bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative Genomic Profiling of Second Breast Cancers following First Ipsilateral Hormone Receptor–Positive Breast Cancers
Authors: Rassy Elie , Garberis Ingrid , Tran-Dien Alicia , Job Bastien , Chung-Scott Véronique , Bouakka Ibrahim , Bassil Josiane , Ferkh Rachel , Lacroix-Triki Magali , Zanconati Fabrizio , Giudici Fabiola , Generali Daniele , Rouleau Etienne , Lacroix Ludovic , Andre Fabrice , Pistilli Barbara
Published: February 2023

Purpose:

We compared the mutational profile of second breast cancers (SBC) following first ipislateral hormone receptor–positive breast cancers of patient-matched tumors to distinguish new primaries from true recurrences.

Experimental Design:

Targeted next-generation sequencing using the Oncomine Tumor Mutation Load Assay. Variants were filtered according to their allele frequency ≥ 5%, read count ≥ 5X, and genomic effect and annotation. Whole genome comparative genomic hybridization array (CGH) was also performed to evaluate clonality.

Results:

Among the 131 eligible patients, 96 paired first breast cancer (FBC) and SBC were successfully sequenced and analyzed. Unshared variants specific to the FBC and SBC were identified in 71.9% and 61.5%, respectively. Paired samples exhibited similar frequency of gene variants, median number of variants per sample, and variant allele frequency of the reported variants except for GATA3. Among the 30 most frequent gene alterations, ARIDIA, NSD2, and SETD2 had statistically significant discordance rates in paired samples. Seventeen paired samples (17.7%) exhibited common variants and were considered true recurrences; these patients had a trend for less favorable survival outcomes. Among the 8 patients with available tissue for CGH analysis and considered new primaries by comparison of the mutation profiles, 4 patients had clonally related tumors.

Conclusions:

Patient-matched FBC and SBC analysis revealed that only a minority of patients exhibited common gene variants between the first and second tumor. Further analysis using larger cohorts, preferably using single-cell analyses to account for clonality, might better select patients with true recurrences and thereby better inform the decision-making process.
Multi-Omic Architecture of Obstructive Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy
Authors: Garmany Ramin , Bos J. Martijn , Tester David J. , Giudicessi John R. , dos Remedios Cristobal G. , Dasari Surendra , Nagaraj Nagaswaroop K. , Nair Asha A. , Johnson Kenneth L. , Ryan Zachary C. , Maleszewski Joseph J. , Ommen Steve R. , Dearani Joseph A. , Ackerman Michael J.
Published: February 2023

Background:

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by asymmetric left ventricular hypertrophy. Currently, hypertrophy pathways responsible for HCM have not been fully elucidated. Their identification could serve as a nidus for the generation of novel therapeutics aimed at halting disease development or progression. Herein, we performed a comprehensive multi-omic characterization of hypertrophy pathways in HCM.

Methods:

Flash-frozen cardiac tissues were collected from genotyped HCM patients (n=97) undergoing surgical myectomy and tissue from 23 controls. RNA sequencing and mass spectrometry–enabled deep proteome and phosphoproteomic assessment were performed. Rigorous differential expression, gene set enrichment, and pathway analyses were performed to characterize HCM-mediated alterations with emphasis on hypertrophy pathways.

Results:

We identified transcriptional dysregulation with 1246 (8%) differentially expressed genes and elucidated downregulation of 10 hypertrophy pathways. Deep proteomic analysis identified 411 proteins (9%) that differed between HCM and controls with strong dysregulation of metabolic pathways. Seven hypertrophy pathways were upregulated with antagonistic upregulation of 5 of 10 hypertrophy pathways shown to be downregulated in the transcriptome. Most upregulated hypertrophy pathways encompassed the rat sarcoma-mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade. Phosphoproteomic analysis demonstrated hyperphosphorylation of the rat sarcoma-mitogen-activated protein kinase system suggesting activation of this signaling cascade. There was a common transcriptomic and proteomic profile regardless of genotype.

Conclusions:

At time of surgical myectomy, the ventricular proteome, independent of genotype, reveals widespread upregulation and activation of hypertrophy pathways, mainly involving the rat sarcoma-mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling cascade. In addition, there is a counterregulatory transcriptional downregulation of the same pathways. Rat sarcoma-mitogen-activated protein kinase activation may serve a crucial role in hypertrophy observed in HCM.
8-Aminoguanine and Its Actions on Renal Excretory Function
Authors: Jackson Edwin K. , Gillespie Delbert G. , Mi Zaichuan
Published: February 2023

Background:

The endogenous purine 8-aminoguanine induces diuresis/natriuresis/glucosuria by inhibiting PNPase (purine nucleoside phosphorylase); however, mechanistic details are unknown.

Methods:

Here, we further explored in rats 8-aminoguanine’s effects on renal excretory function by combining studies using intravenous 8-aminoguanine, intrarenal artery infusions of PNPase substrates (inosine and guanosine), renal microdialysis, mass spectrometry, selective adenosine receptor ligands, adenosine receptor knockout rats, laser doppler blood flow analysis, cultured renal microvascular smooth muscle cells, HEK293 cells expressing A
2B
receptors and homogeneous time resolved fluorescence assay for adenylyl cyclase activity.

Results:

Intravenous 8-aminoguanine caused diuresis/natriuresis/glucosuria and increased renal microdialysate levels of inosine and guanosine. Intrarenal inosine, but not guanosine, exerted diuretic/natriuretic/glucosuric effects. In 8-aminoguanine-pretreated rats, intrarenal inosine did not induce additional diuresis/natriuresis/glucosuria. 8-Aminoguanine did not induce diuresis/natriuresis/glucosuria in A
2B
-receptor knockout rats, yet did so in A
1
- and A
2A
-receptor knockout rats. Inosine’s effects on renal excretory function were abolished in A
2B
knockout rats. Intrarenal BAY 60-6583 (A
2B
agonist) induced diuresis/natriuresis/glucosuria and increased medullary blood flow. 8-Aminoguanine increased medullary blood flow, a response blocked by pharmacological inhibition of A
2B
, but not A
2A
, receptors. In HEK293 cells expressing A
2B
receptors, inosine activated adenylyl cyclase, and this was abolished by MRS 1754 (A
2B
antagonist). In renal microvascular smooth muscle cells, 8-aminoguanine and forodesine (PNPase inhibitor) increased inosine and 3’,5’-cAMP; however, in cells from A
2B
knockout rats, 8-aminoguanine and forodesine did not augment 3’,5’-cAMP yet increased inosine.

Conclusions:

8-Aminoguanine induces diuresis/natriuresis/glucosuria by increasing renal interstitial levels of inosine which, via A
2B
receptor activation, increases renal excretory function, perhaps in part by increasing medullary blood flow.
Imagination and Belief
Authors: Taylor George H.
Published: February 2023

In his forthcoming Lectures on Imagination, Paul Ricoeur develops his theory by contending that the imagination may be understood across two axes. The first, horizontal axis moves from reproductive imagination at the left end to productive imagination on the right. A second, vertical axis moves from belief at the bottom to critical distance at the top. This article examines his vertical axis and seek to comprehend and appraise his distinction between imagination as belief and as critical distance. Elaboration of the vertical axis remains significant both as a matter of exegesis internal to the Lectures and, more substantively, as an opening, perhaps especially in our parlous times, to the availability of a distinction between critical distance and being captured by belief. While the article values the potential positive role of critical distance as providing a location for alternative perspectives on and critique of existing imaginative frameworks, it questions Ricoeur’s claims that the vertical axis permits even at the top an escape from belief or that belief is necessarily negative. In developing this response, the article initially returns to subtleties in Ricoeur’s presentation in the Lectures that his main argument on the vertical axis does not pursue, and it then turns to engage in a contrast between Ricoeur’s argument in the Lectures and his argument in the Lectures on Ideology and Utopia. Part of the claim is that perspectives in both hermeneutics and phenomenology to which Ricoeur otherwise adheres challenge his conclusion that critical distance permits an escape from belief. These perspectives also challenge the kind of phenomenological stance Ricoeur develops and so reveal conflicts between hermeneutics and phenomenology and between various strands of phenomenology. The article develops its analysis in particular by distinguishing between Ricoeur’s emphasis on imagination as as if or as seeing as. The article concludes by showing the interrelation of the argument about the persistence of belief to contemporary theory in behavioral economics. The article’s thesis, then, has substantial implications for the construction of Ricoeur’s vertical axis, for the implications of this axis in relation to Ricoeur’s other work, and for its engagement with and expansion of contemporary social theory.
Wild Being, between Ontology and Politics: Merleau-Ponty, Lefort, Castoriadis
Authors: Poirier Nicolas
Published: February 2023

This essay considers the philosophical implications and the political ramifications of the dispute between Lefort and Castoriadis. It argues that the meaning of the conflict is best captured through consideration of Merleau-Ponty’s notion of wild being as it appears in his later thought. It considers Merleau-Ponty’s varying influence on Castoriadis and Lefort’s respective trajectories and explores how their different approaches to ontology plays out to the response to the problematic of the political. Whilst both Castoriadis and Lefort pursue a non-foundationalist ontology, they differ on the issue of the origin of nomos, and their different interpretations of—and break with—Marx leads to significantly different conclusions about the prospect of society and autonomy.
Two new species of Eriococcidae (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha) in Japan
Authors: TANAKA HIROTAKA , KAMITANI SATOSHI
Published: February 2023

Two new felt scale species (Hemiptera: Coccomorpha: Eriococcidae) collected in Japan, Acanthococcus torikurai Tanaka sp. nov. and Anophococcus koguchii Tanaka sp. nov., are described and illustrated based on the morphological characteristics of the adult females. Acanthococcus torikurai is similar to A. spiraeae Borchsenius 1949 but lacks small pores on hind legs, spinulae on the meso- and metathoracic coxae, a cauda on abdominal segment VIII and capitate ventral setae. Anophococcus koguchii is similar to An. socialis (Goux 1931) but differs in having seven-segmented antennae, two different sizes of macrotubular ducts on the venter, multilocular pores mostly with five loculi rather than seven or eight, and in lacking large pores on the metathoracic coxae and a cauda on abdominal segment VIII. A key to the 17 Eriococcidae species found in Japan is also provided.
Revisional notes on the genus Agelosus Sharp, 1889 from Taiwan (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae: Staphylinini: Staphylinina)
Authors: HU FANG-SHUO
Published: February 2023

N/A
Communities of practice as a launchpad for social justice planning in early childhood education
Authors: Damjanovic Victoria , Ward Jennifer K
Published: February 2023

This qualitative case study aims to explore the ways in which communities of practice support teacher learning, decision-making, and the purposeful infusion of social justice topics that are important to children within project work. The authors draw from transformative learning theory and critical pedagogy to guide their work in supporting early childhood education teachers in how social justice issues are connected to diversity, equity, advocacy, and liberation. The preliminary findings indicate the ways the communities of practice provided a safe space for the teachers to support one another regarding tensions of practice, and a space to center the knowledge and truth of children when integrating social justice topics in project work.
An application of mixed-effects model to evaluate the role of age and size on radial variation in wood specific gravity in teak (Tectona grandis)
Authors: Adutwum Jerry Oppong , Sakagami Hiroki , Koga Shinya , Matsumura Junji
Published: February 2023

To test whether radial variation of wood specific gravity (WSG) is controlled by tree age or tree size in teak (Tectona grandis L.f) plantation trees, opposing different-length pith-to-bark strips which represents the differential lateral growth rate was compared using mixed-effects model which considers the heterogeneity of variances and dependency in the data to gain insight into the stochastic processes that govern the wood formation process. Various models were tested in devising an appropriate radial WSG model. Models that accounted for serial correlation in WSG data performed better than the simple structure that assumes zero correlation between measurements. The autoregressive plus random tree effect structure performed better in describing the radial variation pattern. The variability of the data related to random fluctuations during tree development and the wood formation process is modeled by the autoregressive parameter revealing the intrinsic complexity of wood formation. Since they cannot be attributed to observed factors, models should consider temporal or serial correlations when assessing wood quality. The results revealed that tree age is a decisive factor in controlling the WSG of wood, while tree size is statistically less important. Furthermore, the core wood production period varies with the growth rate. It is shown that the core wood area decreased with slow growth. Findings presented here appear to provide the first demonstration of radial variation in WSG with respect to growth rate and age for planted teak growing in Ghana.
A generalized covariate-adjusted top-scoring pair algorithm with applications to diabetic kidney disease stage classification in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) Study
Authors: Kwan Brian , Fuhrer Tobias , Montemayor Daniel , Fink Jeffery C. , He Jiang , Hsu Chi-yuan , Messer Karen , Nelson Robert G. , Pu Minya , Ricardo Ana C. , Rincon-Choles Hernan , Shah Vallabh O. , Ye Hongping , Zhang Jing , Sharma Kumar , Natarajan Loki
Published: February 2023

Background

The growing amount of high dimensional biomolecular data has spawned new statistical and computational models for risk prediction and disease classification. Yet, many of these methods do not yield biologically interpretable models, despite offering high classification accuracy. An exception, the top-scoring pair (TSP) algorithm derives parameter-free, biologically interpretable single pair decision rules that are accurate and robust in disease classification. However, standard TSP methods do not accommodate covariates that could heavily influence feature selection for the top-scoring pair. Herein, we propose a covariate-adjusted TSP method, which uses residuals from a regression of features on the covariates for identifying top scoring pairs. We conduct simulations and a data application to investigate our method, and compare it to existing classifiers, LASSO and random forests.

Results

Our simulations found that features that were highly correlated with clinical variables had high likelihood of being selected as top scoring pairs in the standard TSP setting. However, through residualization, our covariate-adjusted TSP was able to identify new top scoring pairs, that were largely uncorrelated with clinical variables. In the data application, using patients with diabetes (n = 977) selected for metabolomic profiling in the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort (CRIC) study, the standard TSP algorithm identified (valine-betaine, dimethyl-arg) as the top-scoring metabolite pair for classifying diabetic kidney disease (DKD) severity, whereas the covariate-adjusted TSP method identified the pair (pipazethate, octaethylene glycol) as top-scoring. Valine-betaine and dimethyl-arg had, respectively, ≥ 0.4 absolute correlation with urine albumin and serum creatinine, known prognosticators of DKD. Thus without covariate-adjustment the top-scoring pair largely reflected known markers of disease severity, whereas covariate-adjusted TSP uncovered features liberated from confounding, and identified independent prognostic markers of DKD severity. Furthermore, TSP-based methods achieved competitive classification accuracy in DKD to LASSO and random forests, while providing more parsimonious models.

Conclusions

We extended TSP-based methods to account for covariates, via a simple, easy to implement residualizing process. Our covariate-adjusted TSP method identified metabolite features, uncorrelated from clinical covariates, that discriminate DKD severity stage based on the relative ordering between two features, and thus provide insights into future studies on the order reversals in early vs advanced disease states.
Genome-wide screening of the RNase T2 gene family and functional analyses in jujube (Ziziphus jujuba Mill.)
Authors: Luo Zhi , Zhang Yu , Tian Chunjiao , Wang Lihu , Zhao Xuan , Liu Zhiguo , Wang Lili , Wang Lixin , Zhao Jin , Wang Jiurui , Liu Mengjun
Published: February 2023

Background

Ribonuclease (RNase T2) plays crucial roles in plant evolution and breeding. However, there have been few studies on the RNase T2 gene family in Ziziphus jujuba Mill., one of important dried fruit tree species. Recently, the released sequences of the reference genome of jujube provide a good chance to perform genome-wide identification and characterization of ZjRNase gene family in the jujube.

Results

In this study, we identified four members of RNase T2 in jujube distributed on three chromosomes and unassembled chromosomes. They all contained two conserved sites (CASI and CASII). Analysis of the phylogenetic relationships revealed that the RNase T2 genes in jujube could be divided into two groups: ZjRNase1 and ZjRNase2 belonged to class I, while ZjRNase3 and ZjRNase4 belonged to class II. Only ZjRNase1 and ZjRNase2 expression were shown by the jujube fruit transcriptome analysis. So ZjRNase1 and ZjRNase2 were selected functional verification by overexpression transformation of Arabidopsis. The overexpression of these two genes led to an approximately 50% reduction in seed number, which deserve further attention. Moreover, the leaves of the ZjRNase1 overexpression transgenic lines were curled and twisted. Overexpression of ZjRNase2 resulted in shortened and crisp siliques and the production of trichomes, and no seeds were produced.

Conclusion

In summary, these findings will provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of low number of hybrid seeds in jujube and a reference for the future molecular breeding of jujube.
Genome-centric metagenomic insights into the role of Chloroflexi in anammox, activated sludge and methanogenic reactors
Authors: Bovio-Winkler Patricia , Guerrero Leandro D. , Erijman Leonardo , Oyarzúa Pía , Suárez-Ojeda María Eugenia , Cabezas Angela , Etchebehere Claudia
Published: February 2023

Background

The phylum Chloroflexi is highly abundant in a wide variety of wastewater treatment bioreactors. It has been suggested that they play relevant roles in these ecosystems, particularly in degrading carbon compounds and on structuring flocs or granules. Nevertheless, their function is not yet well understood as most species have not been isolated in axenic cultures. Here we used a metagenomic approach to investigate Chloroflexi diversity and their metabolic potential in three environmentally different bioreactors: a methanogenic full-scale reactor, a full-scale activated sludge reactor and a lab scale anammox reactor.

Results

Differential coverage binning approach was used to assemble the genomes of 17 new Chloroflexi species, two of which are proposed as new Candidatus genus. In addition, we recovered the first representative genome belonging to the genus ‘Ca. Villigracilis’. Even though samples analyzed were collected from bioreactors operating under different environmental conditions, the assembled genomes share several metabolic features: anaerobic metabolism, fermentative pathways and several genes coding for hydrolytic enzymes. Interestingly, genome analysis from the anammox reactor indicated a putative role of Chloroflexi in nitrogen conversion. Genes related to adhesiveness and exopolysaccharides production were also detected. Complementing sequencing analysis, filamentous morphology was detected by Fluorescent in situ hybridization.

Conclusion

Our results suggest that Chloroflexi participate in organic matter degradation, nitrogen removal and biofilm aggregation, playing different roles according to the environmental conditions.
Comparison of plastid genomes and ITS of two sister species in Gentiana and a discussion on potential threats for the endangered species from hybridization
Authors: Mao Jiuyang , Liang Yuze , Wang Xue , Zhang Dequan
Published: February 2023

Background

Gentiana rigescensFranchet is an endangered medicinal herb from the family Gentianaceae with medicinal values.Gentiana cephalanthaFranchet is a sister species toG. rigescenspossessing similar morphology and wider distribution. To explore the phylogeny of the two species and reveal potential hybridization, we adopted next-generation sequencing technology to acquire their complete chloroplast genomes from sympatric and allopatric distributions, as along with Sanger sequencing to produce the nrDNA ITS sequences.

Results

The plastid genomes were highly similar betweenG. rigescensandG. cephalantha. The lengths of the genomes ranged from 146,795 to 147,001 bp inG. rigescensand from 146,856 to 147,016 bp inG. cephalantha. All genomes consisted of 116 genes, including 78 protein-coding genes, 30 tRNA genes, four rRNA genes and four pseudogenes. The total length of the ITS sequence was 626 bp, including six informative sites. Heterozygotes occurred intensively in individuals from sympatric distribution. Phylogenetic analysis was performed based on chloroplast genomes, coding sequences (CDS), hypervariable sequences (HVR), and nrDNA ITS. Analysis based on all the datasets showed thatG. rigescensandG. cephalanthaformed a monophyly. The two species were well separated in phylogenetic trees using ITS, except for potential hybrids, but were mixed based on plastid genomes. This study supports thatG. rigescensandG. cephalanthaare closely related, but independent species. However, hybridization was confirmed to occur frequently betweenG. rigescensandG. cephalanthain sympatric distribution owing to the lack of stable reproductive barriers. Asymmetric introgression, along with hybridization and backcrossing, may probably lead to genetic swamping and even extinction ofG. rigescens.

Conclusion

G. rigescensandG. cephalanthaare recently diverged species which might not have undergone stable post-zygotic isolation. Though plastid genome shows obvious advantage in exploring phylogenetic relationships of some complicated genera, the intrinsic phylogeny was not revealed because of matrilineal inheritance here; nuclear genomes or regions are hence crucial for uncovering the truth. As an endangered species,G. rigescensfaces serious threats from both natural hybridization and human activities; therefore, a balance between conservation and utilization of the species is extremely critical in formulating conservation strategies.
Stress of emergency physicians during helicopter operations: impact of patients’ diagnoses, severity of diagnoses, and physicians’ work experience
Authors: Petrowski Katja , Malkewitz Camila Paola , Schöniger Christian , Frank Mark , Theiler Lorenz
Published: February 2023

Purpose

Emergency physicians are in danger of developing illnesses due to stress in their demanding work environment. Until today, scholars have not identified stressors or resilience factors that qualify to promote the preservation of emergency physicians’ well-being. Therefore, potential influencing variables such as patients’ diagnoses, the severity of diagnoses, as well as physicians’ work experience have to be considered. The present study aims at investigating emergency physicians in the Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS)’ autonomic nervous system activity during emergency operations in one shift with respect to patients’ diagnoses, severity of diagnoses, and physicians’ work experience.

Methods

Measurement of HRV (employing the parameters RMSSD and LF/HF) for 59 EPs (age: M = 39.69, SD = 6.19) was performed during two complete air-rescue-days, the alarm and landing phase being investigated in particular. Besides patients’ diagnoses, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Score (NACA) was included as an indicator for severity. Diagnoses’ and NACA’s effect on HRV were examined using a linear mixed model.

Results

Both HRV parameters indicate a significant decrease of the parasympathetic nervous system as a function of the diagnoses. Furthermore, high NACA scores (≥ V) predicted a significantly lower HRV. In addition, a lower HRV/RMSSD with increasing work experience was observed as well as a positive association between physicians’ work experience and sympathetic activation (LF/HF).

Conclusion

The present study showed that pediatric diagnoses as well as time-critical diagnoses are most stressful and have the highest impact on the physicians’ ANS. This knowledge allows the development of specific training to reduce stress.
Concordance of neonatal critical condition data between secondary databases: Florida and Texas birth certificate Linkage with medicaid analytic extract
Authors: Albogami Yasser , Zhu Yanmin , Wang Xi , Winterstein Almut G
Published: February 2023

Background

Limited information is available about neonates’ critical conditions data quality. The study aim was to measure the agreement regarding presence of neonatal critical conditions between Medicaid Analytic eXtract claims data and Birth Certificate (BC) records.

Methods

Claims data files of neonates born between 1999–2010 and their mothers were linked to birth certificates in the states of Texas and Florida. In claims data, neonatal critical conditions were identified using medical encounter claims records within the first 30 days postpartum, while in birth certificates, the conditions were identified based on predetermined variables. We calculated the prevalence of cases within each data source that were identified by its comparator, in addition to calculating overall agreement and kappa statistics.

Results

The sample included 558,224 and 981,120 neonates in Florida and Texas, respectively. Kappa values show poor agreement (< 20%) for all critical conditions except neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admission, which showed moderate (> 50%) and substantial (> 60%) agreement in Florida and Texas, respectively. claims data resulted in higher prevalences and capture of a larger proportion of cases than the BC, except for assisted ventilation.

Conclusions

Claims data and BC showed low agreement on neonatal critical conditions except for NICU admission. Each data source identified cases most of which the comparator failed to capture, with higher prevalences estimated within claims data except for assisted ventilation.
A clinical indicator-based prognostic model predicting treatment outcomes of pulmonary tuberculosis: a prospective cohort study
Authors: Zhan Mengyao , Xue Hao , Wang Yuting , Wu Zhuchao , Wen Qin , Shi Xinling , Wang Jianming
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Identifying prognostic factors helps optimize the treatment regimen and promote favorable outcomes. We conducted a prospective cohort study on patients with pulmonary tuberculosis to construct a clinical indicator-based model and estimate its performance.

Methods

We performed a two-stage study by recruiting 346 pulmonary tuberculosis patients diagnosed between 2016 and 2018 in Dafeng city as the training cohort and 132 patients diagnosed between 2018 and 2019 in Nanjing city as the external validation population. We generated a risk score based on blood and biochemistry examination indicators by the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) Cox regression. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to assess the risk score, and the strength of association was expressed as the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). We plotted the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculated the area under the curve (AUC). Internal validation was conducted by 10-fold cross-validation.

Results

Ten significant indicators (PLT, PCV, LYMPH, MONO%, NEUT, NEUT%, TBTL, ALT, UA, and Cys-C) were selected to generate the risk score. Clinical indicator-based score (HR: 10.018, 95% CI: 4.904–20.468, P < 0.001), symptom-based score (HR: 1.356, 95% CI: 1.079–1.704, P = 0.009), pulmonary cavity (HR: 0.242, 95% CI: 0.087–0.674, P = 0.007), treatment history (HR: 2.810, 95% CI: 1.137–6.948, P = 0.025), and tobacco smoking (HR: 2.499, 95% CI: 1.097–5.691, P = 0.029) were significantly related to the treatment outcomes. The AUC was 0.766 (95% CI: 0.649–0.863) in the training cohort and 0.796 (95% CI: 0.630–0.928) in the validation dataset.

Conclusion

In addition to the traditional predictive factors, the clinical indicator-based risk score determined in this study has a good prediction effect on the prognosis of tuberculosis.
Reducing urinary catheter use in geriatric patients - results of a single-center champion-led intervention
Authors: Mrziglod L , Saydan S , Schwab F , Zohlnhöfer-Momm D , Gastmeier P , Hansen S
Published: February 2023

Background

Indwelling urinary tract catheters (UTC) are a well-known risk factor for urinary tract infections (UTI). Because geriatric patients are at high risk of infection, an intervention with a focus on appropriate and minimal UTC use was introduced in 4 acute care geriatric wards.

Methods

Between 11/2018 and 1/2020, unit-based data on UTC use and nosocomial UTI was collected in accordance with the methods of the German national surveillance system KISS. From 6/2019 to 1/2020, a champion-led intervention was implemented which focused on: (i) feedback of surveillance data, (ii) education and training in aseptic UTC insertion and maintenance, (iii) HCW’s daily assessment of UTC necessity based on a checklist and (iv) timely removal of unnecessary UTCs. UTC use, incidence, and incidence densities for catheter-associated UTI (CAUTI) were calculated before and during the intervention. In addition, we analyzed adherence to a scheduled daily assessment of UTC necessity. Rate ratios (RR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) were calculated. Differences based on the quality of checklist completion were evaluated using the Kruskal Wallis test.

Results

We analyzed the data of 3,564 patients with a total 53,954 patient days, 9,208 UTC days, and 61 CAUTI. Surveillance data showed a significant decrease in the pooled UTC utilization rate from 19.1/100 patient days to 15.2/100 patient days (RR = 0.80, 95%CI 0.77–0.83, p < 0.001). CAUTI per 100 patients dropped from 2.07 to 1.40 (RR = 0.68, 95%CI 0.41–1.12, p = 0.1279). Overall, 373 patients received a UTC during the intervention. Of those patients 351 patients had an UTC ≥ 2 days. The analysis of these patients showed that 186 patients (53%) received a checklist as part of their chart for daily evaluation of UTC necessity. 43 (23.1%) of the completed checklists were of good quality; 143 (76.9%) were of poor quality. Patients in the group whose checklists were of good quality had fewer UTC days (median 7 UTC days IQR (3–11)) than patients whose checklists were of poor quality (11 UTC days IQR (6–16), p = 0.001).

Conclusion

We conclude that a champion-led, surveillance-based intervention reduces the use of UTC among geriatric patients. Further research is needed to determine to what extent the use of checklists in daily medical UTC assessment affects the prevention of CAUTI. The fact that patients whose checklists were completed well had fewer UTC days should encourage a conscientious and thorough daily review of the need for UTC.
Perinatal and pediatric outcomes associated with the use of fertility treatment: a population-based retrospective cohort study in Ontario, Canada
Authors: Dimanlig-Cruz Sheryll , Corsi Daniel J. , Lanes Andrea , Meng Lynn , Miao Qun , Walker Mark , Fell Deshayne B.
Published: February 2023

Background

Around 2% of births in Ontario, Canada involve the use of assisted reproductive technology (ART), and it is rising due to the implementation of a publicly funded ART program in 2016. To better understand the impact of fertility treatments, we assessed perinatal and pediatric health outcomes associated with ART, hormonal treatments, and artificial insemination compared with spontaneously conceived births.

Methods

This population-based retrospective cohort study was conducted using provincial birth registry data linked with fertility registry and health administrative databases in Ontario, Canada. Live births and stillbirths from January 2013 to July 2016 were included and followed to age one. The risks of adverse pregnancy, birth and infant health outcomes were assessed by conception method (spontaneous conception, ART – in vitro fertilization and non-ART – ovulation induction, intra-uterine or vaginal insemination) using risk ratios and incidence rate ratios with 95% confidence intervals (CI). Propensity score weighting using a generalized boosted model was applied to adjust for confounding.

Result(s)

Of 177,901 births with a median gestation age of 39 weeks (IQR 38.0–40.0), 3,457 (1.9%) were conceived via ART, and 3,511 (2.0%) via non-ART treatments. There were increased risks (adjusted risk ratio [95% CI]) of cesarean delivery (ART: 1.44 [1.42–1.47]; non-ART: 1.09 [1.07–1.11]), preterm birth (ART: 2.06 [1.98–2.14]; non-ART: 1.85 [1.79–1.91]), very preterm birth (ART: 2.99 [2.75–3.25]; non-ART: 1.89 [1.67–2.13]), 5-min Apgar < 7 (ART: 1.28 [1.16–1.42]; non-ART: 1.62 [1.45–1.81]), and composite neonatal adverse outcome indicator (ART: 1.61 [1.55–1.68]; non-ART: 1.29 [1.25–1.34]). Infants born after fertility treatments had increased risk of admission to neonatal intensive care unit (ART: 1.98 [1.84–2.13]; non-ART: 1.59 [1.51–1.67]) and prolonged birth admission (≥ 3 days) (ART: 1.60 [1.54–1.65]; non-ART: 1.42 [1.39–1.45]). The rate of emergency and in-hospital health services use within the first year was significantly increased for both exposure groups and remained elevated when limiting analyses to term singletons.

Conclusion(s)

Fertility treatments were associated with increased risks of adverse outcomes; however, the overall magnitude of risks was lower for infants conceived via non-ART treatments.
Cytoplasmic poly(A)-binding protein 1 (PABPC1) is a prognostic biomarker to predict survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma regardless of chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Ling Feng , Xu Shengen , Li Xiaochen , Sun Xingwang , Long Wenbo
Published: February 2023

Background

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), especially the nonkeratinizing type, is a malignant tumor primarily occurring in southern China and Southeast Asia. Chemotherapy (CT) and combined radiotherapy (RT) is used to treat NPC. However, the mortality rate is high in recurrent and metastatic NPC. We developed a molecular marker, analyzed its correlation with clinical characteristics, and assessed the prognostic value among NPC patients with or without chemoradiotherapy.

Methods

A total of 157 NPC patients were included in this study, with 120 undergoing treatment and 37 without treatment. EBER1/2 expression was investigated using in situ hybridization (ISH). Expression of PABPC1, Ki-67, and p53 was detected with immunohistochemistry. The correlations of EBER1/2 and the expression of the three proteins having clinical features and prognosis were evaluated.

Results

The expression of PABPC1 was associated with age, recurrence, and treatment but not with gender, TNM classification, or the expression of Ki-67, p53, or EBER. High expression of PABPC1 was associated with poor overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) and was an independent predictor depending on multivariate analysis. Comparatively, no significant correlation was observed between the expression of p53, Ki-67, and EBER and survival. In this study, 120 patients received treatments and revealed significantly better OS and DFS than the untreated 37 patients. PABPC1 high expression was an independent predictor of shorter OS in the treated (HR = 4.012 (1.238–13.522), 95% CI,p = 0.021) and the untreated groups (HR = 5.473 (1.051–28.508), 95% CI,p = 0.044). However, it was not an independent predictor of shorter DFS in either the treated or the untreated groups. No significant survival difference was observed between patients with docetaxel-based induction chemotherapy (IC) + concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and those with paclitaxel-based IC + CCRT. However, when combined with treatment and PABPC1 expression, patients with paclitaxel-added chemoradiotherapy plus PABPC1 low expression had significantly better OS than those who underwent chemoradiotherapy (p = 0.036).

Conclusions

High expression of PABPC1 is associated with poorer OS and DFS among NPC patients. Patients with PABPC1 having low expression revealed good survival irrespective of the treatment received, indicating that PABPC1 could be a potential biomarker for triaging NPC patients.
Season of birth and atopic dermatitis in early infancy: results from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study
Authors: Tsuchida Akiko , Itazawa Toshiko , Matsumura Kenta , Yokomichi Hiroshi , Yamagata Zentaro , Adachi Yuichi , Inadera Hidekuni ,   on behalf of the Japan Environment and Children’s Study Group, Kamijima Michihiro , Yamazaki Shin , Ohya Yukihiro , Kishi Reiko , Yaegashi Nobuo , Hashimoto Koichi , Mori Chisato , Ito Shuichi , Nakayama Takeo , Sobue Tomotaka , Shima Masayuki , Nakamura Hiroshige , Suganuma Narufumi , Kusuhara Koichi , Katoh Takahiko
Published: February 2023

Background

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is reported to be more prevalent in children who were born in autumn than in spring. Here, we investigated how early the association between season of birth and eczema or AD can be observed in the postnatal period. We also examined whether specific prevalence outcomes for infant eczema and AD differed according to sex and maternal history of allergic disease in a large Japanese cohort.

Methods

Using data of 81,615 infants from the Japan Environment and Children’s Study, we examined the associations of birth month or season with four different outcomes—eczema at 1 month, 6 months, and 1 year of age and physician-diagnosed AD up to 1 year of age—using multiple logistic regression analysis. We also analyzed the effect of maternal history of allergic disease on these outcomes stratified by infant sex.

Results

The risk of eczema at 1 month was highest in infants born in July. In contrast, infants born in autumn had higher risks of eczema at 6 months (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.10–2.30) and at 1 year (aOR, 1.08; 95% CI, 1.02–1.14) and of physician-diagnosed AD up to 1 year of age (aOR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.20–1.47) compared with infants born in spring. Eczema and AD were more prevalent in infants with a maternal history of allergic disease, particularly boys.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the prevalence of AD is associated with the season of observation. Eczema is prevalent in infants born in autumn, and this phenomenon was observed in infants as young as 6 months old. The risk associated with being born in autumn was particularly clear in boys with a maternal history of allergic disease.

Trial registration

UMIN000030786
A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing a novel compassion and metacognition approach for schizotypal personality disorder with a combination of cognitive therapy and psychopharmacological treatment
Authors: Cheli Simone , Cavalletti Veronica , Lysaker Paul H. , Dimaggio Giancarlo , Petrocchi Nicola , Chiarello Francesca , Enzo Consuelo , Velicogna Francesco , Mancini Francesco , Goldzweig Gil
Published: February 2023

Background

Schizotypal personality disorder is characterized by a pervasive pattern of maladaptive behavior that has been associated with the liability for schizophrenia. Little is known about effective psychosocial interventions. This pilot non-inferiority randomized controlled trial aimed to compare a novel form of psychotherapy tailored for this disorder and a combination of cognitive therapy and psychopharmacological treatment. The former treatment – namely, Evolutionary Systems Therapy for Schizotypy—integrated evolutionary, metacognitively oriented, and compassion focused approaches.

Methods

Thirty-three participants were assessed for eligibility, twenty-four randomized on a 1:1 ratio, nineteen included in the final analysis. The treatments lasted 6 months (24 sessions). The primary outcome was change across nine measurements in personality pathology, the secondary outcomes were remission from diagnosis and pre-post changes in general symptomatology and metacognition.

Results

Primary outcome suggested a non-inferiority of the experimental treatment in respect to control condition. Secondary outcomes reported mixed results. There was no significant difference in terms of remission, but experimental treatment showed a larger reduction of general symptomatology (η2 = 0.558) and a larger increase in metacognition (η2 = 0.734).

Conclusions

This pilot study reported promising results about the effectiveness of the proposed novel approach. A confirmatory trial on large sample size is needed to provide evidence about relative effectiveness of the two treatment conditions.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov; NCT04764708; Registration day 21/02/2021.
A scoping review of the individual, socio-cultural, environmental and commercial determinants of gambling for older adults: implications for public health research and harm prevention
Authors: Johnson Rebecca H. , Pitt Hannah , Randle Melanie , Thomas Samantha L.
Published: February 2023

Gambling is a global public health issue that can cause harm to individuals, families, and communities. Older adults are vulnerable to gambling harm due to life-stage experiences. This study aimed to examine current research relating to individual, socio-cultural, environmental, and commercial determinants of gambling among older adults. A scoping review was conducted (PubMed, PsycInfo, SocIndex, CINAHL Complete, Web of Science, Social Science and Sociology databases available in ProQuest, Google Scholar, citation searching), with peer reviewed studies included that were published between 1 December 1999 and 28 September 2022. Included studies were published in English in peer-reviewed journals that examined the determinants of gambling in adults aged 55 and over. Records were excluded if they were experimental studies, prevalence studies or had a population wider than the required age group. Methodological quality was assessed using JBI critical appraisal tools. Data was extracted using a determinants of health framework and common themes were identified. Forty-four were included. Most literature examined individual and socio-cultural determinants including reasons for gambling, risk management strategies, and social motivations for gambling. Few studies investigated environmental or commercial determinants, and those that did focused on accessibility of venues or promotions as pathways to gambling. Further research is needed to understand the impact of gambling environments and industry, and effective public health responses for older adults.
Primary school mobile dental program in New South Wales, Australia: protocol for the evaluation of a state government oral health initiative
Authors: Balasubramanian M , Ghanbarzadegan A , Sohn W , Killedar A , Sivaprakash P , Holden A , Norris S , Wilson A , Pogson B , Liston G , Chor L , Yaacoub A , Masoe A , Clarke K , Chen R , Milat A , Schneider C Carmen Huckel
Published: February 2023

Background

Socioeconomically disadvantaged children are disproportionately affected by oral disease. Mobile dental services help underserved communities overcome barriers to accessing health care, including time, geography, and trust. The NSW Health Primary School Mobile Dental Program (PSMDP) is designed to provide diagnostic and preventive dental services to children at their schools. The PSMDP is mainly targeted toward high-risk children and priority populations. This study aims to evaluate the program’s performance across five local health districts (LHDs) where the program is being implemented.

Methods

The evaluation will use routinely collected administrative data, along with other program-specific data sources, from the district public oral health services to conduct a statistical analysis that determines the reach and uptake of the program, its effectiveness, and the associated costs and cost-consequences. The PSMDP evaluation program utilises data from Electronic Dental Records (EDRs) and other data sources, including patient demographics, service mix, general health, oral health clinical data and risk factor information. The overall design includes cross-sectional and longitudinal components. The design combines comprehensive output monitoring across the five participating LHDs and investigates the associations between socio-demographic factors, service patterns and health outcomes. Time series analysis using difference-in-difference estimation will be conducted across the four years of the program, involving services, risk factors, and health outcomes. Comparison groups will be identified via propensity matching across the five participating LHDs. An economic analysis will estimate the costs and cost-consequences for children who participate in the program versus the comparison group.

Discussion

The use of EDRs for oral health services evaluation research is a relatively new approach, and the evaluation works within the limitations and strengths of utilising administrative datasets. The study will also provide avenues to improve the quality of data collected and system-level improvements to better enable future services to be aligned with disease prevalence and population needs.
The role of microscopic properties on cortical bone strength of femoral neck
Authors: Xia Ning , Cai Yun , Kan Qianhua , Xiao Jian , Cui Lin , Zhou Jiangjun , Xu Wei , Liu Da
Published: February 2023

Background

Femoral neck fractures are serious consequence of osteoporosis (OP), numbers of people are working on the micro—mechanisms of femoral neck fractures. This study aims to investigate the role and weight of microscopic properties on femoral neck maximum load (Lmax), funding the indicator which effects Lmax most.

Methods

A total of 115 patients were recruited from January 2018 to December 2020. Femoral neck samples were collected during the total hip replacement surgery. Femoral neck Lmax, micro—structure, micro—mechanical properties, micro—chemical composition were all measured and analyzed. Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to identify significant factors that affected the femoral neck Lmax.

Results

The Lmax, cortical bone mineral density (cBMD), cortical bone thickness (Ct. Th), elastic modulus, hardness and collagen cross—linking ratio were all significantly decreased, whereas other parameters were significantly increased during the progression of OP (P < 0.05). In micro—mechanical properties, elastic modulus has the strongest correlation with Lmax (P < 0.05). The cBMD has the strongest association with Lmax in micro—structure (P < 0.05). In micro—chemical composition, crystal size has the strongest correlation with Lmax (P < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that elastic modulus was most strongly related to Lmax (β = 0.920, P = 0.000).

Conclusions

Compared with other parameters, elastic modulus has the greatest influence on Lmax. Evaluation of microscopic parameters on femoral neck cortical bone can clarify the effects of microscopic properties on Lmax, providing a theoretical basis for the femoral neck OP and fragility fractures.