bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Predictors for timely initiation of breastfeeding after birth in the hospitals of Nepal- a prospective observational study
Authors: Gurung Rejina , Sunny Avinash K. , Paudel Prajwal , Bhattarai Pratiksha , Basnet Omkar , Sharma Srijana , Shrestha Durgalaxmi , Sharma Seema , Malla Honey , Singh Dela , Mishra Sangeeta , KC Ashish
Published: October 2021

Background

Timely initiation of breastfeeding can reduce neonatal morbidities and mortality. We aimed to study predictors for timely initiation of breastfeeding (within 1 h of birth) among neonates born in hospitals of Nepal.

Method

A prospective observational study was conducted in four public hospitals between July and October 2018. All women admitted in the hospital for childbirth and who consented were included in the study. An independent researchers observed whether the neonates were placed in skin-to-skin contact, delay cord clamping and timely initiation of breastfeeding. Sociodemographic variables, obstetric and neonate information were extracted from the maternity register. We analysed predictors for timely initiation of breastfeeding with Pearson chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Among the 6488 woman-infant pair observed, breastfeeding was timely initiated in 49.5% neonates. The timely initiation of breastfeeding was found to be higher among neonates who were placed skin-to-skin contact (34.9% vs 19.9%, p - value < 0.001). The timely initiation of breastfeeding was higher if the cord clamping was delayed than early cord clamped neonates (44.5% vs 35.3%, p - value < 0.001). In multivariate analysis, a mother with no obstetric complication during admission had 57% higher odds of timely initiation of breastfeeding (aOR 1.57; 95% CI 1.33, 1.86). Multiparity was associated with less timely initiation of breastfeeding (aOR 1.56; 95% CI 1.35, 1.82). Similarly, there was more common practice of timely initiation of breastfeeding among low birthweight neonates (aOR 1.46; 95% CI 1.21, 1.76). Neonates who were placed skin-to-skin contact with mother had more than two-fold higher odds of timely breastfeeding (aOR 2.52; 95% CI 2.19, 2.89). Likewise, neonates who had their cord intact for 3 min had 37% higher odds of timely breastfeeding (aOR 1.37; 95% CI 1.21, 1.55).

Conclusions

The rate of timely initiation of breastfeeding practice is low in the health facilities of Nepal. Multiparity, no obstetric complication at admission, neonates placed in skin-to-skin contact and delay cord clamping were strong predictors for timely initiation of breastfeeding. Quality improvement intervention can improve skin-to-skin contact, delayed cord clamping and timely initiation of breastfeeding.
The role of estrogen deprivation therapy in premenopausal women with primary unresectable intracardiac leiomyomatosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Liang Jinxiao , Lei Ruilin , Xie Mingwei , Lin Shaodan , Xu Jing , Ling Xiaoting , Xie Qingsheng
Published: October 2021

Background

Intracardiac leiomyomatosis (ICLM) is a rare life-threatening form of intravenous leiomyomatosis (IVLM). The incomplete resection and recurrence are associated with high morbidity and mortality. The objective of this study is to identify that whether estrogen deprivation therapies, including bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (BSO)-based surgery and gonadotrophin releasing hormone agonists (GnRHa) administration, could bring benefits to patients with primary unresectable ICLM.

Methods

PubMed/MEDLINE (Ovid) was searched (up to May 2021) for studies reporting individual patient data on demographics, clinicopathological features, treatment, and follow-up information. Exclusion criteria were patients who may have been included in two or more publications. This study was performed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines.

Results

A total of 114 patients from 70 papers were included. Several reports showed that the tumor in the right atrium and inferior vena cava shrank dramatically after BSO-based surgery, or GnRHa administrated preoperatively in premenopausal women. The rate of complete resection was 64.04% in patients with ICLM, which was 85.25% in no/slight adhesion and no pulmonary nodules group, while 22.22% in firm/extensive adhesion and/or pulmonary nodules group (p < 0.0001). Meanwhile, the recurrence rates in patients with complete resection and incomplete resection were 4.29% and 37.84% respectively (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, complete resection with BSO had the lowest recurrence rate of 3.13%, incomplete resection with BSO had a progression rate of 45.45%, while incomplete resection with ovarian preservation had the highest progression rate of 75.00%.

Conclusions

The recurrence rate of ICLM was closely related to firm/extensive adhesion in IVC or above, and/or pulmonary nodules. BSO-based surgery might reduce the recurrence rate no matter ICLM could be completely resected or not. In addition, estrogen deprivation therapies could decrease tumor burden as a primary treatment, and further make a secondary complete resection feasible in premenopausal women with initially unresectable ICLM.
Toll-like receptors and toll-like receptor-targeted immunotherapy against glioma
Authors: Xun Yang , Yang Hua , Kaminska Bozena , You Hua
Published: October 2021

Glioma represents a fast proliferating and highly invasive brain tumor which is resistant to current therapies and invariably recurs. Despite some advancements in anti-glioma therapies, patients’ prognosis remains poor. Toll-like receptors (TLRs) act as the first line of defense in the immune system being the detectors of those associated with bacteria, viruses, and danger signals. In the glioma microenvironment, TLRs are expressed on both immune and tumor cells, playing dual roles eliciting antitumoral (innate and adaptive immunity) and protumoral (cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and glioma stem cell maintenance) responses. Up to date, several TLR-targeting therapies have been developed aiming at glioma bulk and stem cells, infiltrating immune cells, the immune checkpoint axis, among others. While some TLR agonists exhibited survival benefit in clinical trials, it attracts more attention when they are involved in combinatorial treatment with radiation, chemotherapy, immune vaccination, and immune checkpoint inhibition in glioma treatment. TLR agonists can be used as immune modulators to enhance the efficacy of other treatment, to avoid dose accumulation, and what brings more interests is that they can potentiate immune checkpoint delayed resistance to PD-1/PD-L1 blockade by upregulating PD-1/PD-L1 overexpression, thus unleash powerful antitumor responses when combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors. Herein, we focus on recent developments and clinical trials exploring TLR-based treatment to provide a picture of the relationship between TLR and glioma and their implications for immunotherapy.
A novel lncRNA ROPM-mediated lipid metabolism governs breast cancer stem cell properties
Authors: Liu Shuiqing , Sun Yan , Hou Yixuan , Yang Liping , Wan Xueying , Qin Yilu , Liu Yongcan , Wang Rui , Zhu Pengpeng , Teng Yong , Liu Manran
Published: October 2021

Background

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are considered as the major cause to tumor initiation, recurrence, metastasis, and drug resistance, driving poor clinical outcomes in patients. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have emerged as crucial regulators in cancer development and progression. However, limited lncRNAs involved in CSCs have been reported.

Methods

The novel lncROPM (a regulator of phospholipid metabolism) in breast CSCs (BCSCs) was identified by microarray and validated by qRT-PCR in BCSCs from breast cancer cells and tissues. The clinical significance of lncROPM was evaluated in two breast cancer cohorts and TANRIC database (TCGA-BRCA, RNAseq data). Gain- and loss-of-function assays were performed to examine the role of lncROPM on BCSCs both in vitro and in vivo. The regulatory mechanism of lncROPM was investigated by bioinformatics, RNA FISH, RNA pull-down, luciferase reporter assay, and actinomycin D treatment. PLA2G16-mediated phospholipid metabolism was determined by UHPLC-QTOFMS system. Cells’ chemosensitivity was assessed by CCK8 assay.

Results

LncROPM is highly expressed in BCSCs. The enhanced lncROPM exists in clinic breast tumors and other solid tumors and positively correlates with malignant grade/stage and poor prognosis in breast cancer patients. Gain- and loss-of-function studies show that lncROPM is required for the maintenance of BCSCs properties both in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, lncROPM regulates PLA2G16 expression by directly binding to 3'-UTR of PLA2G16 to increase the mRNA stability. The increased PLA2G16 significantly promotes phospholipid metabolism and the production of free fatty acid, especially arachidonic acid in BCSCs, thereby activating PI3K/AKT, Wnt/β-catenin, and Hippo/YAP signaling, thus eventually involving in the maintenance of BCSCs stemness. Importantly, lncROPM and PLA2G16 notably contribute to BCSCs chemo-resistance. Administration of BCSCs using clinic therapeutic drugs such as doxorubicin, cisplatin, or tamoxifen combined with Giripladib (an inhibitor of cytoplasmic phospholipase A2) can efficiently eliminate BCSCs and tumorigenesis.

Conclusions

Our study highlights that lncROPM and its target PLA2G16 play crucial roles in sustaining BCSC properties and may serve as a biomarker for BCSCs or other cancer stem cells. Targeting lncROPM-PLA2G16 signaling axis may be a novel therapeutic strategy for patients with breast cancer.
Plasma cell infiltration and treatment effect in breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Sakaguchi Asumi , Horimoto Yoshiya , Onagi Hiroko , Ikarashi Daiki , Nakayama Takayuki , Nakatsura Tetsuya , Shimizu Hideo , Kojima Kuniaki , Yao Takashi , Matsumoto Toshiharu , Ogura Kanako , Kitano Shigehisa
Published: October 2021

Background

Tumour-infiltrating lymphocyte (TIL)-high breast tumours have a high rate of pathological complete response (pCR) with neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In our routine pathological diagnoses of biopsy specimens from pCR cases, we have observed a high infiltration of plasma cells (PCs). A positive correlation of PCs with favourable patient outcome has recently been reported, but little is known about how PCs contribute to local tumour immunity.

Methods

We retrospectively examined biopsy specimens from 146 patients with invasive breast cancer who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy. CD138+ PC infiltration was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Multiplexed fluorescent immunohistochemistry (mfIHC) with T and B cell markers was also conducted to elucidate the profile of immune cells.

Results

Greater PC infiltration was observed in the pCR group (p = 0.028) and this trend was confirmed in another patient cohort. With mfIHC, we observed significantly more CD8+, T-bet+CD4+, and CD8+FOXP3+ T cells, total B cells and PCs in pCR cases. Such cases were also characterised by high expression of both PD-1 and PD-L1 on B cells and PCs. In patients with hormone receptor-negative tumours, high PC infiltration was correlated with significantly longer disease-free survival (p = 0.034).

Conclusions

We found that higher PC infiltration in biopsy specimens before neoadjuvant chemotherapy was associated with pCR. With mfIHC, we also revealed that the local cytotoxic immune response was clearly enhanced in pCR cases, as was the infiltration of B cells including PCs. Moreover, higher PC levels were correlated with favourable outcomes in hormone receptor-negative breast cancer patients.
Sustained microglial activation in the area postrema of collagen-induced arthritis mice
Authors: Matsushita Takayuki , Otani Kazuhiro , Oto Yohsuke , Takahashi Yukari , Kurosaka Daitaro , Kato Fusao
Published: October 2021

Background

Central nervous system (CNS)-mediated symptoms, such as fatigue, depression, and hyperalgesia, are common complications among patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, it remains unclear how the peripheral pathology of RA spreads to the brain. Accumulated evidence showing an association between serum cytokine levels and aberrant CNS function suggests that humoral factors participate in this mechanism. In contrast to the well-known early responses of microglia (CNS-resident immune cells) in the area postrema [AP; a brain region lacking a blood–brain barrier (BBB)] to experimental inflammation, microglial alterations in the AP during chronic inflammation like RA remain unclear. Therefore, to determine whether microglia in the AP can react to persistent autoimmune-arthritis conditions, we analyzed these cells in a mouse model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).

Methods

Microglial number and morphology were analyzed in the AP of CIA and control mice (administered Freund’s adjuvant or saline). Immunostaining for ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 was performed at various disease phases: “pre-onset” [post-immunization day (PID) 21], “establishment” (PID 35), and “chronic” (PID 56 and 84). Quantitative analyses of microglial number and morphology were performed, with principal component analysis used to classify microglia. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) mRNA expression was analyzed by multiple fluorescent in situ hybridization and real-time polymerase chain reaction. Behavioral changes were assessed by sucrose preference test.

Results

Microglia in the AP significantly increased in density and exhibited changes in morphology during the establishment and chronic phases, but not the pre-onset phase. Non-subjective clustering classification of cell morphology (CIA, 1,256 cells; saline, 852 cells) showed that the proportion of highly activated microglia increased in the CIA group during establishment and chronic phases. Moreover, the density of IL-1β-positive microglia, a hallmark of functional activation, was increased in the AP. Sucrose preferences in CIA mice negatively correlated with IL-1β expression in brain regions containing the AP.

Conclusions

Our findings demonstrate that microglia in the AP can sustain their activated state during persistent autoimmune arthritis, which suggests that chronic inflammation, such as RA, may affect microglia in brain regions lacking a BBB and have various neural consequences.
Self-isolation negatively impacts self-management of diabetes during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Authors: Pardhan Shahina , Islam Md. Saiful , López-Sánchez Guillermo F. , Upadhyaya Tirthalal , Sapkota Raju P.
Published: October 2021

Background/Aim

People with diabetes are at a greater risk of serious complications from Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Self-management of diabetes is therefore of paramount importance. The purpose of this study is to compare self-management of diabetes pre-COVID-19 and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

679 participants with diabetes completed an online structured questionnaire survey. Various exposure variables (demographics, duration, treatment and complications of diabetes, self-isolation, etc.) were analysed to examine associations with the following outcome variables: (i) fluctuation of blood glucose levels, (ii) access to diabetes medicine, (iii) access to healthy diet, (iv) physical activity. Adjusted multiple regression analysis ascertained significant associations for each outcome variable against exposure variables.

Results

Multiple regression analysis showed that self-isolation was significantly associated with greater fluctuation in blood glucose levels (OR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.2–2.6, p = 0.005), reduced access to diabetes medicine (OR = 1.9, 95% CI = 1.1–3.1, p = 0.02) and reduced access to healthy diet (OR = 3.0, 95% CI = 2.0–4.6, p < 0.001). Fluctuation in blood glucose level was also significantly associated with having at least one complication of diabetes (OR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.2–3.9, p = 0.008) and reduced access to diabetes medicine was significantly higher in people who were on insulin (OR = 2.1, 95% CI = 1.3–3.3, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Self-isolation was shown to impact almost all factors that influence self-management of diabetes. A targeted approach to improved access to diabetes medicine, healthy diet for people who needed to self-isolate is vital in order to ensure that they are able to self-manage their diabetes effectively.
The clone devaluation effect: does duplication of local facial features matter?
Authors: Yonemitsu Fumiya , Sasaki Kyoshiro , Gobara Akihiko , Yamada Yuki
Published: October 2021

Objective

The clone devaluation is a phenomenon reported by the latest paper in which eeriness is evoked when people observe individuals with the same face (clone faces) compared to those with different faces. There are two possibilities that explain the clone devaluation effect. One is that the same facial features that clone faces have (duplication of facial features) induce the clone devaluation effect. The other possibility is that duplication of identities between people with clone faces is important for the clone devaluation effect. We thus conducted an experiment to investigate whether the duplication of identities or of facial features induces the clone devaluation effect.

Results

Participants evaluated eeriness of scrambled clone faces and scrambled different faces using the paired comparison method. There was only a slight difference in subjective eeriness between scrambled clone faces and scrambled different faces. Therefore, this study suggests that the duplication of local facial features does not play a key role in inducing the clone devaluation effect.
MS2DeepScore: a novel deep learning similarity measure to compare tandem mass spectra
Authors: Huber Florian , van der Burg Sven , van der Hooft Justin J. J. , Ridder Lars
Published: October 2021

Mass spectrometry data is one of the key sources of information in many workflows in medicine and across the life sciences. Mass fragmentation spectra are generally considered to be characteristic signatures of the chemical compound they originate from, yet the chemical structure itself usually cannot be easily deduced from the spectrum. Often, spectral similarity measures are used as a proxy for structural similarity but this approach is strongly limited by a generally poor correlation between both metrics. Here, we propose MS2DeepScore: a novel Siamese neural network to predict the structural similarity between two chemical structures solely based on their MS/MS fragmentation spectra. Using a cleaned dataset of > 100,000 mass spectra of about 15,000 unique known compounds, we trained MS2DeepScore to predict structural similarity scores for spectrum pairs with high accuracy. In addition, sampling different model varieties through Monte-Carlo Dropout is used to further improve the predictions and assess the model’s prediction uncertainty. On 3600 spectra of 500 unseen compounds, MS2DeepScore is able to identify highly-reliable structural matches and to predict Tanimoto scores for pairs of molecules based on their fragment spectra with a root mean squared error of about 0.15. Furthermore, the prediction uncertainty estimate can be used to select a subset of predictions with a root mean squared error of about 0.1. Furthermore, we demonstrate that MS2DeepScore outperforms classical spectral similarity measures in retrieving chemically related compound pairs from large mass spectral datasets, thereby illustrating its potential for spectral library matching. Finally, MS2DeepScore can also be used to create chemically meaningful mass spectral embeddings that could be used to cluster large numbers of spectra. Added to the recently introduced unsupervised Spec2Vec metric, we believe that machine learning-supported mass spectral similarity measures have great potential for a range of metabolomics data processing pipelines.
Modeling the time course of ComX: towards molecular process control for Bacillus wild-type cultivations
Authors: Treinen Chantal , Magosch Olivia , Hoffmann Mareen , Klausmann Peter , Würtz Berit , Pfannstiel Jens , Morabbi Heravi Kambiz , Lilge Lars , Hausmann Rudolf , Henkel Marius
Published: October 2021

Wild-type cultivations are of invaluable relevance for industrial biotechnology when it comes to the agricultural or food sector. Here, genetic engineering is hardly applicable due to legal barriers and consumer’s demand for GMO-free products. An important pillar for wild-type cultivations displays the genus Bacillus. One of the challenges for Bacillus cultivations is the global ComX-dependent quorum sensing system. Here, molecular process control can serve as a tool to optimize the production process without genetic engineering. To realize this approach, quantitative knowledge of the mechanism is essential, which, however, is often available only to a limited extent. The presented work provides a case study based on the production of cyclic lipopeptide surfactin, whose expression is in dependence of ComX, using natural producer B. subtilis DSM 10 T. First, a surfactin reference process with 40 g/L of glucose was performed as batch fermentation in a pilot scale bioreactor system to gain novel insights into kinetic behavior of ComX in relation to surfactin production. Interestingly, the specific surfactin productivity did not increase linearly with ComX activity. The data were then used to derive a mathematic model for the time course of ComX in dependence of existing biomass, biomass growth as well as a putative ComX-specific protease. The newly adapted model was validated and transferred to other batch fermentations, employing 20 and 60 g/L glucose. The applied approach can serve as a model system for molecular process control strategies, which can thus be extended to other quorum sensing dependent wild-type cultivations.
PRCC reduces the sensitivity of cancer cells to DNA damage by inhibiting JNK and ATM/ATR pathways and results in a poor prognosis in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Liu Chunying , Lin Xuejing , Sun Bin , Mao Ziming , Chen Lei , Qian Haihua , Su Changqing
Published: October 2021

Background and aim

The proline rich mitotic checkpoint control factor (PRCC) is involved in the splicing process of pre-mRNA. This study aims to elucidate PRCC molecular function, regulatory mechanism and diagnostic value in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Methods

The tissue microarray and serum samples from HCC patients were used to investigate the clinical value of PRCC. The biological function and molecular mechanism of PRCC were demonstrated by cell biology, biochemical and animal experiments. The relationship between PRCC and intratumoral heterogeneity (ITH) was analyzed by bioinformatics.

Results

PRCC was highly expressed in HCC tissues and related to the poor prognosis of HCC patients, its contents were elevated in the preoperative sera of HCC patients. PRCC exhibited high application potential as a substitute or adjuvant of alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) for clinical diagnosis of HCC. It had no significant effect on the proliferation of cancer cells, but could inhibit spheroid formation and metastasis of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. The high ectopic expression of PRCC made cancer cells insensitive to DNA damage, and enhanced the heterogeneity of HCC cells by inhibiting the JNK/ATM/ATR/ATF2 axis. The HCC patients with high PRCC expression had high ITH, which corresponded to a short overall survival in patients.

Conclusions

PRCC has high application potential as a substitute or adjuvant of AFP for clinical diagnosis of HCC. The high ectopic expression of PRCC not only caused HCC cells to resist to cell death induced by DNA damage, but also endowed cancer cells with numerous DNA mutations to become increasingly heterogeneous, finally leading to a poor prognosis in HCC patients. These data suggested PRCC could be a promising therapeutic target in HCC patients.
Noise prediction of chemical industry park based on multi-station Prophet and multivariate LSTM fitting model
Authors: Zeng Qingtian , Liang Yu , Chen Geng , Duan Hua , Li Chunguo
Published: October 2021

With the gradual transformation of chemical industry park to digital and intelligent, various types of environmental data in the park are extremely rich. It has high application value to provide safe production environment by deeply mining environmental data law and providing data support for industrial safety and workers’ health in the park through prediction means. This paper takes the noise data of the chemical industry park as the main research object, and innovatively applies the 3σ principle to the zero-value processing of the noise data, and builds an LSTM model that integrates multivariate information based on the characteristics of the wind direction classification noise data combined with the wind speed and vehicle flow information. The Prophet model integrating multi-site noise information was adopted, and the Multi-PL model was constructed by fitting the above two models to predict the noise. This paper designs and implements a comparative experiment with Kalman filter, BP neural network, Prophet, LSTM, Prophet + LSTM weighted combination prediction model. R2 was used to evaluate the fitting effect of single model in Multi-PL, RMSE and MAE that were used to evaluate the prediction effect of Multi-PL on noise time series. The experimental results show that the RMSE and MAE of the data processed by the 3σ principle are reduced by 32.2% and 23.3% in the multi-station ordered Prophet method, respectively. Compared with the above comparison models, the Multi-PL model prediction method is more stable and accurate. Therefore, the Multi-PL method proposed in this paper can provide a new idea for noise prediction in digital chemical parks.
Protocol for a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies examining the impact of COVID-19 safety measures on physical activity patterns in adults
Authors: Schwendinger Fabian , Infanger Denis , Pocecco Elena , Gander Joséphine , Hinrichs Timo , Schmidt-Trucksäss Arno
Published: October 2021

Background

The primary objective of this study is twofold: (1) to examine the effect of COVID-19 safety measures, enacted to prevent transmission of SARS-nCOV-2, on total physical activity in the adult general population (≥ 18 years) and (2) to analyze the impact of the factor “severity of safety measures” on potential changes in physical activity. The secondary objective is to investigate the effects of safety measures on the respective PA intensities, i.e., sedentary behavior, light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity.

Methods

A systematic literature search will be performed in the following online databases: Medline (on Ovid), Web of Science, Scopus, L.OVE Coronavirus disease by Epistemonikos, and ProQuest Dissertations & Theses A&I. All obtained citations will undergo title and abstract as well as full-text screening by two independent reviewers. Observational studies investigating the effects of safety measures on physical activity patterns in the adult general population will be included. The standardized mean difference in total physical activity per time unit between pre- and during COVID-19 or between normative data and during COVID-19 will be the primary outcome. The standardized mean difference in sedentary time, light, moderate, and vigorous physical activity will be assessed as secondary outcomes. Eligible studies will be divided between the reviewers for data extraction using a pilot-tested data form. Risk of bias assessment will be performed using a standard assessment tool. If suitable, a random-effects meta-analysis and meta-regression with a unit of safety measure severity as the independent variable will be performed.

Discussion

This study will synthesize available data reporting the effect of COVID-19 safety measures on physical activity patterns in adults. Furthermore, we will incorporate a unit for the severity of safety measures for better generalizability of the results. These findings will be of great value for public health policymaking and estimating future health consequences.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO CRD42021231039.
Decision-making in sustainable energy transition in Southeastern Europe: probabilistic network-based model
Authors: Hribar Nena , Šimić Goran , Vukadinović Simonida , Šprajc Polona
Published: October 2021

Background

Sustainable energy transition of a country is complex and long-term process, which requires decision-making in all stages and at all levels, including a large number of different factors, with different causality. The main objective of this paper is the development of a probabilistic model for decision-making in sustainable energy transition in developing countries of SE Europe. The model will be developed according to the specificities of the countries for which it is intended—SE Europe. These are countries where energy transition is slower and more difficult due to many factors: high degree of uncertainty, low transparency, corruption, investment problems, insufficiently reliable data, lower level of economic development, high level of corruption and untrained human resources. All these factors are making decision-making more challenging and demanding.

Methods

Research was done by using content analysis, artificial intelligence methods, software development method and testing. The model was developed by using MSBNx—Microsoft Research’s Bayesian Network Authoring and Evaluation Tool.

Results

Due to the large number of insufficiently clear, but interdependent factors, the model is developed on the principle of probabilistic (Bayesian) networks of factors of interest. The paper presents the first model for supporting decision-making in the field of energy sustainability for the region of Southeastern Europe, which is based on the application of Bayesian Networks.

Conclusion

Testing of the developed model showed certain characteristics, discussed in paper. The application of developed model will make it possible to predict the short-term and long-term consequences that may occur during energy transition by varying these factors. Recommendations are given for further development of the model, based on Bayesian networks.
An evaluation of family-based treatment for restrictive-type eating disorders, delivered as standard care in a public mental health service
Authors: Bentz Mette , Pedersen Signe Holm , Moslet Ulla
Published: October 2021

Background

Family-based treatment (FBT) has demonstrated efficacy for anorexia nervosa (AN) in youth in randomized, controlled trials. It is important to assess if it shows a similar effectiveness when implemented in standard care.

Aim

To evaluate outcomes of FBT for restrictive-type eating disorders, delivered as standard care in a public mental health service. Outcomes are remission, frequency of hospital admissions and day-patient treatment, and frequency of other adaptations within 12 months from commencement of treatment. Second, to compare the collaborative clinical decisions of successful treatment in standard care made by family therapist at the end of treatment, with more objective definitions of recovery.

Methods

The design is a prospective, uncontrolled study of a consecutive series of patients with restrictive-type eating disorders, treated with FBT in a specialty unit at the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Centre in the Capital Region of Denmark.

Results

FBT was successfully completed within 12 months by 57% of participants, and 47% completed with 20 sessions or fewer. Weight restoration was achieved by 75% within 12 months, and 46% achieved both normalisation of body weight and behavioural symptoms of AN within 12 months. A total of 20% needed intensified treatment. All aspects of remission were often not present simultaneously, and the collaborative clinical decisions of successful treatment only partly aligned with other parameters of remission.

Conclusion

FBT showed good results when implemented as standard care, and it can be adapted to the specifics of local service organisation without compromising effectiveness.
Co-expression of mesothelin and CA125/MUC16 is a prognostic factor for breast cancer, especially in luminal-type breast cancer patients
Authors: Einama Takahiro , Yamagishi Yoji , Takihata Yasuhiro , Suzuki Takafumi , Yamasaki Tamio , Hirose Yuichi , Kobayashi Kazuki , Yonamine Naoto , Fujinuma Ibuki , Tsunenari Takazumi , Koga Makiko , Ishibashi Yusuke , Nagata Ken , Shiraishi Takehiro , Nakazawa Akiko , Iwasaki Toshimitsu , Shinto Eiji , Kato Kimi , Sato Kimiya , Ueno Hideki , Kishi Yoji , Tsuda Hitoshi
Published: October 2021

The expression of mesothelin correlates with a poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Since mesothelin plays a role in cancer metastasis in association with CA125, we herein examined the expression of mesothelin and CA125, and the clinicopathological meaning and prognosis of the co-expression of mesothelin and CA125 in breast cancer. Our results showed that among 478 patients, mesothelin and CA125 were co-expressed in 48 (10 %), mesothelin only in 75 (16 %), CA125 only in 217 (45 %), and neither in 234 (49 %). A high correlation was observed between the expression of mesothelin and CA125 (P =0.0004). The co-expression of mesothelin and CA125 correlated with poor patient relapse-free survival (RFS) (P = 0.0001) and was identified as an independent predictor of RFS by Cox’s multivariate analysis. In conclusion, this is the first to report the prognostic significance of the co-expression of mesothelin and CA125 in breast cancer. The co-expression of mesothelin and CA125 may be clinically useful for prognostication after surgical therapy in patients with breast cancer.
Cost-effectiveness analysis of a large-scale crèche intervention to prevent child drowning in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Alfonso Y. Natalia , Hyder Adnan A. , Alonge Olakunle , Salam Shumona Sharmin , Baset Kamran , Rahman Aminur , Hoque Dewan Md Emdadul , Islam Md Irteja , Rahman Fazlur , El-Arifeen Shams , Bishai David
Published: October 2021

Background

Drowning is the leading cause of death among children 12–59 months old in rural Bangladesh. This study evaluated the cost-effectiveness of a large-scale crèche (daycare) intervention in preventing child drowning.

Methods

The cost of the crèches intervention was evaluated using an ingredients-based approach and monthly expenditure data collected prospectively throughout the study period from two agencies implementing the intervention in different study areas. The estimate of the effectiveness of the crèches intervention was based on a previous study. The study evaluated the cost-effectiveness from both a program and societal perspective.

Results

From the program perspective the annual operating cost of a crèche was $416.35 (95% CI: $221 to $576), the annual cost per child was $16 (95% CI: $8 to $23), and the incremental-cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) per life saved with the crèches was $17,008 (95% CI: $8817 to $24,619). From the societal perspective (including parents time valued) the ICER per life saved was − $166,833 (95% CI: − $197,421 to − $141,341)—meaning crèches generated net economic benefits per child enrolled. Based on the ICER per disability-adjusted-life years averted from the societal perspective (excluding parents time), $1978, the crèche intervention was cost-effective even when the societal economic benefits were ignored.

Conclusions

Based on the evidence, the crèche intervention has great potential for generating net societal economic gains by reducing child drowning at a program cost that is reasonable.
Dose-reduced [18F]PSMA-1007 PET is feasible for functional imaging of the renal cortex
Authors: Valind Kristian , Jögi Jonas , Minarik David , Brolin Gustav , Trägårdh Elin
Published: October 2021

Background

In Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET-CT), there is significant renal uptake. The standard in renal cortical functional imaging is scintigraphy with technetium-99m labeled dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA). Using [68Ga]Ga-PSMA-11 PET for renal imaging has been suggested, but using [18F]PSMA-1007 has not been explored. The aims of this study were to establish the optimal time point for renal imaging after [18F]PSMA-1007 injection, to investigate the reproducibility of split renal uptake measurements, and to determine the margin for reduction in administered activity.

Methods

Twelve adult male patients with prostate cancer underwent [18F]PSMA-1007 PET-CT at 8 time points up to 5.5 h post-injection (p.i.). List-mode data were binned to durations of 10 to 120 s per bed position (bp). Left renal percentage of total renal uptake (LRU%) was measured, and the difference between highest and lowest measurement per patient (“delta max”) was calculated. Images acquired at 1 h, 2 h, and 5.5 h p.i. with durations of 10 to 120 s/bp were rated regarding image quality.

Results

Imaging at 2 h p.i. with 60 s/bp yielded acceptable quality in all cases. Increasing acquisition time to 15 min for a single bp would allow reducing administered activity to 0.27 MBq/kg, resulting in an effective dose of 0.4 mSv for a 1-year old child weighing 10 kg. The median delta max of LRU% measurements was 2.7% (range 1.8–7.3%).

Conclusions

Renal [18F]PSMA-1007 PET-CT is feasible, with imaging 2 h p.i., acceptable split renal uptake variability, and effective dose and acquisition time comparable to those of [99mTc]Tc-DMSA scintigraphy.
Ergothioneine supplementation in people with metabolic syndrome (ErgMS): protocol for a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study
Authors: Tian Xiaoying , Cioccoloni Giorgia , Sier Joanna H. , Naseem Khalid M. , Thorne James L. , Moore J. Bernadette
Published: October 2021

Background

Ergothioneine is a naturally occurring metabolite of histidine found in many foods and in high amounts in mushrooms. In vivo, ergothioneine acts as an antioxidant and is widely distributed in most mammalian tissues. While ergothioneine is sold as a dietary supplement for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, to date there are no published intervention trials examining its health benefits in humans. The aim of this work was to develop a study protocol for a pilot interventional trial that will establish the primary and secondary outcomes, and the power required, for a definitive randomised controlled trial to test the hypothesis that ergothioneine supplementation is beneficial for people with metabolic syndrome.

Methods

We have designed the ErgMS study as a single-centre, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-arm parallel, pilot intervention trial, which aims to supplement participants with either placebo, 5 or 30 mg/day ergothioneine for 12 weeks. Measurements of metabolic syndrome risk factors, serum markers of oxidative stress (lipid peroxidation), inflammation, blood platelet function and liver function will take place at baseline, and after 6 weeks and 12 weeks of supplementation. In addition, we will examine if there are any changes in the serum metabolome in response to ergothioneine supplementation. Linear regression and two-way ANOVA will be utilised to analyse the association between ergothioneine and measured variables.

Discussion

The ErgMS study will be the first study to address the question does ergothioneine supplementation have health benefits for people with metabolic syndrome. Study results will provide preliminary data as to which dose may improve inflammatory markers in adults with metabolic syndrome and will inform dose and primary outcome selection for a definitive randomised controlled trial.

Trial registration

ISRCTN, ISRCTN25890011 Registered February 10th, 2021
Imipenem dosing recommendations for patients undergoing continuous renal replacement therapy: systematic review and Monte Carlo simulations
Authors: Rungkitwattanakul Dhakrit , Charoensareerat Taniya , Kerdnimith Pathakorn , Kosumwisaisakul Nutsinee , Teeranaew Piyakamol , Boonpeng Apinya , Pattharachayakul Sutthiporn , Srisawat Nattachai , Chaijamorn Weerachai
Published: October 2021

Background

The appropriate dosing of imipenem for critically ill AKI patients undergoing CRRT remains scarce.

Purpose

This study aimed to (1) gather the available published pharmacokinetic studies conducted in septic patients receiving continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) and (2) to define the optimal imipenem dosing regimens in these populations via Monte Carlo simulations.

Methods

The databases of PubMed, Embase, and ScienceDirect were searched from inception to May 2020. We used the Medical Subject Headings of “Imipenem,” “CRRT,” and “pharmacokinetics” or related terms or synonym to identify the studies for systematic reviews. A one-compartment pharmacokinetic model was conducted to predict imipenem levels for the initial 48 h of therapy. The pharmacodynamic target was 40% of free drug level above 4 times of the MIC (40% fT > 4 MIC). The dose that achieved at least 90% of the probability of target attainment was defined as an optimal dose.

Results

Eleven articles were identified and included for our systematic review. The necessary pharmacokinetic parameters such as the volume of distribution and the CRRT clearance were mentioned in 100 and 90.9%, respectively. None of the current studies reported the complete necessary parameters. A regimen of 750 mg q 6 h was the optimal dose for the predilution-CVVH and CVVHD modality with two effluent rates (25 and 35 mL/kg/h) for the pharmacodynamic target of 40% fT > 4MIC.

Conclusions

None of the current studies showed the complete necessary pharmacokinetic parameters for drug dosing. Pharmacodynamic target significantly contributed to imipenem dosing regimens in these patients. Different effluent rates and types of CRRT had minimal impact on dosing regimens. Clinical validation of the recommendation is necessary.
Examining data visualization pitfalls in scientific publications
Authors: Nguyen Vinh T , Jung Kwanghee , Gupta Vibhuti
Published: October 2021

Data visualization blends art and science to convey stories from data via graphical representations. Considering different problems, applications, requirements, and design goals, it is challenging to combine these two components at their full force. While the art component involves creating visually appealing and easily interpreted graphics for users, the science component requires accurate representations of a large amount of input data. With a lack of the science component, visualization cannot serve its role of creating correct representations of the actual data, thus leading to wrong perception, interpretation, and decision. It might be even worse if incorrect visual representations were intentionally produced to deceive the viewers. To address common pitfalls in graphical representations, this paper focuses on identifying and understanding the root causes of misinformation in graphical representations. We reviewed the misleading data visualization examples in the scientific publications collected from indexing databases and then projected them onto the fundamental units of visual communication such as color, shape, size, and spatial orientation. Moreover, a text mining technique was applied to extract practical insights from common visualization pitfalls. Cochran’s Q test and McNemar’s test were conducted to examine if there is any difference in the proportions of common errors among color, shape, size, and spatial orientation. The findings showed that the pie chart is the most misused graphical representation, and size is the most critical issue. It was also observed that there were statistically significant differences in the proportion of errors among color, shape, size, and spatial orientation.
Botulinum toxin injections as salvage therapy is beneficial for management of patellofemoral pain syndrome
Authors: Kesary Yuval , Singh Vivek , Frenkel-Rutenberg Tal , Greenberg Arie , Dekel Shmuel , Schwarzkopf Ran , Snir Nimrod
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Patellofemoral pain syndrome (PFPS) is a common pathology usually presenting with anterior or retropatellar pain. It is associated with a relative imbalance between the vastus medialis oblique (VMO) and the vastus lateralis (VL) muscles. This can lead to considerable morbidity and reduced quality of life (QOL). This study aims to assess the long-term functional outcome of PFPS treated with VL muscle botulinum toxin A (BoNT-A) injection.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review was performed on 26 consecutive patients (31 knees) with a mean age of 50.1 years (± 19.7 years) who were treated with BoNT-A injections to the VL muscle followed by physiotherapy between 2008 and 2015. Pre- and post-treatment pain levels (numerical rating scale, NRS), QOL (SF-6D), and functional scores (Kujala and Lysholm questionnaires) were measured. Demographics, physical therapy compliance, previous surgeries, perioperative complications, and patient satisfaction levels were collected.

Results

The mean follow-up time was 58.8 ± 36.4 months. There were significant improvements in all the examined domains. The average pain score (NRS) decreased from 7.6 to 3.2 (P < 0.01), and the Kujala, Lysholm, and SF-6D scores improved from 58.9 to 82.7 (P < 0.001), 56.2 to 83.2 (P < 0.001), and 0.6 to 0.8 (P < 0.001), respectively. Similar delta improvement was achieved irrespective of gender, age, compliance to post-treatment physical therapy, or coexisting osteoarthritis. Patients who presented with a worse pre-treatment clinical status achieved greater improvement. Prior to BoNT-A intervention, 16 patients (18 knees) were scheduled for surgery, of whom 12 (75%, 13 knees) did not require further surgical intervention at the last follow-up.

Conclusions

A single intervention of BoNT-A injections to the VL muscle combined with physiotherapy is beneficial for the treatment of patients with persistent PFPS.

Level III evidence

Retrospective cohort study.
Influence of tobacco cigarette heavy smoking on DNA methylation patterns and transcription levels of MAPK8IP3, GAA, ANXA2, PRRC2A, and PDE11A genes in human spermatozoa
Authors: Laqqan Mohammed M. , Yassin Maged M.
Published: October 2021

Background

Tobacco smoking is considered as one of the lifestyles factors that influence the sperm DNA methylation and global sperm DNA methylation and that may affect the sperm phenotype. This study was performed to investigate whether tobacco cigarette heavy smoking influences sperm DNA methylation patterns and semen parameters and to determine whether there is an alteration in the transcription level of MAPK8IP3, GAA, ANXA2, PRRC2A, and PDE11A genes in heavy smokers compared to non-smokers. Thirty samples were subjected to 450K arrays as a screening study to assess the variation in sperm DNA methylation levels between heavy smokers and non-smokers. Five CpG sites have the highest difference in methylation levels (cg07869343, cg05813498, cg09785377, cg06833981, and cg02745784), which are located in the MAPK8IP3, GAA, ANXA2, PRRC2A, and PDE11A genes, respectively, and were selected for further analysis using deep bisulfite sequencing in 280 independent samples (120 proven non-smokers and 160 heavy smokers) with a mean age of 33.8 ± 8.4 years. The global sperm DNA methylation, sperm DNA fragmentation, and chromatin non-condensation were evaluated also.

Results

A significant increase was found in the methylation level at seven, three, and seventeen CpGs within the GAA, ANXA2, and MAPK8IP3 genes amplicon, respectively (P< 0.01) in heavy smokers compared to non-smokers. Additionally, a significant increase was found in the methylation levels at all CpGs within PRRC2A and PDE11A gene amplicon (P< 0.01). A significant increase was found in the level of sperm chromatin non-condensation, DNA fragmentation, and global DNA methylation (P < 0.001) in heavy smokers compared to non-smokers.

Conclusion

These results indicate that tobacco cigarette smoking can alter the DNA methylation level at several CpGs, the status of global DNA methylation, and transcription level of the following genes “MAPK8IP3, GAA, ANXA2, PRRC2A, and PDE11A” in human spermatozoa. These findings may affect negatively semen parameters and men’s fertility.