bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Smokers’ Affective Responses to COVID-19-Related Health Warnings on Cigarette Packets: The Influence of Delay Discounting
Authors: Brown Chris R H , Faulkner Paul
Published: September 2021

Introduction

The addition of graphic health warnings to cigarette packets can facilitate smoking cessation, primarily through their ability to elicit a negative affective response. Smoking has been linked to COVID-19 mortality, thus making it likely to elicit a strong affective response in smokers. COVID-19-related health warnings (C19HW) may therefore enhance graphic health warnings compared to traditional health warnings (THW). Further, because impulsivity influences smoking behaviors, we also examined whether these affective responses were associated with delay discounting.

Methods

In a between-subjects design, 240 smokers rated the valence and arousal elicited by tobacco packaging that contained either a C19HW or THW (both referring to death). Participants also completed questionnaires to quantify delay discounting, and attitudes towards COVID-19 and smoking (eg, health risks, motivation to quit).

Results

There were no differences between the two health warning types on either valence or arousal, nor any secondary outcome variables. There was, however, a significant interaction between health warning type and delay discounting on arousal ratings. Specifically, in smokers who exhibit low delay discounting, C19HWs elicited significantly greater subjective arousal rating than did THWs, whereas there was no significant effect of health warning type on arousal in smokers who exhibited high delay discounting.

Conclusion

The results suggest that in smokers who exhibit low impulsivity (but not high impulsivity) C19HWs may be more arousing than THWs. Future work is required to explore the long-term utility of C19HWs, and to identify the specific mechanism by which delay discounting moderates the efficacy of tobacco health warnings.

Implications

The study is the first to explore the impact of COVID-19-related health warnings on cigarette packaging. The results suggest that COVID-19-related warnings elicit a similar level of negative emotional arousal, relative to traditional warnings. However, COVID-19 warnings, specifically, elicit especially strong emotional responses in less impulsive smokers, who report low delay discounting. Therefore, there is preliminary evidence supporting COVID-19 related warnings for tobacco products to aid smoking cessation. Additionally, there is novel evidence that, for some warnings, high impulsiveness may be a factor in reduced warning efficacy, which may explain poorer cessation success in this population.
Who Votes by Post? Understanding the Drivers of Postal Voting in the 2019 British General Election
Authors: Townsley Joshua , Turnbull-Dugarte Stuart J , Trumm Siim , Milazzo Caitlin
Published: September 2021

While most voters in democratic countries still cast their ballot on election day, the proportion of the electorate which opts for postal voting has been steadily, and often dramatically, increasing. This transformation in electoral politics, however, is under-researched, particularly with regards to the motivations underlying the decision to cast a postal vote. In this article, we analyse the factors that drive an individual to vote by post rather than at the polling station. Using data from the 2019 British Election Study, we show, among other findings, that citizens for whom in-person voting would entail higher costs, such as the elderly and disabled, are more likely to opt for the convenience of postal voting. In addition, we find that partisans are unlikely to vote by post, suggesting that they derive greater expressive benefits from voting in a public setting. Finally, our analysis demonstrates that constituency marginality matters when it comes to opting for postal voting: citizens in more competitive constituencies are significantly more likely to ensure their votes by casting their ballots by post rather than on election day.
Melatonin functions in priming of stomatal immunity inPanax notoginseng and Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Yang Qian , Peng Zhongping , Ma Wenna , Zhang Siqi , Hou Suyin , Wei Jian , Dong Shuwei , Yu Xuya , Song Yuzhu , Gao Wei , Rengel Zed , Huang Luqi , Cui Xiuming , Chen Qi
Published: September 2021

Melatonin (MT) plays important roles in plant disease response, but the mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we show that MT functions in stomatal immunity in Panax notoginseng and Arabidopsis thaliana. Biochemical analyses showed that MT-induced stomatal closure plays a prominent role in preventing invasion of bacteria Pseudomonas syringe pv. tomato (Pst) DC3000 via activation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and NADPH oxidase-mediated reactive oxygen species production in P. notoginseng. The first putative phytomelatonin receptor 1 (PMTR1) is a plasma membrane protein required for perceiving MT signaling in stomatal closure and activation of MAPK. Biochemical and genetic tests found PMTR1 is essential for flg22- and MT-induced MAPK activation in a heterotrimeric GTP-binding protein Gα subunit GPA1-independent manner. GPA1 functions in the same genetic pathways of FLS2/BAK1 (Flagellin Sensing 2/Brassinosteroid Insensitive 1-associated kinase 1)- as well as PMTR1-mediated flg22 and MT signaling in stomatal closure. The stomata in pmtr1 are insensitive to MT and flg22, but the application of MT induces stomatal closure and reduces the bacterial growth in fls2 and bak1 plants, indicating that PMTR1 might be a downstream signaling component in FLS2- and BAK1-mediated stomatal immunity. In summary, our results (i) demonstrate that phytomelatonin functions in the priming of stomatal immunity and (ii) provide insights into the phytomelatonin signaling transduction pathway.
Investigating Sources of Conflict in Deep Phylogenomics of Vetigastropod Snails
Authors: Cunha Tauana Junqueira , Reimer James Davis , Giribet Gonzalo
Published: September 2021

Phylogenetic analyses may suffer from multiple sources of error leading to conflict between genes and methods of inference. The evolutionary history of the mollusc clade Vetigastropoda makes them susceptible to these conflicts, their higher level phylogeny remaining largely unresolved. Originating over 350 Ma, vetigastropods were the dominant marine snails in the Paleozoic. Multiple extinction events and new radiations have resulted in both very long and very short branches and a large extant diversity of over 4000 species. This is the perfect setting of a hard phylogenetic question in which sources of conflict can be explored. We present 41 new transcriptomes across the diversity of vetigastropods (62 terminals total), and provide the first genomic-scale phylogeny for the group. We find that deep divergences differ from previous studies in which long branch attraction was likely pervasive. Robust results leading to changes in taxonomy include the paraphyly of the order Lepetellida and the family Tegulidae. Tectinae subfam. nov. is designated for the clade comprising Tectus, Cittarium, and Rochia. For two early divergences, topologies disagreed between concatenated analyses using site heterogeneous models versus concatenated partitioned analyses and summary coalescent methods. We investigated rate and composition heterogeneity among genes, as well as missing data by locus and by taxon, none of which had an impact on the inferred topologies. We also found no evidence for ancient introgression throughout the phylogeny. We further tested whether uninformative genes and over-partitioning were responsible for this discordance by evaluating the phylogenetic signal of individual genes using likelihood mapping, and by analyzing the most informative genes with a full multispecies coalescent (MSC) model. We find that most genes are not informative at the two conflicting nodes, but neither this nor gene-wise partitioning are the cause of discordant results. New method implementations that simultaneously integrate amino acid profile mixture models and the MSC might be necessary to resolve these and other recalcitrant nodes in the Tree of Life. [Fissurellidae; Haliotidae; likelihood mapping; multispecies coalescent; phylogenetic signal; phylogenomic conflict; site heterogeneity; Trochoidea.]
Can We Stop Distally at LSTV-1 for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis With Lenke 1A/2A Curves?
Authors: Qin Xiaodong , Qiu Yong , He Zhong , Yin Rui , Liu Zhen , Zhu Zezhang
Published: September 2021

Study Design.

A retrospective study.

Objective.

To determine in which case one level proximal to last substantially touching vertebra (LSTV-1) could be a valid lowest instrumented vertebra (LIV), in which case distal fusion should extend to last substantially touching vertebra (LSTV), and to identify risk factors for distal adding-on.

Summary of Background Data.

Posterior thoracic fusion to save more lumbar mobile segments has become the mainstay of operative treatment for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) with Lenke 1A/2A curves. Although previous studies have recommended selecting the LSTV as LIV, good outcomes could still be achieved in some cases when LSTV-1 was selected as LIV.

Methods.

Ninety-four patients were included in the study with a minimum of 2-year follow-up after posterior thoracic instrumentation, in which LSTV-1 was selected as LIV. Patients were identified with distal adding-on between first erect radiographs and 2-year follow-up based on previously defined parameters. Factors associated with the incidence of adding-on were analyzed.

Results.

The mean follow-up duration was 37.7 ± 15.8 months. Forty patients (42.6%) with LSTV-1 selected as LIV achieved good outcomes at the last follow-up. Several preoperative risk factors significantly associated with distal adding-on were identified, including lower Risser (P = 0.001), longer thoracic curve length (P = 0.005), larger rotation and deviation of LSTV-1 (P 
< 0.001), and preoperative coronal imbalance (P = 0.013).

Conclusion.

Skeletally immature patients with long thoracic curve, preoperative coronal imbalance, large rotation, and deviation of LSTV-1 are at increased risk of distal adding-on when selecting LSTV-1 as LIV. Under this condition, distal fusion level should extend to LSTV; while in other case, LSTV-1 could be a valid LIV.

Level of Evidence: 4
Broad Ligament Pregnancy: Facing the Battle Unarmed
Authors: Singh Meenakshi , Pandey Nihita , Biswas Ratna
Published: September 2021

Broad ligament pregnancy is defined as gestation that grows in the space formed by anterior and posterior peritoneal folds of the broad ligament. We report a case of 30 years old lady admitted to our hospital with the diagnosis of gravida 2, para 1, live birth 1, with 24 weeks of gestation with low lying placenta with anhydramnios. She was taken up for lower segment cesarian section at 28 weeks gestation in view of low lying placenta with chorioamnionitis. The broad ligament pregnancy was diagnosed peroperatively after identifying the anatomical relationship of the pregnancy. Sac was excised and margins secured after extraction of the baby and placenta. Patient had an uneventful postoperative period. Broad ligament pregnancy may be missed in antenatal period but in cases of displaced cervix, early onset unexplained anhydramnios, and failed induction of labor, it may raise high suspicion. Laparotomy/ laparoscopic management is the mainstay of management of broad ligament pregnancy.
Development of a Novel Analytical Method for Determining Trazodone in Human Plasma by Liquid Chromatography Coupled With Mass Spectrometry Coupled With Automatic 2-Dimensional Liquid Chromatograph-Mass Spectrometer Coupler 9500 and Its Application to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
Authors: Ding Jing , Zhang Yan , Cui Xiaohua , Zhao Caiping , Zhang Suo
Published: September 2021

Background:

Trazodone (TZD) is a tetracyclic serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor that is used as a second-generation phenylpiperazine antidepressant. However, the plasma concentrations of TZD have shown individual variations in clinical practice. Quantification of TZD plasma concentrations may be an effective and valuable method to balance the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions. This study aimed to establish a novel liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (LC-MS) assay for measuring TZD concentrations in human plasma for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM).

Methods:

After protein precipitation with acetonitrile, LC-MS quantification of TZD was performed in the multiple reaction monitoring mode with chromatographic separation using a mobile phase of MeOH and 0.1% formic acid in water. This method validation intends to investigate specificity, sensitivity, linearity, precision, accuracy, recovery, matrix effect, and stability according to United states food and drug administration guidelines.

Results:

This method showed good selectivity because no interfering peaks were observed in the plasma samples during the 2-minute run time. The range of the calibration curve was 1–3000 ng/mL. The detection and quantification limits were 0.3 and 1 ng/mL, respectively. The intraday and interday accuracies were 96.5%–103.4%, with precision relative SD% values of <5%, except for the limit of quality. The mean TZD recovery from human plasma was 95.4%–104.5%. Finally, this method was successfully applied to TDM in 20 patients. The TZD plasma concentrations of the patients ranged between 21.5 and 2267.3 ng/mL.

Conclusions:

A novel analytical method was established to measure TZD by LC-MS coupled with an automatic 2-dimensional liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer coupler 9500 (LC-MS/MS-Mate 9500), which is superior to the ordinary LC-MS system in separation, transport, anti-interference, sensitivity, and quantitative analysis stability.
“It just makes me feel a little less alone”: a qualitative exploration of the podcast Menopause: Unmuted on women's perceptions of menopause
Authors: Edwards Amy L. , Shaw Philippa A. , Halton Candida C. , Bailey Stacy C. , Wolf Michael S. , Andrews Emma N. , Cartwright Tina
Published: September 2021

Objective:

Menopause can negatively impact women's quality of life, with many women reporting inadequate information and support. Podcasts have grown in popularity in recent years and have been found to be accessible methods for increasing knowledge and challenging perceptions of stigmatized topics. The current research aimed to understand the impact of the podcast “menopause: unmuted” on women's menopause-related knowledge, understanding, and communication practices.

Methods:

A diverse sample of 30 women aged 40 to 60 years listened to the podcast series, which focused on menopause stories, before taking part in semistructured interviews to discuss the impact of the podcast on how they understood and communicated about menopause. The interviews were analyzed thematically.

Results:

Two overarching themes were identified in the data. A “journey of knowledge gain” explores participants’ understanding of menopause before listening to the podcast and describes how this is deepened by hearing and connecting with women's stories. “Reframing menopause” describes the impact of the podcast, where women reflect on the value of communication amongst women, challenge and re-evaluate the stigmatization of menopause, and discuss ways to make positive behavioral changes in their lives.

Conclusions:

The podcast “menopause: unmuted” helped women to learn about the menopause experience, have a greater sense of belonging to a community of women, and feel empowered to make changes in their own lives. Sharing stories via podcasts has potential as an accessible and impactful medium to educate women and reduce the widespread stigma associated with menopause.
Neutrophil and Eosinophil Extracellular Traps in Hodgkin Lymphoma
Authors: Francischetti Ivo M. B. , Alejo Julie C. , Sivanandham Ranjit , Davies-Hill Theresa , Fetsch Patricia , Pandrea Ivona , Jaffe Elaine S. , Pittaluga Stefania
Published: September 2021

Classic Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL), nodular sclerosis (NS) subtype, is characterized by the presence of Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg (HRS) cells in an inflammatory background containing neutrophils and/or eosinophils. Both types of granulocytes release extracellular traps (ETs), web-like DNA structures decorated with histones, enzymes, and coagulation factors that promote inflammation, thrombosis, and tumor growth. We investigated whether ETs from neutrophils (NETs) or eosinophils (EETs) are detected in cHL, and evaluated their association with fibrosis. We also studied expression of protease-activated receptor-2 (PAR-2) and phospho-extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK), potential targets/effectors of ETs-associated elastase, in HRS cells. Expression of tissue factor (TF) was evaluated, given the procoagulant properties of ETs. We analyzed 32 HL cases, subclassified as 12 NS, 5 mixed-cellularity, 5 lymphocyte-rich, 1 lymphocyte-depleted, 4 nodular lymphocyte-predominant HL (NLPHL), and 5 reactive nodes. Notably, a majority of NS cHL cases exhibited NET formation by immunohistochemistry for citrullinated histones, with 1 case revealing abundant EETs. All other cHL subtypes as well as NLPHL were negative. Immunofluorescence microscopy confirmed NETs with filamentous/delobulated morphology. Moreover, ETs formation correlates with concurrent fibrosis (r = 0.7999; 95% CI, 0.6192-0.9002; P ≤ 0.0001). Results also showed that HRS cells in NS cHL expressed PAR-2 with nuclear p-ERK staining, indicating a neoplastic or inflammatory phenotype. Remarkably, TF was consistently detected in the endothelium of NS cHL cases compared with other subtypes, in keeping with a procoagulant status. A picture emerges whereby the release of ETs and resultant immunothrombosis contribute to the inflammatory tumor microenvironment of NS cHL. This is the first description of NETs in cHL.
Bilateral Increase of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 Expression in Tears After the Unilateral Decrease of Corneal Sensitivity
Authors: Lee Seung Hyeun , Chun Yeoun Sook , Moon Nam Ju , Kim Kyoung Woo
Published: September 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this study is to analyze bilateral changes of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) expression in the tear film in patients with unilateral neurotrophic keratitis.

Methods:

We included 24 eyes from 24 subjects with normal corneal sensitivity according to Cochet–Bonnet corneal esthesiometry in the control group and 25 subjects with the unilateral neurotrophic keratitis in the unilateral decrease of corneal sensitivity (UDCS) group. The expression of MMP-9 in tears was assessed using point-of-care immunoassay. The clinical parameters including meibomian gland plugging, quality of the secreted meibum, tear secretion using Schirmer I without anesthesia, and corneal erosions were evaluated among the control, affected, and contralateral unaffected eyes in the UDCS group.

Results:

Tear MMP-9 grades in affected (2.5 ± 1.0) and contralateral eyes (2.6 ± 0.9) in the UDCS group were higher than those in control eyes (1.5 ± 0.7, P = 0.0003 and P = 0.0006, respectively). The lacrimal secretion decreased in the affected eyes but preserved in the contralateral eyes. There was no difference in corneal erosion scores between control eyes and contralateral eyes in the UDCS group. Tear MMP-9 grades in the contralateral eyes were significantly correlated with the meibum quality grades in the contralateral eyes (r = 0.525 and P = 0.025).

Conclusions:

Patients with the unilateral neurotrophic keratitis demonstrated a significant bilateral increase of the MMP-9 expression in the tear film as compared with controls. Despite the tearing reflex and corneal surface barrier being preserved in the unaffected contralateral eyes, it is necessary to pay attention to the possible attenuation of meibomian gland function in the opposite eyes as well.
c.-61G>A in OVOL2 is a Pathogenic 5′ Untranslated Region Variant Causing Posterior Polymorphous Corneal Dystrophy 1
Authors: Janeschitz-Kriegl Lucas , Kamdar Dhryata , Quinodoz Mathieu , Kaminska Karolina , Folcher Marc , György Bence , Meyer Peter , Wild Andreas , Escher Pascal , Scholl Hendrik P. N. , Rivolta Carlo , Goldblum David
Published: September 2021

Purpose:

The purpose of this study was to investigate the clinical and genetic features of a man and his daughter with posterior polymorphous corneal dystrophy (PPCD), referred to our clinic for Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty. No other known relatives were affected.

Methods:

Ophthalmic examination and histology, including electron microscopy, were performed. Genetic testing was conducted by means of whole exome sequencing, and variant analysis was achieved by using an internal in silico pipeline. Molecular tests included a dual-luciferase assay.

Results:

Slowly progressive blurred vision was reported from childhood by the daughter. The father's symptoms started at age 55. Best-corrected visual acuity was reduced in both patients (0.2–0.4). Slit-lamp examination in both patients revealed bilateral corneal clouding with gray endothelial lesions; other family members had no ophthalmological signs. Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty was performed uneventfully in both patients. Histology showed thickened Descemet membrane and abnormal endothelium resembling epithelial-like cells. Both patients carried the OVOL2 5′ untranslated region NM_021220.4.c.-61G>A variant in the heterozygous state. This change was associated with increased promoter activity and was not present in the unaffected members of the family.

Conclusions:

The 5′ untranslated region mutation c.-61G>A in OVOL2 has been previously found in 1 individual with PPCD1 and reported as a variant of unknown significance because of insufficient evidence supporting its pathogenicity. Identification of the second family with 2 individuals affected by PPCD1 carrying this change, together with functional data, provides further proofs that it is disease-causing.
Smoking Cessation Programs for Pregnant Women
Authors: Balmumcu Ayça , Ünsal Atan Şenay
Published: September 2021

Objective

This study aimed to develop a Transtheoretical-Model-based and WhatsApp-text-message-supported smoking cessation program for pregnant women and to evaluate its effectiveness.

Methods

This study is a pretest–posttest designed, randomized controlled and quasi-experimental intervention research. The study was conducted on 50 pregnant women, 25 of them in the intervention group and 25 of them in the control group. A theory-based motivational individual counseling initiative has been applied to the intervention group, and WhatsApp text messages have been sent 3 days a week, in accordance with the stages of change to support the interviews.

Results

In the final follow-up, 60% of pregnant women in the intervention group and 36% of pregnant women in the control group quit smoking. All participants indicated they would recommend the WhatsApp-text-message-supported smoking cessation program. Transtheoretical-Model-based and WhatsApp-text-message-supported smoking cessation programs were found to be effective in reducing nicotine dependency scores and carbon monoxide levels of pregnant women and quitting smoking.

Practice Implications

The smoking cessation program used in the research may be applied by midwives or nurses trained on the subject to help pregnant women quit smoking.
Experiences of Opioid Use Disorder Patients Receiving Buprenorphine Through a Telehealth Program
Authors: Moore Dorothy James , Goyal Deepika , Rodriguez Lori
Published: September 2021

Background

Opioid use disorder (OUD) continues to be a growing and major public health issue in the United States. In an effort to increase OUD treatment access, medication-assisted treatment with buprenorphine via telehealth is emerging as the leading treatment option.

Objective

This study sought to describe the experiences of adults with OUD receiving medication-assisted treatment buprenorphine in a nurse-practitioner-facilitated telehealth program.

Methods

Using a descriptive qualitative design, convenience sampling was used to recruit participants who were currently receiving OUD treatment in one telehealth program with locations in California and Michigan. Participants were invited to participate in the study via an email flyer sent to all clients of the telehealth program. Participants completed demographic data and took part in individual, semistructured interviews that were conducted online.

Results

The study sample included 15 largely White, married, college-educated men (n = 8, 53%) and women (n = 7, 47%). Qualitative content analysis of interview data revealed three overall themes and associated subthemes: (a) improved access to care, (b) isolation, and (c) feeling normal on buprenorphine.

Conclusion

Our findings support a nurse-practitioner-facilitated telehealth treatment program for OUD. However, in a program that offers patient-centered care that does not have a one-size-fits-all approach to service, goals of care must be reevaluated throughout treatment. Moreover, given the increased risk of patients feeling isolated with telehealth appointments and the lack of physical face-to-face interactions, healthcare providers should explore ways to engage patients in meaningful support resources and reduce stigma.
Linking Cellular Metabolism to Epigenetics in Melanoma
Authors: Guo Wei-Nan , Li Chun-Ying
Published: September 2021

Melanoma originates from epidermal melanocytes and is the most malignant form of skin cancer, with an increasing incidence worldwide. In addition to the known pathological mutations in melanoma, the remodeling of epigenetic modification has recently been documented to orchestrate the malignant behaviors of tumor cells and anti-tumor immunity, emerging as an irreversible tumorigenic event that is more preventable and treatable with medications. As a hallmark characteristic of cancer, the disorder of cellular metabolism is also greatly implicated in tumor carcinogenesis and development. Accumulating evidence has revealed the close linkage between metabolism and epigenetics in multiple biological activities. In the pathogenesis of melanoma, the findings of other groups and our laboratory highlight the pivotal role of autophagy, mitochondrial function, and the oncometabolite acetyl-CoA, as well as their epigenetic modification. Targeted metabolism-associated epigenetic modulation might be a novel approach for melanoma therapy in the future.
Autonomic regulation device therapy in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction
Authors: Fukuta Hidekatsu , Goto Toshihiko , Kamiya Takeshi
Published: September 2021

Background:

Nearly half of patients with heart failure (HF) have preserved ejection fraction (EF) and the mortality and morbidity of patients with HF with preserved EF (HFpEF) are high. However, there is no established therapy to improve survival in these patients. HFpEF patients are often elderly and their primary chronic symptom is severe exercise intolerance. Thus, improvement of exercise capacity presents another important clinical outcome in HFpEF patients. HF is characterized by increased sympathetic activity and the raised sympathetic drive is involved in the maintenance of the pathological state. Studies have examined the effect of autonomic regulation device therapy (ART) in patients with HF with reduced EF. Recent meta-analysis on the effect of ART in heart failure with reduced EF patients have reported the potential benefits. However, there is insufficient evidence as to the effect of ART in HFpEF patients.

Methods:

This meta-analysis will include randomized controlled trials on the effects of ART on HF symptoms, exercise capacity, and health-related quality of life in HFpEF patients. Information of studies will be collected from PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and ClinicalTrials.gov. The primary outcome will be exercise capacity (6-minute walking distance). The secondary outcomes will be HF symptoms, health-related quality of life, and mortality and hospitalization rates.

Discussion:

This meta-analysis will evaluate the effect of ART in HFpEF patients, providing evidence to the clinical use of ART in these patients.

Systematic review registration:

PROSPERO CRD42020212668.
Safety and efficacy of high dose pulse calcitriol and docetaxel for androgen-independent prostate cancer
Authors: Guan Xiaoyong , Ding Yanling , Qi Tao
Published: September 2021

Background:

Previous therapy usually included prostatectomy or radiation to remove or destroy the cancerous cells within the prostate capsule. But, many patients eventually fail therapy and die of recurrent androgen-independent prostate cancer (AIPC). To date, there is no effective cure for prostate cancer. This study aims to evaluate the clinical safety and efficacy of high-dose pulse calcitriol and docetaxel for androgen-independent prostate cancer to guide the clinician's drug use.

Methods:

Seven Eight databases included PubMed, PubMed Central, EMbase, Medline, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WAN FANG Database, and Web of Science will be systematically retrieved from January 1st, 2010 to May 30th, 2021. We will screen eligible studies to meet the inclusion criteria. Two independent reviewers will extract data, evaluate the risk of bias and analyze data independently. The quality of the included studies will be evaluated by the RevMan 5.4 software. The Cochrane risk of bias tool will be used to assess the quality of the studies.

Results:

This systematic review will provide high-quality evidence for the safety and efficacy of high-dose pulse calcitriol and docetaxel for AIPC.

Conclusions:

The findings of the study will provide scientific evidence of the safety and efficacy of high dose pulse calcitriol, and docetaxel for AIPC to guide the clinician's drug use.

Ethics and dissemination:

Not applicable

INPLASY registration number:

INPLASY202170028.
Leading Change and Transforming Practice
Authors: Ficara Cheryl , Veronneau Patricia , Davis Karri
Published: September 2021

Many nurse managers transition from proficient bedside nurses to leadership roles without formal leadership training. Their new role moves beyond the bedside of affecting an individual patient outcome to a position where their leadership behaviors, decisions, and actions impact the staff, patients, and families on a unit and organizational level. While new nurse managers are coached and mentored by their director, there is still an opportunity to provide a more standardized and structured approach to ensure optimal development and outcomes. A Nurse Manager Residency program supports the new leader by providing a forum for education, leadership development, and mentorship to demonstrate the critical components of a successful leader that promote staff engagement, patient experience, and excellence in nursing.
Relationship Between O-GlcNAcase Expression and Prognosis of Patients With Osteosarcoma
Authors: Sombutthaweesri Thamonwan , Wu Shuangjiang , Chamusri Nutchapon , Settakorn Jongkolnee , Pruksakorn Dumnoensun , Chaiyawat Parunya , Sastraruji Thanapat , Krisanaprakornkit Suttichai , Supanchart Chayarop
Published: September 2021

Several studies have demonstrated a role of O-GlcNAcylation (O-GlcNAc) in tumorigenesis of various carcinomas by modification of tumor-associated proteins. However, its implication in the pathogenesis of osteosarcoma remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the levels of O-GlcNAc and the expressions of O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA) in human osteosarcoma tissues, by using immunohistochemistry; and to find correlations between the levels or expressions and several clinicopathologic parameters. There were 109 first diagnosed osteosarcoma patients, including Enneking stage IIB (n=70) and III (n=39). Correlations between the immunoreactive score (IRS) and clinicopathologic parameters, overall survival, and metastasis-free survival were evaluated. A positive correlation was found between the IRS of OGA and the percentage of postchemotherapeutic tumor necrosis (r=0.308; P=0.017). Univariate analysis revealed significantly lower OGA IRS in metastatic patients (P=0.020) and poor chemotherapeutic-responder patients (P=0.001). By multivariate analysis, presence of tumor metastasis (P=0.002) and lower OGA IRS (P=0.004) was significantly associated with shorter overall survival. Subgroup analysis in stage IIB osteosarcoma (n=70) demonstrated that male sex (P=0.019), presence of tumor recurrence (P=0.026), poor chemotherapeutic responder (P=0.022), and lower OGA IRS (P=0.019) were significantly correlated with short metastasis-free survival. But, lower OGA IRS was the only independent predictor for short metastasis-free survival (P=0.006). Our findings suggested that O-GlcNAc pathway, especially OGA, may involve in pathogenesis and aggressiveness of osteosarcoma. Low level of OGA expression may be used as a poor prognostic indicator.
Evolving Factors in Hospital Safety: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Hospital Adverse Events
Authors: Sauro Khara M. , Machan Matthew , Whalen-Browne Liam , Owen Victoria , Wu Guosong , Stelfox Henry T.
Published: September 2021

Objective

This study aimed to estimate the frequency of hospital adverse events (AEs) and explore the rate of AEs over time, and across and within hospital populations.

Methods

Validated search terms were run in MEDLINE and EMBASE; gray literature and references of included studies were also searched. Studies of any design or language providing an estimate of AEs within the hospital were eligible. Studies were excluded if they only provided an estimate for a specific AE, a subgroup of hospital patients or children. Data were abstracted in duplicate using a standardized data abstraction form. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. A random-effects meta-analysis estimated the occurrence of hospital AEs, and meta-regression explored the association between hospital AEs, and patient and hospital characteristics.

Results

A total of 45,426 unique references were identified; 1,265 full-texts were reviewed and 94 studies representing 590 million admissions from 25 countries from 1961 to 2014 were included. The incidence of hospital AEs was 8.6 per 100 patient admissions (95% confidence interval [CI], 8.3 to 8.9; I
2 = 100%, P < 0.001). Half of the AEs were preventable (52.6%), and a third resulted in moderate/significant harm (39.7%). The most evaluated AEs were surgical AEs, drug-related AEs, and nosocomial infections. The occurrence of AEs increased by year (95% CI, −0.05 to −0.04; P < 0.001) and patient age (95% CI = −0.15 to −0.14; P < 0.001), and varied by country income level and study characteristics. Patient sex, hospital type, hospital service, and geographical location were not associated with AEs.

Conclusions

Hospital AEs are common, and reported rates are increasing in the literature. Given the increase in AEs over time, hospitals should reinvest in improving hospital safety with a focus on interventions targeted toward the more than half of AEs that are preventable.
Healthcare Provider Characteristics and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Quality During Infant Resuscitation
Authors: Khattab Mona , Frisell Karin , MacKinnon Ralph , Chang Todd , Raymond Tia , Lofton Lydia , Tofil Nancy , Forrester Katherine , Gohel Charmin , Aitken Deborah , Scalzo Anthony , Moore-Clingenpeel Melissa , Auerbach Marc
Published: September 2021

Introduction

Healthcare providers' anthropometric characteristics can adversely affect adult cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) performance quality. However, their effects on infant CPR are unknown. We aimed to determine any relationships between healthcare provider characteristics (anthropomorphic, demographics, training, occupational data) and simulated infant CPR performance at multiple international sites. Our secondary aim was to examine provider's CPR performance degradation.

Methods

Providers from 4 international hospitals performed 2 minutes of single-rescuer simulated infant CPR using 2015 American Heart Association Basic Life Support criteria with guidance from a real-time visual performance feedback device. Providers' characteristics were collected, and the simulator collected compression and ventilation data. Multivariate analyses examined the entire 2 minutes and performance degradation.

Results

Data from 127 participants were analyzed. Although median values for all compression variables (depth, rate, lean) and ventilation volume were within guideline target ranges, when looking at individuals, only 52% chest compressions and 20% ventilations adhered to the American Heart Association guidelines. Age was found to be independently associated with ventilation volume (direct-relationship), and height was associated with chest compression lean (shorter participant-deeper lean). No significant differences were noted based on sex or body mass index. Neonatal intensive care unit participants were noted to perform shallower chest compressions (P < 0.001). Overall, there was minimal evidence of performance degradation over 2 minutes.

Conclusions

Isolated provider characteristics were noted among a diverse cohort of healthcare providers that may affect the CPR quality on a simulated infant. Understanding the relationships between provider characteristics and CPR quality could inform future infant CPR guidelines customized for the provider and not just the patient.
Direct Impact of Human Platelets on the Development of Transplant Arteriosclerosis
Authors: Görner Susann , Heim Christian , Weigmann Benno , von Silva-Tarouca Benjamin , Kuckhahn Annika , Ramsperger-Gleixner Martina , Zimmermann Robert , Weyand Michael , Ensminger Stephan M.
Published: September 2021

Background.

Platelets play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory and proliferative vascular changes. The aim of this study was to investigate whether human platelets are able to induce transplant arteriosclerosis in a humanized C57/Bl6-Rag2−/−γc−/− mouse xenograft model.

Methods.

Nonactivated and in vitro–activated human platelets were analyzed and phenotyped for surface markers by flow cytometry. Side branches of human mammary arteries were implanted into the infrarenal aorta of recipients, followed by daily application of human platelets and histological analyzed on day 30 after transplantation.

Results.

Human platelets collected by apheresis had low levels of platelet activation markers. However, after in vitro activation, expression was markedly increased. Sixty minutes after injection in recipient mice, nonactivated human platelets become significantly activated. Increased adhesion of platelets to the vascular endothelium was detected by in vivo fluorescence microscopy. After intravenous injection of nonactivated or activated platelets, human xenografts showed pronounced intimal proliferation. Immunohistological analysis showed that the group treated with activated human platelets exhibited significantly increased intragraft protein expression of intracellular adhesion molecule-1 and platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta and smooth muscle cell migration into the neointima.

Conclusions.

These data demonstrate that an isolated daily application of both in vivo– and in vitro–activated human platelets results in the development of transplant arteriosclerosis in a humanized mouse transplantation model.
Comparison between one and two dose SARS-CoV-2 vaccine prioritization for a fixed number of vaccine doses
Authors: Hill Edward M. , Keeling Matt J.
Published: September 2021

The swift development of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines has been met with worldwide commendation. However, in the context of an ongoing pandemic there is an interplay between infection and vaccination. While infection can grow exponentially, vaccination rates are generally limited by supply and logistics. With the first SARS-CoV-2 vaccines receiving medical approval requiring two doses, there has been scrutiny on the spacing between doses; an elongated period between doses allows more of the population to receive a first vaccine dose in the short-term generating wide-spread partial immunity. Focusing on data from England, we investigated prioritization of a one dose or two dose vaccination schedule given a fixed number of vaccine doses and with respect to a measure of maximizing averted deaths. We optimized outcomes for two different estimates of population size and relative risk of mortality for at-risk groups within the Phase 1 vaccine priority order. Vaccines offering relatively high protection from the first dose favour strategies that prioritize giving more people one dose, although with increasing vaccine supply eventually those eligible and accepting vaccination will receive two doses. While optimal dose timing can substantially reduce the overall mortality risk, there needs to be careful consideration of the logistics of vaccine delivery.
Empirical evidence for a jamming transition in urban traffic
Authors: Taillanter Erwan , Barthelemy Marc
Published: September 2021

Understanding the mechanisms leading to the formation and the propagation of traffic jams in large cities is of crucial importance for urban planning and traffic management. Many studies have already considered the emergence of traffic jams from the point of view of phase transitions, but mostly in simple geometries such as highways for example or in the framework of percolation where an external parameter is driving the transition. More generally, empirical evidence and characterization for a congestion transition in complex road networks are scarce, and here, we use traffic measures for Paris (France) during the period 2014–2018 for testing the existence of a jamming transition at the urban level. In particular, we show that the correlation function of delays due to congestion is a power law (with exponent
η
≈ 0.4) combined with an exponential cut-off
ξ
. This correlation length is shown to diverge during rush hours, pointing to a jamming transition in urban traffic. We also discuss the spatial structure of congestion and identify a core of congested links that participate in most traffic jams and whose structure is specific during rush hours. Finally, we show that the spatial structure of congestion is consistent with a reaction–diffusion picture proposed previously.
Density functional theory study of active sites on nitrogen-doped graphene for oxygen reduction reaction
Authors: Yan Ping , Shu Song , Zou Longhua , Liu Yongjun , Li Jianjun , Wei Fusheng
Published: September 2021

Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) remains challenging due to its complexity and slow kinetics. In particular, Pt-based catalysts which possess outstanding ORR activity are limited in application with high cost and ease of poisoning. In recent years, nitrogen-doped graphene has been widely studied as a potential ORR catalyst for replacing Pt. However, the vague understanding of the reaction mechanism and active sites limits the potential ORR activity of nitrogen-doped graphene materials. Herein, density functional theory is used to study the reaction mechanism and active sites of nitrogen-doped graphene for ORR at the atomic level, focusing on explaining the important role of nitrogen species on ORR. The results reveal that graphitic N (GrN) doping is beneficial to improve the ORR performance of graphene, and dual-GrN-doped graphene can demonstrate the highest catalytic properties with the lowest barriers of ORR. These results provide a theoretical guide for designing catalysts with ideal ORR property, which puts forward a new approach to conceive brilliant catalysts related to energy conversion and environmental catalysis.
A sex chromosome inversion is associated with copy number variation of mitochondrial DNA in zebra finch sperm
Authors: Knief Ulrich , Forstmeier Wolfgang , Kempenaers Bart , Wolf Jochen B. W.
Published: September 2021

The propulsion of sperm cells via movement of the flagellum is of vital importance for successful fertilization. While the exact mechanism of energy production for this movement varies between species, in avian species energy is thought to come predominantly from the mitochondria located in the sperm midpiece. Larger midpieces may contain more mitochondria, which should enhance the energetic capacity and possibly promote mobility. Due to an inversion polymorphism on their sex chromosome
TguZ
, zebra finches (
Taeniopygia guttata castanotis
) exhibit large within-species variation in sperm midpiece length, and those sperm with the longest midpieces swim the fastest. Here, we test through quantitative real-time PCR in zebra finch ejaculates whether the inversion genotype has an effect on the copy number of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). We find that zebra finches carrying the derived allele (correlated with longer sperm midpieces) have more copies of the mtDNA in their ejaculates than those homozygous for the ancestral allele (shorter midpieces). We suggest downstream effects of mtDNA copy number variation on the rate of adenosine triphosphate production, which in turn may influence sperm swimming speed and fertilization success. Central components of gamete energy metabolism may thus be the proximate cause for a fitness-relevant genetic polymorphism, stabilizing a megabase-scale inversion at an intermediate allele frequency in the wild.
Niche shifts after island colonization spurred adaptive diversification and speciation in a cosmopolitan bird clade
Authors: Lapiedra Oriol , Sayol Ferran , Garcia-Porta Joan , Sol Daniel
Published: September 2021

Islands have long been recognized as key contributors to biodiversity because they facilitate geographic isolation and ecological divergence from mainland ancestors. However, island colonization has traditionally been considered an evolutionary dead-end process, and its consequences for continental biodiversity remain understudied. Here, we use the evolutionary radiation of Columbiformes (i.e. pigeons and doves) to examine if ecological niche shifts on islands shaped biological diversification and community composition on continents. We show that the colonization of islands by continental, terrestrial-foraging lineages led to the exploitation of a new ecological niche (i.e. arboreal foraging). This transition towards arboreal foraging was associated with evolutionary adaptation towards a new morphological optimum. In addition, arboreal-foraging lineages of islands experienced an increase in speciation rates, which was associated with successful range expansions to other islands as well as back colonization of continents. Our results provide empirical evidence that diversification on continents can only be fully understood when studying the diversification processes that took place on islands, challenging the view of islands as mere sinks of evolutionary diversity.
Remote homology clustering identifies lowly conserved families of effector proteins in plant-pathogenic fungi
Authors: Jones Darcy A. B. , Moolhuijzen Paula M. , Hane James K.
Published: September 2021

Plant diseases caused by fungal pathogens are typically initiated by molecular interactions between ‘effector’ molecules released by a pathogen and receptor molecules on or within the plant host cell. In many cases these effector-receptor interactions directly determine host resistance or susceptibility. The search for fungal effector proteins is a developing area in fungal-plant pathology, with more than 165 distinct confirmed fungal effector proteins in the public domain. For a small number of these, novel effectors can be rapidly discovered across multiple fungal species through the identification of known effector homologues. However, many have no detectable homology by standard sequence-based search methods. This study employs a novel comparison method (RemEff) that is capable of identifying protein families with greater sensitivity than traditional homology-inference methods, leveraging a growing pool of confirmed fungal effector data to enable the prediction of novel fungal effector candidates by protein family association. Resources relating to the RemEff method and data used in this study are available fromhttps://figshare.com/projects/Effector_protein_remote_homology/87965.