bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Association Between COPD Symptoms and Psychological Distress Among Farmers
Authors: Kham-ai Prasert , Heaton Karen , Li Peng
Published: August 2022

Background:

Farmers have an increased risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and psychological distress. The potential role of psychological distress in worsening COPD symptoms has been reported among the general population, but no studies have examined this relationship among farmers with COPD, which is the purpose of this study.

Methods:

This study used the data from the 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Farmers reporting both psychological distress and COPD symptoms were included in this study ( n = 239). Both unadjusted and adjusted logistic regressions were used to explore the association among psychological distress, age, health status, smoking, and COPD symptoms, with crude and adjusted odds ratio (OR) and 95% CIs reported.

Findings:

The unadjusted analysis suggested that COPD symptoms were significantly associated with psychological distress among farmers (OR = 2.05 [1.18, 3.58]). While adjusted models showed the significant association between COPD symptoms and psychological distress among farmers after controlling for smoking, age, and health status (adjusted OR = 2.08 [1.10, 4.01]).

Conclusion/Implications for Practice:

These results suggest that psychological distress is associated with an increased risk of COPD symptoms in farmers, which is consistent with observations from studies in non-farmers. Occupational health professionals need to provide screen for COPD among farmers as well as psychological distress screening and mental health promotion among farmers with COPD.
Mechanical, Chemical, and Biological Properties of 3D-Printed Abutments: A Systematic Review
Authors: Campos Murilo Rodrigues de , Oliveira Thaísa Theodoro de , Botelho André Luís , Reis Andréa Cândido dos
Published: August 2022

Aim:

A systematic review of the methods of 3D printing and the materials used so far for the manufacture of abutments was performed to evaluate whether their clinical use is indicated through the mechanical, chemical, and biological analyses carried out.

Materials and Methods:

An electronic search conducted by three independent reviewers was carried out in the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Science Direct, and Lilac databases. The inclusion criterion was researching articles in English that contained as subject the manufacturing of abutments through 3D printing/additive manufacturing. Any meta-analyses, reviews, book chapters, abstracts, letters, conferences papers, and studies without abutments printed were excluded.

Results:

We found 780 references, which after applying the exclusion criteria resulted in the final inclusion of seven articles for review. The studies had a high heterogeneity, showing different materials and methodologies to manufacture abutments, which makes a comparison between them difficult, and for this reason it was not possible to carry out a meta-analysis with the data found.

Conclusions:

Even with the limitations found in the present research, it is possible to conclude that printed abutments have adequate mechanical, chemical, and biological properties that can indicate their clinical use. 3D printing presents high accuracy and speed and can produce customized abutments according to each case.
Effect of wood attributes on the price persistence of acoustic guitars
Authors: Zhou Xiaoxiao , Miyauchi Ryoga , Inoue Yuki
Published: August 2022

Wood attributes are important, because they directly affect the price persistence of wood products. Consumers consider the “aesthetic,” “traditionality,” “decay resistance,” and “scarcity” attributes important when evaluating wood. This study analyzed the impact of these four attributes on the price persistence of acoustic guitars. We obtained data from a Japanese internet auction platform and winning-bid data for two representative brands, Martin and Yamaha. We performed a quantitative analysis using the winning bid price as the dependent variable and the adoption of various wood attributes in each part of the guitar corresponding to the four attributes as explanatory variables. We found that rosewood, mahogany, palisander, and ebony have a significant impact on price persistence, and that all of them fit the four attributes of traditionality, decay resistance, scarcity, and aesthetics. We also found that traditionality was the key attribute among the four. Using wood in luxury brands without traditionality was not effective, even if other attributes were present. For mass-market brands, scarcity and decay resistance had positive effects on price persistence. The finding that scarcity and decay resistance were important only for mass-market brands can help companies understand market demand, determine product attributes, and achieve product–market fit.
Water resources availability in southern Europe at the basin scale in response to climate change scenarios
Authors: Zapata-Sierra Antonio Jesús , Zapata-Castillo Lourdes , Manzano-Agugliaro Francisco
Published: August 2022

Background

Climate and the hydrological cycle are closely linked; therefore, in the most likely scenarios of climate change, the increase in temperature may influence the expected variation in precipitation variation but will also have a major impact on the availability of water resources in the world in general and in southern Europe in particular. As a case study, it was applied to a western Mediterranean basin altered since antiquity. For this study, the medium and long-term water resources were assessed. The known method Soil Moisture Accounting (SMA) has been used. Mainly because due to its great hydrological relevance in mountainous areas, the accumulation and melting of snow. The aim of this research to assess the evolution of runoff distribution and its impact on available water resources under different climate change scenarios.

Results

It was observed clearly a decreasing of precipitation and evapotranspiration and otherwise an increasing of temperature. The major climatic effect is that at present, runoff is already much lower than that predicted in the different basin hydrological policy. Specifically for the studied basin, the available resources are expected to decrease by 50% with respect to the current ones, affecting mainly the current agricultural land uses, which should be reconsidered in the medium term.

Conclusions

It can be concluded that surface water use policy was calculated with climatic assumptions that are no longer met. Consequently, this research reveals the usefulness of basin-scale climate studies in southern Europe to determine the water resources availability in the near future.
Impact of telehealth interventions added to peritoneal dialysis-care: a systematic review
Authors: Biebuyck Geertje K. M. , Neradova Aegida , de Fijter Carola W. H. , Jakulj Lily
Published: August 2022

Background

Telehealth could potentially increase independency and autonomy of patients treated with peritoneal dialysis (PD). Moreover, it might improve clinical and economic outcomes. The demand for telehealth modalities accelerated significantly in the recent COVID-19 pandemic. We evaluated current literature on the impact of telehealth interventions added to PD-care on quality of life (QoL), clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

Methods

An electronic search was performed in Embase, PubMed and the Cochrane Library in order to find studies investigating associations between telehealth interventions and: i. QoL, including patient satisfaction; ii. Standardized Outcomes in Nephrology (SONG)-PD clinical outcomes: PD-related infections, mortality, cardiovascular disease and transfer to hemodialysis (HD); iii. Cost-effectiveness. Studies investigating hospitalizations and healthcare resource utilization were also included as secondary outcomes. Due to the heterogeneity of studies, a meta-analysis could not be performed.

Results

Sixteen reports (N = 10,373) were included. Studies varied in terms of: sample size; design; risk of bias, telehealth-intervention and duration; follow-up time; outcomes and assessment tools. Remote patient monitoring (RPM) was the most frequently studied intervention (11 reports; N = 4982). Telehealth interventions added to PD-care, and RPM in particular, might reduce transfer to HD, hospitalization rate and length, as well as the number of in-person visits. It may also improve patient satisfaction.

Conclusion

There is a need for adequately powered prospective studies to determine which telehealth-modalities might confer clinical and economic benefit to the PD-community.
Modelling kidney outcomes based on MELD eras - impact of MELD score in renal endpoints after liver transplantation
Authors: Lins Paulo Ricardo Gessolo , Narciso Roberto Camargo , Ferraz Leonardo Rolim , Pereira Virgilio Gonçalves , Ferraz-Neto Ben-Hur , De Almeida Marcio Dias , Dos Santos Bento Fortunato Cardoso , Dos Santos Oscar Fernando Pavão , Monte Júlio Cesar Martins , Júnior Marcelino Souza Durão , Batista Marcelo Costa
Published: August 2022

Background

Acute kidney injury is a common complication in solid organ transplants, notably liver transplantation. The MELD is a score validated to predict mortality of cirrhotic patients, which is also used for organ allocation, however the influence of this allocation criteria on AKI incidence and mortality after liver transplantation is still uncertain.

Methods

This is a retrospective single center study of a cohort of patients submitted to liver transplant in a tertiary Brazilian hospital: Jan/2002 to Dec/2013, divided in two groups, before and after MELD implementation (pre-MELD and post MELD). We evaluate the differences in AKI based on KDIGO stages and mortality rates between the two groups.

Results

Eight hundred seventy-four patients were included, 408 in pre-MELD and 466 in the post MELD era. The proportion of patients that developed AKI was lower in the post MELD era (p0.04), although renal replacement therapy requirement was more frequent in this group (p < 0.01). Overall mortality rate at 28, 90 and 365 days was respectively 7%, 11% and 15%. The 1-year mortality rate was lower in the post MELD era (20% vs. 11%,p < 0.01). AKI incidence was 50% lower in the post MELD era even when adjusted for clinically relevant covariates (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Liver transplants performed in the post MELD era had a lower incidence of AKI, although there were more cases requiring dialysis. 1-year mortality was lower in the post MELD era, suggesting that patient care was improved during this period.
Hyperphosphatemia and its relationship with blood pressure, vasoconstriction, and endothelial cell dysfunction in hypertensive hemodialysis patients
Authors: Jung Jinwoo , Jeon-Slaughter Haekyung , Nguyen Hang , Patel Jiten , Sambandam Kamalanathan K. , Shastri Shani , Van Buren Peter Noel
Published: August 2022

Background

Hyperphosphatemia occurs frequently in end-stage renal disease patients on hemodialysis and is associated with increased mortality. Hyperphosphatemia contributes to vascular calcification in these patients, but there is emerging evidence that it is also associated with endothelial cell dysfunction.

Methods

We conducted a cross-sectional study in hypertensive hemodialysis patients. We obtained pre-hemodialysis measurements of total peripheral resistance index (TPRI, non-invasive cardiac output monitor) and plasma levels of endothelin-1 (ET-1) and asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA). We ascertained the routine peridialytic blood pressure (BP) measurements from that treatment and the most recent pre-hemodialysis serum phosphate levels. We used generalized linear regression analyses to determine independent associations between serum phosphate with BP, TPRI, ET-1, and ADMA while controlling for demographic variables, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and interdialytic weight gain.

Results

There were 54 patients analyzed. Mean pre-HD supine and seated systolic and diastolic BP were 164 (27), 158 (21), 91.5 (17), and 86.1 (16) mmHg. Mean serum phosphate was 5.89 (1.8) mg/dL. There were significant correlations between phosphate with all pre-hemodialysis BP measurements (r = 0.3, p = .04; r = 0.4, p = .002; r = 0.5, p < .0001; and r = 0.5, p = .0003.) The correlations with phosphate and TPRI, ET-1, and ADMA were 0.3 (p = .01), 0.4 (p = .007), and 0.3 (p = .04). In our final linear regression analyses controlling for baseline characteristics, PTH, and interdialytic weight gain, independent associations between phosphate with pre-hemodialysis diastolic BP, TPRI, and ET-1 were retained (β = 4.33, p = .0002; log transformed β = 0.05, p = .005; reciprocal transformed β = -0.03, p = .047).

Conclusions

Serum phosphate concentration is independently associated with higher pre-HD BP, vasoconstriction, and markers of endothelial cell dysfunction. These findings demonstrate an additional negative impact of hyperphosphatemia on cardiovascular health beyond vascular calcification.

Trial registration

The study was part of a registered clinical trial, NCT01862497 (May 24, 2013).
Interaction between serum cotinine and body mass index on asthma in the children: a cross-sectional study
Authors: He Li , Xi Xiaojing
Published: August 2022

Background

The purpose of this study was to explore the interaction between serum cotinine (a marker of environmental tobacco smoke exposure) and body mass index (BMI) on asthma in children.

Methods

This cross-sectional study relied on representative samples of American children included in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 1999–2018. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were to evaluate the association between serum cotinine level, BMI z-score and asthma. Serum cotinine was dichotomized at 0.0436 ng/mL. Interactions were examined by the estimated joint effect of BMI and serum cotinine levels. We also performed interaction analyses in age and ethnicity subgroups.

Results

Among the 11,504 children aged 3 to 12 years included in the analysis, 15.86% (n = 1852) had childhood asthma, 15.68% (n = 1837) were overweight, and 17.31% (n = 2258) were obese. Compared to low serum cotinine, high serum cotinine was significantly associated with asthma [odds ratio (OR) = 1.190, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.004–1.410]. Overweight (OR = 1.275, 95%CI: 1.079–1.506) and obesity (OR = 1.636, 95%CI: 1.354–1.977) were significantly associated with asthma compared with normal weight. The adjusted attributable proportion of interaction = 0.206 (95%CI: 0.075–0.337) and the adjusted synergy index = 1.617 (95%CI: 1.126–2.098) indicated that there was a significant synergistic effect of serum cotinine levels and BMI on asthma. In males, females, non-Hispanic White and other Hispanic, there were synergistic interactions between serum cotinine levels and BMI on asthma.

Conclusion

A synergistic interaction between serum cotinine and overweight/obesity on childhood asthma was found. For children with asthma, both intensive weight interventions in overweight or obese children and intensive passive smoking interventions in children exposed to the environment may be important.
Mobile phone addiction and depression among Chinese medical students: the mediating role of sleep quality and the moderating role of peer relationships
Authors: Feng Ziyi , Diao Yucong , Ma Hongfei , Liu Minghui , Long Meijun , Zhao Shuang , Wu Hui , Wang Yang
Published: August 2022

The literature has shown that mobile phone addiction is an important risk factor for depression. However, the internal mechanisms of mobile phone addiction leading to depression are still not clear. This study examined the mediating role of sleep quality and moderating role of peer relationships in the association between mobile phone addiction and depression. A sample of 450 Chinese medical students were recruited to complete measures of mobile phone addiction, depression, sleep quality and peer relationships. In this study, SPSS 25.0 and macro PROCESS were used to conduct statistical analysis on the collected data. The results showed that sleep quality partially mediated the association between mobile phone addiction and depression. Moreover, the effect of sleep quality on depression was moderated by peer relationships. The present study can advance our understanding of how and when mobile phone addiction leads to depression. Limitations and implications of this study are discussed.
Reducing the burden of low back pain: results from a new microsimulation model
Authors: Kopec Jacek A. , Sayre Eric C. , Cibere Jolanda , Li Linda C. , Wong Hubert , Okhmatovskaia Anya , Esdaile John M.
Published: August 2022

Background

Low back pain (LBP) causes the highest morbidity burden globally. The purpose of the present study was to project and compare the impact of three strategies for reducing the population health burden of LBP: weight loss, ergonomic interventions, and an exercise program.

Methods

We have developed a microsimulation model of LBP in Canada using a new modeling platform called SimYouLate. The initial population was derived from Cycle 1 (2001) of the Canadian Community Health Survey (CCHS). We modeled an open population 20 years of age and older. Key variables included age, sex, education, body mass index (BMI), type of work, having back problems, pain level in persons with back problems, and exercise participation. The effects of interventions on the risk of LBP were obtained from the CCHS for the effect of BMI, the Global Burden of Disease Study for occupational risks, and a published meta-analysis for the effect of exercise. All interventions lasted from 2021 to 2040. The population health impact of the interventions was calculated as a difference in years lived with disability (YLDs) between the base-case scenario and each intervention scenario, and expressed as YLDs averted per intervention unit or a proportion (%) of total LBP-related YLDs.

Results

In the base-case scenario, LBP in 2020 was responsible for 424,900 YLDs in Canada and the amount increased to 460,312 YLDs in 2040. The effects of the interventions were as follows: 27,993 (95% CI 23,373, 32,614) YLDs averted over 20 years per 0.1 unit change in log-transformed BMI (9.5% change in BMI) among individuals who were overweight and those with obesity, 19,416 (16,275, 22,557) YLDs per 1% reduction in the proportion of workers exposed to occupational risks, and 26,058 (22,455, 29,661) YLDs averted per 1% increase in the proportion of eligible patients with back problems participating in an exercise program.

Conclusions

The study provides new data on the relationship between three types of interventions and the resultant reductions in LBP burden in Canada. According to our model, each of the interventions studied could potentially result in a substantial reduction in LBP-related disability.
Retrospective analysis of deformed complex vertebral osteotomy in children with severe thoracic post-tubercular angular kyphosis
Authors: Zhang Hong-Qi , Deng Ang , Guo Chao-Feng , Gao Qi-Le , Alonge Emmanuel
Published: August 2022

Background

Many surgical options have been described to manage post-tubercular kyphosis, but the standard approach for treating severe post-tubercular angular kyphosis in children has not been established yet. The present study was performed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of deformed complex vertebral osteotomy (DCVO) for the treatment of severe thoracic post-tubercular angular kyphosis (> 70°) in children.

Methods

Deformed complex vertebrae indicated that multiple deformed and fused vertebrae were usually involved with two or more vertebral bodies and the partial or total fusion of many segments' facet joints and intervertebral discs. Thus, DCVO indicated that a wider posterior wedge-shaped and three-column osteotomy was performed within deformed complex vertebrae to correct a more extensive range of angles. From 2010 to 2017, 15 children who suffered from severe thoracic post-tubercular angular kyphosis underwent DCVO. Deformed complex vertebrae involved two vertebral bodies in 9 patients and three vertebral bodies in 6 patients. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were assessed preoperatively and at the final follow up. This was a retrospective study analysing the outcome after grade 4/5 spinal osteotomies in deformed complex vertebrae.

Results

The mean duration of surgery was 239 ± 37.81 min. The average period of follow-up was 31.6 ± 6.98 months. The preoperative mean kyphosis of deformed complex vertebrae was 83.39° ± 9.04°; the mean thoracic kyphosis (TK) and lumbar lordosis (LL) were 81.09° ± 8.51° and 80.51° ± 7.64°, respectively; the mean sagittal vertical axis (SVA) was 3.83 cm ± 1.43 cm. The postoperative mean kyphosis of deformed complex vertebrae was reduced to 19.98° ± 2.47° (P < 0.001) with a mean kyphosis correction of 63.41°; at the final follow up, it was 18.4° ± 2.29° (P < 0.001) without obvious loss of correction. The postoperative mean TK, LL, and SVA were reduced to 24.05° ± 3.84°, 46.9° ± 3.53°, and 0.6 cm ± 0.34 cm, respectively (P < 0.001 for all); and there was no obvious loss of sagittal alignment and balance at the final follow up (p = 0.982, p = 0.604, p = 0.754). Complicated with neural dysfunction preoperatively, 5 Frankel's grade D cases showed complete neurological recovery at final follow up. VAS score reduced from 3.6 ± 1.18 to 0.87 ± 0.64 (P < 0.001); and ODI score reduced from 22.21 ± 6.93 to 5.02 ± 2.6 (P < 0.001) at the final follow up.

Conclusions

DCVO was an individualized osteotomy for treating severe thoracic post-tubercular angular kyphosis in children and could be safe and effective in reducing the incidence of complications and significantly improving kyphosis correction.
Patients’ perspectives on the benefits of feedback on patient-reported outcome measures in a web-based personalized decision report for hip and knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Stern Brocha Z. , Pila Sarah , Joseph Layla I. , Rothrock Nan E. , Franklin Patricia D.
Published: August 2022

Background

Applications of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for individual patient management are expanding with the support of digital tools. Providing PROM-based information to patients can potentially improve care experiences and outcomes through informing and activating patients. This study explored patients’ perspectives on the benefits of receiving feedback on PROMs in the context of a web-based personalized decision report to guide care for their hip or knee osteoarthritis.

Methods

This qualitative descriptive interview study was nested in a pragmatic clinical trial of a personalized report, which includes descriptive PROM scores and predicted postoperative PROM scores. Patients completed a semi-structured interview within 6 weeks of an office visit with an orthopaedic surgeon. Only patients who reported receiving the report and reviewing it with the surgeon and/or a health educator were included. Data were iteratively analyzed using a combination of deductive and inductive coding strategies.

Results

Twenty-five patients aged 49–82 years (60% female, 72% surgical treatment decision) participated and described three primary benefits of the PROM feedback within the report: 1. Gaining Information About My Health Status, including data teaching new information, confirming what was known, or providing a frame of reference; 2. Fostering Communication Between Patient and Surgeon, encompassing use of the data to set expectations, ask and answer questions, and facilitate shared understanding; and 3. Increasing My Confidence and Trust, relating to the treatment outcomes, treatment decision, and surgeon.

Conclusions

Patients identified actual and hypothetical benefits of receiving feedback on PROM scores in the context of a web-based decision report, including advantages for those who had already made a treatment decision before seeing the surgeon. Findings provide insight into patients’ perspectives on how digital PROM data can promote patient-centered care. Results should be considered in the context of the homogeneous sample and complex trial. While participants perceived value in this personalized report, questions remain regarding best practices in patient-facing data presentation and engagement.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03102580. Registered on 5 April 2017.
Genetic predispositions to psychiatric disorders and the risk of COVID-19
Authors: Chen Wenwen , Zeng Yu , Suo Chen , Yang Huazhen , Chen Yilong , Hou Can , Hu Yao , Ying Zhiye , Sun Yajing , Qu Yuanyuan , Lu Donghao , Fang Fang , Valdimarsdóttir Unnur A. , Song Huan
Published: August 2022

Background

Whether a genetic predisposition to psychiatric disorders is associated with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is unknown.

Methods

Our analytic sample consisted of 287,123 white British participants in UK Biobank who were alive on 31 January 2020. We performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) analysis for each psychiatric disorder (substance misuse, depression, anxiety, psychotic disorder, and stress-related disorders) in a randomly selected half of the study population (“base dataset”). For the other half (“target dataset”), the polygenic risk score (PRS) was calculated as a proxy of individuals’ genetic predisposition to a given psychiatric phenotype using discovered genetic variants from the base dataset. Ascertainment of COVID-19 was based on the Public Health England dataset, inpatient hospital data, or death registers in UK Biobank. COVID-19 cases from hospitalization records or death records were considered “severe cases.” The association between the PRS for psychiatric disorders and COVID-19 risk was examined using logistic regression. We also repeated PRS analyses based on publicly available GWAS summary statistics.

Results

A total of 143,562 participants (including 10,868 COVID-19 cases) were used for PRS analyses. A higher genetic predisposition to psychiatric disorders was associated with an increased risk of any COVID-19 and severe COVID-19. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for any COVID-19 was 1.07 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.13) and 1.06 (95% CI 1.01–1.11) among individuals with a high genetic risk (above the upper tertile of the PRS) for substance misuse and depression, respectively, compared with individuals with a low genetic risk (below the lower tertile). Slightly higher ORs were noted for severe COVID-19, and similar result patterns were obtained in analyses based on publicly available GWAS summary statistics.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest a potential role of genetic factors in the observed phenotypic association between psychiatric disorders and COVID-19. Our data underscore the need for increased medical surveillance for this vulnerable population during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The respiratory microbiota alpha-diversity in chronic lung diseases: first systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Avalos-Fernandez Marta , Alin Thibaud , Métayer Clémence , Thiébaut Rodolphe , Enaud Raphaël , Delhaes Laurence
Published: August 2022

Background

While there seems to be a consensus that a decrease in gut microbiome diversity is related to a decline in health status, the associations between respiratory microbiome diversity and chronic lung disease remain a matter of debate. We provide a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies examining lung microbiota alpha-diversity in patients with asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cystic fibrosis (CF) or bronchiectasis (NCFB), in which a control group based on disease status or healthy subjects is provided for comparison.

Results

We reviewed 351 articles on title and abstract, of which 27 met our inclusion criteria for systematic review. Data from 24 of these studies were used in the meta-analysis. We observed a trend that CF patients have a less diverse respiratory microbiota than healthy individuals. However, substantial heterogeneity was present and detailed using random-effects models, which limits the comparison between studies.

Conclusions

Knowledge on respiratory microbiota is under construction, and for the moment, it seems that alpha-diversity measurements are not enough documented to fully understand the link between microbiota and health, excepted in CF context which represents the most studied chronic respiratory disease with consistent published data to link alpha-diversity and lung function. Whether differences in respiratory microbiota profiles have an impact on chronic respiratory disease symptoms and/or evolution deserves further exploration.
Propylene glycol, a component of electronic cigarette liquid, damages epithelial cells in human small airways
Authors: Komura Moegi , Sato Tadashi , Yoshikawa Hitomi , Nitta Naoko Arano , Suzuki Yohei , Koike Kengo , Kodama Yuzo , Seyama Kuniaki , Takahashi Kazuhisa
Published: August 2022

Background

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are used worldwide as a substitute for conventional cigarettes. Although they are primarily intended to support smoking cessation, e-cigarettes have been identified as a gateway to smoking habits for young people. Multiple recent reports have described the health effects of inhaling e-cigarettes. E-cigarette liquid (e-liquid) is mainly composed of propylene glycol (PG) and glycerol (Gly), and the aerosol generated by these devices primarily contains these two components. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of PG and Gly on human small airway epithelial cells (SAECs).

Methods

SAECs were exposed to PG or Gly, and cell proliferation, cell viability, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, DNA damage, cell cycle, and apoptosis were evaluated. Additionally, SAECs derived from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients (COPD-SAECs) were investigated.

Results

Exposure of SAECs to PG significantly inhibited proliferation (1%, PG, p = 0.021; 2–4% PG, p < 0.0001) and decreased cell viability (1–4% PG, p < 0.0001) in a concentration-dependent manner. Gly elicited similar effects but to a reduced degree as compared to the same concentration of PG. PG also increased LDH release in a concentration-dependent manner (3% PG, p = 0.0055; 4% PG, p < 0.0001), whereas Gly did not show a significant effect on LDH release. SAECs exposed to 4% PG contained more cells that were positive for phosphorylated histone H2AX (p < 0.0001), a marker of DNA damage, and an increased proportion of cells in the G1 phase (p < 0.0001) and increased p21 expression (p = 0.0005). Moreover, caspase 3/7-activated cells and cleaved poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 expression were increased in SAECs exposed to 4% PG (p = 0.0054). Furthermore, comparing COPD-SAECs to SAECs without COPD in PG exposure, cell proliferation, cell viability, DNA damage and apoptosis were significantly greater in COPD-SAECs.

Conclusion

PG damaged SAECs more than Gly. In addition, COPD-SAECs were more susceptible to PG than SAECs without COPD. Usage of e-cigarettes may be harmful to the respiratory system, especially in patients with COPD.
The sialidase NEU3 promotes pulmonary fibrosis in mice
Authors: Pilling Darrell , Sahlberg Kyle , Karhadkar Tejas R. , Chen Wensheng , Gomer Richard H.
Published: August 2022

Background

Sialic acid is often the distal sugar on glycoconjugates, and sialidases are enzymes that remove this sugar. In fibrotic lesions in human and mouse lungs, there is extensive desialylation of glycoconjugates, and upregulation of sialidases including the extracellular sialidase NEU3. In the bleomycin model of pulmonary fibrosis, mice lacking NEU3 (Neu3−/−) showed strongly attenuated bleomycin-induced weight loss, lung damage, inflammation, and fibrosis. This indicates that NEU3 is necessary for the full spectrum of bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods

To determine if NEU3 is sufficient to induce pulmonary fibrosis, recombinant murine NEU3 and a mutated inactive recombinant murine NEU3 protein were produced. Mice were given recombinant NEU3 proteins by oropharyngeal aspiration, either alone or 10 days after bleomycin challenge. Over the course of 21 days, mice were assessed for weight change, and after euthanasia, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells and lung tissue were assessed for inflammation and fibrosis.

Results

Aspiration of recombinant murine NEU3 caused inflammation and fibrosis in the lungs, while inactive NEU3 caused inflammation but not fibrosis. Mice were also treated with recombinant murine NEU3 starting 10 days after bleomycin. In male but not female mice, recombinant murine NEU3 increased inflammation and fibrosis. Inactive NEU3 did not enhance bleomycin-induced lung fibrosis.

Conclusion

These results suggest that NEU3 is sufficient to induce fibrosis in the lungs, that aspiration of NEU3 has a greater effect on male mice, and that this effect is mediated by NEU3’s enzymic activity.
Contrasting regulation of live Bacillus cereus No.1 and its volatiles on Shiraia perylenequinone production
Authors: Xu Rui , Li Xin Ping , Zhang Xiang , Shen Wen Hao , Min Chun Yan , Wang Jian Wen
Published: August 2022

Background

Fungal perylenequinones (PQs) are a class of photoactivated polyketide mycotoxins produced by plant-associated fungi. Hypocrellins, the effective anticancer photodynamic therapy (PDT) agents are main bioactive PQs isolated from a bambusicolousShiraiafruiting bodies. We found previously that bacterial communities inhabiting fungal fruiting bodies are diverse, but with unknown functions.Bacillusis the most dominant genus insideShiraiafruiting body. To understand the regulation role of the dominantBacillusisolates on host fungus, we continued our work on co-culture of the dominant bacteriumB. cereusNo.1 with host fungusShiraiasp. S9 to elucidate bacterial regulation on fungal hypocrellin production.

Results

Results from "donut" plate tests indicated that the bacterial culture could promote significantly fungal PQ production including hypocrellin A (HA), HC and elsinochrome A-C through bacterial volatiles. After analysis by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer and confirmation with commercial pure compounds, the volatiles produced by the bacterium were characterized. The eliciting roles of bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) on HA production via transcriptional regulation of hostShiraiafungus were confirmed. In the established submerged bacterial volatile co-culture, bacterial volatiles could not only promote HA production in the mycelium culture, but also facilitate the release of HA into the medium. The total production of HA was reached to 225.9 mg/L, about 1.87 times that of the fungal mono-culture. In contrast, the live bacterium suppressed markedly fungal PQ production in both confrontation plates and mycelium cultures by direct contact. The live bacterium not only down-regulated the transcript levels of HA biosynthetic genes, but also degraded extracellular HA quickly to its reductive product.

Conclusion

Our results indicated that bacterial volatile release could be a long-distance signal to elicit fungal PQ production. Biodegradation and inhibition by direct contact on fungal PQs were induced by the dominateBacillusto protect themselves in the fruiting bodies. This is the first report on the regulation ofBacillusvolatiles on fungal PQ production. These findings could be helpful for both understanding the intimate fungal–bacterial interactions in a fruiting body and establishing novel cultures for the enhanced production of bioactive PQs.

Graphical Abstract
Social determinants of mental health in Italy: the role of education in the comparison of migrant and Italian residents
Authors: Sesti Flavia , Minardi Valentina , Baglio Giovanni , Bell Ruth , Goldblatt Peter , Marceca Maurizio , Masocco Maria , Campostrini Stefano , Marmot Michael
Published: August 2022

Mental health is impacted by social, economic, and environmental factors, the Social Determinants of Health (SDH). Migrants experiencing precarious living and working conditions may be more at risk of poor mental health than the majority population.

This paper aims to evaluate the relationship of educational attainment and other SDH with depressive symptoms among the resident population, including Italians and migrants.

This study examined the respondents to the Italian “Progressi delle Aziende Sanitarie per la Salute in Italia” (PASSI) surveillance system, 2014–18. The sample of 144.055 respondents is composed of the resident working adults aged 25–69 with Italian citizenship (n = 136.514) and foreign citizenship (n = 7.491).

Findings show that among Italians high level of education appears to be a protective factor for mental health, in accordance with the international evidence (adjPR: tertiary education 0,74 p-value = 0.000). However, among immigrants high level of education is associated with the presence of depressive symptoms (adjPR: tertiary education: 1.61 p-value = 0.006), particularly for men (adjPR: tertiary education: 2.40 p-value = 0.006). The longer the length of stay in Italy for immigrants the higher the risk of depressive symptoms: adjPR for 10+ years: 2.23 p-value = 0.005.

The data show that high education could represent a risk factor for mental health of immigrants. Moreover, among migrants there are some significant mental health inequities between male and female related to the duration of stay in Italy, economic activity and educational level.

Considering that health is related to the nature of society as well as to access to technical solutions, multicultural societies require culturally oriented interventions for tackling health inequities. This means developing evidence-based policies in order to tackle health inequalities in the population as a whole, including culturally oriented measures in the larger framework of developing diversity sensitive services.
Danshao Shugan Granule therapy for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Wang Hui , Xu Zhongju , Wang Qi , Shu Shi
Published: August 2022

Background

Danshao Shugan Granules (DSSG), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), is given to protect the liver. The objective is to evaluate the mechanisms of the effects of DSSG on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods

260 patients with NAFLD were randomly allocated to positive control drugs rosiglitazone (n = 30) and Silibinin (n = 50) as well as DSSG (n = 130) and combined DSSG/Silibinin (n = 50) groups, from which 90 patients in the DSSG group were further subdivided into 3 groups (n = 30, each) depending on the severity of symptoms. In total 33 Sprague–Dawley rats were assigned to normal (n = 10) or 45% high-fat diet (n = 23) groups, from which 9 rats served as negative controls, 10 as model controls and 10 were treated with DSSG.

Results

DSSG medications had significantly highest effects on B-ultrasonography finding improvements, and reductions of total cholesterol, triglyceride, aspartate transaminase and γ-glutamyl transpeptidase in NAFLD patients. Silibinin application only led to significantly highest alanine transaminase reductions and rosiglitazone medication to significantly highest fasting plasma glucose reductions. In a murine in vivo NAFLD model glucose (GLU), total cholesterol (TC) triacylglycerol (TG) as well as glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT), glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT) serum concentrations were all significantly reduced (P < 0.001) and the expression of nuclear factor-κB (NF‑κB) was significantly decreased in DSSG treated compared to untreated NAFLD animals (P < 0.001). In addition, the DSSG treated rats exhibited increased superoxide dismutase activity and reduced malondialdehyde values.

Conclusions

DSSG was effective for treating NAFLD patients, which could be attributed to increased activity of superoxide dismutase, a decrease of malondialdehyde as well as reduced NF‑κB activity in a NAFLD rat model.
ROS triggered local delivery of stealth exosomes to tumors for enhanced chemo/photodynamic therapy
Authors: Wan Zhuo , Gan Xueqi , Mei Ruiyan , Du Jianbin , Fan Wen , Wei Mengying , Yang Guodong , Qin Weiwei , Zhu Zhuoli , Liu Li
Published: August 2022

Background

Exosomes are recognized as effective platforms for targeted delivery for their high physicochemical stability and biocompatibility. However, most of the exosomes are inevitably and rapidly cleared by mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS) during cancer therapy. How to engineer exosome to enhance the delivery efficiency is being intensively explored. In this study, we have constructed mPEG2000-TK-CP05 decorated exosomes as effective delivery platforms to achieve enhanced photodynamic/chemical cancer therapy.

Results

Exosomes were coated with CP05-TK-mPEG2000, in which CP05 is a peptide with high affinity to exosomal CD63 and TK could be cleaved by ROS. The resulted exosomes, namely stealth Exo, were electroporated to load RB (photosensitizer Rose Bengal) and Dox (Doxorubicin). We verified that the Stealth Exo@RB (Stealth Exo additionally loaded with RB) could escape MPS while accumulate in the tumor region efficiently in the xenograft model when laser irradiation conducted locally. Additionally, we revealed that the Stealth Exo serves as an efficient platform for Dox delivery. Dox, together with the RB mediated photodynamic therapy induce tumor cell damage synergistically in the tumor region. Moreover, the proposed switchable stealth exosomes minimized the dose of toxic Dox and thus allowed robust tumor immune response.

Conclusions

Our results indicated that the proposed Stealth Exo greatly improves both the accessibility and efficiency of drug delivery, with minimal chemical or genetic engineering. The proposed Stealth Exo serve as a promising and powerful drug delivery nanoplatform in cancer treatment.
Is telephone follow-up reliable in maternal and neonatal outcomes surveys in in vitro fertilization?
Authors: Sun Ling , Xu Jian , Liang Pei-Ling , Liu Chun-Lin
Published: August 2022

Background

 Many studies that collect maternal and neonatal outcomes rely on patient self-report phone calls. It is unclear how reliable or accurate these phone call reports are.

Objective

To evaluate the reliability of telephone calls in information collection in IVF.

Study design

The women were interviewed seven days after delivery by a nurse via telephone. The maternal and neonatal outcomes were recorded based on a self-report from one of the spouses. Meanwhile, the standardized electronic hospitalized discharge records were extracted from the hospital medical database. For each case, maternal and neonatal information obtained from telephone interviews and extracted from medical files were compared.

Results

Agreement was classified as “almost perfect, K = 0.81–1.00” for preterm birth, cesarean delivery, low birth weight baby, and macrosomia. The strength of agreement was classified as “moderate, K = 0.41–0.60” for some antepartum complications: gestational diabetes (K = 0.569); pregnancy-induced hypertension (K = 0.588); intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (K = 0.597) and oligohydramnios (K = 0.432). The strength of agreement between telephone interviews and hospitalized discharge records can be classified as “slight (K = 0–0.20)” for some complications: thyroid diseases (K = 0.137), anemia (K = 0.047), postpartum hemorrhage (K = 0.016), and Fetal distress (K = 0.106).

Conclusion

Some variables (preterm birth, cesarean delivery, birth weight) information collected by telephone follow-up were reliable. However, other complications (thyroid diseases, anemia, postpartum hemorrhage, and fetal distress) collected via self-report was non-reliable. Compared with complications during labor, antepartum complications have higher agreement between different follow-up methods. IVF records and hospitalized discharge records should be matched and collected simultaneously when discussing maternal and neonatal outcomes of IVF.
The role of routine chest radiography after implantable venous access port catheter insertion under the guide of ultrasonography and fluoroscopy
Authors: Ghoddusi Johari Hamed , Saki Mohammad Reza , Erfani Amirhossein , Shahriarirad Reza , Ranjbar Keivan
Published: August 2022

Background

The objective of this study is the evaluation of routine chest radiography following the placement of Implantable venous access port catheter (IVAPC) central lines using combined ultrasound and fluoroscopic guidance by a vascular surgeon in the operating room.

Material and method

A prospective study of 189 consecutive patients who underwent IVAPC central line insertion in the vascular surgery operating room from 2016 to 2019. Venipuncture was performed with an 18-gauge needle under the guidance of sonography in each case, and the access site was noted. The line position was confirmed by fluoroscopy following the procedure. Multiple tries for puncture and patients under 18 were excluded from our study. Routine radiography of chest was performed for all patients and pneumothorax, hemothorax, and catheter malposition were evaluated in each case.

Results

There were 2 cases of asymptomatic pneumothorax, no cases of hemothorax, and all catheter tip positions were optimal or acceptable. The annual cost of chest radiography was 33,000,000IRR, 220 h of hospital and staff time, and 1.1 mSv radiation.

Conclusion

In conclusion, when imaging guidance is used for IVAPC insertion by an experienced surgeon in a high-volume center, performing post-procedure routine chest radiography shows little benefit.
Alpha-linolenic acid inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell growth through Farnesoid X receptor/β-catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Feng Shu , Xie Xingming , Chen Chaochun , Zuo Shi , Zhao Xueke , Li Haiyang
Published: August 2022

Background

Altered lipid profiles are frequently present in cancer, and it is necessary to elucidate the role of changed lipid profiles in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We conducted this study to investigate the changed lipid profile in HCC tissues and discover some remarkably changed lipid components, and to explore the function of changed lipid components in HCC development.

Methods

Gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS analysis) was employed to measure the abundance of fatty acids between HCC tissues and adjacent noncancerous tissues. The proliferative ability of HCC cells was determined by Cell Counting Kit-8 and EdU assays. Transwell and wound healing assays were employed to determine the migratory ability of HCC cells. Protein expression was assessed by western blot assay.

Results

GC/MS analysis revealed that alpha-linolenic acid was present at lower levels in HCC tissues than that in the adjacent noncancerous tissues. Alpha-linolenic acid inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of HCC cells in vitro. Western blotting showed that alpha-linolenic acid treatment increased Farnesoid X receptor expression and decreased β-catenin and cyclinD1 expression.

Conclusions

Alpha-linolenic acid suppresses HCC progression through the FXR/Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Rational use of alpha-linolenic acid may prevent the occurrence of liver cancer in the future.
Characteristics and mechanisms of resorption in lumbar disc herniation
Authors: Yu Pengfei , Mao Feng , Chen Jingyun , Ma Xiaoying , Dai Yuxiang , Liu Guanhong , Dai Feng , Liu Jingtao
Published: August 2022

Lumbar disc herniation (LDH) can be spontaneously absorbed without surgical treatment. However, the pathogenesis and physiological indications for predicting protrusion reabsorption are still unclear, which prevents clinicians from preferentially choosing conservative treatment options for LDH patients with reabsorption effects. The purpose of this review was to summarize previous reports on LDH reabsorption and to discuss the clinical and imaging features that favor natural absorption. We highlighted the biological mechanisms involved in the phenomenon of LDH reabsorption, including macrophage infiltration, inflammatory responses, matrix remodeling, and neovascularization. In addition, we summarized and discussed potential clinical treatments for promoting reabsorption. Current evidence suggests that macrophage regulation of inflammatory mediators, matrix metalloproteinases, and specific cytokines in intervertebral disc is essential for the spontaneous reabsorption of LDH.