bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Whole-body MRI evaluation in neurofibromatosis type 1 patients younger than 3 years old and the genetic contribution to disease progression
Authors: Kang Eungu , Kim Yoon-Myung , Choi Yunha , Lee Yena , Kim JunYoung , Choi In Hee , Yoo Han-Wook , Yoon Hee Mang , Lee Beom Hee
Published: January 2022

Background

Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a common human genetic disease with age-dependent phenotype progression. The overview of clinical and radiological findings evaluated by whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (WBMRI) in NF1 patients < 3 years old assessed with a genetic contribution to disease progression is presented herein.

Methods

This study included 70 clinically or genetically diagnosed NF1 patients who received WBMRI before 3 years old. Clinical, genetic, and radiologic features were collected by retrospective chart review. In NF1+, widely spread diffuse cutaneous neurofibromas, developmental delay, autism, seizure, cardiac abnormalities, hearing defect, optic pathway glioma, severe plexiform neurofibromas (> 3 cm in diameter, disfigurement, accompanying pain, bony destruction, or located para-aortic area), brain tumors, nerve root tumors, malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, moyamoya disease, and bony dysplasia were included.

Results

The age at WBMRI was 1.6 ± 0.7 years old, and NF1 mutations were found in 66 patients (94.3%). Focal areas of signal intensity (FASI) were the most common WBMRI finding (66.1%), followed by optic pathway glioma (15.7%), spine dural ectasia (12.9%), and plexiform neurofibromas (10.0%). Plexiform neurofibromas and NF1+ were more prevalent in familial case (28.7% vs 5.7%, p = 0.030; 71.4% vs 30.2%, p = 0.011). Follow-up WBMRI was conducted in 42 patients (23 girls and 19 boys) after 1.21 ± 0.50 years. FASI and radiologic progression were more frequent in patients with mutations involving GTPase activating protein-related domain (77.8% vs 52.4%, p = 0.047; 46.2% vs 7.7%, p = 0.029).

Conclusions

WBMRI provides important information for the clinical care for young pediatric NF1 patients. As NF1 progresses in even these young patients, and is related to family history and the affected NF1 domains, serial evaluation with WBMRI should be assessed based on the clinical and genetic features for the patients’ best care.
Fetal therapies and trials for lysosomal storage diseases: a survey of attitudes of parents and patients
Authors: Schwab Marisa E. , Brown Julia E. H. , Lianoglou Billie , Jin Chengshi , Conroy Patricia C. , Gallagher Renata C. , Harmatz Paul , MacKenzie Tippi C.
Published: January 2022

Background

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are inherited metabolic disorders that may lead to severe multi-organ disease. Current ERTs are limited by anti-drug antibodies, the blood–brain barrier, and early disease onset and progression before ERT is started. We have opened a phase I clinical trial of enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for fetuses with LSDs (NCT04532047). We evaluated the attitudes of parents and patients with LSDs towards fetal clinical trials and therapies.

Methods

A multidisciplinary team designed a survey which was distributed by five international patient advocacy groups. We collected patients’ demographic, diagnostic, and treatment information. Associations between respondent characteristics and attitudes towards fetal therapies/trials were analyzed using multivariate ordinal logistic regression.

Results

The survey was completed by 181 adults from 19 countries. The majority of respondents were mothers from the United States. The most common diseases were MPS1 (26%), MPS3 (19%), and infantile-onset Pompe (14%). Most patients (88%) were diagnosed after birth, at a median of 21 months. Altogether, 65% of participating patients and children of participants had received ERT, 27% a stem cell transplant, and 4% gene therapy. We found that half (49%) of respondents were unlikely to terminate a future affected pregnancy, 55% would enroll in a phase I clinical trial for fetal ERT, and 46% would enroll in a fetal gene therapy trial. Respondents who received postnatal ERT were significantly more likely enroll in a trial for fetal ERT or gene therapy (ERT OR 4.48, 95% CI 2.13–9.44, p < 0.0001; gene therapy OR 3.03, 95% CI 1.43–6.43, p = 0.0038). Respondents who used clinicaltrials.gov as a main source of information were more likely to choose to participate in a fetal trial (ERT OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.18–5.01, p = 0.016; gene therapy OR 2.86, 95% CI 1.27–6.46, p = 0.011).

Conclusions

Familiarity with postnatal ERT increased respondents’ likelihood of pursuing fetal therapies. Families who use clinicaltrials.gov may be more receptive to innovative fetal treatments. The patient community has a favorable attitude towards fetal therapy; over half of respondents would enroll in a phase I clinical trial to assess the safety and efficacy of fetal ERT.
Progress of HOTAIR-microRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Wang Bing-rong , Chu Dong-xia , Cheng Mei-yu , Jin Yu , Luo Hao-ge , Li Na
Published: January 2022

The Hox transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) has been identified as a tumor gene, and its expression in HCC is significantly increased. HOTAIR is associated with the proliferation, invasion, metastasis and poor prognosis of HCC. In addition, HOTAIR can also regulate the expression and function of microRNA by recruiting the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) and competitive adsorption, thus promoting the occurrence and development of HCC. In this review, we discussed the two mechanisms of HOTAIR regulating miRNA through direct binding miRNA and indirect regulation, and emphasized the role of HOTAIR in HCC through miRNA, explained the regulatory pathway of HOTAIR-miRNA-mRNA and introduced the role of this pathway in HCC proliferation, drug resistance, invasion and metastasis.
Identification of parameters and formulation of a statistical and machine learning model to identify Babesia canis infections in dogs using available ADVIA hematology analyzer data
Authors: Pijnacker Tera , Bartels Richard , van Leeuwen Martin , Teske Erik
Published: January 2022

Background

Canine babesiosis is an important tick-borne disease in endemic regions. One of the relevant subspecies in Europe is Babesia canis, and it can cause severe clinical signs such as hemolytic anemia. Apart from acute clinical symptoms dogs can also have a more chronic disease development or be asymptomatic carriers. Our objective was to identify readily available ADVIA hematology analyzer parameters suggestive of B. canis parasitemia in dogs and to formulate a predictive model.

Methods

A historical dataset of complete blood count data from an ADVIA hematology system with blood smear or PCR confirmed parasitemia cases was used to obtain a model by conventional statistics (CS) methods and machine learning (ML) using logistical regression and tree methods.

Results

Both methods identified that important parameters were platelet count, mean platelet volume and percentage large unstained cells. We were able to formulate a CS model and ML model to screen for Babesia parasitemia in dogs with a sensitivity of 84.6% (CS) and 100% (ML), a specificity of 97.7% (CS) and 95.7% (ML) and a positive likelihood ratio (LR+) of 36.78 (CS) and 23.2 (ML).

Conclusions

This study introduces two methods of screening for B. canis parasitemia on readily available data from ADVIA hematology systems. The algorithms can easily be introduced in laboratories that use these analyzers. When the algorithm marks a sample as ‘suggestive’ for Babesia parasitemia, the sample is approximately 37 times more likely to show Babesia merozoites on blood smear analysis.

Graphical Abstract
Plasma 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol is associated with peripheral nerve function and diabetic peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes and mild-to-moderate hyperglycemia
Authors: Xu Feng , Zhao Li-hua , Wang Xiao-hua , Wang Chun-hua , Yu Chao , Zhang Xiu-lin , Ning Li-yan , Huang Hai-yan , Su Jian-bin , Wang Xue-qin
Published: January 2022

Background

Plasma 1,5-anhydro-d-glucitol (1,5-AG) may be a easily accessible marker for glycemic variability under mild-to-moderate hyperglycemia. The present study was to investigate the association of 1,5-AG with peripheral nerve function and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in patients with T2D and mild-to-moderate hyperglycemia.

Methods

We recruited 574 T2D patients with mild-to-moderate hyperglycemia (HbA1c  < 8.0%) for this cross-sectional study, with plasma 1,5-AG synchronously detected. All patients were questioned for neurologic symptoms, examined for neurologic signs and screened for peripheral nerve function. Nerve function included the latency, amplitude and nerve conduction velocity (NCV) of limbs nerves (median, ulnar nerve, common peroneal, superficial peroneal, tibial and sural nerve). Besides, composite Z-score of latency, amplitude and NCV were calculated. DPN was identified as both at least a neurologic symptom/sign and an abnormality of peripheral nerve function.

Results

Among the recruited patients, 23.9% (n  = 137) were identified to be with DPN, and the prevalence of DPN decreased from 36.6%, 24.5%, 21.2%, 13.3% from first (Q1), second (Q2), and third (Q3) to fourth quartile (Q4) of 1,5-AG. Moreover, multivariable linear regression analysis showed 1,5-AG was associated with composite Z-score of nerve latency (β  = − 0.18, t  = − 3.84, p  < 0.001), amplitude(β  =  0.26, t  = 5.35, p  < 0.001) and NCV (β  = 0.24, t  = 5.61, p  < 0.001), respectively. Furthermore, compared to Q4 of 1,5-AG as reference, the adjusted odds ratios and 95% CIs for DPN of Q3, Q2, and Q1 were 1.29(0.59–2.81), 1.85(0.87–3.97), and 2.72(1.16–6.34), respectively. Additionally, receiver operating characteristic analysis revealed that optimal cutoff value of 1,5-AG to indicate DPN was  ≤ 30.8 μmol/L, with sensitivity of 56.20% and specificity of 66.36%.

Conclusions

Low plasma 1,5-AG is closely associated with impaired peripheral nerve function and DPN in T2D patients under mild-to-moderate hyperglycemia.
Single-cell RNA sequencing to track novel perspectives in HSC heterogeneity
Authors: Zhang Pan , Li Xiang , Pan Chengwei , Zheng Xinmin , Hu Bohan , Xie Ruiheng , Hu Jialu , Shang Xuequn , Yang Hui
Published: January 2022

As the importance of cell heterogeneity has begun to be emphasized, single-cell sequencing approaches are rapidly adopted to study cell heterogeneity and cellular evolutionary relationships of various cells, including stem cell populations. The hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell (HSPC) compartment contains HSC hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and distinct hematopoietic cells with different abilities to self-renew. These cells perform their own functions to maintain different hematopoietic lineages. Undeniably, single-cell sequencing approaches, including single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) technologies, empower more opportunities to study the heterogeneity of normal and pathological HSCs. In this review, we discuss how these scRNA-seq technologies contribute to tracing origin and lineage commitment of HSCs, profiling the bone marrow microenvironment and providing high-resolution dissection of malignant hematopoiesis, leading to exciting new findings in HSC biology.
Advancing universal health coverage in the COVID-19 era: an assessment of public health services technical efficiency and applied cost allocation in Cambodia
Authors: Kolesar Robert John , Bogetoft Peter , Chea Vanara , Erreygers Guido , Pheakdey Sambo
Published: January 2022

Background

Achieving universal health coverage (UHC) is a global priority and a keystone element of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. However, COVID-19 is causing serious impacts on tax revenue and many countries are facing constraints to new investment in health. To advance UHC progress, countries can also focus on improving health system technical efficiency to maximize the service outputs given the current health financing levels.

Methods

This study assesses Cambodia’s public health services technical efficiency, unit costs, and utilization rates to quantify the extent to which current health financing can accommodate the expansion of social health protection coverage. This study employs Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA), truncated regression, and pioneers the application of DEA Aumann-Shapley applied cost allocation to the health sector, enabling unit cost estimation for the major social health insurance payment categories.

Results

Overall, for the public health system to be fully efficient output would need to increase by 34 and 73% for hospitals and health centers, respectively. We find public sector service quality, private sector providers, and non-discretionary financing to be statistically significant factors affecting technical efficiency. We estimate there is potential supply-side ‘service space’ to expand population coverage to an additional 4.69 million social health insurance beneficiaries with existing financing if the public health system were fully efficient.

Conclusions

Public health service efficiency in Cambodia can be improved by increasing utilization of cost-effective services. This can be achieved by enrolling more beneficiaries into the social health insurance schemes with current supply-side financing levels. Other factors that can lead to increased efficiency are improving health service quality, regulating private sector providers, focusing on discretionary health financing, and incentivizing a referral system.
L-carnitine does not improve valproic acid poisoning management: a cohort study with toxicokinetics and concentration/effect relationships
Authors: Nguyen Philippe , Chevillard Lucie , Gouda Ahmed S. , Gourlain Hervé , Labat Laurence , Malissin Isabelle , Deye Nicolas , Voicu Sebastian , Mégarbane Bruno
Published: January 2022

Background

Valproic acid (VPA) poisoning is responsible for life-threatening neurological and metabolic impairments. Despite only low-level evidence of effectiveness, L-carnitine has been used for years to prevent or reverse VPA-related toxicity. We aimed to evaluate the effects of L-carnitine used to treat acute VPA poisoning on the time-course of plasma VPA concentrations and VPA-related toxicity. We designed a single-center cohort study including all VPA-poisoned patients admitted to the intensive care unit. We studied VPA toxicokinetics using a nonlinear mixed-effects model-based population approach and modeled individual plasma VPA/blood lactate concentration relationships. Then, we evaluated L-carnitine-attributed effects by comparing VPA elimination half-lives and time-courses of blood lactate levels and organ dysfunction [assessed by the Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score] between matched L-carnitine-treated and non-treated patients using a multivariate analysis including a propensity score.

Results

Sixty-nine VPA-poisoned patients (40F/29 M; age, 41 years [32–47]) (median [25th–75th percentiles]; SOFA score, 4 [1–6]) were included. The presumed VPA ingested dose was 15 g [10–32]. Plasma VPA concentration on admission was 231 mg/L [147–415]. The most common manifestations were coma (70%), hyperlactatemia (3.9 mmol/L [2.7–4.9]) and hyperammonemia (127 mmol/L [92–159]). VPA toxicokinetics well fitted a one-compartment linear model with a mean elimination half-life of 22.9 h (coefficient of variation, 28.1%). Plasma VPA (C)/blood lactate concentration (E) relationships were well described by an exponential growth equation [$$E={E}_{0}\times {e}^{k\cdot C}$$E=E0×ek·C; with baselineE0 = 1.3 mmol/L (43.9%) and rate constant of the effect,k = 0.003 L/mg (59.5%)]. Based on a multivariate analysis, peak blood lactate concentration was the only factor independently associated with L-carnitine administration (odds ratio, 1.9, 95% confidence interval, 1.2–2.8;P = 0.004). We found no significant contribution of L-carnitine to enhancing VPA elimination, accelerating blood lactate level normalization and/or preventing organ dysfunction.

Conclusions

VPA poisoning results in severe toxicity. While L-carnitine does not contribute to enhancing VPA clearance, its impact on accelerating blood lactate level normalization and/or preventing organ dysfunction remains uncertain. Investigating VPA toxicokinetics and concentration/effect relationships may help understanding how to improve VPA-poisoned patient management.
Quantization-aware sampling set selection for bandlimited graph signals
Authors: Kim Yoon Hak
Published: January 2022

We consider a scenario in which nodes of a graph are sampled for bandlimited graph signals which are uniformly quantized with optimal rate and original signals are reconstructed from the quantized signal values residing on the nodes in the sampling set. We seek to construct the best sampling set in a greedy manner that minimizes the average reconstruction error. We manipulate the reconstruction error by using the QR factorization and derive an analytic result stating that the next minimizing node can be iteratively selected by finding the one that minimizes the geometric mean of the row vectors of the inverse upper triangular matrix $$\mathbf {R}^{-1}$$

R

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1

in the QR factorization. We also compare the complexity of the proposed algorithm with different sampling methods and evaluate the performance of the proposed algorithm by experiments for various graphs, showing the superiority to the existing sampling methods when quantization is involved.
A delayed plant disease model with Caputo fractional derivatives
Authors: Kumar Pushpendra , Baleanu Dumitru , Erturk Vedat Suat , Inc Mustafa , Govindaraj V.
Published: January 2022

We analyze a time-delay Caputo-type fractional mathematical model containing the infection rate of Beddington–DeAngelis functional response to study the structure of a vector-borne plant epidemic. We prove the unique global solution existence for the given delay mathematical model by using fixed point results. We use the Adams–Bashforth–Moulton P-C algorithm for solving the given dynamical model. We give a number of graphical interpretations of the proposed solution. A number of novel results are demonstrated from the given practical and theoretical observations. By using 3-D plots we observe the variations in the flatness of our plots when the fractional order varies. The role of time delay on the proposed plant disease dynamics and the effects of infection rate in the population of susceptible and infectious classes are investigated. The main motivation of this research study is examining the dynamics of the vector-borne epidemic in the sense of fractional derivatives under memory effects. This study is an example of how the fractional derivatives are useful in plant epidemiology. The application of Caputo derivative with equal dimensionality includes the memory in the model, which is the main novelty of this study.
COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Belgian nursing homes: results of a surveillance conducted between April and December 2020
Authors: Vandael Eline , Latour Katrien , Islamaj Esma , Panis Laura Int , Callies Milena , Haarhuis Freek , Proesmans Kristiaan , Devleesschauwer Brecht , Rebolledo Gonzalez Javiera , Hannecart Alice , Mahieu Romain , de Viron Louise , De Clercq Etienne , Kongs Anne , Hammami Naïma , François Jean-Marc , Dubourg Dominique , Henz Sarah , Catry Boudewijn , Dequeker Sara
Published: January 2022

Background

In Belgium, the first COVID-19 death was reported on 10 March 2020. Nursing home (NH) residents are particularly vulnerable for COVID-19, making it essential to follow-up the spread of COVID-19 in this setting. This manuscript describes the methodology of surveillance and epidemiology of COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations and deaths in Belgian NHs.

Methods

A COVID-19 surveillance in all Belgian NHs (n = 1542) was set up by the regional health authorities and Sciensano. Aggregated data on possible/confirmed COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations and case-based data on deaths were reported by NHs at least once a week. The study period covered April–December 2020. Weekly incidence/prevalence data were calculated per 1000 residents or staff members.

Results

This surveillance has been launched within 14 days after the first COVID-19 death in Belgium. Automatic data cleaning was installed using different validation rules. More than 99% of NHs participated at least once, with a median weekly participation rate of 95%. The cumulative incidence of possible/confirmed COVID-19 cases among residents was 206/1000 in the first wave and 367/1000 in the second wave. Most NHs (82%) reported cases in both waves and 74% registered ≥10 possible/confirmed cases among residents at one point in time. In 51% of NHs, at least 10% of staff was absent due to COVID-19 at one point. Between 11 March 2020 and 3 January 2021, 11,329 COVID-19 deaths among NH residents were reported, comprising 57% of all COVID-19 deaths in Belgium in that period.

Conclusions

This surveillance was crucial in mapping COVID-19 in this vulnerable setting and guiding public health interventions, despite limitations of aggregated data and necessary changes in protocol over time. Belgian NHs were severely hit by COVID-19 with many fatal cases. The measure of not allowing visitors, implemented in the beginning of the pandemic, could not avoid the spread of SARS-CoV-2 in the NHs during the first wave. The virus was probably often introduced by staff. Once the virus was introduced, it was difficult to prevent healthcare-associated outbreaks. Although, in contrast to the first wave, personal protective equipment was available in the second wave, again a high number of cases were reported.
Communication and innovation in the performance of weaving and pottery crafts in Gojjam, Ethiopia
Authors: Dessie Wondifraw Mihret , Mengistu Gojjam Ademe , Mulualem Tigist Abera
Published: January 2022

Competitive organizations harness information and knowledge sharing undertakings to take risks and break customary routines. This study investigates craftspeople’s communication practices and innovation implementation towards improving business performance. Cross-sectional survey research design was employed to describe and see the association of communication and innovation with business performance. Data were collected from a sample of 326 craftspeople through structured questionnaire and field observation. Both descriptive and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) statistics were mainly used to analyze data. Findings revealed that communication practices vital for craftspeople to be innovative and integrate them with clients were negligible. The communication flaws in turn resulted in stagnant and in-house limited trifling inventiveness in craft industries. Moreover, reflexivity, frequency of communication on creativity, product and market innovation were significantly associated with craftspeople’s performance. Hence, it is recommended to arrange training and experience sharing schemes for craftspeople to enhance their communication and innovation skills thereby improve performance.
Long-read metagenomic sequencing reveals shifts in associations of antibiotic resistance genes with mobile genetic elements from sewage to activated sludge
Authors: Dai Dongjuan , Brown Connor , Bürgmann Helmut , Larsson D. G. Joakim , Nambi Indumathi , Zhang Tong , Flach Carl-Fredrik , Pruden Amy , Vikesland Peter J.
Published: January 2022

Background

There is concern that the microbially rich activated sludge environment of wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) may contribute to the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). We applied long-read (nanopore) sequencing to profile ARGs and their neighboring genes to illuminate their fate in the activated sludge treatment by comparing their abundance, genetic locations, mobility potential, and bacterial hosts within activated sludge relative to those in influent sewage across five WWTPs from three continents.

Results

The abundances (gene copies per Gb of reads, aka gc/Gb) of all ARGs and those carried by putative pathogens decreased 75–90% from influent sewage (192-605 gc/Gb) to activated sludge (31-62 gc/Gb) at all five WWTPs. Long reads enabled quantification of the percent abundance of ARGs with mobility potential (i.e., located on plasmids or co-located with other mobile genetic elements (MGEs)). The abundance of plasmid-associated ARGs decreased at four of five WWTPs (from 40–73 to 31–68%), and ARGs co-located with transposable, integrative, and conjugative element hallmark genes showed similar trends. Most ARG-associated elements decreased 0.35–13.52% while integrative and transposable elements displayed slight increases at two WWTPs (1.4–2.4%). While resistome and taxonomic compositions both shifted significantly, host phyla for chromosomal ARG classes remained relatively consistent, indicating vertical gene transfer via active biomass growth in activated sludge as the key pathway of chromosomal ARG dissemination.

Conclusions

Overall, our results suggest that the activated sludge process acted as a barrier against the proliferation of most ARGs, while those that persisted or increased warrant further attention.
Aortic valve imaging using 18F-sodium fluoride: impact of triple motion correction
Authors: Lassen Martin Lyngby , Tzolos Evangelos , Massera Daniele , Cadet Sebastien , Bing Rong , Kwiecinski Jacek , Dey Damini , Berman Daniel S. , Dweck Marc R. , Newby David E. , Slomka Piotr J.
Published: January 2022

Background

Current 18F-NaF assessments of aortic valve microcalcification using 18F-NaF PET/CT are based on evaluations of end-diastolic or cardiac motion-corrected (ECG-MC) images, which are affected by both patient and respiratory motion. We aimed to test the impact of employing a triple motion correction technique (3 × MC), including cardiorespiratory and gross patient motion, on quantitative and qualitative measurements.

Materials and methods

Fourteen patients with aortic stenosis underwent two repeat 30-min PET aortic valve scans within (29 ± 24) days. We considered three different image reconstruction protocols; an end-diastolic reconstruction protocol (standard) utilizing 25% of the acquired data, an ECG-gated (four ECG gates) reconstruction (ECG-MC), and a triple motion-corrected (3 × MC) dataset which corrects for both cardiorespiratory and patient motion. All datasets were compared to aortic valve calcification scores (AVCS), using the Agatston method, obtained from CT scans using correlation plots. We report SUVmax values measured in the aortic valve and maximum target-to-background ratios (TBRmax) values after correcting for blood pool activity.

Results

Compared to standard and ECG-MC reconstructions, increases in both SUVmax and TBRmax were observed following 3 × MC (SUVmax: Standard = 2.8 ± 0.7, ECG-MC = 2.6 ± 0.6, and 3 × MC = 3.3 ± 0.9; TBRmax: Standard = 2.7 ± 0.7, ECG-MC = 2.5 ± 0.6, and 3 × MC = 3.3 ± 1.2, all p values ≤ 0.05). 3 × MC had improved correlations (R2 value) to the AVCS when compared to the standard methods (SUVmax: Standard = 0.10, ECG-MC = 0.10, and 3 × MC = 0.20; TBRmax: Standard = 0.20, ECG-MC = 0.28, and 3 × MC = 0.46).

Conclusion

3 × MC improves the correlation between the AVCS and SUVmax and TBRmax and should be considered in PET studies of aortic valves using 18F-NaF.
Contemporary communication conduit among exemplar school principals in Malaysian schools
Authors: Saraih Emelia Fantoza , Wong Su Luan , Asimiran Soaib , Khambari Mas Nida Md.
Published: January 2022

Digital Leadership is relatively a new field of leadership study which focuses on leveraging the technology and Internet in support of one’s leadership practice. Currently, very little is known how Malaysian school principals practice Digital Leadership particularly in support of their communication practice. Therefore, this qualitative study was undertaken with the aim of understanding Digital Leadership among principals from four High Performing Schools (HPS) in Malaysia. Semi structured interviews were employed involving four exemplar school principals as the main respondents and 12 school staff as secondary respondents to the study. Findings of the study indicate that social media have become the contemporary communication conduit among exemplar Malaysian school principals and this medium has become more prominent than face-to-face interaction. Findings have also suggested that it may have a positive relation with job performance and productivity. The aforesaid findings have meaningful implications for all school principals to better integrate social media in their communication practice within members of the schools and those outside the school, including the stakeholders.
Identification of four novel hub genes as monitoring biomarkers for colorectal cancer
Authors: Luo Danqing , Yang Jing , Liu Junji , Yong Xia , Wang Zhimin
Published: January 2022

Background

It must be admitted that the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) was on the rise all over the world, but the related treatment had not caught up. Further research on the underlying pathogenesis of CRC was conducive to improving the survival status of current CRC patients.

Methods

Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screening were conducted based on “limma” and “RobustRankAggreg” package of R software. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was performed in the integrated DEGs that from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA), and all samples of validation were from Gene Expression Omnlbus (GEO) dataset.

Results

The terms obtained in the functional annotation for primary DEGs indicated that they were associated with CRC. The MEyellow stand out whereby showed the significant correlation with clinical feature (disease), and 4 hub genes, including ABCC13, AMPD1, SCNN1B and TMIGD1, were identified in yellow module. Nine datasets from Gene Expression Omnibus database confirmed these four genes were significantly down-regulated and the survival estimates for the low-expression group of these genes were lower than for the high-expression group in Kaplan-Meier survival analysis section. MEXPRESS suggested that down-regulation of some top hub genes may be caused by hypermethylation. Receiver operating characteristic curves indicated that these genes had certain diagnostic efficacy. Moreover, tumor-infiltrating immune cells and gene set enrichment analysis for hub genes suggested that there were some associations between these genes and the pathogenesis of CRC.

Conclusion

This study identified modules that were significantly associated with CRC, four novel hub genes, and further analysis of these genes. This may provide a little new insights and directions into the potential pathogenesis of CRC.
Prevalence of urinary schistosomiasis in women: a systematic review and meta-analysis of recently published literature (2016–2020)
Authors: Shams Morteza , Khazaei Sasan , Ghasemi Ezatollah , Nazari Naser , Javanmardi Erfan , Majidiani Hamidreza , Bahadory Saeed , Anvari Davood , Fatollahzadeh Mohammad , Nemati Taher , Asghari Ali
Published: January 2022

Background

Urinary schistosomiasis is a serious threat in endemic territories of Africa and the Middle East. The status of female urinary schistosomiasis (FUS) in published literature between 2016 and 2020 was investigated.

Methods

A systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, and Web of Science, based on the ‘Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses’ checklist, and a meta-analysis using random-effects model to calculate the weighted estimates and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were done.

Results

Totally, 113 datasets reported data on 40,531 women from 21 African countries, showing a pooled prevalence of 17.5% (95% CI: 14.8–20.5%). Most studies (73) were performed in Nigeria, while highest prevalence was detected in Mozambique 58% (95% CI: 56.9–59.1%) (one study). By sample type and symptoms, vaginal lavage [25.0% (95% CI: 11.4–46.1%)] and hematuria 19.4% (95% CI: 12.2–29.4%) showed higher FUS frequency. Studies using direct microscopy diagnosed a 17.1% (95% CI: 14.5–20.1%) prevalence rate, higher than PCR-based studies 15.3% (95% CI: 6.1–33.2%). Except for sample type, all other variables had significant association with the overall prevalence of FUS.

Conclusions

More studies are needed to evaluate the true epidemiology of FUS throughout endemic regions.
Predictive value of P300 event-related potential component in early cognitive impairment in patients with uncomplicated newly diagnosed hepatitis C virus
Authors: Esmael Ahmed , Belal Tamer , Amer Ibrahim F. , Samra Eslam , Elmongui Azza , Shawki Saad
Published: January 2022

Background

Cognitive impairment in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) is reported in the early onset of HCV infection without hepatic cirrhosis or marked liver impairment. Methods currently available to identify the risk for early cognitive impairment in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection do not combine enough sensitivity and specificity. The present study aimed to evaluate the P 300 components of event-related potential (ERP) abnormalities as valid biomarkers for prediction and diagnosis of the cognitive impairment in newly diagnosed hepatitis C virus infection. This study is a case–control involved fifty patients newly diagnosed HCV and fifty age and sex-matched healthy controls. Assessments of cognitive functions were carried out by the Mini-mental State Examination, Wechsler Memory Scale Revised short form, and The Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale, in addition to estimation of the amplitude and the latency of the P300 by the event-related potentials.

Results

Neuropsychological scales suggested the early incidence of cognitive impairment among hepatitis C virus patients. The electrophysiological study showed significant prolongation of P300 latency and decreased amplitude in HCV patients group compared with the control group. A binary logistic regression detected that P 300 latency ≥ 369 ms was significantly accompanied by a threefold increased risk of impaired cognition (OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.59–5.72, P < 0.01), while P 300 amplitude ≤ 8.2 μv was significantly accompanied by a twofold increased risk of impaired cognition (OR 2.18, 95% 1.43–4.05, P < 0.01).

Conclusion

This study concluded that the P300 event-related potentials components are valid biomarker as easy, noninvasive assessment and cost-effective method of early cognitive impairment in patients with uncomplicated newly diagnosed hepatitis C virus.

Registration of Clinical Trial Research

ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT04389268. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04389268
Intranasal midazolam alone versus midazolam/ketamine combination for preoperative sedation in pediatric patients undergoing ophthalmic procedures: a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Osama Noha A. , Mahmoud Sara R. , Salem Abeer S. , Tawfik Dalia S.
Published: January 2022

Background

Interaction with medical providers is a stressful experience for a child. The current study aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of intranasal midazolam alone versus midazolam/ketamine combination for preoperative sedation prior to ophthalmic procedures in preschool children. This randomized, controlled trial included male and female children (3 to 7 years old) who were American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) physical status I or II, with either disability or special needs (such as autism or Down syndrome) or were undergoing multiple operative procedures. Participants were given either intranasal midazolam (0.5 mg/kg) or a combination of intranasal midazolam (0.25 mg/kg) and ketamine (1 mg/kg). Primary outcome measures were the preoperative level of sedation, agitation, and easiness of separation. Secondary outcomes included oxygen saturation and pulse rate. Any adverse effects, such as nausea and vomiting were reported.

Results

The mean rank of the Six-point Pediatric Sedation Scale was significantly (p = 0.001) higher in the midazolam/ketamine group compared to the midazolam group (28.15 vs 18.85, respectively). The median pulse rate was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in the midazolam group than the combination group at 5, 10, 15, and 20 min after induction of anesthesia.

Conclusions

These findings indicate that intranasal ketamine and midazolam combination produced better sedation than intranasal midazolam alone in preschool children prior to ophthalmic procedures. Moreover, ketamine and midazolam combination was safer with less incidence of bradycardia.
Dissection of genotype-by-environment interaction and yield stability analysis in barley using AMMI model and stability statistics
Authors: Pour-Aboughadareh Alireza , Barati Ali , Koohkan Shir Ali , Jabari Mehdi , Marzoghian Akbar , Gholipoor Ahmad , Shahbazi-Homonloo Kamal , Zali Hassan , Poodineh Omid , Kheirgo Masoome
Published: January 2022

Background

Barley is one of the most important cereal crops with considerable tolerance to various environmental stresses, which can maintain its productivity well in marginal croplands. The selection of stable and high-yielding barley genotypes and ideal discriminative locations is an important strategy for the development of new cultivars in tropical climates. Different statistical methods have been developed to dissect the genotype-by-environment interaction effect and investigate the stability of genotypes and select discriminative environments. The main objective of the present study was to identify high-yielding and stable barley genotypes and testing environments located in the tropical regions of Iran using 23 parametric and nonparametric stability statistics. In the present study, the grain yield stability in nineteen barley genotypes was investigated across five different locations over two consecutive years (2018–2020).

Results

The additive main effects multiplicative interaction (AMMI) analysis showed that environments (E), genotypes (G) and GE interaction effects were significant for grain yield. Using Spearman’s rank correlation analysis, a pattern map developed simultaneously for assessing relationships between grain yield and stability statistics and clustering of them, which allowed identifying two main groups based on their stability concepts. The biplot rendered using the weighted average of absolute scores (WAASB) and mean grain yield identified superior genotypes in terms of performance and stability. Among test environments, Darab, Gonbad and Zabol showed a high discriminating ability and played the highest contribution in creating GEI. Hence, these regions are suggested as discriminative sites in Iran for the selection of high-yielding and stable barley genotypes.

Conclusion

As a conclusion from this research, all stability statistics together identify G10 and G12 as the superior barley genotypes; these genotypes could be released as commercial cultivars in tropical regions of Iran.
Isotopic signatures and hydrochemistry in assessing groundwater occurrence in the desert environs west Qena, Egypt
Authors: El Sabri Mohamed Abdel Hadi Shedid , Rashed Mohamed Ahmed , Sediek Kadry Nasser , Rofaayl Nabil Hosny , Eltabakh Osama Hazem
Published: January 2022

Background

Developing the desert zone outside the flood plain of the Nile River and targeting the reclamation of about 12,500 feddan in the desert environs of Qena governorate are considered one of the top priorities of both government and the private sectors. The present study is based on qualitative analyses of the groundwater of the Quaternary aquifer in the desert environs west Qena. Groundwater was chemically and isotopically analyzed to determine the origin of groundwater and assess its occurrence.

Results

The obtained results indicate that the Quaternary aquifer represents the most important groundwater aquifer in the area. The water level ranges from + 40 to + 67 m above sea level. The groundwater movement direction in the study area is mainly from southeast to northwest direction, with some local flow groundwater directions from Nile River at the north to old alluvial plain and desert environs at the south. The hydraulic conductivity of the aquifer is determined from the pumping test range from 17.63 to 42.86 m/day, with an average value of 27.04 m/day, while the transmissivity ranges between 2142.8 and 1128.3 m2/day, with an average value of 1456.74 m2/day. The total dissolved solids range from 589 to 3832 mg/L. Isotopic analysis (oxygen eighteen and deuterium) of fifteen groundwater samples was carried out to define the recharge source of the Quaternary aquifer. The groundwater isotopic data reflect variability in recharge conditions during different ages and different climatic regimes. According to the minor and trace elements concentration and US Salinity Laboratory Staff nomogram, most water samples are suitable for drinking purposes, domestic use and irrigation.

Conclusion

The current research concluded that from the foregoing hydrological study and the determined values of hydraulic conductivity and transmissivity, the Quaternary aquifer is classified as ranging between moderate and high potential aquifer. The high potentiality of the aquifer is detected close to the Nile River. In addition to the representative groundwater samples showing the isotope signature of the Nile River sample, this means that all these wells have the same source of recharge (meteoric water of the Nile River).
Essential oil from Cymbopogon citratus exhibits “anti-aspergillosis” potential: in-silico molecular docking and in vitro studies
Authors: Sharma Arun Dev , Kaur Inderjeet
Published: January 2022

Background

Aspergillosis, has recently confounded some states of India. Due to major role in fungal cell wall synthesis, in the present study UDP-glycosyltransferase, Glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase and chitin synthase were chosen as an appropriate sites to design drug. The objective of present study was molecular docking of lemon grass essential oil component citral and in vitro validation. GC-FID analysis was used to find out aromatic profile. For docking, Patch-dock analysis was used. Ligand Protein 2D and 3D Interactions were also studied. Drug likeliness, and toxicity profile were also studied. Docking analysis indicated effective binding of citral to UDP-glycosyltransferase, Glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase and chitin synthase. In vitro validation was performed by fungal strainAspergillus fumigatum.

Results

GC-FID profiling revealed the presence of citral as major bioactive compound. Interactions results indicated that, UDP-glycosyltransferase, Glucosamine-6-phosphate synthase and chitin synthase enzymes and citral complexes forms hydrogen and hydrophobic interactions. Citral also depicted drug likeliness by LIPINSKY rule, sufficient level of bioactivity, drug likeliness and toxicity.

Conclusion

In vitro results revealed that lemon grass oil was able to inhibit growth of fungal strains toxicity thus signifying its role as potent anti-fungal drug.
Eco-toxic risk assessment and source distribution of trace metals in surface sediments of the coastal and in four rivers estuary of Sarawak
Authors: Asare Ebenezer Aquisman , Assim Zaini , Wahi Rafeah , Fianko Joseph Richmond
Published: January 2022

Background

Trace metals pollution in the coastal and estuarine sediment could harm water quality and aquatic organisms, leading to potential long-term health risks on the environment and humans. Thus, the purpose of this study was to conduct an assessment of selected trace metals in surface sediments of the coastal and in four rivers estuary in the Sarawak State of Malaysia to investigate their distribution, environmental risk, and potential source distribution.

Results

Average concentrations of trace metals in sediment increased in the following order: Cd ˂ As ˂ Co ˂ Cu ˂ Ni ˂ Cr ˂ Zn ˂ Mn ˂ Mg ˂ Fe. The enrichment, contamination, and geo-accumulation index results showed that surface sediments were polluted with Zn and Mg. In contrast, the other metals (i.e., As, Fe, Mn, Ni, Cr, Cu, Co, and Cd) indicated background concentration to minor contamination. Generally, the pollution load index values showed that almost all the sampling sites were unpolluted with the selected trace metals. Sediment quality guidelines (SQGs) and risk indexes were employed to assess the ecotoxicological risk of trace metal contamination in the sediments. The results proved that studied trace metals are not likely to have a deleterious impact on bottom-dwelling organisms. Still, a further accumulation of trace metals such as Zn, Ni, and Cr with time may adversely affect bottom-dwelling organisms. The risk index results showed a low ecological risk to the study sites. The correlation analysis and principal component analysis indicated that nine studied trace metals have strong interrelationships, suggesting common pollution sources or similar geochemical characteristics.

Conclusions

The study highlights the need to make tremendous efforts to monitor and control trace metal pollution in the coastal and estuarine areas.
Approach to the Patient: Differential Diagnosis of Cystic Sellar Lesions
Authors: Gadelha Mônica R , Wildemberg Luiz Eduardo , Lamback Elisa Baranski , Barbosa Monique Alvares , Kasuki Leandro , Ventura Nina
Published: January 2022

Cystic lesions arising in the sellar region are not uncommon and encompass cystic pituitary adenomas, Rathke cleft cysts, craniopharyngiomas, and arachnoid cysts. Their clinical presentation may be similar, including headache, visual field defects, and anterior pituitary hormone deficits, which makes differential diagnosis challenging. On the other hand, imaging features may indicate certain pathologies. In this approach to the patient, we describe the case of a patient who presented with right temporal hemianopsia and a sellar/suprasellar cystic lesion, which was determined to be Rathke cleft cyst. We discuss the imaging characteristics that may suggest a particular diagnosis between Rathke cleft cyst, cystic pituitary adenoma, craniopharyngioma, and arachnoid cyst and propose a flowchart for aiding in the imaging differential diagnosis.
Whole-exome Sequencing Analysis of a Japanese Patient With Hyperinsulinemia and Liver Dysfunction
Authors: Fujita Shingo , Horitani Emi , Miyashita Yohei , Fujita Yukari , Fukui Kenji , Kamada Yoshihiro , Mineo Ikuo , Asano Yoshihiro , Iwahashi Hiromi , Kozawa Junji , Shimomura Iichiro
Published: January 2022

Hyperinsulinemia is often observed in obese subjects because of insulin resistance, but it may occur in nonobese subjects with unknown etiology. A 72-year-old man was admitted to our hospital for the examination of hyperinsulinemia, reactive hypoglycemia, and liver dysfunction. The patient’s body mass index was 23.7 kg/m2, but he had an elevated visceral fat area (125 cm2). His laboratory data showed mildly elevated liver enzymes, whereas plasma fasting glucose and serum insulin levels were 91 mg/dL and 52.3 μU/mL, respectively. In a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test, the serum insulin level reached the highest value of 1124 μU/mL at 180 minutes. There was no obvious etiology except for mild liver steatosis shown by liver biopsy. We suspected genetic abnormalities related to hyperinsulinemia. We performed whole-exome sequencing (WES) analyses and identified a heterozygous nonsense variant p.R924X in the insulin receptor (INSR) gene, a novel heterozygous missense variant p.V416M in the AKT1 gene, and a novel hemizygous missense variant p.R310Q in the PHKA2 gene, which is the causative gene of hepatic injury as glycogen storage disease type IX. It was speculated that the INSR gene variant, in addition to visceral fat accumulation, was the main cause of hyperinsulinemia and reactive hypoglycemia, and the remaining 2 variants were also partly responsible for hyperinsulinemia. WES analysis revealed candidate gene variants of hyperinsulinemia and hepatic-type glycogenosis. Thus, WES analysis may be a useful tool for clarifying the etiology when unexplained genetic pathophysiological conditions are suspected.