bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Miconazole Promotes Cooperative Ability of a Mouse Model of Alzheimer Disease
Authors: Wang Ze , Zhang Yanli , Feng Weixi , Pang Yingting , Chen Sijia , Ding Shixin , Chen Yan , Sheng Chengyu , Marshall Charles , Shi Jingping , Xiao Ming
Published: September 2022

Background

Cooperative defect is 1 of the earliest manifestations of disease patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) exhibit, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Methods

We evaluated the cooperative function of APP/PS1 transgenic AD model mice at ages 2, 5, and 8 months by using a cooperative drinking task. We examined neuropathologic changes in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Another experiment was designed to observe whether miconazole, which has a repairing effect on myelin sheath, could promote the cooperative ability of APP/PS1 mice in the early AD-like stage. We also investigated the protective effects of miconazole on cultured mouse cortical oligodendrocytes exposed to human amyloid β peptide (Aβ1-42).

Results

We observed an age-dependent impairment of cooperative water drinking behavior in APP/PS1 mice. The AD mice with cooperative dysfunction showed decreases in myelin sheath thickness, oligodendrocyte nuclear heterochromatin percentage, and myelin basic protein expression levels in the mPFC. The cooperative ability was significantly improved in APP/PS1 mice treated with miconazole. Miconazole treatment increased oligodendrocyte maturation and myelin sheath thickness without reducing Aβ plaque deposition, reactive gliosis, and inflammatory factor levels in the mPFC. Miconazole also protected cultured oligodendrocytes from the toxicity of Aβ1-42.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that mPFC hypomyelination is involved in the cooperative deficits of APP/PS1 mice. Improving myelination through miconazole therapy may offer a potential therapeutic approach for early intervention in AD.
Leader Visits and UN Security Council Membership
Authors: Wang Yu
Published: September 2022

Existing international relations literature on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) paints a picture where the United States proactively lobbies other UNSC members using carrots and sticks, whereas China is quiet, content with its veto power, and acts only to punish other members when its core interests are hurt. We add nuance to the picture and present a different perspective where China actively promotes its agenda among UNSC members. Using newly collected data from 2000 to 2020, we show that when Chinese leaders visit Africa, they are three times more likely to visit a sitting UNSC member country than a nonmember country. We obtain similar results when we replicate our models on the seminal work by Dreher et al. (2018).
Functional conservation of an AP2/ERF transcription factor in cuticle formation suggests an important role in the terrestrialization of early land plants
Authors: Kim Ryeo Jin , Lee Seat Buyl , Pandey Garima , Suh Mi Chung
Published: September 2022

The formation of a hydrophobic cuticle layer on aerial plant parts was a critical innovation for protection from the terrestrial environment during the evolution of land plants. However, little is known about the molecular mechanisms underlying cuticle biogenesis in early terrestrial plants. Here, we report an APETALA2/Ethylene Response Factor (AP2/ERF) transcriptional activator, PpWIN1, involved in cutin and cuticular wax biosynthesis in Physcomitrium patens and Arabidopsis. The transcript levels of PpWIN1 were 2.5–fold higher in gametophores than in the protonema, and increased by approximately 3– to 4.7–fold in the protonema and gametophores under salt and osmotic stresses. PpWIN1 harbouring transcriptional activation activity is localized in the nucleus of tobacco leaf epidermal cells. Δppwin1 knockout mutants displayed a permeable cuticle, increased water loss, and cutin- and wax-deficient phenotypes. In contrast, increased total cutin and wax loads, and decreased water loss rates were observed in PpWIN1-overexpressing Arabidopsis plants. The transcript levels of genes involved in cutin or wax biosynthesis were significantly up-regulated in PpWIN1-overexpressing Arabidopsis lines, indicating that PpWIN1 acts as a transcriptional activator in cuticle biosynthesis. This study suggests that Arabidopsis WIN1/SHN1 orthologs may be functionally conserved from early to vascular land plants.
Long COVID: a narrative review of the clinical aftermaths of COVID-19 with a focus on the putative pathophysiology and aspects of physical activity
Authors: Haunhorst Simon , Bloch Wilhelm , Wagner Heiko , Ellert Claudia , Krüger Karsten , Vilser Daniel C , Finke Kathrin , Reuken Philipp , Pletz Mathias W , Stallmach Andreas , Puta Christian
Published: September 2022

The pandemic coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) can cause multi-systemic symptoms that can persist beyond the acute symptomatic phase. The post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 (PASC), also referred to as long COVID, describe the persistence of symptoms and/or long-term complications beyond 4 weeks from the onset of the acute symptoms and are estimated to affect at least 20% of the individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 regardless of their acute disease severity. The multi-faceted clinical picture of long COVID encompasses a plethora of undulating clinical manifestations impacting various body systems such as fatigue, headache, attention disorder, hair loss and exercise intolerance. The physiological response to exercise testing is characterized by a reduced aerobic capacity, cardiocirculatory limitations, dysfunctional breathing patterns and an impaired ability to extract and use oxygen. Still, to this day, the causative pathophysiological mechanisms of long COVID remain to be elucidated, with long-term organ damage, immune system dysregulation and endotheliopathy being among the hypotheses discussed. Likewise, there is still a paucity of treatment options and evidence-based strategies for the management of the symptoms. In sum, this review explores different aspects of long COVID and maps the literature on what is known about its clinical manifestations, potential pathophysiological mechanisms, and treatment options.
Cytokinins Induce Prehaustoria Coordinately with Quinone Signals in the Parasitic Plant Striga hermonthica
Authors: Aoki Natsumi , Cui Songkui , Yoshida Satoko
Published: September 2022

Orobanchaceae parasitic plants are major threats to global food security, causing severe agricultural damage worldwide. Parasitic plants derive water and nutrients from their host plants through multicellular organs called haustoria. The formation of a prehaustorium, a primitive haustorial structure, is provoked by host-derived haustorium-inducing factors (HIFs). Quinones, including 2,6-dimethoxy-p-benzoquinone (DMBQ), are of the most potent HIFs for various species in Orobanchaceae, but except non-photosynthetic holoparasites, Phelipanche and Orobanche spp. Instead, cytokinin (CK) phytohormones were reported to induce prehaustoria in Phelipanche ramosa. However, little is known about whether CKs act as HIFs in the other parasitic species to date. Moreover, the signaling pathways for quinones and CKs in prehaustorium induction are not well understood. This study shows that CKs act as HIFs in the obligate parasite Striga hermonthica but not in the facultative parasite Phtheirospermum japonicum. Using chemical inhibitors and marker gene expression analysis, we demonstrate that CKs activate prehaustorium formation through a CK-specific signaling pathway that overlaps with the quinone HIF pathway at downstream in S. hermonthica. Moreover, host root exudates activated S. hermonthica CK biosynthesis and signaling genes, and DMBQ and CK inhibitors perturbed the prehaustorium-inducing activity of exudates, indicating that host root exudates include CKs. Our study reveals the importance of CKs for prehaustorium formation in obligate parasitic plants.
Tonoplast-localized transporter ZmNRAMP2 confers root-to-shoot translocation of manganese in maize
Authors: Guo Jingxuan , Long Lizhi , Chen Anle , Dong Xiaonan , Liu Zhipeng , Chen Limei , Wang Junying , Yuan Lixing
Published: September 2022

Almost all living organisms require manganese (Mn) as an essential trace element for survival. To maintain an irreplaceable role in the oxygen-evolving complex of photosynthesis, plants require efficient Mn uptake in roots and delivery to above-ground tissues. However, the underlying mechanisms of root-to-shoot Mn translocation remain unclear. Here, we identified an Natural Resistance Associated Macrophage Protein (NRAMP) family member in maize (Zea mays), ZmNRAMP2, which localized to the tonoplast in maize protoplasts and mediated transport of Mn in yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae). Under Mn deficiency, two maize mutants defective in ZmNRAMP2 exhibited remarkable reduction of root-to-shoot Mn translocation along with lower shoot Mn contents, resulting in substantial decreases in Fv/Fm and plant growth inhibition compared to their corresponding wild-type (WT) plants. ZmNRAMP2 transcripts were highly expressed in xylem parenchyma cells of the root stele. Compared to the WT, the zmnramp2-1 mutant displayed lower Mn concentration in xylem sap accompanied with retention of Mn in root stele. Furthermore, the overexpression of ZmNRAMP2 in transgenic maize showed enhanced root-to-shoot translocation of Mn and improved tolerance to Mn deficiency. Taken together, our study reveals a crucial role of ZmNRAMP2 in root-to-shoot translocation of Mn via accelerating vacuolar Mn release in xylem parenchyma cells for adaption of maize plants to low Mn stress and provides a promising transgenic approach to develop low Mn-tolerant crop cultivars.
POLLEN WALL ABORTION 1 is essential for pollen wall development in rice
Authors: Zhang Lisha , Liu Yang , Wei Gang , Lei Ting , Wu Jingwen , Zheng Lintao , Ma Honglei , He Guanghua , Wang Nan
Published: September 2022

The integrity of pollen wall structures is essential for pollen development and maturity in rice (Oryza sativa L.). In this study, we isolated and characterized the rice male-sterile mutant pollen wall abortion 1 (pwa1), which exhibits a defective pollen wall (DPW) structure and has sterile pollen. Map-based cloning, genetic complementation, and gene knockout experiments revealed that PWA1 corresponds to the gene LOC_Os01g55094 encoding a coiled-coil domain-containing protein. PWA1 localized to the nucleus, and PWA1 was expressed in the tapetum and microspores. PWA1 interacted with the transcription factor TAPETUM DEGENERATION RETARDATION (TDR)-INTERACTING PROTEIN2 (TIP2, also named bHLH142) in vivo and in vitro. The tip2-1 mutant, which we obtained by clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9-mediated gene editing, showed delayed tapetum degradation, sterile pollen, and DPWs. We determined that TIP2/bHLH142 regulates PWA1 expression by binding to its promoter. Analysis of the phenotype of the tip2-1 pwa1 double mutant indicated that TIP2/bHLH142 functions upstream of PWA1. Further studies suggested that PWA1 has transcriptional activation activity and participates in pollen intine development through the β-glucosidase Os12BGlu38. Therefore, we identified a sterility factor, PWA1, and uncovered a regulatory network underlying the formation of the pollen wall and mature pollen in rice.
Sensory Profiles in Patients with Low Back Pain with and Without Radiculopathy
Authors: Reimer Maren , Witthöft Johanna , Greinacher Jessica , Sachau Juliane , Forstenpointner Julia , Hüllemann Philipp , Binder Andreas , Gierthmühlen Janne , Baron Ralf
Published: September 2022

Objective

During routine clinical evaluation, it can be challenging to differentiate between lumbar radiculopathy (RAD) and lower back pain with non-radicular somatic referred pain (SRP) or even axial non-radiating low back pain (LBP). The aim of this study was to characterize patients with RAD, axial LBP (aLBP), and SRP on the basis of somatosensory profiles.

Methods

Patients with LBP (n = 54) were assessed with quantitative sensory testing in the area of LBP and, in cases of RAD, additionally in the area of projecting pain. Questionnaires (PainDETECT®, EuroQol-5D, Medical Outcomes Study Sleep Scale, Hannover Functional Ability Questionnaire for Back Pain, Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire, Short Form-12 Health Survey, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) were answered by all patients.

Results

Patients with RAD (n = 12) had higher pain intensity scores (numeric rating scale: 5.7 ± 1.5 vs 4.1 ± 2.2; P < 0.05) and higher PainDETECT scores (14.6 ± 6.13 vs 9.7 ± 6.2; P < 0.05) than did patients with aLBP and SRP (n = 42). Patients with RAD had a more pronounced loss of small-fiber function, increased mechanical hyperalgesia, and a trend toward increased sensitivity to thermal pain in the area of LBP compared with patients with aLBP and SRP. Within patients with RAD, sensory profiles of the area of projecting pain and the area of LBP did not differ. Pressure pain hyperalgesia (measured by pressure pain threshold) and loss of mechanical detection (measured by mechanical detection threshold) in combination with the PainDETECT items numbness and prickling reached the best predictive value in detecting a radiculopathy.

Conclusions

Patients with RAD demonstrated more somatosensory abnormalities than did patients with aLBP and SRP, including increased mechanical hyperalgesia and a loss of mechanical detection. The combination of pressure pain threshold, mechanical detection threshold, numbness, and prickling in the area of LBP can be a time-efficient tool to identify patients with RAD.
The efficacy and safety of one-stage endoscopy combined with intrarenal surgery (mini-nephrostomy tract) in the prone split-leg position for complex renal calculi
Authors: Yu Kai , Du Zhebin , Xuan Hanqing , Cao Yang , Zhong Hai , Li Fangzhou , Chen Qi
Published: September 2022

Background

The goal of this study was to determine the safety and efficacy of endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery (ECIRS) performed in the prone split-leg position for the treatment of complex renal stones.

Materials and methods

A mature ECIRS protocol was designed. Retrospective analysis was conducted of medical records between January 2020 and December 2021 of patients with complex renal stones at one center who underwent ECIRS by 2 skilled surgeons using retrograde flexible ureteroscopy and mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy in the prone split-leg position.

Results

A total of 44 patients were included in this study. Mean stone size was 26.1 ± 12.7 mm, and the number of calyces involved was 4.36 ± 2.09. Mean operative time was 71.1 ± 21.8 minutes. Postoperative decline in hemoglobin was 15.8 ± 9.8 g/L. Seventy-five percent of patients achieved stone-free status. The mean number of residual stones was 2.8 ± 2.3, and the mean residual stone size was 10.30 ± 4.76 mm. Six patients (13.6%) developed postoperative complications, including 4 with fever during the first 2 days postoperatively and 2 patients with transient postoperative pain. No patients developed severe complications.

Conclusions

Endoscopic combined intrarenal surgery in the prone split-leg position can be performed safely by experienced surgeons using retrograde flexible ureteroscopy in conjunction with mini-percutaneous nephrolithotomy as a successful technique for the treatment of complex renal stones.
A comprehensive visual report of urodynamic study in rats with spinal cord injury
Authors: Salehi-Pourmehr Hanieh , Mahmoudi Javad , Saeedi Vahdat Arman , Hajebrahimi Sakineh , Abolhasanpour Nasrin
Published: September 2022

Objectives

Spinal cord injury (SCI) is one of the most debilitating and expensive traumatic conditions. Chronic complications after SCI have a particularly negative impact on patients’ functional independence and quality of life. Urodynamic study (UDS) provides a quantitative assessment of lower urinary tract function in these patients. In many fields, animal models are considered a precursor to clinical trials, so research using laboratory animals play a major role in knowledge acquisition.

Materials and methods

Twelve female Wistar rats (13 weeks old, 220–270 g) were divided randomly into 2 groups: sham or SCI. The sham-operated group underwent a laminectomy at T9–T10 without any spinal cord damage, while the SCI group underwent a complete transection at the T9–T10 vertebral level. We performed cystometry in all animals at the end of the fourth week. In this article, we visualize all procedures for catheter implementation and UDS in animals for the first time at Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Iran, using a locally developed animal UDS device.

Results

The UDS results showed that the bladders in the SCI group were overactive and that peak and baseline pressures increased significantly in rats with SCI when compared with the sham group (p < 0.05 for all). Conversely, significant reductions in bladder compliance and intercontraction interval were observed in the SCI group (p < 0.05 for both).

Conclusions

This comprehensive visual report will be very useful to all researchers in the field of urology. Furthermore, the measurable variables of the UDS device have been described in this study.
Predictors of stone-free rate after a single-session extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy for a single kidney stone measuring 10 to 20 mm: A private center experience
Authors: Faddan Amr A. , Najieb Osama , Gadelkareem Rabea A.
Published: September 2022

Background

Despite the continuous update of guidelines for the management of kidney stones, the ability to predict a successful response to extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (SWL) remains a topic of research. This is due to the need to refine the decision making in the context of technological advancements and current pandemics. This study aimed to determine the predictors of stone-free rate (SFR) after single-session SWL in adult patients with a single kidney stone 10 to 20 mm in diameter.

Materials and methods

A retrospective review of the records of patients with a single kidney stone 10 to 20 mm in diameter was performed at a private SWL center from December 2019 to February 2021. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for stone- and patient-related factors, using the Student t and Mann-Whitney U tests for the quantitative variables and the Fisher exact and Pearson correlation tests for the qualitative variables.

Results

A total of 138 patients were eligible for this study, including 92 men and 46 women. The mean age was 38.6 ± 12.4 years, and the mean body mass index (BMI) was 25.9 ± 3.4 kg/m2. Four weeks after SWL, 120 patients (87%) were free of stones, and 18 (13%) needed further treatment. Univariate analyses showed that SFR was negatively correlated with increased BMI (p = 0.0001), maximum stone length (p = 0.0001), transverse diameter of the stone (p = 0.0001), number of shocks per session (p = 0.052), and Hounsfield unit (HU) (p = 0.0001). Multivariate analysis revealed that HU (p = 0.009), maximum stone length (p = 0.01), BMI (p = 0.000), and presence of double-J stent (p = 0.034) were independent risk factors for failure of single-session SWL in the treatment of kidney stones 10 to 20 mm in diameter. The estimated average cost per case was USD 450.5.

Conclusions

Increased HU, maximum stone length, BMI, and presence of double-J stents were independent risk factors for low SFR after single-session SWL for a kidney stone 10 to 20 mm in diameter. The cost of SWL remains an advantage in the private sector.
From the challenge of assessing autonomy to the instruments used in practice: A scoping review
Authors: Lima Andreia Maria Novo , da Silva Martins Maria Manuela Ferreira , Ferreira Maria Salomé Martins , Fernandes Carla Sílvia , Schoeller Soraia Dornelles , Parola Vítor Sérgio Oliveira
Published: September 2022

Antecedents:

Autonomy is one of the essential components to live a quality life. Monitoring this autonomy is, in effect, essential, to allow the nurses to conceive, implement and evaluate interventions aimed at its promotion or even maintenance. For this reason, this scoping review aims to map the evidence to identify and analyze the instruments used to assess the person’s autonomy, which emerges from scientific production.

Methods:

Scoping review based on the recommended principles by the Joanna Briggs Institute. The research was realized in the databases: Scopus (excluding MEDLINE), CINAHL complete (via EBSCO, Excluding MEDLINE), and MEDLINE (via PubMed). Two independent reviewers evaluated the articles’ pertinence for the study’s investigation, the extraction, and synthesis of articles.

Results:

After the analysis, according to the inclusion criteria established, 34 articles were selected, allude to 7 different instruments to assess autonomy.

Conclusions:

The need for further development at this level is highlighted, namely through the construction and validation of more comprehensive instruments, integrating the different components of the concept of autonomy.
Portuguese adaptation and validation of a patient-reported experience measure for patients with rheumatoid arthritis: A protocol study
Authors: Oliveira Daniela , Bernardes Miguel , Vaz Carlos , Costa Lúcia , Fonseca João Almeida , Jácome Cristina
Published: September 2022

Background:

There is a growing attention to patient-reported experience measures in assessing the quality of care in patient-centered care models. A specific patient-reported experience measure for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has been developed in the United Kingdom—Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure. This patient-reported experience measure might be feasible to be used in Portugal, yet an adaptation and validation process is needed. Therefore, the aims of this study will be to translate and cross-culturally adapt the Portuguese version of the Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure, evaluate its content and face validity through a qualitative approach, and evaluate its psychometric properties through a clinical field testing.

Methods:

This study is based on a multimethod approach combining qualitative and quantitative approaches. This study will include patients with RA from a single rheumatology center. Three sequential phases are planned: Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure translation and cultural adaptation, Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure content and face validity assessed through 2 focus groups with at least 10 patients, and the Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure field testing through a cross-sectional study with 50 patients.

Conclusions:

By involving patients with RA in the validation and implementation of the Commissioning for Quality in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patient-Reported Experience Measure, we expect to demonstrate the usefulness of this specific patient-reported experience measure to improve health care provided to patients with RA.
Understanding the Mental Health Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Railway Workers
Authors: Cogan Nicola , McGibbon Megan , Gardiner Amy , Morton Liza
Published: September 2022

Objective

Railway workers have provided an essential service throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. This study explored the effects of COVID-19 on the mental well-being of railway workers (N = 906) in the United Kingdom during the third lockdown period.

Method

The online survey included measures of COVID-19–related risk factors (perceived risk, stress, burnout, trauma) and protective factors (resilience coping, team resilience, general help seeking) associated with mental well-being. Responses were analyzed using multiple regression and content analysis.

Results

COVID-19–related risk factors negatively predicted well-being. Higher scores on adaptive resilience, intentions to seek help, and team resilience significantly predicted higher mental well-being scores. Mental health decline throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns for the future were reported.

Conclusions

Building a resilient railway workforce requires attention to staff mental well-being and to ensuring that support systems are robust and accessible.
Improving the Hearing Status Discrimination of the Health Utilities Index, Mark 3: Design of the Hearing Status Classification System
Authors: Dixon Peter R. , Feeny David , Tomlinson George , Cushing Sharon L. , Chen Joseph M.
Published: September 2022

Objective

Redesign the health status classification system of the Health Utilities Index, Mark 3 (HUI-3) “hearing” attribute to improve its discrimination of hearing-impaired health states.

Study Design

Domain and item selection from a previously generated item set guided by a domain and item importance survey, structural independence, and cognitive interviews with patients.

Setting

Tertiary referral center.

Participants

Patients with a range of hearing loss severities, etiologies, and treatment experiences participated in the domain and item importance survey (n = 108) and hour-long cognitive interviews (n = 10).

Main Outcome and Measure(s)

Subattributes and levels for the novel Hearing attribute. Domain and item importance was scored on a seven-point Likert scale (1, not at all important; 7, extremely important).

Results

Mean domain importance was highest for “speech in noise” (6.21; 95% confidence interval, 5.98–6.43) and lowest for “benefits of hearing loss” (3.46; 95% confidence interval, 3.03–3.89). Domains with moderate or greater (r ≥ 0.5) domain importance Pearson correlation or construct overlap that interfered with structural independence were combined into single subattributes. Iterative adjustments to instructions, items, and phrasing were guided by cognitive interviews to derive the final instrument with seven subattributes: speech, environmental sounds, localization, listening effort, tinnitus, music, and assistive devices. The novel hearing attribute defines 25,920 unique hearing states.

Conclusion

The novel HUI-hearing is part of a comprehensive health utility instrument designed for individuals with hearing loss. Pending derivation of a hearing single attribute utility function and evaluation of measurement properties, our innovative approach could be used to improve health utility measurement for impairments described by any of the other HUI-3 attributes.
Implementation of an Evidence-Based Practice Change Removing Heparin From Implanted Vascular Access Devices
Authors: Hoffman Megan , Fischer-Cartlidge Erica
Published: September 2022

The objective of this article was to describe the implementation and outcomes of an evidence-based practice change to remove heparin from implanted vascular access device (IVAD) management. An extensive search of the literature was performed, and articles were appraised and synthesized to determine the best practice. A common theme emerged from the literature, showing that 0.9% sodium chloride alone can be as effective as heparin in preventing occlusion in IVADs. In this nurse-led initiative, heparin was successfully removed from the IVAD deaccess process and replaced with a 0.9% sodium chloride flush using a pulsatile flushing technique. Alteplase administration rates were used to measure success of the project, with no statistically significant change observed in alteplase rates 6 mo postimplementation. Successful implementation of this practice change demonstrates that 0.9% sodium chloride may be used for IVAD lock when deaccessing.
Influence of Sociodemographic and Occupational Factors on Safety Culture in Neonatal Intensive Care in Brazil
Authors: Manzo Bruna Figueiredo , Correa Allana dos Reis , Chaves Taylane Vilela , Damaceno Maria Alice Fonseca , Antunes Karine , Macieira Tamara G. R. , Diniz Catharine Galvão , Parker Leslie A.
Published: September 2022

Background:

Patient safety culture is influenced by factors such as professional category, experience, and age. Understanding these factors can inform initiatives to improve safety.

Purpose:

To evaluate the relationship between sociodemographic and occupational characteristics on health professionals' perception of patient safety culture.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study involving 514 health care professionals from Brazilian neonatal intensive care units was conducted using the Hospital Survey on Patient Safety Culture.

Results:

Several sociodemographic and occupational characteristics were associated with higher perceptions of safety culture, including older age and having a higher level of education.

Conclusion:

Sociodemographic and occupational factors may influence the safety culture in neonatal intensive care units and should be considered when developing and implementing strategies to improve safety.
Sesame
Authors: Singletary Keith W.
Published: September 2022

Sesame (Sesamum indicumL.) is an annual plant whose seeds are purported to be one of the oldest oilseeds used by humans. Although originating in Africa and India, this plant currently is cultivated in diverse regions worldwide from semiarid tropics to temperate areas. This edible seed oil has many routine and diverse uses in food preparation and cooking, and the dehulled seed is included in the preparation of numerous food products, condiments, and confectionaries, imparting a distinctive savory, nutty, roasted flavor. Sesame has a long history of use in traditional medicines for treatment of wounds, asthma, blurred vision, abdominal pain and ulcers, toothaches and gum disease, and migraine, to name a few. More recently, sesame constituents have demonstrated antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that may alleviate conditions such as atherosclerosis, diabetes, hypertension, and pain. The current narrative summarizes human studies evaluating sesame seeds, oil, and constituents for improving diverse human disorders, and provides suggestions for future research.
Dory Flop Sign in Monkeypox: 2 Cases
Authors: Peñuelas Leal Rodrigo , Labrandero Hoyos Carolina , Grau Echevarría Andrés , Martínez Domenech Álvaro , Lorca Sprohnle Javier , Casanova Esquembre Andrés , Magdaleno Tapial Jorge , Hernández Bel Pablo
Published: September 2022

We describe 2 monkeypox cases in human immunodeficiency virus–positive men who have sex with men with undetectable viral loads. Both patients presented with the dory flop sign.
An evaluation of digital partner notification tool engagement & impact for patients diagnosed with gonorrhea and syphilis
Authors: Folke Tomas , Menon-Johansson Anatole Sebastian
Published: September 2022

Objective

Partner Notification (PN) is a key public health service to alert the partners of patients diagnosed with a sexually transmitted infection and then support these individuals to test. PN is a challenge to deliver because of the personal nature of this communication and the time it requires to deliver effectively. Digital tools have been developed to support patients to inform their partners; unfortunately, it has not been possible to measure engagement with – and the impact of – these solutions. A digital PN tool (dPNt) was developed for use by the healthcare provider to (1) deliver anonymous PN, (2) support the partner to locate and test at an appropriate local service, and (3) track real-time outcome metrics. To assess the usefulness of this tool we analysed dPNt adoption and performance in the delivery of PN services.

Method

dPNt engagement for 5,715 patients diagnosed by 23 healthcare providers with either gonorrhea or syphilis in 2019 was analysed to determine what factors were associated with the use of this tool. The PN performance and a sub analysis of the patients who used dPNt was compared with the adjusted aggregate PN performance reported by Public Health England (PHE).

Results

Overall dPNt engagement was 21% and 27% for patients with gonorrhea and syphilis, respectively. Male gendered patients with gonorrhea and younger patients with either diagnosis were more likely to engage with dPNt. Non-engagement with dPNt was associated with a significantly higher number of partners reported as already seen and tested at the time that PN was initiated. The overall number of partners seen and tested per index patient increased in the clinics using dPNt from 0.43 to 0.84 for gonorrhea and 0.71 to 0.94 for syphilis, relative to PHE baseline results. Half of all prospective partner testing verification was done automatically by dPNt and no interaction was demonstrated between dPNt and standard methods.

Conclusion

dPNt engagement increased when more partners needed to be informed of their risk of infection. Future work is planned to improve the use of and engagement with dPNt to alert and test more partners or their risk and improve public health.
Comparing Sexual Network Mean Active Degree Measurement Metrics among Men who have Sex with Men
Authors: Chandra Christina , Morris Martina , Van Meter Connor , Goodreau Steven M. , Sanchez Travis , Janulis Patrick , Birkett Michelle , Jenness Samuel M.
Published: September 2022

Background

Mean active degree is an important proxy measure of cross-sectional network connectivity commonly used in HIV/STI epidemiology research. No current studies have compared measurement methods of mean degree using a cross-sectional study design for men who have sex with men (MSM) in the United States. We compared mean degree estimates based on reported ongoing main and casual sexual partnerships (current method) against dates of first and last sex (retrospective method).

Methods

We used data from ARTnet, a cross-sectional survey of MSM in the U.S. (2017–2019). ARTnet collected data on the number and types of sexual partners in the past year, limited to the 5 most recent partners (data truncation). We quantified partnerships for months 0–12 prior to the survey date (retrospective method), and compared that to ongoing partnerships on the day of survey (current method). We used linear regression to understand the impact of truncated partnership data on mean degree estimation.

Results

The retrospective method yielded similar degree estimates to the current for months proximate to the day of survey. The retrospective method mean degree systematically decreased as the month increased from 0–12 months prior to survey date. This was driven by data truncation: among participants with >5 partners in the past year compared to those with ≤5, the average change in main partnership degree between 12 and 0 months prior to survey date was -0.05 (95% CI: -0.08, -0.03) after adjusting for race/ethnicity, age, and education. The adjusted average change in casual partnership degree was -0.40 (95% CI: -0.45, -0.35).

Conclusions

The retrospective method underestimates mean degree for MSM in surveys with truncated partnership data, especially for casual partnerships. The current method is less prone to bias from partner truncation when the target population has high rate of partners per year.
Levers of Change: How to Help Build the Public Health Workforce of the Future
Authors: Meredith Genevive R. , Welter Christina R. , Risley Kris , Seweryn Steven M. , Altfeld Susan , Jarpe-Ratner Elizabeth A.
Published: September 2022

Context:

Public health leaders are working to rebuild the US public health workforce. Master of Public Health (MPH) programs have a stake in this, given their role in educating and training public health practitioners. Over the last 10 years, MPH programs have implemented changes to program structure, content, and approach, but workforce gaps persist.

Objective:

This study sought to explore the factors that inform and influence MPH program design and changes they make in order to elucidate how MPH programs may be further engaged to help address current and future public health workforce needs.

Design:

Sequential mixed-methods study.

Setting:

US MPH programs accredited by the Council on Education for Public Health (CEPH), and applicants approved to seek accreditation.

Participants:

In total, 115 representatives representing at least 43% of the 215 accredited/applicant MPH programs in the United States.

Main Outcome Measures:

Factors that inform and influence programmatic and curricular changes within MPH programs.

Results:

The shifts that MPH programs have made to program focus and the approaches used to support student competence development are influenced by individual, programmatic, institutional, and national factors, including faculty and staff background, access to resources, program team/faculty culture, access to resources, program placement, university priorities, and national policies. Most influential in catalyzing changes made by MPH programs between 2015 and 2020 were CEPH MPH accreditation standards, feedback from interested parties, learning best practices, university initiatives, and access to resources including funding and faculty. Identified factors served as facilitators and/or as barriers, depending on the context.

Conclusions:

There are multiple levers at different levels that may be utilized by national public health leaders, university administrators, and program constituents to effect change within MPH programs, helping them to be even better positioned to help address public health workforce needs of today and tomorrow.
Effects of high-intensity strength training in adults with knee osteoarthritis: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Hua Jiong , Sun Lin , Teng Yue
Published: September 2022

Objective

To assess the effects of high-intensity strength training versus low-intensity strength training or routine care in adults with knee osteoarthritis.

Design

PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched up to March 10, 2021. The outcomes were knee pain, knee function, quality of life and adverse events.

Results

Ten studies of 892 subjects with knee osteoarthritis were included. No significant differences were found between the high-intensity strength training group and the low-intensity strength training or routine care group in the WOMAC pain score, KOOS pain score, WOMAC stiffness score, WOMAC physical function score, KOOS symptom score, KOOS activities of daily living score, KOOS sport & recreation score, TUG result, gait velocity, walking time, peak torque of the knee extensors, KOOS quality of life score, and adverse event incidence (all P > 0.05). The peak torque of the knee flexors at 120°/s contraction (pooled WMD: 7.520, 95% CI: 1.256 to 13.784, P = 0.019) in the high-intensity group was improved significantly than that in the low-intensity training or routine care group.

Conclusion

High-intensity strength training may have similar effects in improving knee pain, knee function and quality of life, with comparable safety to low-intensity strength training and routine care.
Amputation and prosthetics of the lower extremity: The 2020 Dutch evidence-based multidisciplinary guideline
Authors: Fard Behrouz , Persoon Saskia , Jutte Paul C. , Daemen Jan-Willem H.C. , Lamprou D-A A. , Hoope Werner Ten , Prinsen Erik C. , Houdijk Han , Olsman Jeroen , Holling Tobias , De Wever Heike P.P.R. , Schrier Ernst , Donders Nadine , Rietman Johan S. , Geertzen Jan H.B.
Published: September 2022

Background:

Lower-limb amputations are rare but debilitating events in the lives of affected persons. Treatment of persons with amputation inherently involves many different health care professions at different stages leading to and after an amputation. There are prevailing clinical questions within the work field related to different facets of care including peri/postoperative aspects, prosthetic components, rehabilitation treatment, and health care processes.

Objectives:

To provide an up-to-date multidisciplinary evidence-based guideline for health care professionals involved in the treatment of persons with lower-limb amputation in the Netherlands.

Methods:

Identification of key questions in a focus group, systematic review of the evidence (up to March 2019, using Embase and MEDLINE databases), and weighing considerations, culminating in clinical recommendations.

Results:

Twelve key questions were formulated. Recommendations of two key questions were upheld in line with the previous 2012 guideline. Ten systematic literature searches were performed, leading to the inclusion of 59 studies.

Conclusion:

A summary of evidence-based conclusions, considerations, and recommendations of the 2020 guideline is presented.
The Role of Apparent Diffusion Coefficient Values in Glioblastoma: Differentiating Tumor Progression Versus Treatment-Related Changes
Authors: Kamali Arash , Gandhi Anusha , Nunez Luis C. , Lugo Andrea E. , Arevalo-Espejo Octavio , Zhu Jay-Jiguang , Esquenazi-Levy Yoshua , Zhang Xu , Riascos Roy F.
Published: September 2022

Objective

Glioblastoma represents the most common primary brain malignancy with a median survival of 15 months. Follow-up examinations are crucial to establish the presence of tumor recurrence, as well as treatment-associated changes such as ischemic infarction and radiation effects. Even though magnetic resonance imaging is a valuable tool, a histopathological diagnosis is often required because of imaging overlap between tumor recurrence and treatment associated changes. We set out to measure the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the lesions in magnetic resonance imaging scans of treated glioblastoma patients to investigate if ADC values could accurately differentiate between tumor progression, radiation-related changes, and ischemic infarctions.

Methods

We evaluated ADC values among 3 groups, patients with tumor progression, radiation necrosis, and ischemic infarctions. The regions of interest were placed in the areas of greatest hypointensity among solid lesions using the ADC maps, excluding areas with necrotic, cystic, or hemorrhagic changes. The ADC values of the contralateral normal appearing white matter were also measured as the reference value for each patient. The relative ADC (rADC) values were measured for all 3 groups. Comparison between lesions and normal white matter was evaluated by Wilcoxon signed test.

Results

A total of 157 patients were included in the study; 49 patients classified as tumor progression, 58 patients as radiation necrosis, and 50 patients as ischemic infarctions. The mean ± SD ADC value was 752.8 ± 132.5 for tumor progression, 479.0 ± 105.2 for radiation-related changes, and 250.1 ± 57.2 for ischemic infarctions. The mean ± SD rADC value was 1.07 ± 0.22 for tumor progression, 0.66 ± 0.14 for radiation necrosis, and 0.34 ± 0.08 for ischemic infarctions. The mean rADC values were significantly higher in tumor progression, compared with both radiation necrosis and ischemic changes (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

The present study demonstrates that ADC values are a helpful tool to differentiate between tumor progression, radiation necrosis, and posttreatment ischemic changes.
Vertical Bonegraft Wrap—A Technique to Increase Soft Tissue Volume in Paranasal Region
Authors: Muller Leonardo Luiz , Vieira Bruno Dezen , Gerber Jennifer Tsi , de Campos Guilherme Rosetti , Zielak João Cesar , Kluppel Leandro , Scariot Rafaela
Published: September 2022

This study presents a technique to gain soft tissue volume in the paranasal region, using a xenogenous bonegraft wrap with a porcine pericardium collagen membrane in a patient with severe paranasal deficiency and midfacial hypoplasia. The technique consisted of using particulate bonegraft that is wrapped on collagen membrane and placed vertically and parallel to the lateral wall of the nasal cavity, over maxillary osteotomies. In a tomographic analysis of linear and volumetric measurements with 14 days and 6 months after the procedure, it was observed good stability of the vertical bonegraft wrap, as well as volume gain in the paranasal region and low absorption rate of the grafted material. This technique presented a satisfactory clinical result, promoting an improvement in facial harmony with gain volume in the paranasal region, guaranteeing greater predictability in the treatment of a patient with significant maxillary advancement surgery.
Beyond In-hospital Mortality
Authors: Zogg Cheryl K. , Cooper Zara , Peduzzi Peter , Falvey Jason R. , Tinetti Mary E. , Lichtman Judith H.
Published: September 2022

Objective:

To identify the distributions of and extent of variability among 3 new sets of postdischarge quality-metrics measured within 30/90/365 days designed to better account for the unique health needs of older trauma patients: mortality (expansion of the current in-hospital standard), readmission (marker of health-system performance and care coordination), and patients’ average number of healthy days at home (marker of patient functional status).

Background:

Traumatic injuries are a leading cause of death and loss of independence for the increasing number of older adults living in the United States. Ongoing efforts seek to expand quality evaluation for this population.

Methods:

Using 100% Medicare claims, we calculated hospital-specific reliability-adjusted postdischarge quality-metrics for older adults aged 65 years or older admitted with a primary diagnosis of trauma, older adults with hip fracture, and older adults with severe traumatic brain injury. Distributions for each quality-metric within each population were assessed and compared with results for in-hospital mortality, the current benchmarking standard.

Results:

A total of 785,867 index admissions (305,186 hip fracture and 92,331 severe traumatic brain injury) from 3692 hospitals were included. Within each population, use of postdischarge quality-metrics yielded a broader range of outcomes compared with reliance on in-hospital mortality alone. None of the postdischarge quality-metrics consistently correlated with in-hospital mortality, including death within 1 year [r=0.581 (95% CI, 0.554–0.608)]. Differences in quintile-rank revealed that when accounting for readmissions (8.4%, κ=0.029) and patients’ average number of healthy days at home (7.1%, κ=0.020), as many as 1 in 14 hospitals changed from the best/worst performance under in-hospital mortality to the completely opposite quintile rank.

Conclusions:

The use of new postdischarge quality-metrics provides a more complete picture of older adult trauma care: 1 with greater room for improvement and better reflection of multiple aspects of quality important to the health and recovery of older trauma patients when compared with reliance on quality benchmarking based on in-hospital mortality alone.