response to N starvation. Among them, four hub genes were related to programmed cell death and the defense response, and PodelWRKY18, with high connectivity, was involved in plant signal transduction. The expression of hub genes increased gradually with the extension of low N stress time, and the expression changes in group A were more obvious than those in group C.

Conclusions

Under N starvation, group A showed stronger adaptability and better NUE than group C in terms of morphology and physiology. The discovery of hub genes and transcription factors might provide new information for the analysis of the molecular mechanism of NUE and its improvement in poplar.
The impact of in-hospital cardiac rehabilitation program on medication adherence and clinical outcomes in patients with acute myocardial infarction in the Lazio region of Italy
Authors: Soldati Salvatore , Di Martino Mirko , Rosa Alessandro Cesare , Fusco Danilo , Davoli Marina , Mureddu Gian Francesco
Published: September 2021

Background

Medication adherence is a recognized key factor of secondary cardiovascular disease prevention. Cardiac rehabilitation increases medication adherence and adherence to lifestyle changes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of in-hospital cardiac rehabilitation (IH-CR) on medication adherence as well as other cardiovascular outcomes, following an acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

Methods

This is a population-based study. Data were obtained from the Health Information Systems of the Lazio Region, Italy (5 million inhabitants). Hospitalized patients aged ≥ 18 years with an incident AMI in 2013–2015 were investigated. We divided the whole cohort into 4 groups of patients: ST-elevation AMI (STEMI) and non-ST-elevation AMI (NSTEMI) who underwent or not percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) during the hospitalization. Primary outcome was medication adherence. Adherence to chronic poly-therapy, based on prescription claims for both 6- and 12-month follow-up, was defined as Medication Possession Ratio (MPR) ≥ 75% to at least 3 of the following medications: antiplatelets, β-blockers, ACEI/ARBs, statins. Secondary outcomes were all-cause mortality, hospital readmission for cardiovascular and cerebrovascular event (MACCE), and admission to the emergency department (ED) occurring within a 3-year follow-up period.

Results

A total of 13.540 patients were enrolled. The median age was 67 years, 4.552 (34%) patients were female. Among the entire cohort, 1.101 (8%) patients attended IH-CR at 33 regional sites. Relevant differences were observed among the 4 groups previously identified (from 3 to 17%). A strong association between the IH-CR participation and medication adherence was observed among AMI patients who did not undergo PCI, for both 6- and 12-month follow-up. Moreover, NSTEMI-NO-PCI participants had lower risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted IRR 0.76; 95% CI 0.60–0.95), hospital readmission due to MACCE (IRR 0.78; 95% CI 0.65–0.94) and admission to the ED (IRR 0.80; 95% CI 0.70–0.91).

Conclusions

Our findings highlight the benefits of IH-CR and support clinical guidelines that consider CR an integral part in the treatment of coronary artery disease. However, IH-CR participation was extremely low, suggesting the need to identify and correct the barriers to CR participation for this higher-risk group of patients.
Antibiotic prescription consistent with guidelines in emergency department is associated with 30-day survival in severe community-acquired pneumonia
Authors: Kang Seung Hyun , Jo You Hwan , Lee Jae Hyuk , Jang Dong-Hyun , Kim Yu Jin , Park Inwon
Published: September 2021

Background

The selection of initial empirical antibiotics is an important issue in the treatment of severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP). This study aimed to investigate whether empirical antibiotic prescription concordant with guidelines in the emergency department (ED) affects 30-day mortality in patients with severe CAP.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of adult patients with severe CAP who were hospitalized in the ED. Severe CAP was defined according to the criteria of the 2007 Infectious Diseases Society of America/American Thoracic Society guidelines. Patients were divided into two groups according to whether they were prescribed empirical antibiotics concordant with guidelines. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was performed to identify the independent association between the prescription of initial empirical antibiotics concordant with the guidelines and 30-day mortality. Propensity score matching was performed to reduce selection bias between groups and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis was performed to analyze the time-to-event of 30-day survival.

Results

In total, 630 patients were hospitalized in the ED for severe CAP, and 179 (28.4%) died within 30 days. Antibiotics consistent with guidelines were prescribed to 359 (57.0%) patients. The 30-day mortality was significantly higher in the guideline-discordant group (p = 0.003) and multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression analysis revealed that the prescription of antibiotics discordant with the guidelines was independently associated with 30-day mortality (hazard ratio 1.43, 95% CI 1.05–1.93). After propensity score matching, there were 255 patients in each group. The 30-day mortality was lower in the group prescribed guideline-concordant antibiotics than in the group prescribed guideline-discordant antibiotics (23.9% vs. 33.3%, p = 0.024). Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed that antibiotic prescription concordant with the guidelines resulted in higher survival rates at 30 days (p = 0.002).

Conclusions

The prevalence of antibiotic prescription consistent with guidelines for severe CAP seemed to be low in the ED, and this variable was independently associated with 30-day survival.
The rs9953490 polymorphism of DAL-1 gene is associated with gastric cancer risk in the Han population in Northeast China
Authors: Wang Hui , Jiang Yuling , Yu Lina , Xu Lidan , Guan Rongwei , Cai Mengdi , Dong Kexian , Liang Xiao , Bai Jing , Yu Jingcui
Published: September 2021

Background

DAL-1 gene was reported to inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) of gastric cancer (GC) cells in our previous study. The association between the genomic variants in DAL-1 gene with risk of GC is still unclear.

Methods

In this study, 505 GC cases and 544 healthy controls (HCs) were collected to evaluate the association between six single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (rs7240736, rs73937194, rs3817466, rs8082898, rs73381527, rs9953490) of DAL-1 gene and GC risk in the Han population in Northeast China.

Results

The TA + AA genotypes of rs9953490 were significantly associated with an increased risk in N3 compared with N0 subgroup (adjusted OR = 4.56, 95% CI = 1.49–13.98, P = 0.008), and also showed evident association with an increased risk in TNM stage III compared with stage I-II (adjusted OR = 2.33, 95% CI = 1.16–4.67, P = 0.017).

Conclusion

The rs9953490 of DAL-1 gene may play an important role in the occurrence and development of GC in the Han population in Northeast China.
Consistency of spatial dynamics of HIV-1 and HCV among HIV-1/HCV coinfected drug users in China
Authors: Wang Yu , Chen Xin , Ye Mei , Pang Wei , Zhang Chiyu , Xiong Si-Dong , Zheng Yong-Tang
Published: September 2021

Background

As the transmission routes of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) and hepatitis C virus (HCV) are similar, previous studies based on separate research on HIV-1 and HCV assumed a similar transmission pattern. However, few studies have focused on the possible correlation of the spatial dynamics of HIV-1 and HCV among HIV-1/HCV coinfected patients.

Methods

A total of 310 HIV-1/HCV coinfected drug users were recruited in Yingjiang and Kaiyuan prefectures, Yunnan Province, China. HIV-1 env, p17, pol and HCV C/E2, NS5B fragments were amplified and sequenced from serum samples. The genetic characteristics and spatial dynamics of HIV-1 and HCV were explored by phylogenetic, bootscanning, and phylogeographic analyses.

Results

Among HIV-1/HCV coinfected drug users, eight HCV subtypes (1a, 1b, 3a, 3b, 6a, 6n, 6v, and 6u) and two HIV-1 subtypes (subtype B and subtype C), three HIV-1 circulating recombinant forms (CRF01_AE, CRF07_BC and CRF08_BC), and four unique recombinant forms (URF_BC, URF_01B, URF_01C and URF_01BC) were identified. HCV subtype 3b was the most predominant subtype in both Yingjiang and Kaiyuan prefectures. The dominant circulating HIV-1 subtypes for drug users among the two areas were CRF08_BC and URF_BC. Maximum clade credibility trees revealed that both HIV-1 and HCV were transmitted from Yingjiang to Kaiyuan.

Conclusions

The spatial dynamics of HIV-1 and HCV among HIV-1/HCV coinfected drug users seem to have high consistency, providing theoretical evidence for the prevention of HIV-1 and HCV simultaneously.
Evaluation of the position and morphology of tongue and hyoid bone in skeletal Class II malocclusion based on cone beam computed tomography
Authors: Chen Wener , Mou HungEn , Qian Yufen , Qian Liwen
Published: September 2021

Background

The aim of the study was to analyze the morphology and position of the tongue and hyoid bone in skeletal Class II patients with different vertical growth patterns by cone beam computed tomography in comparison to skeletal Class I patients.

Methods

Ninety subjects with malocclusion were divided into skeletal Class II and Class I groups by ANB angles. Based on different vertical growth patterns, subjects in each group were divided into 3 subgroups: high-angle group (MP-FH ≥ 32.0°), average-angle group (22.0° ≤ MP-FH < 32°) and low-angle group (MP-FH < 22°). The position and morphology of the tongue and hyoid bone were evaluated in the cone beam computed tomography images. The independent Student’s t‐test was used to compare the position and morphology of the tongue and hyoid bone between skeletal Class I and Class II groups. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare the measurement indexes of different vertical facial patterns in each group.

Results

Patients in skeletal Class II group had lower tongue posture, and the tongue body was smaller than that of those in the Class I group (P < 0.05). The position of the hyoid bone was lower in the skeletal Class II group than in Class I group (P < 0.05). The tongue length and H-Me in the skeletal Class I group with a low angle were significantly larger than those with an average angle and high angle (P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the position or morphology of the tongue and hyoid bone in the skeletal Class II group with different vertical facial patterns (P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion have lower tongue posture, a smaller tongue body, and greater occurrence of posterior inferior hyoid bone position than skeletal Class I patients. The length of the mandibular body in skeletal Class I patients with a horizontal growth type is longer. The position and morphology of the tongue and hyoid bone were not greatly affected by vertical facial development in skeletal Class II patients.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D is negatively associated with severe periodontitis: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Zhou Fangjing , Ma Ning , Su Ruiting , He Xiaoyu , Wang Xiaona , Zhou Yang , Shi Jing
Published: September 2021

Background

Periodontitis can lead to the destruction of periodontium and adversely influence the overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life. However, studies on the relationship between severe periodontitis and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] are limited. This study is designed to explore the relationship between 25(OH)D and severe periodontitis.

Methods

A cross-section study of 2928 participants enrolled from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 2013 to 2014 was conducted. The periodontal examination was performed using a total oral periodontal examination program, and probe measurements were collected at six sites per tooth in NHANES. Severe periodontitis was characterized as: ≥ 2 interproximal sites with attachment loss (AL) ≥ 6 mm (not on the same tooth) and ≥ 1 interproximal site with probing depth (PD) ≥ 5 mm. Severe periodontitis and serum 25(OH)D were the dependent and independent variables, respectively. Univariate, multivariate, and subgroup analyses were performed to explore the relationship between severe periodontitis and serum 25(OH)D.

Results

Among the 2928 participants, the average age of the population was 50 ± 13.71 years old, with 1425 (48.67%) males, 316 (10.79%) exhibited severe periodontitis. Serum 25(OH)D showed a significantly negative association with severe periodontitis after adjusting all variables (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.63–0.89). In addition, severe periodontitis has a nonlinear relationship with serum 25(OH)D, whoes inflection point was 102 (nmol/L). On the left side of the inflection point (25(OH)D ≤ 102 nmol/L), the effect size was 0.98 and 95%CI was 0.98–0.99 (25(OH)D per 1 nmol/L increments). On the right side of the inflection point (25(OH)D > 102 nmol/L), the effect size was 0.99 and 95% CI was 0.98–1.01. The subgroup analysis showed pronounced changes in non-Hispanic white, alcohol consumption, diabetes, and health insurance.

Conclusion

Serum 25 (OH) D in relation to severe periodontitis is nonlinear in our study.When serum 25 (OH) D is less than 102 nmol/L, serum 25 (OH) D is negatively associated with severe periodontitis.
The relationship between occupational stress, job burnout and quality of life among surgical nurses in Xinjiang, China
Authors: Li Xue , Jiang Ting , Sun Jian , Shi Lingyun , Liu Jiwen
Published: September 2021

Background

Nursing is a high-risk occupation that involves exposure to stress. The physical and mental health of nurses is directly related to the quality of medical services, so the quality of life of nurses cannot be ignored. This study is a Chinese nursing study that investigated occupational stress, job burnout, and quality of life of surgical nurses in Xinjiang, China.

Methods

This study employed the cluster random sampling method and carried out a questionnaire survey among 488 surgical nurses from five hospitals from May 2019 to September 2019. The study analyzed the relationship between occupational stress, job burnout and quality of life. The Effort-Reward Imbalance questionnaire (ERI), Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey (MBI-GS) and the 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) were used to evaluate occupational stress, job burnout and quality of life among surgical nurses.

Results

A total of 550 questionnaires were distributed in this study, and 488 were retrieved, with an effective recovery rate of 88.73 %. The results revealed that the quality of life score among surgical nurses was not high, and differences were observed in the quality of life score of patients according to gender, age, title, and frequency of night shifts (P < 0.05). There was a positive correlation between occupational stress and job burnout. Higher levels of occupational stress and job burnout were associated with a poorer quality of life score. Occupational stress and job burnout were identified as risk factors for quality of life, and the interaction between high levels of stress and burnout seriously reduced quality of life. The structural equation model revealed that occupational stress and job burnout had a direct impact on quality of life, occupational stress had a direct impact on job burnout, and job burnout was identified as a mediating factor in the relationship between occupational stress and quality of life.

Conclusions

Surgical nurses have a high level of occupational stress and burnout, and low quality of life score. Quality of life is correlated with occupational stress and job burnout. According to the individual characteristics and psychological state of nurses, managers can implement personalized intervention measures promptly and effectively to relieve their tension and burnout, and improve the quality of life of surgical nurses.
Household expenditure for immunization among children in India: a two-part model approach
Authors: Srivastava Shobhit , Kumar Pradeep , Chauhan Shekhar , Banerjee Adrita
Published: September 2021

Background

Despite the Indian government’s Universal Immunization Program (UIP), the progress of full immunization coverage is plodding. The cost of delivering routine immunization varies widely across facilities within country and across country. However, the cost an individual bears on child immunization has not been focussed. In this context, this study tries to estimate the expenditure on immunization which an individual bears and the factors affecting immunization coverage at the regional level.

Methods

Using the 75th round of National Sample Survey Organization data, the present paper attempts to check the individual expenditure on immunization and the factors affecting immunization coverage at the regional level. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis were used to fulfil the study objectives. The two-part model has been employed to inspect the determinants of expenditure on immunization.

Results

The overall prevalence of full immunization was 59.3 % in India. Full immunization was highest in Manipur (75.2 %) and lowest in Nagaland (12.8 %). The mean expenditure incurred on immunization varies from as low as Rs. 32.7 in Tripura to as high as Rs. 1008 in Delhi. Children belonging to the urban area [OR: 1.04; CI: 1.035, 1.037] and richer wealth quintile [OR: 1.14; CI: 1.134–1.137] had higher odds of getting immunization. Moreover, expenditure on immunization was high among children from the urban area [Rs. 273], rich wealth quintile [Rs. 297] and who got immunized in a private facility [Rs. 1656].

Conclusions

There exists regional inequality in immunization coverage as well as in expenditure incurred on immunization. Based on the findings, we suggest looking for the supply through follow-up and demand through spreading awareness through mass media for immunization.
The effect of treatment with pimobendan in dogs with preclinical mitral valve disease – a placebo-controlled double-blinded crossover study
Authors: Klein Stephanie , Nolte Ingo , Rumstedt Katja , Sehn Maximiliane , Raue Jonathan Friedemann , Weiner Franziska , Treese Julia Sophie , Beyerbach Martin , Bach Jan-Peter
Published: September 2021

Background

Pimobendan is a widely used medication for the treatment of dogs with congestive heart failure (CHF) and preclinical degenerative mitral valve disease (DMVD) with cardiomegaly. The benefit of a treatment in dogs with preclinical DMVD but without cardiomegaly has not yet been elucidated. Some positive effects concerning life quality and a decrease in cardiac biomarkers could be verified. This study aimed to further investigate these results using a placebo-controlled double-blinded crossover design. Out of a total of 15 dogs, eight were allocated to sequence-group AB, in which dogs received pimobendan (A) during the first treatment period and placebo (B) during the second period. Accordingly, sequence-group BA was treated first with placebo followed by pimobendan. Each treatment period lasted six months and included a baseline investigation and follow-ups after 90 and 180 days. The investigations included a questionnaire completed by the owners, echocardiographic examination, and measurements of NT-proBNP, cTnI and lactate before and after a standardised submaximal exercise test.

Results

NT-proBNP values decreased significantly during the treatment period with pimobendan, and the post-exercise increase was attenuated at day 180. No significant treatment effects could be verified for cTnI and lactate, neither pre- nor post-exercise. Left ventricular size decreased under treatment, whereas no significant changes in left atrial size were detected. The owners described their dogs under treatment with pimobendan as being more active at day 90 (11/15) and day 180 (12/15). Those animals treated with placebo were described as being more active at day 90 (2/15) and day 180 (5/15).

Conclusions

Pimobendan had reducing effects on the concentrations of pre- and post-exercise cardiac biomarkers and the size of the left ventricle in dogs with DMVD ACVIM B1. Exercise testing in addition to an assessment of cardiac biomarkers might improve the decision when to initiate pimobendan treatment in dogs with DMVD.
Association of dietary fiber intake with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus in middle-aged Chinese population
Authors: Jin Fubi , Zhang Jinghong , Shu Long , Han Wei
Published: September 2021

Background

Epidemiological evidence concerning dietary fiber on newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is sparse. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between dietary fiber intake and newly-diagnosed T2DM in a middle-aged Chinese population.

Methods

Using data from the Hangzhou Nutrition and Health Survey collected between June 2015 and December 2016, we investigated the associations between dietary patterns and the risk of chronic non- communicable diseases. Anthropometric measurements and samples collection for biochemical assays are conducted by the well-trained staff and nurse, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of dietary fiber intake on the risk of newly-diagnosed T2DM in crude and adjusted models.

Results

Among 3250 participants, 182 (5.6%) people were identified as newly-diagnosed T2DM. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed a significant inverse association of total dietary fiber with BMI, SBP, DBP, HbA1c and LDL-C in all participants, participants with and without T2DM (P < 0.05). Compared with the study participants in the first quartile (Q1, the lowest consumption)of dietary fiber intake, participants in the fourth quartile (Q4) had a lower prevalence of newly-diagnosed T2DM(OR = 0.70; 95%CI:0.49-1.00; P < 0.05), after adjustment for potential confounders.

Conclusions

In this middle-aged Chinese population, higher intake of dietary fiber was significantly associated with lower risk of newly-diagnosed T2DM. However, our findings need to be confirmed in future large-scale prospective studies.
Effects of hypoxia on Achilles tendon repair using adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells seeded small intestinal submucosa
Authors: Guo Xing , Lv Hui , Fan ZhongWei , Duan Ke , Liang Jie , Zou LongFei , Xue Hao , Huang DengHua , Wang YuanHui , Tan MeiYun
Published: September 2021

Background

The study was performed to evaluate the feasibility of utilizing small intestinal submucosa (SIS) scaffolds seeded with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) for engineered tendon repairing rat Achilles tendon defects and to compare the effects of preconditioning treatments (hypoxic vs. normoxic) on the tendon healing.

Methods

Fifty SD rats were randomized into five groups. Group A received sham operation (blank control). In other groups, the Achilles tendon was resected and filled with the original tendon (Group B, autograft), cell-free SIS (Group C), or SIS seeded with ADMSCs preconditioned under normoxic conditions (Group D) or hypoxic conditions (Group E). Samples were collected 4 weeks after operation and analyzed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and tensile testing.

Results

Histologically, compared with Groups C and D, Group E showed a significant improvement in extracellular matrix production and a higher compactness of collagen fibers. Group E also exhibited a significantly higher peak tensile load than Groups D and C. Additionally, Group D had a significantly higher peak load than Group C. Immunohistochemically, Group E exhibited a significantly higher percentage of MKX + cells than Group D. The proportion of ADMSCs simultaneously positive for both MKX and CM-Dil observed from Group E was also greater than that in Group D.

Conclusions

In this animal model, the engineered tendon grafts created by seeding ADMSCs on SIS were superior to cell-free SIS. The hypoxic precondition further improved the expression of tendon-related genes in the seeded cells and increased the rupture load after grafting in the Achilles tendon defects.
ProLIF: a library to encode molecular interactions as fingerprints
Authors: Bouysset Cédric , Fiorucci Sébastien
Published: September 2021

Interaction fingerprints are vector representations that summarize the three-dimensional nature of interactions in molecular complexes, typically formed between a protein and a ligand. This kind of encoding has found many applications in drug-discovery projects, from structure-based virtual-screening to machine-learning. Here, we present ProLIF, a Python library designed to generate interaction fingerprints for molecular complexes extracted from molecular dynamics trajectories, experimental structures, and docking simulations. It can handle complexes formed of any combination of ligand, protein, DNA, or RNA molecules. The available interaction types can be fully reparametrized or extended by user-defined ones. Several tutorials that cover typical use-case scenarios are available, and the documentation is accompanied with code snippets showcasing the integration with other data-analysis libraries for a more seamless user-experience. The library can be freely installed from our GitHub repository (https://github.com/chemosim-lab/ProLIF).
Metabolic reprogramming and metabolic sensors in KSHV-induced cancers and KSHV infection
Authors: Li Tingting , Gao Shou-Jiang
Published: September 2021

Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV) is an oncogenic gammaherpesvirus associated with several human cancers. KSHV infection and KSHV-induced anabolic cell proliferation and cellular transformation depend on reprogramming of cellular metabolic pathways, which provide the building blocks and energy for the growth of both the virus and the infected cells. Furthermore, KSHV dysregulates numerous metabolic sensors including mTOR, AMPK, CASTOR1 and sirtuins to maintain cellular energetic homeostasis during infection and in KSHV-induced cancers. In this review, we summarize the recent advances in the understanding of KSHV hijacking of metabolic pathways and sensors, providing insights into the molecular basis of KSHV infection and KSHV-induced oncogenesis. In addition, we highlight the critical metabolic targets and sensors for developing potential new therapies against KSHV infection and KSHV-induced cancers.
Evaluating measures of quality of life in adult scoliosis: a protocol for a systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Archer James E. , Baird Charles , Gardner Adrian , Rushton Alison B. , Heneghan Nicola R.
Published: September 2021

Background

Adult scoliosis represents a distinct subgroup of scoliosis patients for whom the diagnosis can have a large impact on their health-related quality of life (HR-QOL). Therefore, HR-QOL patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) are essential to assess disease progression and the impact of interventions. The objective of this systematic review is to evaluate the measurement properties of HR-QOL PROMs in adult scoliosis patients.

Methods

We will conduct a literature search, from their inception onwards, of multiple electronic databases including AMED, CINAHL, EMBASE, Medline, PsychINFO and PubMed. The searches will be performed in two stages. For both stages of the search, participants will be aged 18 and over with a diagnosis of scoliosis. The primary outcome of interest in the stage one searches will be studies which use PROMs to investigate HR-QOL as defined by the Core Outcome Measures in Effectiveness Trials (COMET) taxonomy, the secondary outcome will be to assess the frequency of use of the various PROMs. In stage two, the primary outcome of interest will be studies which assess the measurement properties of the HR-QOL PROMs identified in stage one. No specific measurement property will be given priority. No planned secondary outcomes have been identified but will be reported if discovered. In stage one, the only restriction on study design will be the exclusion of systematic reviews. In Stage two the only restriction on study design will be the exclusion of full-text articles not available in the English language.

Two reviewers will independently screen all citations and abstract data. Potential conflicts will be resolved through discussion. The study methodological quality (or risk of bias) will be appraised using the Consensus-based Standards for the selection of Health Measurement Instruments (COSMIN) checklist. The overall strength of the body of evidence will then be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) approach. A narrative synthesis will be provided with information presented in the main text and tables to summarise and explain the characteristics and findings of the included studies. The narrative synthesis will explore the evidence for currently used PROMs in adult scoliosis patients and any areas that require further study.

Discussion

The review will help clinicians and researchers identify a HR-QOL PROM for use in patients with adult scoliosis. Findings from the review will be published and disseminated through a peer-reviewed journal and conference presentations.

Systematic review registration

This systematic review has been registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO), reference number: CRD42020219437
«Παιδιά-Θαύματα» με Εξαιρετικά Υψηλό Δείκτη Νοημοσύνης
Authors: Μητσοπούλου Ευτυχία , Αντωνίου Αλέξανδρος-Σταμάτιος
Published: September 2021

Μία κατηγορία μαθητών για την οποία τα τελευταία χρόνια παρατηρείται αυξημένο ερευνητικό ενδιαφέρον αποτελούν τα χαρισματικά παιδιά με Δείκτη Νοημοσύνης 160+ τα οποία συνήθως αποκαλούνται χαρισματικά παιδιά πολύ υψηλού επιπέδου ή εξαιρετικά χαρισματικά παιδιά. Στην καθημερινότητα οι άνθρωποι τείνουν να χαρακτηρίζουν αυτά τα παιδιά ως «παιδιά-θαύματα» ή ιδιοφυΐες και ανάμεσα στα ποικίλα χαρακτηριστικά που διαθέτουν τα εξαιρετικά χαρισματικά παιδιά είναι η πρώιμη ανάπτυξη του λόγου και της ανάγνωσης, τα υψηλά επίπεδα ενέργειας και η ωριμότητα του χιούμορ τους. Η πρώιμη ανάπτυξη σε αυτούς τους τομείς έχει θετικά αποτελέσματα στη γνωστική και κοινωνικοσυναισθηματική ανάπτυξη αυτών των παιδιών, ωστόσο,  ειδικά στον τομέα της κοινωνικής ανάπτυξης, τα εξαιρετικά χαρισματικά παιδιά αντιμετωπίζουν αρκετές δυσκολίες σε σχέση με τα χαρισματικά παιδιά μέσου επιπέδου, όπως προβλήματα κοινωνικής απομόνωσης. Επιπρόσθετα, ένα μεγάλο ποσοστό αυτών των παιδιών δεν εντοπίζεται έγκαιρα ή μπορεί και να μην εντοπιστεί καθόλου. Γι’ αυτό και απαιτείται ειδική μέριμνα και εξειδικευμένες εκπαιδευτικές παρεμβάσεις για τη συγκεκριμένη ομάδα μαθητών, όπως η συμβουλευτική, τα καλοκαιρινά προγράμματα, ο εμπλουτισμός της ύλης, η κατ’ οίκον διδασκαλία και η επιτάχυνση, παρεμβάσεις οι οποίες θα πρέπει να αποτελέσουν προτεραιότητα για την εκπαίδευση ώστε τα εξαιρετικά χαρισματικά παιδιά να μπορέσουν να καινοτομήσουν, να δημιουργήσουν από το μηδέν και να αξιοποιήσουν στο μέγιστο το εγγενές δυναμικό τους.
Αίτια που Οδηγούν στην Υποεπίδοση των Χαρισματικών Παιδιών
Authors: Ξυπολιτά Ειρήνη , Αντωνίου Αλέξανδρος-Σταμάτιος
Published: September 2021

Η υποεπίδοση των χαρισματικών παιδιών αποτελεί θέμα που έχει διερευνηθεί συστηματικά τα τελευταία χρόνια. Ο εννοιολογικός διαχωρισμός ανάμεσα σε χαρισματικότητα και επίτευξη έχει οδηγήσει σε μια συνεχή μελέτη των παραγόντων που συμβάλλουν στην υποεπίδοση των χαρισματικών νέων. Οι παράγοντες κατηγοριοποιούνται κυρίως σε ενδοπροσωπικούς και διαπροσωπικούς. Τα χαρισματικά παιδιά που στερούνται οικογενειακής υποστήριξης είναι περισσότερο πιθανό να εμφανίσουν υποεπίδοση. Η σημασία ενός υποστηρικτικού οικογενειακού και σχολικού περιβάλλοντος αναδεικνύεται στην πλειονότητα των ερευνών. Οι σημαντικοί άλλοι στη ζωή του παιδιού φαίνεται ότι αποτελούν έναν αντισταθμιστικό παράγοντα στα αρνητικά αποτελέσματα. Αντίθετα, ένα σχολικό σύστημα, το οποίο είναι ανέτοιμο να ανταποκριθεί στις ανάγκες του παιδιού μπορεί να συμβάλει στην κοινωνική, συναισθηματική και ακαδημαϊκή περιθωριοποίησή του. Ένα σημαντικό ποσοστό χαρισματικών παιδιών αποσύρεται, εμφανίζοντας κοινωνικές και συναισθηματικές δυσκολίες σε συνδυασμό με υποεπίδοση. Η αναγκαιότητα σχεδιασμού εκπαιδευτικών συστημάτων προσαρμοσμένων στις εξαιρετικές ικανότητες των χαρισματικών μαθητών γίνεται ολοένα και πιο επιτακτική. Οι προαπαιτούμενες αλλαγές του εκπαιδευτικού συστήματος θα πρέπει να είναι ριζικές και να συμπεριλαμβάνουν την οικογένεια ως σύστημα. Η εύρεση και κατανόηση των παραγόντων υποεπίδοσης των χαρισματικών παιδιών αποτελεί τη βάση ενός επιτυχημένου εκπαιδευτικού συστήματος.
DETERMINANTS OF THE LEVEL OF FINANCIAL LITERACY IN TURKEY
Authors: Düzakın Hatice , Yılmaz Süreyya
Published: September 2021

The main objective of this study was to explain individuals’ financial literacy levels through socioeconomic and demographic variables. A random sample of 1000 participants was recruited from Turkey. As an indicator of the financial literacy level, a measure with three constructs was adopted: financial attitude, financial behaviour and financial knowledge. Logit model was estimated from these explanatory variables: gender, age, marital status, number of family members, education, income, number of persons with income, household income and working conditions. In the logit model results, the effect of gender, age and education was statistically significant and positive. The results emphasized that there is a relationship between financial literacy level and gender, age and education. Additionally, the results of this study indicated that the level of financial literacy is 52.9% in Turkey.
REEXAMING THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY TAX ACT OF 1981: EVIDENCE FROM INNOVATIVE EFFICIENCY
Authors: Li Zhaochu , Lytvynenko Iryna P. , Philippoff Karl S.
Published: September 2021

The research objective of this article is to examine the Economic Recovery Tax Act of 1981 (ERTA) on innovative efficiency, which measures how effectively firms convert research spending and existing human capital into new patents and products. Research method- wise, this study measures innovative efficiency by dividing the number of new patents to average R&D expenses and analyses how innovative efficiency changed after the ERTA using regression. The main conclusion is that the ERTA tax credit decreased innovative efficiency and competitions for research resources could explain this reduction. These findings provide new insights on the effectiveness of R&D tax policies from the efficiency perspective. Policy makers should consider these findings when designing R&D tax policies in the future.
EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE OF THE SUITABILITY OF IFRS FOR BANKING SECTOR IN SUB-SAHARAN AFRICAN COUNTRIES
Authors: Tiruneh Dawit Tadesse
Published: September 2021

The reason for this investigation was to survey the appropriateness of International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) in sub-Saharan African nations banking sector like Ethiopia. The following research endeavors to acquire experiences into the benefits and detriments of IFRS execution in Ethiopian Banking sector depending on the view of banks financial directors, scholastics in accounting and external auditor. Examination is insightful of online overview, which intends to clarify the appropriateness of IFRS as opposed to depict a population. Along these lines, representativeness of the example to the population was not the objective of the examination; it endeavors rather to guarantee legitimacy of the information by applying purposive testing (Oppenheim, 1992). In such manner an aggregate of 30 surveys were conveyed to banks financial supervisors, scholastics and external auditors who have rich information and involvement with IFRS execution in financial sector in Ethiopia. Of the 26 answers (87 percent), 26 finished polls were broke down. The outcomes recommend that IFRS execution is appropriate for the banking sector of Ethiopia regardless of whether banks are causing extra significant expenses to carry out the standards. The selection of IFRS gives numerous benefits to the financial sector climate without logical inconsistency with Ethiopian financial laws and corporate duty. The advantages that the financial sector in Ethiopia will get from IFRS execution pertinently and dependably addresses the financial reports more than its execution cost.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASING THE EXPORT OF LATVIA TO UE COUNTRIES
Authors: Pancenko Erika , Ivanova Tatyana
Published: September 2021

The relevance of this study is tied to the fact, that more effective application of export potential represents a major step towards the integration of Latvia’s economy into a unified economic framework with other European Union countries. In addition, the lack of a generally accepted methodology for assessing export potential increases the significance of these studies from a methodological point of view. The purpose of this study is to analyse the trends in Latvian exports and assess the possibilities of increasing the volume of exports of goods to the EU countries. This study applied quantitative and qualitative methods of analysis, analysis of statistical data, methods for assessing the intensity, complementarity of trade between two countries and the potential for exporting Latvian goods to EU countries. The study identifies the countries and categories of goods where Latvian trade potentialto EU can be increased. The authors of the article propose criteria for determining possibility of increasing the export of various groups of goods. The paper may be of interest to all export transaction participants, including manufacturers, merchants, and professional associations. The export expansion assessment method applied by the authors may be adopted by exporting companies to identify groups of goods that have export growth reserves.
A Tale of Two Perspectives: How Psychology and Neuroscience Contribute to Understanding Personhood
Authors: Smith Erin I.
Published: September 2021

Empirical science, such as psychology and neuroscience, employ diverse methods to develop data driven models and explanations for complex phenomena. In research on the self, differences in these methods produce different depictions of persons. Research in developmental psychology highlights the role of intuitive beliefs, such as psychological essentialism and intuitive dualism, in individuals’ singular, cohesive, and stable sense of self. On the other hand, research in neuroscience highlights the de-centralized, distributed, multitudes of neural networks in competition making selves, with arguments around whether the interpretation of these data imply that the self is somehow fundamental and special to human functioning. In this paper, I explore these discrepant pictures of the self to advance understanding about personhood. Specifically, I suggest that these divergent pictures of self from psychology and neuroscience have the potential to inform philosophical and theological discussions around personhood by anchoring models of persons in empirical views of persons. Likewise, I explore the opportunity for philosophy and theology to inform and enhance scientific research on the self by critiquing scientific bias and construct development as well as highlighting potential limits in understanding selves with empirical models.