bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Interfering Eukaryotic Translation Initiation Factor 3 Subunit J Antisense RNA1 Inhibits the Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion of Lung Cancer A549 Cells by Regulating microRNA-330-5p
Authors: Wei Li , Liu Lijun , Chen Lin , Li Xiaoning , Wang Zaiyan , Wang Qiubo , Chen Hao , Han Li , Ji Xiaobin , Miao Yafang , Zhang Zeming
Published: January 2021

This study investigated whether long noncoding RNA interfering EIF3J antisense RNA1 (EIF3JAS1) could affect lung cancer A549 cells as well as the role of microRNA-330-5p (miR-330-5p) during this process. To this end, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was used to measure
EIF3J-AS1 and miR-330-5p expression in 39 lung cancer cases. Small interfering RNA targeting EIF3J-AS1 (si-EIF3J-AS1), as well as the miR-330-5p inhibitor, was transfected into lung cancer A549 cells. The outcomes of cell proliferation, clone formation, migration, invasion, and E- and N-cadherin
expression were analyzed using CCK-8 kit, clone formation experiment, Transwell method, and Western blot. The targeted binding between EIF3J-AS1 and miR-330-5p was explored using the luciferase experiment. The results showed higher EIF3J-AS1 expression but lower miR-330-5p expression cancer
tissues. Furthermore, interfering EIF3J-AS1 increased miR-330-5p and E-cadherin protein expression, leading to a reduction in the proliferation, clone formation, migration, invasion, and N-cadherin protein expression of lung cancer A549 cells. Meanwhile, Transfecting si-EIF3J-AS1 and the miR-330-5p
inhibitor could increase the proliferation, clone formation, migration, invasion, and N-cadherin protein expression of lung cancer A549 cells, suggesting the targeted relationship of EIF3J-AS1 to miR-330-5p. In summary, EIF3J-AS1 was highly expressed in lung cancer tissues, and interfering
EIF3J-AS1 inhibited the proliferation,migration, and invasion of A549 cells through negative regulation of miR-330-5p.
A Comparative Study of Carbon Emission of Wormwood Viscose Fiber and Flax Fiber for the Production of Antibacterial Nanofibers Based on GaBi Software
Authors: Zhang Jin , Qian Xiaoming , Feng Jing , Liu Hui
Published: January 2021

Because of its antibacterial properties, wormwood can be used in the production of nanobiomaterials. In this paper, each stage of the production process of wormwood viscose fiber and flax fiber was determined. The carbon emission of each stage of the production process of 1 ton wormwood
viscose fiber and flax fiber was analyzed by GaBi software, and the environmental impact of the production process was evaluated by using the CML2001 method provided by the software. The results showed that a total of 1690.04 kg of carbon dioxide was emitted in the production of 1 ton of wormwood
viscose fiber, 60% in the preparation stage, 36.36% in the acid bath stage and 3.64% in the treatment stage. A total of 1541.41 kg of carbon dioxide was emitted in the production of 1 ton of flax fiber, with the pretreatment stage accounting for 39.95% of the total amount, the alkali cooking
stage accounting for 50.06% of the total amount, and the pickling stage accounting for 9.99% of the total amount. The results can provide support for the production of antibacterial nanofibers.
Topological Approach on Fuzzy Soft β-Closure and Fuzzy Soft β-Interior and Its Application in Decision Making
Authors: El Safty M. A. , Mousa A. A. , Alblowi S. A. , Sayed M. El
Published: January 2021

Purpose of the present research is to detail the importance of using a fuzzy soft-β-open set and study its characteristics and applications. Also, we introduce more basic fuzzy-soft topological concepts, namely, fuzzy soft-β-interior, fuzzy soft-β-closure,
operators based on fuzzy soft-β-open set, and also present more of their properties. The connections between them as well as other concepts are listed. This notion is used to introduce a proposed approximation of fuzzy-soft space as per the fuzzy soft-β set as a generalization
for the fuzzy-soft approximation space. This research also attempted on revealing that this model presents higher accuracy calculation and is better as compared to all other models. The results are given using the MATLAB program. It occurs in many areas of science and technology.
The Efficacy of Nano-Emulsified Disinfectant in Disinfecting the Workplace Environment
Authors: You Na , Wang Shouyan , Han Hui
Published: January 2021

This work evaluated the quality and disinfection efficacy of nano-emulsified cresol disinfectant on common microorganisms in biosafety cabinets (BSCs). Different spraying methods (standard single spray and pulse spray) were used to investigate the effects of different doses and sealing
time on the disinfection efficacy of two kinds of nano-emulsified cresol disinfectants. The results show that the nano-emulsified cresol disinfectant can kill bacteria completely when the spraying amount is more than 30 mL and the sealing time is more than 60 min. Nano-emulsified cresol disinfectant
can be used for environmental disinfection in the working area of BSCs, and it is an ideal method to replace formaldehyde and chlorine dioxide in the disinfection of BSCs.
Optimization Design of Electrochemical Biosensors Based on Gold Nanomaterials
Authors: Hao Haitao
Published: January 2021

At present, chemical biosensors still have poor reproducibility and stability due to that the density of nanomaterials particles is not ideal. Therefore, an optimal design method of electrochemical biosensor based on gold nanomaterials is proposed. Two types of sensors, namely DNA biosensor
and immune biosensor, were designed in this work. A DNA biosensor with gold nanorod nanocomposite modified electrode was prepared, and its electrical activity was measured by Methylene blue. In contrast, an electrochemical immune sensor with gold nanorod-modified electrode was prepared and
used for detection of alpha fetoprotein. The experimental results show that the designed DNA biosensor and electrochemical immune sensor have the advantages of simple preparation, high sensitivity, good selectivity and good stability.
Clinical Impact of Combined Viral and Bacterial Infection in Pediatric Mycoplasmal Community-Acquired Pneumonia in Western China
Authors: Liang Zhuoxin , Zhang Wenqiang , Jiang Yongjiang , Wu Ping , Zhang Senxiong , Xu Shaolin , Fu Jinjian , McGrath Eric
Published: January 2021

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) refers to an infection contracted outside the hospital that leads to lung parenchyma inflammation. The clinical characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection in CAP patients were rarely reported. The aim of this study
was to describe the clinical characteristic and the impact of co-infections of M. pneumoniae with viral and bacterial pathogens in hospitalized children with CAP in Liuzhou, China. This study retrospects children diagnosed with CAP due to M. pneumoniae infection at a tertiary
maternal and child health care hospital. Data related to co-infection pathogens, demographics, clinical characteristics, and hospitalization cost were collected from the electronic medical system in this hospital. A total of 983 children were diagnosed with mycoplasmal CAP in 2017. Among them,
18.2% had a bacterial-M. pneumoniae co-infection and 11.3% had a viral-M. pneumoniae co-infection. The highest infection rate of M. pneumoniae was 19.1% in February and March, while the highest rates of bacterial-M. pneumoniae and viral-M. pneumoniae co-infections
were 3.6% in December and 2.3% in January, respectively. The prevalence of coughing and wheezing had significant differences between the bacterial- or viral-M. pneumoniae co-infections and the mono-infection groups. Furthermore, the chest X-ray progression, pleural effusions, respiratory
failure, and ventilation rates were higher in the respiratory viral- and bacterial-M. pneumoniae co-infection groups than in the mono-infection group. Children with a bacterial or respiratory viral co-infection had a longer hospitalization and spent more on treatment fees than those
with a M. pneumoniae mono-infection (P value <0.001). We conclude that children with mycoplasmal CAP, either with a bacterial or viral co-infection, who show signs of coughing and wheezing and have a radiographic progression, will have a severe disease progression and should
be specifically treated and managed.
Effect of Electrospun Nanofibers on Diabetic Wound Healing and Epidermal Growth Factor
Authors: Liu Xinjun , Li Qingjie , Yun Jie , Liu Jing , Jiang Yunlan
Published: January 2021

Diabetic wound, a common complication in patients with diabetes, is difficult to treat because of the long-term consequences of accumulating advanced glycation end products and high glucose levels. Moreover, wound infections occur frequently in diabetes; therefore, developing effective
treatments is of great significance for healing diabetic wounds. Electrospun nanofibers have played a favorable role in wound healing, but the efficacy in diabetes is yet to be investigated. This study used mouse models of DW in order to determine the effect of electrospun nanofibers on wound
healing. It turned out that electrospun nanofibers increased the healing rate in mice and inhibited levels of inflammatory cytokines, as well as activated epidermal growth factor (EGF). In vitro experiments revealed that the migration and proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells
(HUVECs) were enhanced after the intervention. Overall, electrospun nanofibers can improve the healing of diabetic wounds significantly.
Co-Delivery of Chloroquine and Doxorubicin by Hypoxia-Responsive Liposomes for Enhanced Synergistic Antitumor Activity in Treating Solid Tumor
Authors: Liu Xuemeng , Luo Qianqian , Chen Zhongping
Published: January 2021

Chloroquine, initially used to treat malaria, has been discovered as a sensitizer to augment antitumor activity of other clinically used chemotherapeutics. In this work, chloroquine and doxorubicin were co-loaded into hypoxia-responsive liposomes to synergistically treat solid tumor.
In vitro drug release profiles demonstrated that the liposomes were of not only good stability under normoxic condition but also high sensitivity under hypoxic condition. In vitro cell experiments demonstrated that chloroquine augmented doxorubicin cytotoxicity, and co-loaded
liposomes were thus more toxic than single-loaded liposomes, especially under hypoxic condition, as a result of hypoxia-responsive drug release. These findings highlighted the potential for chloroquine and doxorubicin co-loaded hypoxia-responsive liposomes in treating solid tumors.
Differential responses to child communicative behavior of parents of toddlers with ASD
Authors: De Froy Adrienne M , Sims Megan E , Sloan Benjamin M , Gajardo Sebastian A , Rollins Pamela Rosenthal
Published: January 2021

Background and aims

The quality of parent verbal input—diverse vocabulary that is well-matched to the child’s developmental level within interactions that are responsive to their interests—has been found to positively impact child language skills. For typically developing (TD) children, there is evidence that more advanced linguistic and social development differentially elicits higher quality parent input, suggesting a bidirectional relationship between parent and child. The purpose of this study was to evaluate if toddlers with ASD also differentially elicit parental verbal input by (1) analyzing the quality of parent input to the communicative behavior of their toddlers with ASD, (2) examining if parents respond differentially to more advanced toddler communicative behavior, as measured by the coordination of multiple communicative behaviors, and (3) exploring the relationship between parental responsiveness to child communicative behaviors and change in child communication and social skills.

Methods

Participants were 77 toddlers with ASD age 18-39 months and a parent who participated in a larger RCT. Ten-minute parent–toddler interactions were recorded prior to a 12-week intervention. Parent response to child communicative behaviors was coded following each child communicative behavior as no acknowledgment, responsive, directive, or nonverbal acknowledgment. Parent number of different words and difference between parent and child MLU in words were calculated separately for responsive and directive parent utterances. Child growth in language and social skills was measured using the Vineland II Communication and Socialization domain scores, respectively.

Results

(1) Parents were largely responsive to their toddler’s communication. When being responsive (as opposed to directive), parents used a greater number of different words within utterances that were well-matched to child language; (2) when toddlers coordinated communicative behaviors (versus producing an isolated communicative behavior), parents were more likely to respond and their replies were more likely to be responsive; and (3) parent responsiveness to child coordinated communication was significantly correlated with change in Vineland II Socialization but not Communication. A unique role of gaze coordinated child communication in eliciting responsive parental behaviors and improving growth in child social skills emerged.

Conclusions

Our results support a bidirectional process between responsive parent verbal input and the social development of toddlers with ASD, with less sophisticated child communicative behaviors eliciting lower quality parent input. Implications: Our findings highlight the critical role of early parent-mediated intervention for children with ASD generally, and to enhance eye gaze through parent responsivity more specifically.
A 1232 bp upstream sequence of glutamine synthetase 1b from Eichhornia crassipes is a root-preferential promoter sequence
Authors: Zhong Yanshan , Lu Xiaodan , Deng Zhiwei , Lu Ziqing , Fu Minghui
Published: January 2021

Background

Glutamine synthetase (GS) acts as a key enzyme in plant nitrogen (N) metabolism. It is important to understand the regulation of GS expression in plant. Promoters can initiate the transcription of its downstream gene. Eichhornia crassipes is a most prominent aquatic invasive plant, which has negative effects on environment and economic development. It also can be used in the bioremediation of pollutants present in water and the production of feeding and energy fuel. So identification and characterization of GS promoter in E. crassipes can help to elucidate its regulation mechanism of GS expression and further to control its N metabolism.

Results

A 1232 bp genomic fragment upstream of EcGS1b sequence from E. crassipes (EcGS1b-P) has been cloned, analyzed and functionally characterized. TSSP-TCM software and PlantCARE analysis showed a TATA-box core element, a CAAT-box, root specific expression element, light regulation elements including chs-CMA1a, Box I, and Sp1 and other cis-acting elements in the sequence. Three 5′-deletion fragments of EcGS1b upstream sequence with 400 bp, 600 bp and 900 bp length and the 1232 bp fragment were used to drive the expression of β-glucuronidase (GUS) in tobacco. The quantitative test revealed that GUS activity decreased with the decreasing of the promoter length, which indicated that there were no negative regulated elements in the EcGS1-P. The GUS expressions of EcGS1b-P in roots were significantly higher than those in leaves and stems, indicating EcGS1b-P to be a root-preferential promoter. Real-time Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR) analysis of EcGS1b gene also showed higher expression in the roots of E.crassipes than in stems and leaves.

Conclusions

EcGS1b-P is a root-preferential promoter sequence. It can specifically drive the transcription of its downstream gene in root. This study will help to elucidate the regulatory mechanisms of EcGS1b tissue-specific expression and further study its other regulatory mechanisms in order to utilize E.crassipes in remediation of eutrophic water and control its overgrowth from the point of nutrient metabolism.
Time- and dose-dependent correlations between patient-controlled epidural analgesia and intrapartum maternal fever
Authors: Zhao Bai-song , Li Bing , Wang Qing-ning , Jia Jun-xiang , Song Xing-rong
Published: January 2021

Background

To investigate the relationship between intrapartum maternal fever and the duration and dosage of patient-controlled epidural analgesia (PCEA).

Methods

This observational study included 159 pregnant women who voluntarily accepted PCEA. During labor, patients with body temperature ≥ 38 °C were classified into the Fever group, (n = 42), and those with body temperature < 38 °C were classified into the No-fever group (n = 117). The outcome measures included the duration of PCEA, number of PCEA, and total PCEA amount. Body temperature and parturient variables, including interpartum fever status and the duration of any fever were monitored.

Results

The total PCEA duration and total PCEA amount in the Fever group were significantly higher than the corresponding values in the No-fever group (both, p < 0.05). The duration of fever was weakly correlated with the duration of PCEA (R2 = 0.08) and the total PCEA amount (R2 = 0.05) (both, p < 0.05). The total and effective PCEA were higher in the Fever group than in the No-fever group (both, p < 0.05). The total PCEA duration and total PCEA amount were positively correlated with the incidence of fever (both, p < 0.05). The diagnostic cutoff value for fever was 383 min, with a sensitivity of 78.6% and specificity of 57.3%. The mean temperature-time curves showed that parturients who developed fever had a steeper rise in temperature.

Conclusions

This study showed that there were weak time- and dose-dependent correlations between PCEA and maternal fever during delivery. A total PCEA duration exceeding 6.3 h was associated with an increase in the duration of maternal intrapartum fever.
Relationship between chewing tobacco, smoking, consuming alcohol and cognitive impairment among older adults in India: a cross‐sectional study
Authors: Muhammad T. , Govindu Manideep , Srivastava Shobhit
Published: January 2021

Background

Physical aging increases the sensitivity to the effects of substance use, elevating the risk for cognitive impairment among older adults. Since studies on the association of substance use with cognitive ability in later years are scant in India, we aimed to explore the factors associated with cognitive impairment especially, alcohol consumption, smoking, and chewing tobacco later in life.

Methods

The present research used nationally representative data from Building a Knowledge Base on Population Aging in India (BKPAI) that was conducted in 2011, across seven states of India (N=9,453). Sample distribution along with percentage distribution was calculated for cognitive impairment over explanatory variables. For finding the association between cognitive impairment over explanatory variables, binary logistic regression models were estimated.

Results

About 16.5 percent of older adults in rural areas consumed smoked tobacco compared to 11.7 percent in urban areas. Nearly, 23.7 percent of rural older adults consumed smokeless tobacco in comparison to 16 percent in urban areas. Alcohol consumption was high among rural residents (7.9%) than urban counterparts (6.7%). The prevalence of cognitive impairment was 62.8% and 58% among older adults from rural and urban areas respectively. Older adults who smoked tobacco had a 24 percent significantly higher likelihood to have cognitive impairment with reference to older adults who did not smoke [OR: 1.24, CI: 1.02-1.49]. Moreover, older adults who consumed alcohol had a 30 percent significantly higher likelihood to have cognitive impairment [OR: 1.02, 1.65]. It was also found that older adults who had smoked along with consuming alcohol were at risk of worse cognitive outcomes than those who neither smoke nor drink alcohol [OR: 1.56, CI: 1.21-2.00] or consumed either of them unlike consuming smokeless tobacco only.

Conclusion

The encouragement of older people to stop smoking and smokeless tobacco use could be considered as part of a strategy to reduce the incidence of cognitive impairment. Further, appropriate measures should be taken for the detection of early stages of cognitive decline in older individuals and efforts should be made to improve the availability and quality of care for dementing older adults.
Low serum parathyroid hormone is a risk factor for peritonitis episodes in incident peritoneal dialysis patients: a retrospective study
Authors: Yang Yuqi , Da Jingjing , Jiang Yi , Yuan Jing , Zha Yan
Published: January 2021

Background

Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels have been reported to be associated with infectious mortality in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients. Peritonitis is the most common and fatal infectious complication, resulting in technique failure, hospital admission and mortality. Whether PTH is associated with peritonitis episodes remains unclear.

Methods

We examined the association of PTH levels and peritonitis incidence in a 7-year cohort of 270 incident PD patients who were maintained on dialysis between January 2012 and December 2018 using Cox proportional hazard regression analyses. Patients were categorized into three groups by serum PTH levels as follows: low-PTH group, PTH < 150 pg/mL; middle-PTH group, PTH 150-300 pg/mL; high-PTH group, PTH > 300 pg/mL.

Results

During a median follow-up of 29.5 (interquartile range 16–49) months, the incidence rate of peritonitis was 0.10 episodes per patient-year. Gram-positive organisms were the most common causative microorganisms (36.2%), and higher percentage of Gram-negative organisms was noted in patients with low PTH levels. Low PTH levels were associated with older age, higher eGFR, higher hemoglobin, calcium levels and lower phosphate, alkaline phosphatase levels. After multivariate adjustment, lower PTH levels were identified as an independent risk factor for peritonitis episodes [hazard ratio 1.643, 95% confidence interval 1.014–2.663, P = 0.044].

Conclusions

Low PTH levels are independently associated with peritonitis in incident PD patients.
Addressing the mental health needs of children affected by HIV in Rwanda: validation of a rapid depression screening tool for children 7–14 years old
Authors: Binagwaho Agnes , Remera Eric , Bayingana Alice Uwase , Gishoma Darius , Scott Kirstin Woody , Goosman Madeline , Campbell Eliza , Agbonyitor Mawuena , Kayiteshonga Yvonne , Nsanzimana Sabin
Published: January 2021

Background

Depression in children presents a significant health burden to society and often co-exists with chronic illnesses, such as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Research has demonstrated that 10–37% of children and adolescents living with HIV also suffer from depression. Low-and-middle income countries (LMICs) shoulder a disproportionate burden of HIV among other health challenges, but reliable estimates of co-morbid depression are lacking in these settings. Prior studies in Rwanda, a LMIC of 12 million people in East Africa, found that 25% of children living with HIV met criteria for depression. Though depression may negatively affect adherence to HIV treatment among children and adolescents, most LMICs fail to routinely screen children for mental health problems due to a shortage of trained health care providers. While some screening tools exist, they can be costly to implement in resource-constrained settings and are often lacking a contextual appropriateness.

Methods

Relying on international guidelines for diagnosing depression, Rwandan health experts developed a freely available, open-access Child Depression Screening Tool (CDST). To validate this tool in Rwanda, a sample of 296 children with a known diagnosis of HIV between ages 7–14 years were recruited as study participants. In addition to completing the CDST, all participants were evaluated by a mental health professional using a structured clinical interview. The validity of the CDST was assessed in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

This analysis found that depression continues to be a co-morbid condition among children living with HIV in Rwanda. For identifying these at-risk children, the CDST had a sensitivity of 88.1% and specificity of 96.5% in identifying risk for depression among children living with HIV at a cutoff score of 6 points. This corresponded with an area under the ROC curve of 92.3%.

Conclusions

This study provides evidence that the CDST is a valid tool for screening depression among children affected by HIV in a resource-constrained setting. As an open-access and freely available tool in LMICs, the CDST can allow any health practitioner to identify children at risk of depression and refer them in a timely manner to more specialized mental health services. Future work can show if and how this tool has the potential to be useful in screening depression in children suffering from other chronic illnesses.
Giant right ventricular myxoma presenting as right heart failure with systemic congestion: a rare case report
Authors: Lu Chen , Yang Peng , Hu Jia
Published: January 2021

Background

Myxoma is an uncommon disease and its symptoms vary greatly depending on size, location and mobility. Right-sided myxoma, especially right ventricular myxoma, is much rarer, and the symptoms are alien and uncharacteristic. The lack of understandings poses challenges to prompt diagnosis and timely treatment.

Case presentation

A 44-year-old female patient was diagnosed with giant right ventricular tumor. Right heart failure and systemic congestion caused by right ventricular outflow tract obstruction were observed on this case. Surgery was performed to excise the mass which was measured at 9.5 * 5.0 cm and confirmed as myxoma pathologically.

Conclusions

Right-side myxoma is easy to be unnoticed due to its low incident rate and atypical symptoms. Delay in surgical intervention might cause unrecoverable complications. More comprehensive understanding of the symptoms is expected to help improving the diagnose and treat of right-sided myxoma.
Differentiation of primary lung cancer from solitary lung metastasis in patients with colorectal cancer: a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Lee Jong Eun , Jeong Won Gi , Kim Yun-Hyeon
Published: January 2021

Background

This study aimed to evaluate the computed tomography (CT) features of solitary pulmonary nodule (SPN), which can be a non-invasive diagnostic tool to differentiate between primary lung cancer (LC) and solitary lung metastasis (LM) in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

Methods

This retrospective study included SPNs resected in CRC patients between January 2011 and December 2019. The diagnosis of primary LC or solitary LM was based on histopathologic report by thoracoscopic wedge resection. Chest CT images were assessed by two thoracic radiologists, and CT features were identified by consensus. Predictive parameters for the discrimination of primary LC from solitary LM were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression analysis.

Results

We analyzed CT data of 199 patients (mean age, 65.95 years; 131 men and 68 women). The clinical characteristic of SPNs suggestive of primary LC rather than solitary LM was clinical stages I–II CRC (P < 0.001, odds ratio [OR] 21.70). The CT features of SPNs indicative of primary LC rather than solitary LM were spiculated margin (quantitative) (P = 0.020, OR 8.34), sub-solid density (quantitative) (P < 0.001, OR 115.56), and presence of an air bronchogram (quantitative) (P = 0.032, OR 5.32).

Conclusions

Quantitative CT features and clinical characteristics of SPNs in patients with CRC could help differentiate between primary LC and solitary LM.
Serious infectious events and ibuprofen administration in pediatrics: a narrative review in the era of COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Quaglietta Lucia , Martinelli Massimo , Staiano Annamaria
Published: January 2021

Purpose of review

Despite its recognized efficacy and tolerability profile, during the last decade a rise of adverse events following ibuprofen administration in children has been reported, including a possible role in worsening the clinical course of infections. Our aim was to critically evaluate the safety of ibuprofen during the course of pediatric infectious disease in order to promote its appropriate use in children.

Recent findings

Ibuprofen is associated with severe necrotizing soft tissue infections (NSTI) during chickenpox course. Pre-hospital use of ibuprofen seems to increase the risk of complicated pneumonia in children. Conflicting data have been published in septic children, while ibuprofen in the setting of Cystic Fibrosis (CF) exacerbations is safe and efficacious. No data is yet available for ibuprofen use during COVID-19 course.

Ibuprofen should not be recommended for chickenpox management. Due to possible higher risks of complicated pneumonia, we suggest caution on its use in children with respiratory symptoms. While it remains unclear whether ibuprofen may have harmful effects during systemic bacterial infection, its administration is recommended in CF course. Despite the lack of data, it is seems cautious to prefer the use of paracetamol during COVID-19 acute respiratory distress syndrome in children.
Correction to: Progesterone receptor membrane component 1 regulates lipid homeostasis and drives oncogenic signaling resulting in breast cancer progression
Authors: Asperger Hannah , Stamm Nadia , Gierke Berthold , Pawlak Michael , Hofmann Ute , Zanger Ulrich M. , Marton Annamaria , Katona Robert L. , Buhala Andrea , Vizler Csaba , Cieslik Jan-Philipp , Kovacevic Zaklina , Richardson Des R. , Ruckhäberle Eugen , Niederacher Dieter , Fehm Tanja , Neubauer Hans , Ludescher Marina
Published: January 2021

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Association between plantar flexor muscle volume and dorsiflexion flexibility in healthy young males: ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging studies
Authors: Suga Tadashi , Terada Masafumi , Tomoo Keigo , Miyake Yuto , Tanaka Takahiro , Ueno Hiromasa , Nagano Akinori , Isaka Tadao
Published: January 2021

Background

Although joint flexibility is important for human locomotion, the determinants of joint flexibility are not fully understood. In this study, we examined the relationship between dorsiflexion flexibility and plantar flexor muscle size in healthy young males.

Methods and results

The dorsiflexion flexibility was assessed using range of motion (ROM) and stiffness during active and passive dorsiflexion. Active ROM was defined as the maximal angle during voluntary dorsiflexion. Passive ROM was defined as the angle at the onset of pain during passive dorsiflexion. Passive stiffness was calculated as the slope of the linear portion of the torque-angle curve between 10º and 20º dorsiflexion of the ankle during passive dorsiflexion. In the first study, the plantar flexor muscle volume (MV) in 92 subjects was estimated on the basis of the lower leg length and plantar flexor muscle thickness, as measured using ultrasonography. The estimated plantar flexor MV correlated significantly with active ROM (r= -0.433), passive ROM (r= -0.299), and passive stiffness (r= 0.541) during dorsiflexion (P= 0.01 for all). In the second study, the plantar flexor MV in 38 subjects was measured using magnetic resonance imaging. The plantar flexor MV correlated significantly with plantar flexor active ROM (r= -0.484), passive ROM (r= -0.383), and passive stiffness (r= 0.592) during dorsiflexion (P= 0.05 for all).

Conclusions

These findings suggest that a larger plantar flexor MV is related to less dorsiflexion flexibility in healthy young males.
Prediction of patients requiring intensive care for COVID-19: development and validation of an integer-based score using data from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of South Korea
Authors: Heo JoonNyung , Han Deokjae , Kim Hyung-Jun , Kim Daehyun , Lee Yeon-Kyeng , Lim Dosang , Hong Sung Ok , Park Mi-Jin , Ha Beomman , Seog Woong
Published: January 2021

Background

Unavailability or saturation of the intensive care unit may be associated with the fatality of COVID-19. Prioritizing the patients for hospitalization and intensive care may be critical for reducing the fatality of COVID-19. This study aimed to develop and validate a new integer-based scoring system for predicting patients with COVID-19 requiring intensive care, using only the predictors available upon triage.

Methods

This is a retrospective study using cohort data from the Korean Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that included all admitted patients with COVID-19 between January 19 and June 3, 2020, in South Korea. The primary outcome was patients requiring intensive care defined as actual admission to the intensive care unit; at any time use of an extracorporeal life support device, mechanical ventilation, or vasopressors; and death. Patients admitted until March 20 were included for the training dataset to develop the prediction models and externally validated for the patients admitted afterward. Two logistic regression models were developed with different predictors and the predictive performance was compared: one with patient-provided variables and the other with added radiologic and laboratory variables. An integer-based scoring system was developed based on the developed logistic regression model.

Results

A total of 5193 patients were considered, with 4663 patients included after excluding patients with age under 18 or insufficient data. For the training dataset, 3238 patients were included. Of the included patients, 444 (9.5%) patients required intensive care. The model developed with only the clinical variables showed an area under the curve of 0.884 for the validation set. The performance did not differ when radiologic and laboratory variables were added. Seven variables were selected for developing an integer-based scoring system: age, sex, initial body temperature, dyspnea, hemoptysis, history of chronic kidney disease, and activities of daily living. The area under the curve of the scoring system was 0.880.

Conclusions

An integer-based scoring system was developed for predicting patients with COVID-19 requiring intensive care, with high performance. This system may aid decision support for prioritizing the patient for hospitalization and intensive care, particularly in a situation with limited medical resources.
Antibiotic exposure and growth patterns in preterm, very low birth weight infants
Authors: Pyle Alaina K. , Cantey Joseph B. , Brown L. Steven , Heyne Roy J. , Wozniak Phillip S. , Heyne Elizabeth , Holcombe Amy , Brammer Elizabeth M. , Lair Cheryl S. , Sánchez Pablo J.
Published: January 2021

Background

Antibiotic exposure in term infants has been associated with later obesity. Premature, very-low-birth-weight (birth weight ≤ 1500 g) infants in the neonatal intensive care unit frequently are exposed to antibiotics. Our hypothesis was that in preterm infants, there is a positive linear and dose-dependent relationship between antibiotic exposure and growth from birth through 12 months’ corrected age.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data of all antibiotic use among inborn, preterm (≤32 weeks’ gestation), very-low-birth-weight infants admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit at Parkland Memorial Hospital and followed in the Low Birth Weight Clinic at Children’s Medical Center, Dallas, TX. Antibiotic use was quantified by days of therapy which was compared with weight and length parameters at birth, 36 weeks’ postmenstrual age, and 2, 4, 6, and 12 months’ corrected age. The change in weight and length z-scores from birth to all subsequent age points was calculated. Stepwise multivariate regression analysis was performed to determine predictors of weight, length, and weight-for-length delta z-scores from birth to each subsequent age point.

Results

During the 18-month study, 161 infants received a median of 11 (IQR, 5.5–19.5) antibiotic days of therapy which was not associated with weight or length delta z-scores from birth through 12 months’ corrected age.

Conclusion

Association of prolonged antibiotic use and neonatal morbidities and mortality may override the potential association with increased weight gain in the NICU and beyond.
Genome sequence analysis of the beneficial Bacillus subtilis PTA-271 isolated from a Vitis vinifera (cv. Chardonnay) rhizospheric soil: assets for sustainable biocontrol
Authors: Leal Catarina , Fontaine Florence , Aziz Aziz , Egas Conceiçao , Clément Christophe , Trotel-Aziz Patricia
Published: January 2021

Background

Bacillus subtilis strains have been widely studied for their numerous benefits in agriculture, including viticulture. Providing several assets, B. subtilis spp. are described as promising plant-protectors against many pathogens and as influencers to adaptations in a changing environment. This study reports the draft genome sequence of the beneficial Bacillus subtilis PTA-271, isolated from the rhizospheric soil of healthy Vitis vinifera cv. Chardonnay at Champagne Region in France, attempting to draw outlines of its full biocontrol capacity.

Results

The PTA-271 genome has a size of 4,001,755 bp, with 43.78% of G + C content and 3945 protein coding genes. The draft genome of PTA-271 putatively highlights a functional swarming motility system hypothesizing a colonizing capacity and a strong interacting capacity, strong survival capacities and a set of genes encoding for bioactive substances. Predicted bioactive compounds are known to: stimulate plant growth or defenses such as hormones and elicitors, influence beneficial microbiota, and counteract pathogen aggressiveness such as effectors and many kinds of detoxifying enzymes.

Conclusions

Plurality of the putatively encoded biomolecules by Bacillus subtilis PTA-271 genome suggests environmentally robust biocontrol potential of PTA-271, protecting plants against a broad spectrum of pathogens.
Assessing the impact of a motivational intervention to improve the working lives of maternity healthcare workers: a quantitative and qualitative evaluation of a feasibility study in Malawi
Authors: Merriel Abi , Dembo Zione , Hussein Julia , Larkin Michael , Mchenga Allan , Tobias Aurelio , Lough Mark , Malata Address , Makwenda Charles , Coomarasamy Arri
Published: January 2021

Background

Globally too many mothers and babies die during childbirth; 98% of maternal deaths are avoidable. Skilled clinicians can reduce these deaths; however, there is a world-wide shortage of maternity healthcare workers. Malawi has enough to deliver 20% of its maternity care. A motivating work environment is important for healthcare worker retention. To inform a future trial, we aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing a motivational intervention (Appreciative Inquiry) to improve the working lives of maternity healthcare workers and patient satisfaction in Malawi.

Methods

Three government hospitals participated over 1 year. Its effectiveness was assessed through: a monthly longitudinal survey of working life using psychometrically validated instruments (basic psychological needs, job satisfaction and work-related quality of life); a before and after questionnaire of patient satisfaction using a patient satisfaction tool validated in low-income settings with a maximum score of 80; and a qualitative template analysis encompassing ethnographic data, semi-structured interviews and focus groups with staff.

Results

The intervention was attended by all 145 eligible staff, who also participated in the longitudinal study. The general trend was an increase in the scores for each scale except for the basic psychological needs score in one site. Only one site demonstrated strong evidence for the intervention working in the work-related quality of life scales. Pre-intervention, 162 postnatal women completed the questionnaire; post-intervention, 191 postnatal women participated. Patient satisfaction rose in all three sites; referral hospital 4.41 rise (95% CI 1.89 to 6.95), district hospital 10.22 (95% CI 7.38 to 13.07) and community hospital 13.02 (95% CI 10.48 to 15.57). The qualitative data revealed that staff felt happier, that their skills (especially communication) had improved, behaviour had changed and systems had developed.

Conclusions

We have shown that it is possible to implement Appreciative Inquiry in government facilities in Malawi, which has the potential to change the way staff work and improve patient satisfaction. The mixed methods approach revealed important findings including the importance of staff relationships. We have identified clear implementation elements that will be important to measure in a future trial such as implementation fidelity and inter-personal relationship factors.
Communication between healthcare providers and medical cannabis patients regarding referral and medication substitution
Authors: Boehnke Kevin F. , Litinas Evangelos , Worthing Brianna , Conine Lisa , Kruger Daniel J.
Published: January 2021

Background

People report using cannabis as a substitute for prescription medications but may be doing so without the knowledge of their primary health care providers (PCPs). This lack of integration creates serious concerns, e.g., using cannabis to treat medical conditions that have established treatment options.

Methods

We conducted an anonymous, cross-sectional online survey among patrons of a medical cannabis dispensary in Michigan (n = 275) to examine aspects of their relationship with their PCP and their perceptions of PCP knowledge related to cannabis.

Results

Overall, 64% of participants initiated medical cannabis use based on their own experiences vs. 24% citing advice from their PCP. Although 80% reported that their PCP knew they currently used medical cannabis, 41% reported that their PCP had not always known. Only 14% obtained their medical cannabis authorization from their PCP. Only 18% of participants rated their PCP’s knowledge about medical cannabis as very good or excellent and only 21% were very or completely confident in their PCP’s ability to integrate medical cannabis into their treatment. Although 86% had substituted cannabis for pharmaceutical medications, 69% (n = 134) of those who substituted reported some gap in their PCP’s knowledge of their substitution, and 44% (n = 86) reported that their PCP was currently unaware of their substitution.

Conclusions

Patients frequently substitute cannabis for prescription drugs, often without PCP knowledge. Although most participants disclosed cannabis use to their PCP, their perceptions of PCP knowledge ranged widely and many obtained medical cannabis licensure from an outside physician. Our results highlight the need for standardized physician education around appropriate medical cannabis use.
Spectrum of CT appearance and CT severity index of COVID-19 pulmonary infection in correlation with age, sex, and PCR test: an Iraqi experience
Authors: Al-Mosawe Ammar Mosa , Abdulwahid Hiba mohammed , Fayadh Noor Abbas Hummadi
Published: January 2021

Background

Since June 2020, an explosion in number of new COVID-19 patients has been reported in Iraq with a steady increment in new daily reported cases over the next 3 months. The limited number of PCR kits in the country and the increment in the number of new COVID-19 cases makes the role of CT scan examinations rising and becoming essential in aiding the health institutions in diagnosing and isolating infected patients and those in close contacts. This study will review the spectrum of CT pulmonary changes due to COVID-19 infection and estimate the CT severity score index and its relation to age, sex, and PCR test results.

Results

The ground glass opacities were the most common encountered pattern of pulmonary changes and were seen in (79%). There was strong positive correlation between higher CT severity score and male gender (p value = 0.0002, R2 = 0.9). Also, there was significant correlation of CT severity score and increasing age (p value less than 0.00018). Significant correlation was seen between CT scan percentage of lung involvement and positive PCR test results (p value = 0.001917), as the CT severity index is increasing, the PCR test is more likely to be positive.

Conclusions

Chest CT is an important and fast imaging tool for the diagnosis of COVID-19-infected patients especially in developing countries. In addition, chest CT can predict the disease severity by showing the percentage of lung involvement and hence give an idea about the prognosis of the disease. Higher CT severity score is significantly correlated with male gender, older age group patients and likely positive PCR test.
ORBIT-RT: A Real-Time, Open Platform for Knowledge-Based Quality Control of Radiotherapy Treatment Planning
Authors: Covele Brent M. , Puri Kartikeya S. , Kallis Karoline , Murphy James D. , Moore Kevin L.
Published: January 2021

PURPOSE

Access to knowledge-based treatment plan quality control has been hindered by the complexity of developing models and integration with different treatment planning systems (TPS). Online Real-time Benchmarking Information Technology for RadioTherapy (ORBIT-RT) provides a free, web-based platform for knowledge-based dose estimation that can be used by clinicians worldwide to benchmark the quality of their radiotherapy plans.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The ORBIT-RT platform was developed to satisfy four primary design criteria: web-based access, TPS independence, Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act compliance, and autonomous operation. ORBIT-RT uses a cloud-based server to automatically anonymize a user's Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine for RadioTherapy (DICOM-RT) file before upload and processing of the case. From there, ORBIT-RT uses established knowledge-based dose-volume histogram (DVH) estimation methods to autonomously create DVH estimations for the uploaded DICOM-RT. ORBIT-RT performance was evaluated with an independent validation set of 45 volumetric modulated arc therapy prostate plans with two key metrics: (i) accuracy of the DVH estimations, as quantified by their error, DVHclinical − DVHprediction and (ii) time to process and display the DVH estimations on the ORBIT-RT platform.

RESULTS

ORBIT-RT organ DVH predictions show < 1% bias and 3% error uncertainty at doses > 80% of prescription for the prostate validation set. The ORBIT-RT extensions require 3.0 seconds per organ to analyze. The DICOM upload, data transfer, and DVH output display extend the entire system workflow to 2.5-3 minutes.

CONCLUSION

ORBIT-RT demonstrated fast and fully autonomous knowledge-based feedback on a web-based platform that takes only anonymized DICOM-RT as input. The ORBIT-RT system can be used for real-time quality control feedback that provides users with objective comparisons for final plan DVHs.