bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Systematic Review on Abdominal Penetrating Atherosclerotic Aortic Ulcers: Outcomes of Endovascular Repair
Authors: Hatzl Johannes , Böckler Dittmar , Fiering Jonathan , Zimmermann Samuel , Biscshoff Moritz Sebastian , Kalkum Eva , Klotz Rosa , Uhl Christian
Published: March 2023

Purpose:

To systematically review existing evidence on outcomes of endovascular repair of abdominal atherosclerotic penetrating aortic ulcers (PAUs).

Material and Methods:

Cochrane Central Registry of Registered Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE (via PubMed), and Web of Science databases were systematically searched. The systematic review was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis protocol (PRISMA-P 2020). The protocol was registered in the international registry of systematic reviews (PROSPERO CRD42022313404). Studies reporting on technical and clinical outcomes of endovascular PAU repair in 3 or more patients were included. Random effects modeling was used to estimate pooled technical success, survival, reinterventions, and type 1 and type 3 endoleaks. Statistical heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic. Pooled results are reported with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Study quality was assessed using an adapted version of the Modified Coleman Methodology Score.

Results:

Sixteen studies including 165 patients with a mean/median age ranging from 64 to 78 years receiving endovascular therapy for PAU between 1997 and 2020 were identified. Pooled technical success was 99.0% (CI: 96.0%-100%). In all, 30-day mortality was 1.0% (CI: 0%-6.0%) with an in-hospital mortality of 1.0% (CI: 0.0%-13.0%). There were no reinterventions, type 1, or type 3 endoleaks at 30 days. Median/mean follow-up ranged from 1 to 33 months. Overall, there were 16 deaths (9.7%), 5 reinterventions (3.3%), 3 type 1 (1.8%), and 1 type 3 endoleak (0.6%) during follow-up. The quality of studies was rated low according to the Modified Coleman score at 43.4 (+/- 8.5) of 85 points.

Conclusion:

There is low-level evidence on outcomes of endovascular PAU repair. While in the short-term endovascular repair of abdominal PAU seems safe and effective, mid-term and long-term data are lacking. Recommendations with regard to treatment indications and techniques in asymptomatic PAU should be made cautiously.

Clinical Impact

This systematic review demonstrated that evidence on outcomes of endovascular abdominal PAU repair is limited. While in the short-term endovascular repair of abdominal PAU seems safe and effective, mid-term and long-term data are lacking. In the context of a benign prognosis of asymptomatic PAU and lacking standardization in current reporting, recommendations with regard to treatment indications and techniques in asymptomatic PAUs should be made cautiously.
Geniculate Artery Endovascular Embolization Post-Total Knee Arthroplasty for Hemarthrosis Treatment: A Systematic Review of the Literature
Authors: Melian Christina M. , Giannopoulos Stefanos , Tsouknidas Ioannis , Volteas Panagiotis , Virvilis Dimitrios , Koullias George J.
Published: March 2023

Purpose:

To provide an updated systematic review on the use of geniculate artery embolization (GAE) in the management of recurrent hemarthrosis post-total knee arthroplasty (TKA).

Materials and Methods:

A systematic literature review was conducted, and all clinical reports in the English language from inception to July 2022 were identified. References were manually reviewed to identify additional studies. Demographics, procedural techniques, post-procedural complications, and follow-up data were extracted and analyzed using STATA 14.1.

Results:

A total of 20 studies (9 case reports, 11 case series; n= 214) were included for review. In all cases, patients underwent coil embolization of one or more geniculate arteries. Procedure success was reported in 94.8% (n=203/214) of cases without perioperative adverse events. Improvement of symptoms was seen in 72.6% (n=119/164) of cases, with 30.7% (n=58/189) of cases requiring repeat embolization. Recurrent hemarthrosis occurred in 22.2% (n=22/99) of cases over a mean follow-up of 48 months.

Conclusion:

GAE appears to be a safe and effective treatment for recurrent hemarthrosis following TKA. Future studies in the form of randomized controlled trials should be conducted to further evaluate such embolization techniques and compare outcomes between GAE and standard techniques.

Clinical Impact

Conservative management of post total knee arthroplasty (TKA) hemarthrosis is successful in only one third of cases. Geniculate artery embolization (GAE) has recently gained attention due to its minimally invasive nature compared to open or arthroscopic synovectomy promising faster rehabilitation, decreased infection rates and less additional surgeries. The purpose of this article was to summarize current literature, provide an updated review on the use of GAE in the management of recurrent hemarthrosis post-TKA and describe immediate and long-term outcomes in an effort to help optimize current treatment algorithms.
What, when, and how long? Doula time use in a community doula program in San Francisco, California
Authors: Arcara Jennet , Cuentos Alli , Abdallah Obaida , Armstead Marna , Jackson Andrea , Marshall Cassondra , Gomez Anu Manchikanti
Published: March 2023

Objectives:

Community doulas, who provide culturally concordant, nonclinical support during and after pregnancy, are increasingly promoted as an evidence-based intervention to advance birth equity. As valued members of their communities, community doulas often provide extensive physical and emotional pregnancy, birth, and postpartum support at low or no cost to clients. However, neither community doulas’ scope of work nor the distribution of time among their different work activities has been clearly defined or enumerated; therefore, this project sought to describe the work activities and time use of doulas in one community-based doula organization.

Methods:

In a quality improvement project, we reviewed case management system client data and collected 1 month of time diary data from eight doulas employed full-time at SisterWeb San Francisco Community Doula Network. We calculated descriptive statistics for activities community doulas reported in their time diaries and each visit/interaction logged in the case management system.

Results:

SisterWeb doulas spent about half of their time in direct client care. For every hour that doulas spent with a client in prenatal and postpartum visits, on average, they spent an additional 2.15 h communicating with and supporting their clients in other ways. Overall, we estimate that SisterWeb doulas spend an average of 32 h providing care for a client receiving the standard course of care, including intake, prenatal visits, support during childbirth, and postpartum visits.

Conclusions:

Results highlight the wide variety of work that SisterWeb community doulas do beyond direct client care. Acknowledgment of community doulas’ broad scope of work and appropriate compensation for all activities is necessary if doula care is to be advanced as a health equity intervention.
Randomized clinical trial: the effects of pregabalin for centrally mediated abdominal pain syndrome
Authors: Xu Ri , Wang Yanyan , Han Wei
Published: March 2023

Background:

Pregabalin is worldwidely licensed for the treatment of a variety of pain syndromes and supposed to be a potential candidate for the centrally mediated abdominal pain syndrome (CAPS).

Objectives:

To investigate the efficacy of pregabalin on nociceptive and emotional symptoms in CAPS patients.

Design:

This is an open-label randomized controlled trial.

Methods:

CAPS patients were randomized to receive pregabalin 75 mg (P group), pinaverium bromide 50 mg (PB group), or pregabalin combined pinaverium bromide regimen (P + PB group) three times daily for 4 weeks. Questionnaires were completed biweekly. The primary outcomes were defined as the average abdominal pain scores of severity and frequency at weeks 2 and 4. Secondary outcomes included the reduction in abdominal pain scores, Somatic Self-rating Scale (SSS), Patient Health Questionnaire-15 (PHQ-15), and Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale 7 (GAD-7) scales obtained at the end of trial to the baseline.

Results:

Totally, 102 eligible patients were recruited and randomized. The mean severity scores of abdominal pain were 1.39 ± 1.28, 0.97 ± 1.43 versus 2.91 ± 1.44 ( p < 0.0001) in P or PB + P group versus PB group at week 2 and were 0.90 ± 1.21, 1.28 ± 1.87 versus 2.74 ± 1.75 ( p < 0.0001) at week 4. The mean frequency scores were 2.55 ± 2.55, 2.03 ± 2.80 versus 5.12 ± 2.09( p < 0.0001) in P or PB + P group versus PB group at week 2 and were 1.72 ± 2.46, 2.00 ± 2.90 versus 4.55 ± 2.55 ( p < 0.0001) at week 4. When comparing the changes in SSS, PHQ-15, and GAD-7 scores, patients accepting pregabalin or pregabalin combination regimen reported a more decrease than pinaverium bromide recipients ( p = 0.0002, p = 0.0002, and p = 0.0033).

Conclusion:

This trial suggests that pregabalin may be beneficial for CAPS abdominal pain and concomitant somatic or anxiety symptoms.

Registration:

www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR1900028026)
Status of PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy in prostate cancer: current data and future trials
Authors: Jang Albert , Kendi Ayse T. , Sartor Oliver
Published: March 2023

Metastatic prostate cancer continues to be an incurable disease. Despite all the novel therapies approved in the past two decades, overall patient outcomes remain relatively poor, and these patients die on a regular basis. Clearly, improvements in current therapies are needed. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is a target for prostate cancer given its increased expression on the surface of the prostate cancer cells. PSMA small molecule binders include PSMA-617 and PSMA-I&T and monoclonal antibodies such as J591. These agents have been linked to different radionuclides including beta-emitters such as lutetium-177 and alpha-emitters such as actinium-225. The only regulatory-approved PSMA-targeted radioligand therapy (PSMA-RLT) to date is lutetium-177–PSMA-617 in the setting of PSMA-positive metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer that has failed androgen receptor pathway inhibitors and taxane chemotherapy. This approval was based on the phase III VISION trial. Many other clinical trials are evaluating PSMA-RLT in various settings. Both monotherapy and combination studies are underway. This article summarizes pertinent data from recent studies and provides an overview of human clinical trials in progress. The field of PSMA-RLT is rapidly evolving, and this therapeutic approach will likely play an increasingly important role in the years to come.
The AGAMENON-SEOM model for prediction of survival in patients with advanced HER2-positive oesophagogastric adenocarcinoma receiving first-line trastuzumab-based therapy
Authors: Jimenez-Fonseca Paula , Foy Victoria , Raby Sophie , Carmona-Bayonas Alberto , Macía-Rivas Lola , Arrazubi Virginia , Cacho Lavin Diego , Hernandez San Gil Raquel , Custodio Ana , Cano Juana María , Fernández Montes Ana , Mirallas Oriol , Macias Declara Ismael , Vidal Tocino Rosario , Visa Laura , Limón María Luisa , Pimentel Paola , Martínez Lago Nieves , Sauri Tamara , Martín Richard Marta , Mangas Monserrat , Gil Raga Mireia , Calvo Aitana , Reguera Pablo , Granja Mónica , Martín Carnicero Alfonso , Hernández Pérez Carolina , Cerdá Paula , Gomez Gonzalez Lucía , Garcia Navalon Francisco , Pacheco Barcia Vilma , Gutierrez Abad David , Ruiz Martín Maribel , Weaver Jamie , Mansoor Wasat , Gallego Javier
Published: March 2023

Background:

Trastuzumab and chemotherapy is the standard first-line treatment in human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive advanced gastro-oesophageal cancer. The objective was to develop a predictive model for overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) in patients treated with trastuzumab.

Methods:

Patients with HER2-positive advanced gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma (AGA) from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM)-AGAMENON registry and treated first line with trastuzumab and chemotherapy between 2008 and 2021 were included. The model was externally validated in an independent series (The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK).

Results:

In all, 737 patients were recruited (AGAMENON-SEOM, n = 654; Manchester, n = 83). Median PFS and OS in the training cohort were 7.76 [95% confidence interval (CI), 7.13–8.25] and 14.0 months (95% CI, 13.0–14.9), respectively. Six covariates were significantly associated with OS: neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, Lauren subtype, HER2 expression, histological grade and tumour burden. The AGAMENON-HER2 model demonstrated adequate calibration and fair discriminatory ability with a c-index for corrected PFS/OS of 0.606 (95% CI, 0.578–0.636) and 0.623 (95% CI, 0.594–0.655), respectively. In the validation cohort, the model is well calibrated, with a c-index of 0.650 and 0.683 for PFS and OS, respectively.

Conclusion:

The AGAMENON-HER2 prognostic tool stratifies HER2-positive AGA patients receiving trastuzumab and chemotherapy according to their estimated survival endpoints.
Comparison of the efficacy and safety of leflunomide versus placebo combined with basic prednisone therapy in patients with active disease phase of Takayasu arteritis: study protocol for a randomized, double-blinded controlled trial (Takayasu arteritis clinical trial in China: TACTIC)
Authors: Sun Ying , Wu Bingjie , Zhang Wei , Ma Lili , Kong Xiufang , Chen Huiyong , Jiang Lindi
Published: March 2023

Background:

Takayasu arteritis (TAK) is an immune-induced granulomatous vasculitis that occurs primarily in young Asian women. Our previous cohort studies have indicated that leflunomide (LEF), which can lead to rapid induction and might be a promising alternative treatment for TAK.

Objectives:

To compare the efficacy and safety of LEF versus placebo combined with prednisone for active TAK in a Chinese population.

Design:

This will be a multicenter, randomized, double-blinded controlled trial aiming to recruit 116 TAK patients with active disease. This study will last 52 weeks.

Methods and analysis:

Participants will be assigned randomly to the LEF intervention arm or placebo control arm at a 1:1 ratio. Initially, LEF combined with prednisone will be given to the intervention arm and a placebo tablet combined with prednisone will be given to the placebo arm. At the end of week 24, subjects who achieved clinical remission or partial clinical remission will proceed to maintenance therapy with LEF to the end of week 52; those who did not achieve clinical remission or partial clinical remission in the LEF intervention arm will drop out from the study, and those in the placebo control arm will switch to LEF treatment to week 52. The primary endpoint will be the clinical remission rate of LEF versus placebo at the end of week 24. The secondary endpoints will be the time to clinical remission, mean dose of prednisone, disease recurrence, time to recurrence, adverse events, as well as clinical remission in subjects who switched from the placebo control arm to LEF therapy after week 24. Intention to treat will be the primary analysis.

Discussion:

This is the first randomized double-blinded placebo-controlled trial to clarify the efficacy and safety of LEF in treating active TAK. The results will provide more evidence for TAK management.

Registration:

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02981979
Tackling diabetic foot: limb salvage during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Schmidt Brian M. , Shin Laura
Published: March 2023

Purpose:

Lower extremity amputation resulting from diabetic foot ulcer, with neuropathic and/or ischemic etiologies, remains a devastating and costly complication of diabetes mellitus. This study evaluated changes in care delivery of diabetic foot ulcer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. A longitudinal assessment evaluating the ratio of major lower extremity amputation to minor lower extremity amputations after implementation of novel strategies to combat access restrictions was compared to the pre-COVID-19 era.

Methods:

The ratio of major to minor lower extremity amputation (i.e. the high-to-low ratio) was assessed at two academic institutions, the University of Michigan, and University of Southern California, in a population of patients with diabetes who had direct access to multidisciplinary foot care clinics in the 2 years prior to the pandemic and the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Results:

Patient characteristics and volumes including patients with diabetes and those with a diabetic foot ulcer were similar between eras. In addition, inpatient diabetic foot-related admissions were similar, but were suppressed by government shelter in placed mandates and subsequent COVID-19 variants surges (e.g. delta, omicron). In the control group, the Hi-Lo ratio increased every 6 months by an average of 11.8%. Meanwhile, following STRIDE implementation during the pandemic, the Hi-Lo ratio reduced by (−)11% ( p < 0.001) and doubled limb salvage efforts as compared to the baseline era. The reduction of the Hi-Lo ratio was not influenced significant by patient volumes or inpatient admissions for foot infections.

Conclusion:

These findings signify the importance of podiatric care in the at-risk diabetic foot population. Through strategic planning and rapid implementation of at-risk diabetic foot ulcer triage, multidisciplinary teams were able to maintain accessible care during the pandemic which resulted in a reduction of amputations. Furthermore, this manuscript highlights the value of the Hi-Lo ratio as an indicator of institutional limb salvage efforts.
User-Defined Relationships: Exploring the Dynamics of Attachment Style and Motives, Activities, and Outcomes of Social Network Sites
Authors: Stöven Lynne Marie , Herzberg Philipp Yorck
Published: March 2023

The rise of social network sites (SNSs) provided users with new ways to initiate and maintain personal relationships. Numerous functions (e.g., messaging, sharing, and reacting on content) allow for social interaction customized to distinct relationship needs and behaviors. This study investigated the associations of attachment style with distinct SNS usage patterns. Furthermore, the relationships of SNS (1) motives, (2) activities, and (3) outcomes were examined. In line with previous research, attachment anxiety was strongly related to SNS use. It predicted all relational SNS motives and activities. In contrast, high avoidance predicted a higher motive to use SNS to maintain autonomy, less monitoring activity, and higher scores on social media addiction. SNS motives (i.e., intimacy) partially mediated the relationship of attachment style on SNS activities. Furthermore, certain SNS motives, activities, and combinations of both aspects fully mediated the associations between attachment dimensions and social media addiction. The findings indicate that neglecting the mediating role of SNS motives and activities might partly account for inconsistencies in previous findings.
Serious mental illness in probation: A review
Authors: Brooker Charlie , Sirdifield Coral , van Deinse Tonya
Published: March 2023

Research into serious mental illness and probation is reviewed. In addition, there is a specific review of the role of specialist mental health probation staff in the United States (US). In the discussion, we compare progress with the care of the seriously mentally ill within probation in Europe and the US. We conclude that the specialist role for probation staff developed in the US has significant advantages which have been well evaluated which should be implemented, in a large multi-centre trial, across Europe.
Consumers’ Concerns Regarding Product Quality: Evidence From Chinese Online Reviews
Authors: Wang Xian , Li Huixian , Wang Qingyi , Noble Alison
Published: March 2023

Customers’ concerns regarding product quality (CPQs), as expressed in online reviews, provide future customers with information that may influence their own purchase decisions. Recent research attaches considerable importance to consumers’ emotions embedded in their language style, based on function words, but rarely touches on their CPQs, which are also embedded in their language style. Therefore, this study aims to examine the CPQs of Chinese women’s clothes buyers. We build a corpus of 32,667 words from the online reviews of women’s clothes buyers on the Chinese website Taobao. A novel language inquiry word count dictionary for topic types related to product quality is built, which is then imported into a language style matching algorithm which assesses the synchrony of the language style. Our results show that buyers’ CPQs are diverse and concentrated in scope; consumers’ different expressions in online reviews are dependent on the sequence and impact factor of CPQs embedded in their language style. This study’s findings offer companies valuable insights to identify customers’ CPQs based on their language style, which may allow them to devise more effective promotion strategies and product designs.
Mapping the Literature on Academic Publishing: A Bibliometric Analysis on WOS
Authors: Yan Li , Zhiping Wang
Published: March 2023

With the data from the Web of Science Core Collection-Citation database for the period (1970–2020), we conducted a dynamic visual systematic review of the literature on academic publishing with the help of bibliometric software, CiteSpace, and VOSviewer. The main purpose is to reveal the internal structures and hidden inferences, including the diversified discipline, top-ranked journals, most widely occurring topics, most cited and leading articles, highly productive and outstanding scholars, and most contributing institutions and countries. The co-citation, co-occurrence, cluster detection, and strong citation burstness were employed to show the intellectual base, evolutionary stages, and dynamics of transitions of academic publishing. The study defines the whole profile of international academic publishing, presenting its diachronic evolution, identifying research front, detecting emerging trends and abrupt changes. It expands the previous paradigm that ignored the large data corpus, aiming to provide certain reference value for future research of academic publishing.
Culturally Anchored Mental-Health Attitudes: The Impact of Language
Authors: Heller Uriel C. , Grant Leigh H. , Yasui Miwa , Keysar Boaz
Published: March 2023

Culture plays a key role in the long-standing underutilization of professional mental-health services among immigrants and ethnic minorities, especially among Asian communities. Furthermore, language nativeness can modulate the salience of cultural norms. Through a series of four experimental studies ( N = 1,120), we evaluated whether bilingual speakers’ attitudes toward mental-health treatment are affected by whether they are using their native Chinese or foreign English. Overall, participants more strongly endorsed mental-health treatment when information was presented in English. The same outcome was found for participants residing in the United States and mainland China. Consistent with a language-priming-culture hypothesis, participants using Chinese endorsed mental-health treatment less when their affiliation with traditional Asian values was higher, whereas in English their recommendations remained independent of affiliation with traditional Asian values. In sum, these studies reveal the significance of language in culturally anchored mental-health attitudes.
Anterior Thoracic Discectomy and Fusion for Symptomatic Ventral Bone Spur Associated Type I Cerebrospinal Fluid Leak: A Technical Report and Operative Video
Authors: Hudson Joseph S. , Fernandes-Cabral David , Agarwal Prateek , Legarreta Andrew , Schulien Anthony , Deng Hansen , Agarwal Vikas , Okonkwo David O
Published: March 2023

Study Design

Technical Report

Objective

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) leak secondary to anterior osteophytes at the cervico-thoracic junction is a rare cause of intracranial hypotension. In this article we describe a technique for anterior repair of spontaneous ventral cerebrospinal fluid leaks in the upper thoracic spine.

Methods

In this technical report and operative video, we describe a 23-year-old male who presented with positional headaches and bilateral subdural hematoma. Dynamic CT myelography demonstrated a high flow ventral cerebrospinal fluid leak associated with a ventral osteophyte at the level of the T1-T2 disc space. Targeted blood patch provided only temporary improvement in symptoms. An anterior approach was chosen to remove the offending spur and micro-surgically repair the dural defect.

Results

The patient had complete resolution of his preoperative symptoms after primary repair.

Conclusions

In select cases, an anterior approach to the upper thoracic spine is effective to repair Type 1 cerebrospinal fluid leaks.
Reflections on Climate Finance in India and the Way Forward
Authors: Pant Vimal , Pathak Prachi
Published: March 2023

Climate Change has acquired centre stage in all business and economic decisions globally after numerous studies have warned of its catastrophic impacts on humankind. The article is a commentary on the state of climate finance around the world and the key issues in India. It draws the latest data from credible sources to form the narrative. This analysis reflects on recent developments and trends in climate or green finance across the world as well as its impact on India. It aims at finding possible solutions to address the impediments in boosting the prospects of a vibrant green finance landscape. ESG finance has gained momentum around the world due to policy support, investor enthusiasm and innovative funding options as economic growth policies are being integrated with environmental sustainability. However, the pie is still small and a lot needs to be done to catapult it into mainstream business finance. The article also includes recommendations for rejuvenating the green finance landscape so that the market can reach its full potential for all stakeholders and help India fulfil its international commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

JEL Classification: E44, E66, G1
Chemotherapy-Induced Retinopathy in a Diabetic and Hypertensive Patient With Stage 4 Metastatic Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma
Authors: Brummer Samantha R. , Joffe Jonah A. , Liggett Peter E.
Published: March 2023

Purpose: To describe a case of presumed Purtscher-like retinopathy in association with 2 chemotherapies. Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed. Results: A 40-year-old Black woman was diagnosed with pancreatic adenocarcinoma with metastasis to the liver. Cotton-wool spots and microaneurysms (dot/blot hemorrhages) were found on a routine examination 1 month after the patient started gemcitabine/paclitaxel. An increase in cotton-wool spots was noticed after she stopped gemcitabine/cisplatin therapy and started 5-fluorouracil/irinotecan/leucovorin therapy. These retinal changes were observed until the time of death. Conclusions: We believe that the Purtscher-like retinopathy began with gemcitabine toxicity but that the irreversible damage was the result of cisplatin chemotherapy. The patient’s uncontrolled hypertension and type II diabetes likely put her at greater risk for developing this retinopathy.
YTHDF2 exerts tumor-suppressor roles in gastric cancer via up-regulating PPP2CA independently of m6A modification
Authors: Zhou Ying , Fan Kailing , Dou Ning , Li Li , Wang Jialin , Chen Jingde , Li Yandong , Gao Yong
Published: March 2023

Background

YTHDF2 is one of important readers of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification on RNA. Growing evidence implicates that YTHDF2 takes an indispensable part in the regulation of tumorigenesis and metastasis in different cancers, but its biological functions and underlying mechanisms remain elusive in gastric cancer (GC).

Aim

To investigate the clinical relevance and biological function of YTHDF2 in GC.

Results

Compared with matched normal stomach tissues, YTHDF2 expression was markedly decreased in gastric cancer tissues. The expression level of YTHDF2 was inversely associated with gastric cancer patients’ tumor size, AJCC classification and prognosis. Functionally, YTHDF2 reduction facilitated gastric cancer cell growth and migration in vitro and in vivo, whereas YTHDF2 overexpression exhibited opposite phenotypes. Mechanistically, YTHDF2 enhanced expression of PPP2CA, the catalytic subunit of PP2A (Protein phosphatase 2A), in an m6A-independent manner, and silencing of PPP2CA antagonized the anti-tumor effects caused by overexpression of YTHDF2 in GC cells.

Conclusion

These findings demonstrate that YTHDF2 is down-regulated in GC and its down-regulation promotes GC progression via a possible mechanism involving PPP2CA expression, suggesting that YTHDF2 may be a hopeful biomarker for diagnosis and an unrevealed treatment target for GC.
Chromosome-scale assembly of the Verbenaceae species Queen’s Wreath (Petrea volubilis L.)
Authors: Hamilton John P. , Vaillancourt Brieanne , Wood Joshua C. , Buell C. Robin
Published: March 2023

Objectives

Petrea volubilis, a member of the Order Lamiales and the Verbenaceae family, is an important horticultural species that has been used in traditional folk medicine. To provide a genome sequence for comparative studies within the Order Lamiales that includes important families such as Lamiaceae (mints), we generated a long-read, chromosome-scale genome assembly of this species.

Data description

Using a total of 45.5 Gb of Pacific Biosciences long read sequence, we generated a 480.2 Mb assembly of P. volubilis, of which, 93% is chromosome anchored. Representation of genic regions was robust with 96.6% of the Benchmarking of Universal Single Copy Orthologs present in the genome assembly. A total of 57.8% of the genome was annotated as a repetitive sequence. Using a gene annotation pipeline that included refinement of gene models using transcript evidence, 30,982 high confidence genes were annotated. Access to the P. volubilis genome will facilitate evolutionary studies in the Lamiales, a key order of Asterids that includes significant crop and medicinal plant species.
Mechanism of lead adsorption by a Bacillus cereus strain with indole-3-acetic acid secretion and inorganic phosphorus dissolution functions
Authors: Li Qingrong , Zhang Wenbo , Liao Sentai , Xing Dongxu , Xiao Yang , Zhou Donglai , Yang Qiong
Published: March 2023

Background

Heavy metal pollution has become a major source of environmental pollution because of increasing industrialization. Microbial remediation is a promising approach to remediate lead-contaminated environments owing to its cost-effective, environment-friendly, ecologically sustainable, and highly efficient properties. In this study, the growth-promoting functions and lead-adsorption ability of Bacillus cereus SEM-15 were examined, and the functional mechanism of the strain was preliminarily identified using scanning electron microscopy, energy spectrum, infrared spectrum, and genome analyses, providing theoretical support for utilization of B. cereus SEM-15 in heavy metals remediation.

Results

B. cereus SEM-15 showed strong ability to dissolve inorganic phosphorus and secrete indole-3-acetic acid. The lead adsorption efficiency of the strain at lead ion concentration of 150 mg/L was more than 93%. Single factor analysis revealed the optimal conditions for heavy metal adsorption by B. cereus SEM-15 (adsorption time, initial lead ion concentration, pH, and inoculum amount were 10 min, 50–150 mg/L, 6–7, and 5 g/L, respectively) in nutrient-free environment, with the lead adsorption rate reaching 96.58%. Scanning electron microscopy of B. cereus SEM-15 cells before and after lead adsorption showed adherence of a large number of granular precipitates to the cell surface after lead adsorption. X-Ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results indicated the characteristic peaks of Pb–O, Pb–O-R (R = functional group), and Pb–S bonds after lead adsorption, and a shift in the characteristic peaks of bonds and groups related to C, N, and O. Genome annotation results showed the presence of genes related to heavy metals tolerance and plant growth promotion in B. cereus SEM-15, providing a molecular basis for the strain’s heavy metals tolerance and plant growth promotion functions.

Conclusions

This study analyzed the lead adsorption characteristics of B. cereus SEM-15 and the associated influencing factors, and discussed the adsorption mechanism and related functional genes, providing a basis for clarifying the underlying molecular mechanism and offering a reference for further research on plant-microorganisms combined remediation of heavy metals polluted environments.
Chlamydia trachomatis plasmid-encoding Pgp3 protein induces secretion of distinct inflammatory signatures from HeLa cervical epithelial cells
Authors: Cheong Heng Choon , Cheok Yi Ying , Chan Yee Teng , Tang Ting Fang , Sulaiman Sofiah , Looi Chung Yeng , Gupta Rishein , Arulanandam Bernard , Chang Li-Yen , Wong Won Fen
Published: March 2023

Background

Genital Chlamydia trachomatis infection is the most common bacterial sexual transmitted disease that causes severe complications including pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, and infertility in females. The Pgp3 protein encoded by C. trachomatis plasmid has been speculated to be an important player in chlamydial pathogenesis. However, the precise function of this protein is unknown and thus remains to be thoroughly investigated.

Methods

In this study, we synthesized Pgp3 protein for in vitro stimulation in the Hela cervical carcinoma cells.

Results and conclusion

We showed that Pgp3 induced prominent expression of host inflammatory cytokine genes including interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-8, tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced protein 3 (TNFAIP3), and chemokine C-X-C motif ligand 1 (CXCL1), implying a possible role of Pgp3 in modulating the inflammatory reaction in the host.
The dynamic history of plastome structure across aquatic subclass Alismatidae
Authors: Li Zhi-Zhong , Lehtonen Samuli , Chen Jin-Ming
Published: March 2023

Background

The rapidly increasing availability of complete plastomes has revealed more structural complexity in this genome under different taxonomic levels than expected, and this complexity provides important evidence for understanding the evolutionary history of angiosperms. To explore the dynamic history of plastome structure across the subclass Alismatidae, we sampled and compared 38 complete plastomes, including 17 newly assembled, representing all 12 recognized families of Alismatidae.

Result

We found that plastomes size, structure, repeat elements, and gene content were highly variable across the studied species. Phylogenomic relationships among families were reconstructed and six main patterns of variation in plastome structure were revealed. Among these, the inversion fromrbcLtotrnV-UAC(Type I) characterized a monophyletic lineage of six families, but independently occurred also inCaldesia grandis. Three independentndhgene loss events were uncovered across the Alismatidae. In addition, we detected a positive correlation between the number of repeat elements and the size of plastomes and IR in Alismatidae.

Conclusion

In our study,ndhcomplex loss and repeat elements likely contributed to the size of plastomes in Alismatidae. Also, thendhloss was more likely related to IR boundary changes than the adaptation of aquatic habits. Based on existing divergence time estimation, the Type I inversion may have occurred during the Cretaceous-Paleogene in response to the extreme paleoclimate changes. Overall, our findings will not only allow exploring the evolutionary history of Alismatidae plastome, but also provide an opportunity to test if similar environmental adaptations result in convergent restructuring in plastomes.
Systematic analysis and expression of Gossypium 2ODD superfamily highlight the roles of GhLDOXs responding to alkali and other abiotic stress in cotton
Authors: Jiang Tiantian , Cui Aihua , Cui Yupeng , Cui Ruifeng , Han Mingge , Zhang Yuexin , Fan Yapeng , Huang Hui , Feng Xixian , Lei Yuqian , Liu Xiaoyu , Ni Kesong , Zhang Hong , Xu Nan , Wang Jing , Sun Liangqing , Rui Cun , Wang Junjuan , Wang Shuai , Chen Xiugui , Lu Xuke , Wang Delong , Guo Lixue , Zhao Lanjie , Hao Fushun , Ye Wuwei
Published: March 2023

Background

2-oxoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase (2ODD) is the second largest family of oxidases involved in various oxygenation/hydroxylation reactions in plants. Many members in the family regulate gene transcription, nucleic acid modification/repair and secondary metabolic synthesis. The 2ODD family genes also function in the formation of abundant flavonoids during anthocyanin synthesis, thereby modulating plant development and response to diverse stresses.

Results

Totally, 379, 336, 205, and 204 2ODD genes were identified in G. barbadense (Gb), G. hirsutum (Gh), G. arboreum (Ga), and G. raimondii (Gb), respectively. The 336 2ODDs in G. hirsutum were divided into 15 subfamilies according to their putative functions. The structural features and functions of the 2ODD members in the same subfamily were similar and evolutionarily conserved. Tandem duplications and segmental duplications served essential roles in the large-scale expansion of the cotton 2ODD family. Ka/Ks values for most of the gene pairs were less than 1, indicating that 2ODD genes undergo strong purifying selection during evolution. Gh2ODDs might act in cotton responses to different abiotic stresses. GhLDOX3 and GhLDOX7, two members of the GhLDOX subfamily from Gh2ODDs, were significantly down-regulated in transcription under alkaline stress. Moreover, the expression of GhLDOX3 in leaves was significantly higher than that in other tissues. These results will provide valuable information for further understanding the evolution mechanisms and functions of the cotton 2ODD genes in the future.

Conclusions

Genome-wide identification, structure, and evolution and expression analysis of 2ODD genes in Gossypium were carried out. The 2ODDs were highly conserved during evolutionary. Most Gh2ODDs were involved in the regulation of cotton responses to multiple abiotic stresses including salt, drought, hot, cold and alkali.
Association of laxatives use with incident dementia and modifying effect of genetic susceptibility: a population-based cohort study with propensity score matching
Authors: Feng Jiangtao , Zheng Nan , Fan Xutong , Li Shu , Jiang Yuhan , Yi Xianfu , Yang Hongxi
Published: March 2023

Background

Constipation was associated with incidence of dementia and cognitive decline. Laxatives are the mainstay of constipation management and are commonly used among older populations for both treatment and prevention of constipation. However, the association between use of laxatives and incident dementia, and whether laxatives use may modify the effect of genetic predisposition on dementia remains unclear.

Methods

We applied 1:3 propensity score matching to balance the baseline characteristics of the laxative users versus non-users and to reduce potential confounders using multi-variates adjusted Cox hazards regression models. We categorized genetic risk into three groups (low, middle, and high) through a genetic risk score of common genetic variants. Information on laxatives use was assessed at baseline and categories into four varieties, including bulk forming laxatives, softeners and emollients, osmotic laxatives, and stimulant laxatives.

Results

Of 486,994 participants, there were 14,422 laxatives users in UK Biobank. After propensity score matching, participants with use of laxatives (n = 14,422) and matched non-laxative (n = 43,266) exposed individuals were enrolled. Over follow-up to 15 years, there were 1377 participants developed dementia (539 for Alzheimer’s disease, and 343 for vascular dementia). The use of laxatives had greater risk of dementia (HR, 1.72; 95% CI:1.54–1.92), Alzheimer’s disease (HR, 1.36; 95% CI: 1.13–1.63), and vascular dementia (HR, 1.53; 95% CI: 1.23–1.92). Compared to non-laxative exposed participants, those with use of softeners and emollients drugs, stimulant laxatives, and osmotic laxatives were associated with 96% (HR, 1.96; 95 CI: 1.23–3.12; P = 0.005), 80% (HR, 1.80; 95% CI: 1.37–2.37; P < 0.001), and 107% (HR, 2.07; 95% CI: 1.47–2.92; P < 0.001) higher risk of developed incident dementia, respectively. In joint effect analysis, compared to participants with low/middle genetic susceptibility and non-laxatives use, the HR (95% CIs) of dementia was 4.10 (3.49–4.81) for those with high genetic susceptibility plus use of laxatives. There was an additive interaction between laxatives use and genetic susceptibility on dementia (RERI: 0.736, 95% CI: 0.127 to 1.246; AP: 0.180, 95% CI: 0.047 to 0.312).

Conclusions

Use of laxatives was associated with higher risk of dementia and modify the effect of genetic susceptibility on dementia. Our findings suggested that attention should be paid to the relationship between laxatives use and dementia, especially in people at high genetic susceptibility.
High severity of abortion complications in fragile and conflict-affected settings: a cross-sectional study in two referral hospitals in sub-Saharan Africa (AMoCo study)
Authors: Pasquier Estelle , Owolabi Onikepe O. , Fetters Tamara , Ngbale Richard Norbert , Adame Gbanzi Mariette Claudia , Williams Timothy , Chen Huiwu , Fotheringham Claire , Lagrou Daphne , Schulte-Hillen Catrin , Powell Bill , Baudin Elisabeth , Filippi Veronique , Benova Lenka
Published: March 2023

Background

Abortion-related complications are one of the five main causes of maternal mortality. However, research about abortion is very limited in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Our study aims to describe the magnitude and severity of abortion-related complications in two referral hospitals supported by Médecins Sans Frontières and located in such settings in northern Nigeria and Central African Republic (CAR).

Methods

We used a methodology similar to the World Health Organization (WHO) near-miss approach adapted in the WHO multi-country study on abortion (WHO-MCS-A). We conducted a cross-sectional study in the two hospitals providing comprehensive emergency obstetric care. We used prospective medical records’ reviews of women presenting with abortion-related complications between November 2019 and July 2021. We used descriptive analysis and categorized complications into four mutually exclusive categories of increasing severity.

Results

We analyzed data from 520 and 548 women respectively in Nigerian and CAR hospitals. Abortion complications represented 4.2% (Nigerian hospital) and 19.9% (CAR hospital) of all pregnancy-related admissions. The severity of abortion complications was high: 103 (19.8%) and 34 (6.2%) women were classified as having severe maternal outcomes (near-miss cases and deaths), 245 (47.1%) and 244 (44.5%) potentially life-threatening, 39 (7.5%) and 93 (17.0%) moderate, and 133 (25.6%) and 177 (32.3%) mild complications, respectively in Nigerian and CAR hospitals. Severe bleeding/hemorrhage was the main type of complication in both settings (71.9% in the Nigerian hospital, 57.8% in the CAR hospital), followed by infection (18.7% in the Nigerian hospital, 27.0% in the CAR hospital). Among the 146 women (Nigerian hospital) and 231 women (CAR hospital) who did not report severe bleeding or hemorrhage before or during admission, anemia was more frequent in the Nigerian hospital (66.7%) compared to the CAR hospital (37.6%).

Conclusion

Our data suggests high severity of abortion-related complications in these two referral facilities of fragile and conflict-affected settings. Factors that could contribute to this high severity in these contexts include greater delays in accessing post-abortion care, decreased access to contraceptive and safe abortion care that result in increased unsafe abortions; as well as increased food insecurity leading to iron-deficiencies and chronic anaemia. The results highlight the need for better access to safe abortion care, contraception, and high quality postabortion care to prevent and manage complications of abortion in fragile and conflict-affected settings.
Unique microRNA expression profiles in plasmic exosomes from intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy
Authors: Kong Yao , Zhan Yongchi , Chen Daijuan , Deng Xixi , Liu Xinghui , Xu Tingting , Wang Xiaodong
Published: March 2023

Background

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is strongly associated with an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcomes. Total bile acid (TBA) levels in the late second or third trimester are a major factor in the diagnosis. Here, we sought to establish the miRNA expression profile of plasm exosomes of ICP and identify possible biomarkers for the diagnosis of ICP.

Methods

This case–control study involved 14 ICP patients as the experimental group and 14 healthy pregnant women as the control group. Electron microscopy was used to observe the presence of exosomes in plasma. Nanosight and Western blotting of CD63 was used to assess exosome quality. Among them, three ICP patients and three controls were used for isolation plasmic exosome and preliminary miRNA array analysis. The Agilent miRNA array was utilized to dynamically monitor the miRNA expression in plasmic exosomes of included patients in the first trimester(T1), second trimester (T2), third trimester (T3), and delivery (T4). Then, Quantitative real-time Polymerase chain reaction was used to identify and validate differentially expressed miRNAs in plasma-derived exosomes.

Results

The expression levels of hsa-miR-940, hsa-miR-636, and hsa-miR-767-3p in plasma-derived exosomes of ICP patients were significantly higher than those of healthy pregnant women. Besides, these three miRNAs were also significantly up-regulated at the plasma, placental, and cellular levels (P < 0.05). The diagnostic accuracy of hsa-miR-940, hsa-miR-636, and hsa-miR-767-3p was further evaluated by the ROC curve, the area under the curve (AUC) values for each were 0.7591, 0.7727, and 0.8955, respectively.

Conclusions

We identified three differentially expressed miRNAs in the plasma exosomes of ICP patients. Hence, hsa-miR-940, hsa-miR-636, and hsa-miR-767-3p may be potential biomarkers for enhancing the diagnosis and prognosis of ICP.
Outcome of pregnancy in women with splenomegaly
Authors: Ali AbdelAziem A. , Eldin Israa Badr
Published: March 2023

Background

The spleen is a lymphopoietic organ, contains almost one quarter of the body’s lymphocytes.

Method

This was a prospective cross sectional study, carried out at Kassala hospital, Sudan between 1st of May 2019 to 30th of April 2020. The objective of this study was to investigate the outcome of pregnancy in women with splenomegaly. A total coverage of 57 women with splenomegaly were approached among all pregnant women attending the hospital and asking for care. An enlarged spleen detected by palpation and subcategorized into mild, moderate and severe one according to its length below the left costal margin using Ultrasound. Data was collected using structured questionnaire. Means and proportions were compared between the groups of the study-using student and x2 test, and P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

The most predominant type of splenomegaly was massive (50.9%) splenomegaly. The reported obstetric complications among the investigated women include: intrauterine growth restriction (19.3%), preterm labor ((17.5%), miscarriage (12.3%) and stillbirth (3.5%). Out of 50 patients their pregnancy progressed to delivery, three patients developed primary hemorrhage requiring blood transfusion with ≥ 2 units of blood. Respiratory distress syndrome (RDS), acute tachypnea of the newborn and stillborn babies were observed in 18%, 6% and 4% respectively. Higher proportion of women with poor obstetric outcomes was reported in cases of massive splenomegaly in comparison with other types.

Conclusion

The study showed significant association between adverse obstetric outcomes and massive splenomegaly. Thus, it is important to consider splenomegaly as one of the factors making the pregnancy high-risk one.