bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What is the role of the practice nurse in the care of people living with dementia, or cognitive impairment, and their support person(s)?: a systematic review
Authors: Gibson Caroline , Goeman Dianne , Pond Dimity
Published: July 2020

Background

The potential value of expanding the Practice Nurse role to include the recognition and management of dementia has been acknowledged. Practice Nurses are well-positioned to provide comprehensive dementia information and support so that people living with dementia are better equipped to self-manage their health and live well with dementia. The purpose of this review was to systematically examine published literature to identify existing and potential roles of Practice Nurse’s in the delivery of care to people affected by dementia and to describe the characteristics and effectiveness of nurse interventions in dementia models of care.

Methods

The PRISMA statement guided the systematic review of the quantitative and qualitative evidence for roles and characteristics of the Practice Nurse in the delivery of dementia care. A comprehensive literature search of seven electronic databases and Google scholar identified relevant original research published in English between January 2000 and January 2019. Thirteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were extracted into the Covidence software for analysis.

Results

The heterogeneity of the included studies purpose, design and outcomes measures and the diversity in health systems and primary care nurses scope of practice made it difficult to synthesise the findings and draw conclusions. The heterogeneity did, however, provide important insights into the characteristics of roles undertaken by nurses working in the general practice setting, which were potentially beneficial to people living with dementia and their support person. These included patient accessibility to the Practice Nurse, early recognition and management of cognitive changes, care management and collaboration with the General Practitioner. Limitations of the provision of dementia care by Practice Nurses included a lack of definition of the role, inadequate dementia specific training, time constraints and poor communication with General Practitioners.

Conclusions

Embedding an evidence-based model that describes the role of the Practice Nurse in dementia care provision has the potential to increase early recognition of cognitive impairment and more appropriate primary care management of dementia.

Systematic review registration

PROSPERO 2018 CRD42018088191.
Increased circulating total bile acid levels were associated with organ failure in patients with acute pancreatitis
Authors: Xie Xiaochun , Dong Jie , Lu Guotao , Gao Kun , Li Xiaoyao , Mao Wenjian , Chen Faxi , Tong Zhihui , Li Baiqiang , Li Weiqin
Published: July 2020

Background

Recent studies have shown that bile acids (BAs) are closely related to metabolic and inflammatory diseases. Our study aimed to investigate whether circulating total bile acid (TBA) levels were associated with the severity of acute pancreatitis (AP).

Methods

We retrospectively collected data on patients diagnosed with AP in a tertiary center from 01 January 2014 to 31 December 2016. The highest TBA value during the first 1,2,3,5,7 days after admission was determined as D1, D2, D3, D5, D7 TBAmax. Patients were divided into the high TBA (HTBA) group and the normal TBA (NTBA) group according to whether the TBAmax was ≥10 μmol/L. The prognosis and complications, including death, organ failure (OF) and pancreatic necrosis, were compared between the two groups. Logistic regression analysis and receiving operating characteristic (ROC) curve were used to evaluate the relationship between circulating TBA and organ failure in AP patients.

Results

Through stratified analysis of each time period, we found that the incidence of OF in the HTBA group was significantly higher than that in the NTBA group, and the AP severity classification in the HTBA group was more serious than that in the NTBA group. In addition, according to the D7 TBAmax values, the pancreatic necrosis rate, percutaneous catheter drainage (PCD) rate and mortality in the HTBA group were higher than those in the NTBA group. Multivariate regression analysis showed that HTBA (odds ratio (OR), 4.894; P = 0.002) was an independent risk factor for AP complicated with OF, which was verified in the grouping based on D7 TBAmax. ROC analysis revealed that a circulating D7 TBAmax cutoff point of 6.450 umol/L had optimal predictive value for the development of OF in AP patients with an area under the curve of the ROC curve (AUCROC) of 0.777.

Conclusions

The increase of circulating TBA in early stage of AP is independently related to organ failure, which indicates the adverse prognosis of AP patients.
Rotavirus group A genotype circulation patterns across Kenya before and after nationwide vaccine introduction, 2010–2018
Authors: Mwanga Mike J. , Owor Betty E. , Ochieng John B. , Ngama Mwanajuma H. , Ogwel Billy , Onyango Clayton , Juma Jane , Njeru Regina , Gicheru Elijah , Otieno Grieven P. , Khagayi Sammy , Agoti Charles N. , Bigogo Godfrey M. , Omore Richard , Addo O. Yaw , Mapaseka Seheri , Tate Jacqueline E. , Parashar Umesh D. , Hunsperger Elizabeth , Verani Jennifer R. , Breiman Robert F. , Nokes D. James
Published: July 2020

Background

Kenya introduced the monovalent G1P [8] Rotarix® vaccine into the infant immunization schedule in July 2014. We examined trends in rotavirus group A (RVA) genotype distribution pre- (January 2010–June 2014) and post- (July 2014–December 2018) RVA vaccine introduction.

Methods

Stool samples were collected from children aged < 13 years from four surveillance sites across Kenya: Kilifi County Hospital, Tabitha Clinic Nairobi, Lwak Mission Hospital, and Siaya County Referral Hospital (children aged < 5 years only). Samples were screened for RVA using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and VP7 and VP4 genes sequenced to infer genotypes.

Results

We genotyped 614 samples in pre-vaccine and 261 in post-vaccine introduction periods. During the pre-vaccine introduction period, the most frequent RVA genotypes were G1P [8] (45.8%), G8P [4] (15.8%), G9P [8] (13.2%), G2P [4] (7.0%) and G3P [6] (3.1%). In the post-vaccine introduction period, the most frequent genotypes were G1P [8] (52.1%), G2P [4] (20.7%) and G3P [8] (16.1%). Predominant genotypes varied by year and site in both pre and post-vaccine periods. Temporal genotype patterns showed an increase in prevalence of vaccine heterotypic genotypes, such as the commonly DS-1-like G2P [4] (7.0 to 20.7%, P < .001) and G3P [8] (1.3 to 16.1%, P < .001) genotypes in the post-vaccine introduction period. Additionally, we observed a decline in prevalence of genotypes G8P [4] (15.8 to 0.4%, P < .001) and G9P [8] (13.2 to 5.4%, P < .001) in the post-vaccine introduction period. Phylogenetic analysis of genotype G1P [8], revealed circulation of strains of lineages G1-I, G1-II and P [8]-1, P [8]-III and P [8]-IV. Considerable genetic diversity was observed between the pre and post-vaccine strains, evidenced by distinct clusters.

Conclusion

Genotype prevalence varied from before to after vaccine introduction. Such observations emphasize the need for long-term surveillance to monitor vaccine impact. These changes may represent natural secular variation or possible immuno-epidemiological changes arising from the introduction of the vaccine. Full genome sequencing could provide insights into post-vaccine evolutionary pressures and antigenic diversity.
Correction to: Inpatient versus outpatient induction of labour: a systematic review and metaanalysis
Authors: Dong Susan , Khan Maria , Hashimi Farahnosh , Chamy Caroline , D’Souza Rohan
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Management of medically inoperable and tyrosine kinase inhibitor-naïve early-stage lung adenocarcinoma with epidermal growth factor receptor mutations: a retrospective multi-institutional analysis
Authors: Sun Yuemei , Wu Mengwan , Zhou Mingxiu , Luo Xing , Guo Yan , Bai Hansong , Zhang Zican , Tian Wei , Wang Xiaoshan , Bai Yifeng , Zhu Xueqiang , Pan Haixia , Deng Ying , Hu Honglin , Xia Jianling , Hao Xinbao , Han Liangfu , Wei Min , Liu Yingyi , Zeng Ming
Published: July 2020

Background

The clinical value of combined local radiation and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for medically inoperable and TKI-naïve early-stage lung adenocarcinoma patients with EGFR mutations has not yet been determined. In this study, we aimed to pool multi-institutional data to compare the therapeutic effect of EGFR-TKI treatment alone and combined radiation and TKI treatment on the survival outcomes in this patient subgroup.

Methods

A total of 132 cases of medically inoperable stage I to III EGFR mutant lung adenocarcinoma were retrospectively reviewed based on data from 5 centers. Among these patients, 65 received combined radiation and EGFR-TKI therapy (R + TKI) (49.2%), while 67 received EGFR-TKI (50.8%) treatment alone. All patients were followed until death.

Results

For the R + TKI group, the median overall survival (OS) after primary therapy was 42.6 months, while that of the TKI alone group was 29.4 months (log-rank p < 0.001). In terms of progression-free survival (PFS), the median PFS in these two treatment groups was 24 months and 14.7 months respectively (log-rank p < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that R + TKI was independently associated with improved OS (adjusted HR 0.420; 95% CI 0.287 to 0.614; p < 0.001) and PFS (adjusted HR 0.420; 95% CI 0.291 to 0.605; p < 0.001) compared to TKI alone. Subgroup analysis confirmed the significant OS benefits in stage III patients and RFS benefits in stage II/III patients.

Conclusions

Upfront radiation to primary sites with subsequent TKI treatment is a feasible option for patients with medically inoperable EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) during first-line EGFR-TKI treatment, with significantly improved PFS and OS compared with those yielded by TKI treatment alone.
Pyrotinib with trastuzumab and aromatase inhibitors as first-line treatment for HER2 positive and hormone receptor positive metastatic or locally advanced breast cancer: study protocol of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wang Changjun , Lin Yan , Zhou Yidong , Mao Feng , Zhu Hanjiang , Guan Jinghong , Zhang Xiaohui , Shen Songjie , Huang Xin , Chen Chang , Yao Ru , Zhao Jialin , Sun Qiang
Published: July 2020

Background

HER2 dual-blockade combined with aromatase inhibitors (AI) is a promising strategy to improve progression-free survival (PFS) in hormone receptor (HR) positive, metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Pyrotinib is a novel irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor/HER2 dual tyrosine kinase inhibitor. However, there is scarcity of data on the effectiveness and safety of pyrotinib combined with trastuzumab and AI as first-line treatment in a metastatic setting.

Methods/design

The present study is a prospective, randomized, open-label trial. 198 patients with HER2+/HR+ MBC will be recruited. Eligible patients will be allocated (2:1) to either an experimental group (pyrotinib + trastuzumab + AI) or a control group (trastuzumab + AI). Allocation will be stratified by 1) time since adjuvant hormone therapy (≤ 12 months/> 12 months/no prior hormone therapy); 2) lesion sites (visceral / non-visceral). The primary endpoint is PFS.

Discussion

To our knowledge, this is the first prospective randomized controlled trial to assess dual HER2-blockade with pyrotinib in the metastatic setting. This study will provide valuable evidence regarding the efficacy and safety of pyrotinib when combined with trastuzumab and an AI as first-line treatment for MBC. Moreover, it will also evaluate the feasibility of endocrine therapy as an alternative to chemotherapy in providing de-escalation therapy with less toxicity for advanced HR+/HER2+ patients.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: NCT03910712. Registered on 10 Apr. 2019.
Spontaneous resolution of a traumatic cataract in a patient with an open-globe ocular injury: a case report
Authors: Zhang Yu-ting , Du Li-qun , Liu Mei , Zhu Jing
Published: July 2020

Background

We report a case of spontaneous resolution of a traumatic cataract in a patient with an open-globe ocular injury. This case highlights the importance of conservative management in these types of cases, as excellent visual outcome is possible without invasive surgical intervention.

Case presentation

A 13-year-old boy presented with a corneal laceration in the left eye caused by a neuter pen. He underwent emergency repair of the corneal laceration under general anesthesia, and at 3 days post-op, a dense posterior cortical cataract was observed. Based on the patient’s age and normal visual development, in addition to preserving accommodative potential, the patient received conservative management and follow-up. Interestingly, the cataract spontaneously resolved over the following 9 months and the corrected distance visual acuity in the injured eye was restored from finger counting at 50 cm, to 20/25 + 3.

Conclusions

To optimize treatment in pediatric traumatic cataract, several critical factors such as age, visual development and the preservation of accommodative potential, need to be comprehensively considered. Conservative management with lens preservation is important to consider in young, traumatic cataract patients where invasive surgical intervention may not be required.
The usage of over-the-counter products by private insured patients in Germany – a claims data analysis with focus on complementary medicine
Authors: Goetz Katja , Kalder Matthias , Albert Ute-Susann , Jacke Christian O.
Published: July 2020

Background

An important contribution to well-being of human beings can be observed by the use of self-medication products that is reflected in the constantly growing volume of over-the-counter (OTC) drugs. The aim of the current study was to extend the measurement concept for OTCs by exploring the relevance of the peripheral assortment provided by the widely accepted framework of the Anatomical Therapeutical and Chemical (ATC) classification of the WHO.

Methods

The focus was on the prescriptions and drug-related receipts submitted by privately insured persons to 18 private health insurers (PHIs) in Germany from the year 2016. The age- and gender-specific average claims amount per risks of outpatient drug expenditure were used as weights to scale up the relative distributions of the item amounts. The ATC-classification defines the commodity groups and discriminates between the main and the peripheral assortment. A descriptive analysis assessed the OTC frequencies and sum scores of the product groups within the main and peripheral assortment whereby the study group explored and assessed the relevance of each category independently according to the OTCs and integrative medicines.

Results

The analysis included 22.1 Mio. packages from the main assortment and examined 10.1 Mio. packages from the peripheral assortment. The latter was examined thoroughly and the commodity groups “Pharmaceutical food products”, “Medicinal products for special therapy options” and particular “Hygiene and body care products” meet the defined requirements for OTCs relevant for integrative medicines. A high proportion of OTC products from the peripheral assortment was associated with the categories “medicinal products for special therapy options”. Homeopathy and anthroposophy present two special therapy options, which are relevant for the extended OTC measurement.

Conclusions

The analysis of OTC drugs is feasible when the main and the peripheral assortment is available and enable to integrate about 18% of all OTCs, which are neglected by the common ATC-based approach. The presented extended approach may help to identify potential users of OTCs or people in need of OTC use. In case of the highly disputed homeopathy and anthroposophy products, more research among interactions with prescriptions drugs (Rx), nutrition’s and other potentially harmful exposures is recommended.
A social-ecological examination into the research, policy and health service delivery environment related to early marriage and sexual and gender-based violence among youth in Jordan
Authors: Gausman Jewel , Othman Areej , Dababneh Abeer , Dabobe Maysoon , Hamad Iqbal , Daas Insaf , Langer Ana
Published: July 2020

Background

The determinants of sexual- and gender-based violence (SGBV) and early marriage are embedded across different levels of the social ecological system, including at the individual, family, community, and policy levels. In Jordan and the Middle East, SGBV, honor killing, and early marriage are priority public health and human rights issues that often overlap, and affect a significant percentage of youth. Jordan is home to a large number of refugees from across the Middle East, who may be even more vulnerable to these forms of violence than the local youth. The purpose of this analysis is to 1) synthesize the existing literature and 2) present the perspectives of key stakeholders to identify research gaps, programmatic lessons learned, and opportunities for policy change from an ecological perspective at the individual, community, health-system, and policy/legal levels.

Methods

This study includes 1) a systematic literature review of both published and unpublished literature since 2008 and 2) focus group discussions (FGDs) with key stakeholders representing 18 international and local governmental and non-governmental organizations.

Results

The literature review included 27 documents. Stakeholder discussions highlighted important research and policy gaps. Prevalence estimates of SGBV, honor killing, and early marriage vary across sources; however, all of them indicate that they remain important issues for youth in Jordan. Several sources indicate that early marriage has been increasing in Jordan since the beginning of the war in Syria, especially among Syrian refugees. Refugee youth are particularly vulnerable to SGBV and early marriage given the worsening economic situation in Jordan. The norms, attitudes, and practices that support SGBV in Jordan appear to be reinforced within families and communities. Despite ongoing programs, SGBV services are limited, especially for youth, and there is little awareness of service availability amongst target populations. Laws and policies continue to offer legal justification for SGBV, honor killing, and early marriage.

Discussion

As countries across the Middle East face instability and continue to struggle with the urgent health needs of large refugee and youth populations, this review provides valuable insight relevant to research, programs, and policy in Jordan and across the region.
In vivo creation of plasmid pCRT01 and its use for the construction of carotenoid-producing Paracoccus spp. strains that grow efficiently on industrial wastes
Authors: Maj Anna , Dziewit Lukasz , Drewniak Lukasz , Garstka Maciej , Krucon Tomasz , Piatkowska Katarzyna , Gieczewska Katarzyna , Czarnecki Jakub , Furmanczyk Ewa , Lasek Robert , Baj Jadwiga , Bartosik Dariusz
Published: July 2020

Background

Carotenoids are natural tetraterpene pigments widely utilized in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. Currently, chemical synthesis of these compounds outperforms their production in Escherichia coli or yeast due to the limited efficiency of the latter. The use of natural microbial carotenoid producers, such as bacteria of the genus Paracoccus (Alphaproteobacteria), may help to optimize this process. In order to couple the ability to synthesize these pigments with the metabolic versatility of this genus, we explored the possibility of introducing carotenoid synthesis genes into strains capable of efficient growth on simple low-cost media.

Results

We constructed two carotenoid-producing strains of Paracoccus carrying a new plasmid, pCRT01, which contains the carotenoid synthesis gene locus crt from Paracoccus marcusii OS22. The plasmid was created in vivo via illegitimate recombination between crt-carrying vector pABW1 and a natural “paracoccal” plasmid pAMI2. Consequently, the obtained fusion replicon is stably maintained in the bacterial population without the need for antibiotic selection. The introduction of pCRT01 into fast-growing “colorless” strains of Paracoccus aminophilus and Paracoccus kondratievae converted them into efficient producers of a range of both carotenes and xanthophylls. The exact profile of the produced pigments was dependent on the strain genetic background. To reduce the cost of carotenoid production in this system, we tested the growth and pigment synthesis efficiency of the two strains on various simple media, including raw industrial effluent (coal-fired power plant flue gas desulfurization wastewater) supplemented with molasses, an industrial by-product rich in sucrose.

Conclusions

We demonstrated a new approach for the construction of carotenoid-producing bacterial strains which relies on a single plasmid-mediated transfer of a pigment synthesis gene locus between Paracoccus strains. This strategy facilitates screening for producer strains in terms of synthesis efficiency, pigment profile and ability to grow on low-cost industrial waste-based media, which should increase the cost-effectiveness of microbial production of carotenoids.
The influence of transketolase on lipid biosynthesis in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica
Authors: Dobrowolski Adam , Mirończuk Aleksandra M.
Published: July 2020

Background

During the pentose phosphate pathway (PPP), two important components, NADPH and pentoses, are provided to the cell. Previously it was shown that this metabolic pathway is a source of reducing agent for lipid synthesis from glucose in the yeast Yarrowia lipolytica. Y. lipolytica is an attractive microbial host since it is able to convert untypical feedstocks, such as glycerol, into oils, which subsequently can be transesterified to biodiesel. However, the lipogenesis process is a complex phenomenon, and it still remains unknown which genes from the PPP are involved in lipid synthesis.

Results

To address this problem we overexpressed five genes from this metabolic pathway: transaldolase (TAL1, YALI0F15587g), transketolase (TKL1, YALI0E06479g), ribulose-phosphate 3-epimerase (RPE1, YALI0C11880g) and two dehydrogenases, NADP+-dependent glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (ZWF1, YALI0E22649g) and NADP+-dependent 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (GND1, YALI0B15598g), simultaneously with diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DGA1, YALI0E32769g) and verified each resulting strain’s ability to synthesize fatty acid growing on both glycerol and glucose as a carbon source. Our results showed that co-expression of DGA1 and TKL1 results in higher SCO synthesis, increasing lipid content by 40% over the control strain (DGA1 overexpression).

Conclusions

Simultaneous overexpression of DGA1 and TKL1 genes results in a higher lipid titer independently from the fermentation conditions, such as carbon source, pH and YE supplementation.
COVID-19 in Yemen: a crisis within crises
Authors: Mousavi Seyyed Meysam , Anjomshoa Mina
Published: July 2020

Yemen is suffering deadly airstrikes and heavy bombardment since March 2015 which has created one of the most severe humanitarian crises worldwide. In this miserable situation, several communicable diseases have massively re-emerged including cholera, diarrhea, dengue, and measles, as a result of weapons used during the years of war according to geospatial patterns of the infected cases. According to the world health organization (WHO), only 51% of health care facilities across the country are fully functional, mainly due to the war. The fragile health system has extremely limited capacity to adopt and implement effective preparedness and response measures to the COVID-19 outbreak. The first and most imperative step to combat COVID-19 in Yemen is ending the devastating war without delay and terminating the land, sea and air blockade imposed by the coalition. International humanitarian organizations should also dedicate a high level joint action to implement a series of well-coordinated measures emphasizing both whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to protect Yemenis’ right in life and health.
Higher sensitivity of female cells to ethanol: methylation of DNA lowers Cyp2e1, generating more ROS
Authors: Penaloza Carlos G. , Cruz Mayra , Germain Gabrielle , Jabeen Sidra , Javdan Mohammad , Lockshin Richard A. , Zakeri Zahra
Published: July 2020

Background

Cells taken from mouse embryos before sex differentiation respond to insults according to their chromosomal sex, a difference traceable to differential methylation. We evaluated the mechanism for this difference in the controlled situation of their response to ethanol.

Methods

We evaluated the expression of mRNA for alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), aldehyde dehyrogenases (ALDH), and a cytochrome P450 isoenzyme (Cyp2e1) in male and female mice, comparing the expressions to toxicity under several experimental conditions evaluating redox and other states.

Results

Females are more sensitive to ethanol. Disulfiram, which inhibits alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH), increases cell death in males, eliminating the sex dimorphism. The expressions ADH Class 1 to 4 and ALDH Class 1 and 2 do not differ by sex. However, females express approximately 8X more message for Cyp2e1, an enzyme in the non-canonical pathway. Female cells produce approximately 15% more ROS (reactive oxygen species) than male cells, but male cells contain approximately double the concentration of GSH, a ROS scavenger. Scavenging ROS with N-acetyl cysteine reduces cell death and eliminates sex dimorphism. Finally, since many of the differences in gene expression derive from methylation of DNA, we exposed cells to the methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza- 2-deoxycytidine; blocking methylation eliminates both the difference in expression of Cyp2e1 and cell death.

Conclusion

We conclude that the sex-differential cell death caused by ethanol derives from sex dimorphic methylation of Cyp2e1 gene, resulting in generation of more ROS.
Rapid and visual detection of milk vetch dwarf virus using recombinase polymerase amplification combined with lateral flow strips
Authors: Cao Yuhao , Yan Dankan , Wu Xinyang , Chen Ziqiang , Lai Yuchao , Lv Lanqing , Yan Fei , Chen Jianping , Zheng Hongying , Song Xuemei
Published: July 2020

Background

Milk vetch dwarf virus (MDV) is an important ssDNA virus which causes yellowing, stunting and leaf rolling symptoms on legumes. In China, the virus causes great economic losses and has recently been found to infect tobacco. The expansion of its host range and its ability to spread rapidly has given rise to the urgent need for a sensitive, specific and rapid diagnostic assay that can assist in effective disease control.

Methods

Assays based on the polymerase chain reaction combined with lateral flow strip detection (PCR-LFS) and recombinase polymerase amplification combined with LFS (RPA-LFS) were developed targeting the coat protein (CP) gene of MDV.

Results

The PCR and RPA assays could detect respectively 103 copies or 101 copies of MDV by agarose gel electrophoresis. The PCR-LFS and RPA-LFS assays developed could both detect as few as 101 copies per reaction at 37 °C. Both methods could detect MDV in crude leaf extracts.

Conclusions

The RPA-LFS assay developed is a rapid, sensitive and specific method for detecting MDV, which is convenient and has great potential for use in the field.
Research trends and scientific analysis of publications on burnout and compassion fatigue among healthcare providers
Authors: Sweileh Waleed M.
Published: July 2020

Background

Burnout and compassion fatigue are closely related concepts. Burnout is thought to develop from occupational stress while compassion fatigue results from being in a caregiver role leading to inability to get engaged in a caring relation. The objective of the current study was to investigate research trends, themes, citations, and key players of publications on burnout and compassion fatigue among healthcare providers.

Methods

A validated search query was developed and implemented in the Scopus database. The study period was all times up to 2019.

Results

Research query found 4416 publications. Publications started in 1978. Steep growth in the number of publications was observed in the last decade. There were seven research themes in the retrieved publications; six for burnout and one for compassion fatigue. Approximately 36% of the retrieved publications were about nurses; 36% were about physicians, 10% were about medical residents and the remaining did not include a specific profession. The retrieved publications received an average of 22.2 citations per article. Four of the top 10 active journals were in the field of nursing and two in the field of general medicine, one in public health, one in neurology, one in psychology, and one was multidisciplinary. The USA ranked first with 1292 (29.3%) articles followed by Spain (n = 248; 5.6%) and the UK (n = 247; 5.6%). Mayo Clinic was the most active institution (n = 93; 2.1%) followed by Harvard University (n = 46; 1.0%) and University of Washington, Seattle (n = 45; 1.0%). A total of 16,108 authors participated in publishing the retrieved documents, an average of 3.6 authors per article.Shanafelt, T.D.was the most active author (n = 78; 1.8%) followed byDyrbye, L.N.(n = 43; 1.0%), andWest, C.P.(n = 37; 0.8%). A total of 472 (10.7%) articles declared funding.

Conclusion

The current study was carried out to draw attention to the wellbeing of healthcare providers. Retrieved literature was dominated by high-income countries. Lack of information from low- and middle-income countries will hinder planning for interventional strategies and will negatively affect the health system and the patients. Health researchers in low- and middle-income countries need to focus on burn out and compassion fatigue.
HBA-DEALS: accurate and simultaneous identification of differential expression and splicing using hierarchical Bayesian analysis
Authors: Karlebach Guy , Hansen Peter , Veiga Diogo FT , Steinhaus Robin , Danis Daniel , Li Sheng , Anczukow Olga , Robinson Peter N
Published: July 2020

We present Hierarchical Bayesian Analysis of Differential Expression and ALternative Splicing (HBA-DEALS), which simultaneously characterizes differential expression and splicing in cohorts. HBA-DEALS attains state of the art or better performance for both expression and splicing and allows genes to be characterized as having differential gene expression, differential alternative splicing, both, or neither. HBA-DEALS analysis of GTEx data demonstrated sets of genes that show predominant DGE or DAST across multiple tissue types. These sets have pervasive differences with respect to gene structure, function, membership in protein complexes, and promoter architecture.
Correction to: Detection of gastrointestinal parasitism at recreational canine sites in the USA: the DOGPARCS study
Authors: Stafford Kristina , Kollasch Todd M. , Duncan Kathryn T. , Horr Stephanie , Goddu Troy , Heinz-Loomer Christine , Rumschlag Anthony J. , Ryan William G. , Sweet Sarah , Little Susan E.
Published: July 2020

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via the original article.
Concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in maternal plasma and epigenome-wide placental DNA methylation
Authors: Ouidir Marion , Mendola Pauline , Buck Louis Germaine M. , Kannan Kurunthachalam , Zhang Cuilin , Tekola-Ayele Fasil
Published: July 2020

Background

Prenatal maternal plasma persistent organic pollutant (POP) concentrations have been associated with neonatal outcomes. However, the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Placental epigenetic mechanisms may be involved, but no prior epigenome-wide studies have investigated the impact of maternal POPs on placental DNA methylation. We studied the association between maternal plasma POP concentration in early pregnancy and epigenome-wide placental DNA methylation among 260 pregnant women from the NICHD Fetal Growth Studies.

Results

Our analysis focused on POPs with more than 80% plasma concentrations above the limit of quantification, including 3 organochlorine pesticides (hexachlorobenzene, trans-nonachlor, p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene), 1 polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE 47), 3 polychlorinated biphenyls (138/158, 153, 180), and 6 poly- and perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFASs) (perfluorodecanoic acid, perfluorohexanesulfonic acid, perfluorononanoic acid, perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, perfluoroundecanoic acid (PFUnDA)). Using 5% false discovery rate, POPs were associated with a total of 214 differentially methylated CpG sites (nominal p values ranging from 2.61 × 10−21 to 2.11 × 10−7). Out of the 214 CpG sites, 24 (11%) were significantly correlated with placental expression of 21 genes. Notably, higher PFUnDA was associated with increased methylation at 3 CpG sites (cg13996963, cg12089439, cg18145877) annotated to TUSC3, and increased methylation at those 3 CpG sites was correlated with decreased expression of TUSC3 in the placenta. Increased methylation at cg18145877 (TUSC3) and decreased expression of TUSC3 were correlated with shorter birth length. Out of the 214 CpG sites, methylation at 44 CpG sites was correlated (p value < 0.10) with at least one neonatal anthropometry measure (i.e., birth weight, birth length, and head circumference). Seven CpG sites mediated (p value < 0.05) the association between PBDE 47 and neonatal anthropometry measures. Genes annotating the top differentially methylated CpG sites were enriched in pathways related to differentiation of embryonic cells (PBDE 47) and in pathways related to brain size and brain morphology (PFASs).

Conclusions

DNA methylation changes in the placenta were significantly associated with maternal plasma POPs concentration. The findings suggest that placental DNA methylation and gene expression mechanism may be involved in the prenatal toxicity of POPs and their association with neonatal anthropometry measures.
Astyanax surface and cave fish morphs
Authors: Jeffery William R.
Published: July 2020

The small teleost fish Astyanax mexicanus has emerged as an outstanding model for studying many biological topics in the context of evolution. A major attribute is conspecific surface dwelling (surface fish) and blind cave dwelling (cavefish) morphs that can be raised in the laboratory and spawn large numbers of transparent and synchronously developing embryos. More than 30 cavefish populations have been discovered, mostly in northeastern Mexico, and some are thought to have evolved independently from surface fish ancestors, providing excellent models of parallel and convergent evolution. Cavefish have evolved eye and pigmentation regression, as well as modifications in brain morphology, behaviors, heart regenerative capacity, metabolic processes, and craniofacial organization. Thus, the Astyanax model provides researchers with natural “mutants” to study life in the challenging cave environment. The application of powerful genetic approaches based on hybridization between the two morphs and between the different cavefish populations are key advantages for deciphering the developmental and genetic mechanisms regulating trait evolution. QTL analysis has revealed the genetic architectures of gained and lost traits. In addition, some cavefish traits resemble human diseases, offering novel models for biomedical research. Astyanax research is supported by genome assemblies, transcriptomes, tissue and organ transplantation, gene manipulation and editing, and stable transgenesis, and benefits from a welcoming and interactive research community that conducts integrated community projects and sponsors the International Astyanax Meeting (AIM).
Validation study on the geometric isomers from bulbs of Allium fistulosum and their conversion
Authors: Hwang Joo Tae , Ryuk Jin Ah , Kim Hye Jin , Jung Dong Ho , Ko Byoung Seob
Published: July 2020

To discover new standard for the standardization of bulbs of Allium fistulosum (Chongbaek, Korean herbal name), twelve compounds (1–12) were isolated. Among them, a new HPLC/UV analysis method by selecting the five cinnamic acid amides (5–9) and two decursidate isomers (10 and 11), was fully validated. The developed analysis method showed sufficient reproducibility (< 2.58%) and accuracy (96.00–106.72%). Moreover, among compounds 5–11, only trans-isomers were verified from all four Chongbaek samples which produced in different regions, and this finding implied that the cis-forms were not originally nature compounds, thus, it led us to verify the conversion processes. The four trans-standard solutions and extracts of Chongbaek were converted to the cis- derivatives after 96 h of UV (254 nm) light exposure as 78.74% (6), 82.29% (8), and 63.99% (11) in solution and 82.38% (6), 62.91% (8), and 61.64% (11) in extracts. A verified analysis method using new indicators was developed for quality control of Chongbaek, as well as their stability control under UV light exposure. These results might be important for the industrial use of Chongbaek.
Personalizing symptom monitoring and contact tracing efforts through a COVID-19 web-app
Authors: Yap Kevin Yi-Lwern , Xie Qihuang
Published: July 2020

Background

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has sparked attention in many countries, especially those that have experienced a steep spike in the number of identified cases. The continued spread of the coronavirus suggests that this situation may be here to stay for a while. Contact tracing is a time-consuming and resource-intensive process, which taps on the already lean healthcare resource in certain countries. Furthermore, the massive infodemic on COVID-19 on the Internet has also resulted in widespread circulation of misinformation online. This outbreak has evoked irrational fear and anxiety from the public, which has resulted in destabilizing of societal norms, such as panic buying and hoarding of daily necessities, and can potentially pose serious health risks to the public. The aim of this paper is to present a COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Contact Tracking Record (CoV-SCR) web-app as a bottom-up, proactive approach to supplement the current management strategies for COVID-19.

Main text

The CoV-SCR web-app (http://bit.ly/covscrapp) enables individuals to keep a personal record of their close contacts and monitor their symptoms on a daily basis, so that they can provide relevant and accurate details when they see the doctor and during the contact tracing process. Individuals can record their temperature and rate their symptoms on a 5-point severity scale, as well as record details of their travel and contact history for the last 14 days. The recorded information will be sent to their e-mail address for potential symptom monitoring and contact tracing purposes. In addition, this web-app consolidates evidence-based information on the coronavirus from credible sources, such as the World Health Organization, countries’ health authorities, and PubMed literature.

Conclusions

A COVID-19 Symptom Monitoring and Contact Tracking web-app has been developed to facilitate contact tracing efforts through public engagement. This app serves an additional purpose of providing information about COVID-19 from reliable resources.
Isolation, identification and biocontrol potential of entomopathogenic nematodes occurring in Purvanchal and Bundelkhand regions of Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Gowda Manjunatha T. , Patil Jagadeesh , R. Vijayakumar , Halder Jaydeep , Veereshkumar  , Divekar Pratap A. , Rai A. B. , Singh Jagdish
Published: July 2020

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) are being used for the management of insect pests occurring in both agricultural and horticultural crops. But native EPNs are reasonably more efficacious in controlling insect pests than introduced EPNs species because they are adapted to local environmental conditions and insect pests. Therefore, in the present study, a survey was conducted to isolate EPNs at 4 districts of Purvanchal Region and 1 district of Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh, India, between 2016 and 2017 years. Out of 130 soil samples, EPNs were recovered from 3 soil samples (2.3%). Morphological characters examination and ITS-rDNA region revealed that the 3 EPNs such asSteinernemasp. (IIVR JNC01 strain)Steinernemasp. (IIVR JNC02 strain), andSteinernemasp. (IIVR EPN03 strain) are belonging toSteinernema siamkayai.Further pathogenicity of all these strains was tested onGalleria mellonellaLinnaeus and the most effective strain was used to determine the biocontrol potential against lepidopteran and coleopteran pests of major vegetable crops in comparison to commercially availableHeterorhabditis indica(NBAIIH38 strain). Results revealed thatS. siamkayai(IIVR JNC01 strain) caused 100, 100, and 85%, mortality of 3rdinstar larvae ofSpodoptera lituraFabricius,Spilosoma obliquaWalker, andSpoladea recurvalisFabricius, respectively. Similarly,S. siamkayai(IIVR JNC01 strain) caused 92.5% mortality of 2ndinstar grubs ofMyllocerus subfaciatusGurein under laboratory conditions. The present study revealed that EPNs commonly present at Purvanchal and Bundelkhand regions of Uttar Pradesh andS. siamkayai(IIVR JNC01 strain) isolated from the Bundelkhand Region showed a good biocontrol potential against major insect pests of vegetable crops.
Positron Emission Tomography–Directed Therapy for Patients With Limited-Stage Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma: Results of Intergroup National Clinical Trials Network Study S1001
Authors: Persky Daniel O. , Li Hongli , Stephens Deborah M. , Park Steven I. , Bartlett Nancy L. , Swinnen Lode J. , Barr Paul M. , Winegarden Jerome D. , Constine Louis S. , Fitzgerald Thomas J. , Leonard John P. , Kahl Brad S. , LeBlanc Michael L. , Song Joo Y. , Fisher Richard I. , Rimsza Lisa M. , Smith Sonali M. , Miller Thomas P. , Friedberg Jonathan W.
Published: July 2020

PURPOSE

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) presents as a limited-stage disease in 25% to 30% of patients, with better overall survival (OS) than that for advanced-stage disease but with continuous relapse regardless of treatment approach. The preferred treatment is abbreviated rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone (R-CHOP) and radiation therapy. On the basis of promising results of positron emission tomography (PET)–directed treatment approaches, we designed a National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) study to improve outcomes and decrease toxicity.

METHODS

Patients with nonbulky (< 10 cm) stage I/II untreated DLBCL received 3 cycles of standard R-CHOP therapy and underwent a centrally reviewed interim PET/computed tomography scan (iPET). Those with a negative iPET proceeded with 1 additional cycle of R-CHOP, whereas those with a positive iPET received involved field radiation therapy followed by ibritumomab tiuxetan radioimmunotherapy.

RESULTS

Of 158 patients enrolled, 132 were eligible and 128 underwent iPET, which was positive in 14 (11%) of the patients. With a median follow-up of 4.92 years (range, 1.1-7.7 years), only 6 patients progressed and 3 died as a result of lymphoma. Eleven patients died as a result of nonlymphoma causes at a median age of 80 years. The 5-year progression-free survival estimate was 87% (95% CI, 79% to 92%) and the OS estimate was 89% (95% CI, 82% to 94%), with iPET-positive and iPET-negative patients having similar outcomes.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, S1001 is the largest prospective study in the United States of limited-stage DLBCL in the rituximab era, with the best NCTN results in this disease subset. With PET-directed therapy, 89% of the patients with a negative iPET received R-CHOP × 4, and only 11% had a positive iPET and required radiation, with both groups having excellent outcomes. The trial establishes R-CHOP × 4 alone as the new standard approach to limited-stage disease for the absolute majority of patients.
Antiemetics: ASCO Guideline Update
Authors: Hesketh Paul J. , Kris Mark G. , Basch Ethan , Bohlke Kari , Barbour Sally Y. , Clark-Snow Rebecca Anne , Danso Michael A. , Dennis Kristopher , Dupuis L. Lee , Dusetzina Stacie B. , Eng Cathy , Feyer Petra C. , Jordan Karin , Noonan Kimberly , Sparacio Dee , Lyman Gary H.
Published: July 2020

PURPOSE

To update the guideline to include new anticancer agents, antiemetics, and antiemetic regimens and to provide recommendations on the use of dexamethasone as a prophylactic antiemetic in patients receiving checkpoint inhibitors (CPIs).

METHODS

ASCO convened an Expert Panel and updated the systematic review to include randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses of RCTs published between June 1, 2016, and January 24, 2020. To address the dexamethasone and CPI question, we conducted a systematic review of RCTs that evaluated the addition of a CPI to chemotherapy.

RESULTS

The systematic reviews included 3 publications from the updated search and 10 publications on CPIs. Two phase III trials in adult patients with non–small-cell lung cancers evaluating a platinum-based doublet with or without the programmed death 1 (PD-1) inhibitor pembrolizumab recommended that all patients receive dexamethasone as a component of the prophylactic antiemetic regimen. In both studies, superior outcomes were noted in the PD-1 inhibitor–containing arms. Other important findings address olanzapine in adults and fosaprepitant in pediatric patients.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Recommendations for adults are unchanged with the exception of the option of adding olanzapine in the setting of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Dosing information now includes the option of a 5-mg dose of olanzapine in adults and intravenous formulations of aprepitant and netupitant-palonosetron. The option of fosaprepitant is added to pediatric recommendations. There is no clinical evidence to warrant omission of dexamethasone from guideline-compliant prophylactic antiemetic regimens when CPIs are administered to adults in combination with chemotherapy. CPIs administered alone or in combination with another CPI do not require the routine use of a prophylactic antiemetic. Additional information is available at www.asco.org/supportive-care-guidelines .
A Genome-Wide Pharmacogenetic Study of Growth Hormone Responsiveness
Authors: Dauber Andrew , Meng Yan , Audi Laura , Vedantam Sailaja , Weaver Benjamin , Carrascosa Antonio , Albertsson-Wikland Kerstin , Ranke Michael B , Jorge Alexander A L , Cara Jose , Wajnrajch Michael P , Lindberg Anders , Camacho-Hübner Cecilia , Hirschhorn Joel N
Published: July 2020

Context

Individual patients vary in their response to growth hormone (GH). No large-scale genome-wide studies have looked for genetic predictors of GH responsiveness.

Objective

To identify genetic variants associated with GH responsiveness.

Design

Genome-wide association study (GWAS).

Setting

Cohorts from multiple academic centers and a clinical trial.

Patients

A total of 614 individuals from 5 short stature cohorts receiving GH: 297 with idiopathic short stature, 276 with isolated GH deficiency, and 65 born small for gestational age.

Intervention

Association of more than 2 million variants was tested.

Main Outcome Measures

Primary analysis: individual single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) association with first-year change in height standard deviation scores. Secondary analyses: SNP associations in clinical subgroups adjusted for clinical variables; association of polygenic score calculated from 697 genome-wide significant height SNPs with GH responsiveness.

Results

No common variant associations reached genome-wide significance in the primary analysis. The strongest suggestive signals were found near the B4GALT4 and TBCE genes. After meta-analysis including replication data, signals at several loci reached or retained genome-wide significance in secondary analyses, including variants near ST3GAL6. There was no significant association with variants previously reported to be associated with GH response nor with a polygenic predicted height score.

Conclusions

We performed the largest GWAS of GH responsiveness to date. We identified 2 loci with a suggestive effect on GH responsiveness in our primary analysis and several genome-wide significant associations in secondary analyses that require further replication. Our results are consistent with a polygenic component to GH responsiveness, likely distinct from the genetic regulators of adult height.