bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Feasibility of establishing a core set of sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health indicators in humanitarian settings: results from a multi-methods assessment in the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Emina Jacques , Etinkum Rinelle , Aissaoui Anya , Gbomosa Cady Nyombe , Elamurugan Kaeshan , Rajendra Kanya Lakshmi , El Mowafi Ieman Mona , Kobeissi Loulou
Published: June 2022

Background

Reliable and rigorously collected sexual, reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health (SRMNCAH) data in humanitarian settings are often sparse and variable in quality across different humanitarian settings, and there is a lack of consensus about a core set of indicators that humanitarian actors including national health systems should report on. To address this gap in quality data, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed a core set of indicators for monitoring and evaluating SRMNCAH services and outcomes and assessed their feasibility in four countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with the goal of aggregating information from global consultations and field-level assessments to reach consensus on a set of core SRMNCAH indicators among WHO partners.

Methods

The feasibility assessment in the DRC focused on the following constructs: relevance/usefulness, feasibility of measurement, systems and resources, and ethical issues. The multi-methods assessment included five components; a desk review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, facility assessments, and observational sessions.

Results

The findings suggest that there is widespread support among stakeholders for developing a standardized core list of SRMNCAH indicators to be collected among all humanitarian actors in the DRC. There are numerous resources and data collection systems that could be leveraged, built upon, and improved to ensure the feasibility of collecting this proposed set of indicators. However, the data collection load requested from donors, the national government, international and UN agencies, and coordination/cluster systems must be better harmonized, standardized, and less burdensome.

Conclusions

Despite stakeholder support in developing a core set of indicators, this would only be useful if it has the buy-in from the international community. Greater harmonization and coordination, alongside increased resource allocation, would improve data collection efforts and allow stakeholders to meet indicators’ reporting requirements.
Genome-wide DNA methylation reveals potential epigenetic mechanism of age-dependent viral susceptibility in grass carp
Authors: He Libo , Liang Xinyu , Wang Qian , Yang Cheng , Li Yongming , Liao Lanjie , Zhu Zuoyan , Wang Yaping
Published: June 2022

Background

Grass carp are an important farmed fish in China that are infected by many pathogens, especially grass carp reovirus (GCRV). Notably, grass carp showed age-dependent susceptibility to GCRV; that is, grass carp not older than one year were sensitive to GCRV, while those over three years old were resistant to this virus. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Herein, whole genome-wide DNA methylation and gene expression variations between susceptible five-month-old (FMO) and resistant three-year-old (TYO) grass carp were investigated aiming to uncover potential epigenetic mechanisms.

Results

Colorimetric quantification revealed that the global methylation level in TYO fish was higher than that in FMO fish. Whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) of the two groups revealed 6214 differentially methylated regions (DMRs) and 4052 differentially methylated genes (DMGs), with most DMRs and DMGs showing hypermethylation patterns in TYO fish. Correlation analysis revealed that DNA hypomethylation in promoter regions and DNA hypermethylation in gene body regions were associated with gene expression. Enrichment analysis revealed that promoter hypo-DMGs in TYO fish were significantly enriched in typical immune response pathways, whereas gene body hyper-DMGs in TYO fish were significantly enriched in terms related to RNA transcription, biosynthesis, and energy production. RNA-seq analysis of the corresponding samples indicated that most of the genes in the above terms were upregulated in TYO fish. Moreover, gene function analysis revealed that the two genes involved in energy metabolism displayed antiviral effects.

Conclusions

Collectively, these results revealed genome-wide variations in DNA methylation between grass carp of different ages. DNA methylation and gene expression variations in genes involved in immune response, biosynthesis, and energy production may contribute to age-dependent susceptibility to GCRV in grass carp. Our results provide important information for disease-resistant breeding programs for grass carp and may also benefit research on age-dependent diseases in humans.
5’isomiR-183-5p|+2 elicits tumor suppressor activity in a negative feedback loop with E2F1
Authors: Li Xiaoya , Michels Birgitta Elisabeth , Tosun Oyku Ece , Jung Janine , Kappes Jolane , Ibing Susanne , Nataraj Nishanth Belugali , Sahay Shashwat , Schneider Martin , Wörner Angelika , Becki Corinna , Ishaque Naveed , Feuerbach Lars , Heßling Bernd , Helm Dominic , Will Rainer , Yarden Yosef , Müller-Decker Karin , Wiemann Stefan , Körner Cindy
Published: June 2022

Background

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and isomiRs play important roles in tumorigenesis as essential regulators of gene expression. 5’isomiRs exhibit a shifted seed sequence compared to the canonical miRNA, resulting in different target spectra and thereby extending the phenotypic impact of the respective common pre-miRNA. However, for most miRNAs, expression and function of 5’isomiRs have not been studied in detail yet. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the functions of miRNAs and their 5’isomiRs.

Methods

The expression of 5’isomiRs was assessed in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) breast cancer patient dataset. Phenotypic effects of miR-183 overexpression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cell lines were investigated in vitro and in vivo by quantifying migration, proliferation, tumor growth and metastasis. Direct targeting of E2F1 by miR-183-5p|+2 was validated with a 3’UTR luciferase assay and linked to the phenotypes of isomiR overexpression.

Results

TCGA breast cancer patient data indicated that three variants of miR-183-5p are highly expressed and upregulated, namely miR-183-5p|0, miR-183-5p|+1 and miR-183-5p|+2. However, TNBC cell lines displayed reduced proliferation and invasion upon overexpression of pre-miR-183. While invasion was reduced individually by all three isomiRs, proliferation and cell cycle progression were specifically inhibited by overexpression of miR-183-5p|+2. Proteomic analysis revealed reduced expression of E2F target genes upon overexpression of this isomiR, which could be attributed to direct targeting of E2F1, specifically by miR-183-5p|+2. Knockdown of E2F1 partially phenocopied the effect of miR-183-5p|+2 overexpression on cell proliferation and cell cycle. Gene set enrichment analysis of TCGA and METABRIC patient data indicated that the activity of E2F strongly correlated with the expression of miR-183-5p, suggesting transcriptional regulation of the miRNA by a factor of the E2F family. Indeed, in vitro, expression of miR-183-5p was regulated by E2F1. Hence, miR-183-5p|+2 directly targeting E2F1 appears to be part of a negative feedback loop potentially fine-tuning its activity.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates that 5’isomiRs originating from the same arm of the same pre-miRNA (i.e. pre-miR-183-5p) may exhibit different functions and thereby collectively contribute to the same phenotype. Here, one of three isomiRs was shown to counteract expression of the pre-miRNA by negatively regulating a transcriptional activator (i.e. E2F1). We speculate that this might be part of a regulatory mechanism to prevent uncontrolled cell proliferation, which is disabled during cancer progression.

Graphical Abstract
CircCEMIP promotes anoikis-resistance by enhancing protective autophagy in prostate cancer cells
Authors: Yu Ying , Song Yarong , Cheng Lulin , Chen Liang , Liu Bing , Lu Dingheng , Li Xuexiang , Li Yunxue , Lv Fang , Xing Yifei
Published: June 2022

Background

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are essential participants in the development and progression of various malignant tumors. Previous studies have shown that cell migration-inducing protein (CEMIP) accelerates prostate cancer (PCa) anoikis resistance (AR) by activating autophagy. This study focused on the effect of circCEMIP on PCa metastasis.

Methods

This study gradually revealed the role of circ_0004585 in PCa anoikis resistance via quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis, western blotting, pull-down assays, and dual fluorescence reporter assays.

Results

Functionally, circ_0004585 promoted PCa cells invasion and metastasis both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, circ_0004585 directly interacted with miR-1248 to upregulate target gene expression. Furthermore, target prediction and dual-luciferase reporter assays identified transmembrane 9 superfamily member 4 (TM9SF4) as a potential miR-1248 target. Pathway analysis revealed that TM9SF4 activated autophagy to promote PCa cells anoikis resistance via mTOR phosphorylation.

Conclusions

These results demonstrated that circ_0004585 played an oncogenic role during PCa invasion and metastasis by targeting the miR-1248/TM9SF4 axis while providing new insight into therapeutic strategy development for metastatic PCa.
Neonatal resuscitation practices in Italy: a survey of the Italian Society of Neonatology (SIN) and the Union of European Neonatal and Perinatal Societies (UENPS)
Authors: Gizzi Camilla , Trevisanuto Daniele , Gagliardi Luigi , Vertecchi Giulia , Ghirardello Stefano , Di Fabio Sandra , Moretti Corrado , Mosca Fabio
Published: June 2022

Background

Providing appropriate care at birth remains a crucial strategy for reducing neonatal mortality and morbidity. We aimed to evaluate the consistency of practice and the adherence to the international guidelines on neonatal resuscitation in level-I and level-II Italian birth hospitals.

Methods

This was a cross-sectional electronic survey. A 91-item questionnaire focusing on current delivery room practices in neonatal resuscitation was sent to the directors of 418 Italian neonatal facilities.

Results

The response rate was 61.7% (258/418), comprising 95.6% (110/115) from level-II and 49.0% (148/303) from level-I centres. In 2018, approximately 300,000 births occurred at the participating hospitals, with a median of 1664 births/centre in level-II and 737 births/centre in level-I hospitals. Participating level-II hospitals provided nasal-CPAP and/or high-flow nasal cannulae (100%), mechanical ventilation (99.1%), HFOV (71.0%), inhaled nitric oxide (80.0%), therapeutic hypothermia (76.4%), and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ECMO (8.2%). Nasal-CPAP and/or high-flow nasal cannulae and mechanical ventilation were available in 77.7 and 21.6% of the level-I centres, respectively. Multidisciplinary antenatal counselling was routinely offered to parents at 90.0% (90) of level-II hospitals, and 57.4% (85) of level-I hospitals (p < 0.001). Laryngeal masks were available in more than 90% of participating hospitals while an end-tidal CO2 detector was available in only 20%. Significant differences between level-II and level-I centres were found in the composition of resuscitation teams for high-risk deliveries, team briefings before resuscitation, providers qualified with full resuscitation skills, self-confidence, and use of sodium bicarbonate.

Conclusions

This survey provides insight into neonatal resuscitation practices in a large sample of Italian hospitals. Overall, adherence to international guidelines on neonatal resuscitation was high, but differences in practice between the participating centres and the guidelines exist. Clinicians and stakeholders should consider this information when allocating resources and planning perinatal programs in Italy.
PragmaTic, prospEctive, randomized, controlled, double-blind, mulTi-centre, multinational study on the safety and efficacy of a 6% HydroxYethyl Starch (HES) solution versus an electrolyte solution in trauma patients: study protocol for the TETHYS study
Authors: Palma Clementina Duran , Mamba Musawenkosi , Geldenhuys Johan , Fadahun Oluwafolajimi , Rossaint Rolf , Zacharowski Kai , Brand Martin , Díaz-Cambronero Óscar , Belda Javier , Westphal Martin , Brauer Ute , Dormann Dirk , Dehnhardt Tamara , Hernandez-Gonzalez Martin , Schmier Sonja , de Korte Dianne , Plani Frank , Buhre Wolfgang
Published: June 2022

Background

Trauma may be associated with significant to life-threatening blood loss, which in turn may increase the risk of complications and death, particularly in the absence of adequate treatment. Hydroxyethyl starch (HES) solutions are used for volume therapy to treat hypovolemia due to acute blood loss to maintain or re-establish hemodynamic stability with the ultimate goal to avoid organ hypoperfusion and cardiovascular collapse. The current study compares a 6% HES 130 solution (Volulyte 6%) versus an electrolyte solution (Ionolyte) for volume replacement therapy in adult patients with traumatic injuries, as requested by the European Medicines Agency to gain more insights into the safety and efficacy of HES in the setting of trauma care.

Methods

TETHYS is a pragmatic, prospective, randomized, controlled, double-blind, multicenter, multinational trial performed in two parallel groups. Eligible consenting adults ≥ 18 years, with an estimated blood loss of ≥ 500 ml, and in whom initial surgery is deemed necessary within 24 h after blunt or penetrating trauma, will be randomized to receive intravenous treatment at an individualized dose with either a 6% HES 130, or an electrolyte solution, for a maximum of 24 h or until reaching the maximum daily dose of 30 ml/kg body weight, whatever occurs first. Sample size is estimated as 175 patients per group, 350 patients total (α = 0.025 one-tailed, power 1–β = 0.8). Composite primary endpoint evaluated in an exploratory manner will be 90-day mortality and 90-day renal failure, defined as AKIN stage ≥ 2, RIFLE injury/failure stage, or use of renal replacement therapy (RRT) during the first 3 months. Secondary efficacy and safety endpoints are fluid administration and balance, changes in vital signs and hemodynamic status, changes in laboratory parameters including renal function, coagulation, and inflammation biomarkers, incidence of adverse events during treatment period, hospital, and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay, fitness for ICU or hospital discharge, and duration of mechanical ventilation and/or RRT.

Discussion

This pragmatic study will increase the evidence on safety and efficacy of 6% HES 130 for treatment of hypovolemia secondary to acute blood loss in trauma patients.

Trial registration

Registered in EudraCT, No.: 2016-002176-27 (21 April 2017) and ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03338218 (09 November 2017).
Zhizhu Kuanzhong Capsule in treating patients with functional dyspepsia postprandial distress syndrome: study protocol for a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial
Authors: Xiao Mengli , Zhong Linda L. D. , Lam Wai Ching , Zhao Yingpan , Gwee Kok-Ann , Holtmann Gerald , Tack Jan , Suzuki Hidekazu , Chen Min-Hu , Xiao Yinglian , Hou Xiaohua , Liu Jinsong , Li Yang , Tang Xu-Dong , Lu Fang
Published: June 2022

Background

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is one of the most common functional gastrointestinal disorders. Based on the various symptoms present in patients with functional dyspepsia postprandial distress syndrome (FD-PDS), routine agents such as acid suppressants, prokinetic drugs, and centrally acting drugs, offer limited treatment choices with potential side effects. As a preliminary clinical trial showed that the marketed product Zhizhu Kuanzhong Capsule (ZZKZ) can improve symptoms in FD-PDS patients, our study aims to provide further evidence on the clinical efficacy and safety of ZZKZ in the treatment of patients with FD-PDS.

Methods

In this multicenter, randomized, patient- and investigator-blinded, placebo-controlled, parallel-group clinical trial, we will recruit patients with FD-PDS from 18 hospitals in China and Australia. The trial will enroll patients with FD-PDS based on the Rome IV diagnostic criteria. A total of 480 eligible patients will be randomized 1:1 into either ZZKZ or placebo group with 8 weeks of treatment and 4 weeks of follow-up. The primary endpoint will be measured by a self-rated Visual Analogue Score (VAS) for the degree of discomfort with both symptoms of postprandial fullness and early satiation, recorded once a day and 7 days a week. The primary analysis will aim to compare the response rate for FD-PDS VAS score between the groups before and after 8 weeks of treatment with an alpha level of 0.05 (2-sided).

Discussion

This trial aims to strengthen the evidence for the efficacy and safety of ZZKZ, a marketed product, in treating FD-PDS. Compared to the previous clinical trial that targeted FD-PDS, this trial will have an 8-week double-blind treatment period to investigate the effect of long-term mediation through comparison with the placebo group.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03825692. Registered on 28 January 2019
Value and engagement: what can clinical trials learn from techniques used in not-for-profit marketing?
Authors: Mitchell E. J. , Sprange K. , Treweek S. , Nixon E.
Published: June 2022

Marketing is a core business function in commercial companies but is also frequently used by not-for-profit organisations. Marketing focuses on understanding what people value to make choices about engaging with a product or service: a concept also key to understanding why people may choose to engage with a clinical trial. Understanding the needs and values of stakeholders, whether they are participants, staff at recruiting sites or policy-makers, is critical for a clinical trial to be a success. As many trials fail to recruit and retain participants, perhaps it is time for us to consider approaches from other disciplines. Though clinical trial teams may consider evidence- and non-evidence-based recruitment and retention strategies, this is rarely done in a systematic, streamlined way and is often in response to challenges once the trial has started. In this short commentary, we argue the need for a formal marketing approach to be applied to clinical trials, from the outset, as a potential prevention to recruitment and retention problems.
A nonrandomized controlled trial of individualized exercise prescription combined with remote exercise management in patients who are overweight or obese
Authors: Guan Rui , Li Haijing , Jiao Yang , Yu Hong
Published: June 2022

Background

Between 2012 and 2020, the obesity rate increased among Chinese people aged 18 years and above, along with blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, serum total cholesterol, and triglycerides.

Purpose

Our objective was to compare the effects of a combined intervention, including individualized exercise prescription plus remote management versus individualized exercise prescription only, on cardiovascular risk factors in patients who are overweight or obese, with the aim of establishing a more effective remote model of health management than self-management.

Methods

This nonrandomized controlled trial (ChiCTR2100046307) studied patients who are overweight or obese at model labor health management centers from January 2019 to December 2019, including 55 people in the experimental group and 34 in the control group. The relevant indexes of all the research objects from both experimental group and control group were examined. Participants in the experimental group were given individualized exercise prescription combined with remote exercise management over a period of 3 months. The control group was prescribed exercise only at time of enrollment and taught about exercise once, followed by voluntary exercise and self-management for 3 months.

Result

After adjusting for baseline differences, the changes in weight (−2.72 ± 4.03 kg versus 0.32 ± 2.50 kg, P < 0.0001), body mass index (−0.99 ± 1.44 kg/m2 versus 0.11 ± 0.92 kg/m2, P < 0.0001), waist circumference (−2.98 ± 6.29 cm versus 0.60 ± 5.33 cm, P < 0.0001), visceral fat area (−9.75 ± 19.68 cm2 versus −1.31 ± 12.37 cm2, P = 0.028), body fat (− 2.65 ± 3.52 kg versus 0.54 ± 2.67 kg, P < 0.0001), body fat rate (−2.50 ± 3.32% versus 0.21 ± 3.30%, P < 0.0001), uric acid (−9.75 ± 19.68 µmol/L versus −1.31 ± 12.37 µmol/L, P = 0.028), serum total cholesterol (−0.11 ± 0.40 mmol/L versus −0.11 ± 0.59 mmol/L, P = 0.004), fasting insulin (− 2.36 ± 5.20 μU/mL versus 1.22 ± 7.34 μU/mL, P = 0.009), and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (−0.62 ± 1.25 versus 0.14 ± 1.83, P = 0.022) were significantly better in the experimental group than in the control group after intervention.

Conclusion

Individualized exercise prescription combined with remote management in patients who are obese or overweight facilitated weight and fat loss, lowered blood pressure and serum total cholesterol, improved glucose metabolism and insulin resistance, and reduced cardiovascular risk factors. The intervention was superior to conventional education in terms of weight loss, fat reduction, total cholesterol reduction, fasting insulin reduction, and amelioration of insulin resistance.
Type 1 neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation: a case report
Authors: Labrada-Aguilera Pedro Enrique , Guach-Hevia David Armando , Almira-Gómez Carlos Rafael , González-Lago Daniel Alejandro
Published: June 2022

Background

Type 1 neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation is a rare neurological disorder with estimated prevalence of one to two per million persons worldwide, characterized by progressive degeneration of basal ganglia, globus pallidus, and reticular part of substantia nigra, produced by brain iron accumulation due to a defect in the gene producing pantothenate kinase 2. Clinical presentations include dystonia, dysarthria, dysphagia, dementia, severe mental retardation, and severe movement disability at later stages. The characteristic pattern on brain magnetic resonance imaging shows the “eye of the tiger” sign. Treatment in late stages is mainly symptomatic. We report the case of a Cuban boy with high-severity brain iron accumulation, with positive clinical and imaging findings diagnosed in a late stage of the illness. This degree of severity has never been reported in Cuba and is rarely reported worldwide.

Case presentation

We present the case of a 19-year-old male white Cuban boy who presented to our department with features of spasticity, dystonia, gait difficulty, dysarthria, dysphagia, aggressiveness, and sleep disorders. He was diagnosed with pantothenate kinase-associated neurodegeneration on the basis of clinical findings and typical “eye of the tiger” pattern on brain magnetic resonance imaging. Detailed evaluation was carried out, and symptomatic treatment and physiotherapy were started with trihexyphenidyl, cabergoline, baclofen, and intramuscular botulinum neurotoxin as well as daily home sessions of passive stretching, weight bearing, and muscle massaging. At 3 months reevaluation, the patient showed a great improvement of motor function, with a decrease of dystonic symptoms, although language, cognition, and functional independence showed no improvement. The prognosis of the patient remains reserved.

Conclusion

The diagnosis can be made based on the presence of clinical and imaging features. The presence of “eye-of-the-tiger” sign on magnetic resonance imaging must be considered a nearly pathognomonic sign of neurodegeneration with brain iron accumulation presence. Treatment after high-severity presentation remains directed toward symptomatic findings. Both dopamine agonists and anticholinergic agents are useful to treat motor symptoms, but there is not yet an effective treatment to stop the underlying degeneration. New therapeutic approaches are needed to counteract late stages of the disease and improve prognosis.
Beclin1 haploinsufficiency compromises mesenchymal stem cell-offered cardioprotection against myocardial infarction
Authors: Qin Xing , Fei Juanjuan , Duan Yu , Ceylan Asli F. , Zhang Fuyang , Ren Jun
Published: June 2022

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs)-based therapy has displayed some promises in ischemia heart diseases although its efficacy may be affected by changes in surrounding environments. This study evaluated the role of autophagy insufficiency using Beclin1 haploinsufficiency (BECN+/−) on intra-myocardial MSC transplantation-evoked effect against myocardial infarction. Donor MSCs from C57BL/6 mice were labelled with cell-tracker CM Dil and were delivered into LV free wall adjacent to infarct region in wild-type (WT) and BECN+/− recipient mice following ligation of left main coronary artery (MI-MSCs). Ten days following MI, myocardial function was assessed using echocardiography. Cardiomyocyte contractility and intracellular Ca2+ were monitored using cardiomyocytes from the area-at-risk adjacent to infarct. CM-Dil labeled cells were tracked in MSCs recipient mice using fluorescence microscopy. Lectin, Masson trichrome staining and Western blot analysis were employed to determine cardiomyocyte area, scar fibrosis, apoptosis and inflammation. MI insult triggered scar fibrosis, LV chamber dilation, decreased fractional shortening, ejection fraction, cardiomyocyte shortening, maximal velocity of shortening and relengthening as well as prolonged relengthening, which were abrogated or attenuated by MSCs therapy in WT but not BECN+/− mice. MI decreased intracellular Ca2+ rise and decay in response to electrical stimuli without affecting resting intracellular Ca2+, which were reconciled by MSCs in WT but not BECN+/− mice. MSCs further attenuated MI-induced mitochondrial ultrastructural injury, apoptosis, inflammation and autophagy defects in peri-infarct area in WT but not BECN+/− mice. Collectively, our results suggested that autophagy insufficiency dampened in MSCs-elicited cardioprotection associated with dampened apoptosis and inflammation.
Pre-COVID-19 international travel and admission to hospital when back home: travel behavior, carriage of highly resistant microorganisms, and risk perception of patients admitted to a large tertiary care hospital
Authors: Voor in ’t holt Anne F. , van der Schoor Adriënne S. , Mourik Kees , Strepis Nikolaos , Klaassen Corné H. W. , Vos Margreet C. , Severin Juliëtte A.
Published: June 2022

Background

When people who recently travelled abroad are admitted to a hospital back home, there is a risk of introducing highly resistant microorganisms (HRMO) into the hospital. To minimize this risk, a feasible infection prevention strategy should be developed. In this study, we investigated patients’ travel history and behavior during travel and analyzed whether this was correlated to HRMO carriage at admission.

Methods

From May 2018 until August 2019, adult patients admitted to a large tertiary care center in the Netherlands were asked upon hospital admission to participate in the study. Included patients received a questionnaire about risk perception, travel history in the last year, and behavior during travel, and were screened for HRMO carriage at admission using a perianal swab.

Results

Six hundred and eight questionnaires were handed out, of which 247 were returned (40.6%). One hundred and thirty (52.6%) patients did not travel abroad in the last year, of whom eight (6.2%) were HRMO carrier at admission. One hundred seventeen (47.4%) patients travelled in the preceding year, of whom seven patients (6.0%) were HRMO carrier at admission. Thirty patients (12%) travelled outside of Europe; in this group HRMO prevalence was 13.3% (4 out of 30). The majority of patients (71.3%) were aware that international travel could lead to carriage of HRMO, and an even larger majority (89.5%) would support a screening strategy upon hospital admission in case of a travel history, to minimize the risk of introducing HRMO.

Conclusions

We identified that half of admitted patients to a large tertiary care hospital travelled abroad in the last year, with only a small percentage outside Europe. We discuss several screening strategies and propose a strategy of screening and preemptive isolation of patients who travelled to Asia or Africa in the 2 months before their hospital admission; a strategy that patients would support.
SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence around the world: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Azami Mobin , Moradi Yousef , Moradkhani Asra , Aghaei Abbas
Published: June 2022

Background

Covid-19 has been one of the major concerns around the world in the last 2 years. One of the challenges of this disease has been to determine its prevalence. Conflicting results of the serology test in Covid explored the need for an updated meta-analysis on this issue. Thus, this systematic review aimed to estimate the prevalence of global SARS-CoV-2 serology in different populations and geographical areas.

Methods

To identify studies evaluating the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2, a comprehensive literature search was performed from international databases, including Medline (PubMed), Web of Sciences, Scopus, EMBASE, and CINHAL.

Results

In this meta-analysis, the results showed that SARS-CoV-2 seroprevalence is between 3 and 15% worldwide. In Eastern Mediterranean, the pooled estimate of seroprevalence SARS-CoV-2 was 15% (CI 95% 5–29%), and in Africa, the pooled estimate was 6% (CI 95% 1–13%). In America, the pooled estimate was 8% (CI 95% 6–11%), and in Europe, the pooled estimate was 5% (CI 95% 4–6%). Also the last region, Western Pacific, the pooled estimate was 3% (CI 95% 2–4%). Besides, we analyzed three of these areas separately. This analysis estimated the prevalence in subgroups such as study population, diagnostic methods, sampling methods, time, perspective, and type of the study.

Conclusion

The present meta-analysis showed that the seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 has been between 3 and 15% worldwide. Even considering the low estimate of this rate and the increasing vaccination in the world, many people are still susceptible to SARS-CoV-2.
IL-39 promotes chronic graft-versus-host disease by increasing T and B Cell pathogenicity
Authors: Lv Kangkang , Hu Bo , Xu Mingzhu , Wan Li , Jin Ziqi , Xu Mimi , Du Yuanyuan , Ma Kunpeng , Lv Quansheng , Xu Yang , Lei Lei , Gong Huanle , Liu Haiyan , Wu Depei , Liu Yuejun
Published: June 2022

Background

Chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) remains a major complication during the late phase of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). IL-39, a newly described pro-inflammatory cytokine belonging to the IL-12 family, plays a role in lupus development. Recently, IL-39 has been identified as a pathogenic factor in acute GVHD (aGVHD). However, the role of IL-39 in the pathogenesis of cGVHD remains unclear.

Methods

We constructed a recombinant IL-39 plasmid and established scleroderma and lupus-like cGVHD models. Quantitative PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) were used to detect IL-39 expression in mice and patients post transplantation, respectively. Hydrodynamic gene transfer (HGT) was performed to achieve IL-39 overexpression in vivo. Multiparameter flow cytometry, western blotting, and assays in vitro were performed to investigate the effect of IL-39 on cGVHD.

Results

The relative expression of IL-23p19 and EBi3 was significantly increased in the intestine of cGVHD mice on day 40 post allo-HSCT, and IL-39 levels were significantly elevated in the serum of patients following allo-HSCT. Overexpression of IL-39 significantly aggravated the severity of cGVHD. Increased IL-39 levels promoted T-cell activation and germinal center responses, and may exacerbate thymic damage. Consistently, blocking IL-39 markedly ameliorated immune dysregulation in the cGVHD mice. Furthermore, we found that IL-39 was produced by B cells, CD11b+ cells, and CD8+T cells after activation. Stimulation of IL-39 led to upregulation of the IL-39 receptor on CD4+T cells and further caused activation of the STAT1/STAT3 pathway, through which IL-39 may exert its pro-inflammatory effects.

Conclusion

Our study reveals a critical role for IL-39 in cGVHD pathogenesis and indicates that IL-39 may serve as a potential therapeutic target for cGVHD prevention.
Developing insights from the collective voice of target users in Twitter
Authors: Lee Kang-Pyo , Song Suyong
Published: June 2022

This study develops a pragmatic scheme that facilitates insight development from the collective voice of target users in Twitter, which has not been considered in the existing literature. While relying on a wide range of existing approaches to Twitter user profiling, this study provides a novel and generic procedure that enables researchers to identify the right users in Twitter and discover topical and social insights from their tweets. To identify a target audience of Twitter users that meets certain criteria, we first explore user profiling, potentially followed by text-based, customized user profiling leveraging hashtags as features for machine learning. We then present how to mine popular topics and influential actors from Twitter data. Two case studies on 16 thousand young women interested in fashion and 68 thousand people sharing the same interest in the Me Too movement indicate that our approach facilitates discovery of social trends among people in a particular domain.
A survey on the use of mice, pigs, dogs and monkeys as animal models in biomedical research in Spain
Authors: Goñi-Balentziaga Olatz , Ortega-Saez Iván , Vila Sergi , Azkona Garikoitz
Published: June 2022

Background

The use of animals in biomedical science remains controversial. An individual’s level of concern is generally influenced by their culture, previous or current experience with animals, and the specific animal species in question. In this study we aimed to explore what people in Spain who had never or who no longer worked with laboratory animals thought of the use of mice, pigs, dogs and monkeys for biomedical research purposes. We also aimed to determine whether or not people currently involved in biomedical research with the aforementioned species felt their work was justified.

Results

The study comprised a total of 807 participants (never worked = 285, used to work = 56, currently working = 466), almost two thirds of whom were women. Our results revealed that the phylogenetic scale is an important factor in people’s opinions of the use of certain species in research. The percentage of people who were against the use of dogs or monkeys was higher than that of those who were against the use of mice or pigs. The main reasons given for having stopped working with laboratory animals were change of professional career and change in research project. Participants who were currently working with animals believed that their work was justified, but said they did not talk about it with people outside their immediate social circle.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that there is a difference in moral status between monkeys and mice, as well as between companion animals (dogs) and farm animals (pigs). Our results support the idea that working with laboratory animals is a sensitive issue in Spain.
Leaf spot of Telfairia occidentalis incidence and severity influenced by altitude and planting date in the West Region of Cameroon
Authors: Kpu Andrew Kebei , Annih Mbong Grace , Ambang Agyingi Lucy
Published: June 2022

Background

Leaf spot disease of Telfairia occidentalis, caused by Phoma sorghina, represents one of the major biotic constraints to T. occidentalis production under small scale farming systems in West Africa including Cameroon. Currently this critically important seed and leaf vegetable is cultivated under varying altitudinal levels at different planting dates. In this framework, a field study was conducted in 2019 and 2020 cropping seasons between March and July in the localities of Dschang and Santchou to determine the influence of altitude and planting date on the prevalence and severity the disease.

Material and methods

A 2 by 4 factorial randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications and four planting dates were used. Data for disease prevalence and severity documented fortnightly, were submitted to general linear model for analysis using SPSS version 23, and the means were separated by least significant difference (LSD) at a 95% confidence interval.

Results

Statistical analysis revealed that, the low altitude recorded a significantly (p < 0.05) lower prevalence than high altitude while disease severities between both altitudes were not significantly different. Moreover, the initial three planting dates at low altitude and planting date three in Dschang recorded significantly lower prevalence than other planting dates investigated in the study.

Conclusion

We established that, the initial three planting dates at low altitude and planting date three at high altitude could be helpful in reducing leaf spot prevalence and severity of T. occidentalis.
An Analysis of the Literature on International Unconventional Monetary Policy
Authors: Bhattarai Saroj , Neely Christopher J.
Published: June 2022

This paper evaluates the literature on international unconventional monetary policies (UMPs). Introducing market segmentation, limits-to-arbitrage, and time-consistent policy in standard models permits a theoretical role for UMP. Empirical studies provide compelling evidence that UMPs influenced international asset prices and tail risk in the desired manner. Calibrated modeling and vector autoregressive (VAR) exercises imply that these policies also improved macroeconomic outcomes. We assess the recent debate on the empirical evidence and discuss central bank assessments of UMP. Despite qualified successes, we recommend that UMP be reserved for crises and/or when the zero bound constrains conventional monetary policy. (JEL E31, E43, E44, E52, E58, G12, G21)
Stratification Economics: Core Constructs and Policy Implications
Authors: Chelwa Grieve , Hamilton Darrick , Stewart James
Published: June 2022

This article introduces the core constructs of stratification economics to provide a coherent explanation for the persistence of intergroup inequalities. Aligned with the critical race theory concept of “the property rights in Whiteness,” stratification economics explicitly incorporates the concepts of identity-group investment and group-based agency in the construction of identity-group hierarchies. We survey the intellectual lineage, foundations, tenets and theoretical underpinnings of stratification economics, and conclude with a treatise on inclusive economic rights as an appropriate policy frame to empower people and counteract structural inequalities generated from inter-group conflict and competition for preferred outcomes. (JEL D63, G51, I14, I24, J15, J31, Z13)
Position and Possessions: Stratification Economics and Intergroup Inequality
Authors: Darity William A.
Published: June 2022

This article provides an overview of the origins and development of stratification economics as a subfield that centers the importance of identity, social ranking, and relative group position. Stratification economics developed in response to explanations for interracial/ethnic/gender inequality that invoked group-based dysfunction on the part of the subordinate community. Influences, detailed here, include the works of W. E. B. DuBois, Thorstein Veblen, Karl Marx, Eric Williams, Herbert Blumer, Claude Steele, Cecilia Ridgeway, Thomas Pettigrew, and Linda Tropp. The article concludes with an exploration of unique insights and extensions stratification economics affords a variety of themes: the impact of multiple identities, the determinants of individual productivity, variation in intensity of group identification, “passing,” sources of intergroup differences in wealth, and social mobility and immigration. (JEL D31, D63, I31, J15, J16, Z13)
Comparative analysis of Human Resources Management in the industrial and public sector in Greece
Authors: Παπαδοπούλου Κυριακή
Published: June 2022

Αντικείμενο μελέτης είναι η κατάσταση του ανθρώπινου δυναμικού στους οργανισμούς του δημόσιου και βιομηχανικού τομέα στην Ελλάδα με επακόλουθες προτάσεις για τη βελτίωσή τους. Αντικείμενο της μελέτης είναι η διαχείριση ανθρώπινου δυναμικού ως συγκριτικός παράγοντας που επηρεάζει τη συνολική ανάπτυξη των οργανισμών του δημόσιου και βιομηχανικού τομέα στην Ελλάδα. Η κύρια επιστημονική διατριβή της παρούσας μελέτης είναι ότι λόγω της ανάπτυξης της οικονομίας, ως βασικός παράγοντας για την επιτυχία κάθε οργανισμού είναι ο αυξανόμενος ανταγωνισμός για την παροχή επαρκούς ανθρώπινου δυναμικού. Στόχος της μελέτης είναι να γίνει μια συγκριτική ανάλυση της διαχείρισης ανθρώπινου δυναμικού στον βιομηχανικό και δημόσιο τομέα στην Ελλάδα. Το πρώτο κεφάλαιο της διπλωματικής εργασίας καλύπτει τα θεωρητικά και μεθοδολογικά ζητήματα της διαχείρισης ανθρώπινου δυναμικού. Στο δεύτερο κεφάλαιο εξετάζεται η κατάσταση και η ανάπτυξη του βιομηχανικού και δημόσιου τομέα στην Ελλάδα. Στο τρίτο κεφάλαιο, αναπτύσσεται μια μεθοδολογία έρευνας με στόχο την επίτευξη του κύριου στόχου, δηλαδή τη συγκριτική ανάλυση της διαχείρισης ανθρώπινου δυναμικού στον βιομηχανικό και δημόσιο τομέα στην Ελλάδα. Γίνεται μια συγκριτική ανάλυση της διαφοράς μεταξύ των πρακτικών διαχείρισης ανθρώπινου δυναμικού και των επιπτώσεών τους σε οργανισμούς του δημόσιου και βιομηχανικού τομέα στην Ελλάδα. Πραγματοποιήθηκε ποσοτική ανάλυση προκειμένου να αναζητηθεί η σχέση μεταξύ των φαινομένων που μελετήθηκαν, εφαρμόζοντας μια στατιστική εκτίμηση της σχέσης μεταξύ εξαρτημένων και ανεξάρτητων μεταβλητών. Με βάση τα αποτελέσματα που προέκυψαν, έχουν καθοριστεί συγκεκριμένες συστάσεις με στόχο την ανάπτυξη και βελτίωση της διαχείρισης του ανθρώπινου δυναμικού στους οργανισμούς του βιομηχανικού και του δημόσιου τομέα στην Ελλάδα.
Urinary incontinence in women - the overview of pharmacological and surgical methods
Authors: Mikut Karolina , Wijata Aleksandra , Gorajek Anna , Kędziora-Kornatowska Kornelia
Published: June 2022

Introduction and purpose of the work:

Urinary incontinence (UI) is a common problem among women and the incidence increases with age. It is estimated that about 50% of women will be affected by this problem. There are 5 types of urinary incontinence: exercise, pressure, mixed, overflow and functional. Stress UI is the most common cause among young women, while stress UI is the second most common cause among older women. The widespread use of this phenomenon makes it a significant economic burden.

State of knowledge (brief description):

Due to the different types of UI and its many causes, treating this disorder becomes a significant challenge. It is important to use combination therapy, starting with pelvic floor muscle strengthening exercise, lifestyle modification, weight loss, and smoking cessation, followed by drug therapy and surgery as necessary.

Summary:

Currently, many drugs are used in the treatment of urinary incontinence, with different mechanisms of action, which allow the treatment of various types of UI, but pharmacotherapy often does not bring the expected benefits. Surgical treatment appears to be a promising form of treatment, but more research is needed on the long-term effects.
Validez y confiabilidad de un cuestionario sobre satisfacción en usuarios de prótesis dentales totales
Authors: Aranzazu Moya Gloria Cristina , Rodríguez Martha Juliana
Published: June 2022

Introducción: evaluar la satisfacción con los tratamientos requiere cuestionarios específicos y validados que garanticen una prestación del servicio adecuada y que contribuya al bienestar de las personas. El objetivo fue evaluar la validez y la confiabilidad de la versión colombiana de un cuestionario sobre satisfacción en una población de usuarios de prótesis total. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un estudio de evaluación de tecnología diagnóstica con una población de 226 pacientes, a partir de las características sociodemográficas y los diez ítems del instrumento. Se analizó la consistencia interna, la reproducibilidad prueba-reprueba y los límites de acuerdo de Bland y Altman. Así mismo, se analizaron los componentes y se aplicó el modelo de Rasch. Resultados: participaron 158 (69.91 %) mujeres y la mediana de edad fue de 69 años. Se obtuvieron un alfa de Cronbach de 0.90 y un coeficiente de correlación intraclase de 0.91. Se identificaron dos factores, los diez ítems se ajustaron al modelo de Rasch y no se observó un funcionamiento diferencial del ítem. Conclusiones: la versión colombiana del cuestionario presentó excelente confiabilidad y las medidas obtenidas explicaron el 58.60 % de la  varianza.
Motor recruitment pattern during the prone hip extension test: is hip extension initiated by the hip or the lumbar extensor muscles?
Authors: Kiseljak Dalibor , Medved Vladimir
Published: June 2022

Background/Aims

Prone hip extension motion pattern derives from the motor muscle firing pattern, and functional deficits are determined by comparing this pattern with a normal prone hip extension motion muscle recruitment pattern, defined more than 30 years ago by scientifically insufficient methods. The aim of this study was to examine the differences between electromyography recruitment onsets and orders of muscles participating in prone hip extension motion, and to determine whether there is a consistent and dominant motor pattern.

Methods

The sample consisted of 106 healthy participants. Onset times of semitendinosus, ipsilateral and contralateral erector spinae muscles were determined as 10% of the peak rectified amplitude of the electromyography signal for each of the 18 prone hip extension bilateral repetitions. These values were used to determine the recruitment order for each repetition, as well as to calculate the average ipsilateral and contralatral normalised onset times (ie relative times to firing of the semitendinosus muscle). The main analysis was performed using a one-way analysis of variance. The level of statistical significance was set at P<0.05.

Results

One-way analysis of variance revealed a significantly delayed onset of prone hip extension of the contralateral erector spinae muscles compared to the other muscles (F=7.02; P<0.001; Cohen's f=0.209). Muscle activation initiated by the semitendinosus and ipsilateral erector spinae muscles was the most common.

Conclusions

The ipsilateral erector spinae muscle contracts simultaneously with the semitendinosus muscle as a proximal stabiliser, enabling distal hip mobility. The use of the prone hip extension test in recognising dysfunction is limited to when the contralateral erector spinae muscle is initiated first during prone hip extension.
Incremental shuttle walking test to assess functional capacity in cardiac rehabilitation: a narrative review
Authors: Pepera Garyfallia , Sandercock Gavin RH
Published: June 2022

Background/Aims

Low functional capacity has been recognised to be the most important predictor of overall mortality compared to all other cardiovascular risk factors in patients with cardiovascular disease. Walk tests, such as the incremental shuttle walking test and the 6-Minute Walk Test, are used to assess functional capacity in patients, the effectiveness of a cardiac rehabilitation programme and the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this review was to provide a narrative review of the literature and identify the key features of the incremental shuttle walking test as a measure of functional capacity testing in cardiac rehabilitation patients.

Methods

The PubMed, MEDLINE, Elsevier and Google Scholar databases were searched for relevant scientific articles published up to March 2021 with no restriction on start day. The key words defined by researchers were ‘incremental shuttle walking test’, ‘exercise test’, ‘functional capacity’, ‘cardiovascular disease’, ‘cardiac rehabilitation’, ‘reliability’ ‘prediction; ‘walk tests’. A final set of 31 articles was included in this narrative review.

Results

Evidence-based findings suggest that the incremental shuttle walking test is a valid, reliable, sensitive, useful tool for detecting and predict cardiorespiratory capacity.

Conclusions

Clinicians can be confident that they can use the incremental shuttle walking test to monitor changes in functional capacity in patients with cardiovascular disease.