bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Lower extremity symptoms and ankle–brachial index screening as predictors of cardiovascular outcomes in Black adults
Authors: Lee Megan , Smolderen Kim G , Ionescu Costin , Hillegass William B , Romain Gaelle , Mena-Hurtado Carlos
Published: February 2023

Background:

The prevalence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) and leg symptoms are higher in Black than White adults. We studied the effects of self-reported lower extremity symptoms and ankle–brachial indices (ABI) groups on outcomes.

Methods:

Black participants in the Jackson Heart Study with baseline ABI and PAD symptom assessments (exertional leg pain by the San Diego Claudication questionnaire) were included. Abnormal ABI was < 0.90 or > 1.40. Participants were divided into (1) normal ABI, asymptomatic, (2) normal ABI, symptomatic, (3) abnormal ABI, asymptomatic, and (4) abnormal ABI, symptomatic to examine their associations with MACE (stroke, myocardial infarction, fatal coronary heart disease) and all-cause mortality, using Kaplan–Meier survival curves and stepwise Cox proportional hazard models adjusting for Framingham risk factors.

Results:

Of 4586 participants, mean age was 54.6 ± 12.6 years, with 63% women. Compared with participants with normal ABI who were asymptomatic, participants with abnormal ABI and leg symptoms had highest risk of MACE (adjusted HR 2.28; 95% CI 1.62, 3.22) and mortality (aHR 1.82; 95% CI 1.32, 2.56). Participants with abnormal ABI without leg symptoms had higher risk for MACE (aHR 1.49; 95% CI 1.06, 2.11) and mortality (aHR 1.44; 95% CI 1.12, 1.99). Participants with normal ABI and no leg symptoms did not have higher risks.

Conclusion:

Among Black adults, the highest risk for adverse outcomes were in symptomatic participants with abnormal ABIs, followed by asymptomatic participants with abnormal ABIs. These findings underscore the need for further studies to screen for PAD and develop preventative approaches in Black adults with asymptomatic disease.
Welcoming Fireside Chats to the Field of Leadership
Authors: Dragoni Lisa , Leroy Hannes , Peng Ann , Stam Daan
Published: February 2023

We introduce a new commentary series at the Journal of Leadership and Organizational Studies titled Fireside Chats. The series purpose is to broaden the current dialogue on leadership research to include pieces that share wisdom and inspire ideation, nurturing and assessment of the field. Senior scholars are invited to share their views and opinions which we will feature as Fireside Chat commentaries. Their intended value is to offer a widely-accessible conversation space to reflect, create, and share wisdom.
Strategic monitoring improves prospective memory: A meta-analysis
Authors: Peper Phil , Hunter Ball B
Published: February 2023

Monitoring the environment for target events that trigger prospective memory (PM) retrieval requires cognitive resources, reflected by costs to ongoing task performance (i.e., worse accuracy and/or slower response times). Strategic monitoring refers to the use of context to engage or disengage monitoring when a PM target is anticipated or unanticipated. Laboratory strategic monitoring studies have found mixed results as to whether context specification improves PM performance. This study employed a meta-analytic technique to assess the overall effect of context specification on PM performance and ongoing task metrics of strategic monitoring. Overall, context specification improved PM performance when the target was anticipated and improved ongoing task performance (speed and accuracy) when the target was not anticipated. Moderator analyses revealed the degree of slowing in anticipated contexts predicted how much context specification improved PM performance. However, the benefits to PM performance from context specification differed by the type of procedure used. PM performance was improved when context changes could be predicted during blocked or proximity procedures, but not when context varied randomly in trial-level procedures. These results provide insights into the mechanisms underlying strategic monitoring and guidance for researchers on which procedures to be use depending on the theory-driven questions.
Riluzole is Effective on Spinal Decompression for Treating Acute Spinal Injury When Compared With Methylprednisolone and the Combination of Two Drugs: In Vivo Rat Model
Authors: Onder Cem , Onder Cigdem , Akesen Selcan , Yumusak Ezgi , Akesen Burak
Published: February 2023

Study Design

Randomized controlled animal experiment.

Objectives

To determine and compare the efficacy of riluzole, MPS and the combination of two drugs in a rat model with acute spinal trauma, electrophysiologically and histopathologically.

Methods

59 rats were divided into 4 groups as control, riluzole (6 mg/kg, every 12 hours for 7 days), MPS (30 mg/kg, 2nd and 4th hours after injury) and riluzole + MPS. Spinal trauma was created and the subjects were followed for 7 days. Electrophysiological recordings were made via neuromonitoring. The subjects were sacrificed and histopathological examination was made.

Results

For the amplitude values, mean alteration in the period from the spinal cord injury to the end of the 7th day is 15.89 ± 20.00%, 210.93 ± 199.44%, 24.75% ± 10.13% increase and 18.91 ± 30.01% decrease for the control, riluzole, riluzole + MPS and MPS groups, respectively. Although the riluzole treatment group produced the greatest increase in amplitude, it was observed that no treatment provided a significant improvement compared to the control group, in terms of latency and amplitude. It was observed that there was significantly less cavitation area in the riluzole treatment group compared to the control group ( P = .020). ( P < .05).

Conclusions

Electrophysiologically, no treatment was found to provide significant improvement. Histopathologically, it was observed that riluzole provided significant neural tissue protection.
Three-Dimensional Printing for Craniomaxillofacial Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Applications and Logistical Outcomes
Authors: Heron Matthew J. , Zhu Katherine J. , Yusuf Cynthia T. , Njoroge Moreen W. , Bhagwat Atharva M. , Galaria Alina I. , Lopez Christopher D. , Yang Robin
Published: February 2023

Introduction:

Three-dimensional (3D) printing plays a rapidly expanding role in the field of craniomaxillofacial (CMF) surgery; however, the time and costs required to efficiently utilize this technology are highly variable. To better delineate the temporal and financial resources needed to establish an efficient workflow, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies utilizing patient-directed 3D-printed constructs in the setting of CMF surgery.

Methods:

A systematic review was performed using PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase. In total, 1679 articles were screened and 45 met inclusion criteria. Primary outcomes included the costs of 3D-printed constructs and the time required for virtual surgical planning (VSP), 3D printing, surgery, and hospitalization.

Results:

The aggregated data assessed 751 patients, 738 surgeries, and 1136 3D-printed constructs. The most common surgical indication was post-neoplastic reconstruction (n = 304), and the most common surgical procedure was mandibular reconstruction (n = 287). Printed constructs were as follows: contour models (44.1%), guides (30.9%), implants (12.5%), splints (12.1%), and prostheses (0.5%). Printing was the longest contributor to the preoperative workflow, averaging 401.6 minutes, while VSP required, on average, only 98.6 minutes. There was no significant difference in VSP time between constructs printed in-house and those contracted from commercial vendors. However, constructs printed in-house were significantly cheaper than those procured from vendors, averaging $252.20 and $2735.50, respectively ( P < .001). Of articles reporting intraoperative time (n = 19), 78.9% reported significant reductions when using 3D-printed constructs.

Conclusion:

3D printing, especially in-house workflows, may reduce costs and improve efficiency for CMF surgery.
The effect of delignification ratio on the PMMA occupation in poplar wood cell wall by the macro and micro comparative study
Authors: Zhang Haiyang , Xu Fucheng , Xu Linlin , Zheng Chaowei
Published: February 2023

The polymer/wood functional products may not be true nanocomposites due to the poor permeability of non-polar monomers into the hydrophilic wood cell wall. In this paper, methyl methacrylate (MMA) chosen as the representative non-polar monomer was used to impregnate wood with different lignin removal and then polymerized in situ in delignified wood to obtain polymethyl methacrylate/delignified wood (PMMA/DW). The larger 10 nm mesopores reduction in PMMA/DW-29.9 and the disappearance of the smaller 3 nm mesopores of PMMA/DW-51.7 indicated that the removal of lignin was beneficial for the penetration of MMA in the wood cell wall. When the lignin removal reached between 29.9 and 51.7%, the dimensional stability of PMMA/DW was improved, and it could be speculated that the resin began to enter the wood cell wall at this stage. In addition, the indentation modulus and hardness of the PMMA/DW cell wall were significantly increased when the lignin removal reached 29.9%. This result was consistent with the conclusion of the pore size analysis, which further confirmed that the nanopores of the cell wall were filled with PMMA when the lignin removal was greater than 29.9%. The results of this paper indeed provide a basis for the design of biomass functional nanocomposites.
Fabrication and employment of cobalt-doped yttrium iron garnets for the electrochemical analysis of anti-diabetic, metformin in serum of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients
Authors: Jawad Shan E Zahra , Ibrahim Muhammad , Fatima Batool , Chohan Tahir Ali , Hussain Dilshad , Najam-ul-Haq Muhammad
Published: February 2023

Metformin (MET) is an anti-diabetic drug employed as the first-line therapy for patients of type II diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Overdosage of drugs leads to severe outcomes, and its monitoring in biofluids is vital. The present study develops cobalt-doped yttrium iron garnets and employs them as an electroactive material immobilized on a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) for the sensitive and selective detection of metformin via electroanalytical techniques. The fabrication procedure via the sol–gel method is facile and gives a good yield of nanoparticles. They are characterized by FTIR, UV, SEM, EDX, and XRD. Pristine yttrium iron garnet particles are also synthesized for comparison, where the electrochemical behaviors of varying electrodes are analyzed via cyclic voltammetry (CV). The activity of metformin at varying concentrations and pH is investigated via differential pulse voltammetry (DPV), and the sensor generates excellent results for metformin detection. Under optimum conditions and at a working potential of 0.85 V (vs. Ag/AgCl/3.0 M KCl), the linear range and limit of detection (LOD) obtained through the calibration curve are estimated as 0–60 μM and 0.04 μM, respectively. The fabricated sensor is selective for metformin and depicts a blind response toward interfering species. The optimized system is applied to directly measure MET in buffers and serum samples of T2DM patients.
LuxHMM: DNA methylation analysis with genome segmentation via hidden Markov model
Authors: Malonzo Maia H. , Lähdesmäki Harri
Published: February 2023

Background

DNA methylation plays an important role in studying the epigenetics of various biological processes including many diseases. Although differential methylation of individual cytosines can be informative, given that methylation of neighboring CpGs are typically correlated, analysis of differentially methylated regions is often of more interest.

Results

We have developed a probabilistic method and software, LuxHMM, that uses hidden Markov model (HMM) to segment the genome into regions and a Bayesian regression model, which allows handling of multiple covariates, to infer differential methylation of regions. Moreover, our model includes experimental parameters that describe the underlying biochemistry in bisulfite sequencing and model inference is done using either variational inference for efficient genome-scale analysis or Hamiltonian Monte Carlo (HMC).

Conclusions

Analyses of real and simulated bisulfite sequencing data demonstrate the competitive performance of LuxHMM compared with other published differential methylation analysis methods.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of the lettuce GASA family in response to abiotic stresses
Authors: Lee Sun Ho , Yoon Jin Seok , Jung Woo Joo , Kim Dae Yeon , Seo Yong Weon
Published: February 2023

Background

Lettuce is one of the most extensively farmed vegetables in the world, and it prefers cool growing conditions. High temperatures promote premature bolt formation, reducing quality and yield. The gibberellic acid-stimulatedArabidopsis(GASA) family genes play critical roles in plant growth, development, and stress responses. However, the biological functions of GASA proteins in lettuce have yet to be thoroughly investigated.

Results

Using genome-wide analysis, 20GASAs were identified in lettuce including, three groups of LsGASA proteins based on the phylogenetic analysis. Except for one, all GASA proteins included a conserved GASA domain with 12 cysteine residues.Cis-element analysis showed thatLsGASAs were closely associated with light, phytohormones, and stress resistance. Five segmental and three tandem duplication events were observed in theLsGASAfamily based on duplication analysis.GASAsynteny analysis among lettuce,Arabidopsis,tobacco, and rice revealed thatLsGASA5is highly collinear with all species. Six of the 20LsGASAshowed increased expression patterns at specific time points in the shoot apical meristem when subjected to heat stress. According to gene expression analysis, the majority ofGASAwere highly expressed in flowers compared to other organs, and sixGASAexhibited highly increased expression levels in response to NaCl, abscisic acid, and gibberellin treatment. Furthermore, LsGASA proteins are predominantly found in the plasma membrane and/or the cytosol.

Conclusions

This study provides a comprehensive characterization ofLsGASAgenes for their diversity and biological functions. Moreover, our results will be useful for further studies on the function of lettuceGASAin abiotic stress- and heat-induced bolting signaling.
Genome-wide identification and analysis of the SUPPRESSOR of MAX2 1-LIKE gene family and its interaction with DWARF14 in poplar
Authors: Sun Maotong , Wang Dongyue , Liu Cuishuang , Liu Yuan , Niu Muge , Wang Jinnan , Li Jihong
Published: February 2023

Background

Strigolactones (SLs) are important phytohormones that can regulate branch development in plants. Although SUPPRESSOR of MAX2 1-LIKE proteins (SMXLs) play a crucial role in SL signaling transduction, the SMXL gene family has not been well characterized in poplar.

Results

In this study, 12 members of the poplar SMXL gene family were identified and phylogenetically classified into four clades. Motif and 3D structural analyses revealed that PtSMXL proteins are structurally very conserved; however, the P-loop NTPase domain at the C-terminal was found to vary substantially among clades. A genomic collinearity analysis indicated that PtSMXL gene family members have expanded during recent genome doubling events in poplar, with all gene pairs subsequently undergoing purifying selection. According to a Cis-element analysis, PtSMXL promoters contain many light-responsive elements. In an expression pattern analysis, all 12 PtSMXL genes displayed tissue-specific expression, especially PtSMXL8a. PtSMXL7b expression was significantly downregulated after axillary bud growth begins. In addition, the expressions of PtSMXL7b and PtSMXL8a were highly induced by 2 μM GR24, a synthetic SL analog, thus suggesting that these genes are involved in SL-regulated axillary bud growth. In a yeast two-hybrid assay, only PtSMXL7b in clade II was able to interact with the SL receptor PtD14a in an SL dependent manner, which indicates that PtSMXL7b may be the functional homolog of D53/SMXL6/7/8 in poplar. Finally, we established its ability to affect axillary bud growth by constructing poplar overexpressing the PtSMXL7b gene.

Conclusions

Our findings may inform future research on the functions of SMXLs in poplar, especially with respect to branch development.
Factor Xa inhibitors versus vitamin K antagonist in morbidly obese patients with venous thromboembolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Park Dae Yong , An Seokyung , Arif Abdul Wahab , Sana Muhammad Khawar , Vij Aviral
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Guidelines have endorsed non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs), consisting of factor Xa inhibitors (xabans) and direct thrombin inhibitors, as the first line of treatment in venous thromboembolism (VTE) and atrial fibrillation. However, morbidly obese patients were under-represented in landmark trials of NOACs. Therefore, this study aimed to systematically review and perform a meta-analysis of studies on xabans versus vitamin K antagonist (VKA) in this high-risk population with VTE.

Methods

PubMed, Embase, Medline, Cochrane library, and Google Scholar databases were searched to identify studies that compared xabans and VKA in treating morbidly obese patients with VTE. Morbid obesity was defined as body weight ≥ 120 kg or BMI ≥ 40 kg/m2. Outcomes of interest included recurrent VTE, major bleeding, and clinically relevant non-major bleeding (CRNMB).

Results

Eight studies comprising 30,895 patients were included. A total of 12,755 patients received xabans while 18,140 received VKAs. No significant difference in the odds of recurrent VTE (OR 0.75, 95% CI 0.55–1.01) and CRNMB (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.44–1.09) was observed between the xabans group and the VKA group. However, the xabans group was associated with lower odds of major bleeding (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.59–0.83).

Conclusion

Xabans have lower odds of major bleeding but similar odds of recurrent VTE when compared with VKAs in treating VTE in morbidly obese patients. Large registry analyses or future randomized controlled trials will be helpful in confirming these findings.
COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment impact on symptoms and post-COVID conditions among high-risk patients at a Federally Qualified Health Center
Authors: Vawter Natalie L. , Godino Job G. , Lewis Sydney V. , Northrup Adam W. , Samaniego Jane C. , Poblete Jacqueline Y. , Guereca Jesus A. , Sharp Sydney P. , Matthews Eva , Crespo Noe C. , Lucatero Pauline G. , Vidaurrazaga Monica M. , Ramers Christian B.
Published: February 2023

Background

Monoclonal antibody (mAb) treatment for COVID-19 is associated with improved clinical outcomes. However, there is limited information regarding the impact of treatment on symptoms and the prevalence of post-COVID Conditions (PCC). Understanding of the association between time to mAb infusion and the development of PCC is also limited.

Methods

This longitudinal study was conducted among patients with COVID-19 who received mAb infusions at a Federally Qualified Health Center in San Diego, CA. A series of telephone interviews were conducted at baseline and follow-up (14 days and 28+ days). A comprehensive symptom inventory was completed and physical and mental health status were measured using PROMIS-29 and PHQ-2. Pearson’s Chi-squared tests and independent two-sample t-tests were performed to test for association between time to mAb infusion and outcomes at follow-up. A Poisson regression model was used to analyze whether time to mAb infusion predicts risk of developing PCC.

Results

Participants (N = 411) were 53% female, ranged in age from 16 to 92 years (mean 50), and a majority (56%) were Latino/Hispanic. Cross-sectional findings revealed a high symptom burden at baseline (70% of patients had cough, 50% had fever, and 44% had headache). The prevalence of many symptoms decreased substantially by the final follow-up survey (29% of patients had cough, 3% had fever, and 28% had headache). Longitudinal findings indicated that 10 symptoms decreased in prevalence from baseline to final follow-up, 2 remained the same, and 14 increased. The severity of symptoms and most patient-reported physical and mental health measure scores decreased over time. The prevalence of PCC was 69% when PCC was defined as ≥ 1 symptom at final follow-up. Time to mAb infusion was not significantly associated with any outcome at follow-up. Time to infusion was not associated with PCC status at final follow-up in the crude or adjusted Poisson regression models.

Conclusions

The prevalence of PCC was high among this patient population following COVID-19 mAb treatment. Time to mAb infusion did not predict the development of PCC. Further research in these areas is essential to answer urgent clinical questions about effective treatments of COVID-19.
The diagnostic performance of endobronchial ultrasound with Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra in smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis
Authors: Yao Lan , Chen Shanhao , Sha Wei , Gu Ye
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study investigated the diagnostic performance of endobronchial ultrasound with Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Ultra) for detecting smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis (TB).

Methods

143 patients suspected of sputum smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis were enrolled in this study in Shanghai Pulmonary Hospital, China. These patients underwent endobronchial ultrasound with a guide sheath (EBUS-GS) or endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (EBUS-TBNA) based on their chest CT manifestations. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of tissue specimens with Ultra in the TB group and non-TB group. Culture and clinical diagnosis were used as gold-standard for TB.

Results

Among these 143 patients, 11 patients were culture-positive TB, 85 patients were diagnosed with culture-negative TB and 47 were with the non-TB diseases. Direct testing with microscopy (Acid-Fast Bacilli smear, AFB), liquid culture, pathology, Xpert MTB/RIF(Xpert) test and Ultra had a sensitivity of 8.3%, 11.5%, 42.7%, 64.6%, and 78.1% individually among all the TB patients. Ultra had a higher sensitivity than Xpert (P = 0.011). But Ultra had a specificity of 59.6% (95% CI 44.3–73.3), lower than that of Xpert (89.4%, 95% CI 76.1–96.0, P = 0.001). Ultra had the same sensitivity on specimens from EBUS-TBNA and EBUS-GS (P = 0.975). Ultra’s positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 79.8% and 57.1% respectively.

Conclusions

Tissue specimens from interventional bronchoscopy combined with Ultra provide a sensitive method for diagnosing smear-negative pulmonary tuberculosis, but its specificity was lower than Xpert.
Role of foetal kidney size on kidney function in childhood: the born in bradford cohort renal study
Authors: Ziauddeen Nida , Jeffrey Robin F , Waiblinger Dagmar , Fraser Simon DS , Alwan Nisreen A , Yuen Ho M , Azad Rafaq , Mason Dan , Wright John , Coward Richard JM , Roderick Paul J
Published: February 2023

Background

Foetal and early childhood development contributes to the risk of adult non-communicable diseases such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease. We aimed to investigate whether kidney size at birth is associated with markers of kidney function at 7–11 years.

Methods

Foetal kidney dimensions were measured using ultrasound scans at 34 weeks gestation and used to derive kidney volume (cm3) in 1802 participants in the Born in Bradford (BiB) birth cohort. Blood and urine samples were taken from those who participated in the BiB follow-up at 7–11 years (n = 630) and analysed for serum creatinine, cystatin C, urea, and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR), protein to creatinine ratio (PCR) and retinol binding protein (RBP). Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated using Schwartz creatinine only and combined with cystatin C, and cystatin C only Zappitelli and Filler equations. Linear regression was used to examine the association between foetal kidney volume and eGFR, ACR, PCR and blood pressure, unadjusted and adjusted for confounders.

Results

Kidney volume was positively associated in adjusted models with eGFR calculated using Schwartz combined (0.64 ml/min diff per unit increase in volume, 95% CI 0.25 to 1.02), Zappitelli (0.79, 95% CI 0.38 to 1.20) and Filler (2.84, 95% CI 1.40 to 4.28). There was an association with the presence of albuminuria but not with its level, or with other urinary markers or with blood pressure.

Conclusion

Foetal kidney volume was associated with small increases in eGFR in mid-childhood. Longitudinal follow-up to investigate the relationship between kidney volume and markers of kidney function as children go through puberty is required.
The mediating effect of distress tolerance on the relationship between stressful life events and suicide risk in patients with major depressive disorder
Authors: Zhong Jing , Huang Xiao-Jie , Wang Xue-Mei , Xu Ming-Zhi
Published: February 2023

Background

Despite widespread acknowledgment of the impact of stressful life events on suicide risk, the understanding of the psychological mechanisms underlying the relationship between stressful life events and suicide risk in major depressive disorder (MDD) remain unclear. This study aim to examine whether the distress tolerance mediates the relationship between the stressful life events and suicide risk in patients with MDD.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was carried out among 125 Chinese patients with MDD, mean age was 27.05 (SD=0.68) and 68.8% were females. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating scale (HAMD-17), the validated Chinese version of the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) suicide module, Life Events Scale (LES) and Distress Tolerance Scale (DTS) were utilized to evaluate depressive symptoms, stressful life events, levels of distress tolerance, and suicide risk, respectively. Mediation analyses was used to test the mediation effect of distress tolerance on the relationship between stressful life events and suicide risk.

Results

The ratio of suicide risk in patients with MDD was 75.2%. Pearson correlation analysis showed that stressful life events were positively correlated with suicide risk(r=0.182, p<0.05). Stressful life events(r=-0.323, p<0.01) and suicide risk(r=-0.354, p<0.01) were negatively correlated with distress tolerance. Mediation analyses showed that the direct path from stressful life events to suicide risk was not significant (B= 0.012, 95% confidence interval (CI) [-0.017, 0.042]). Stressful life events affected suicide risk indirectly through distress tolerance (B= 0.018, 95% CI [0.007, 0.031]), and the mediating effect accounted for 60.0% of the total effect.

Conclusion

Distress tolerance completely played a mediating role between stressful life events and suicide risk. Further suicide prevention and intervention strategies should focus on increasing levels of distress tolerance in patients with MDD.
The balance between lung regulatory T cells and Th17 cells is a risk indicator for the acute exacerbation of interstitial lung disease after surgery: a case-control study
Authors: Fukui Mariko , Harada Norihiro , Takamochi Kazuya , Hayashi Takuo , Matsunaga Takeshi , Hattori Aritoshi , Kawagoe Izumi , Suzuki Kenji
Published: February 2023

Background

Acute exacerbation (AE) of interstitial lung disease (ILD) (AE-ILD) is a life-threatening condition and the leading cause of 30-day mortality among patients who underwent pulmonary resection for lung cancer in Japan. This study was conducted to clarify the characteristics of the immune environment of lung tissues before the onset of AE-ILD.

Methods

This retrospective matched case-control study compared the immune phenotypes of helper T cells in lung tissues from patients with and without AE-ILD after surgery. In total, 135 patients who underwent surgical resection for lung cancer and were pathologically diagnosed with idiopathic interstitial pneumonia (IIP) at our institute between 2009 and 2018 were enrolled. Thirteen patients with AE-IIP and 122 patients without AE (non-AE) were matched using a propensity score analysis, and 12 cases in each group were compared. We evaluated the percentages of T helper (Th)1, Th2, Th17, regulatory T (Treg), and CD8 cells in CD3+ T cells and the Th1:Th2, Th17:Treg, and CD8:Treg ratios in patients with AE by immunostaining of lung tissues in the non-tumor area.

Results

We found a significant difference in the lung Th17:Treg ratio between the AE and non-AE groups (1.47 and 0.79, p = 0.041). However, we detected no significant differences in the percentages of lung Th1 (21.3% and 29.0%), Th2 (34.2% and 42.7%), Th17 (22.3% and 21.6%), Treg (19.6% and 29.1%), and CD8+ T cells (47.2% and 42.2%) of CD3+ T cells between the AE and non-AE groups.

Conclusion

The ratio of Th17:Treg cells in lung tissues was higher in participants in the AE group than in those in the non-AE group.

Clinical Trial Registration

This study was approved by the ethics committee of our institute (2,016,095).
Serum creatinine trajectory after drainage of kidneys with bilateral malignant ureteral obstruction: a prospective non-randomized comparative study
Authors: Gadelkareem Rabea Ahmed , Abdelraouf Ahmed Mahmoud , El-Taher Ahmed Mohammed , Ahmed Abdelfattah Ibrahim , Shalaby Mahmoud Mohamad
Published: February 2023

Background

Serum creatinine trajectory (SCr-Tr) is a neglected prognostic tool for chronic and acute kidney injury. We aimed to assess the predictors of SCr-Tr during the time-to-nadir and serum creatinine (SCr) normalization rate after drainage, using percutaneous nephrostomy in patients with bilateral malignant ureteral obstruction.

Methods

A prospective non-randomized study was performed on SCr-Tr in patients with bilateral malignant ureteral obstruction from August 2019 to March 2022. The primary outcome was SCr-Tr during the time-to-nadir.

Results

This study included 102 patients with a mean age ± SD of 59.6 ± 14.7 years. SCr-Tr was non-linear with a mean ± SD (range) of 0.5 ± 0.4 (0.03–2.3) mg/dl/day. Multivariate analyses revealed that female gender (p = 0.016), body mass index (BMI; p = 0.005), and SCr at presentation (p < 0.001) were predictors of rapid SCr-Tr during the time-to-nadir. However, age (p = 0.008) and low urine output at presentation (p = 0.015) were associated with a lower SCr-Tr. In contrast, laterality of drainage (p = 0.544) and mean parenchymal thickness (p = 0.066) were not associated with mean SCr-Tr. Also, only the mean parenchymal thickness (p = 0.002) was a predictor of rapid SCr-Tr at ≥ 0.5 mg/dl/day. However, low BMI (p = 0.023) was associated with a high SCr normalization rate, while unilateral drainage (p = 0.045) was associated with a lower rate.

Conclusions

Female gender, low BMI, and SCr at presentation were predictors of rapid SCr-Tr during the time-to-nadir. Bilateral drainage was an independent predictor of SCr normalization rate, but not of rapid SCr-Tr. The mean parenchymal thickness was the only independent predictor for rapid SCr-Tr at ≥ 0.5 mg/dl/day.
Effect of systemic antiresorptive medication on the histopathological parameters of implant osseointegration in an in vivo rodent study
Authors: Kniha Kristian , Hermanns-Sachweh Benita , Möhlhenrich Stephan Christian , Peters Florian , Heitzer Marius , Winnand Philipp , Hölzle Frank , Modabber Ali
Published: February 2023

Background

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the osseointegration of zirconia and titanium implants in the rat maxilla in specimens under systemic antiresorptive therapy.

Materials and methods

After 4 weeks of systematic medication administration (either zoledronic acid or alendronic acid), 54 rats received one zirconia and one titanium implants that were immediately inserted in the rat maxilla after tooth extraction. Twelve weeks after implant placement, histopathological samples were evaluated for implant osteointegration parameters.

Results

The bone-implant-contact (BIC) ratio revealed no significant inter-group or inter-material differences. The distance between the implant shoulder to the bone level was significantly greater around the titanium implants of the zoledronic acid group compared to the zirconia implants of the control group (p = 0.0005). On average, signs of new bone formation could be detected in all groups, although often without statistical differences. Signs of bone necrosis were only detected around the zirconia implants of the control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

At the 3-month follow-up, no implant material was demonstrably better than the others in terms of osseointegration metrics under systemic antiresorptive therapy. Further studies are necessary to determine whether there are differences in the osseointegration behavior of the different materials.
Patient care ownership in medical students: a validation study
Authors: Wyatt Tasha R. , Wood Elena A. , Waller Jennifer L. , Egan Sarah C. , Stepleman Lara M.
Published: February 2023

Background

Psychological Ownership is the cognitive-affective state individuals experience when they come to feel they own something. The construct is context-dependent reliant on what is being owned and by whom. In medical education, this feeling translates to what has been described as “Patient Care Ownership,” which includes the feelings of responsibility that physicians have for patient care. In this study, we adapted an instrument on Psychological Ownership that was originally developed for business employees for a medical student population. The aim of this study was to collect validity evidence for its fit with this population.

Methods

A revised version of the Psychological Ownership survey was created and administered to 182 medical students rotating on their clerkships in 2018–2019, along with two other measures, the Teamwork Assessment Scale (TSA) and Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) Survey. A confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was conducted, which indicated a poor fit between the original and revised version. As a result, an exploratory factor analysis (EFA) was conducted and validity evidence was gathered to assess the new instruments’ fit with medical students.

Results

The results show that the initial subscales proposed by Avey et al. (i.e. Territoriality, Accountability, Belongingness, Self-efficacy, and Self-identification) did not account for item responses in the revised instrument when administered to medical students. Instead, four subscales (Team Inclusion, Accountability, Territoriality, and Self-Confidence) better described patient care ownership for medical students, and the internal reliability of these subscales was found to be good. Using Cronbach’s alpha, the internal consistency among items for each subscale, includes: Team Inclusion (0.91), Accountability (0.78), Territoriality (0.78), and Self-Confidence (0.82). The subscales of Territoriality, Team Inclusion, and Self-Confidence were negatively correlated with the 1-item Burnout measure (P = 0.01). The Team Inclusion subscale strongly correlated with the Teamwork Assessment Scale (TSA), while the subscales of Accountability correlated weakly, and Self-Confidence and Territoriality correlated moderately.

Conclusion

Our study provides preliminary validity evidence for an adapted version of Avey et al.’s Psychological Ownership survey, specifically designed to measure patient care ownership in a medical student population. We expect this revised instrument to be a valuable tool to medical educators evaluating and monitoring students as they learn how to engage in patient care ownership.
Application of a novel biological-nanoparticle pretreatment to Oscillatoria acuminata biomass and coculture dark fermentation for improving hydrogen production
Authors: El-Sheekh Mostafa , Elshobary Mostafa , Abdullah Eman , Abdel-Basset Refat , Metwally Metwally
Published: February 2023

Background

Energy is the basis and assurance for a world's stable development; however, as traditional non-renewable energy sources deplete, the development and study of renewable clean energy have emerged. Using microalgae as a carbon source for anaerobic bacteria to generate biohydrogen is a clean energy generation system that both local and global peers see as promising.

Results

Klebsiella pneumonia,Enterobacter cloacae, and their coculture were used to synthesize biohydrogen usingOscillatoria acuminatabiomass via dark fermentation. The total carbohydrate content inO. acuminatawas 237.39 mg/L. To enhance the content of fermentable reducing sugars, thermochemical, biological, and biological with magnesium zinc ferrite nanoparticles (Mg-Zn Fe2O4-NPs) pretreatments were applied. Crude hydrolytic enzymes extracted fromTrichoderma harzianumof biological pretreatment were enhanced by Mg-Zn Fe2O4-NPs and significantly increased reducing sugars (230.48 mg/g) four times than thermochemical pretreatment (45.34 mg/g).K. pneumoniademonstrated a greater accumulated hydrogen level (1022 mLH2/L) thanE. cloacae(813 mLH2/L), while their coculture showed superior results (1520 mLH2/L) and shortened the production time to 48 h instead of 72 h in single culture pretreatments. Biological pretreatment + Mg-Zn Fe2O4NPs using coculture significantly stimulated hydrogen yield (3254 mLH2/L), hydrogen efficiency)216.9 mL H2/g reducing sugar( and hydrogen production rate (67.7 mL/L/h) to the maximum among all pretreatments.

Conclusion

These results confirm the effectiveness of biological treatments + Mg-Zn Fe2O4-NPs and coculture dark fermentation in upregulating biohydrogen production.
Consideration of pathways for immunotoxicity of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)
Authors: Ehrlich Veronika , Bil Wieneke , Vandebriel Rob , Granum Berit , Luijten Mirjam , Lindeman Birgitte , Grandjean Philippe , Kaiser Andreas-Marius , Hauzenberger Ingrid , Hartmann Christina , Gundacker Claudia , Uhl Maria
Published: February 2023

Background

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are of public health concern, because of their ubiquitous and extremely persistent occurrence, and depending on their structure, their bio-accumulative, mobile and toxic properties. Human health effects associated with exposure to PFAS include adverse effects on the immune system. In 2020, EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) defined adverse effects on the immune system as the most critical effect for human health risk assessment, based on reduced antibody responses to childhood vaccines and similar effects observed in experimental animal studies. Likewise, the U.S. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) considers PFAS-induced immunotoxicity, especially in children, as the critical effect for risk assessment. However, the mechanisms by which antibody concentrations are impacted are not completely understood. Furthermore, other targets of the immune system functions have been reported in the literature.

Objective

The aim of this review is to explore PFAS-associated immune-related effects. This includes, relevant mechanisms that may underlie the observed effects on the immune system, immunosuppression as well as immunoenhancement, such as i) modulation of cell signalling and nuclear receptors, such as NF-κB and PPARs; ii) alteration of calcium signalling and homoeostasis in immune cells; iii) modulation of immune cell populations; iv) oxidative stress and v) impact on fatty acid metabolism & secondary effects on the immune system.

Methods

A literature research was conducted using three databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus), which were searched in July 2021 for relevant studies published in the time frame from 2018 to 2021. In total, 487 publications were identified as potentially eligible and following expert-based judgement, articles relevant for mechanisms of PFAS induced immunotoxicity are discussed.

Conclusions

Taken together, we show that there is substantial evidence from both in vitro and in vivo experimental as well as epidemiological studies, supporting that various PFAS, not only PFOA and PFOS, affect multiple aspects of the immune system. Timing of exposure is critical, because the developing immune system is especially vulnerable to toxic insults, resulting in a higher risk of particularly adverse immune effects but also other organs later in life.
Biodegradable nanoplatform upregulates tumor microenvironment acidity for enhanced cancer therapy via synergistic induction of apoptosis, ferroptosis, and anti-angiogenesis
Authors: Zhang Caiyun , Wang Peng , Zhang Ya’ nan , Lu Pengpeng , Huang Xiaodan , Wang Yinfeng , Ran Lang , Xin Huan , Xu Xiaotong , Gao Wenjuan , Sun Yu , Zhang Li , Zhang Guilong
Published: February 2023

Chemodynamic therapy of cancer is limited by insufficient endogenous H2O2 generation and acidity in the tumor microenvironment (TME). Herein, we developed a biodegradable theranostic platform (pLMOFePt-TGO) involving composite of dendritic organosilica and FePt alloy, loaded with tamoxifen (TAM) and glucose oxidase (GOx), and encapsulated by platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGFB)-labeled liposomes, that effectively uses the synergy among chemotherapy, enhanced chemodynamic therapy (CDT), and anti-angiogenesis. The increased concentration of glutathione (GSH) present in the cancer cells induces the disintegration of pLMOFePt-TGO, releasing FePt, GOx, and TAM. The synergistic action of GOx and TAM significantly enhanced the acidity and H2O2 level in the TME by aerobiotic glucose consumption and hypoxic glycolysis pathways, respectively. The combined effect of GSH depletion, acidity enhancement, and H2O2 supplementation dramatically promotes the Fenton-catalytic behavior of FePt alloys, which, in combination with tumor starvation caused by GOx and TAM-mediated chemotherapy, significantly increases the anticancer efficacy of this treatment. In addition, T2-shortening caused by FePt alloys released in TME significantly enhances contrast in the MRI signal of tumor, enabling a more accurate diagnosis. Results of in vitro and in vivo experiments suggest that pLMOFePt-TGO can effectively suppress tumor growth and angiogenesis, thus providing an exciting potential strategy for developing satisfactory tumor theranostics.
The relationship of reproductive factors with adiposity and body shape indices changes overtime: findings from a community-based study
Authors: Amiri Mina , Mousavi Maryam , Azizi Fereidoun , Ramezani Tehrani Fahimeh
Published: February 2023

Background

Studies focusing on the relationships of adiposity and body shape indices with reproductive factors have reported conflicting results. This study aimed to investigate the influence of reproductive factors on adiposity and body shape indices changes overtime.

Materials and methods

In this community-based prospective study, 1636 postmenopausal women were selected from Tehran Lipid and Glucose Study (TLGS). The unadjusted and adjusted Generalized Estimating Equation models (GEE) were applied to investigate secular longitudinal trends of adiposity and body shape indices.

Results

According to the adjusted GEE models, mean changes in body mass index (BMI) in women with early menarche was 1.18 kg/m2 higher than those with normal menarche age (P = 0.030). Moreover, the mean changes in BMI overtime were 0.11 kg/m2 higher in women with premature/early menopausal age than those with normal menopausal age (P = 0.012). Mean changes of waist circumference (WC) in women with late menopause were 2.27 cm higher than those with normal menopausal age (P = 0.036). We also observed higher mean changes in a body shape index (ABSI) in women with late menopause (P = 0.037), compared to those with normal menopausal age. We found a marginal effect of parity on BMI and WC as well.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated higher BMI in females with earlier menarche age. We also showed higher values of BMI overtime in women with premature/ early menopause, whereas women with late menopausal age had higher WC and ABSI values. However, more longitudinal studies investigating body composition indices by adjusting all potential confounders are still required to confirm our study findings.
Comparison of retrograde anatomy iliac bone flap grafting versus anterograde anatomy iliac bone flap grafting for treatment of osteonecrosis of the femoral head
Authors: Wu Panfeng , Xiao Yu , Qing Liming , Tang Juyu , Huang Chengxiong , Cao Zheming
Published: February 2023

Background

Iliac bone flap with deep circumflex iliac artery is a common option in the treatment of Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH), and dissection of iliac bone flap is the key step for successful operation. This paper aims to introduce a new operative technique for dissecting iliac bone flap with deep circumflex iliac artery based on analysis of its advantages.

Methods

A total of 49 patients treated by retrograde anatomy and 52 patients treated by anterograde anatomy from January 2010 to December 2020 were recruited. The two groups were then compared in terms of the preoperative baseline conditions, intraoperative data, and postoperative Harris hip score (HHS).

Results

Compared with the retrograde anatomy group, the anterograde anatomy group had a significantly longer operating time, a significantly heavier intraoperative blood loss, a significantly higher rate of donor complication morbidity, a significantly higher rate of donor–recipient delayed healing, a significantly higher failure rate of iliac bone flap resection, a significantly higher rate of lateral femoral cutaneous nerve (LFCN) injury, and a significantly higher rate of ectopic ossification. No difference was found in postoperative HHS score between the two groups.

Conclusion

As a new operative technique that can accurately locate the nutrient vessels of the iliac bone flap and quickly dissect the iliac bone flap with deep circumflex iliac artery while maintaining a comparable clinical effect, retrograde anatomy exhibited distinct advantages over anterograde anatomy in terms of simpler intraoperative operation, safer dissection, shorter operation time, lower blood loss, and fewer donor complications.

Level of evidence

III, Retrospective.