bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Malignant transformation of oral potentially malignant disorders in Taiwan
Authors: Chiu Sheng-Fu , Ho Chung-Han , Chen Yi-Chen , Wu Li-Wha , Chen Yuh-Ling , Wu Jer-Horng , Wu Wei-Sheng , Hung Hui-Kun , Chiang Wei-Fan
Published: March 2021

Oral cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer death, which are mostly preceded by oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs). Taiwanese government launched a free oral cancer screening program. The aim of this study was to analyze the malignant transformation rate of OPMDs.

This study was based on national-wide oral screening databases. 3,362,232 people were enrolled. Patients clinically diagnosed with leukoplakia, erythroplakia, oral submucosal fibrosis (OSF), oral verrucous hyperplasia (OVH), and oral lichen planus (OLP), from 2010 to 2013, were identified. We followed up OPMD patients in cancer registry databases to analyze the malignant transformation rate.

The malignant transformation rates from the highest to the lowest were: OVH > OSF > erythroplakia > OLP > leukoplakia. The malignant transformation rate was 24.55, 12.76, 9.75, 4.23, and 0.60 per 1000 person-years in the OVH, OSF, erythroplakia, leukoplakia, and comparison cohort. The hazard ratio was 8.19 times higher in the OPMD group compared with comparison cohort group, after age and habit adjustment. Female patients with OPMDs had a high risk of malignant transformation.

Nationwide screening is very important for early diagnosis. OVH had the highest malignant transformation possibility. Female OPMD patients are a rare but have a relatively high malignant transformation rate.
Using a simple preliminary screening tool to explore related factors of osteoporosis in the elderly of southern Taiwan
Authors: Wu Li-Chu , Chen Hong-Jhe , Lin Wender , Kao Hsueh-Huib , Huang Pin-Fang
Published: March 2021

The aims of this study were to use a simple screening tool to explore related factors with osteoporosis in the elderly in the community of southern Taiwan.

This was an observational cross-sectional study using Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asia (OSTA), Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Taiwanese (OSTAi), and the basic demographic information to identify osteoporosis in the participants. This study collected data from 200 participants aged 65 and above and living in southern Taiwan.

The prevalence of osteoporosis among elders in the community was 30.5% (OSTA) and 58.0% (OSTAi), respectively. The prevalence of osteoporosis determined by OSTA and OSTAi in female (33.1% and 63.1%, respectively.) was higher than in male (25.7% and 48.6%, respectively.). Risk factors such as gender, age, and body mass index (BMI) were significantly associated with osteoporosis (P < .001). Using OSTA and OSTAi to assess the risk for osteoporosis, for every 1 year of age increase, the odds ratio (OR) value of osteoporosis increased by 1.84 and 1.50 times, respectively (P < .001); for every 1 kg/m2 increase in BMI, the OR of osteoporosis decreases by 0.36 and 0.44 times, respectively. The results of this study can be used a simple tool of OSTA and OSTAi self-examination to screen potential high-risk groups for osteoporosis in the community.

OSTA and OSTAi can screen for possible high-risk groups early and without invasive examinations and self-examination tools in a hospital. Low BMI poses higher risks of osteoporosis for the elderly, so increasing functional ability, improving muscle strength, maintaining exercise habits and keeping proper weight could prevent osteoporosis in the seniors.
Pre-surgical peripheral blood inflammation markers predict surgical site infection following mesh repair of groin hernia
Authors: Zhuo Yeye , Cai De , Chen Juntian , Zhang Qian , Li Xinxin
Published: March 2021

Surgical site infection (SSI) is a costly postoperative complication with a decrease in the quality of life. We aimed to probe the predictive role of peripheral blood inflammation markers for SSI following mesh repair of groin hernia (GH).

This retrospective study assessed the data of 1177 patients undergoing elective mesh repair of GH (open/laparoscopy) in the absence of antibiotic prophylaxis. The relation between demographics, surgical factors, pre-surgical laboratory results and the occurrence of SSI were investigated by univariate and multivariate analyses. Receiver operating characteristic analysis was performed to determine the optimal threshold of parameters and compare their veracity.

The overall SSI rate was 3.2% with 1-year follow-up (38 superficial and 1 deep SSI). Patients with SSI had significant higher pre-surgical neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) than those without (P = .029 and P = .045, respectively); their NLR and PLR correlated positively with postoperative total days of antibiotic treatment for SSI (r = .689, P = .000; r = .493, P = .001; respectively). NLR and PLR had larger areas under the receiver operating characteristics curves than neutrophil (.875 vs. .601; P = .000; .726 vs. .601; P = .017). The combination of PLR and neutrophil/NLR raised the predictive sensitivity of PLR for SSI (sensitivity: PLR: 74.36%; PLR + neutrophil: 82.05%; PLR + NLR: 83.57%). On multivariate analyses, higher preoperative NLR (cut-off 2.44) and PLR (cut-off 125.42) were independent predictors for SSI.

Higher pre-surgical NLR and PLR may be valuable predictors for SSI following elective mesh repair of GH.
Irrational beliefs surrounding the diagnosis of breast cancer in young Chinese women
Authors: Li Xingxing , Zhao Mingming , Dong Xiaomeng , Zhao Qiyuan , Zhang Xiuwei
Published: March 2021

An irrational belief is the direct cause of negative emotions and behavioral disorders in patients with breast cancer. Thus, this article examines these patients’ irrational beliefs, which helps improve the emotions and behavioral disorders of breast cancer patients. Chinese breast cancer patients have unique irrational beliefs due to the influence of Chinese traditional culture. To understand the irrational beliefs surrounding breast cancer diagnosis in young Chinese patients, we conducted an interpretative phenomenological study.

Semi-structured interviews were conducted in young Chinese breast cancer patients. According to Colaizzi method modified by Edward and Welsh, transcribed interviews were analyzed to understand patients’ irrational beliefs. Based on the theoretical framework, this study adopted interpretative phenomenology. Interpretive description was used to construct participants’ experiences of irrational beliefs. Thematic sufficiency was confirmed after 17 interviews.

Owing to the lack of knowledge about breast cancer, all participants were more susceptible to traditional Chinese culture, empiric theory, family reassurance, and healthcare providers’ behaviors, leading to patients’ irrational beliefs, negative emotions, and behavioral disorders.

This research confirms that irrational beliefs in young Chinese breast cancer patients are profoundly influenced by traditional Chinese culture. Chinese healthcare providers can use this information to provide targeted nursing, supportive services, and research, and help women identify their beliefs and understand how these beliefs affect their health.
Associations between body composition and cognitive function in an elderly Korean population
Authors: Seo Yun Kyung , Won Chang Won , Soh Yunsoo
Published: March 2021

The prevalence of obesity as well as cognitive impairment increases with age. Previous studies showed that obesity is associated with an increased risk of cognitive impairment and dementia. Body composition changes occur as part of the aging process; therefore, the assessment of obesity in elderly populations should include body composition as well as body weight. This study investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI), body composition, and cognitive function in a community-dwelling elderly Korean population.

This cohort-based cross-sectional analysis included 2386 elderly participants aged between 70 and 84 years from the Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study for 2016 to 2017. To investigate the relationship between body composition and cognitive function in community-dwelling individuals, BMI and body composition, including total and trunk fat mass and fat-free mass, were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Fat mass index (FMI), trunk fat mass index (TFMI), and fat-free mass index (FFMI) were used to represent the body composition. A short form of the Korean version of the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer disease was used to assess cognitive function. To evaluate the relationship between variables, simple and fully adjusted multivariable analyses were performed using generalized linear regression models.

The mean ages were 76.8 years for males and 76.1 years for females. The BMI of male participants was significantly lower than that of females (23.9 ± 2.89 vs 24.7 ± 3.02 kg/m2, P < .001). Among body composition parameters, the differences in FMI (6.44 ± 1.97 vs 9.29 ± 2.3 kg/m2), TFMI (3.68 ± 1.33 vs 5.03 ± 1.43 kg/m2), and FFMI (17.4 ± 1.64 vs 15.3 ± 1.39 kg/m2) were statistically significant. In linear regression analyses, BMI, FMI, and TFMI showed significant positive correlations with mini-mental state examination in the Korean version of the CERAD assessment packet; wordlist memory, recall, and recognition; and frontal assessment battery only in males. The significant positive correlations persisted even after fully adjusting for age, education periods, location of residence, depression, marriage, annual income, presence of diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, and hypertension. However, no significant correlations in either sex were observed between FFMI and cognitive functions in the fully adjusted models.

In this study, BMI, and fat mass-related indexes including FMI and TFMI showed a positive linear correlation with cognitive functions but not FFMI. Moreover, the findings were significant only in men. Besides the difference between sexes, the results of this study showed a more apparent correlation in fat mass than in fat-free mass that comprises body weight.
Rectal chloral hydrate sedation for computed tomography in young children with head trauma
Authors: Nie Quanmin , Hui Peiquan , Ding Haitao , Wang Zengwu
Published: March 2021

Children evaluated in the emergency department for head trauma often undergo computed tomography (CT), with some uncooperative children requiring pharmacological sedation. Chloral hydrate (CH) is a sedative that has been widely used, but its rectal use for child sedation after head trauma has rarely been studied. The objective of this study was to document the safety and efficacy of rectal CH sedation for cranial CT in young children.

We retrospectively studied all the children with head trauma who received rectal CH sedation for CT in the emergency department from 2016 to 2019. CH was administered rectally at a dose of 50 mg/kg body weight. When sedation was achieved, CT scanning was performed, and the children were monitored until recovery. The sedative safety and efficacy were analyzed.

A total of 135 children were enrolled in the study group, and the mean age was 16.05 months. The mean onset time was 16.41 minutes. Successful sedation occurred in 97.0% of children. The mean recovery time was 71.59 minutes. All of the vital signs were within normal limits after sedation, except 1 (0.7%) with transient hypoxia. There was no drug-related vomiting reaction in the study group. Adverse effects occurred in 11 patients (8.1%), but all recovered completely. Compared with oral CH sedation, rectal CH sedation was associated with quicker onset (P < .01), higher success rate (P < .01), and lower adverse event rate (P < .01).

Rectal CH sedation can be a safe and effective method for CT imaging of young children with head trauma in the emergency department.
Coexistence of an aberrant right subclavian artery and anomalous origins of bilateral vertebral arteries
Authors: Wu Yihong , Zhang Huayi , Tang Chenye
Published: March 2021

Rationale:

Anatomical variations in aortic arch (AA) branching are not unusual. Generally, these variations are asymptomatic and are diagnosed incidentally. Here, we report a rare case of a middle-aged female patient with an aberrant right subclavian artery (ARSA) associated with anomalous origins of the bilateral vertebral arteries (VAs).

Patient concerns:

The patient treated for urolithiasis complained of repeated dizziness for several years.

Diagnoses:

Echocardiography and computed tomography angiography (CTA) confirmed arterial variations. Moreover, mild stenosis was found in the left common carotid artery (LCCA), which was considered to be the cause of dizziness.

Interventions:

Congenital anomalous arteries were not necessary to intervene urgently, but aspirin and atorvastatin were administered to prevent potential thrombosis attributed to vascular stenosis after completing the operation for urolithiasis.

Outcomes:

Whether the symptoms will be alleviated or not should be continuously followed up, and the patient may accept interventional therapy in the future if necessary.

Lessons:

Here, we report the rare variation of AA branches and highlight the importance of preoperative vascular assessment in surgical or interventional procedures for the affected body regions.
Preoperative disseminated intravascular coagulation complicated by thoracic aortic aneurysm treated using recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin
Authors: Tanigawa Yoshinori , Yamada Yasutaka , Nakamura Kimihide , Yamashita Tomoko , Nakagawachi Akira , Sakaguchi Yoshiro
Published: March 2021

Rationale:

Chronic disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) associated with thoracic aortic aneurysm is characterized by enhanced fibrinolysis and is thought to be stable in the compensated/asymptomatic stage, with few bleeding symptoms. However, DIC can lead to decompensated/hemorrhagic stage disseminated intravascular coagulation, resulting in severe bleeding diathesis, and there is currently no established strategy for treatment of DIC in aortic aneurysms.

Patient concerns:

A 77-year-old woman underwent angiography and cardiac catheterization, before descending aortic replacement surgery. She developed DIC in postprocedure week 2 with extensive, uncontrollable massive subcutaneous hemorrhage.

Diagnoses:

Her acute-phase DIC score was 7 points, and the risk of mortality within 30 days after surgery according to the JapanSCORE was estimated to be 33.6%.

Interventions:

Therapy was a combination of recombinant human soluble thrombomodulin (rhTM) and an aortic stent-graft treatment.

Outcomes:

Short-term improvements were seen in both DIC and bleeding diathesis. The thoracic aortic aneurysm with severe DIC was eventually corrected by administration of rhTM.

Lessons:

We report the use of rhTM as an effective, novel anticoagulant drug with anti-inflammatory activity for treating DIC with suppressed fibrinolysis, which is typically associated with sepsis. In patients with a high hemorrhagic diathesis, in whom preoperative control of DIC cannot be achieved with conventional anticoagulation and radical surgical repair cannot be performed, a combination of rhTM and endovascular therapy may be a powerful new treatment option.
Reversible leukoencephalopathy caused by 2 rodenticides bromadiolone and fluroacetamide
Authors: Lu Aili , Yuan Fang , Yao Yufei , Wen Wanxin , Lu Hongji , Wu Shibiao , Wang Lixin
Published: March 2021

Rationale:

With the easy access, rodenticide poisoning has been a public health problem in many countries. Characteristics of central nervous system (CNS) lesions induced by rodenticides are scarcely reported.

Patient concerns:

We presented a case of a 40-year-old man with seizure and consciousness disorder, coagulation dysfunction, and symmetric lesions in white matter and corpus callosum.

Diagnosis:

He was diagnosed with rodenticide poisoning due to bromadiolone and fluoroacetamide.

Interventions:

He was treated with vitamin K, hemoperfusion, acetamide, and calcium gluconate.

Outcomes:

His leukoencephalopathy was reversed rapidly with the improvement of clinical symptoms.

Lessons:

This report presented the impact of rodenticide poisoning on CNS and the dynamic changes of brain lesions, and highlighted the importance of timely targeted treatments.
Effects of Drawing Therapy on Pediatric Oncology Patients
Authors: Zhang Kun , Ma Jun , Chen Jia , Xu Lin , Gu Can
Published: March 2021

Background

A small but significant number of children and adolescents with cancer experience severe physical and psychological distress. Previous studies have shown that drawing therapy positively affects relieving psychological problems. However, the effect of drawing therapy on pediatric oncology patients has not been established by systematic review.

Objective

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of drawing therapy on the pediatric oncology population.

Methods

PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Cochrane, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and Chinese databases including CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and CBM were searched. Studies published in the English and Chinese languages up to December 2019 were screened, and randomized controlled trials and nonrandomized experimental studies of drawing therapy interventions for pediatric oncology patients were reviewed. Screening was undertaken independently by 2 reviewers. The review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (registration number: CRD42020178365).

Results

Eight studies were included. Three studies were randomized controlled trials, and 5 studies were nonrandomized experimental studies. Seven studies showed that drawing therapy had positive effects on reducing depression and anxiety and improving quality of life. However, 1 study showed a contradictory result, that is, participants had an increased anxiety level after intervention.

Conclusions

Drawing therapy is effective in improving negative emotions, relieving somatic symptoms, and increasing social communication for pediatric oncology patients.

Implications for Practice

Drawing therapy may be considered an adjuvant psychological intervention strategy for pediatric oncology patients. Meanwhile, more rigorous studies are needed to address the deficiencies of small number size and methodological weakness.
Quality Assessment of the Literature on Quality Improvement in PICUs: A Systematic Review
Authors: Inata Yu , Nakagami-Yamaguchi Etsuko , Ogawa Yuko , Hatachi Takeshi , Takeuchi Muneyuki
Published: March 2021

OBJECTIVES:

To synthesize the literature describing quality improvement in PICUs and to appraise the quality of extant research.

DATA SOURCES:

We searched the PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases between May and June 2020.

STUDY SELECTION:

Peer-reviewed articles in English that report quality improvement interventions in PICUs were included. Titles and abstracts were screened, and articles were reviewed to determine whether they met quality improvement criteria.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Data were abstracted using a structured template. The quality of the included articles was assessed using the Quality Improvement Minimum Quality Criteria Set and scored on a scale of 0–16.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Of the 2,449 articles identified, 158 were included in the analysis. The most common targets of quality improvement interventions were healthcare-associated infections (n = 17, 10.8%), handoffs (n = 15, 9.5%), rounds (n = 13, 8.2%), sedation/pain/delirium (n = 13, 8.2%), medication safety (n = 11, 7.0%), and unplanned extubation (n = 9, 5.7%). Of the six domains of healthcare quality described by the Institute of Medicine, patient-centeredness and timeliness were infrequently addressed, and none of the studies addressed equity. The median quality score based on the Quality Improvement Minimum Quality Criteria Set was 11.0 (25–75th interquartile range, 9.0–13.0). Although the quantity and quality of articles have been increasing, only 17% of the studies were deemed “high quality,” having a score between 14 and 16. Only eight articles (5%) cited Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence guidelines for reporting quality improvement works.

CONCLUSIONS:

The number of publications, including high-quality publications, on quality improvement interventions in PICUs has been increasing. However, low-quality articles continue to be published, even in recent years. Therefore, there is room for improvement in the quality of reporting.
Depression and Retinopathy in Patients With Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: A Meta-Analysis
Authors: Zou Yaowu , You Wenjun , Wang Jing , Wang Fei , Tian Zhongyu , Lu Jie , Sun Weihong
Published: March 2021

Objective

Patients with diabetes mellitus with comorbid depression are at an increased risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications. Studies have suggested a positive association between depression and diabetic retinopathy (DR), but the evidence has not been systematically summarized. Therefore, the aim of the study was to perform a meta-analysis to investigate the correlation of depression with DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods

PubMed and EMBASE were searched for relevant studies through January 7, 2017. Fixed-effects and random-effects models were used to calculate overall odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI). Subgroup analyses were conducted to examine whether the association was affected by adjustment for confounders or by age of study population.

Results

A total of 11 cross-sectional and prospective cohort studies were included in the analyses, with 34,185 individuals involved. Overall, patients with depression were at a significantly elevated risk of development of DR (fixed-effects OR = 1.50, 95% CI = 1.39–1.63; random-effects OR = 1.58, 95% CI = 1.35–1.84). The association did not vary by adjustment for confounders. However, a slightly larger pooled estimate was observed among studies with a mean age of <60 years (OR = 1.78, 95% CI = 1.46–2.07) than those with a mean age of ≥60 years (OR = 1.42, 95% CI = 1.16–1.75).

Conclusions

Depression was significantly associated with an increased incidence of DR in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, the existing literature does not yet definitely document that whether depression contributes directly or indirectly to incident DR. Further prospective investigations identifying high-risk subgroups are warranted.
Complete Tooth Loss and Allostatic Load Changes Later in Life: A 12-Year Follow-Up Analysis of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing
Authors: de Oliveira Cesar , Sabbah Wael , Schneider Ione Jayce Ceola , Bernabé Eduardo
Published: March 2021

Objective

There is little evidence of the association between complete tooth loss and allostatic load (AL). We investigated, firstly, the association between complete tooth loss and changes in AL for 12 years among older English adults. A second aim was to explore the role of fruit and vegetable consumption in explaining the aforementioned association.

Methods

AL was calculated for 2430 English Longitudinal Study of Ageing cohort (2004/5–2016/17) participants 50 years and older based on nine biomarkers: systolic and diastolic blood pressures, glycated hemoglobin, high- and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fibrinogen, C-reactive protein, and waist circumference. The exposure was complete tooth loss. Participants were classified as dentate or edentulous. A linear mixed-effects model was fitted to model the 12-year change in AL score and its association with complete tooth loss after adjustments for confounders (demographic factors, socioeconomic position, and health behaviors).

Results

Around 11% of the participants were edentulous. Complete tooth loss was positively associated with baseline AL scores but not with its rate of change over time. The predicted mean AL scores were 3.60 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 3.53–3.68) and 3.98 (95% CI = 3.76–4.21) as well as 4·28 (95% CI = 4·18, 4·39) and 4·66 (95% CI = 4·42, 4·90) for dentate and edentulous participants, at baseline and end of follow-up, respectively. Fruit and vegetable consumption was not associated with baseline AL or its rate of change.

Conclusions

Complete tooth loss was associated with baseline AL score but not with its development over time, whereas the consumption of fruit and vegetables did not help to explain this association. Both conditions may share common determinants earlier in life.
Executive Functioning and Depressive Symptoms After Cancer: The Mediating Role of Coping
Authors: Radin Arielle , Ganz Patricia A. , Van Dyk Kathleen , Stanton Annette L. , Bower Julienne E.
Published: March 2021

Objective

Cognitive difficulties are a common complaint among patients with breast cancer and may adversely affect psychological well-being. In particular, problems with executive functioning (EF) may interfere with coping, which is known to influence depressive symptoms. The current study was designed to examine correlations between EF, coping, and depressive symptoms in breast cancer survivors and to longitudinally test the hypothesis that coping mediates the relationship between EF and depressive symptoms.

Methods

Participants included 171 women with early-stage breast cancer assessed at the end of primary treatment with surgery, radiation, and/or chemotherapy and at 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years after treatment follow-ups as part of the Mind-Body Study. Participants completed questionnaires to assess subjective EF, approach and avoidant coping, and depressive symptoms, and neuropsychological testing was conducted to assess objective EF. Bivariate correlations were used to examine associations between EF, coping, and depressive symptoms. Mediation analyses were conducted using a bootstrapping approach (PROCESS).

Results

At 1 year after treatment, objective and subjective EFs were correlated with avoidant coping (r = −0.172 [p = .024] and r = 0.297 [p < .001], respectively). In longitudinal analyses, use of the avoidant strategy behavioral disengagement at 1 year mediated the association between objective (95% bootstrap confidence interval = −0.282 to −0.042) and subjective (95% bootstrap confidence interval = 0.020 to 0.254) EFs at 6 months and depressive symptoms at 2 years.

Conclusions

This study highlights how problems with EF during survivorship are associated with avoidant coping and depressive symptoms. Thus, these findings identify potential cognitive and affective targets for depression intervention in this population.
Facial Fractures Related to Soccer
Authors: Secanho Murilo Sagrbi , Neto Balduino Ferreira Menezes , Mazzoni Leticia Perez , Mazzoni Larissa Perez , Parra Felipe Lucas , Neto Aristides Augusto Palhares
Published: March 2021

Soccer is one of the most popular sports in the world. Despite the concept that soccer is not a violent game, it can lead to several injuries in amateur and professional settings, including facial fractures. Previous studies of facial fractures in soccer were all retrospective and, to date, no prospective studies are available in the literature.

The authors performed a comprehensive literature search using the terms “soccer” AND “facial fracture” OR “craniofacial fracture” and “football” AND “facial fracture” OR “craniofacial fracture” and retrieved 693 articles. After applying inclusion and exclusion criteria, 11 articles were included in the present study.

A total of 647 patients had suffered facial trauma, with a male-to-female ratio of 63.7:1. The patients’ mean age was 27.3 years.

The articles reported 670 fractures as follows: 219 (32.7%) in the zygoma, 197 (29.4%) in the nasal bone, 153 (23.6%) in the mandibula, 54 (8.0%) in the orbital wall, 12 (1.8%) in the frontal sinus, 10 (1.5%) in the alveolar bone, 3 (0.4%) in the maxilla, 3 (0.4%) in a Le Fort pattern, and 1 (0.1%) in a naso-orbito-ethmoid (NOE) pattern.

Sports are a frequent cause of maxillofacial trauma and are responsible for 9.2% to 33.2% of such injuries. Soccer is a contact sport more associated with lower-limb injuries, but with a significant rate of facial fractures. As soccer is a popular sport played without facial protection and involving high-intensity movements and contact, the prevention of facial fractures related to this sport is crucial to improve the players’ safety.
Toxoplasmosis Among 38 751 Hematopoietic Stem-cell Transplant Recipients: A Systematic Review of Disease Prevalence and a Compilation of Imaging and Autopsy Findings
Authors: Contopoulos-Ioannidis Despina G. , Cho Stephanie M. , Bertaina Alice , Leung Ann N. , Fischbein Nancy , Lanzman Bryan , Schwenk Hayden T. , Montoya Jose G.
Published: March 2021

Background.

Toxoplasmosis in hematopoietic stem-cell transplant (HSCT) recipients can be life threatening if not promptly diagnosed and treated.

Methods.

We performed a systematic review (PubMed last search March 29, 2020) of toxoplasmosis among HSCT recipients and calculated the toxoplasmosis prevalence across studies. We also created a compilation list of brain imaging, chest imaging, and autopsy findings of toxoplasmosis among HSCT recipients.

Results.

We identified 46 eligible studies (47 datasets) with 399 toxoplasmosis cases among 38 751 HSCT recipients. There was large heterogeneity in the reported toxoplasmosis prevalence across studies, thus formal meta-analysis was not attempted. The median toxoplasmosis prevalence among 38 751 HSCT recipients was 2.14% (range 0%–66.67%). Data on toxoplasmosis among at-risk R+HSCT recipients were more limited (25 studies; 2404 R+HSCT recipients [6.2% of all HSCT recipients]), although the median number of R+HSCT recipients was 56.79% across all HSCT recipients. The median toxoplasmosis prevalence across studies among 2404 R+HSCT was 7.51% (range 0%–80%) versus 0% (range 0%–1.23%) among 7438 R–HSCT. There were limited data to allow meaningful analyses of toxoplasmosis prevalence according to prophylaxis status of R+HSCT recipients.

Conclusions.

Toxoplasmosis prevalence among HSCT recipients is underestimated. The majority of studies report toxoplasmosis prevalence among all HSCT recipients rather than only among the at-risk R+HSCT recipients. In fact, the median toxoplasmosis prevalence among all R+//R– HSCT recipients is 3.5-fold lower compared with the prevalence among only the at-risk R+HSCT recipients and the median prevalence among R+HSCT recipients is 7.51-fold higher than among R–HSCT recipients. The imaging findings of toxoplasmosis among HSCT recipients can be atypical. High index of suspicion is needed in R+HSCT recipients with fever, pneumonia, or encephalitis.
An Integrated Clinical and Genetic Prediction Model for Tacrolimus Levels in Pediatric Solid Organ Transplant Recipients
Authors: Min Sandar , Papaz Tanya , Lambert A. Nicole , Allen Upton , Birk Patricia , Blydt-Hansen Tom , Foster Bethany J. , Grasemann Hartmut , Hamiwka Lorraine , Litalien Catherine , Ng Vicky , Berka Noureddine , Campbell Patricia , Daniel Claude , Saw Chee Loong , Tinckam Kathryn , Urschel Simon , Van Driest Sara L. , Parekh Rulan , Mital Seema
Published: March 2021

Background.

There are challenges in achieving and maintaining therapeutic tacrolimus levels after solid organ transplantation (SOT). The purpose of this genome-wide association study was to generate an integrated clinical and genetic prediction model for tacrolimus levels in pediatric SOT.

Methods.

In a multicenter prospective observational cohort study (2015–2018), children <18 years old at their first SOT receiving tacrolimus as maintenance immunosuppression were included (455 as discovery cohort; 322 as validation cohort). Genotyping was performed using a genome-wide single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) array and analyzed for association with tacrolimus trough levels during 1-y follow-up.

Results.

Genome-wide association study adjusted for clinical factors identified 25 SNPs associated with tacrolimus levels; 8 were significant at a genome-wide level (P < 1.025 × 10−7). Nineteen SNPs were replicated in the validation cohort. After removing SNPs in strong linkage disequilibrium, 14 SNPs remained independently associated with tacrolimus levels. Both traditional and machine learning approaches selected organ type, age at transplant, rs776746, rs12333983, and rs12957142 SNPs as the top predictor variables for dose-adjusted 36- to 48-h posttacrolimus initiation (T1) levels. There was a significant interaction between age and organ type with rs776476*1 SNP (P < 0.05). The combined clinical and genetic model had lower prediction error and explained 30% of the variation in dose-adjusted T1 levels compared with 18% by the clinical and 12% by the genetic only model.

Conclusions.

Our study highlights the importance of incorporating age, organ type, and genotype in predicting tacrolimus levels and lays the groundwork for developing an individualized age and organ-specific genotype-guided tacrolimus dosing algorithm.
Bridging to Allotransplantation—Is Pig Liver Xenotransplantation the Best Option?
Authors: Lamm Vladimir , Ekser Burcin , Vagefi Parsia A. , Cooper David K.C.
Published: March 2021

In the past 20 y, the number of patients in the United States who died while waiting for a human donor liver totaled >52 000. The median national wait time for patients with acute liver failure and the most urgent liver transplant listing was 7 d in 2018. The need for a clinical “bridge” to allotransplantation is clear. Current options for supporting patients with acute liver failure include artificial liver support devices, extracorporeal liver perfusion, and hepatocyte transplantation, all of which have shown mixed results with regard to survival benefit and are largely experimental. Progress in the transplantation of genetically engineered pig liver grafts in nonhuman primates has grown steadily, with survival of the pig graft extended to almost 1 mo in 2017. Further advances may justify consideration of a pig liver transplant as a clinical bridge to allotransplantation. We provide a brief history of pig liver xenotransplantation, summarize the most recent progress in pig-to-nonhuman primate liver transplantation models, and suggest criteria that may be considered for patient selection for a clinical trial of bridging by genetically engineered pig liver xenotransplantation to liver allotransplantation.
Pseudomonas cyclaminis sp. nov., a pathogen causing bacterial bud blight of cyclamen in Japan
Authors: Sawada Hiroyuki , Fujikawa Takashi , Osada Shigeru , Satou Mamoru
Published: March 2021

Five phytopathogenic bacterial strains, MAFF 301449T, MAFF 301450, MAFF 301451, MAFF 301452, and MAFF 301453, which were isolated from bud blight lesions of cyclamen (Cyclamen persicum Mill.) in Miyagi, Japan, were subjected to polyphasic taxonomic characterisation. The cells were Gram-reaction-negative, aerobic, non-spore-forming, motile with one to five polar flagella, and rod-shaped. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that they belong to the genus

Pseudomonas

, with

Pseudomonas extremaustralis

14-3T (99.79 % sequence similarity),

Pseudomonas trivialis

DSM 14937T (99.79 %),

Pseudomonas poae

DSM 14936T (99.72 %), and

Pseudomonas antarctica

CMS 35T (99.72 %) as their relatives. The genomic DNA G+C content was 60.3 mol% and the major fatty acids (>5 % of the total fatty acids) were C16 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c/C16 : 1 ω6c), summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c), and C17 : 0 cyclo. Phylogenetic analysis using the rpoD gene sequences and phylogenomic analyses based on the whole genome sequences demonstrated that the strains are members of the

Pseudomonas fluorescens

subgroup, but form a monophyletic and robust clade separated from their relatives. Average nucleotide identity and digital DNA–DNA hybridisation analyses with the closely related

Pseudomonas

species corroborated their novel species status. The strains were differentiated from their relatives by phenotypic characteristics, pathogenicity towards cyclamen, cellular fatty acid composition, and whole-cell MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry profiles. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic, and genotypic data obtained, we conclude that the strains represent a novel

Pseudomonas

species, for which we propose the name Pseudomonas cyclaminis sp. nov.; the type strain is MAFF 301449T (=ICMP 23720T).
Reduced ER-mitochondria connectivity promotes neuroblastoma multidrug resistance
Authors: Coku Jorida , Booth David M. , Skoda Jan , Pedrotty Madison C. , Vogel Jennifer , Liu Kangning , Vu Annette , Carpenter Erica L. , Ye Jamie C. , Chen Michelle A. , Dunbar Peter , Scadden Elizabeth , Nakamaru-Ogiso Eiko , Li Yimei , Goldsmith Kelly C. , Patrick Reynolds C. , Hajnoczky Gyorgy , Hogarty Michael D.
Published: March 2021

Most cancer deaths result from progression of therapy resistant disease, yet our understanding of this phenotype is limited. Cancer therapies generate stress signals that act upon mitochondria to initiate apoptotic programs. We isolated mitochondria from neuroblastoma cell lines obtained from children at diagnosis and after relapse following failed therapy, and profiled responses to tBid and Bim, death effectors activated by therapeutic stress. Mitochondria from post-relapse models had markedly attenuated cytochrome c release (surrogate for apoptotic commitment) in comparison with patient-matched diagnostic models. Mitochondrial DNA content, size, and shape did not differ consistently. However, we used electron microscopy to identify reduced endoplasmic reticulum-mitochondria contacts (ERMCs) as correlated with therapy resistance. ERMCs form microdomains for the transfer of Ca2+to mitochondria. We confirmed reduced Ca2+transfer in resistant cells, with restoration by re-opposing ERMCs via genetically-encoded linkers. However, reduced Ca2+transfer was not present in all ERMC-reduced cancers with therapy resistance, supporting Ca2+-independent mechanisms. Genetically or biochemically reducing ERMCs in therapy sensitive tumors phenocopied resistance, validating these inter-organelle contacts as physiologic regulators of apoptosis. Our work confirms the importance of ERMCs in stress signaling and provides a previously unrecognized mechanism for cancer cell resistance that is not exclusive to other contributors.
Sandalwood, an Indian medicinal plant attenuates the microbial growth and influence up/down regulation of the metabolites
Authors: Parveen Romana , Shamsi Tooba Naz , Fatima Sadaf
Published: March 2021

The methanolic extract of sandalwood (SwME) was prepared by soxhlet apparatus and the antibacterial assay was performed. Further, the metabolite profiling of SwME and lysates ofE. coliandE. coligrown in the presence of SwME was generated. SwME showed maximum inhibition againstE. coli(MTCC 443) i.e. 82.71%, and minimal againstB. subtilis(MTCC 736) i.e. 26.82%. The metabolome profiles ofE. coliand SwME were generated using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) technique. Comparative studies were done to understand to what extent metabolite modifications differ between SwME,E. colilysate and theE. colistrain grown in presence of extract. Result revealed 23 peaks with major compounds present inE. coliwere 9-Octadecenoic Acid (Z)-, Methyl Ester (26.85%), Hexadecanoic Acid, methyl ester (20.5%) and Hexadecanoic acid, trimethylsilyl ester (15.79%). WhenE. coliwas grown in the presence of SwME, GC-MS analysis showed 25 peaks with major compounds such as 9-Octadecenoic Acid, Methyl Ester (21.97%), Hexadecanoic Acid, Methyl Ester (17.03%), and Hexadecanoic Acid, Trimethylsilyl Ester (14.96%). Correlating the metabolic profiles with the changes occurring is essential to progression their comprehension and in the development of new approaches to identify the metabolomics regulation inE. coliin response to SwME.
Single Image-based Vignetting Correction for Improving the Consistency of Neural Activity Analysis in 2-Photon Functional Microscopy
Authors: Li Dong , Wang Guangyu , Werner René , Xie Hong , Guan Ji-Song , Hilgetag Claus C.
Published: March 2021

High-resolution functional 2-photon microscopy of neural activity is a cornerstone technique in current neuroscience, enabling, for instance, the image-based analysis of relations of the organization of local neuron populations and their temporal neural activity patterns. Interpreting local image intensity as a direct quantitative measure of neural activity presumes, however, a consistent within- and across-image relationship between the image intensity and neural activity, which may be subject to interference by illumination artifacts. In particular, the so-called vignetting artifact - the decrease of image intensity towards the edges of an image - is, at the moment, widely neglected in the context of functional microscopy analyses of neural activity, but potentially introduces a substantial center-periphery bias of derived functional measures. In the present report, we propose a straightforward protocol for single image-based vignetting correction. Using immediate-early-gene-based 2-photon microscopic neural image data of the mouse brain, we show the necessity of correcting both image brightness and contrast to improve within- and across-image intensity consistency and demonstrate the plausibility of the resulting functional data.
Atorvastatin effectively inhibits late replicative cycle steps of SARS-CoV-2in vitro
Authors: Zapata-Cardona María I. , Flórez-Álvarez Lizdany , Zapata-Builes Wildeman , Guerra-Sandoval Ariadna L. , Guerra-Almonacid Carlos M. , Hincapié-García Jaime , Rugeles María T. , Hernandez Juan C.
Published: March 2021

Introduction

SARS-CoV-2 (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2) has caused a pandemic of historic proportions and continues to spread worldwide. Currently, there is no effective therapy against this virus. This article evaluated thein vitroantiviral effect of Atorvastatin against SARS-CoV-2 and also identified the interaction affinity between Atorvastatin and three SARS-CoV-2 proteins, usingin silicostructure-based molecular docking approach.

Materials and methods

The antiviral activity of Atorvastatin against SARS-CoV-2 was evaluated by three different treatment strategies using a clinical isolate of SARS-CoV-2. The interaction of Atorvastatin with Spike, RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and 3C-like protease (3CLpro) was evaluated by molecular docking.

Results

Atorvastatin showed anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of 79%, 54.8%, 22.6% and 25% at 31.2, 15.6, 7.9, and 3.9 µM, respectively, by pre-post-treatment strategy. In addition, atorvastatin demonstrated an antiviral effect of 26.9% at 31.2 µM by pre-infection treatment. This compound also inhibited SARS-CoV-2 in 66.9%, 75%, 27.9% and 29.2% at concentrations of 31.2, 15.6, 7.9, and 3.9 µM, respectively, by post-infection treatment. The interaction of atorvastatin with SARS-CoV-2 Spike, RdRp and 3CL protease yielded a binding affinity of −8.5 Kcal/mol, −6.2 Kcal/mol, and −7.5 Kcal/mol, respectively.

Conclusion

Our study demonstrated thein vitroanti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of Atorvastatin, mainly against the late steps of the viral replicative cycle. A favorable binding affinity with viral proteins by bioinformatics methods was also shown. Due to its low cost, availability, well-established safety and tolerability, and the extensive clinical experience of atorvastatin, it could prove valuable in reducing morbidity and mortality from COVID-19.

Importance

The COVID-19 pandemic constitutes the largest global public health crisis in a century, with enormous health and socioeconomic challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to search for specific antivirals against its causative agent (SARS-CoV-2). In this sense, the use of existing drugs may represent a useful treatment option in terms of safety, cost-effectiveness, and timeliness. Atorvastatin is widely used to prevent cardiovascular events. This compound modulates the synthesis of cholesterol, a molecule necessary in different stages of the viral replicative cycle. Our study demonstrated the antiviral potential of atorvastatin against SARS-CoV-2, using anin vitromodel. Furthermore, the ability of Atorvastatin to directly interfere with three viral targets (Spike, RdRp and 3CL protease) was demonstrated by bioinformatic methods. This compound is a well-studied, low-cost, and generally well-tolerated drug, so it could be a promising antiviral for the treatment of COVID-19.
FGFR inhibitor mediated dismissal of SWI/SNF complexes from YAP-dependent enhancers induces adaptive therapeutic resistance
Authors: Li Yihao , Qiu Xintao , Wang Xiaoqing , Liu Hui , Geck Renee C. , Tewari Alok K. , Xiao Tengfei , Font-Tello Alba , Lim Klothilda , Jones Kristen L. , Morrow Murry , Vadhi Raga , Kao Pei-Lun , Jaber Aliya , Yerrum Smitha , Xie Yingtian , Chow Kin-Hoe , Cejas Paloma , Nguyen Quang-Dé , Long Henry W. , Liu X. Shirley , Toker Alex , Brown Myles
Published: March 2021

How cancer cells adapt to evade the therapeutic effects of drugs targeting oncogenic drivers is poorly understood. Here we report an epigenetic mechanism leading to the adaptive resistance of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) to fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR) inhibitors. Prolonged FGFR inhibition suppresses the function of BRG1-dependent chromatin remodeling leading to an epigenetic state that derepresses YAP-associated enhancers. These chromatin changes induce the expression of several amino acid transporters resulting in increased intracellular levels of specific amino acids that reactivate mTORC1. Collectively, these findings reveal a novel feedback loop involving an epigenetic state transition and metabolic reprogramming that leads to adaptive therapeutic resistance.
Utilization of recycled polyester nonwovens as sorbent for oil spill cleanups
Authors: Subramoniapillai Viju , Thilagavathi G.
Published: March 2021

Purpose

The most widely recycled plastic in the world is recycled polyethylene terephthalate (rPET). To minimize the environmental related issues associated with synthetic fibers, several researchers have explored the potential use of recycled polyester fibers in developing various technical textile products. This study aims to develop needle-punched nonwoven fabrics from recycled polyester fibers and investigate its suitability in oil spill cleanup process.

Design/methodology/approach

According to Box and Behnken factorial design, 15 different needle-punched nonwoven fabrics from recycled polyester fibers were prepared by changing the parameters, namely, needle punch density, needle penetration depth and fabric areal weight. Several featured parameters such as oil sorption, oil retention, oil sorption kinetics, wettability and reusability performance were systematically elucidated.

Findings

The maximum oil sorption of recycled nonwoven polyester is found to be 24.85 g/g and 20.58 g/g for crude oil and vegetable oil, respectively. The oil retention is about 93%–96% in case of crude oil, whereas 87%–91% in case of vegetable oil. Recycled polyester nonwoven possesses good hydrophobic–oleophilic properties with static contact angle of 138° against water, whereas 0° against crude oil and vegetable oil. The reusability test results indicate that recycled polyester nonwoven fabric can be used several times because of its reusability features.

Originality/value

There is no detailed study on the oil sorption features of needle-punched nonwoven fabrics developed from recycled polyester fibers. This study is expected to help in developing fabrics for oil spill cleanups.