bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Chiral separation in the class of proton pump inhibitors by chromatographic and electromigration techniques: An overview
Authors: Papp Lajos Attila , Hancu Gabriel , Kelemen Hajnal , Tóth Gergő
Published: May 2021

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are benzimidazole‐derivative chiral sulfoxides, frequently used in the treatment of gastric hyperacidity‐related disorders. Due to their stereoselective metabolism, the eutomeric forms of PPIs can present a more advantageous pharmacokinetic profile by comparison with the distomers or racemates. Moreover, two representatives of the class are used in therapy both as racemates and as pure enantiomers (esomeprazole, dexlansoprazole). A relatively large number of enantioseparation methods employed for the stereoselective determination of PPIs from pharmaceutical, biological, and environmental matrices were published in the past three decades. The purpose of the current overview is to provide a systematic survey of the available chiral separation methods published since the introduction of PPIs in the therapy up to the present. Analytical and bioanalytical methods using different chromatographic and electromigration techniques reported for the enantioseparation of omeprazole, lansoprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, ilaprazole, and tenatoprazole are included. The analytical conditions of the presented methods are summarized in three comprehensive tables, while a critical discussion of the applied techniques, possible mechanism of enantiorecognition, and future perspectives on the topic are also presented.
In Situ Effects of a Microplastic Mixture on the Community Structure of Benthic Macroinvertebrates in a Freshwater Pond
Authors: Stanković Jelena , Milošević Djuradj , Jovanović Boris , Savić-Zdravković Dimitrija , Petrović Ana , Raković Maja , Stanković Nikola , Stojković Piperac Milica
Published: May 2021

Benthic communities contain some of the most threatened organisms in aquatic habitats due to different anthropogenic pressures. The high abundance of microplastics in sediments will continue to increase in the future, further increasing the probability of interactions between macroinvertebrates and microplastics. In the present study, a benthic community in a relatively pristine shallow pond was exposed either to an environmentally relevant high concentration of a microplastic mixture of 80 g m–2 in the sediment, or a control sediment, without the addition of microplastics. The mixture of microplastics contained irregularly shaped polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyamide in a ratio of 50:25:25%, respectively. The in situ experiment lasted for 100 d. The total number of taxa that colonized the microcosms was 22 (17 in the control and 18 in the microplastic treatment), and the colonization was not affected by the treatment. The most dominant group within the macroinvertebrate community was the dipteran family Chironomidae, in both the control and the microplastic treatment. No significant differences in the abundance and biomass at a community level were recorded between the groups by permutational multivariate analysis of variance (F = 0.993, p = 0.456 and F = 0.344, p = 0.797, respectively). The mixture of microplastics did not influence the abundance or biomass of the functional feeding groups (F = 1.810, p = 0.137 and F = 0.377, p = 0.736, respectively). The species richness, species abundance, species biomass, Shannon's diversity index, and Simpson's index of diversity showed no statistically significant differences between the control and treatment groups. Czekanowski's quantitative similarity index indicated that 84% of the community remained unaffected after microplastic exposure. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:888–895. © 2021 SETAC

Abstract

Exposure of freshwater benthic macroinvertebrate community to a high concentration of a microplastic mixture of irregular shaped polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), and polyamide (PA), with control on the right.
Index modulation based decision gathering schemes for wireless sensor networks
Authors: Alhasanat Abdullah , Althunibat Saud , Alhasanat Mohanad , Alsafasfeh Moath
Published: May 2021

Decision gathering process in target‐detection wireless sensor networks (WSNs) has an essential impact on the overall performance. Among the different decision gathering approaches, a recently proposed scheme, denoted by index modulation based WSN (IM‐WSN), has shown a significant enhancement in the decision error rate (DER). The IM‐WSN scheme exploits the concept of IM to convey sensing results from distributed clusters in cluster‐based WSNs. In this work, we aim at further enhancing the decision accuracy of IM‐WSN by improving the transmit diversity of each cluster. Specifically, two schemes, referred to as group‐based IM (GIM‐WSN) and combination‐based IM (CIM‐WSN), are proposed. Both schemes rely on increasing transmit diversity by allowing more than one node to act as cluster head and forward sensing results to the sink node. The average decision rate is formulated in a unified closed form expression for both schemes. In comparison with the state‐of‐art schemes, simulation results show that the proposed schemes exhibit better performance in terms of DER without additional complexity or energy consumption.
How cerebral cortex protects itself from interictal spikes: The alpha/beta inhibition mechanism
Authors: Pellegrino Giovanni , Hedrich Tanguy , Sziklas Viviane , Lina Jean‐Marc , Grova Christophe , Kobayashi Eliane
Published: May 2021

Interactions between interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) and distant cortical regions subserve potential effects on cognition of patients with focal epilepsy. We hypothesize that “healthy” brain areas at a distance from the epileptic focus may respond to the interference of IEDs by generating inhibitory alpha and beta oscillations. We predict that more prominent alpha‐beta oscillations can be found in patients with less impaired neurocognitive profile. We performed a source imaging magnetoencephalography study, including 41 focal epilepsy patients: 21 with frontal lobe epilepsy (FLE) and 20 with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy. We investigated the effect of anterior (i.e., frontal and temporal) IEDs on the oscillatory pattern over posterior head regions. We compared cortical oscillations (5–80 Hz) temporally linked to 3,749 IEDs (1,945 frontal and 1,803 temporal) versus an equal number of IED‐free segments. We correlated results from IED triggered oscillations to global neurocognitive performance. Only frontal IEDs triggered alpha‐beta oscillations over posterior head regions. IEDs with higher amplitude triggered alpha‐beta oscillations of higher magnitude. The intensity of posterior head region alpha‐beta oscillations significantly correlated with a better neuropsychological profile. Our study demonstrated that cerebral cortex protects itself from IEDs with generation of inhibitory alpha‐beta oscillations at distant cortical regions. The association of more prominent oscillations with a better cognitive status suggests that this mechanism might play a role in determining the cognitive resilience in patients with FLE.
Admission Urinary and Serum Metabolites Predict Renal Outcomes in Hospitalized Patients With Cirrhosis
Authors: Bajaj Jasmohan S. , Garcia‐Tsao Guadalupe , Reddy K. Rajender , O’Leary Jacqueline G. , Vargas Hugo E. , Lai Jennifer C. , Kamath Patrick S. , Tandon Puneeta , Subramanian Ram M. , Thuluvath Paul , Fagan Andrew , Sehrawat Tejasav , de la Rosa Rodriguez Randolph , Thacker Leroy R. , Wong Florence
Published: May 2021

Background and Aims

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has a poor prognosis in cirrhosis. Given the variability of creatinine, the prediction of AKI and dialysis by other markers is needed. The aim of this study is to determine the role of serum and urine metabolomics in the prediction of AKI and dialysis in an inpatient cirrhosis cohort.

Approach and Results

Inpatients with cirrhosis from 11 North American Consortium of End‐stage Liver Disease centers who provided admission serum/urine when they were AKI and dialysis‐free were included. Analysis of covariance adjusted for demographics, infection, and cirrhosis severity was performed to identify metabolites that differed among patients (1) who developed AKI or not; (2) required dialysis or not; and/pr (3) within AKI subgroups who needed dialysis or not. We performed random forest and AUC analyses to identify specific metabolite(s) associated with outcomes. Logistic regression with clinical variables with/without metabolites was performed. A total of 602 patients gave serum (218 developed AKI, 80 needed dialysis) and 435 gave urine (164 developed AKI, 61 needed dialysis). For AKI prediction, clinical factor–adjusted AUC was 0.91 for serum and 0.88 for urine. Major metabolites such as uremic toxins (2,3‐dihydroxy‐5‐methylthio‐4‐pentenoic acid [DMTPA], N2N2dimethylguanosine, uridine/pseudouridine) and tryptophan/tyrosine metabolites (kynunerate, 8‐methoxykyunerate, quinolinate) were higher in patients who developed AKI. For dialysis prediction, clinical factor–adjusted AUC was 0.93 for serum and 0.91 for urine. Similar metabolites as AKI were altered here. For dialysis prediction in those with AKI, the AUC was 0.81 and 0.79 for serum/urine. Lower branched‐chain amino‐acid (BCAA) metabolites but higher cysteine, tryptophan, glutamate, and DMTPA were seen in patients with AKI needing dialysis. Serum/urine metabolites were additive to clinical variables for all outcomes.

Conclusions

Specific admission urinary and serum metabolites were significantly additive to clinical variables to predict AKI development and dialysis initiation in inpatients with cirrhosis. These observations can potentially facilitate earlier initiation of renoprotective measures.
Prevalence of food insecurity and related factors among slum households in Kerman, south of Iran
Authors: Amiresmaeili Mohammadreza , Yazdi‐Feyzabadi Vahid , Heidarijamebozorgi Majid
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Household food insecurity (FI) is defined as limited or uncertain access to nutritionally adequate and safe food or limited ability to obtain foods in socially acceptable ways has become a global issue in recent decades.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted in Kerman, southeast of Iran in 2019, covering 559 marginalised households. United States Department of Agriculture food security measure was used for data collection. Finally, data were analysed using t‐test, χ2, Mann–Whitney tests and logistic regression.

Results

The prevalence of FI was 82% among slums households. The most important experience of FI in households was reliance on low‐cost foods. There was a significant relationship between slums FI and gender of head of household, household size, household income, household education level and marital status (p ˂ 0.05). According to the results of the multivariate regression the variables of education, household income level and household size significantly determined FI (p ˂ 0.05).

Conclusion

The most important determinant of FI was low socioeconomic status (income, education, household size). Hence, public policies targeting socioeconomic factors should be made to improve the socioeconomic status of slum dwellers.
Early introduction oral immunotherapy for IgE‐mediated cow's milk allergy: A follow‐up study confirms this approach as safe and appealing to parents
Authors: Badina Laura , Levantino Laura , Carrato Valentina , Peruch Giulia , Celsi Fulvio , Barbi Egidio , Berti Irene , Longo Giorgio
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Early introduction oral immunotherapy (E‐OIT) in the first year of life can be a safe treatment for infants with cow's milk allergy (CMA). Once the protocol is completed, doubts remain whether children achieve tolerance or remain desensitized. According to current guidelines, this is determined by an avoidance period followed by a re‐exposure to the food allergen during an in‐hospital oral food challenge (OFC). In real life, this approach can be complicated, time‐consuming, and anxiety‐provoking for parents. We assessed the long‐term safety of E‐OIT for CMA in a cohort of children who switched to an unrestricted diet without testing the achievement of tolerance at the end of the OIT protocol.

Materials and Methods

We performed a descriptive analysis of the clinical follow‐up of a cohort of children diagnosed with IgE‐mediated CMA and undergoing E‐OIT protocol in their first year of life. In a previous publication, the same cohort of patients had been studied to assess the feasibility of E‐OIT for CMA. In the present study, we reported the results of a telephone survey, carried out through a questionnaire to their families enquiring about milk consumption and other ongoing atopic conditions of children.

Results

After an average of 4 years from the start of E‐OIT, 62/73 patients (85% of the historical cohort) participated in the survey. Among them, all 56 patients who had previously successfully completed the protocol reported an unrestricted cow's milk intake. Ninety–three percent of these children did not experience any further allergic reactions, while the remaining 7% described only mild and transitory reactions until the 6‐month period after the end of the protocol.

Conclusions

This study confirmed the long‐term safety of E‐OIT for CMA and challenged the paradigm of the need for allergen food withdrawal to discern between desensitization and tolerance. It could be a starting point for planning future trials on this issue.
Geophagia and risk of squamous cell esophageal cancer in the African esophageal cancer corridor: Findings from the ESCCAPE multicountry case‐control studies
Authors: Narh Clement T. , Dzamalala Charles P. , Mmbaga Blandina T. , Menya Diana , Mlombe Yohannie , Finch Peter , Nyakunga Gissela , Schüz Joachim , McCormack Valerie ,   ESCCAPE team
Published: May 2021

Geophagia, the intentional practice of consuming soil, occurs across the African esophageal cancer corridor, particularly during pregnancy. We investigated whether this practice is linked to endemic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in this region. We conducted ESCC case‐control studies in Tanzania, Malawi and Kenya. Cases were patients with incident histologically/clinically confirmed ESCC and controls were hospital patients/visitors without digestive diseases. Participants were asked if they had ever eaten soil (never/regularly/pregnancy‐only). Odds ratios (OR) are adjusted for sex, age, tobacco, alcohol, country, religion and marital status. Overall, 934 cases (Malawi 535, Tanzania 304 and Kenya females 95) and 995 controls provided geophagia information. Among controls, ever‐geophagia was common in women (Malawi 49%, Kenya 43% and Tanzania 29%) but not in men (10% Malawi, <1% Tanzania). In women, ESCC ORs were 1.25 (95% CI: 0.70, 2.22) for regular versus never geophagia and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.64, 1.22) for pregnancy‐only versus never. Findings were stronger based on comparisons of cases with hospital visitor controls and were null using hospital patients as controls. In conclusion, geophagia is too rare to contribute to the male ESCC burden in Africa. In women, the practice is common but we did not find consistent evidence of a link to ESCC. The study cannot rule out selection bias masking modest effects. Physical effects of geophagia do not appear to have a large impact on overall ESCC risk. Research with improved constituent‐based geophagia exposure assessment is needed.
Causal association of childhood obesity with cancer risk in adulthood: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Fang Xuexian , Wang Xinhui , Song Zijun , Han Dan , Yin Xiangju , Liu Bingqing , Chen Luyi , Zhang Ronghua , Lian Fuzhi , Sui Xinbing
Published: May 2021

In observational studies of children and adolescents, higher body weight has been associated with distinct disease outcomes, including cancer, in adulthood. Therefore, we performed a two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to evaluate the causal effect of childhood obesity on long‐term cancer risk. Single‐nucleotide polymorphisms associated with higher childhood body mass index (BMI) from large‐scale genome‐wide association studies were used as genetic instruments. Summary‐level data for 24 site‐specific cancers were obtained from UK Biobank. We found that a 1‐SD increase in childhood BMI (kg/m2) was significantly associated with a 60% increase in risk of pancreatic cancer (odds ratio [OR]: 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.12‐2.28; P < 0.01) and a 47% increase in risk of esophageal cancer (OR: 1.47; 95% CI: 1.09‐1.97; P < 0.01) in adults. In contrast, there was an inverse association of genetic predisposition to childhood obesity with throat (OR: 0.46; 95% CI: 0.27‐0.79; P < 0.01) and breast cancer (OR: 0.77; 95% CI: 0.64‐0.94; P < 0.01) in adult life. For the other 20 cancers studied, no statistically significant association was observed. Our MR analyses found causal effects of childhood obesity on several cancers. Maintaining a healthy weight should be emphasized during childhood and adolescence to prevent cancer risk later in life.
The awareness levels of women for gynecologic cancer in Turkey: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Teskereci Gamze , Arslan Ülkü Özer , Öncel Selma
Published: May 2021

Objective

To investigate the awareness levels of women for gynecologic cancers and the affecting factors.

Methods

This descriptive and cross‐sectional study was conducted with 321 women. Data were collected using a Personal Information Form and the Gynecologic Cancer Awareness Scale (GCAS).

Results

The women's mean score (± standard deviation) on the GCAS was 151.08 ± 3.84. It was determined that the awareness of gynecologic cancer in the women who had undergone gynecologic examination and cervical smear test was higher than in other women. It was also determined that the level of education and income level, the status of having gynecologic examination and operation, and the wanting to get information about gynecologic cancer were not found to affect awareness of gynecologic cancers. The gynecologic cancer awareness of the women increased with the increase in age. It was found that there was no statistically significant relationship between the years of marriage, gravida, and the number of children, and the total GCAS score.

Conclusion

Although the gynecologic cancer awareness levels of the participants were high, they were not at the intended level. Education including early diagnosis, risk factors, and symptoms should be provided to women to increase their awareness of gynecologic cancer.
Effect of ketamine on gene expression in zebrafish embryos
Authors: Gu Qiang , Kanungo Jyotshna
Published: May 2021

Ketamine is an N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonist. Used as an anesthetic, potential neurotoxic and cardiotoxic effects of ketamine in animal models have been reported. The underlying mechanisms of ketamine‐induced toxicity are not clear. The zebrafish is an ideal model for toxicity assays because of its predictive capability in chemical testing, which compares well with that of mammalian models. To gain insight into potential mechanisms of ketamine effects, we performed real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction‐based gene expression array analyses. Gene expression analysis was conducted for multiple genes (a total of 84) related to 10 major signaling pathways including the transforming growth factor β (TGFβ), Wingless and Int‐1 (Wnt), nuclear factor κ‐light‐chain‐enhancer of activated B cells (NF‐κB), Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK/STAT), p53, Notch, Hedgehog, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR), oxidative stress, and hypoxia pathways. Our results show that ketamine altered the expression of specific genes related to hypoxia, p53, Wnt, Notch, TGFβ, PPAR, and oxidative stress pathways. Thus, we can further focus on these specific pathways to elucidate the mechanisms by which ketamine elicits a toxic response.
Enhancing wound healing dressing development through interdisciplinary collaboration
Authors: Hawthorne Briauna , Simmons J. Kai , Stuart Braden , Tung Robert , Zamierowski David S. , Mellott Adam J.
Published: May 2021

The process of wound healing includes four phases: Hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Many wound dressings and technologies have been developed to enhance the body's ability to close wounds and restore the function of damaged tissues. Several advancements in wound healing technology have resulted from innovative experiments by individual scientists or physicians working independently. The interplay between the medical and scientific research fields is vital to translating new discoveries in the lab to treatments at the bedside. Tracing the history of wound dressing development reveals that there is an opportunity for deeper collaboration between multiple disciplines to accelerate the advancement of novel wound healing technologies. In this review, we explore the different types of wound dressings and biomaterials used to treat wounds, and we investigate the role of multidisciplinary collaboration in the development of various wound management technologies to illustrate the benefit of direct collaboration between physicians and scientists.
From the niche to malignant hematopoiesis and back: reciprocal interactions between leukemia and the bone marrow microenvironment
Authors: Soto Celia A. , Lo Celso Cristina , Purton Louise E. , Frisch Benjamin J.
Published: May 2021

The bone marrow microenvironment (BMME) regulates hematopoiesis through a complex network of cellular and molecular components. Hematologic malignancies reside within, and extensively interact with, the same BMME. These interactions consequently alter both malignant and benign hematopoiesis in multiple ways, and can encompass initiation of malignancy, support of malignant progression, resistance to chemotherapy, and loss of normal hematopoiesis. Herein, we will review supporting studies for interactions of the BMME with hematologic malignancies and discuss challenges still facing this exciting field of research. © 2021 The Authors. JBMR Plus published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
miR-433-3p suppresses bone formation and mRNAs critical for osteoblast function in mice
Authors: Garcia John , Smith Spenser S. , Karki Sangita , Drissi Hicham , Hrdlicka Henry H. , Youngstrom Daniel W. , Delany Anne M.
Published: May 2021

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key posttranscriptional regulators of osteoblastic commitment and differentiation. miR-433-3p was previously shown to target Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2) and to be repressed by bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling. Here, we show that miR-433-3p is progressively decreased during osteoblastic differentiation of primary mouse bone marrow stromal cells in vitro, and we confirm its negative regulation of this process. Although repressors of osteoblastic differentiation often promote adipogenesis, inhibition of miR-433-3p did not affect adipocyte differentiation in vitro. Multiple pathways regulate osteogenesis. Using luciferase-3′ untranslated region (UTR) reporter assays, five novel miR-433-3p targets involved in parathyroid hormone (PTH), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), Wnt, and glucocorticoid signaling pathways were validated. We show that Creb1 is a miR-433-3p target, and this transcription factor mediates key signaling downstream of PTH receptor activation. We also show that miR-433-3p targets hydroxysteroid 11-β dehydrogenase 1 (Hsd11b1), the enzyme that locally converts inactive glucocorticoids to their active form. miR-433-3p dampens glucocorticoid signaling, and targeting of Hsd11b1 could contribute to this phenomenon. Moreover, miR-433-3p targets R-spondin 3 (Rspo3), a leucine-rich repeat-containing G-protein coupled receptor (LGR) ligand that enhances Wnt signaling. Notably, Wnt canonical signaling is also blunted by miR-433-3p activity. In vivo, expression of a miR-433-3p inhibitor or tough decoy in the osteoblastic lineage increased trabecular bone volume. Mice expressing the miR-433-3p tough decoy displayed increased bone formation without alterations in osteoblast or osteoclast numbers or surface, indicating that miR-433-3p decreases osteoblast activity. Overall, we showed that miR-433-3p is a negative regulator of bone formation in vivo, targeting key bone-anabolic pathways including those involved in PTH signaling, Wnt, and endogenous glucocorticoids. Local delivery of miR-433-3p inhibitor could present a strategy for the management of bone loss disorders and bone defect repair. © 2021 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).
Examining the concept of equity in community psychology with natural language processing
Authors: Scaccia Jonathan P.
Published: May 2021

Large amounts of text‐based data, like study abstracts, often go unanalyzed because the task is laborious. Natural language processing (NLP) uses computer‐based algorithms not traditionally implemented in community psychology to effectively and efficiently process text. These methods include examining the frequency of words and phrases, the clustering of topics, and the interrelationships of words. This article applied NLP to explore the concept of equity in community psychology. The COVID‐19 crisis has made pre‐existing health equity gaps even more salient. Community psychology has a specific interest in working with organizations, systems, and communities to address social determinants that perpetuate inequities by refocusing interventions around achieving health and wellness for all. This article examines how community psychology has discussed equity thus far to identify strengths and gaps for future research and practice. The results showed the prominence of community‐based participatory research and the diversity of settings researchers work in. However, the total number of abstracts with equity concepts was lower than expected, which suggests there is a need for a continued focus on equity.
Transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy with cisplatin in combination with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization decreases intrahepatic distant recurrence of unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kawabe Naoto , Hashimoto Senju , Nakano Takuji , Nakaoka Kazunori , Fukui Aiko , Yoshioka Kentaro
Published: May 2021

Background and Aim

This study investigated the efficacy of transcatheter arterial infusion (TAI) chemotherapy with cisplatin combined with transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE). The goal was to prevent intrahepatic distant recurrence (IDR) of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), compared with TACE alone, in patients with unresectable HCC.

Methods

We conducted a historical cohort study, which involved 68 unresectable HCC patients. The study was performed on 44 and 24 consecutive patients who underwent TAI using cisplatin combined with TACE using epirubicin and TACE using epirubicin alone, respectively. We performed a propensity score analysis to identify the independent risk factors associated with IDR, and constructed propensity score‐adjusted survival curves.

Results

After propensity score‐adjusting, the adjusted cumulative IDR rates at 1 and 3 years were 76.8 and 76.8% in TACE alone group, and 21.3 and 73.1% in TACE with TAI group, respectively. TACE alone group had a significantly higher IDR rate in comparison with TACE with TAI group (P = 0.0073). Combined with TAI was associated with preventing IDR after propensity score‐adjusting (hazard ratio [HR] 0.40, 95% confidence intervals [CI] 0.17–0.91, P = 0.028). Combined with TAI (HR 0.26, 95% CI 0.10–0.68, P = 0.0056) and Stage ≥III (HR 2.98, 95% CI 1.25–7.12, P = 0.014) were independent IDR predictors after adjusting for significant risk factors with propensity score.

Conclusions

We demonstrated that cisplatin TAI accompanied with TACE decreased IDR compared with TACE alone. Our findings suggest that cisplatin TAI might contribute to a longer progression‐free period in unresectable HCC patients treated with TACE.
Lessons learnt from COVID‐19 coagulopathy
Authors: Thachil Jecko
Published: May 2021

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic has already left an indelible mark in human lives. Despite the havoc it created, this pandemic also saw significant advances in the management of an infectious disease wherein worldwide collaborative efforts from health care professionals have been unprecedented. One of the commonest complications recognised early in the pandemic is the development of coagulopathy. In this review, the lessons learnt from COVID‐19 coagulopathy are summarised with some perspectives on future clinical and research strategies. These include how local versus systemic coagulopathy can matter, how we can put D‐dimers to effective use, exhort more input into identifying a simple platelet activation marker, rethink the role of fibrinogen, look differently at lupus anticoagulant and heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia, bring back disseminated intravascular coagulation into our differential diagnosis slate and most importantly channel more funding into haemostasis and thrombosis research.
Evaluation of six different rapid methods for nucleic acid detection of SARS‐COV‐2 virus
Authors: Mahmoud Sally A. , Ganesan Subhashini , Ibrahim Esra , Thakre Bhagyashree , Teddy Juliet G. , Raheja Preety , Zaher Walid A.
Published: May 2021

In the current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic there is a mass screening of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) happening around the world due to the extensive spread of the infections. There is a high demand for rapid diagnostic tests to expedite the identification of cases and to facilitate early isolation and control spread. Hence this study evaluates six different rapid nucleic acid detection assays that are commercially available for SARS‐CoV‐2 virus detection. Nasopharyngeal samples were collected from 4981 participants and were tested for the SARS‐CoV‐2 virus by the gold standard real‐time reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) method and with one of these six rapid methods of detection. Evaluation of the rapid nucleic acid detection assays was done by comparing the results of these rapid methods with the gold standard RT‐qPCR results for SARS‐COV‐2 detection. AQ‐TOP had the highest sensitivity (98%) and a strong kappa value of 0.943 followed by Genechecker and Abbot ID NOW. The POCKIT (ii RT‐PCR) assay had the highest test accuracy of 99.29% followed by Genechecker and Cobas Liat. Atila iAMP showed the highest percentage of invalid reports (35.5%) followed by AQ‐TOP with 6% and POCKIT with 3.7% of invalid reports. Genechecker system, Abbott ID NOW, and Cobas Liat were found to have the best performance and agreement when compared with the standard RT‐PCR for COVID‐19 detection. With further research, these rapid tests have the potential to be employed in large‐scale screening of COVID‐19.
An impact of superior vena cava isolation in non‐paroxysmal atrial fibrillation patients with low voltage areas
Authors: Omuro Takuya , Yoshiga Yasuhiro , Ueyama Takeshi , Shimizu Akihiko , Ono Makoto , Fukuda Masakazu , Kato Takayoshi , Ishiguchi Hironori , Fujii Shohei , Hisaoka Masahiro , Kobayashi Shigeki , Yano Masafumi
Published: May 2021

Background

This study aimed to investigate the correlation between left atrial low‐voltage areas (LVAs) and an arrhythmogenic superior vena cava (SVC) and the impact on the efficacy of an empiric SVC isolation (SVCI) along with a pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) of non‐paroxysmal atrial fibrillation (non‐PAF) with or without LVAs.

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled 153 consecutive patients with non‐PAF who underwent a PVI alone (n = 51) or empiric PVI plus an SVCI (n = 102). Left atrial voltage maps were constructed during sinus rhythm to identify the LVAs (<0.5 mV). An arrhythmogenic SVC was defined as firing from the SVC and an SVC associated with the maintenance of AF‐like rapid SVC activity.

Results

An arrhythmogenic SVC and LVAs were identified in 28% and 65% of patients with a PVI alone and 36% and 73% of patients with a PVI plus SVCI, respectively (P = .275 and P = .353). In the multivariate analysis a female gender, higher pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PAPs), and arrhythmogenic SVC were associated with the presence of LVAs. In the PVI plus SVCI strategy, there was no significant difference in the atrial tachyarrhythmia/AF‐free survival between the patients with and without LVAs after initial and multiple sessions (50% vs. 61%; P = .386, 73% vs. 79%; P = .530), however, differences were observed in the PVI alone group (27% vs. 61%; P = .018, 49% vs. 78%; P = .046).

Conclusions

The presence of LVAs was associated with an arrhythmogenic SVC. An SVCI may have the potential to compensate for an impaired outcome after a PVI in non‐PAF patients with LVAs.
Changes in the reference evapotranspiration and contributions of climate factors over the Indo–China Peninsula during 1961–2017
Authors: Xu Lingxuan , Sun Shanlei , Chen Haishan , Chai Rongfan , Wang Jiazhi , Zhou Yang , Ma Qianrong , Chotamonsak Chakrit , Wangpakapattanawong Prasit
Published: May 2021

Given the key roles of the Indo–China Peninsula (ICP) in weather and climate systems, hydrometeorology, and ecology, the annual and monthly changes in the Food and Agriculture Organization‐56 Penman–Monteith reference evapotranspiration (ET0), which was calculated based on the Climatic Research Unit datasets, were investigated in ICP during 1961–2017. The annual ICP ET0 significantly (p < .05) increased, with different increasing tendencies in most months. In particular, larger and more significant (p < .05) ET0 values were found during October–December. The annual and monthly ET0 changes showed evident spatial differences, characterized by increases in more than 50% of the ICP area except for decreases in around 70% of that area during March–May. A sensitivity experiment‐based separation method was utilized to evaluate the contribution of each influential factor, and the corresponding determinants were identified by comparing the contributions. Results showed that the annual ICP ET0 increase was attributed to the increased vapour pressure deficit (Vpd). However, the annual determinants varied spatially, with net solar radiation (Rn) in the southern region of ICP, wind speed (Wnd) in the northeast, and Vpd in the remaining regions. The monthly ICP determinant was Wnd in January, March–May and December, and Vpd for the remaining months. Despite different spatial patterns of monthly dominants, Vpd and Wnd were the determinants with the most extensive distributions over ICP (>75% of ICP in total). The results of this study can significantly fulfil the research gap regarding the ICP ET0 changes and the underlying mechanisms. Meanwhile, this study provides fundamental and necessary information for protecting biodiversity and understanding hydrometeorological extreme events, thus promoting specific measures to sustain the ICP development.
The effects and mechanism of α‐mangostin on chemosensitivity of gastric cancer cells
Authors: Li Rong‐Rong , Zeng De‐Yu
Published: May 2021

This work investigated the effect of α‐mangostin (α‐M) on gastric cancer (GC) cell chemoresistance and its underlying mechanisms. Different concentrations of α‐M and CDDP were applied to treat GC cells (SGC7901) and CDDP‐resistant GC cells (SGC7901/CDDP) for 24 or 48 h. CCK‐8 assays were used to measure the inhibitory effect of CDDP or α‐M on SGC7901 and SGC7901/CDDP cells as well as the half‐maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of α‐M for SGC7901 and SGC7901/CDDP cells. The optimal concentration and induction time of CDDP or α‐M were determined. SGC7901/CDDP cells were treated with CDDP or/and α‐M, where some of them were transfected with pcDNA3.1 or pcDNA3.1‐EBI3. Cell proliferation and apoptosis were assessed as well as the levels of EBI3, STAT3, p‐STAT3, autophagy‐related proteins, and apoptosis‐related proteins. CDDP inhibited SGC7901 cell proliferation in a dose‐dependent manner. The IC50 of α‐M for SGC7901 cells was 12.86 μM and that for SGC7901/CDDP cells was 13.69 μM. The optimal concentrations of CDDP and α‐M for SGC7901/CDDP cells were 2 and 15 μM, respectively, and the optimal time was 48 h. The SGC7901/CDDP cells in the CDDP+/α‐M+ group had elevated inhibition of proliferation and apoptosis rates. Western blot analysis revealed enhanced levels of LC3‐II/I and Beclin1, reduced p62 level, decreased Bcl2 level, and increased levels of Bax and cleaved caspase‐3/9. The EBI3/STAT3 pathway was implicated in the effect of α‐M on SGC7901/CDDP cell development. α‐M increases the chemosensitivity of GC cells by facilitating autophagy and inactivating the EBI3/STAT3 pathway.
LncRNA SNHG12 regulates the miR‐101‐3p/CUL4B axis to mediate the proliferation, migration and invasion of non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xie Feng‐Wen , Liu Ji‐Chun
Published: May 2021

Mounting evidence has shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play critical roles in carcinogenesis and tumor progression. SNHG12 has been identified in multiple types of malignant tumors. However, the role of SNHG12 in human non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is poorly characterized, and the relevant underlying mechanism remains unclear. The expression levels of SNHG12, miR‐101‐3p, and CUL4B in collected human NSCLC tumor tissues and NSCLC cell lines were tested via qRT‐PCR. Then, NSCLC cellular proliferation, migration and invasion were determined, followed by MTT, scratch and Transwell assays. Dual‐luciferase reporter assays and RNA pulldown assays were adopted to explore the target site. Moreover, western blotting was performed to detect the relevant protein expression concerning the CUL4B/PI3K/AKT pathway. This study clarified that SNHG12 knockdown significantly reduced proliferation, migration, invasion and EMT of NSCLC cells. Our data indicated that SNHG12 targeted and negatively regulated miR‐101‐3p, and this depletion reversed the inhibitory effect of si‐SNHG12 on NSCLC cells. Furthermore, CUL4B was confirmed as a functional target of miR‐101‐3p, and its knockdown resulted in a strong alleviation of the NSLCL cell phenotype, which was enhanced by the silencing of miR‐101‐3p. Mechanistically, we found that SNHG12 regulated miR‐101‐3p to modulate the PI3K/AKT pathway mediated by CUL4B.These observations suggested that lncRNA SNHG12‐mediated miR‐101‐3p downregulation regulated the malignant phenotype of NSCLC cells by targeting CUL4B through the PI3K/AKT pathway, which may present a path to novel therapeutic strategies for NSCLC therapy.
The frustration intolerance of internet gaming disorder and its association with severity and depression
Authors: Lin Huang‐Chi , Yen Ju‐Yu , Lin Pai‐Cheng , Ko Chih‐Hung
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to evaluate the belief of frustration intolerance of individuals with internet gaming disorder (IGD) and its association with depression among them. We recruited 69 participants with IGD and 138 controls (69 regular gamers and other non‐gamers). IGD is diagnosed based on DSM‐5 (DSM stands for diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders) criteria through psychiatric interviews. They had completed the questionnaire for the belief of frustration intolerance, depression, and severity of IGD. The participant with IGD had a higher score on the frustration discomfort scale and its subscales, discomfort intolerance, entitlement, emotional intolerance, and achievement. Further regression analysis demonstrated an independent association between entitlement and IGD in control of depression. The frustration intolerance is also associated with depression and the severity of IGD among the IGD group. The discomfort intolerance and achievement were the most associated factors of depression. Frustration intolerance is a crucial irrational belief of IGD. It contributes to the severity of IGD and depression among individuals with IGD. The frustration intolerance, particularly for discomfort intolerance, entitlement, and achievement, should be assessed and intervened while treating individuals with IGD.
Gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase elevation is associated with metabolic syndrome, hepatic steatosis, and fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease: A community‐based cross‐sectional study
Authors: Chen Li‐Wei , Huang Mi‐Sio , Shyu Yu‐Chiau , Chien Rong‐Nan
Published: May 2021

This study aimed to analyze the association between elevated gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) and metabolic syndrome (MetS), hepatic steatosis, and fibrosis in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). From August 2013 to August 2018, a community‐based study was conducted in the northeastern part of Taiwan. Patients who underwent abdominal ultrasonography (US) and had no history of alcoholic liver disease were included. According to a US examination showing fatty liver degree, 1566 patients with NAFLD were divided into four groups: normal GGT, isolated GGT elevation, isolated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) elevation, and both GGT and ALT elevation groups. Further 1147 participants with normal serum ALT, GGT, and the abdominal US were included as the control group. GGT levels were associated with high sensitivity C‐reactive protein, lower adiponectin, diabetes mellitus, and chronic kidney disease. A stepwise increase in odds ratio (OR) for MetS was found in the normal GGT group (OR = 1.71), isolated GGT elevation group (OR = 3.06), isolated ALT elevation (OR = 4.00), and both GGT + ALT elevation group (OR = 4.17) than the control group. Linear regression analysis revealed a positive association between GGT/ALT value and hepatic steatosis degree, GGT value, and degree of hepatic fibrosis. Hence, GGT elevation is associated with MetS, hepatic steatosis, and fibrosis in patients with NAFLD.
“We think you may like this”: An investigation of electronic commerce personalization for privacy‐conscious consumers
Authors: Song Yong Whi (Greg) , Lim Hayoung Sally , Oh Jeeyun
Published: May 2021

In this study, we examine and propose a personalization technology acceptance model (TAM) for e‐commerce. We conducted a 2 (Privacy concerns priming vs. Control condition) × 2 (Personalization vs. Nonpersonalization) factorial, between‐subjects experiment among college students (Study 1, N = 205) and adult samples (Study 2, N = 211). The findings indicate consumers' perceived usefulness of personalization technology is positively related to their behavioral intentions to use an e‐commerce mobile app, supporting Davis (1989)'s TAM. Data further demonstrate that consumers' privacy concerns (i.e., Study 1) and willingness to self‐disclose (i.e., Study 2) moderate the personalization–behavioral intention relationship. Overall, the efficacious operation of personalization technology in e‐commerce depends on the usefulness and precision of personalized recommendations as well as consumers' privacy concerns and preferences in trading off personal information.
Alleviating the toxicity concerns of antibacterial cinnamon‐polycaprolactone biomaterials for healthcare‐related biomedical applications
Authors: Ahmed Jubair , Gultekinoglu Merve , Bayram Cem , Kart Didem , Ulubayram Kezban , Edirisinghe Mohan
Published: May 2021

Fibrous constructs with incorporated cinnamon‐extract have previously been shown to have potent antifungal abilities. The question remains to whether these constructs are useful in the prevention of bacterial infections in fiber form and what the antimicrobial effects means in terms of toxicity to the native physiological cells. In this work, cinnamon extract containing poly (ε‐caprolactone) (PCL) fibers were successfully manufactured by pressurized gyration and had an average size of ∼2 μm. Cinnamon extract containing PCL fibers were tested against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus, and Enterococcus faecalis bacterial species to assess their antibacterial capacity; it was found that these fibers were able to reduce viable cell numbers of the bacterial species up to two orders of magnitude lower than the control group. The results of the antibacterial tests were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The constructs were also tested under indirect MTT tests where they showed little to no toxicity, similar to the control groups. Additionally, cell viability fluorescent imaging displayed no significant toxicity issues with the fibers, even at their highest tested concentration. Here we present a viable method for the production the non‐toxic and naturally abundant cinnamon extracted fibers for numerous biomedical applications.
Bifurcation analysis of an age‐structured epidemic model with two staged‐progressions
Authors: Zhang Suxia , Liu Yanna , Cao Hui
Published: May 2021

In this paper, we develop an age‐structured model with two infectious stages to study the effect of infection age on dynamic properties. By reformulating the model as a non‐densely defined Cauchy problem and applying theorem related with Hille–Yosida operator, the threshold dynamics are investigated. Theoretical analysis shows that destabilization of the age‐dependent endemic equilibrium can occur due to the perturbation of critical infection age that separates the two infectious stages. Furthermore, numerical simulations are conducted to illustrate the dynamical behaviors of stability switching.
Individual risk prediction of urinary incontinence after prostatectomy and impact on treatment choice in patients with localized prostate cancer
Authors: Tillier Corinne N. , Vromans Ruben D. , Boekhout Annelies H. , Veerman Hans , Wollersheim Barbara M. , van Muilekom Henricus A. M. , Boellaard Thierry N. , van Leeuwen Pim J. , van de Poll‐Franse Lonneke V. , van der Poel Henk G.
Published: May 2021

Aims

Individualized information about the risk of incontinence after prostatectomy could help patients in shared decision‐making.

Methods

We compared a historical control cohort (n = 254; between June 2016 and 2017) that received standardized information about the risk of incontinence after robot‐assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) with a prospective patient cohort (n = 254; between June 2017 and May 2018) that received individualized information of the chance of recovery of incontinence within 6 months postoperatively based on the continence prediction tool (CPRED). We measured switch in treatment choice, health‐related quality of life (QoL) in both cohorts and the accuracy of the CPRED tool.

Results

Patients in the individualized information group with RARP as initial preference switched more often to another treatment than patients who received standardized information (16% vs. 5%; p = 0.001). Patients in the individualized information group with a high risk of incontinence and with RARP as initial preference switched more often to other treatments than patients in intermediate/low risk of incontinence (35% vs. 9.8%; p = 0.001). Patients with a low risk of incontinence choosing RARP after individualized information were less likely to use more than one diaper a day at any time postoperative (p = 0.001) compared to men with an intermediate/high incontinence risk. Overall QoL was worse in patients with incontinence than patients with continence 6 and 12 months after RARP (respectively; p < 0.0001 and p = 0.007).

Conclusion

Personalized information about the risk of incontinence after RARP makes more patients reconsidering their initial treatment preference. The CPRED correlated strongly with continence outcome after RARP and is a useful tool for shared decision‐making.