bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated SWAT-MODFLOW model to study saltwater intrusion in Da Nang coastal city
Authors: Nguyen Bach Thao , Khoa Thi Van Le
Published: August 2022

This study applied an integrated surface water-groundwater (SW-GW) model, SWAT-MODFLOW to study interaction of surface and groundwater than simulate saltwater intrusion at a regional scale in Da Nang coastal city, center of Vietnam. Model components were calibrated and validated using monthly river flow data and hydraulic head data for the 2005-2020 period and showed good agreement with observed data. The results demonstrated that GW-SW exchange in the upstream areas had the most pronounced fluctuation between the wet and dry months under historical conditions. The combined potential impact is that intensive groundwater use may have more immediate effects on river flow than those of climate change, which has important implications for water resources management and supply in the future. The results showed that the total average recharge to groundwater from the rivers was varied from 12046 to 23147 m3/d relative to 50 – 74% of water resources in rain and dry season. Saltwater intrusion intrusion in 2020 is about 100 km2. In the area of Son Tra and Ngu Hanh Son districts, groundwater pumping must be reduced to zero, in some other areas, pumping rate do not exceed 250 to 1000 m3/day with distance to coastline at least 500 to 1400m depends on each area.
Improvement of atmospheric jet-array plasma uniformity assisted by artificial neural networks
Authors: ZHENG Shulei , NIE Qiuyue , HUANG Tao , HOU Chunfeng , WANG Xiaogang
Published: August 2022

Atmospheric pressure plasma jet (APPJ) arrays have shown a potential in a wide range of applications ranging from material processing to biomedicine. In these applications, targets with complex three-dimensional structures often easily affect plasma uniformity. However, the uniformity is usually crucially important in application areas such as biomedicine, etc. In this work, the flow and electric field collaborative modulations are used to improve the uniformity of the plasma downstream. Taking a two-dimensional sloped metallic substrate with a 10° inclined angle as an example, the influences of both flow and electric field on the electron and typical active species distributions downstream are studied based on a multi-field coupling model. The electric and flow fields modulations are first separately applied to test the influence. Results show that the electric field modulation has an obvious improvement on the uniformity of plasma while the flow field modulation effect is limited. Based on such outputs, a collaborative modulation of both fields is then applied, and shows a much better effect on the uniformity. To make further advances, a basic strategy of uniformity improvement is thus acquired. To achieve the goal, an artificial neural network method with reasonable accuracy is then used to predict the correlation between plasma processing parameters and downstream uniformity properties for further improvement of the plasma uniformity. An optional scheme taking advantage of the flexibility of APPJ arrays is then developed for practical demands.
Immunocompetent brain organoids—microglia enter the stage
Authors: Sabate-Soler Sonia , Bernini Michela , Schwamborn Jens Christian
Published: August 2022

Microglia, the immune cells of the brain, are a focus of studies in neurodegenerative diseases. Similarly, research about induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived whole brain and region-specific organoids is increasing. In organoids, the complexity of the culture systems increases, mimicking better the actual scenario in the human brain. Furthermore, animal models do not always recapitulate human neurodegeneration, and they imply more ethical concerns compared to organoid systems. Recently the integration of iPSC-derived microglia into brain organoids has been achieved, and on-chip technologies have been focusing on microglia interaction with neural cells. In this review, we discuss the achievements on integrating microglia into brain organoids. We study the cell organization, ultrastructure and cell signalling of microglia with respect to other cell types in organoids as well as their functionality in the system. A particular focus here is on the interaction with the midbrain and dopaminergic systems. Finally, we discuss the achievements until now concerning neuroinflammation and disease modelling, and the possible therapeutic approaches targeting microglia and neuroinflammation in 3D systems.
Perioperative care for older people
Authors: Partridge Judith S L , Moonesinghe S Ramani , Lees Nicholas , Dhesi Jugdeep K
Published: August 2022

Increasing numbers of older people are undergoing surgery with benefits including symptom relief and extended longevity. Despite these benefits, older people are more likely than younger patients to experience postoperative complications, which are predominantly medical as opposed to surgical. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and optimisation offers a systematic approach to risk assessment and risk modification in the perioperative period. Clinical evidence shows that Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and optimisation reduces postoperative medical complications and is cost effective in the perioperative setting. These benefits have been observed in patients undergoing elective and emergency surgery. Challenges in the implementation of perioperative Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and optimisation services are acknowledged. These include the necessary involvement of a wide stakeholder group, limited available geriatric medicine workforce and ensuring fidelity to Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment methodology with adaptation to the local context. Addressing these challenges needs a cross-specialty, interdisciplinary approach underpinned by evidence-based medicine and implementation science with upskilling to facilitate innovative use of the extended workforce. Future delivery of quality patient-centred perioperative care requires proactive engagement with national audit, collaborative guidelines and establishment of networks to share best practice.
Volumetric Assessment of the Anterior Digastric Muscles: A Deeper Understanding of the Volumetric Changes With Aging
Authors: McCleary Sean P , Moghadam Shahrzad , Le Christina , Perez Kevin , Nahabet Edward , Sim Myung-Shin , Roostaeian Jason
Published: August 2022

Background

Targeting the deeper, subplatysmal structures in the neck has recently grown in popularity. In particular, interventions targeting the “bulky” anterior digastric (AD) muscle have been described with excellent results. However, much remains to be understood about the deep anatomy of the neck and the age-associated changes of the AD.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between AD volume and age.

Methods

This retrospective study calculated the AD volume from MRI segmentation in subjects between the ages of 20 to 92 years, scans of whom had previously been recorded. Those with compromised imaging due to pathology or artifact were excluded. Subjects were divided into 4 age-defined cohorts for clinical applicability.

Results

This study included 129 patients (male n = 64) with a mean age of 52.3. The AD volume of the reference group was 3.2 cm3. A linear decrease in muscle volume was observed with age compared with the reference group: 2.95 cm3 in the 45- to 54-year-old cohort (P = 0.3), 2.7 cm3 in the 55- to 64-year-old cohort (P = 0.05), and 2.45 cm3 in the >65-year-old cohort (P < 0.001). Male sex (P = 0.0001) and laterality (P = 0.003) were associated with significantly larger volumes. Overweight and obese BMI classification was not associated with a significantly different volume than normal or underweight subjects (P = 0.067).

Conclusions

The study findings suggest an age-associated reduction in AD volume. Gender and laterality significantly affected volume, whereas BMI did not. Although the results do not support the theory of muscular hypertrophy with aging, they reveal that the perceived bulkiness may be due to changes in the surrounding anatomy affecting the morphology of the AD and subsequent blunting of the cervicomental angle.
Men’s Experiences and Psychological Outcomes of Nonsurgical Medical Penile Girth Augmentation: A Preliminary Prospective Study
Authors: Sharp Gemma , Fernando Anne Nileshni , Oates Jayson , McEvoy Peter
Published: August 2022

Background

The popularity of penile augmentation procedures is increasing, but investigation into men’s experiences with these procedures and their impact on psychological well-being is lacking.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to investigate men’s experiences with nonsurgical medical penile girth augmentation and assess, based on valid psychological measures, the impacts these procedures have on psychological well-being.

Methods

Men seeking to undergo a girth augmentation (n = 19) completed an online questionnaire prior to their procedure and 6 months later that contained standardized measures assessing impacts of the procedure, penile size self-discrepancy, body dysmorphic disorder, psychological distress, self-esteem, and body image–related quality of life. Girth size was also measured preprocedure and 6 months postprocedure for a subsample of men.

Results

Almost half of the men reported positive impacts of “increased self-confidence” and “increased sexual pleasure” after their procedure. Despite an average girth increase of 3.29 cm, the men still perceived that their penile girth and length was less than what they should be or less than the ideal size after their augmentation procedure. However, this perceived discrepancy was significantly smaller than before their procedures. Prior to the procedure, the men who met diagnostic criteria for body dysmorphic disorder according to self-reported questionnaire (11%, n = 2/19) and clinical interview (7%, n = 1/15) lost this diagnosis at 6 months. There were no changes in psychological distress, self-esteem, or body image–related quality of life from pre- to postprocedure.

Conclusions

Men report positive impacts on their lives after penile girth augmentation, but impacts on broader psychological well-being are mixed.

Level of Evidence: 4
Clinical Severity of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 Omicron Variant Relative to Delta in British Columbia, Canada: A Retrospective Analysis of Whole-Genome Sequenced Cases
Authors: Harrigan Sean P , Wilton James , Chong Mei , Abdia Younathan , Velasquez Garcia Hector , Rose Caren , Taylor Marsha , Mishra Sharmistha , Sander Beate , Hoang Linda , Tyson John , Krajden Mel , Prystajecky Natalie , Janjua Naveed Z , Sbihi Hind
Published: August 2022

Background

In late 2021, the Omicron severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variant emerged and rapidly replaced Delta as the dominant variant. The increased transmissibility of Omicron led to surges in case rates and hospitalizations; however, the true severity of the variant remained unclear. We aimed to provide robust estimates of Omicron severity relative to Delta.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted with data from the British Columbia COVID-19 Cohort, a large provincial surveillance platform with linkage to administrative datasets. To capture the time of cocirculation with Omicron and Delta, December 2021 was chosen as the study period. Whole-genome sequencing was used to determine Omicron and Delta variants. To assess the severity (hospitalization, intensive care unit [ICU] admission, length of stay), we conducted adjusted Cox proportional hazard models, weighted by inverse probability of treatment weights (IPTW).

Results

The cohort was composed of 13 128 individuals (7729 Omicron and 5399 Delta). There were 419 coronavirus disease 2019 hospitalizations, with 118 (22%) among people diagnosed with Omicron (crude rate = 1.5% Omicron, 5.6% Delta). In multivariable IPTW analysis, Omicron was associated with a 50% lower risk of hospitalization compared with Delta (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.43 to 0.59), a 73% lower risk of ICU admission (aHR = 0.27, 95% CI = 0.19 to 0.38), and a 5-day shorter hospital stay (aß = −5.03, 95% CI = −8.01 to −2.05).

Conclusions

Our analysis supports findings from other studies that have demonstrated lower risk of severe outcomes in Omicron-infected individuals relative to Delta.
Cardiovascular complications of immune checkpoint inhibitors for cancer
Authors: Thuny Franck , Naidoo Jarushka , Neilan Tomas G
Published: August 2022

Over the last decade or so, there has been a paradigm shift in the oncologic care of patients with a range of solid tumour and haematologic malignancies, away from traditional cytotoxic chemotherapy and towards personalized cancer treatments, using both targeted therapy and immunotherapy. This shift has contributed to the remarkable and sustained increase in the number of cancer survivors and the longevity of patients with a cancer diagnosis. This review will focus on the cardiovascular effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors and will present a background on immune checkpoint inhibition for cancer, the epidemiology, potential mechanisms, the potential insights into cardiovascular biology, and a diagnostic and therapeutic approach to potential cases. Our understanding of the cardiovascular effects of immune checkpoint inhibitors needs to improve. However, the evolution necessarily needs to be rapid. Initial observations noted that immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy can lead to a fulminant myocarditis. Recent reports have expanded the effect of immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy on the cardiovascular system to include an increase in cardiac dysfunction without myocarditis, arrhythmias, venous thromboembolic disease, accelerated atherosclerosis, and atherosclerosis-related cardiovascular events. The association between immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy and an increase in these cardiovascular events is not only limited to events occurring within the first few weeks after starting therapy but can also include events that occur months to years after therapy. The latter observation is especially of relevance in those treated with adjuvant or neoadjuvant therapy. There needs to be a shift from recognition of an increase in cardiovascular events to currently approved immune checkpoint inhibitor therapies to understanding the mechanisms that lead to adverse cardiovascular effects, understanding who is at risk, and understanding what we can do about it.
Review on the adsorption of airborne molecular contaminants in electronic industry cleanrooms
Authors: Lu Yuming , Cao Guoqing , Feng Xin , Wu Yanpeng
Published: August 2022

Chemical filters based on porous media can effectively adsorb airborne molecular contaminants (AMCs) in electronic industry cleanrooms. In this article, the adsorption principle, adsorption model and performance characterization and evaluation of porous media are summarized. In addition, future research directions related to porous media are proposed: (i) development of new porous media with specific functional groups and higher specific surface area, (ii) construction of a multi-scale adsorption model depending on both macro- and micro-scales and (iii) establishment of a new method for evaluating the adsorption performance of chemical filters in an approximate real environment with low concentration and multiple target AMCs.
A tale of two applications: lessons learned from national LMIC COVID applications
Authors: Winkie Mitchell J , Nambudiri Vinod E
Published: August 2022

Mobile health (mHealth) technologies in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) have received increased attention for the significant potential benefits they can bring to underserved populations. As smartphones are becoming increasingly accessible, many stakeholders in the mHealth space have begun exploring smartphone applications as a means to impact individuals living within LMICs. With the COVID-19 pandemic straining healthcare systems around the world, many governments in LMICs turned to use smartphone applications to help support and manage their pandemic responses. By analyzing national COVID-19 applications created and launched by the Indian and Vietnamese governments, we highlight effective application functions and strategies, summarizing best practices for future LMIC application development.
The Legacy of Mental Distress Following Physical Illness in Childhood: Findings From the Australian Temperament Project
Authors: Olsson Catherine M , Letcher Primrose , Greenwood Christopher J , Moore Katie , Olsson Craig A
Published: August 2022

Objective

Childhood physical illnesses have been associated with heightened risk for mental health problems in adolescence and young adulthood; however, little is known about the natural history of this relationship. Here, we examine the nature of mental health adjustment to illness from diagnosis in childhood into adolescence and young adult life.

Methods

Data were drawn from a large population-based cohort. Parents reported whether their child had a physical illness at 5–6 and 7–8 years and whether they believed their child was so sick it was thought they might die. Depression and anxiety symptoms were reported by parents (for children 7–10 years) and self-reports (11–28 years).

Results

A total of 1,001 (56%) parents reported their child had a physical illness. Of these parents, 143 (8%) believed their child might die. Findings indicated there was some evidence of higher levels of depressive and anxious symptoms across late childhood and into early adolescence for those reporting a physical illness in childhood. A similar pattern was observed for those who were so sick it was thought they might die, although symptoms were elevated to a greater extent.

Conclusion

Although physical illness in middle childhood is associated with higher levels of depressive and anxious symptoms, by early adolescence, these differences diminish, indicating a process of adaptation that persists into young adulthood. This suggests a potentially sensitive period of adjustment to illness for some, especially for children who it was feared might die. Additional psychosocial assessment and support may be warranted across the “acute” illness period.
Evolution of massive stellar triples and implications for compact object binary formation
Authors: Stegmann Jakob , Antonini Fabio , Moe Maxwell
Published: August 2022

Most back hole and neutron star progenitors are found in triples or higher multiplicity systems. Here, we present a new triple stellar evolution code, ${\tt TSE}$, which simultaneously takes into account the physics of the stars and their gravitational interaction. ${\tt TSE}$ is used to simulate the evolution of massive stellar triples in the galactic field from the zero-age main sequence until they form compact objects. To this end, we implement initial conditions that incorporate the observed high correlation between the orbital parameters of early-type stars. We show that the interaction with a tertiary companion can significantly impact the evolution of the inner binary. High eccentricities can be induced by the third-body dynamical effects, leading to a Roche lobe overflow or even to a stellar merger from initial binary separations 103–$10^5\, \rm R_\odot$. In $\sim 5\, {{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of the systems, the tertiary companion itself fills its Roche lobe, while $\sim 10\, {{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of all systems become dynamically unstable. We find that between $0.3{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ and $5{{\ \rm per\ cent}}$ of systems form a stable triple with an inner compact object binary, where the exact fraction depends on metallicity and the natal kick prescription. Most of these triples are binary black holes with black hole companions. We find no binary neutron star in any surviving triple, unless zero natal kicks are assumed. About half of all black hole binaries formed in our models are in triples, where in the majority, the tertiary black hole can perturb their long-term evolution. Our results show that triple interactions are key to a full understanding of massive star evolution and compact object binary formation.
The prokaryotic activity of the IGR IRESs is mediated by ribosomal protein S1
Authors: Roberts Luc , Wieden Hans-Joachim
Published: August 2022

Internal ribosome entry sites (IRESs) are RNA elements capable of initiating translation on an internal portion of a messenger RNA. The intergenic region (IGR) IRES of the Dicistroviridae virus family folds into a triple pseudoknot tertiary structure, allowing it to recruit the ribosome and initiate translation in a structure dependent manner. This IRES has also been reported to drive translation in Escherichia coli and to date is the only described translation initiation signal that functions across domains of life. Here we show that unlike in the eukaryotic context the tertiary structure of the IGR IRES is not required for prokaryotic ribosome recruitment. In E. coli IGR IRES translation efficiency is dependent on ribosomal protein S1 in conjunction with an AG-rich Shine-Dalgarno-like element, supporting a model where the translational activity of the IGR IRESs is due to S1-mediated canonical prokaryotic translation.
RNA helicase-dependent gene looping impacts messenger RNA processing
Authors: Terrone Sophie , Valat Jessica , Fontrodona Nicolas , Giraud Guillaume , Claude Jean-Baptiste , Combe Emmanuel , Lapendry Audrey , Polvèche Hélène , Ameur Lamya Ben , Duvermy Arnaud , Modolo Laurent , Bernard Pascal , Mortreux Franck , Auboeuf Didier , Bourgeois Cyril F
Published: August 2022

DDX5 and DDX17 are DEAD-box RNA helicase paralogs which regulate several aspects of gene expression, especially transcription and splicing, through incompletely understood mechanisms. A transcriptome analysis of DDX5/DDX17-depleted human cells confirmed the large impact of these RNA helicases on splicing and revealed a widespread deregulation of 3′ end processing. In silico analyses and experiments in cultured cells showed the binding and functional contribution of the genome organizing factor CTCF to chromatin sites at or near a subset of DDX5/DDX17-dependent exons that are characterized by a high GC content and a high density of RNA Polymerase II. We propose the existence of an RNA helicase-dependent relationship between CTCF and the dynamics of transcription across DNA and/or RNA structured regions, that contributes to the processing of internal and terminal exons. Moreover, local DDX5/DDX17-dependent chromatin loops spatially connect RNA helicase-regulated exons with their cognate promoter, and we provide the first direct evidence that de novo gene looping modifies alternative splicing and polyadenylation. Overall our findings uncover the impact of DDX5/DDX17-dependent chromatin folding on pre-messenger RNA processing.
Amygdala neural ensemble mediates mouse social investigation behaviors
Authors: Wei Ji-an , Han Qing , Luo Zhihua , Liu Linglin , Cui Jing , Tan Jiahui , Chow Billy K C , So Kwok-Fai , Zhang Li
Published: August 2022

Innate social investigation behaviors are critical for animal survival and are regulated by both neural circuits and neuroendocrine factors. Our understanding of how neuropeptides regulate social interest, however, is incomplete at the current stage. In this study, we identified the expression of secretin (SCT) in a subpopulation of excitatory neurons in the basolateral amygdala. With distinct molecular and physiological features, BLASCT+ cells projected to the medial prefrontal cortex and were necessary and sufficient for promoting social investigation behaviors, whilst other basolateral amygdala neurons were anxiogenic and antagonized social behaviors. Moreover, the exogenous application of secretin effectively promoted social interest in both healthy and autism spectrum disorder model mice. These results collectively demonstrate a previously unrecognized group of amygdala neurons for mediating social behaviors and suggest promising strategies for social deficits.
Arginine metabolism regulates the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Li Jun-Yi , Guo Yan-Chao , Zhou Hai-Feng , Yue Tian-Tian , Wang Fa-Xi , Sun Fei , Wang Wen-Zhu
Published: August 2022

The pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is related to genetic susceptibility, enteric dysbiosis, and uncontrolled, chronic inflammatory responses that lead to colonic tissue damage and impaired intestinal absorption. As a consequence, patients with IBD are prone to nutrition deficits after each episode of disease resurgence. Nutritional supplementation, especially for protein components, is often implemented during the remission phase of IBD. Notably, ingested nutrients could affect the progression of IBD and the prognostic outcome of patients; therefore, they should be cautiously evaluated prior to being used for IBD intervention. Arginine (Arg) is a semi-essential amino acid required for protein synthesis and intimately associated with gut pathophysiology. To help optimize arginine-based nutritional intervention strategies, the present work summarizes that during the process of IBD, patients manifest colonic Arg deficiency and the turbulence of Arg metabolic pathways. The roles of Arg–nitric oxide (catalyzed by inducible nitric oxide synthase) and Arg–urea (catalyzed by arginases) pathways in IBD are debatable; the Arg–polyamine and Arg–creatine pathways are mainly protective. Overall, supplementation with Arg is a promising therapeutic strategy for IBD; however, the dosage of Arg may need to be carefully tailored for different individuals at different disease stages. Additionally, the combination of Arg supplementation with inhibitors of Arg metabolic pathways as well as other treatment options is worthy of further exploration.
A single amino acid transporter controls the uptake of priming-inducing beta-amino acids and the associated tradeoff between induced resistance and plant growth
Authors: Tao Chia-Nan , Buswell Will , Zhang Peijun , Walker Heather , Johnson Irene , Field Katie , Schwarzenbacher Roland , Ton Jurriaan
Published: August 2022

Selected β-amino acids, such as β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) and R-β-homoserine (RBH), can prime plants for resistance against a broad spectrum of diseases. Here, we describe a genome-wide screen of fully annotated Arabidopsis thaliana T-DNA insertion lines for impaired in RBH-induced immunity (iri) mutants against the downy mildew pathogen Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, yielding 104 lines that were partially affected and four lines that were completely impaired in RBH-induced resistance (IR). We confirmed the iri1-1 mutant phenotype with an independent T-DNA insertion line in the same gene, encoding the high-affinity amino acid transporter LYSINE HISTIDINE TRANSPORTER 1 (LHT1). Uptake experiments with yeast cells expressing LHT1 and mass spectrometry-based quantification of RBH and BABA in leaves of lht1 mutant and LHT1 overexpression lines revealed that LHT1 acts as the main transporter for cellular uptake and systemic distribution of RBH and BABA. Subsequent characterization of lht1 mutant and LHT1 overexpression lines for IR and growth responses revealed that the levels of LHT1-mediated uptake determine the tradeoff between IR and plant growth by RBH and BABA.
Predictors of in-hospital mortality in HIV-infected patients with COVID-19
Authors: Moreno-Torres V , de Mendoza C , Martínez-Urbistondo M , Mills P , Treviño A , de la Fuente S , Díaz de Santiago A , Calderón-Parra J , Pintos-Pascual I , Corpas M , Soriano V
Published: August 2022

Background

Underlying immunodeficiency is associated with severe COVID-19, but the prognosis of persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH) with COVID-19 is under debate.

Aim: assessment of the mortality rate and major determinants of death in HIV-infected patients hospitalized with COVID-19 in Spain before vaccine availability.

Design: Retrospective nationwide public database analysis.

Methods

Nationwide, retrospective, observational analysis of all hospitalizations with COVID-19 during year 2020 in Spain. Stratification was made according to HIV status. The National Registry of Hospital Discharges was used with the ICD-10 coding list.

Results

A total of 117 694 adults were hospitalized with COVID-19 during 2020. Only 234 (0.2%) were HIV-positives. More than 95% were on antiretroviral therapy. Compared to HIV-negatives, PWH were younger (mean age 53.2 vs. 66.5 years old; P<0.001) and more frequently male (74.8% vs. 56.6%; P<0.001). Most co-morbidities predisposing to severe COVID-19 (diabetes, hypertension, dementia and cardiovascular disease) were more frequent in HIV-negatives. In contrast, the rate of baseline liver disease was over 6-fold higher in PWH (27.4% vs. 4.4%; P<0.001). In-hospital mortality was lower in PWH (9.4% vs. 16%; P=0.004). In multivariate analysis, older age, dementia and especially advanced liver disease (relative risk (RR): 7.6) were the major determinants of death in PWH hospitalized with COVID-19.

Conclusion

HIV-infected patients hospitalized in Spain with COVID-19 during 2020 had better survival than HIV-negatives, most likely explained by younger age and lower rate of co-morbidities. However, advanced liver disease was a major predictor of death in PWH hospitalized with COVID-19.
Minimally invasive surgical approach for abdominoscrotal hydrocele treatment: A case report
Authors: Siracusano Salvatore , Monti Martina , Magli Igino Andrea , Romantini Federico , Di Bartolomeo Maria Paola , Bernardini Antonio , Vicentini Carlo
Published: August 2022

Abdominoscrotal hydrocele (ASH) is a rare clinical finding comprising fluid collection between the layers of the tunica vaginalis, extending from the scrotum to the abdominal cavity. At present, there is no unique or recommended management for ASH, and different surgical treatments have been proposed. Despite an open surgical approach being the most common treatment, the use of laparoscopy has also previously been described. The most common intraoperative complication is devascularization of the testis due to damage to the spermatic cord, with consequent orchiectomy. We present a case of ASH treated with minimally invasive surgery, consisting of a right inguinotomy with puncture of the ASH by positioning a mono-J stent avoiding spermatic cord dissection and the risk of testis devascularization. Sclerotization of the hydrocelic sac with iodopovidone through a mono-J stent was performed with healing from ASH and preservation of testicular vascularization. Two months later, magnetic resonance imaging showed the presence of scar tissue replacing the previous ASH cavity.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic changed treatment preferences of patients with proximal ureteral stones?
Authors: Yildiz Ali Kaan , Varan Ahmet , Kurt Hakan , Doluoglu Omer Gokhan , Ozgur Berat Cem
Published: August 2022

Background

The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on patient decision making remains uncertain. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the pandemic on treatment preferences of patients with proximal ureteral stones.

Materials and methods

Retrospective data regarding treatment preferences of patients diagnosed with symptomatic proximal ureteral stones between July 2018 and November 2021 at a single center were analyzed. Data from 493 patients were analyzed according to 2 groups, including patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic and those diagnosed during an equivalent period of time before the pandemic.

Results

Preference for conservative treatment increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.009). In patients who had previously undergone shock wave lithotripsy (SWL), the preference for SWL decreased and the preference for conservative treatment increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (p = 0.042). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed a significant correlation between a preference for conservative treatment during the pandemic and no prior spontaneous stone passage (p = 0.003; odds ratio [OR], 2.48; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.45–4.23), no hydronephrosis (p = 0.035; OR, 3.57; 95% CI, 1.34–9.49), and a visual analog scale score of 4 or less (p = 0.018; OR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.15–3.38).

Conclusions

A significant increase in the preference for conservative treatment was observed among patients diagnosed during the pandemic, and patients with a history of SWL demonstrated a preference shift from SWL to conservative treatment.
Association between ABO blood group and unfavorable prostate cancer features after radical prostatectomy: Retrospective study of 1149 patients
Authors: Porcaro Antonio Benito , Amigoni Nelia , Rizzetto Riccardo , Migliorini Filippo , Tafuri Alessandro , Piccoli Pierluigi , Tiso Leone , De Michele Mario , Bianchi Alberto , Gallina Sebastian , Ornaghi Paola Irene , Orlando Rossella , Cianflone Francesco , Gozzo Alessandra , Zecchini Antoniolli Stefano , Lacola Vincenzo , Brunelli Matteo , Cerruto Maria Angela , Artibani Walter , Antonelli Alessandro
Published: August 2022

Objectives

To test hypothesized associations between the ABO blood group (ABO-bg) system and the pathological features of prostate cancer (PCa).

Material and methods

Between January 2013 and September 2019, 1173 patients underwent radical prostatectomy. Associations between ABO-bg levels and pathological features were evaluated using statistical methods.

Results

Overall, 1149 consecutive patients were evaluated using the ABO-bg system, which was represented by O-bg (42.8%) and A-bg (41.3%), followed by B-bg (11.1%) and AB-bg (4.8%). Only positive surgical margins (PSMs) was correlated with ABO-bg (Pearson correlation coefficient, r = 0.071; p = 0.017), and the risk was increased in group-O (odds ratio [OR], 1.497; 95% confidence interval, 1.149–1.950; p = 0.003) versus non–O-bg. In clinical and pathological models, O-bg was at increased risk of PSM after the adjustment for prostate-specific antigen, percentage of biopsy-positive cores, and high surgical volume (adjusted OR, 1.546; 95% confidence interval, 1.180–2.026; p = 0.002); however, the adjusted OR did not change after the adjustment for tumor load and stage as well as high surgical volume.

Conclusions

In clinical PCa, the risk of PSM was higher in O-bg versus non–O-bg patients after the adjustment for standard predictors. Confirmatory studies are needed to confirm the association between ABO-bg and unfavorable PCa features.
Description of Audiologic, Developmental, Ophthalmologic, and Neurologic Diagnoses at a Primary Care Clinic for Children in Foster Care
Authors: Reynoso Melissa , McLeigh Jill , Malthaner Lauren Q. , Stone Kimberly E.
Published: August 2022

Objectives:

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of medically diagnosed audiologic, developmental, ophthalmologic, and neurologic conditions in a foster care primary care clinic and to identify any associations among these diagnoses and patient characteristics, placement type, and maltreatment type.

Methods:

This study used the electronic medical records for patients (n = 4977), aged 0 to 20 years, with at least 1 visit to an academic-affiliated medical center primary care clinic exclusively serving children in foster care between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2020. This study was a retrospective chart review. Descriptive statistics were calculated. Bivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine associations between the outcome variables and each independent variable. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed using only significant independent variables from the bivariate analysis.

Results:

Overall, 3.5% of children had an audiologic diagnosis, 42% had a developmental diagnosis, 9.0% had an ophthalmologic diagnosis, and 4.5% had a neurologic diagnosis. There were increased odds of developmental delay with child neglect and medical complexity and decreased odds with Hispanic ethnicity, Black race, female sex, obesity, and shelter placement.

Conclusion:

These findings add to the limited data regarding medically diagnosed audiologic, developmental, ophthalmologic, and neurologic conditions for children in foster care in a primary care setting. A medical home may help children in foster care, who experience many barriers to comprehensive health care, to better identify and address these health conditions. Future studies are needed that examine health outcomes of children in foster care with these health conditions followed in a medical home.
Infertility: a pathologic condition or selection against genetic incompatibility?
Authors: Kekäläinen Jukka
Published: August 2022

Infertility is currently regarded as a male or female-dependent pathologic condition. However, emerging evidence suggests that this may be an incomplete view as it misses the important fact that the gametes of some males and females often have higher compatibility than others. In this article, I present recent evidence demonstrating that female reproductive tract secretions in humans mediate “mate choice” at the level of the gametes, and this way likely bias fertilization toward immunologically or otherwise compatible males. A better understanding of this evolutionary selection process may open up novel possibilities for the future development of more personalized infertility diagnostics and treatments.
A common Matrix metalloproteinase 8 promoter haplotype enhances the risk for hypertension via diminished interactions with nuclear factor kappa B
Authors: Maghajothi Sakthisree , Subramanian Lakshmi , Mani Preethi , Singh Mrityunjay , Iyer Dhanya R. , Sharma Saurabh , Khullar Madhu , Victor Suma M. , Asthana Shailendra , Mullasari Ajit S. , Mahapatra Nitish R.
Published: August 2022

Objectives:

Matrix metalloproteinase 8 (MMP8) has a prominent role in collagen turnover in blood vessels and vascular remodeling. The contribution of regulatory single nucleotide polymorphisms in MMP8 to cardiovascular diseases is unclear. We aimed to delineate the influence of MMP8 promoter variations on hypertension.

Methods:

A case–control study in unrelated individuals (n = 2565) was carried out. Resequencing of the MMP8 proximal promoter, linkage disequilibrium analysis, genotyping of variants and regression analyses were performed. MMP8 promoter–reporter constructs were generated and expressed in human vascular endothelial cells under various conditions.

Results:

We identified four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of MMP8: −1089A/G (rs17099452), −815G/T (rs17099451), −795C/T (rs11225395), −763A/T (rs35308160); these SNPs form three major haplotypes. Hap3 (viz., GTTT haplotype) carriers showed significant associations with hypertension in two geographically distinct human populations (e.g., Chennai: odds ratio [OR] = 1.47, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.16–1.86, P = 2 × 10−3; Chandigarh: OR = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.21–2.81, P = 4 × 10−3). Hap3 carriers also displayed elevated systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure levels. Hap3 promoter–reporter construct showed lower promoter activity than the wild-type (Hap1) construct. In silico analysis and molecular dynamics studies predicted diminished binding of the transcription factor nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) to the functional −815T allele of Hap3 compared to the −815G wild-type allele; this prediction was validated by in-vitro experiments. Hap3 displayed impaired response to tumor necrosis factor-alpha treatment, possibly due to weaker binding of NF-κB. Notably, MMP8 promoter haplotypes were identified as independent predictors of plasma MMP8 and endothelial dysfunction markers (von Willebrand factor and endothelin-1) levels.

Conclusion:

MMP8 promoter GTTT haplotype has a functional role in reducing MMP8 expression during inflammation via diminished interaction with NF-κB and in enhancing the risk of hypertension.
Examining Relational Dimensions of Service Encounters for Disadvantaged People Who Use Drugs
Authors: Moensted Maja Lindegaard , Buus Niels , Day Carolyn A.
Published: August 2022

Introduction

Disadvantaged groups in general, and people who use illicit drugs in particular, have consistently been found to mistrust welfare services and service providers. Therefore, knowledge is needed on the relational aspects of service design that facilitate engagement and supportive relationships with disadvantaged consumers.

Methods

We draw on qualitative interviews investigating the experiences of adults with histories of problematic drug use participating in a health justice partnership, to identify facilitators of engagement from the perspective of the consumers.

Findings

Common relational facilitators of engagement were identified. These included embedding the service into the local community, foregrounding proximity and relationships in the service encounters, giving consumers' agency, priorities, and concerns primacy over program aims, and safe services acting as gateways to accessing a wider range of resources, services, and programs.

Conclusion/Contribution

The findings suggest that the centrality of relationships may be further heightened in services seeking to assist people in positions of severe disadvantage, including the drug and alcohol arena. In addition, the findings highlight the importance of services paying greater attention to how social and community embeddedness shapes experiences of inclusion and exclusion and designing services best able to accommodate this. This research contributes to the broader understanding of consumer engagement with services by developing a more nuanced understanding of consumer refusal and resistance to service engagement. These findings are important in the development of justice programs for disadvantaged people and people who use illicit substances specifically.
Expanded Conceptual Framework for Ethical Action by Nurses on the “Further Upstream and Farther Downstream” Determinants of Health Equity
Authors: Fornili Katherine Smith
Published: August 2022

Determinants of health (DOH) are key predictors of health, wellness, morbidity, and mortality. The more familiar social DOH are not the only DOH. By themselves, the social DOH do not adequately explain how individuals and populations achieve and maintain health equity or inequity. Other DOH also exert political, economic, and institutional forces at all levels of the socioecological systems in which humans interact with their environment.

According to the American Nurses Association, the Nursing Code of Ethics is a “non-negotiable moral standard for the profession” (Fowler, 2015a, p. viii). Provision 9 of the Code of Ethics states that social justice is of primary concern for social ethics (p. 159) and that professional nurses are obligated to advocate for and integrate principles of social justice into nursing practice and health policy (p. 151).

In search of conceptual explanations for these phenomena, and to locate health equity/inequity within a wide array of upstream DOH, a comprehensive review of the interdisciplinary professional literature and conceptual analysis were conducted. A new conceptual framework that acknowledges nursing's collective responsibility for ethical action for transformative change was developed. The framework addresses both “further upstream” antioppression efforts and “farther downstream” efforts to remediate the impacts of health inequity.

The purpose of this Policy Watch column was to introduce a new “Expanded Conceptual Framework for Ethical Action by Nurses on the ‘Further Upstream and Farther Downstream’ Determinants of Health Equity” (Fornili, 2022).
Standardizing Screening for Preeclampsia Risk Factors to Improve Prescribing of Low-Dose Aspirin
Authors: Burgess Adriane , Dalke Kara , Wheeling Julia , Clark Kelley
Published: August 2022

Preeclampsia is a serious health condition and leading cause of perinatal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Research supports the use of low-dose aspirin therapy to prevent preeclampsia in high-risk pregnant people. This quality improvement project outlines the implementation of a preeclampsia risk screen in the electronic health record to ensure standardized screening for, and provision of, low-dose aspirin therapy consistent with professional guidelines. Two thousand three hundred seventy-one patients were seen between March and November 2020 at 13 OB/GYN and family practice offices at a large health system in our state. Provider screening and prescribing rates were evaluated at the first prenatal visit, and at 3-month intervals using an analytics dashboard built in the EHR. In the first 3 months after rollout visits at all offices in our system (March to May 2020), the average screening rate during first prenatal visits at all offices was 74.2% (n = 561), 41% (n = 230) had a positive screen, and 81.3% (n = 187) of those who screened high risk were prescribed aspirin as recommended. At 9 months after rollout, the screening rate during first prenatal visits at all offices improved to 95.6% (n = 782), 39.6% (n = 310) of those screened, screened positive, and 97.1% (n = 301) were prescribed low-dose aspirin therapy appropriately.
Single-Sided Deafness: Using Cortical Auditory Evoked Potential to Improve Cochlear Implant Fitting
Authors: Távora-Vieira Dayse , Wedekind Andre , Voola Marcus
Published: August 2022

Objective

To investigate if acoustic cortical auditory evoked potential (aCAEP) measures can be used to verify the cochlear implant (CI) map and consequently improve auditory outcomes in adults with single-sided deafness (SSD).

Design

aCAEPs were measured in SSD-CI recipients using speech tokens /m/, /g/, /t/, and /s/. If aCAEP responses were present for all speech tokens at the outset, no map adjustments were implemented. If aCAEP responses were absent for one or more tokens, the map was adjusted until aCAEPs were observed for all four tokens. Speech in noise testing using BKB-SiN was performed before and after aCAEP recording. The results of the speech testing results at presurgery, 6, 12, and 24 months post-CI were also analyzed.

Results

Sixty-seven CI users with SSD participated in this study. All CIs had been mapped according to the conventional subjective loudness perception method. Twenty-three SSD-CI users exhibited an aCAEP response for all four speech tokens and were therefore considered optimized at outset. Forty-four participants lacked an aCAEP response from at least one speech token and had their most comfortable levels adjusted accordingly. Of these, map adjustments allowed aCAEPs to be elicited for all four speech tokens in 23 individuals. Speech in noise testing significantly improved pre– to post–aCAEP-based adjustment.

Conclusion

aCAEP recordings were successfully used to verify CI mapping and improve resultant speech outcomes in SSD-CI users.
Identification of key genes and pathways associated with diabetes of the exocrine pancreas
Authors: Yang Zheng , Li Shengqi , Liu Huaying , Su Qisheng , Li Xiaohong , Qiu Yulin , Mo Wuning
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to identify potential essential genes and pathways in diabetes of the exocrine pancreas (DEP) and explore possible molecular mechanisms. The array dataset GSE76895 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Pancreatic tissue samples from 20 Diabetes of the exocrine pancreas and 32 nondiabetic individuals were selected for analysis. GEO2R analyzed differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the 2 groups. Gene ontology annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes Genomes and Reactome pathway enrichment analyses and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis were performed in this study. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed using Cytoscape software, and core networks were identified using MCODE plugins. A total of 62 genes, including 59 up-regulated and 3 down-regulated genes, were differentially expressed in DEP samples compared with nondiabetic patients. PPI network with 53 nodes and 138 edges was established. HLA-DRA is identified as the central gene of the PPI network and maybe a marker gene for DEP. Furthermore, up-regulated DEGs are mainly enriched in pathways related to the immune system and infection. The results of this study suggest that HLA-DRA and immune system pathways may play essential roles in DEP.