bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Retro-orbital injection of FITC-dextran combined with isolectin B4 in assessing the retinal neovascularization defect
Authors: Li Jizhu , Wu Yuqing , Liu Bingqian , Huang Ying , Wu Qingxiu , Li Haichun , Xiao Sainan , Lin Ying , Li Tao
Published: May 2021

Background

A reliable and effective method is required to deliver agent that can aid the in vivo imaging of retinal vessels. The aim of the present study was to evaluate retro-orbital (RO) injection of fluorescein-labeled isothiocyanate dextran (FITC-dextran) as a method of demonstrating retinal neovascularization (NV) and avascular areas in oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mice.

Methods

Different concentrations of FITC-dextran were used to compare the efficacy of this agent in perfusing the retinal vessels. Hematoxylin–eosin (HE) staining was used to evaluate the safety of RO injection. The vitreous blood vessels and extent of NV were assessed in P17 OIR mice using FITC-dextran and compared with the corresponding measurements obtained following isolectin B4 staining or the combination of both methods.

Results

The fluorescence of small vessels and neovascular tufts could be observed clearly following RO injection of 0.05 ml of 25 mg/ml or 50 mg/ml FITC-dextran. No visible damage to tissues adjacent to the injection site was discovered. Vitreous blood flow was gradually reduced from P0 to P5 and eventually disappeared in P17 OIR mice, as demonstrated by FITC-dextran perfusion. The retinal NV areas assessed by isolectin B4 were larger than those assessed by FITC-dextran, but the retinal avascular areas were smaller. The combination of both methods could conduce to distinguish non-functional blood vessels.

Conclusions

RO injection of FITC-dextran combined with isolectin B4 is an effective, optimal method for assessing the NV area and avascular area.
A sequence analysis of hospitalization patterns and service utilization in patients with major psychiatric disorders in China
Authors: Han Xueyan , Jiang Feng , Needleman Jack , Guo Moning , Chen Yin , Zhou Huixuan , Liu Yuanli , Yao Chen , Tang Yilang
Published: May 2021

Background

Understanding the long-term inpatient service cost and utilization of psychiatric patients may provide insight into service demand for these patients and guide the design of targeted mental health programs. This study assesses 3-year hospitalization patterns and quantifies service utilization intensity of psychiatric patients in Beijing, China.

Methods

We identified patients admitted for one of three major psychiatric disorders (schizophrenia, bipolar and depressive disorders) between January 1 and December 31, 2013 in Beijing, China. Inpatient admissions during the following 3 years were extracted and analyzed using sequence analysis. Clinical characteristics, psychiatric and non-psychiatric service use of included patients were analyzed.

Results

The study included 3443 patients (7657 hospitalizations). The patient hospitalization sequences were grouped into 4 clusters: short stay (N = 2741 (79.61% of patients), who had 126,911 or 26.82% of the hospital days within the sample), repeated long stay (N = 404 (11.73%), 76,915 (16.26%) days), long-term stay (N = 101 (2.93%), 59,909 (12.66%) days) and permanent stay (N = 197 (5.72%), 209,402 (44.26%) days). Length and frequency of hospitalization, as well as readmission rates were significantly different across the 4 clusters. Over the 3-year period, hospitalization days per year decreased for patients in the short stay and repeated long stay clusters. Patients with schizophrenia (1705 (49.52%)) had 78.4% of cumulative psychiatric stays, with 11.14% of them in the permanent stay cluster. Among patients with depression, 23.11% had non-psychiatric hospitalizations, and on average 46.65% of their total inpatient expenses were for non-psychiatric care, the highest among three diagnostic groups.

Conclusion

Hospitalization patterns varied significantly among psychiatric patients and across diagnostic categories. The high psychiatric care service use of the long-term and permanent stay patients underlines the need for evidence-based interventions to reduce cost and improve care quality.
Pediatric liver and kidney transplantation in the era of COVID-19: a follow-up study from a tertiary referral center in Iran
Authors: Shafiekhani Mojtaba , Kazemi Kourosh , Bahador Ali , Imanieh Mohammad Hadi , Karimzadeh Parisa
Published: May 2021

Background

We aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on pediatric transplant outcomes and determine whether to continue pediatric transplant activity or not, and how policies intended our center has been effective in preventing COVID-19 among organ transplant recipients.

Methods

We conducted a single-center, retrospective, cohort study of hospitalized pediatrics after organ transplantation at Shiraz transplant center since March to August 2020. All liver and kidney transplanted children were included the study and their laboratory and clinical related COVID-19 characteristics were followed up till 3 months after transplantation during hospitalization period and then weekly by the transplant committee.

Results

Fifty-one patients underwent transplantation including 11 kidney and 40 liver recipients. The mean age of the pediatric cases was 6.72 ± 5.47 years. A total of 11 patients died due to post-transplant complications, while none of the patients presented any sign or symptoms in favor of COVID-19 in the hospital course after transplantation. Six transplants including 2 kidney and 4 liver were canceled when positive PCR tests were detected in their donors before the surgery. In the 3 months of follow up, two patients presented with symptoms including high grade fever, malaise, rhinorrhea, and GI symptoms. Both patients had two negative PCR, and no radiologic or laboratory results regarding COVID-19 were also detected. One had positive influenza PCR, while the second one had a positive serologic test for EBV; CT, computed tomography

Conclusion

Transplant programs could continue their activities during the COVID-19 pandemic with specific case selection, accurate screening methods and following protective protocols.
What if something happens tonight? A qualitative study of primary care physicians’ perspectives on an alternative to hospital admittance
Authors: Nystrøm Vivian , Lurås Hilde , Midlöv Patrik , Leonardsen Ann-Chatrin Linqvist
Published: May 2021

Background

Due to demographic changes, hospital emergency departments in many countries are overcrowded. Internationally, several primary healthcare models have been introduced as alternatives to hospitalisation. In Norway, municipal acute wards (MAWs) have been implemented as primary care wards that provide observation and medical treatment for 24 h. The intention is to replace hospitalisation for patients who require acute admission but not specialist healthcare services. The aim of this study was to explore primary care physicians’ (PCPs’) perspectives on admission to a MAW as an alternative to hospitalisation.

Methods

The study had a qualitative design, including interviews with 21 PCPs in a county in southeastern Norway. Data were analysed with a thematic approach.

Results

The PCPs described uncertainty when referring patients to the MAW because of the fewer diagnostic opportunities there than in the hospital. Admission of patients to the MAW was assumed to be unsafe for both PCPs, MAW nurses and physicians. The PCPs assumed that medical competence was lower at the MAW than in the hospital, which led to scepticism about whether their tentative diagnoses would be reconsidered if needed and whether a deterioration of the patients’ condition would be detected. When referring patients to a MAW, the PCPs experienced disagreements with MAW personnel about the suitability of the patient. The PCPs emphasised the importance of patients’ and relatives’ participation in decisions about the level of treatment. Nevertheless, such participation was not always possible, especially when patients’ wishes conflicted with what PCPs considered professionally sound.

Conclusions

The PCPs reported concerns regarding the use of MAWs as an alternative to hospitalisation. These concerns were related to fewer diagnostic opportunities, lower medical expertise throughout the day, uncertainty about the selection of patients and challenges with user participation. Consequently, these concerns had an impact on how the PCPs utilised MAW services.
CT imaging-based machine learning model: a potential modality for predicting low-risk and high-risk groups of thymoma: “Impact of surgical modality choice”
Authors: Kayi Cangir Ayten , Orhan Kaan , Kahya Yusuf , Özakıncı Hilal , Kazak Betül Bahar , Konuk Balcı Buse Mine , Karasoy Duru , Uzun Çağlar
Published: May 2021

Introduction

Radiomics methods are used to analyze various medical images, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance, and positron emission tomography to provide information regarding the diagnosis, patient outcome, tumor phenotype, and the gene-protein signatures of various diseases. In low-risk group, complete surgical resection is typically sufficient, whereas in high-risk thymoma, adjuvant therapy is usually required. Therefore, it is important to distinguish between both.

This study evaluated the CT radiomics features of thymomas to discriminate between low- and high-risk thymoma groups.

Materials and methods

In total, 83 patients with thymoma were included in this study between 2004 and 2019. We used the Radcloud platform (Huiying Medical Technology Co., Ltd.) to manage the imaging and clinical data and perform the radiomics statistical analysis. The training and validation datasets were separated by a random method with a ratio of 2:8 and 502 random seeds. The histopathological diagnosis was noted from the pathology report.

Results

Four machine-learning radiomics features were identified to differentiate a low-risk thymoma group from a high-risk thymoma group. The radiomics feature names were Energy, Zone Entropy, Long Run Low Gray Level Emphasis, and Large Dependence Low Gray Level Emphasis.

Conclusions

The results demonstrated that a machine-learning model and a multilayer perceptron classifier analysis can be used on CT images to predict low- and high-risk thymomas. This combination could be a useful preoperative method to determine the surgical approach for thymoma.
The effect of dipeptidyl peptidase IV on disease-associated microglia phenotypic transformation in epilepsy
Authors: Zheng Zhicheng , Liang Peiyu , Hou Baohua , Lu Xin , Ma Qianwen , Yu Xiaomin , Han Song , Peng Biwen , Chen Taoxiang , Liu Wanhong , Yin Jun , He Xiaohua
Published: May 2021

Background

Accumulating evidence suggests that disease-associated microglia (DAM), a recently discovered subset of microglia, plays a protective role in neurological diseases. Targeting DAM phenotypic transformation may provide new therapeutic options. However, the relationship between DAM and epilepsy remains unknown.

Methods

Analysis of public RNA-sequencing data revealed predisposing factors (such as dipeptidyl peptidase IV; DPP4) for epilepsy related to DAM conversion. Anti-epileptic effect was assessed by electroencephalogram recordings and immunohistochemistry in a kainic acid (KA)-induced mouse model of epilepsy. The phenotype, morphology and function of microglia were assessed by qPCR, western blotting and microscopic imaging.

Results

Our results demonstrated that DPP4 participated in DAM conversion and epilepsy. The treatment of sitagliptin (a DPP4 inhibitor) attenuated KA-induced epilepsy and promoted the expression of DAM markers (Itgax and Axl) in both mouse epilepsy model in vivo and microglial inflammatory model in vitro. With sitagliptin treatment, microglial cells did not display an inflammatory activation state (enlarged cell bodies). Furthermore, these microglia exhibited complicated intersections, longer processes and wider coverage of parenchyma. In addition, sitagliptin reduced the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and inhibited the expression of iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6 and the proinflammatory DAM subset gene CD44.

Conclusion

The present results highlight that the DPP4 inhibitor sitagliptin can attenuate epilepsy and promote DAM phenotypic transformation. These DAM exhibit unique morphological features, greater migration ability and better surveillance capability. The possible underlying mechanism is that sitagliptin can reduce the activation of NF-κB signaling pathway and suppress the inflammatory response mediated by microglia. Thus, we propose DPP4 may act as an attractive direction for DAM research and a potential therapeutic target for epilepsy.
IL-9-triggered lncRNA Gm13568 regulates Notch1 in astrocytes through interaction with CBP/P300: contribute to the pathogenesis of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis
Authors: Liu Xiaomei , Zhou Feng , Wang Weixiao , Chen Guofang , Zhang Qingxiu , Lv Ruixue , Zhao Zijun , Li Xiangyang , Yu Qian , Meves Jessica M. , Hua Hui , Li Xiaocui , Wang Xiaotian , Sun Hong , Gao Dianshuai
Published: May 2021

Background

Interleukin 9 (IL-9), produced mainly by T helper 9 (Th9) cells, has been recognized as an important regulator in multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). Astrocytes respond to IL-9 and reactive astrocytes always associate with blood-brain barrier damage, immune cell infiltration, and spinal injury in MS and EAE. Several long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) with aberrant expression have been identified in the pathogenesis of MS. Here, we examined the effects of lncRNA Gm13568 (a co-upregulated lncRNA both in EAE mice and in mouse primary astrocytes activated by IL-9) on the activation of astrocytes and the process of EAE.

Methods

In vitro, shRNA-recombinant lentivirus with glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) promoter were performed to determine the relative gene expression and proinflammatory cytokines production in IL-9 treated-astrocytes using Western blot, real-time PCR, and Cytometric Bead Array, respectively. RIP and ChIP assays were analyzed for the mechanism of lncRNA Gm13568 regulating gene expression. Immunofluorescence assays was performed to measure the protein expression in astrocytes. In vivo, H&E staining and LFB staining were applied to detect the inflammatory cells infiltrations and the medullary sheath damage in spinal cords of EAE mice infected by the recombinant lentivirus. Results were analyzed by one-way ANOVA or Student’s t test, as appropriate.

Results

Knockdown of the endogenous lncRNA Gm13568 remarkably inhibits the Notch1 expression, astrocytosis, and the phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (p-STAT3) as well as the production of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (IL-6, TNF-α, IP-10) in IL-9-activated astrocytes, in which Gm13568 associates with the transcriptional co-activators CBP/P300 which are enriched in the promoter of Notch1 genes. More importantly, inhibiting Gm13568 with lentiviral vector in astrocytes ameliorates significantly inflammation and demyelination in EAE mice, therefore delaying the EAE process.

Conclusions

These findings uncover that Gm13568 regulates the production of inflammatory cytokines in active astrocytes and affects the pathogenesis of EAE through the Notch1/STAT3 pathway. LncRNA Gm13568 may be a promising target for treating MS and demyelinating diseases.
Optimized workflow for digitalized FISH analysis in pathology
Authors: Chea Vira , Pleiner Valerie , Schweizer Viviane , Herzog Benjamin , Bode Beata , Tinguely Marianne
Published: May 2021

Background

Effective workflow management in a diagnostic pathology laboratory is critical to achieve rapid turnover while maintaining high quality. Fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis (FISH) is the preferred technique for detecting single chromosomal aberrations in diagnostic surgical pathology.

Material and methods

FISH analysis applying a rapid hybridization protocol and using an automated whole-slide fluorescence scanning device (3DHISTECH, Sysmex, Switzerland) were implemented in our workflow. By analyzing 42 diagnostic cases, effects of two different scanning profiles on scanning time, and device memory usage were investigated. Manual signal counting (CaseViewer) and software based signal counting (FISHQuant) were compared.

Results

The two scanning profiles, both including a Z-stack function, differed in their exposure time and digital gain. The “low profile” setting (LP) resulted in a significantly shorter scanning time and lower storage volume compared to the “high profile” (HP) setting, making the LP ideal for routine applications. Both signal counting methods (manual versus software based) provided similar cut-offs on a test-cohort of 13 samples.

Conclusion

Scanning FISH slides provides good picture quality, reduces the analysis time and allows easy picture archiving and facilitates remote diagnostics, allowing an effective workflow.
On the optimistic performance evaluation of newly introduced bioinformatic methods
Authors: Buchka Stefan , Hapfelmeier Alexander , Gardner Paul P. , Wilson Rory , Boulesteix Anne-Laure
Published: May 2021

Most research articles presenting new data analysis methods claim that “the new method performs better than existing methods,” but the veracity of such statements is questionable. Our manuscript discusses and illustrates consequences of the optimistic bias occurring during the evaluation of novel data analysis methods, that is, all biases resulting from, for example, selection of datasets or competing methods, better ability to fix bugs in a preferred method, and selective reporting of method variants. We quantitatively investigate this bias using an example from epigenetic analysis: normalization methods for data generated by the Illumina HumanMethylation450K BeadChip microarray.
Improving the performance of a radio-frequency localization system in adverse outdoor applications
Authors: de Sousa Marcelo N. , Sant’Ana Ricardo , Fernandes Rigel P. , Duarte Julio Cesar , Apolinário José A. , Thomä Reiner S.
Published: May 2021

In outdoor RF localization systems, particularly where line of sight can not be guaranteed or where multipath effects are severe, information about the terrain may improve the position estimate’s performance. Given the difficulties in obtaining real data, a ray-tracing fingerprint is a viable option. Nevertheless, although presenting good simulation results, the performance of systems trained with simulated features only suffer degradation when employed to process real-life data. This work intends to improve the localization accuracy when using ray-tracing fingerprints and a few field data obtained from an adverse environment where a large number of measurements is not an option. We employ a machine learning (ML) algorithm to explore the multipath information. We selected algorithms random forest and gradient boosting; both considered efficient tools in the literature. In a strict simulation scenario (simulated data for training, validating, and testing), we obtained the same good results found in the literature (error around 2 m). In a real-world system (simulated data for training, real data for validating and testing), both ML algorithms resulted in a mean positioning error around 100 ,m. We have also obtained experimental results for noisy (artificially added Gaussian noise) and mismatched (with a null subset of) features. From the simulations carried out in this work, our study revealed that enhancing the ML model with a few real-world data improves localization’s overall performance. From the machine ML algorithms employed herein, we also observed that, under noisy conditions, the random forest algorithm achieved a slightly better result than the gradient boosting algorithm. However, they achieved similar results in a mismatch experiment. This work’s practical implication is that multipath information, once rejected in old localization techniques, now represents a significant source of information whenever we have prior knowledge to train the ML algorithm.
Conducting national burden of disease studies in small countries in Europe– a feasible challenge?
Authors: Cuschieri Sarah , Pallari Elena , Terzic Natasa , Alkerwi Ala’a , Sigurvinsdottir Rannveig , Sigfusdottir Inga Dora , Devleesschauwer Brecht
Published: May 2021

Background

Burden of Disease (BoD) studies use disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) as a population health metric to quantify the years of life lost due to morbidity and premature mortality for diseases, injuries and risk factors occurring in a region or a country. Small countries usually face a number of challenges to conduct epidemiological studies, such as national BoD studies, due to the lack of specific expertise and resources or absence of adequate data. Considering Europe’s small countries of Cyprus, Iceland, Luxembourg, Malta and Montenegro, the aim was to assess whether the various national data sources identified are appropriate to perform national BoD studies.

Main body

The five small countries have a well-established mortality registers following the ICD10 classification, which makes calculation of years of life lost (YLL) feasible. A number of health information data sources were identified in each country, which can provide prevalence data for the calculation of years lived with disability (YLD) for various conditions. These sources include disease-specific registers, hospital discharge data, primary health care data and epidemiological studies, provided by different organisations such as health directorates, institutes of public health, statistical offices and other bodies. Hence, DALYs can be estimated at a national level through the combination of the YLL and YLD information.

On the other hand, small countries face unique challenges such as difficulty to ensure sample representativeness, variations in prevalence estimates especially for rarer diseases, existence of a substantial proportion of non-residents affiliated to healthcare systems and potential exclusion from some European or international initiatives.

Recently established BoD networks may provide a platform for small countries to share experiences, expertise, and engage with countries and institutions that have long-standing experience with BoD assessment.

Conclusion

Apart from mortality registries, adequate health data sources, notably for cancer, are potentially available at the small states to perform national BoD studies. Investing in sharing expert knowledge through engagement of researchers in BoD networks can enable the conduct of country specific BoD studies and the establishment of more accurate DALYs estimates. Such estimates can enable local policymakers to reflect on the relative burden of the different conditions that are contributing to morbidity and mortality at a country level.
Chronic political instability and HIV/AIDS response in Guinea-Bissau: a qualitative study
Authors: Galjour Joshua , Havik Philip J. , Aaby Peter , Rodrigues Amabelia , Hoemeke Laura , Deml Michael J. , Zhao Jinkou , Mpinga Emmanuel Kabengele
Published: May 2021

Background

The Republic of Guinea-Bissau in West Africa has a high HIV/AIDS disease burden and has experienced political instability in the recent past. Our study used qualitative methods to better understand key stakeholders’ perceptions of the effects of chronic political instability on the HIV/AIDS response in Guinea-Bissau from 2000 to 2015 and lessons learned for overcoming them.

Methods

Seventeen semi-structured in-depth key informant interviews were conducted in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau in 2018. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim, coded thematically, and analyzed inductively.

Results

Four themes emerged: (1) constantly start over; (2) the effects of instability rippling from central level throughout the health pyramid; (3) vulnerable populations becoming more vulnerable; and (4) coping mechanisms.

Conclusions

Stakeholders from government, civil society, and donor organizations have recognized instability’s effects as a barrier to mounting an effective local response to HIV/AIDS in Guinea-Bissau. To mitigate the effects of the country’s political instability on the health sector, concerted efforts should be made to strengthen the capacities of health officials within the Ministry of Health to shield them from the effects of the country’s political instability.

Graphic abstract
Correction to: Hsp90 co‑chaperones, FKBP52 and Aha1, promote tau pathogenesis in aged wild‑type mice
Authors: Criado-Marrero Marangelie , Gebru Niat T. , Blazier Danielle M. , Gould Lauren A. , Baker Jeremy D. , Beaulieu-Abdelahad David , Blair Laura J.
Published: May 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Real-time and on-line monitoring of ethanol fermentation process by viable cell sensor and electronic nose
Authors: Feng Yao , Tian Xiwei , Chen Yang , Wang Zeyu , Xia Jianye , Qian Jiangchao , Zhuang Yingping , Chu Ju
Published: May 2021

In this study, introduction of a viable cell sensor and electronic nose into ethanol fermentation was investigated, which could be used in real-time and on-line monitoring of the amount of living cells and product content, respectively. Compared to the conventional off-line biomass determination, the capacitance value exhibited a completely consistent trend with colony forming units, indicating that the capacitance value could reflect the living cells in the fermentation broth. On the other hand, in comparison to the results of off-line determination by high-performance liquid chromatography, the ethanol concentration measured by electronic nose presented an excellent consistency, so as to realize the on-line monitoring during the whole process. On this basis, a dynamic feeding strategy of glucose guided by the changes of living cells and ethanol content was developed. And consequently, the ethanol concentration, productivity and yield were enhanced by 15.4%, 15.9% and 9.0%, respectively. The advanced sensors adopted herein to monitor the key parameters of ethanol fermentation process could be readily extended to an industrial scale and other similar fermentation processes.
MicroED and cannabinoid research
Authors: Filer Crist N.
Published: May 2021

MicroED has recently emerged as a convenient and powerful tool for the unequivocal structure determination of small molecules and it could likely be used in cannabinoid research as well.
Perinatal exposure to tetracycline contributes to lasting developmental effects on offspring
Authors: Hill Elizabeth M. , Howard Christopher D. , Bale Tracy L. , Jašarević Eldin
Published: May 2021

Background

For more than 30 years, the tetracycline on/off system of inducible gene expression has been leveraged to study disease mechanisms across many research areas, especially that of metabolism and neuroscience. This system requires acute or chronic exposure to tetracycline derivatives, such as doxycycline, to manipulate gene expression in a temporal and tissue-specific manner, with exposure often being restricted to gestational and early developmental windows. Despite evidence showing that early life antibiotic exposure has adverse effects on gut microbiota, metabolism, physiology, immunity and behavior, little is known regarding the lasting impact of doxycycline treatment on relevant outcomes in experimental offspring.

Results

To examine the hypothesis that early life doxycycline exposure produces effects on offspring growth, behavior, and gut microbiota, we employed the most commonly used method for tetracycline on/off system by administering a low dose of doxycycline (0.5 mg/ml) in the drinking water to C57Bl/6J and C57BL/6J:129S1/SvImJ dams from embryonic day 15.5 to postnatal day 28. Developmental exposure to low dose doxycycline resulted in significant alterations to growth trajectories and body weight in both strains, which persisted beyond cessation of doxycycline exposure. Developmental doxycycline exposure influenced offspring bacterial community assembly in a temporal and sex-specific manner. Further, gut microbiota composition failed to recover by adulthood, suggesting a lasting imprint of developmental antibiotic exposure.

Conclusions

Our results demonstrated that early life doxycycline exposure shifts the homeostatic baseline of prior exposed animals that may subsequently impact responses to experimental manipulations. These results highlight the gut microbiota as an important factor to consider in systems requiring methods of chronic antibiotic administration during pregnancy and critical periods of postnatal development.
Differential gene expression analysis of ankylosing spondylitis shows deregulation of the HLA-DRB, HLA-DQB, ITM2A, and CTLA4 genes
Authors: AlEjielat Rowan , Khaleel Anas , Tarkhan Amneh H.
Published: May 2021

Background

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) is a rare inflammatory disorder affecting the spinal joints. Although we know some of the genetic factors that are associated with the disease, the molecular basis of this illness has not yet been fully elucidated, and the genes involved in AS pathogenesis have not been entirely identified. The current study aimed at constructing a gene network that may serve as an AS gene signature and biomarker, both of which will help in disease diagnosis and the identification of therapeutic targets. Previously published gene expression profiles of 16 AS patients and 16 gender- and age-matched controls that were profiled on the Illumina HumanHT-12 V3.0 Expression BeadChip platform were mined. Patients were Portuguese, 21 to 64 years old, were diagnosed based on the modified New York criteria, and had Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index scores > 4 and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index scores > 4. All patients were receiving only NSAIDs and/or sulphasalazine. Functional enrichment and pathway analysis were performed to create an interaction network of differentially expressed genes.

Results

ITM2A, ICOS, VSIG10L, CD59, TRAC, and CTLA-4 were among the significantly differentially expressed genes in AS, but the most significantly downregulated genes were the HLA-DRB6, HLA-DRB5, HLA-DRB4, HLA-DRB3, HLA-DRB1, HLA-DQB1, ITM2A, and CTLA-4 genes. The genes in this study were mostly associated with the regulation of the immune system processes, parts of cell membrane, and signaling related to T cell receptor and antigen receptor, in addition to some overlaps related to the IL2 STAT signaling, as well as the androgen response. The most significantly over-represented pathways in the data set were associated with the “RUNX1 and FOXP3 which control the development of regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs)” and the “GABA receptor activation” pathways.

Conclusions

Comprehensive gene analysis of differentially expressed genes in AS reveals a significant gene network that is involved in a multitude of important immune and inflammatory pathways. These pathways and networks might serve as biomarkers for AS and can potentially help in diagnosing the disease and identifying future targets for treatment.
Cone beam computed tomography for evaluation of mandibular lingual canal in an Egyptian subpopulation
Authors: Elmasry Rabab Amin , El-Fotouh Mona Mahmoud Abu , el Sadat Shaimaa Mohamed Abu , Aboelmaaty Wael
Published: May 2021

Background

A sample of three hundred cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans was evaluated. Median lingual canals (MLC) were identified and classified according to their anatomical location. Evaluation of the canal diameter, length, thickness of the buccal cortical plate, and the remaining bone above and below the canal was performed. The results were assessed twice with 2 weeks interval and statistically analyzed. The study was designed to evaluate MLC in an Egyptian subpopulation by the use of CBCT.

Results

Most of the scans presented with one MLC, with a maximum number of four canals, the mean diameter was 1.68± 1.27 mm, with a statistically significant difference in the length from the canal opening to the alveolar crest between females and males.

Conclusions

As the study detected a high prevalence of the MLC with a vast majority of the canals supra-spinosum, a vigilant examination is required using CBCT to avoid subsequent bleeding and airway obstruction.
Cogito, ergo praedico(I think, therefore I predict)
Authors: Lepping Peter
Published: May 2021

I comment on a new overview of the treatment of delusional infestation. I focus on the challenges of communicating with a patient who has delusions and evaluate practical advice. I look at philosophical models to explain those communication problems as well as theories of delusional formation, and examine how these may help clinicians to understand and overcome those challenges.
Unravelling the contribution of complex trauma to psychopathology and cognitive deficits: a cohort study
Authors: Lewis Stephanie J. , Koenen Karestan C. , Ambler Antony , Arseneault Louise , Caspi Avshalom , Fisher Helen L. , Moffitt Terrie E. , Danese Andrea
Published: May 2021

Background

Complex traumas are traumatic experiences that involve multiple interpersonal threats during childhood or adolescence, such as repeated abuse. These traumas are hypothesised to cause more severe psychopathology and poorer cognitive function than other non-complex traumas. However, empirical testing has been limited to clinical/convenience samples and cross-sectional designs.

Aims

To investigate psychopathology and cognitive function in young people exposed to complex, non-complex or no trauma, from a population-representative longitudinal cohort, and to consider the role of pre-existing vulnerabilities.

Method

Participants were from the Environmental Risk Longitudinal Twin Study, a population-representative birth cohort of 2232 British children. At age 18 years (93% participation), we assessed lifetime exposure to complex and non-complex trauma, past-year psychopathology and current cognitive function. We also prospectively assessed early childhood vulnerabilities: internalising and externalising symptoms at 5 years of age, IQ at 5 years of age, family history of mental illness, family socioeconomic status and sex.

Results

Participants exposed to complex trauma had more severe psychopathology and poorer cognitive function at 18 years of age, compared with both trauma-unexposed participants and those exposed to non-complex trauma. Early childhood vulnerabilities predicted risk of later complex trauma exposure, and largely explained associations of complex trauma with cognitive deficits, but not with psychopathology.

Conclusions

By conflating complex and non-complex traumas, current research and clinical practice underestimate the severity of psychopathology, cognitive deficits and pre-existing vulnerabilities linked with complex trauma. A better understanding of the mental health needs of people exposed to complex trauma could inform the development of new, more effective interventions.
African Americans With p16+ and p16− Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinomas Have Distinctly Poor Treatment Outcomes Independent of Medical Care Access
Authors: O'Neill W. Quinn , Wasman Jay , Thuener Jason , Chatfield-Reed Kate , Lukesic Lizabeth , Kyasram Ravi , Shanahan John , Szelesety Blake , Vu Brandon , Lavertu Pierre , Rezaee Rod , Li Shawn , Fowler Nicole , Teknos Theodoros N. , Pan Quintin
Published: May 2021

PURPOSE:

Human papilloma virus–positive (HPV+) oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC), diagnosed with p16 immunohistochemistry, is associated with favorable prognosis; however, this connection was established using European American (EA)–skewed populations. The impact of p16/human papillomavirus status on outcomes in African American (AA) OPSCC patients remains to be settled. In this study, we determine the association between cancer disparity and p16 status in an OPSCC cohort controlling for time to treatment initiation (TTI), a surrogate for medical care access.

MATERIALS AND METHODS:

We analyzed data from all patients diagnosed with OPSCC (N = 440) between 2010 and 2017, who received treatment at our academic medical center. Associations between age, disease stage, sex, p16 status, race, TTI, and overall survival (OS) were investigated.

RESULTS:

TTI was similar between AA and EA OPSCC patients in our p16+ ( P = .291) or p16− ( P = .715) cohorts. Among p16+ OPSCC patients, the median OS was > 8.65 years for EA patients compared with 5.038 years (95% CI, 2.019 to 5.30; P = .003, log-rank) for AA patients. For p16− patients, the median OS was 5.74 years (95% CI, 3.32 to 6.99) for EA patients and 1.85 years (95% CI, 0.978 to 4.50; P = .03, log-rank) for AA patients. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that race was an independent prognostic biomarker and the most impactful co-variate for OS (hazard ratio, 0.40; 95% CI, 0.00 to 0.69; P = .001).

CONCLUSION:

Our work showed that AAs with p16+ OPSCC have surprisingly poor clinical outcomes and are thus poor candidates for treatment de-escalation regimens. Caution should be exercised when extending clinical guidelines based on EA-majority studies to non-EA populations.
Quantitative Assessment of the Incidence of Persistent Orthostatic Hemodynamic Changes After Celiac Plexus Neurolysis: A Prospective Case Series
Authors: Brogan Shane E. , Sindt Jill E. , Odell Daniel W.
Published: May 2021

Celiac plexus neurolysis has been associated with orthostatic hypotension but has not been quantified prospectively or evaluated for persistence after the immediate postprocedural period. Our objective was to quantify persistent hemodynamic changes induced by celiac plexus neurolysis. In this case series of 16 patients with cancer, 8 (50%) had orthostatic hypotension alone, 3 (18.75%) developed an exaggerated postural heart rate increase (>30 beats per min), and 1 (6.25%) had both orthostatic hypotension and an increased heart rate. While the analgesic benefit of celiac plexus neurolysis is clear, the observed hemodynamic changes may be poorly tolerated in some individuals.
Ecology after Dark
Authors: Grebowicz Margret
Published: May 2021

This article takes its cue from Timothy Morton’s invitation to think all things in terms of radioactivity. Instead of focusing on objects, however, the author explores radiation in the imagination of animal desire in the nuclear dystopia. Her working hypothesis is that the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone—now an ecological reserve—is paradigmatic or symptomatic, a theater for the complicated libidinal architecture of the kinds of postapocalyptic sites that may in coming years become the primary places for charismatic megafauna to live, and in which conservation becomes the management not just of bodies, populations, or sexual practices but of desire itself.
Slow Peer Review in the Writing Classroom
Authors: Oleksiak Timothy
Published: May 2021

This article offers slow peer review as an approach to student-to-student peer review in the writing classroom. Slow peer review is based in the values and theories of rhetorical feminism and, when executed purposefully, can function as a fitting alternative to fake news rhetoric. In addition to articulating the steps of slow peer review, this article illustrates how two students in a sophomore-level writing class engaged in the practice. Initial results suggest that nondirective description can lead to meaningful changes in student writing. The article concludes with further considerations for writing teachers who wish to conduct slow peer review in their own classrooms.
Dissecting lipid droplet biology with coherent Raman scattering microscopy
Authors: Chen Tao , Yavuz Ahmet , Wang Meng C.
Published: May 2021

Lipid droplets (LDs) are lipid-rich organelles universally found in most cells. They serve as a key energy reservoir, actively participate in signal transduction and dynamically communicate with other organelles. LD dysfunction has been associated with a variety of diseases. The content level, composition and mobility of LDs are crucial for their physiological and pathological functions, and these different parameters of LDs are subject to regulation by genetic factors and environmental inputs. Coherent Raman scattering (CRS) microscopy utilizes optical nonlinear processes to probe the intrinsic chemical bond vibration, offering label-free, quantitative imaging of lipids in vivo with high chemical specificity and spatiotemporal resolution. In this Review, we provide an overview over the principle of CRS microscopy and its application in tracking different parameters of LDs in live cells and organisms. We also discuss the use of CRS microscopy in genetic screens to discover lipid regulatory mechanisms and in understanding disease-related lipid pathology.
Development and Validation of a Short Version of the Metric for the Observation of Decision-Making in Multidisciplinary Tumor Boards: MODe-Lite
Authors: Lamb B. W. , Miah S. , Skolarus T. A. , Stewart G. D. , Green J. S. A. , Sevdalis N. , Soukup T.
Published: May 2021

Background

Evidence-based tools are necessary for scientifically improving the way MTBs work. Such tools are available but can be difficult to use. This study aimed to develop a robust observational assessment tool for use on cancer multidisciplinary tumor boards (MTBs) by health care professionals in everyday practice.

Methods

A retrospective cross-sectional observational study was conducted in the United Kingdom from September 2015 to July 2016. Three tumor boards from three teaching hospitals were recruited, with 44 members overall. Six weekly meetings involving 146 consecutive cases were video-recorded and scored using the validated MODe tool. Data were subjected to reliability and validity analysis in the current study to develop a shorter version of the MODe.

Results

Phase 1, a reduction of the original items in the MODe, was achieved through two focus group meetings with expert assessors based on previous research. The 12 original items were reduced to 6 domains, receiving full agreement by the assessors. In phase 2, the six domains were subjected to item reliability, convergent validation, and internal consistency testing against the MODe-Lite global score, the MODe global score, and the items of the MODe. Significant positive correlations were evident across all domains (p < 0.01), indicating good reliability and validity. In phase 3, feasibility and high inter-assessor reliability were achieved by two clinical assessors. Six domains measuring clinical input, holistic input, clinical collaboration, pathology, radiology, and management plan were integrated into MODe-Lite.

Conclusions

As an evidence-based tool for health care professionals in everyday practice, MODe-Lite gives cancer MTBs insight into the way they work and facilitates improvements in practice.
Results of an Independent Assessment of the Quality of the Conditions for the Implementation of Educational Activities by Educational Organizations of General, Secondary Vocational and Additional Education in 2020
Authors: Bulaeva N. , Ganeev A. , Ruban I.
Published: May 2021

The article presents the results of a study conducted in 2020, commissioned by the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation, on an independent assessment of the quality of conditions for the implementation of educational activities by organizations carrying out educational activities in basic general education programs, educational programs of secondary vocational education, basic vocational training programs, additional general education programs.
Meta-Subject Training As a Condition for Forming the Readiness of Future Professionals for Professional Activities
Authors: Gorovaya V. , Khudoverdova S. , Nazarova O.
Published: May 2021

In the article as a research task was defined an attempt to evaluate meta-subject training as a condition for the formation of the readiness of the future specialist for professional activities. There is a stage in the study of the meta-subject approach to learning. Much attention has been paid to establishing the conceptual certainty of meta-subjectivity and meta-subject approach. The main content of the work is devoted to the disclosure of the meaningful part of meta-subject training, its organizational foundations. A series of meta-effects as an integrated form of knowledge and action with them is substantiated. The article provides meta-subject competencies and features of the organization of meta-subject activities.
Formation of Skills of Professional Creative Activity
Authors: Romanchenko M.
Published: May 2021

The article examines the experience of forming the foundations of professional creative activity of students, on the example of training specialists in educational institutions of secondary vocational education of a technical profile. The influence of the experience of participation of students in professional competitions is considered. A number of theoretical provisions are proposed that allow to form the creative activity of students from the perspective of a competence-based approach. The research carried out acquaints with the competent composition of the activities of future specialists. The analysis of specific activities, production requirements and educational standards made it possible to single out such components as technological, rationalization, modernization, organizational and management activities in the future graduate's activities. The potential possibility of optimizing the system of secondary vocational education is analyzed.
Funkcjonalność pojęć temporalnych w dyskursie prawnym i urzędowym
Authors: Kowalczyk Joanna
Published: May 2021

Functionality of Temporal Concepts in Legal and Public Administration Discourse

The article is dedicated to the concept of time in the context of its potential to organize legal interactions. The subject of the study includes time markers in Polish legislative, official and court documents. The aim of the article is to describe the temporal terminology used in legal and official communication, and to find pragmatic characteristics that make it possible for the concept of time to organize extralinguistic reality in many different aspects. The author of the article analyses both fixed language constructs and language units with an open and occasional structure.
Witold Taszycki a polska onomastyka
Authors: Babik Zbigniew
Published: May 2021

Witold Taszycki and Polish Onomastics

The author of the article discusses the merits of Witold Taszycki, professor of the Jan Kazimierz and Jagiellonian universities (1898–1979), from the perspective of a contemporary Polish onomastician of the middle generation. The author mainly focused on Taszycki’s way of organizing the environment and planning team research on Polish names of people and places. It is justified to think that it was Taszycki, not so much with his own works in the field, but especially through selecting and educating the staff, who, to the greatest extent, determined the present form and research directions of this discipline in Poland.
A Theory of Quasi-Experimental Evaluation of School Quality
Authors: Narita Yusuke
Published: May 2021

Many centralized school admissions systems use lotteries to ration limited seats at oversubscribed schools. The resulting random assignment is used by empirical researchers to identify the effects of schools on outcomes like test scores. I first find that the two most popular empirical research designs may not successfully extract a random assignment of applicants to schools. When are the research designs able to overcome this problem? I show the following main results for a class of data-generating mechanisms containing those used in practice: The first-choice research design extracts a random assignment under a mechanism if the mechanism is strategy-proof for schools. In contrast, the other qualification instrument research design does not necessarily extract a random assignment under any mechanism. The former research design is therefore more compelling than the latter. Many applications of the two research designs need some implicit assumption, such as large-sample approximately random assignment, to justify their empirical strategy.

This paper was accepted by Yan Chen, decision analysis.